Croatia, the War, and the Future
Ina Vukic - Croatia: people, politics, history, economy, transitioning from communism to democracy
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)
I hope his truths are hitting home in the consciences of the non-Communists .
Huge Hugs xxx
Pressing on, David – results to that effect are bound to multiply. Hugs back and cheers in Wales 🙂
Very important!
One of the most important issues Notre
Keep reminding them General Glasnovic! Thumbs up for a better Croatia
Much work to be done, yet, Robert. Thank you
Communist crimes crippled nations! Time to stand up tall against them
Aptly put, Viking
I had the chills the other evening when our News mentioned the mass graves.. How can they Not mention those who perished. It can not be forgotten by ignoring it.
The way communists and former communists operate, Sue. Simply awful!
Hi, Ina,
That is so scary! I hope people heard him!
I just finished reading George Orwell’s “1984,” written during Stalin’s regime. That is a very scary book, and unfortunately, liberals don’t think something like that could happen, but it has, to the extent possible with the technology available at the time.
How short our memories are! Here in America it’s like 9/11 never happened. The school children do a program on September 11th, but that is the beginning and the end of remembering that day and it was only 16 years ago! I can only imagine how the families of the 3,000 people slaughtered that day feel about the rest of their countrymen forgetting–especially the leaders of the country. Thankfully, Trump won the election, but he is fighting an uphill battle with some of his opponents being spoiled babies from his own party.
God bless both our countries!
Very scary, indeed, thepinkfeline. Much fighting for human decency is still in front of us. God will provide strength if we listen to his guidance.
Unfortunately, our people have forgotten what happened to us in the first Yugoslavia so, its not surprising we either have forgotten or tend to ignore the crimes committed by the Yugoslav communists against the Croatian people which were happening both during and after WWII. Heck, University students in Zagreb were asked and many did not know what happened in Vukovar and Ovcara. The problem is, the people teaching as still parasites from the Yugo days.
Big problem, Stevie!
I’m really sorry that the people want to cover up and not expose the truths, Ina. Thank goodness for Zeljko Glasnovic!
I think that this is a big step towards becoming open and showing communication.
I am in disagreement with “thepinkfeline” and how people seem to think Trump deserves respect. He needs to earn respect!
Hope you and yours are well, happy and keeping your belief in Croatia and her future! 🙏
Thank you, Robin. Respect is indeed a product of track record.
Yes! Hoping somehow for your country to find someone to lead you into the future with remembrances of the past pains and anguishes. 🕊❤
Respectfully, Reocochran, I didn’t say anything about Trump deserving respect. I agree that respect needs to be earned. So he has earned it from me for bucking the system. Just because there isn’t precedent for his style of presidency doesn’t mean it’s wrong–someone had to be first, and I’m ever so glad he took on the establishment “swamp”–especially the RINOs. The people have spoken, and those of my like mind are tired of being told what to think, where to stand, and what to do in THE only land of freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. We don’t want to become European socialists, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting that.
The General is one a few sane/sober people of any substance in the Croatian Parliament.
The question is what are we Croatians outside Croatia doing to bring Communist crimes and Crimes by Serbs in Croatia into prominence within the current HDZ Croatian government.
Croatia has a parliamentarian form the Zvi Zid party call Ivan Penar, who said in Parliament only last week “my grandfather (a Partizan Communist Architect) told me that villages (Selo) had a great life in the period after 1945”. This outrageous comment made my blood boil on so many levels. If that where the case my mother and farther would not have left, I would not be living in Australia! This is a lie, a rewriting of history and facts!
We need to tell the world openly Croatia is being lead by Communists and European Union has allowed this to occur for their own ends.
Has anyone written to either HDZ Party, Kolinda or Andrej? What was discussed on the boat cruise on Sydney harbour when Kolinda was in Sydney? Nothing of any substance was discussed at the dinners. My concern is who is representing Croatians in Australia and what issues are they prioritising or presenting to the Croatian government? Are they representing themselves and their business links?
When I think of all the patriotic Croatians, immigrants of the 60’s & 70’s laying in Rookwood Cemetery, they would be turning in their graves.
Mr Penar, they are laying here in Sydney because of your fathers Yugoslavia could not provide them a future and they were hungry.
I am particularly upset with this comment as nobody in parliament said a word in protest. In addition, while the General spoke of Communists crimes, the HDZ speaker of the Parliament was actually laughing with his colleague in the back ground.
Certainly, Splithead, it looks not many in Croatia will pursue communist crimes and crimes against Croatia in 1990’s let alone condemn them on official level. General Glasnovic is about the only one in the parliament keeping these vital issues alive. The day will come! Strength in unity so we build unity against communist crimes and crimes of Serbia against Croatia…