Marking the 26th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), members of the Association of Veterans of the 1990 Wars of Montenegro, representatives of the Municipality of Nikšić, family members and admirers of fallen soldiers, as well as representatives of political parties, laid flowers at the monument dedicated to the soldiers from Nikšić and Šavnik, who died in the wars of 1991-1999, located on Šaka Petrović Square, near the Cathedral Church.
The wreath was laid by the Mayor of the Municipality of Nikšić Marko Kovačević, together with the Chief of Staff Marko Perućica, and on that occasion he pointed out that the Municipality plans to create a Museum of the Victims of the "Lora" Camp.
"The culture of remembrance is very important and we, as the Municipality of Nikšić, are trying very hard to preserve the memory of those people who gave the most valuable thing they had for this country. As the Municipality of Nikšić, we have plans for the future to create a Museum of Victims 'Lora' that would include the story of the victims from the Nikšić-Šavnik and Bar groups, but also all the victims who died in those camp systems and from other regions," said Kovačević, who, before laying the wreath, attended the memorial service for the victims of the NATO bombing, which was served in the Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog by Bishop Metodije of Budimlje-Niksic and the clergy.
Kovačević emphasized that in recent days the issue of the victims of the "Lora" camp has been treated in a very bad way, stating that Nikšić and Montenegro should respond to this much better, drawing attention to how other countries act when it comes to their victims.
"I was recently in Israel and saw how they treat the victims of the Holocaust. I think we should also protect our victims from being forgotten, both those in 'Lora', I mention this because of everything that was in the media in the previous days, and those victims who died in the NATO bombing in '99. I think that as a society we are responsible towards them and that we must remember that, as well as those people who gave their lives for their country," said Kovačević.
He said that we must not allow the names of the dead and their sacrifice to be covered with "the stains of propaganda", but rather that we should view it all the way "our ancestors viewed it and honestly preserved the memory of all those who carried the torch of freedom throughout the centuries and fell for that same freedom."
The president of the Association of War Veterans since 1990, Radan Nikolić, recalled that the names of 61 members of the Nikšić-Šavnik group are inscribed on the monument, and that of that number, 14 of them "brutally ended their lives" in the "Lora" camp.
He also referred to a recent statement by the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, who denied the existence of the "Lora" camp.
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"He uttered complete nonsense, because there were trials about 'Lora' in Croatia itself. Commissions in the region, the International Red Cross, and many international organizations dealt with it. He knows that it will have no effect other than what he intended, which is to humiliate Montenegro and insult these families," Nikolić said.
He stressed that the people must preserve the memory of the figures and deeds of all fallen soldiers of the wars of the 1990s and must not allow the falsification of history "despite the fact that everything is known about them and that they were awarded the highest state decorations during that war."
He did not forget to mention the Law on Veterans and Disability Protection, which, as he said, has harmed the families of fallen soldiers, war invalids, and civilian victims of war, and for which he will "fight with all his might", because despite the promises of the Prime Minister, according to Nikolić, they have received nothing "except a miserable three percent, which is the increase for war invalids".
The president of the municipal Association of War Veterans since 1990, Blažo Đurković, said that "Lora is the new Jasenovac" and that "now more than ever we must stand by our bright victims", pray for their souls, for their descendants, for "our Montenegro, which without relying on its heroes has no way anywhere and nowhere".
As he said, the people became convinced that instead of "so-called Western democracy, light does come from the East."
We are hurt, said Đurković, by "our wounds and our loss", but much more by the "gloating" of those who are to blame for those wounds and who "instead of repentance and shame, spread lies".
He requested, on behalf of the Association and the families of the victims, that the controversial plaque in Morinje be removed, as well as that the agreement on the prosecution of war crimes perpetrators between Montenegro and Croatia be annulled.
Ilija Miljanić also addressed those present, recalling both the suffering of the Serbian people in Yugoslavia due to NATO aggression, and the "pogroms in Kosovo and Metohija".
As he said, the families of those killed in 1999 are still "seeking justice in injustice."
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