Eighth anniversary of the fall of Vukovar in Croatia

ZAGREB, 14 November 1999 - Eight years ago, terrible crimes were committed against the people of Vukovar. The tragedy of Vukovar and the sufferings of its people will not be forgotten.

This anniversary is an occasion for mourning and remembrance. We hope that it also provides an occasion for looking ahead. The achievements that have already been made in rebuilding wounded Vukovar, and in reintegrating the communities divided by the legacy of war, are a tribute to the resilience of its people. Much remains to be done if all of Vukovar's citizens are to be able to return and to live together in the hope of a positive future for themselves and for their families. The revival of the region's economic life is of key importance.

Much has been achieved in the effort to re-establish the conditions for a common life among all of the people of the region, but further efforts are required if trust is to be rebuilt. It is important that any information regarding the fate of missing persons should be brought forward, so that the tragedies of the past can be put behind, and people can look to the future.

The OSCE Mission strongly believes that those responsible for the crimes committed in Vukovar and elsewhere should be brought to justice. However, guilt for those crimes must always be seen as individual. Accusations of collective guilt against communities are unjust and harmful to efforts to establish trust.We hope that the dignity of this day will be respected, and that it will be an occasion for uniting the people of the region.

MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Palmer, spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Croatia, tel. (+385) 1 3096 620; fax. (+385) 1 3096 297; mobile (+385) 98 221 916; e-mail: ppalmer@osce.tel.hr ; website: //www.osce.org/croatia