Prilep, 8 August 2022 (MIA) – By paying respects in front of the Karpalak monument in the city center, Prilep marked 21 years since the death of 10 defenders, reservists from the Prilep barracks. Wreaths and fresh flowers were laid by delegations from the Office of President Stevo Pendarovski, security advisor Valentin Dinevski and the President’s adjutant Biljana Blazheska. MPs Mile Taleski, Ane Lashkoska and Petar Risteski bowed and laid flowers in front of the monument as part of the Parliament’s delegation. The Government’s delegation was led by Dragan Vasileski. The Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Army delegation was led by Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, Lieutenant Marjan Milenkovski and Colonel Sashko Lavchinski. Members of the families of the deceased, representatives from the City of Prilep, organizations and political parties paid their respects as well. Prilep Mayor, Borche Jovcheski, addressed the attendees, emphasizing that Karpalak will "hurt forever, but the eternal memory will remain to remind us of the brave ones who gave their lives for the country." “Standing in front of this monument raised in their honor, in front of this ball symbolizing eternal life, we prove that we are united and no one will stop us in our intention to defend and unconditionally love our motherland. We can all agree that the evil of 2001 must never be repeated. Because there are no winners in military conflicts,” said Jovcheski. According to Igor Petreski, president of the “Karpalak” association, the defenders have been almost forgotten after 21 years, the only thing that remains is the suspicion that the dead were betrayed. “Yes, the country hasn’t done anything for the defenders in the past 21 years. We are forgotten. The doubt remains that we were betrayed at Karpalak after everything that happened and that preceded it, and according to the lawsuit we filed at the time. Coexistence between the common people was never an issue, not even then, everything else was political manipulation. The only thing that makes us proud is that we are here to remind everyone of what happened and to never forget the dead, nor to repeat 2001,” said Petreski. In the morning, the eternal resting places of the dead were visited, and a memorial service was held for the dead in the “St. Petka” church in Tochila. ad/ba/