So glad the love I cherish for my birth island of Korcula, Croatia, spreads far and wide
Croatia, the War, and the Future
Ina Vukic - Croatia: people, politics, history, economy, transitioning from communism to democracy
So glad the love I cherish for my birth island of Korcula, Croatia, spreads far and wide
Welcome to my blog. Here I will bring to you a variety of topics covering the documented truth about that terrible war that Croatia had to endure during the period between 1991 and 1995 and about Croatian political history that shaped a wonderful nation of people.
Croatian people wanted independence for centuries, just as they had it until the twelfth century but fate was not on their side – others wanted their beautiful land. In late 1980′s the will to break free from Yugoslavia which suffocated freedom and self determination through harsh communist party rule finally bore the desired fruit.
In June 1991 Croatia declared its independence; soon after the aggressive war against Croatia broke out. The struggle of the Croatian people for self-determination was a just one. But I fear genuine justice has not been served as there have been, and there still exist, international covert and overt moves to equate victims with aggressors continue in attempts to change history. Truth often becomes obscured and lost and that is why I have chosen to write this blog, to concentrate on actual events and issues about Croatia – wishing it a bright and freedom-loving future.
It certainly was not easy to come out of the war that was fought on two fronts:
1. On the military front the world’s public has seen the indiscriminate bombardment of Croatian cities, towns and villages from land, sea and air; the destruction of civilian targets including homes, schools, hospitals, churches, factories and cultural monuments; the blockading and destruction of roads, bridges and ports; the blockading of power, water, food and medical supplies. What hasn’t been shown on our television sets is the forced clearing and evacuation of towns and villages, followed by looting, torture, rape and murder carried out by the Serbian forces, who were initially backed by the federal Yugoslav army that was largely constituted by Serb nationals; the transportation of multiple hundreds of innocent Croatian civilians from Croatia into concentration camps Serbia (Begejci, Stajicevo, Sremska Mitrovica... from October 1991, and later (1992) transferred into Serb-held camps in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Omarska, Keratern, Manjaca, Trnopolje).
2. The second front was the war of political propaganda centred on: misinformation about the rights of minorities in Croatia; portrayal of the Croatian people as Ustasha or Fascists; the representation of the Croatian defence forces as illegal paramilitary units; the representation of the Croatian and Slovenian republics as unreasonable secessionists who are unwilling to negotiate; a regurgitation of distorted facts about World War II.
Indeed Croatia had an absolute right to defend itself and this is often forgotten if not often denied it.
Ina has been a tireless volunteer on humanitarian aid and fundraising for victims of war in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially war orphans. From1991 to beginning of 1994 she contributed in lobbying for international recognition of Croatian independence and Croatia’s rights in defending its territory and people from military aggression by Serbian forces. For this dedicated voluntary work Ina was awarded two Medals of Honour by the first president of the Republic of Croatia in 1995 (Commemorative Medal of the Homeland War and Order of the Croatian Trefoil).Ina has also written hundreds articles for newspapers in Australia and Croatia on the plight of Croatian people for freedom and self-determination, developing democracy in former communist countries. She holds two graduate and one post-graduate university degrees, specialising in behaviour, clinical and political psychology and management.
Blessed Alojzije (Aloysius) Stepinac Feast Day February 10
“When they take everything from you, you’ll be left with two hands; put them together in prayer and then you’ll be the strongest.” Blessed Aloysius Stepinac (1898 – 1960)
“They could not, nor will they ever be able to kill our passion and our need to live in human dignity, in peace with ourselves and with the free nations of Europe. We have carved out that right at our first democratic elections. For this right and for our sacred land we are even ready to die” – Dr Franjo Tudjman (1922-1999) ( Addressing the Croatian nation at the moment of the start of Serbian aggression against Croatia, 16 October 1991)
Muy Bello
Beautiful indeed, Ruben thank you
It is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Clare
I went directly to the article from my “blogs I follow page” and read it thinking it was you. Ha-ha. Well, somebody had a great time.
Is that your island also?
Yes Donald, Korcula is where I was born
It’s a beautiful place. One of the nicest I can imagine based on the images. I also like the way they bake food in open fire ovens (if I have that right).
I read that pamphlet about Croatia and it helped me to better understand its location, its history, and its relationship with its neighbors.
I was thinking earlier today about the rise of China, and I’m not so certain I think it’s a good thing. As bad as the US can be, it’s nver done anything as disgraceful as what China did to it’s best, brightest, and bravest young people in Tienanmen Square. It seems that the world has forgotten that atrocity–and it shouldn’t.
Yes Donald, the world shouldn’t forget any atrocity but it does if it suits some individuals in power it seems
We have one of the most beautiful country in the world with some of the most brightest and pleasant people that anyone could ever expect to meet. sadly our goverment is so blind to see all the beauty we posses. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos and story.
Thank you Michael
Beautiful Pictures..Thanks for sharing…
Thank you Adrian
Love Hvar, my late father’s home island. Sorry but it is pronounced Hvar not simply Var. I struggled with those multi consonants and entertained my cousins repeatedly, until they encouraged me to pronounce it like a local as ‘for’ or better still ‘fuor’ with a super soft/lazy ‘u’. Either way Hvar, Korcula, Brac are a sensational part of the world.
Thanks Steve