NATO
The major theme this month was the impact that the NATO bombings are having on Croatia's economy.
In talks with Ambassador Horst Holthoff, ECM chief in Zagreb, Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic, stated: "Croatia is the most stable factor in the region, but the Croatian economy, especially tourism, is already feeling the negative consequences of NATO air strikes against FRY". Granic has raised this theme earlier in Washington, in his meeting with US Secretary of State Madeline Albright and US Special Envoy Robert Gelbhard. Granic said that the current developments enhanced Croatia's prospects for entering NATO and joining the Partnership for Peace Program. However, Croatia would suffer certain economic damage, particularly in tourism and traffic. Croatia expects assistance from the US, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to remove the effects of these consequences, said Granic. (See report March 1-31, 1999). This view was confirmed in an assessment by the International Monetary Fund study, Outlooks of Global Economy, that Croatia, like other countries in neighboring Yugoslavia, will suffer negative consequences because of the Kosovo crisis in the areas of traffic, foreign investments and mostly tourism.
Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, on April 14, said he would propose cuts to this year's budget as well as the postponement of key infrastructure projects, as a result of the Kosovo Crisis. Matesa told reporters the situation following NATO attacks on Yugoslavia made it necessary to review several aspects of economic policy, including new potential borrowing from the IMF and World Bank. He also announced final steps in reorganizing the government by merging some ministries to reduce administration.
Croatia's national borders with Yugoslavia, with Montenegro, and in the Danube region are stable. In the Debelj Brijeg, which is formally open, no disturbances have been reported although a Dubrovnik truck with humanitarian aid for Kosovo refugees was refused entry because it carried no entry visa to FRY. Members of the Yugoslav Army and of the Interior Ministry's special police continue to check travelers for visas and supervise the import and export of goods.
Government
During the above mentioned press conference, Matesa announced further details of a government shake up, including the appointment of Tourism Minister Sergej Morsan as Croatia's new ambassador to Belgrade. Former opposition politician Ivan Herak replaces Morsan as Tourism Minister. Zvonimir Separovic would replace Milan Ramljak, who had resigned the week before.
President of the Serbian People's Party (SNS) in Croatia, Milan Dukic, who sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the EU Parliament, the ICTY, the OSCE Mission in Croatia and all embassies in Zagreb. In his letter, Dukic strongly opposed NATO attacks against Yugoslavia. He wrote that "NATO has promoted a terrorist Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) into a legitimate negotiating partner. Does not the way NATO disregarded the Security Council remind us of the way Hitler ignored the League of Nations just prior to World War II?". He further suggested that Bill Clinton, Wesley Clark and their associates should be held responsible for crimes committed during the past weeks.
Election Law
Conclusions concerning the election of representatives to the Croatian National Parliament were reached in early April at a governmental session. The conclusions concerned a proposal made by an expert parliamentary committee selected by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The committee proposed a proportionate election system of 10 or more electoral units; recommendations for election working bodies; campaign funding and advertising as well as the supervision of elections. The Opposition Six coalition is requesting that this system of electoral units be abandoned.
Despite the committee's conclusion, the representatives from both houses of the Croatian National Parliament were not able to reach consensus on the electorate model; Croatian Diaspora representation; or on ethnic minorities in the National Parliament.. Negotiations between the government and the Opposition Six will continue in May.
Media (Face/About Face)
European Commission special envoy Per Vinther, on Thursday April 15, said Croatia's natural partner was the EU and not the US. "Croatia's agreements with the US are not sufficient for its admission to NATO's Partnership for Peace Program," said Vinther, pointing out NATO includes EU member-countries as well. Vinther stressed EU countries were also part of a World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral group negotiating Croatia's admission to the WTO. Speaking about Croatia's relations with the EU, Vinther assessed that the question was not if, but when, Croatia would establish relations with the EU. An agreement between Croatia and the EU was "imminent" he said.
Reiterating the already familiar conditions for Croatia's EU membership, including changes in electoral legislation, democratization of Croatian Radio/Television, cooperation with the ICTY, and the return of refugees, Vinther pointed out the that conditions which must be met were put before every country prior to admission.
The European Commission (EC) Office in Zagreb on April 15, issued a press release clarifying a statement made by EC special envoy to Croatia Per Vinther in Zagreb. Speaking about Croatia's relations with the EU, Vinther had said an agreement between Croatia and the EU was imminent. The EU explained in its press release that Vinther was not referring to the institutionalization of relations between Croatia and the EU, as might have been interpreted by journalists, but to an agreement between the two sides regarding Croatia's membership in the World Trade Organization.
Tisak Workers Strike
The Tisak company runs Vecernji List, Jutarnji List, Vjesnik and Sportske Novosti daily newspapers. Tisak union workers went on a week-long strike due to the failure of the government to improve the financial situation of the company. It was reported that a consortium of banks has begun signing an agreement with the Croatian Fund for Privatization to ensure that Tisak receives 35 million kunas for recommencement of work. The workers ended their strike when their February salaries where promised to be paid out and a sum of 28 million kunas required for daily functioning was reported to be on its way.
Law on Areas of Special State Concern
Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic announced that the Law on Areas of Special State Concern would soon be replaced with a law on incentives for underdeveloped and scarcely populated areas. The Ministry of Reconstruction and Development drew up the new law, and will send it to the Government in May. Parliament could adopt it as early as late May or early June, Radic said. One of the reasons for the adoption of the new law is that Croatia's commitment to the international community requires it to change the existing Law on Areas of Special State Concern. The basic difference between the two legal documents is that according to the new law, areas of special state concern would no longer be categorized in connection line with war, but by demographic and economic criteria. This will result in some areas losing their privileged status while some others will probably be granted such status, said Radic.
Return Process
Minister for Development and Reconstruction, Jure Radic, announced that the housing reconstruction that began last year in the Vukovar-Sirmium County should be completed by the end of May. He also announced that reconstruction preparations were made for another 20,000 houses and tenders for construction of 800 new houses would follow. In addition, reconstruction has begun on the two largest buildings in Vukovar, the local high school and Franciscan monastery.
Kosovar Croat Refugees
A group of 87 ethnic Croats from Kosovo arrived in Zagreb on Wednesday evening April 14th. A Croatia Airlines flight, organised on President Franjo Tudjman's order, brought the Croat refugees from Skopje, where they had arrived some 10 days ago from Kosovo.
The Croatian President's advisor for humanitarian issues, Slobodan Lang, stated on April 16th that the air lift between Skopje and Zagreb will continue, but it is still unknown when exactly the next group of refugees will arrive.. Lang, who escorted a group of 87 Kosovar Croat refugees, said seven were taken in by their relatives while the majority were temporarily accommodated in the refugee settlement at Sasina Greda, near Sisak. ODPR reported that a family of five was transported to the Sisak hospital where two children would be kept for medical treatment. There are now about 1,000 ethnic Croats in Kosovo. "We have asked the Yugoslav Red Cross to help us, and to let us enable the remaining people to go to safe areas, " Lang said.
Meanwhile, Croatian Caritas has so far delivered 64 tons of aid to Kosovo Albanians, mostly food and some 12,000 blankets. Payments of more than USD 43,000 have been made to Caritas' bank account earmarked for the same purpose. Caritas will continue with this action, with a further shipment of 600 tons expected soon.
Public Gathering Law
A provision to the Public Gathering Law, which would have given local authorities the right to choose where public demonstrations could and could not be held, was overruled by the Croatian Constitutional Court. European Court for Human Rights
The President of the European Court for Human Rights, Lucius Vildhaber, made his first visit to Croatia on April 13 to discuss the direction of further co-operation after Croatia's signing of the Convention of Human Rights. Update on the Postal Worker's Case Against HPT
The Postal Worker's case against HPT for unlawful termination and discrimination is now closed. The higher court in favor of the workers passed a decision.
Civil Society Building
BANJA LUKA ROUNDTABLE AND JAVNA TRIBINA FOLLOW-UP MEETING
OtOc organised and facilitated a follow-up meeting on the results of the Banja Luka Roundtable and Public Discussion meeting which was held at the end of March. The objectives of the follow-up meeting were to address the issues concerning the return process observed by the local Knin NGOs while in Banja Luka and to share these issues with UNHCR/OSCE, , as well as other INGOs involved in facilitating two way returns. In addition, possibilities for better coordination and working partnerships were explored between UNHCR/OSCE/ADF and the local Knin NGOs regarding Banja Luka return to the Krajina and Bosnian Croat return Banja Luka.
ZENSKE GRUPA KNIN "NADA" (WOMEN'S GROUP KNIN "HOPE")
OtOc was introduced to the women's group in Knin called "NADA" by activist Vojko Ivica. At the moment, the women's group in Knin is composed of a mixed group of 12 Croat and Serb volunteers. The group has been working for a year and a half, mostly providing psycho-social help and delivering food and non-food items to distressed villages. Their main donors/supporters are Kvinna till Kvinna from Sweden and the Center for Women Victims of War in Zagreb. They are also members of the network of women associations in Croatia. OtOc was able to facilitate their participation in an upcoming conflict resolution training in Zagreb this May and is currently assisting them in how to write proposals.
UDRUGA MI
OtOc, upon request, provided Udruga MI assistance in their proposal to AED, where they are currently shortlisted. Udruga MI is currently pursuing funding for their Volunteer Center project. OtOc also facilitated an introduction via the Internet for Udruga MI and the San Francisco Volunteer Center for international networking and support regarding this project. Udruga MI is planning another Volunteer Fair in June and has invited OtOc to participate again this year in the Fair.
ISKORAK U SUTRA-LIKA
Former OtOc-North volunteer Amy is back in Croatia working for Anti-Ratna Kampanja/Iskorak U Sutra. Amy is currently working on a project that she was part of from inception while still a volunteer with BPT. OtOc facilitated informational meetings for Amy and Iskorak U Sutra with NGOs in Split that worked on reconstruction and return. OtOc also mobilised some volunteers to assist with the work in Licko Petrovo Selo.
Human Rights Advocacy
BEGOVIC FAMILY
After 10 eviction attempts, thousands of DM, and international and national pressure, Begovic now has full occupancy of his flat in Split! On 26th of April, the soldier illegally occupying Begovic's flat departed two days earlier than the formal eviction procedure scheduled on 28th of April and on his own volition. Vojko Ivica and OtOc were the first to be informed of the event and were the first visitors of Begovic at his home. Begovic's case was one of the first cases that Otvorene Oci began monitoring when the office first opened in Split.
HOCU KUCI-BENKOVAC
Due to the NATO air strikes, the Serbian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights' plan to open a "Hocu kuci" office in Benkovac is temporarily on hold. OtOc attended an ARFG planning meeting with UNHCR, OSCE-Benkovac, ECMM, DOS/pax christi-Benkovac and Hocu kuci to discuss ways of making the municipality of Benkovac safer and more open to Serb returnees. The issue of how to work with the Bosnian Croat community as well as the Croat War Veterans was also discussed. It was agreed that better international and local NGO coordination and presence in Benkovac would help alleviate the security issues there.
HOCU KUCI-KNIN
Hocu Kuci-Knin's funding from USAID will end this August while their caseload is increasing. OtOc has been working closely with them to assist them in learning how to write a proposal, how to develop a budget and find donors.
TRIALS OtOc monitored 2 trials regarding flat ownership rights in the month of April, Vujasinovic and Begovic. No decisions were reached for Vujasinovic.
OLD AND NEW VOLUNTEERS
Otvorene Oci said goodbye to volunteer Paul Aiken early April but is sure to see him around in Knin. Paul will be in Knin until the end of this year to continue learning the Croatian language and look at possibilities of working in Knin. OtOc is expecting new volunteer, Mary Barnes, to arrive in May.
Otvorene Oci
Mestrevicevo Set 72a
21000 Split Croatia
email:otocst@zamir.net
ph/fax +385-021- 358-859