Dutch government apologises to Srebrenica veterans

The Dutch government has apologised to hundreds of former soldiers sent to defend Srebrenica during the war in Bosnia.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Dutch troops were not adequately equipped to stop the massacre and were asked to carry out an impossible task.

In July 1995, about 8,000 Muslim men were massacred after Dutch forces were surrounded by Bosnian Serb troops. Earlier, Dutch governments have insisted that the blame was on the UN after failing to provide air support.

Speaking to veterans at a military base in the central Netherlands, Rutte acknowledged that troops of the Dutchbat III peacekeeping force were not adequately equipped and did not receive needed military support.

I apologize today to all the women and men of Dutchbat III on behalf of the Dutch government. All of you here and those who are not with us today. With the greatest possible appreciation and respect for the way Dutchbat III tried to do the right thing under very difficult circumstances”, Rutte said.

In addition to apologizing, Dutch Srebrenica soldiers were awarded the Bronasis Medal of Honour by Defence Minister Kaysa Olongren.

In July 1995, amid a campaign of genocide by Bosnian Serb forces, thousands of Muslims fled to a UN safe zone in Srebrenica. They were protected by Dutch troops equipped with light weapons that were surrounded during a Bosnian Serb advance.

After securing the surrender of Dutch forces, Bosnian Serb troops under the direction of General Ratko Mladic took men and boys between the ages of 12 and 77. Over the next five days, they were executed and buried in mass graves by Mladic's troops.

Serbia has always denied that the killings were part of a genocide campaign, but acknowledges it was a crime. / A2 CNN