General Ante Gotovina said on Tuesday he was proud of the Croatian military offensive Operation Maslenica '93 because it contributed to the victory in the 1991-1995 Homeland War.
"I feel proud because it was one of the operations that made it possible for us to win the war and for our country to develop in peace since 1995," Gotovina told the press at a wreath-laying ceremony in Zadar's municipal cemetery marking the 20th anniversary of the operation.
In that operation "we gained all the tactical and technical knowledge and developed our armed forces for a final victory," said Gotovina, who was one of the operation's commanders.
He said that Croatia was now a member of NATO and Croatian troops were participating in international peacekeeping operations worldwide. "We are free people and are building our country and our future with pride and optimism."
The ceremony was attended by President Ivo Josipovic, Parliament Speaker Josip Leko and Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic, who laid a joint wreath. Wreaths were also laid by the head of the strongest opposition party, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Tomislav Karamarko, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Drago Lovric, local delegations and veterans' organisations.
During the 72-hour-long operation, Croatian forces regained control of key strategic points from Serb insurgents and re-established transport connections between the country's north and south.
In the first three days of the operation, 19 Croatian soldiers were killed and 70 were wounded. However, by March 31, 1993 the number of Croatian fatalities rose to 127 as Serb forces fought back.
