Commemoration

Central commemoration to WW2 Bleiburg victims held

15.05.2010 u 19:41

Bionic
Reading

The anniversary of the tribulations of fleeing Croatian soldiers and civilians, who were handed over by allied forces to Tito's Partisans in Austria at the end of the World War Two, was marked at Bleiburg field in Austria on Saturday.

Thousands of them were killed by Partisans without a trial at Bleiburg and during death marches back to Yugoslavia known as Way of the Cross marches.

Today's commemoration was attended by many pilgrims, including survivors. Mass was said by Sisak Bishop Vlado Kosic. The event was held under the auspices of the Croatian Parliament.

Speaking on behalf of the Croatian Parliament, Deputy Speaker Ivan Jarnjak said he came to pay his respects to the victims who went on Way of the Cross marches from here and to the victims who were brutally killed here.

"Bleiburg remains the symbol of the tribulations of the Croat people," Jarnjak said.

Speeches were also delivered by Idriz Besic, on behalf of the Islamic community in Croatia, and Velimir Jukic on behalf of the Bosnian Parliament.