While they should have called it a genocide, this is a start. They're probably a generation away from facing the full reality of that horrible period of history. The Guardian:
A document put forward by Belgrade's ruling coalition of democrats and socialists condemning "the crime" and apologising that "not all was done to prevent this tragedy" was narrowly carried as Serbia continued its bid to become a member of the EU and attract business investors.
"We are taking a civilised step of politically responsible people, based on political conviction, for the war crime that happened in Srebrenica", said Branko Ruzic, whose Socialist party was led by Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990s. Milosevic died while on trial for war crimes at the UN tribunal in The Hague in 2006.
A coalition deputy Jelena Trivan said: "We will clear the face of the nation with this declaration" but opponents rejected the move as "shameful" and "unjust".
They denied western accusations of mass executions and one, Slobodan Samardzic, warned: "Serbia will sign its own guilt with this declaration." Another, Velimir Ilic, said that in Srebrenica, "the crime was no greater than in other places", citing Croatian moves against Serbs.
