For a couple of days following the acquittals of Croatian Generals Gotovina and Markač and Kosovar KLA units’ leader Haradinaj, various reactions caused turmoil in the region – torrents of bitter statements from the Serbian side and euphoric outbursts in Croatia and Kosovo, respectively. As fierce as the reactions were, officials and the media in the counties in question quickly lost interest. It seems as though nothing was learned.

A democratic society in Serbia is possible only if all causes and consequences of the crimes committed on our behalf in the wars led in former Yugoslavia are acknowledged and valued in a correct way. This means that the state and the political elite must clearly distance themselves from the crimes committed on Serbia’s behalf, thus sending an unambiguous message to the citizens about what represents socially unacceptable behavior. This goal will be achieved not only by punishing those who committed the crimes – which is the most important precondition – but also by not denying, justifying or glorifying crimes.