The resolution, adopted after a debate of nearly 13 hours that was broadcast on live television, expressed sympathy to the victims and apologized for not doing enough to prevent the massacre.

But it stopped short of calling the killings “genocide.”

The measure was approved by 127 of the 149 deputies present in Parliament. Some opposition parties left the chamber shortly before the vote.

“With this (declaration) the people of Serbia demonstrated they want to distance themselves from that monstrous crime,” Serbian President Boris Tadic told a news conference.

The ruling coalition of Tadic’s pro-Western Democrats and Socialists — who were led by strongman Slobodan Milosevic during the 1990s — hopes to win EU and investor favor with the measure.

Tadic called it a display of patriotism and a signal of Serbia’s desire for regional reconciliation, dismissing criticism that it was acting under international pressure.

“This is our decision. Serbia is doing this for itself,” he said.

Bosnian Serb forces led by Gen. Ratko Mladic killed about 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys after taking over the eastern enclave that was put under UN protection.

One Western diplomat stationed in Bosnia when the Srebrenica massacre occured said passing the resolution without arresting Mladic meant little.

“As a substitute, it’s offensive, it’s an insult. Done in tandem with a legal step, then it’s significant,” the diplomat said. “If they think they can let Mladic run free for another 15 years, it’s a grave injustice.”

Belgrade applied for European Union membership in December but must capture and send Mladic to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague before starting talks.

The former general, hailed as a hero by many Serbs, is believed to be hiding in Serbia.

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said last week the resolution should help improve strained ties with Bosnia. “Srebrenica for us is an event that in the long run should open the door for future cooperation,” he said.

Yet many in Bosnia, where 100,000 died during the 1992-95 war, found the Serbian resolution too little, too late.

“Many criminals who slaughtered and killed our children fled to Serbia where they live as free citizens and enjoy full rights,” said Munira Subasic, the head of a Srebrenica women’s association who lost her son and husband in the killings there.

“Justice can only be served once all the criminals responsible for the atrocity are named and held accountable,” she said.