During this time of faith and loved ones, may the true meaning of Christmas fill you with joy. Wishing you all a blessed and joyous Christmas and an amazing, wonderful New Year. Thank You All For Your Support! Ina Vukic
Croatia, the War, and the Future
Ina Vukic - Croatia: people, politics, history, economy, transitioning from communism to democracy
[…] via A Blessed And Joyous Christmas! — Croatia, the War, and the Future […]
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)
You too ma’am, I hope that you and all of your loved ones are able to have a great Christmas.
Cheers oldpoet <3
Thankyou Ina. Peace and love to you and yours.
Peace and love, Gary – the ingredients of true life.
Have a truly Wonderful Christmas Ina and a stunning New Year,
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
I do like stunning David! Will work towards it too. Much love and respect for Christmas and may your New Year be absolutely fulfilling, Hugs!
Sending my best wishes to you, Ina. May the new year be filled with peace, love, and laughter. <3
What more can we ask for, Carol! Blessing and joy for Christmas and a fabulous New Year to you and yours <3
<3
☕❄☃🌲🤶😘Craciun fericit !
Blessings and love, Ileana!
https://www.freshquotes.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/merry-christmas-quotes.jpg
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
So beautiful, Superduque! Thank you. Every best thing you wish for is what I wish for you! Love and peace!
https://superduque777.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/n_25-12-11-1-37-09.jpeg?w=700
Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁
Happiness and wonderful paths I wish for you, Juan! May the next year be amazing for you!
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. 🙂
Everything best to you Robert
Sretan Bozic Ina! Xxx
Blagoslovljeno i veselo Anna! <3
may you be relaxed
& happy with loved ones
during the holidays, david 🙂
Thank you David, always welcome it. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and yours also
Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Christmas season! Joyeux Noel!
Oh, Lonely Planet has a list of the top 10 Christmas Markets out: Zagreb was voted the best the 3rd year in a row! A good Dalmatian vintage wine to that! 🍷🎄
You got the right info, Elisa <3 Much love and happiness for Christmas and New Year!
….. and may the joyous birth of the Greatest bring universal love and understanding to all this Christ – Mass .
Keep up the good work and thank you Ina .
You’re factual articles , always a pleasure to read .
Thank you, Anto and blessings and good wishes to you and your loved ones. God bless and give us health
Merry Christmas to you, your family and loved ones, and, of course, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic! 🙂
Hehehehe, Whelk, keep hoping for Kolinda you just might get there :). Much love and best greetings for Christmas and New Year!
Thank you, Ina. I live in a perpetual state of fevered hope and anticipation 😀
You know Whelk, there’s an old Italian proverb that goes like this: he who lives in hope, dies in despair! Which basically means “get off your … and start helping that hope towards positive results 🙂
You’re an absolute inspiration to me, Ina 😀
😀
Every good wish of the Festive Season to you, too!
Best of wishes and wonderful New Year Gallivanta/Amanda Ann! Thank you!
https://youtu.be/U2D3KHyLSUw
Merry Christ,as and Happy New Year, Aliosa!
Dear Ina,
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a happy and successful year 2018! With best regards,
Hilda Marija Foley
Thank you Hilda, much love and best regards always!
Nice…
Thank you, Aman
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Love the military greeting GP. Merry Christmas!
Enjoy, Ina!
Reblogged this on Ace Friends & Bloggers News and commented:
Peace & Goodwill to ALL in Croatia 🙏
Thank you, Ian. Merry Christmas!
Welcome Ina 😊🎉
Happy Christmas Ina to you and your family …🎉🎁🎄 May it be blessed with all of Gods good grace and may the light of the world shine upon now and forevermore more Amen 🙏
Amen! Much love and respect, Ian. May 2018 be the best one yet! And stay the best thereafter
Merry Christmas to you!
Mary – Happy Christmas!
Merry Christmas Ina. 🙂
Thank you Ronnie. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas stay safe.
Merry Christmas <3
a blessed Christmas for you Ina!
You too, David, blessings and much love!
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and happy New Year, danaiana
Thank you!
A very Happy and Merry Christmas, Ina – to you and your loved ones.
Cheers Eric, Merry Christmas and happy New Year
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ina! ✨ 🕊🎀🎄 💞
May the season be filled with joy, peace and love for you, dear friend. ❤Thank you for liking my posts and visiting, staying in touch over the past couple years now. How time does fly!
What’s not to like, Robin 😀 Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year Thank you for your support for my writings too
I’m so grateful for your saying this about my blog, Ina. Thank you very much. 😊 🎆
My posts are not very serious and I only hope to bring cheer and a smile once in awhile.Take care, my dear friend. ❤
Ah but the issues and thoughts that spring out from your words in ones mind add to the body of ones writing and you have the skill to draw out the right ones, Robin
With best wishes to you too for 2018 Ina
Sretan Bozic i Nova Godina! All the best. Cheers!
To you too Sunman. Thank you and keep well and strong!
Ina, I love this merry post! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year <3
Cheers, Christy – merriness is what the birth of Jesus Christ means to me 🙂
So pretty!
Yes and much more like that around Croatia at Christmas season.
Thank you Ina, my arrival way after Christmas, I trust you had a brilliant one.. And I thank you for those wishes.. May I also wish you a Happy Harmonious New Year, May our Wish for Peace continue to surround the Earth. And May the Light of Love enter all those Dark places and hearts in the hope that Peace may one day become a reality.
Love and Blessings dear Ina. and thank you for your support during 2017 🙂 xxx
Love and peace Sue! Hugs, Ina
<3
Wishing you a year that is filled with all the fragrance of roses, illuminated with all the lights of the world and be blessed with all the smiles on the planet.
So lovely, thank you mihrank. Wish you and your loved ones all the best with lots of joy!
Ina, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Have a Happy New Year!
I did Arlin, thank you – all the best and lots of energy in 2018