Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that the massacre of 1995 in Srebrenica dealt a heavy blow to human dignity.

Speaking in a ceremony to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, Prime Minister Erdogan said that "Srebrenica massacre was a black mark for Balkan as well as European history".

Those killed in the Srebrenica massacre are all martyrs. Based on our values, they are not dead but alive. They are here listening to us and observing us, Erdogan underlined.

The victims of the Srebrenica massacre lost lives for their homeland, honor and humanity. They were massacred in a bloody, ruthless, lawless, and wild war, Erdogan stressed.

The Srebrenica Massacre refers to the July 1995 killing of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosnian men and boys, as well as the ethnic cleansing of 25,000-30,000 refugees in the area of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, by units under the command of General Ratko Mladic during the Bosnian War.

"Honor in eyes of Bosnian lady"

Erdogan referred to the International Court of Justice in The Hague which ruled that what took place in Srebrenica was a genocide.

Exactly 15 years ago, around 10,000 men, women and children were subjected to an ethnic cleansing. There are still hundreds who are missing or have died without a burial, Erdogan said.

We have seen today that a Bosnian lady shook the hand of Serbian President Boris Tadic despite having lost her husband and two children 15 years ago in the Srebrenica massacre. I have noticed determination and honor in the eyes of this lady but no hatred. I congratulate her for behaviour. This is what is necesarry for global peace, more mothers like her, said the Turkish Premier.

Anadolu news agency reported, Erdogan went on to say, "We know that the death of one single human being is like the death of whole humanity. We are taking steps based on such an understanding. Therefore, we insist on saying 'peace', 'peace' and 'peace',."

He said, "We will never forget Srebrenica and will not let it be forgotten. We will never let Srebrenica be erased from memories so that similar massacres do not take place in other corners of the world in the future."

"All Turks prayed"

Srebrenica had been declared by a safe zone by the United Nations and many Bosnians had flocked there for protection. But in 11 July 1995, Serb troops led by General Ratko Mladic took over the enclave.

The outnumbered UN troops never fired a shot.

They watched as Mladic's troops rounded up the population of Srebrenica and took the men and boys away for execution.

So far, more than 3-thousand Bosnian victims have been already buried. They were found in 13 mass graves scattered around Srebrenica. Bodies of 2-thousand Bosnians are still not found.

The Srebrenica massacre is the largest mass murder in Europe since World War II. In 2004, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ruled what took place in
Srebrenica was a genocide.

Turkey has felt the pain of all clashes, wars and tragedies in the Balkans. Turks in 81 provinces shed tears and prayed. Sarajevo is Istanbul's sister. Belgrade is Ankara's friend. Zagreb is a relative of Izmir. The history of Kizilirmak River, Sakarya River, Tuna River, and Drina River are common and one, Erdogan said.

Every war, clash and fight is terrible. Yet, the fight of brothers and relatives who share a common history, culture and perhaps a language is worse, Erdogan said.

The Serbian Parliament's decision taken on Srebrenica is an "historic one for a common and peaceful future", Erdogan said.

The Serbian Parliament officially condemned the massacre.

The presence of President Tadic here today is an historic step for a bright future. Just as Srebrenica was a place where human dignity was hurt, it can be a place where human dignity can re-grow and become a place of peace, friendship, and solidarity, Erdogan said.

As Turkey, we are working for the welfare, stability, tranquility and peace of the Balkans, Erdogan said.

I am confident that Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia will also continue to work for such values, Erdogan said.

I remember all the martyrs of Srebrenica with great respect and hope that they are all in heaven, Erdogan also said.

Meanwhile, The European Parliament in January proclaimed Jul 11 a day of commemoration and urged European countries to support the resolution.

The parliaments in both Croatia and Montenegro passed resolutions marking Jul 11 as a day of remembrance.

However, the Bosnians want the international court to acknowledge that the genocide was carried out in entire Bosnia not only in Srebrenica.


Agencies