Asked about possible reactions to the arrival of the Serb Democratic Forum's leader Veljko Dzakula, who was mentioned by the media as a Serb minority representative who would attend the Knin events, Josipovic said that he believed that everyone who loves Croatia should respond completely positively to that arrival.

"I highly appreciate the wish of Mr. Dzakula to come to this celebration," Josipovic told reporters during his stay in the southern town of Sinj.

This means that Croatia's entire population, including the Serb minority, has accepted the Operation Storm as Croatia's victory and as a victory of democracy and that they have accepted Croatia as their homeland. I think that such arrival should be welcomed, and I hope that other Serb minority leaders will muster strength and wisdom to come to the Operation Storm celebration next year," Josipovic said.

"This also implies our obligation to understand that our citizens of Serb ethnicity, and many of them through no fault of their own, were also war victims. We should respect that," the Croatian president said.

Asked to comment on "the negative history of Veljko Dzakula", Josipovic replied" both (his) negative and positive (history). However no one is for ever determined by their own history".

As for some criticisms that tomorrow's celebrations in Knin would be too modest, Josipovic said that "tomorrow's event in Knin will be warm, dignified and with full respect to the Homeland Defence War".