Croatian President Franjo Tudjman Photo: makarska-danas.com
They televised from the International court in the Hague: „The Appeal Chamber, REVERSES, with Judge Agius and Pocar dissenting, convictions against Ante Gotovina for persecution, deportation, murder, and inhumane acts as crimes against humanity, and of plunder of public and private property, wanton destruction, murder, and cruel treatment as violations of the laws or customs of war … ORDERS the immediate release of Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac…”
I could not speak, tears rolled and I began praying to God, to Wounded Christ. Then I stopped crying and began thinking. I decided to take responsibility for the future. The first thought that came to my mind was what would President Franjo Tudjman say to Croatia.
Here are Tudjman’s messages:
First, thank God we defended Croatia and assume responsibility for the future. It’s true that we have defended Croatia, that it’s recognised and that it’ll enter into Europe. It’s true that no Croatian has been convicted by the court in the Hague, but trials are not finished. Never react only with euphoria. We cannot know the future, but we can receive and create it.
Second, Croatia must be vibrant. You must achieve a successful economy, employment, population maintenance, stop emigration and motivate residents to jointly develop the country. You must seriously take care of security. Science owes the world, the public and the schools the showing of the truth of the creation and defense of Croatia, the war and the post-war years. You know that this war was based on principles of a “Just war”, humanitarian principles of the UN, Red Cross and the Israeli, Righteous among nations. I included Post-Holocaust, Wounded Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, and Hannah Arendt and applied them in practical ways.
Third, every Croatian citizen is the carrier of Croatian sovereignty. Croatian are accustomed to fence their independence into small groups and time and to put external orders upon all. You must learn to think from yourself, via your family, community, Croatia, Croatians to the world and God. Develop your own sense through faith, include it into the world and apply it through knowledge.
Fourth, return to annual report on the State of the Nation. We introduced it as acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty, equality of all citizens. All must be informed about the state and only in this way can each accept his or her responsibility for the overall good.
Fifth, must be sensible, think and work – there’s no time for tears (not even tears of joy). In November 1991, during the shelling of Mokosica you sought justifiably that as President I must feel and share the suffering of the people. You were not right that I must cry as well, though. To your request that I show the people my emotions I said that I must not because the situation was too hard for us to give into the emotions. I repeat that now. The situation is very serious. Use all the faith, intelligence, work and humanity. Be vibrant.
Sixth, as many people for Croatia as possible, and don’t subject Croatia to anyone. „Everything for Croatia“ is written on my gravestone. But, it’s the people that are most important. The society that, from year to year, widens the participation of people and their contribution to the political, economic and general development is the one that is most successful. When governed by exclusion and rejection of people societies fall and crumble. Every government, every year, must report on how it includes people in the creation of Croatian future.
Seventh, revive the development of democracy in Croatia. You have practically interpreted the whole of democracy as transition from one autocratic party to several. As a young independent state and democracy Croatia needs to be open to the advancement of the democratic system, administration and communication. Utilise the experiences of older democracies. Introduce regular conferences on the development of Croatian state, and internet newsletter.
Eighth, reconsider the connection between Croatia and all Croatians. Today’s Croatia has been created by strict adherence to borders set by Allied forces after World War II. In January (11th) 1992 Badinter Commission ( Opinion 3) decided that the border between Croatia and Serbia (and all other Republics) may be altered only by agreement and that the border is accepted and protected by international law.
We could form a World Council of Croatians, 50 members, which would sit once or twice per year and connect everyone worldwide. For that, build the Croatian Home (House) on the Square that carries my name (in Zagreb). There you can keep my archives and the archive of the the defense of Croatia. Remember what has been created and continue creating.
Ninth, all perpetrators of all crimes in Croatia and against anyone and at any time must be held responsible. This refers to those from the war, from today and from the future. You advocated that all should be helped. Continue like that. Help those who are even to this day still objective or subjective victims.
Tenth, seek vision for the full development of Croatia. People must be connected, through a longer time for the future. It must be the guide for the individual and the community in efforts to create Croatia. Vision fulfills human right to meaning.
That is all.
How do you know that these can be Tudjman’s messages?
You don’t know, but you know that I have been his adviser for many years and that I have been giving advice to all of you for a long time. You know that Tudjman considered that every person in Croatia should carry responsibility, truth and be part of creating Croatia. These messages are mere motivation and invitation to you all to accept responsibility. All who have something to add or comment are welcome to do so. In any case it’s time for organising a conference about the future of Croatia. We have passed half of the 40 Biblical years of creating a state. Let’s assess where we are. Let’s be free and responsible.
Dr. Slobodan Lang
(First published in Hrvatsko Slovo, Thursday 22nd November 2012 edition/ Translated into English by Ina Vukic).
About dr. Slobodan Lang. Born to Jewish family 8 October 1945 in Zagreb, Croatia. Physician, author, writer, politician and former personal adviser to the first Croatian President dr. Franjo Tudjman. His paternal grandfather Ignjat was the president of the Jewish community in Vinkovci (Croatia) and his grandmother Terezija was a housewife. In 1941 Catholic priest Hijacint Bošković, distinguished Dubrovnik and Croatian Dominican, was engaged in an extraordinary attempt to rescue the Langs from Nazi persecution. Bošković traveled from Dubrovnik to Vinkovci with a special permit that allowed him to relocate the Langs to Dubrovnik. Langs grandfather refused to leave, saying that he “was the president of Jews in peace and he will stay one in the war”. Both of his grandparents were killed in the concentration camp during the Holocaust. He graduated at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine and is a specialist in social medicine. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slobodan_Lang)