BLEIBURG JE MJESTO PLANSKIH EGZEKUCIJA

BLEIBURG, 14. svibnja 2005. (Hina) - Predsjednik Hrvatskog sabora Vladimir Seks rekao je u subotu u Bleiburgu, na sredisnjoj komemoraciji u povodu 60. godisnjice bleiburske tragedije, da je to mjesto planski smisljenih egzekucija tisuca ljudi.
Nasa je obveza nositi sjecanja na neduzne zrtve krvavoga hrvatskog proljeca 1945. godine, rekao je Seks, dodajuci kako treba utvrditi istinu o svim ratnim stradalnicima.

Predsjednik Sabora, pod cijim se pokroviteljstvom obiljezava spomen-dan na bleiburske zrtve i zrtve Kriznoga puta, takoder je istaknuo kako se nece dopustiti kriminalizacija akcija Bljeska i Oluje, sto su mnogobrojni nazocni popratili uzvicima: "Ante, Ante!"

Vrhbosanski nadbiskup, kardinal Vinko Puljic pozvao je na komemoraciji da se prestane manipulirati zrtvama.

U propovijedi na misi u spomen na sve zrtve kardinal Vinko Puljic je porucio: "Prestanite s dvostrukim mjerilima u postivanju zrtve!" Istaknuo je kako zrtvama "ne zelimo stvarati ni mitologiju ni ideologiju", te je pozvao Hrvate da, bez obzira na granice, imaju srca jedni za druge.

Kao hrvatski narod, moramo postivati svoje svetinje, istaknuo je, dodajuci da svaki narod ima pravo na svoj jezik, povijest i kulturu.

Predsjednik Mesihata Islamske zajednice u Hrvatskoj Sevko Omerbasic pozvao je nazocne na prastanje, a Aziz efendija Halili molio se za zrtve islamske vjere.

Predstavnik parlamenta Skupstine BiH Vinko Zoric tom je prigodom rekao kako "krvava istina iz nase povijesti treba biti ugradena u temelje nase drzave".

Prije pocetka svete mise kardinal Vinko Puljic blagoslovio je novi spomenik bleiburskim zrtvama na mjestu tragedije.

Idejno rjesenje spomenika dao je hrvatski kipar Stipe Sikirica.

(Hina)
Sveta misa zadusnica i komemorativna akademija odrzana je sinoc u Hrvatskom Katolickom Centru Duha Svetoga u Springvaleu, Victorija, Australija, u nazocnosti gotovo 300 Hrvatice i Hrvata koji su zajedno odali pocast zrtvama Bleiburske tragedije prigodom 60. obljetnice te iste tragedije. Opsirnije izvjesce u tijeku. - ur. M.B.
 

Storm is a brilliant historical military and police operation that we can be proud of, the operation which liberated central parts of the occupied Croatia, "And nobody will qualify Storm otherwise," Sanader said.

CROATIA: Sanader- ICTY Prosecution Is Crossing the Line
2005-05-11 15:00:34

Ivo Sanader
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader on Tuesday called on the Croatian public not to be alarmed at the proposal of the ICTY Prosecution to amend the indictment against General Mladen Markac and Ivan Cermak and added that "the more absurd the indictment is the easier will it be to contest it".

The accusations are truly absurd, the PM said. We should not be alarmed at it, the more absurd the indictment is the easier will it be to contest it, said Sanader who is convinced that the final outcome in the assessment of Operation Storm would be absolutely positive.

"I am a little concerned with the nervousness of the Prosecution which, lacking evidence, is crossing the line which has not been crossed before, namely it qualified Storm Operation, which has undoubtedly been a legitimate Croatian operation, as a criminal enterprise," the PM said.

Storm is a brilliant historical military and police operation that we can be proud of, the operation which liberated central parts of the
occupied Croatia, Sanader said. "And nobody will qualify Storm otherwise," he said.

The prime minister said that such indictments and qualifications of Storm were contrary to the 1994 Declaration of the UN General Assembly which clearly states that those were the occupied parts of Croatia. In accordance with that if a sovereign country is occupied it has the right to liberate its territory, Sanader said.

In connection with the proposal to expand the indictment against Markac and Cermak, Sanader reiterated that Croatia would fully cooperated with the UN war crimes tribunal adding that cooperation with the ICTY was Croatia's obligation under the Constitutional law and the country's international obligation.


Source: Hina News Agency

http://www.seeurope.net/en/Story.php?StoryID=55385&LangID=1
 

Dateline NBC To Air A Piece On Medjugorje on Wednesday, May 18
 

Dateline NBC will air a segment about Miracles on Wednesday, May 18 (John Paul II birthday!), at 8 p.m. (EST). This segment will include a one-hour piece on Medjugorje, with interviews of Ivan, his wife (Laureen), and Artie Boyle (Boston man, father of 13, healed of cancer in Medjugorje). For program times in your area, check Dateline NBC's web page or your local TV guide.

Please click here to return to Medjugorje USA's Home Page http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/

If you would like to write Medjugorje USA, I welcome your comments:
info@Medjugorje USA

http://www.medjugorjeusa.org/datelinemedjugorje.htm

About Medjugorje USA

Established October 30, 1997, Medjugorje USA is a website dedicated to spreading the messages of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary. See the page titled, "Gospa's Messages. Gospa's Messages
Since June of 1981, six children (now grownup) have made claim to visitations of the Blessed Mother. The visionaries are receiving hundreds of messages, which are shared with the world. See the page titled, "Story of Medjugorje." Story of Medjugorje

The visionaries have undergone much testing through the years, yet no teams of experts have been able to disprove their claims of visitations. See the page titled, "Visionaries Medical Research." Visionary Medical Research

Some miraculous events are witnessed by thousands of pilgrims visiting this growing hamlet in Bosnia, while other pilgrims experience a personal interior conversion or deepening of faith. Some pilgrims take pictures which when developed are quite unusual. See the page titled, "Unusual Photos." Unusual Photos

Medjugorje USA first started out as Miracles and Wonder of Medjugorje, as the size of the website increased beyond the bandwidth of its free 5K limit, it was decided to create a virtual domain address and hire a web hosting company. Hence, Medjugorje USA was born.

Information has been added at such a rate that today Medjugorje USA is one of the largest Medjugorje website on the Internet with about 50K of Catholic information. We not only have information on Medjugorje but carry info on other Marian apparitions as well. We also carry traditional devotional pages, and other mixed Catholic information. See the page titled, "Website Map."Medjugorje USA's Website Map

Medjugorje USA is listed with all the major search engines and some search engines say that Medjugorje USA is an "Extensive web site about the apparitions in Medjugorje. Also deals briefly with other well-known and recent Marian apparitions."

I don't believe my humble website is the best but Medjugorje USA is greatly motivated to provide its visitors with a host of useful Catholic information.

At Medjugorje USA we receive thousands of email from all around the world. We do our very best to answer everyone who writes us and will continue answering questions or thoughts our visitors may have. We will continue the unending quest of adding new Catholic information on the website, in hopes that each and every visitor may be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the glory of God. This we will do in all humility.

Medjugorje USA is owned and operated by Michael Kenneth Jones.
 

From Nazareth to Trsat Monument to the Holy Father

by Darko Belovic
translation by Hilda Foley

May 10, 2005. A monument to the great Pope John Paul II was solemnly unveiled in the park facing the entrance to the Trsat sanctuary. Franciscans are the guardians and servants of the Blessed Mother of Trsat sanctuary. According to tradition, the history of this sanctuary, which was only recorded by the 15th century, began with the transport of the little house of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Nazareth to Trsat on May 10, 1291. According to the same tradition, the little house was transported on Dec. 10, 1294 to Loretto. Prince Nikola Krcki-Frankopan had a chapel erected on Trsat which quickly became a place of pilgrimage.

In this chapel since 1367, the miraculous picture of the Mother of God is honored, which, again according to tradition, was presented to the Loretto pilgrims from the Croatian Primorje by Pope Urban V upon the request from Ivan and Stjepan Frankopan.

The bronze monument "Trsat Pilgrim", the work of Ante Jurkic, was unveiled by the Zagreb Archbishop and President of the Croatian Bishops' Conference Cardinal Josip Bozanic. The monument weighs a little less than one ton and its height is, including the base, 2.8 meters. After the unveiling of the monument, Cardinal Bozanic led a Eucharistic celebration.

The imposing monument in bronze portrays John Paul II at the moment of prayer in front of the miraculous picture of the Blessed Mother of Trsat (Gospa Trsatska) during his visit to this sanctuary on May 8, 2003, on his third pastoral visit to Croatia when he stayed five days in Rijeka.

Rijeka's best loved visitor Pope John Paul II came to the Trsat sanctuary to render homage the Blessed Mother. The Holy Father expressed the request that all people visiting this sanctuary pray for him during his life on earth and after his death.

Photos by Darko Belovic
 

Croatia wins thriller

Croatia is now undefeated from three games so far

Friday, 8 April 2005

Croatia scored a thrilling a four-three victory over a gallant Westlands United at Croatia park on Sunday that moves them closer to a league cup final berth.

Croatia were first to score after 10 minutes when John Morris was pulled down in the box and Robert Rendulic converted the spot kick for a one nil lead.

Croatia made it two nil five minutes later as Morris slotted in one of his own and Croatia looked to be coasting. Westlands though are showing good signs already this year and they pulled a goal back through the nippy Peter Rincon and just before half-time a header from Tallen Kilpatrick made it two-two. Westlands then got off to a perfect start in the second half as Matt Ellis latched onto a square ball to give his club a three-two lead. With 20 minutes to go Rendulic got his second as he rounded the keeper to make it three-three. With the game up for grabs, veteran Theo Stamoulis won the match with five minutes to go as his header found the net from a Nicolas Todd cross. Croatia is now undefeated from three games so far, while Westlands are showing they'll also be hard to beat this season.

http://whyalla.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=local&category=general%20sport&story_id=384521&y=2005&m=4

What are the legal consequences if you call an innocent man a war criminal?

Nenad Bach

Solana: EU's Decision on Croatia Depends on UN
By Cihan News Agency
Published: Monday 11, 2005
zaman.com


The European Union (EU) will decide according to the United Nations (UN) Criminal Tribunal decision about Zagreb according to the Union's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Javier Solana.

Solana in an interview to a Croatian newspaper, Jutarnji List, said: "EU members will make the final decision. But most of the information that will shape the decision will came from the UN court."

The EU had delayed the start of accession negotiations with Croatia due to its failure to surrender the war criminal (?????) from Zagreb, General Ante Gotovina to the UN Criminal Tribunal in The Hague. A research group composed of Solana, EU diplomats, the term president from Luxembourg, the EU Commission, and the upcoming term presidents from Britain as well as Austria will determine if Croatians have conducted a sufficient search to catch Gotovina.

[12:53:00]

http://www.zaman.com/?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20050411&hn=18344

CAA’s 16th Annual Croatian Days on the Hill in Washington, D.C.

Croatian American Association
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Box 287
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-429-5543

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: www.caausa.org
CAA’s 16th Annual Croatian Days on the Hill in Washington, D.C.
At the 16th Annual Croatian Days on the Hill lobbying campaign in Washington, D.C. from April 30- May 3, 2005, the CAA Board of Directors unanimously passed the following policy positions and presented them to both houses of the United States Congress - the Senate and House of Representatives - including the Administration:
1. CAA supports the Senate confirmation of John Bolton as a major step toward United Nations reform which includes UN accountability and a better effectiveness in dealing with future global conflicts.
2. CAA strongly believes that the Government of Croatia should move as quickly as possible to
remove the Article 98 barrier to NATO membership.
3. CAA supports the International Commission’s final Balkans report titled “The Balkans in Europe’s Future” stating that the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) should move away from its “focus on specific individuals” and allow domestic judicial systems to deal with war crimes.
4. CAA urges members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House International
Relations Committee to help secure funding for minority resettlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
5. CAA asks Congress and the State Department to follow the International Commission’s
recommendations on the Balkans report, and to begin the process of leading to the end of the Bonn Powers and Paddy Ashdown’s removal.
During CAA’s briefing with the National Security Council, a U.S. official retracted statements made by Ambassador Warren Miller during a White House ceremony in February 2005. Ambassador Miller accused Croatia of committing state-sanctioned genocide twice in the twentieth century. The CAA was assured by the Administration that Miller’s comments are not the position of the U.S. Government. The CAA is pleased by the reception that our issues received on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. We look forward to working with our elected representatives in achieving all our stated goals, reaffirm our commitment to promote the interests of Croatian Americans, and continue to be the voice of Croatian Americans in Washington, D.C.
 

Denis Macshane gone in the cabinet reshuffle

Tony Blair has sacked Denis Macshane in the cabinet
reshuffle. He is out of government altogether.

Douglas Alexander is his replacement as Minister for
Europe. MacShane was one of only two casualties of the
reshuffle, clearly demonstrating the low regard he was
held in. This was no secret, yet Zagreb thought he was
someone important!

Whether this changes policy remains to be seen.

Brian

More about the Labour campaign | Special report:
election 2005

Blunkett back to take on pensions reform

Hewitt goes to health, Reid switches to defense and
Hoon dropped to leader of the house

Michael White, political editor
Saturday May 7, 2005
The Guardian

David Blunkett last night returned to the cabinet
table with one of the hardest jobs Tony Blair could
offer him, as a reforming works and pensions secretary
who must tackle the thorny problems of invalidity and
provision for old age.

Four months after resigning as home secretary after
his affair with the publisher Kimberly Quinn, Mr
Blunkett's appointment came in a reshuffle which saw
the newly re-elected prime minister struggling to make
his plans fit the colleagues he has at his disposal.

In a signal which may put him at odds with the
Treasury, Mr Blunkett said he would consult and listen
before taking decisions, but that "nothing is off
limits".
That amounts to a potential rebuff for Gordon Brown's
formidable lieutenant, the newly elected backbench MP
Ed Balls, who said during the election campaign that
there would be no compulsory extra pensions savings.

In other moves - more sweeping than expected - the
combative John Reid moves from health to defense and
is replaced by Patricia Hewitt. Her post at trade and
industry will be filled by Alan Johnson, a former
trade union leader, after less than a year tackling
what is now to be Mr Blunkett's postbag.

But Mr Johnson's department will be revamped, yet
again, as the Department of Productivity, Energy and
Industry, with the stress firmly on raising
productivity, where Britain's position has slipped
since 1997.

Geoff Hoon, whose term at defence was dominated by the
political fallout from the Iraq war - notably the
death of the weapons scientist David Kelly - survives
in the low-profile role as leader of the Commons.

He replaces Peter Hain, who now combines the Welsh and
Northern Ireland secretaryships.

Officials refused to say whether Paul Murphy, a
veteran minister in Belfast, had resigned or been
pushed. The only other casualty was Denis MacShane,
the multilingual Europe minister, who is being
replaced ahead of the promised EU referendum by
Douglas Alexander, a Brown ally.

The Whitehall rumour machine had suggested that Mr
Blair initially hoped to give his old ally, Mr
Blunkett, part of John Prescott's sprawling empire -
the politically sensitive issues of housing and local
government renewal.

But he was fought off by the deputy prime minister, at
almost 67 still an indispensable figure in the New
Labour coalition, a crucial link between No 10 and No
11.

Mr Prescott told the Guardian this week that he had
decided he needed a departmental base to remain a big
player and No 10's statement last night stressed his
continuing role chairing cabinet committees, promoting
cross departmental issues, the North and overseas
interests. Many MPs fear it is too much.

In a limited shake-up which saw Mr Brown, Jack Straw
and Charles Clarke retain the three great departments
of state - the Treasury, and Foreign and Home offices
- Mr Blair also promoted Des Browne, the immigration
minister.

In an unexpected move he becomes Mr Brown's deputy,
chief secretary to the Treasury. John Hutton, No 2 at
health and long-tipped for cabinet rank, becomes
chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - his friend,
Alan Milburn's job until yesterday - in charge of
better regulation and driving forward public service
reform.

The other cabinet newcomer is David Miliband, the
high-flying Blairite who will now work with Mr
Prescott, in effect as his equivalent of chief
secretary, a deputy who has cabinet rank.

Mr Blair concluded that it would have been
inappropriate for such a senior figure as Mr Blunkett.


Though Mr Blair is committed to more collegiate
conduct - and discussed his appointments with Mr Brown
and Mr Prescott - the changes will be seen by Labour
ministers and MPs as a sign of his long-term
intentions, both personal and ideological.

Who gets junior ministerial posts this weekend may
reinforce the impression which Blairites are keen to
foster that the prime minister will soon bounce back
from the drubbing he got on Thursday night and drive
forward his reformist agenda.

He is in no mood to fall out with Mr Brown, a
sentiment likely to be reciprocated after the two men
patched up their well-advertised differences during
the election.

Mr Brown duly spoke out in support of greater
competition in the provision of public services like
health and education.

 50 years of photography for Don Wolf
 

Photo by DON WOLF
 

By BRANT STACY
Kansan Staff Writer

Don Wolf has experienced a lot of powerful moments during his lifetime.

Wolf, a local photographer and Kansas City, Kan., native will display his 50 years of photography at the Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. Fourth St., from noon to 5 p.m. beginning today. The exhibit will also be on display Sunday and continue on Saturday's and Sunday's until July 30. Wolf said the exhibit will give him an opportunity to share with friends and family the extent of his work.

"For the first time in my life, I have an opportunity to share with my friends, clients and family my experiences," he said. "So many people have fragmented concepts of what I do. They don't really understand. This will be a chance to show them the scope of my work."

Wolf began his career as a photographer when he was 14 years old, he said. One of the first pictures he took was of the 1951 flood in Kansas City, Kan. He said he photographed the area using a camera that his uncle, Johnny, brought him from World War II. In 1956, he joined the Navy, serving as an aerial photographer for two years aboard the U.S.S. Kearsage, he said. During his time on the ship, he would shoot pictures of landings, take-offs, and officer portraits. He also said one of his most treasured shots he ever took was aboard this ship.

"I was asked by the captain to photograph our ship heading back from Japan to the United States," Wolf said. "In order to do that, I told the captain we needed to turn it around because of the sun. It costs $12,000 to do this, but it was one of the most powerful moments in my whole life."

Before Wolf initially became a crewmember upon the U.S.S. Kearsage, he was given an opportunity by the Navy to enroll in college. Between graduating from high school and his first year at Donnelly College, in KCK, he said he spent the summer in photography school.

"In 1955, I spent the summer in Oakland, Calif., in photo school," Wolf said. "Then, I went to Donnelly and upon graduation in 1956, I went aboard the U.S.S. Kearsage."

After two years at sea, Wolf returned to Kansas City, Kan., in the fall of 1958, to begin his career as a commercial photographer. He said his first professional camera was a 4-by-5 speed graphic camera that he used to photograph famous faces and his travels throughout the world. He said he has photographed presidents Harry S. Truman and Richard Nixon, as well as singer, Tony Bennett and actress, singer and dancer, Ginger Rogers. He said in 1979, he brought his camera along to Croatia when he went to visit his grandparents. In later years, he said he went on a European tour with former Kansas City, Kan., mayor Carol Marinovich.

Several years later, Wolf said he purchased two large studio cameras, a Sinar 4-by-5 and a Sinar 8-by-10 that he only used in his first studio he had for 25 years called Wolf Photography. These cameras he used to photograph everything from furniture to automobiles.

"I had Wolf Photography for about 25 years," Wolf said. "I then sold it because I thought I was going to die at 64 like my father did."

After Wolf sold his business, he said he realized that he was 64 and still alive. He went to Johnson County Community College for several years to teach studio lighting, and during that time he received numerous calls asking him to restart his business. He contemplated the idea for awhile, then decided to get things rolling again.

"I called up several people that used to work for me, and a friend and we put the business back together again," Wolf said. "This business we called New Vision Photography, which is still located in a 15,000 square-foot building at 3117 Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kan."

Wolf said he has been at this studio for about 20 years. He said the new studio is great for photographing large objects because it is so big. He said he works with a lot of clients who bring their products to his studio for him to photograph.

Pat Malinak, studio manager for New Vision photography, said she met Wolf 20 years ago while she was working as a model. She said the first time he spoke to her he used a Croatian greeting.

"Since his family is of Croatian descent he thought I was, because of my last name," Malinak said. "I joined his staff at Wolf Photography as a production manager until he closed it."

Malinak said a few years ago, Wolf called her asking if he could use her studio she had recently purchased at 3117 Merriam Lane. She said she agreed, and since then she, Wolf and the original members of Wolf Photography came back together to create New Vision Photography.

"We all just fell back together two and a half years ago," Malinak said.

Malinak said she has always been impressed by Wolf's incredible energy. She said she is constantly amazed of how well liked he is.

"He's a very benevolent man, and I respect him for that," Malinak said. "All of his images I love. It's hard to just choose one."

Matthew Fey, an account executive with J. Schmid Associates, a direct marketing agency, said he and his company have worked with Wolf for quite a few years. He said Wolf does a lot of photography for catalogs and direct mail pieces.

"He has provided us with stellar photography over the years," Fey said. "He is the man we turn to when we need incredible catalog shots."

Fey said he considers he and Wolf's relationship both a professional and friendly one. He said a lot of people at his office attribute a grandfatherly figure to him, and are impressed by the level of quality and professionalism he brings to his work.

"He's just a humble master and down to earth," Fey said. "His level of knowledge is sublime."

Nate Accardo, chief executive officer and chairman of Custom Colors, is another one of Wolf's clients, who has also been a friend and former 15-year partner of Wolf's since the 1960s. He said over the years Wolf's work has done nothing but gotten better.

"He has a great attitude about what he does and it comes through in his photography," Accardo said. "After 50 years few people are still excited about their work, and he is."

Accardo said he wouldn't miss the exhibit down at the museum. He said he respects Wolf's creativity and his willingness to do what it takes.

"He's a good guy and extremely creative," Accardo said. "His attitude separates him from the rest of the world."

Adrienne Nastav, a volunteer at the Strawberry Hill Museum, who is helping Wolf set up his exhibit, said Wolf has always been involved with the museum through its Croatian exhibit. She said he has donated many of his family photos and pictures he took while in Croatia to the museum.

"Besides his Croatian photos, he has helped raise $700,000 for orphanages in Croatia," Nastav said. "He even adopted a child during the war and brought her back to the United States. When it was safe, he returned her back home."

Nastav said one of the most interesting things about Wolf is his creativity as well as his unselfish volunteerism. She said he is able to excel in all aspects of his life.

"He has inspired me to go back and try doing black and whites," Nastav said. "He proves that photography can be accomplished whether you take a picture in your backyard or in a foreign country."

Wolf said he has come along way since he first acquired that camera from his uncle Johnny. He said he does mainly studio work now, and most of his clients are outside the Kansas City, Kan., area. Everything is also completely digital now, he said.

"We are all 100 percent digital," Wolf said. "We are also one of the best kept secrets in Kansas City, Kan."

Wolf said the exhibit will be broken up into images of Strawberry Hill, Navy and travel and commercial work. He said the exhibit will reflect his diversity throughout the years.

"If I would've concentrated on one aspect of photography I would've gotten bored," Wolf said. "Everyday is different. You get to go places and meet all kinds of people. It was a good life and still is."

http://www.kansascitykansan.com/articles/2005/05/09/news/local/news2.txt