Milanović's visit to Derventa and decoration for HVO members cause reactions, SDS president Miličević says it's a 'slap in the face to the Serbian people'

(Patria) - Croatian President Zoran Milanović is attending the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the founding of the 103rd Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council Derventa today.

"This is the first time I am coming to these parts. I have decorated members of the 103rd Brigade of the Croatian Defence Council Derventa because they deserve it, because their contribution is great. Over 650 people died, over 100 Muslims, who would be called Bosniaks today. We know what is ours, we do not reach for what belongs to others," Milanović said in his address to the present Croats in Derventa.

The Dayton Agreement calmed some down and disappointed others, like you, but due to Croatian unity, we must conclude that in Croatian circles, Posavina is called a betrayal and that Derventa could have been defended. I can say that I do not see it that way, it is a miracle that Posavina and Derventa were defended for several months. People from Croatia also fought here...", Milanović said.

After the address, the Croatian president awarded decorations to the 103rd HVO Brigade with the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski for, as stated, the bravery shown by its members in the Homeland War.

The arrival of the Croatian president in Derventa also caused extraordinary police activities with increased police presence.

The visit was also commented on by the acting president of SDS, Milan Miličević, who said it was an insult.

"The arrival of Croatian President Zoran Milanović in Derventa for the celebration of the founding of the 103rd HVO Brigade and the awarding of decorations to that unit, infamous for evil, on the anniversary of the horrific crime committed by the regular Croatian Army in Sijekovac just a few kilometers away, represents a scandal, an open slap in the face, a grave insult to the Serbian people, and a shameful mockery of all Serbian victims in Posavina. I am shocked, both as a man and as a participant in the Defensive-Homeland War, that such a shameful act is happening in the heart of Republika Srpska, without any reaction from the institutions of Republika Srpska," said Miličević.

He emphasized that the 103rd HVO Brigade is responsible for a large number of crimes in the Posavina and Derventa area, for camps, torture, and massacres, which is certainly not unknown to Milanović, and especially not to the authorities of Republika Srpska.

"I received a large number of calls from residents of Derventa who watched in disbelief the waving of HVO war insignia and the parading in war uniforms of that criminal brigade, with the same question from everyone - how is it possible that this is happening in Republika Srpska and who allowed this?", Miličević pointed out.