Tetovo, 8 August 2024 (MIA) - Delegations from the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff of the Army and Parliament laid Thursday flowers at the village of Karpalak memorial to mark the 23-year anniversary of the tragic incident when ten defenders were killed in an ambush near the Prilep village of Karpalak on Aug. 8, 2001,

Like many years before, members of the families of the killed defenders as well as former defenders from Prilep who survived the attack attended the flower-laying ceremony. They criticized the authorities for its negligence towards the 2001 defenders and the way the tragic incident is being marked.

“Despite grieving for the great loss of ten Prilep defenders killed while defending the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Macedonia, on this day we’re also in awe honoring those who survived. They should be inscribed in Macedonian history with golden letters,” said Marjan Risteski, deputy economy minister.

While not forgetting what had happened, he said, the citizens should all live in our common country Macedonia, building a prosperous, strong and economically strong country that is part of the European family, citizens who are happy regardless of their national, religious and political background.

Attending the event, relatives and friends of the killed defenders once again criticized the authorities demanding that a dignified memorial be finally erected in honor of the ten soldiers. 

Each year at the commemoration, the surviving defenders and their families have been accusing the state of not taking care of the 2001 veterans.

“We have no rights; we cannot be issued a single document that we had fought to defend the country in 2001. The children of the defenders, who are already adults, haven’t been provided with free education, free healthcare, which is a disgrace. I have nothing against the Albanians, but those who had attacked Macedonia, now are enjoying all kinds of benefits. For 23 years, no one has asked us if we need anything, if we are ok. For 23 years, we have been fighting for a monument to be erected. We are disappointed enormously,” said Jordan Trajkovski from Prilep. 

The site of the ambush is marked with a plaque alongside a highway consisting the names of the killed soldiers. Previous governments have pledged that a dignified monument would be installed here, which is yet to be done.

“Representing the government, I call on the authorities and I’ll do my best for a monument honoring the 10 killed Prilep defenders to be erected here,” stated Risteski. 

The ten army reservists who were killed in the August 8, 2001, Karpalak ambush were Sasho Kitanoski, Nane Naumoski, Branko Sekuloski, Marko Despotoski, Erdovan Shabanoski, Ljube Grujoski, Darko Veljanoski, Vebi Rushitoski, Goran Minoski, and Pece Sekuloski. 

Photo: MIA