Accompanying Split human rights activists, Otvorene Oci vsited the three Orthodox Monasteries located in Former Sector South. The following report is the findings of those visits.Since the end of Operation "Storm", access to the three oldest Orthodox monasteries in Croatia (Krupa - 1317, Krka - c.1350 and Dragovic - 1395) has been denied to human rights activists. The official reason for this was that, in accordance with the Dayton Agreement (Annex 08, the Commission to preserve national monuments), police guards have been placed at each monastery in order to protect them.
Together with a representative from CHC (Croatian Helsinki Committee), Otvorene Oci obtained permission from the deputy commander of MUP in Zadar, Mr. Ivan Zrboja, to visit these monasteries. Mr. Zrboja, assured us that the buildings were all intact and that no looting had taken place.
Arrival at the monastery Dragovic, showed no signs of police presence. The grounds were open and an examination of the monastery revealed signs of serious looting, damage to the church, the removal of religious artifacts and grafitti ridden walls. The building remains intact and there is little structural damage, the majority of the damage confined to windows and entrances to buildings and bullet holes on the interior walls. The library has been completely destroyed, many of the books torn and scattered across the floor. The grafitti on the walls is of obscene symbols and pictures and drawings of two pistols, signed and dated, 15.01.1996, by members of the Croatian civilian police, based in Makarska.
Krupa monastery still has a police presence, although on arrival, they were not there. Loaded weapons and police radios, however, were present. The police appeared shortly afterwards with representatives of the Regional Office for the Protection of Monuments, who were removing several books from the monastery. The monastery is intact and the church is also not damaged, with the exception of some pictures, where the glass has been destroyed. Krupa monastery, however, has been severely looted, particularily the library. Many of the old and valuable books have been completely destroyed, as have many of the rooms.
Activists were unable to examine the interior of the monastery at Krka. Although permission was obtained to visit the monastery, upon the eventual arrival of the civilian police, activists were informed that they could not gain access. Apparently the keys are kept in Knin and an appointment had to be made there to collect them. What could be seen, also showed signs of looting and the courtyard was scattered with furniture and other items thrown from the windows. The police claim they keep a guard at the monastery at all times, although much of the day is spent out on patrol. The police present believe that hiding in the forest are many Serbs and that they pose a threat to the monastery. When questioned about the obvious signs of looting, the police replied that this was a result of searches for people who may have tried to seek refuge at the monastery, during Operation "Storm".
Local activists will continue to monitor the situation in Former Sector South with regard to the protection of national monuments. They are concerned that without careful monitoring, these national monuments will not be preserved.
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Otvorene Oci / Balkan Peace Team.