http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/03/24/5582898.html Voice of Russia March 24, 2010 Serbia pays tribute to victims of NATO bombing of former Yugoslavia On Wednesday, Serbia pays tribute to victims of the NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia in 1999, when more than 2,500 civilians died and about 200,000 more were displaced as the result of the alliance’s air strikes. The bombing became NATO’s largest-ever military operation on the territory of Serbia and Montenegro since the end of World War Two, experts say, pointing to the fact that the bombing was staged without being okayed by the US Security Council. Commemoration events are due to be held all across Serbia, including the capital Belgrade, later in the day, with the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej set to lead memorial service at the Belgrade St. Marcus Cathedral. ---------------------------------------------------------- http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2010 <http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=03&dd=24&nav_id=66015> &mm=03&dd=24&nav_id=66015 B92 March 24, 2010 Anniversary of NATO attacks marked BELGRADE: Wednesday marks the 11-year anniversary of the start of the 78-day NATO-led bombing campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The bombing commenced after failed peace negotiations in Rambouillet, France. The attacks ended on June 9 with the signing of the Kumanovo Agreement and the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. In the bombing, great damage was done to Serbia’s infrastructure, including business facilities, schools, hospitals, media headquarters and cultural monuments. According to varying estimates, in between 1,200 and 3,500 people were killed. The air strikes began on March 24, 1999 at 19:30 CET, at which time the government of Slobodan Milosevic declared that the country was at war. Commemorations will be held on Wednesday for victims of the attacks. Air-raid sirens Sirens will be sounded symbolically throughout the country at noon and will last 60 seconds. SPC Patriarch Irinej will be holding a service in honor of the victims of the bombing at the Saint Marko's Church in Belgrade. Even though 11 years have passed, consequences of the bombing are still visible. One of the most prominent examples is the state military headquarters, located in the center of Belgrade, which remains damaged. In the 78 days of the attacks, 540 buildings were destroyed, 58 bridges and 30,000 homes. The material damage is estimated at about USD 30bn. Restoration began in June 1999, immediately after the war ended, led by then restoration directorate chief, and now Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjic. _______________________________________________ News mailing list [email protected] http://lists.antic.org/mailman/listinfo/news
