He raises a storm when there is fire under his feet: Vučić criticizes Montenegro for its representative in Knin, even though he has barely made any noise for years

Although Montenegro has been sending representatives to commemorate Croatia's Operation Storm for years, the Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić Until the day before yesterday, when he sharply criticized the authorities in Podgorica, he did not attach much importance to it, remaining silent or "comradely" criticizing local politicians.

"Vijesti" interlocutors explain that this time - as the elections in Serbia approach, Kosovo authorities demolish Serbian houses in Gazivode, Montenegro rushes towards membership in the European Union (EU), and certain Montenegrin officials consciously distance themselves from him - Vučić had to strengthen his "patriotic image", imagining himself in the role of "father of the nation".

According to unofficial information from the editorial office, Podgorica has been delegating a representative to the anniversary of Operation Storm in Knin since at least 2016. This first caused controversy in 2018, when the then military attaché in Croatia attended the event. Ivan MašulovićThe former Democratic Front strongly condemned such a move, asking parliament to do the same, and criticism also came from the Civic Movement URA.

Vučić reacted on that occasion, but with measured words, saying that the then Montenegrin Prime Minister had Dusko Markovic had "promised that Montenegro would take care of Serbia's interests before important and significant dates".

Podgorica sent representatives to Knin every following year - with the exception of 2021, when the Government Zdravka Krivokapića she did not do that. There were no significant reactions during that period, except for the statement Ivice Dacic 2020, who then said that this was "the natural course of the spread of anti-Serb politics."

However, this year, Vučić "stirred up" Podgorica - which was represented in Knin by the chargé d'affaires from the embassy in Zagreb - stating that representatives of the Montenegrin government "will rejoice in Knin over the Serbian suffering and crimes committed against Serbs", without sending anyone to Mrkonjić Grad, where official Serbia and representatives of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian entity Republika Srpska are commemorating the pogrom of Serbs from Croatia.

"Official Montenegro is participating in the celebration of 'Storm', but has not sent anyone to the commemorative memorial for the Serbs killed in Mrkonjić Grad. Thank you to the Government of Montenegro. This is not the end, but only the beginning of such decisions," he said.

Didanović: Expected attack

Journalist at the Belgrade weekly "Radar" Vera Didanović She told "Vijesti" that the public had enough time to convince themselves that Vučić's statements and actions are always in the service of his own interests, not state interests or clear political or moral principles, and that this is why his messages are often contradictory and have nothing in common with previous positions on the same issue.

She stated that "Storm" is an extremely painful topic for the citizens of Serbia and that this makes it ideal for political use, especially as elections in that country approach, but also because of other problems plaguing the Serbian government.

The interviewee explains that a significant part of the public there perceives Vučić as a "traitor" because of his attitude towards Kosovo, which, she adds, has been particularly intensified in recent days due to the demolition of Serbian houses around Gazivode.

Last week, Kosovo authorities demolished 17 structures on Lake Gazivode in northern Kosovo, where the majority of Serbs live, claiming that the construction was illegal, although court proceedings are still ongoing, which is why the European Commission has called on Pristina to stop the action. The authorities in Belgrade sent different messages about Gazivode 10 years ago.

"I once said in Brussels - talk about everything you want, but we will not give up Gazivode. We did not continue those talks after that, and our position did not change," said Vučić, then Prime Minister of Serbia, in 2016.

Didanović notes that Vučić therefore needs, more than usual, to restore and strengthen his "patriotic image" and present himself as the protector of Serbs, wherever they are.

"Croatia has long been chosen as the 'ideal enemy' through which the SNS (Serbian Progressive Party) government pumps its 'patriotism'. On the other hand, Montenegro, after its imminent EU membership became likely, has become a serious problem for the progressive government, because it effectively renders meaningless its story about the 'European path' and 'leadership in the region'. Therefore, the attack on Montenegro's decision to, as in previous years, attend the Croatian commemoration of 'Storm' is quite expected," she underlined.

The “Father of the Nation” demands obedience

The day before yesterday, the President of Serbia did not fail to send a few "poisonous arrows" towards the head of parliament. Andrija Mandić, who has been moving away from him in recent months. Vučić stated that he did not know what the two would discuss, and that "Serbs in Montenegro should look at who is working in their interests."

Mandić distanced himself from sending representatives to Knin, emphasizing that his New Serbian Democracy would not be represented there by anyone, and adding that the party's delegation was in Mrkonjić Grad.

Vera Didanović said that, as usual, Vučić's reaction was primarily aimed at the citizens of Serbia, but that this time we can also talk about "killing two birds with one stone." She said that Vučić, in order to play the role of "father of the nation," needs the absolute obedience of Serbian representatives throughout the region, and especially in Montenegro, the country closest to Serbia in every way.

"Therefore, he will do everything he can to strengthen the role of politicians who are completely obedient to him and weaken the position of those who wrest control. Apart from his statements, insufficiently loyal representatives of Serbs from Montenegro are subjected to demonization in pro-government media, and there is currently no reason to expect that this treatment to stop - unless they clearly and loudly bow to the 'father of the nation'," said Didanović.

Todorović: DNP does not take orders from anyone

On the other hand, Vučić expressed gratitude to the leader of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) Milan Knežević and his party colleague Milun Zogović for coming to the event in Mrkonjić Grad.

Knežević accused the government of stabbing the Serbian people in the back with its decision to send a representative to mark the anniversary of Operation Storm.

"They have betrayed our common history, common memory and common spirituality so much that it is enough for all our dead, for all the living and for all those Serbs who will be born in Montenegro...", said Knežević.

However, Podgorica sent representatives in both 2024 and 2025, while the DNP was part of the Government. Milojko SpajićWhen asked whether the DNP used that logic to stab the Serbian people in the back, the party's spokesperson Jovana Todorović She told "Vijesti" that DNP representatives participate every year in commemorating the ethnic cleansing of the Serbian people from the territory of Croatia.

"On August 4, 2024, in Loznica, in addition to the president of the DNP, Milan Knežević, the commemoration of the pogrom of Serbs from Croatia was attended by the then Deputy Prime Minister Zogović and the Minister of Transport Maja Vukićević "despite the opposition of Prime Minister Spajić," she reminded.

Todorović pointed out that the DNP's position has always been clear, that it has not changed, and that it was announced by Knežević in Mrkonjić Grad:

"The military action of the Croatian army represents a continuation of the 1941 genocide against the Serbian people in Croatia. And the decision for official Montenegro to send a representative to Croatia to celebrate ethnic cleansing is a stab in the back to Serbia, Republika Srpska and the entire Serbian people wherever they live. Whether it happened during the regime Milo Đukanović, or during the time of Milojko Spajić”.

She stated that Knežević was banned from entering Croatia due to the resolution on Jasenovac, and that he was “the only MP to whom this measure was applied” (Andrija Mandić and the Deputy Prime Minister were also banned from entering Croatia). To Aleksi Bečić).

"And all institutions were silent and are still silent. We know that the truth that Knežević announced in Mrkonjić hurts many, because no one from Spajić's government has any excuse for not attending the commemoration of the pogrom of Serbs from Croatia, but we all in Montenegro know that they should not have come from (the head of the EU delegation in Montenegro) Johana) Satler"Well, that's the difference between us and them. We don't receive orders and instructions from anyone, except from our people, so we can say whatever we think, everywhere and in every place," Todorović said.

A legitimate operation for some, a pogrom for others

With Operation Storm in August 1995, Croatia regained control over part of its territory, where a part of Croatian Serbs formed the so-called Republic of Serbian Krajina. According to Croatian sources, around 130.000 Serbs left Croatia in convoys before Operation Storm, while according to Serbian sources, 200.000-300.000 of them were exiled or fled to Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia.

The anniversary of Operation Storm is commemorated in Croatia on August 5, as Victory and Homeland Gratitude Day, while in Serbia, Operation Storm is commemorated on August 4, the day the operation began, as the Day of Remembrance for the Victims and Exiled Serbs. During the four-day offensive, Croatian forces captured more than 10.000 square kilometers of territory and entered Knin, the capital of the rebel Serbs.

The Hague Tribunal convicted the Croatian generals in the first instance in 2011. Ante Gotovina i Mladen Markač to 24 and 18 years in prison, respectively, for persecution, deportation, robbery, murder and inhumane acts against the Serbian population in Krajina, while the general Ivan Cermak acquitted of charges.

However, the Tribunal's Appeals Chamber in 2012 acquitted both Gotovina and Markač of criminal responsibility.

The ruling of the International Court of Justice established that the political and military authorities of Croatia were aware that this operation would cause a mass exodus of the Serbian population, and that they based their military strategy on the expected exodus, considering it desirable.

Milatović's Cabinet: Attendance at the commemoration of Operation Storm is not mandatory

The Office of the Head of State Jakov Milatović announced yesterday that attendance at the commemoration of the anniversary of Operation Storm is not a state obligation of Montenegro, and that for many in Croatia, the operation represents a symbol of victory in the war, but for a large number of Serbs it is a symbol of suffering, persecution and loss of homes.

"Montenegro fosters good relations with Croatia as a neighboring country and partner on the European path. These relations are based on mutual respect and cooperation, but not on mandatory attendance at events that evoke painful memories for a large number of citizens in Montenegro," they said.