The village of Jadovno, western Croatia, marked the 70th anniversary of war crimes against Serbs, Jews and Roma in World War Two, and Serbian President Boris Tadic said the memory of those crimes promoted peace in the region, not conflict and divisions.

Tadic stated he was honoured to pay his respects to the victims for the first time as Serbian President. The crimes committed here should never be forgotten, he added.

"Tens of thousands were killed here just because they had their own identity, name, belief and faith. No one should ever forget that. Innocent victims deserve our remembrance," Tadic remarked.

He pointed out that political ideas that lead to suffering came alive again in recent history.

"I am aware of this suffering, but not only by the Serbs, but by Croats and other people aswell," he underscored, adding it was important to stop that once and for all.

The president stated that he promoted a policy of remembrance that would not cause a conflict between Serbia and Croatia, but would allow them to live in peace and tolerance and condemn war crimes.

"To live like that, the way the French and Germans live nowadays, we need a lasting peace and an understanding of our common history. Serbia and Croatia have a special kind of responsibility to victims and a special role to play in Europe," he commented.

He also noted that he was there to honour the anti-fascist efforts by former Croatian president Stjepan Mesic and his successor Ivo Josipovic, adding that he supported anti-fascism in Croatia.

The commemoration was attended by head of the Croatian parliament committee for EU integration Vesna Pusic, Culture Minister Jasen Mesic, Serb National Council (SNV) President Milorad Pupovac and Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Uzelac.

President of the association of anti-fascist veterans and anti-fascists of Croatia Ratko Maricic and Secretary of the Mačabi World Union Macabi Carasso were also there.

The Croatian president did not ačept the invitation by the SNV to attend the event.

The Serbian president's mother, Nevenka Tadic, was also there to pay her respects, since her father, Strahinja Kicanovic, was one of the victims of the Jadovno concentration camp.

More than 40,000 people, 38,000 of whom were Serbs, were killed in the camp between May and August 1941.

The camp was established by the authorities of the nazi puppet state called the Independent State of Croatia soon after they ašumed power in 1941. The Italian army shut down the camp late August the same year.

Jadovno was the largest World War Two concentration camp in Croatia along with Jasenovac.

The memorial centre which was built some ten years after the war was demolished in early 90s.