Czech President Miloš Zeman Apologizes to Serbia for NATO Bombing

Editor’s note: That is nice of Zeman, but why is he apologizing to someone who enjoys attending Clinton events and taking photos with Clinton?

Czech President Milos Zeman has apologized over the 1999 NATO bombing of former Yugoslavia, in which his country took part while he was prime minister.

“I would like to use this opportunity to apologize for the bombing of former Yugoslavia,” Zeman said on May 18 during a visit to Prague by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

The Czech Republic “desperately” sought partners within the alliance to object to the campaign, but ultimately failed, the 76-year-old Zeman said.

“It was lack of courage,” he added. “With this plea of forgiveness, I resolved my long-standing trauma, because remorse is liberating.”

Vucic said Serbians will “always be grateful” to Zeman because “what he said about the bombing has never been said before.”

Zeman served as prime minister between 1998 and 2002 before taking over as president in 2013. He has favored friendly ties with Russia for years.

Source: Radio Free Europe

Vučić’s full words:

“I know that it is not popular to talk about traditional and sincere friendship, but what I experienced today here in Prague and the hospitality that Serbia received here, and what you have prepared for us, it is something that touched me deeply,” Vucic said at the beginning of his address.

“The words of President Zeman, a brave man with a unique character, who does not flatter anyone, mean a lot to me… I witnessed how much respected he is and I am a little envious, I want to thank him for these wonderful words he sent to Serbia. The Serbian people perceive the Czech people not as friendly, but as a fraternal nation.”