CROATIAN POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES LIBERATED WESTERN SLAVONIA REGION
Police and military forces of Republic of Croatia liberated within less than 40 hours the occupied territory of Western Slavonia, including the towns of Jasenovac, Okucani and Stara Gradiska. The action began on the 1st of May at 05:30 and ended in the afternoon of the next day. The aim of the action was to ensure safe traffic on the modern highway Zagreb-Slavonski Brod-Lipovac and on the railroad between Zagreb and Vinkovci. The section of these two paths in length of 27 km (15 miles) was closed for any kind of traffic for over three years now, since Yugoslav army and Serb's forces carried out the aggression on Republic of Croatia in 1991.
After the Agreement with Serbs from the occupied territories has been reached on the 21st of December 1994. the highway was opened. Even though they signed the agreement there has been several severe incidents on the highway, and on the 24th of April 1995. Serbs closed it down. In spite of the agreed, the railroad hasn't been opened at all.
SERBS FIRED MISSILES ON ZAGREB
After the liberation of Slavonia region, Serb's rebels retaliated launching rockets on Croatian Capital Zagreb on two occasions. First attack came suddenly on Tuesday, 2nd of May 1995. at 10:25, during which Zagreb was hit by six rockets. Cluster bombs fell in Draskoviceva street, in the yard of the High School in Krizaniceva street, On Zrinjevac city park near the American Embassy and on the Zagreb airport Pleso. The second attack was executed on Wednesday, 3rd of May 1995. at about noon (12:10). The missiles hit the building of Croatian National Theatre and CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL in Klaiceva street, Meduliceva and Ilica street. One rocket fell on the suburb Struge.
WHO WERE THE VICTIMS?
The consequences were fatal for five people, and 176 were seriously or lightly injured.
DAMIR DRACIC, ANA MUTEVLIC, STJEPAN KRHEN, IVANKA KOVAC AND IVAN MARKULIN died.
PEACE IS RETURNING TO CROATIA
After the entire liberation of Western Slavonia, Government of Republic of Croatia stressed that the action is completed and Croatian forces ceased all combat activities. In spite of strong Serbian provocations that were extended even to a bombing of Zagreb, Croatian forces do not intend to expand the activities on other occupied parts of Croatia, at this moment.
Peace and safety are returning to the area, EU and UN monitors and Diplomats accredited in Croatia confirmed after visiting the area.
TO THE SERBS IN THE FREED AREA SAFETY GUARANTEED
Croatian Government guaranteed safety and all constitutional and minority rights to all Serbian civilians and demobilized soldiers, that after the action remained in the area. Those that are suspected of committing the war crimes will be detained and the trial will be conducted in accordance with Croatian law under the observation of the world's communitty. EU and UN monitors confirm daily that the Serbs had fair treatment without any misconduction. All reporters and journalists may, if they wish so, without any prior announcement, visit the entire area and report on the situation on the ground.
