Fico Stresses Importance of Dukla Pass Battle and Arrival of Freedom from East

Vysny Komarnik, October 6 (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) at the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Dukla Pass battle highlighted the importance of the Carpathian-Dukla operation 80 years ago, which helped the Slovak National Uprising (SNP). In his address at the memorial at Dukla, he pointed out that alongside the soldiers of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps, the Red Army also fought and made great sacrifices. "It's a fact that this operation diverted a large part of the German troops, which otherwise would have drowned the Slovak National Uprising in blood," Fico said, adding that the decision to launch the Carpathian-Dukla operation thus saved many lives in Slovakia, although it also brought great sacrifices in the area. He also spoke in favour of the need to recognise Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev. On the event at Dukla, the Prime Minister commented that it isn't a celebration of war, suffering or death. "I'm sorry that we have such a perverse fashion, especially in Europe, where instead of making every effort to stop the roar of the guns, even in neighbouring countries, we hear thunderous applause, loud cheering and even often very significant material decisions that only encourage the war to go on," he said. The premier highlighted the role of the Soviet Union in the defeat of fascism in the Second World War. He said that if he had the opportunity and received an invitation to Moscow next year to attend the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism and the end of the Second World War, he would certainly attend, describing it as a sign of respect and esteem. "Freedom came to Slovakia from the East and there is absolutely nothing that can be done to change this truth," he emphasised. The battle of the Dukla Pass began on September 8, 1944 and was expected to last only a couple of days, but due to stiff opposition the Soviet forces weren't able to reach the other side of the pass until October 6. The operation, which ended up lasting a total of 80 days, claimed over 70,000 casualties. Subsequently, one of the valleys in the pass came to be known as the Valley of Death. am