Today, for the first time in 30 years, the delegations of Montenegro and Croatia laid a wreath at the entrance to the Morinj camp in the municipality of Kotor.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Đorđe Radulović, said in his speech that "30 years ago, the spirit of Montenegrin heroism, and even more of courage, died down for a moment."
"30 years ago, in the twilight of the disintegration of a state, which, even before Europe started on that path, for decades gathered our fathers in brotherhood and unity, in this place, on the blue coast of the Adriatic, the spirit of Montenegrin heroism was silenced for a moment, and even more unity. While European countries were tearing down the borders between themselves, embracing each other - unity, unity and respect in these areas was disappearing before our eyes. Respect for others, respect for human life, respect for the values that were forged over the centuries generation of our forefathers. Unity was neglected, and the stronger oppressed the weaker," pointed out Radulović.
He added that the suffering of people is the suffering of humanity and that he knows no nation or religion.
"And it is human to sympathize with suffering. It is less important who suffered less and who suffered more in that war, because in the end the generation of our fathers unfortunately lost, and we with them. If Chancellor of Germany Willy Brandt knelt before the dark abyss of German history in the former Warsaw ghetto, we should show respect for the innocent victims in this place. Just as the victim bears first his name and surname, and only then his nation and religion, so too is crime a matter of an individual, who cannot hide behind anyone, because it will be debunked," Radulović said.
He said that "today, standing here, we prove that there is a spirit of the new Montenegro".
"The one who did not participate in the war, but who respects the victims of all wars in these areas - in Velica, Srebrenica or Morinje, but also all others, regardless of which people, nation or religion they belong to. This is the spirit of the new Montenegro, which wants reconciliation of our fathers, for the sake of the future of our children. The spirit of Montenegro that does not live its glorious history, but dreams of its European future. The spirit of Montenegro that is at peace with everyone, for the sake of peace within itself," said Radulović.
He also said that today Montenegro is a country for everyone.
"No one has more or less right to it. However, unlike before, during the glorious history, instead of gunpowder and sword, patriotism today is shown by respect - respect for those who think like you, but perhaps even more, respect for those who think differently . By respecting one's neighbor, friend and neighbor. Morinj is a warning to never forget that. New Montenegro needs exactly that - to ignore our internal divisions, and to dedicate ourselves to mutual respect, nurturing diversity and better understanding. That the descendants of whites and greens , partisans and Chetniks, sovereignists and unionists in this generation will create the future for generations to come. This is the new Montenegro, which, in the spirit of Martin Luther King, has a dream of a country of equals, according to the measure of all its citizens. It's time. We can't waste anymore not even a moment. And events like Morinje must not be repeated, because Montenegro, in its new spirit, wants the best relations with those closest to it - its neighbors. This is our interest, our desire and our future. Only through peace in the neighborhood can we have peace at home, be at peace with ourselves and build a European future for our citizens," said Radulović.
The mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, announced that "after 30 years, for the first time, the delegations of Croatia and Montenegro are laying a wreath together at the entrance to the infamous Camp Morinj".
"Truly, the words of reconciliation of the Montenegrin minister Radulović, but also the words of the reminder of the horrors of Morinj by the Croatian minister Grlić Radman. The ceremony with one strong message - to never repeat it again. Standing in front of this torture camp for Croats, I also thought about another torture camp, the Bileća camp. but also about how, even after 30 years, the authorities of Trebinje and their "defenders" tell their truth, celebrate those who attacked our city and avoid apologizing for all the crimes they committed, and with Vučić's last wishes for a 'Serbian world' - all of the above calls for caution and reminds of the days of 1991," Franković wrote on Facebook.
They were in the "Morinj" camp in 1991-92. were detained civilians who were arrested by reservists of the then Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) in houses around Konavle, and a small number of captured defectors of the Croatian armed forces that were defending Dubrovnik at the time.
They later testified about the various abuses they endured during captivity, and the High Court in Podgorica sentenced four former JNA reservists to 12 years in prison for war crimes and inhumane treatment.
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