Vucevic: Assassination of King Alexander I was first shot of WWII

OPLENAC - The terrorist assassination of King Alexander I Karadjordjevic of Yugoslavia (1888-1934) was an event that made history as his death was essentially the first shot of WWII, Serbian PM Milos Vucevic said at the main state ceremony at Oplenac, central Serbia, that commemorated the 90th anniversary of the assassination.

"It was a shot at Yugoslavia and a shot at Serbs. Because that death destroyed the Versailles Peace Treaty. Because then the ustasha evil showed its true face, which has no intent of implementing its political ideas by any other means other than by killing. Because all those who wanted death to Yugoslavia and a revenge against Serbia for its victories and war successes in 1912-1918 united at that time," Vucevic said.

He noted that Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini had provided full logistics and support to Croat ustasha terrorists who killed the king.

"On that day, terrorism and killings by Nazis and fascists became a part of everyday life in Europe. Lenience to Nazi-fascism in Europe went on to cost the entire world millions of lives," Vucevic noted.

In his address, Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic noted that the assassination of his grandfather, King Alexander I, had changed the history of not only Serbia but Europe and the world.

"Yugoslavia lost a great king - a visionary, the one who looked after and protected a young country that was targeted by big powers and suffered from internal problems," he said, noting that King Alexander I Karadjordjevic had died as the first victim of fascism in Europe.

The king was assassinated on October 9, 1934 in Marseille, France.