The highest government officials, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) and prominent parties from both the ruling and opposition sides, have chosen not to respond to the recent remarks made by Croatian Foreign Minister Gordana Grlić Radman. He stated that “Lora” in Split, where Montenegrin citizens lost their lives during the early 1990s, should not be considered a camp and that all matters associated with the incidents in the Lora prison have been legally processed.

The news outlet “Vijesti” inquired how officials and relevant institutions view Grlić Radman’s statements and whether any actions would be taken regarding his remarks.

In response to what steps Zagreb is willing to take to clarify the situation surrounding the Split camp, where 14 members of the former Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) from the so-called Nikšić-Šavnik group were killed, the Croatian minister told “Vijesti” that “there is no such thing as a ‘Lora camp,’ and there never was.” He added that this issue is not open for debate, but rather “a narrative intended to equate victim and aggressor.”

Grlić Radman further commented that “events at the Lora prison have been legally processed and adjudicated, and discussing them is neither necessary nor appropriate,” especially when pressed about what “Lora” is if not a camp and how clarification regarding the plight of wartime prisoners can be interpreted as “a narrative that aims to equate aggressors and victims.”

According to the Montenegrin Association of War Veterans, since 1990, 14 members of the former JNA from the so-called Nikšić-Šavnik group were captured in the Herzegovina fighting in 1992 and died in “Lora.” An investigation into the murder of this group by the Split County State Prosecutor’s Office commenced at the end of 2011, but the case has yet to reach a court resolution. The Montenegrin State Prosecutor’s Office provided Croatia with extensive documentation related to the case over a decade ago.

When asked for his thoughts on Grlić Radman’s assertions, Andrija Nikolić, head of the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) club, stated during a press conference yesterday that he wished to review the interview in more detail. He remarked that since these were official positions from Croatian politics, he would refrain from offering further specific comments.

He emphasized the expectation for Montenegro to engage in “more serious communication with Croatia” through its institutions.

“We have been informed that negotiations and discussions aim to address the adverse effects stemming from the passing of theResolution on genocide in Jasenovac. It clearly has become part of a new array of issues requiring discussion,” Nikolić noted.

On the topic of Grlić Radman’s assertion that Podgorica should pass a resolution condemning the aggression in Dubrovnik, head of state Jakov Milatović remarked that the detrimental policies of Montenegro in the early nineties also contributed to the downfall of the former state.

“We shouldn’t keep returning to these resolutions… I criticized the resolution (on Jasenovac genocide) last year, not to deny the genocide that undoubtedly occurred, but because it was my belief that Montenegro, by endorsing it, would diminish our bargaining power in ongoing bilateral discussions with Croatia. What transpired? We weakened our leverage… Those who diminished it, I now urge, must take steps toward resolving our issues diplomatically with official Zagreb as swiftly as possible. I also appeal to official Zagreb to exhibit further understanding towards Montenegro,” he stated.

NGO Group: Grlić Radman is mistaken

Human rights NGOs, including Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past from Zagreb, the Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights from Osijek, and Human Rights Action from Podgorica, voiced their protest yesterday regarding what they describe as misleading statements made by Grlić Radman.

“The minister is incorrect. It is established by final rulings that members of the 72nd Military Police Battalion of the Croatian Army subjected civilians and prisoners of war brought in without legal grounds to humiliation, mental and physical abuse, torture, and in some cases, led them to death. Unfortunately, not all crimes committed in ‘Lora’ have been investigated or legally adjudicated. We highlight the sluggish procedures regarding the suffering of Montenegrin prisoners of war, despite having testimonies that affirm the occurrence of crimes against them,” they expressed, adding their regret that Grlić Radman is “attempting to influence the competent institutions’ efforts rather than encouraging the pursuit of justice for these crimes.”

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