FM Kovač attends commemoration of remembrance day for victims of totalitarianism

(Hina) – In Bile near Mostar a commemoration and mass were held on the occasion of the international remembrance day for victims of totalitarian regimes, fascism, Nazism and communism

(Hina) – In Bile near Mostar a commemoration and mass were held on the occasion of the international remembrance day for victims of totalitarian regimes, fascism, Nazism and communism. Foreign Minister Miro Kovač and Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency Dragan Čović were in attendance.

Kovač warned about the dangers of manipulating with the victims and fabricating history, which, he said, “we witnessed these past few days in the neighbourhood”, alluding to Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić’s allegations about Croatia’s reinstating the Ustaša ideology. Kovač underlined that victims had to be paid respect to, regardless of where they came from.

“The victims should come first and we must pay respect to them. Each victim deserves the truth. The truth has to be talked about. We have to talk about the fascist, Nazist and communist crimes,” Kovač said. He emphasized that the building of the Cemetery of Peace in Bile near Mostar sent an important message, not just for Bosnia and Herzegovina but for Croatia and Europe as well.

“It is a step forward, a demonstration of strength for the Croatian people need, and that is facing its past. The Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be proud of this,” Kovač told the press. Before the mass, a newly-built church in Bile was blessed. The other facilities of the Cemetery of Peace complex, which will see the erection of 50.000 crosses with names of military and civilian victims, are to be completed within the next two years.

The mass was led by Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan, Mgr Ratko Perić, who stressed in his sermon that peace, as a social and religious goal, could not be attained without the virtue of justice.   

 

Press releases