Prilep observes 9th anniversary from Karpalak attack

Prilep, 8 August 2010 (MIA) - The 9th anniversary of Karpalak attack which claimed the lives of 10 army reservists has been observed Sunday in front of the monument in Prilep downtown.

On August 8, 2001, Prilep convoy made up of five vehicles and 120 reservists was ambushed near Karpalak. Nane Naumovski, Saso Kitanoski, Branko Sekuloski, Goran Minoski, Marko Despotoski, Erdovan Sabanoski, Ljube Grujoski, Darko Veljanoski, Pece Sekuloski and Vebi Rusidoski, all ARM reservists, lost their lives in the attack.

Family members, Defence Ministry, President of the state, Prime Minister and ARM General Staff officials, associations of defenders, political parties laid fresh flowers and wreaths in front of the monument.

Government delegation was led by Deputy PM for EU Affairs Vasko Naumovski and Deputy Defence Minister Emil Dimitriev.

- Since 1903 and National Liberation War marking the anniversaries Prilep gave its victims as well in 2001 in defending the sovereignty, integrity and freedom of Macedonia. Coward attack of the terrorists at Karpalak who had no courage to face to face with our defenders, might succeeded in seizing them from their families but not the memory about them, Naumovski said.

Prilep mayor Marjan Risteski said that after nine years, Prilep requests perpetrators of the massacre to be found and punished, announcing the start of construction of symbolical commemorative site with ten 15 meter high pillars, fountain, benches, parking lot in remembrance of the defenders.

By laying fresh flowers at the monument in "Mirce Acev" barracks in Prilep, the closest relatives, delegations of the municipality and "Karpalak" association and reservists from 2001 events Saturday started the observance of the 9th anniversary of Karpalak attack.