The monument to Stjepan Radić in Zagreb, located at the intersection of Jurišićeva and Petrinjska streets, was ceremoniously unveiled on Saturday by the President of the Republic Stjepan Mesić and the President of the Croatian Peasant Party Josip Friščić.
"Radić taught both Croats and others to think politically, and for that, Croatia must be grateful to him," emphasized President Mesić, adding that he congratulates everyone who advocated for Radić’s return to Zagreb to teach us to think politically once again. The President also congratulated the author, sculptor Zoran Jurić, and the numerous citizens present. Mesić stressed that Radić was not against others. "He was aware that the creation of the first Yugoslavia was wrong because the great powers decided to create a state from parts that had never been together.
From the very first day, problems began, and had it not been for World War II, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia would have collapsed because it could not be maintained as a unitary state," said Mesić. He pointed out that Radić was aware of this and therefore did not advocate for a unitary state, but for a republic, and he was understood by people both in Croatia and abroad. The President of the HSS, Josip Friščić, emphasized that Radić did not perceive the diversity of Croatia as a dispute, but as a wealth. (H)
