CROATIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Following is the letter I received from the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Pave Zupan Ruskovic answering 
my suggestion that tourism in Croatia ought to also encompass the cultural and archaeological 
sites, by promoting it among the academia and related magazines which offer such tours to 
interested parties. As you can see, her answer was very positive. 
Hilda 

----- Forwarded Message -----
Date: Mon, 13 May 2002 

KLASA:303-03/02-01/73
URBROJ: 529-04-02-01
Zagreb, 06. svibnja 2002.



gđa HILDA MARIJA FOLEY 
Predmet: e-mail predstavka od 19. ožujka 2002.
Poštovana gđo Foley,

Zahvaljujem na Vašem e-mail pismu od 19. ožujka 2002. godine, na koje odgovaram s malim 
zakašnjenjem.

Kao i Vi smatram da treba, što je moguć e više, širiti raznovrsne informacije o Hrvatskoj, njezinoj 
kulturi, povijesti, gospodarstvu i dr. s obzirom da Hrvatska, kao relativno mlada država tek mora 
graditi svoj image i predstaviti svijetu svoj identitet. U tom smislu Ministarstvo turizma i ja 
osobno, kao i HTZ i njezina predstavništva u svijetu gotovo svakodnevno odgovaramo na brojna 
pitanja novinara iz različ itih zemalja, od kojih već ina dobronamjerno i istinito prenosti saznanja 
o Hrvatskoj. To pomaže hrvatskom turizmu koji je u posljednje dvije godine doživio snažan, iako još 
uvijek nedovoljan oporavak, a nadam se da će se pozitivni trendovi nastaviti i u ovoj i narednih 
godina.

Svakako da bi bilo potrebno i vrlo korisno da točne informacije o Hrvatskoj što prije dopru i do 
znanstvenih i dr. institucija koje utječu na kreiranje mišljenja i stavova o Hrvatskoj. Kao što Vam je 
vjerojatno poznato Hrvatska turistička zajednica ima vrlo dobru prezentaciju ukupnih hrvatskih 
turističkih potencijala i mogućnosti na web. stranici www.htz.hr , a raspolaže i sa izuzetno 
kvalitetnim tiskanim brošurama koje se distribuiraju širom svijeta.

Vašu sam predstavku proslijedila predstavništvu Hrvatske turističke zajednice u SAD-u, te se 
nadam da ć e Vaše opservacije biti uputa za učinkovitije promicanje turizma na ovom za Hrvatsku 
potencijalno izuzetno važnom emitivnom tržištu.

Uz najbolje želje pozdravljam Vas s poštovanjem. 


M I N I S T R I C A

Pave Župan Rusković 

Croatia
Cliff-Hanger: Would They Ever Leave?

IT'S OUR FIRST NIGHT IN Croatia. We're sitting on the tiled terrace ofour rented house on a cliff near the ancient walled city of Dubrovnik, gazing atislands that stretch like bumpy stepping stones across the Adriatic Sea. We'resipping margaritas made with limes from one of the fruit trees that dot theproperty, and nibbling clusters of purple and green grapes that we plucked fromthe trellis over our heads.

Our landlords insisted on cooking our first Croatian dinner, so Antun isgrilling whole fish smothered with parsley and garlic in the outdoor stonefireplace, while Marija unmolds a flan draped in caramel and perfumed likeroses. The sun is melting on a mountain ridge and the sea is turning from goldto red to pink, as cruise ships head across the bay like floating strands ofChristmas lights.

And as we recall how much our loved ones back home are worrying about oursafety ("Aren't they still fighting over there?"), we feel almostguilty.

We'd been dreaming for decades about visiting Dubrovnik, on Yugoslavia'sDalmatian Coast. Yugoslavia was the Friendly Communist Country, and Dubrovnikwas the Renaissance jewel of Eastern Europe.

But we kept putting off the trip -- and in 1991, the Balkans exploded intowar. Historians will probably argue eternally about precisely what triggered oneof the worst bursts of genocide since World War II, but perhaps they could agreeon some limited facts: The leaders of Croatia, one of the republics ofYugoslavia, declared that they were seceding from the nation and forming anindependent country. Slobodan Milosevic, then Yugoslavia's dictator, sent in hisarmy to try to prevent it. And Dubrovnik became one of the war's first victims.

Yugoslav troops fanned out on the mountain ridges that overlook Dubrovnik andwarships closed off the sea. For more than seven months, they hurled artilleryand mortar shells at the city as the international community watched in shock.The world would learn about the carnage in places like Sarajevo and Kosovolater, but back then, in the first months of 1992, it seemed incomprehensiblethat Milosevic would order his troops to bombard an ancient, cherished cityfilled with civilians, apparently out of spite. The United Nations reported thattwo-thirds of the churches, palaces and proud old houses had been hit. Some hadbeen gutted.

So we were astonished when we ran into an acquaintance a couple years ago whohad just returned from a work trip in the Balkans, and he said, "Want me totell you a secret? Go to Dubrovnik, and go soon. Go before every other touristin the world finds out that Dubrovnik has been repaired. In fact, it might bemore beautiful than ever."

Sometimes we start our days by meeting Darija, our guide and interpreter, atour favorite cafe in Old Town. To get there from our house on Zaton Bay, wedrive for 20 minutes through layers of history, like sediment layers on a cliff:We pass hillsides of drab, communist-era apartments on the outskirts, then parkin the faded Victorian quarter of "new" Dubrovnik; we cross the oldmoat and stroll through one of the massive gates in the medieval walls -- andsuddenly, we enter a time warp. Dubrovnik is a magic pedestrian world wherealmost every cobblestone, statue and doorway was built between the 13th and 17thcenturies -- unless, of course, it's been restored since the Balkans War.

The place feels a bit disorienting: The facades look Italian but the peoplecrowding the alleys look and sound almost Russian. It's a Slavic Venice withoutcanals.

And the marble tables of the sprawling Gradska Kavana cafe make a great stagefor people-watching -- no wonder leaders of the old communist regime used tohang out here. When we sit on one side of the cafe, we gaze over Dubrovnik'slittle marina, where fishing boats and cabin cruisers rock at the base of thefortified walls. When we choose the other side, under the fuchsia awnings, welook up at the baroque dome and columns of St. Blaise church. On weekends, theorgan spills through the stained-glass windows, and we linger over espressos sowe can watch wedding parties pose and mug on the steps.

"Hello," a voice says in soft, accented English, and there's astriking young woman with a delicate hoop piercing her belly button. Darija.We've never hired a guide and interpreter before on vacation, but this youngartist could use the extra work, and we figure she's a friendly way to get toknow Croatia.

"You can't possibly imagine what this town was like during thewar," Darija says. "The morning it started, it was the first day ofschool. My brother and me, we were excited, we were going to see our friendsagain. My parents were dressing for work. And I went outside when I heardsomething" -- she pauses, searching for the right word -- "somethinglike thunder. But it was so strange, because the sky was completely bright. Thenwe heard that the Serb soldiers were coming down from the mountains to kill allof us with their knives."

The soldiers didn't invade with knives, but the bombardment had begun. Localresidents say the troops rained explosives down on the city from October untilMay, from sunrise until dark. Most people, like Darija's family, lived like ratsin basement shelters during the day. The moment they stopped hearing the"thunder," they'd surface and head for the marina and bathe in thewinter sea, using kerosene lanterns to guide them. They didn't have electricityor running water until the siege ended.

We stroll down the smooth limestone cobblestones of the Stradun, which islike a walkway of polished ivory tiles. This is the main promenade, lined withshops and cafes all shaded by blue awnings and crowded with young Croatians wholook gorgeous and trendy and thin. Darija turns down a narrow alley and wefollow her past art galleries and shops into the market square. Local farmerssell garlands of dried figs and bay leaves, and they pile tomatoes and peachesand baby arugula on rickety tables under striped umbrellas. By evening, thevendors will have disappeared and the square will be filled with tables, andwe'll be feasting on platters of briny oysters that a fisherman just lugged infrom his boat.

But now it's time for lunch, and Darija motions us to sit in the shadeoutside Buffet Skola, her favorite sandwich shop. She's right: Who could believethat much of this glorious town was rubble? The moment the siege ended, theCroatian government and United Nations began raising tens of millions of dollarsto repair the damage. They ordered a city's-worth of clay roof tiles fromEuropean factories; the new replacements are a bit too orange next to the mutedtiles that survived the war, but hardly anyone's complaining. They hiredstonemasons to replace every pulverized cobblestone and rebuild every collapsedwall. They imported sculptors from other nations to heal every statue that wasmissing a hand or nose.

Darija gives a gracious, fake little laugh and says she's tired of talkingabout the war. The waitress has just brought thick, crusty slabs of yeastysourdough bread, topped with local sheep's cheese and smoky ham. The bread isstill warm, and we ask if we can buy a few slices to take home for dinner. Thewaitress says no -- and then wraps two hot loaves as a gift.

"I'm sorry, I have to go soon," Darija says. "I'm workingtonight as an usher at the festival concert." The Dubrovnik festival wasone of Europe's great summer attractions before the war. Actors like DanielDay-Lewis would perform Hamlet in the ruins of a 16th-century fort andworld-class musicians would make a pilgrimage to perform here.

The festival is finally reviving after years of forced intermission, althoughit's still not back to its former glory -- which is the only reason we can gettickets on short notice to hear Bach and Mozart in the Rector's Palace. Themusic is magical, but the setting transcends it: The orchestra performs in anintimate courtyard, with balconies rising above us like tiers on a wedding cake.The overflow audience hangs over the balustrade and pigeons swoop among thearches.

As the ovation fades, we exchange smiles with the stranger sitting next tous. "What a beautiful concert," we murmur. "Do you know, by anychance, which countries the musicians in the orchestra come from?"

"But they all live here," she says, looking surprised. "Thisis the Dubrovnik Symphony."

Berta Dragicevic introduces herself. She says she just stepped down as deputymayor, and she cites an astonishing figure: The local government spends 20percent of its budget on culture. Think about it: Dubrovnik is still recoveringfrom the war. Some of the biggest (and ugliest) hotels are still abandoned. Theunemployment rate tops 20 percent. Yet the city spends a huge chunk of itsbudget to support a full-time symphony and professional theater, a folk ensembleand choir, plus a gallery and museum -- all for a community that has at most50,000 residents. "We have traditions," Dragicevic explains.

When we were planning our trip, we planned to use Dubrovnik as a base to tourthe Balkans. We were going to venture over the mountains and visit Sarajevo. Wewere going to take ferries to islands like Korcula and Kvar, where hot youngEuropeans hang out. We would drive three hours south into Montenegro, which byall accounts is shabby and spectacularly beautiful.

We never made it. We'd start sipping coffee most mornings on our terrace,then watch, mesmerized, as the sun spilled onto the islands and mountains andour little bay woke up: first, a lone fishermen in a puttering skiff, then afreighter moving down the channel, then a sailboat or two. If one of us feltenergetic, he or she would cover their coffee with a saucer and run down thesteps past our swimming pool, returning five minutes later with, say, a handfulof figs.

"Okay," someone would finally say, "does anybody feel liketaking an expedition?" And we'd just sit there -- happy and inert.

But we weren't lazy. By mid-morning we'd embark on a daily adventure. We'ddescend the dizzying steps our landlord had built all the way down to the water,and go snorkeling at the base of our cliff. The water was so clear and pristinethat every day we were dazzled again. We would swim through clouds of plumpwhite fish as big as trout, and others striped like underwater tigers, andmasses of neon-purple fish that floated in place like Calder mobiles.

Sometimes we'd harvest our lunch before we got out of the water. The base ofour cliff was covered with thousands of small mussels, like bouquets of blackflowers clinging onto the rocks. We'd pry them off by the handful, then steamthem in garlic and wine -- plus an occasional rosemary sprig from our giantbush.

On other days, we'd clamber into our outboard motorboat, putter across thebay and tie up at one of the restaurants with tables set at the water's edge. AtMarko's, you don't even have to look at a menu; you just sit under thevine-covered trellis, sipping honey-colored wine as the owner and his son Darkoserve whatever traditional coastal dishes his wife feels like making. She mightstart with mountains of tiny clams tossed with capers, then faintly charredshrimps bursting with juice, and fried baby calamari with a wispy and fragilecrust, and whole fish with the skin grilled so crisp it crackles. By the timeDarko serves his mother's crepes dusted with ground local walnuts, we'rebegging, thank you, please, we have to stop.

When the Yugoslav army invaded the area around Dubrovnik, they seized ourrental house and turned it into a command post. "And we were lucky,"says Marija, our landlord. At the moment, we're sipping Antun's rose liqueur andnibbling olives with some of their family and friends, and watching anothersunset off our terrace.

"Yes, lucky," Marija repeats, with a bitter laugh. She's speakingCroatian, which her daughter-in-law translates, plus a smattering of Italianthat many Croatians speak. They tell us how Serb soldiers from the Yugoslav armyburned some of the nearby homes on this bay but saved this house because it wasa perfect lookout point on the shipping channel. The family took refuge inshelters in a nearby town.

They're here this evening because our month in Dubrovnik is almost over andthey want to send us off with a traditional Sunday dinner. So Antun is back atthe outdoor fireplace, shoveling glowing coals around an enamel casserole that'sheavy with potatoes and chunks of lamb. Marija is simmering seafood risottothat's black and musty with squid ink. As we work our way through a bottle oflocal wine, we figure that we've finally become friendly enough to broach theissue that local residents usually avoid:

Have they put the war behind them?

There's an edgy silence. The Croatians look at their drinks. Finally, ourlandlords' daughter-in-law, Marijana, speaks.

"Do you know what it's like to live for months below ground, while thereare bombs exploding outside?" she asks. "One day, some of the peoplewent outside just for a few minutes, to smoke cigarettes." Marijana flushesand starts to cry, and nuzzles her baby. "And just at that moment, anartillery shell hit. Seven people died. Friends."

"And do you know what we found when we came back to this house after thewar?" Marija says. "The soldiers destroyed or stole everything. Allour plates, all our furniture, everything." Now Marija is wiping awaytears, too. "And the Serb soldiers used our floors as a toilet. Can youpicture that?"

We murmur something that we hope seems supportive but objective, but ends upbeing inadequate. Both Serbs and Croatians committed atrocities, according toall the evidence, and both Serb and Croatian military officers have been chargedwith war crimes. It's the innocent civilians who are always caught in the vise.

Their friend Stefi cuts us off, her voice trembling. She works part time atthe Croatian tourist bureau. "Only last week, a man came into the touristoffice and wanted some information," she says, "and I knew he was Serbby his accent. The Serbs are coming back to visit our Dubrovnik for the firsttime since the war."

Stefi says the man wanted some details about traveling, but she politelyexplained that she didn't have them, and the man got belligerent and stormed outin a huff. "And as he was opening the door," Stefi says, "heturned and he looked at me. And he said, 'I wish we had killed all of you whenwe had the chance.' "

And now she's the third person crying at our dinner party. "The risottois ready," Marija says, in a voice that's too cheerful and loud. "Mangia.Let's eat."

The morning we leave Croatia, we're in a fog. The Milky Way still sparkles aswe lock the house at 5 a.m. and lug our suitcases up the cliff. By the time weget to the airport we're waking up just enough to feel sorry for ourselves: Wehave to leave Dubrovnik and go back to reality.

But at exactly 6:15 a.m., Antun and Marija walk through the airport doors."I made strudel for your trip," Marija says, and we peek under thewrapper at little pillows bulging with apples and raisins. She and Antun give usbig hugs.

That's our last memory of Dubrovnik: Antun and Marija standing at the metaldetector, waving as we board the airplane, cradling packets of impossibly flakypastry in our arms.

Daniel Zwerdling-Rothschild is a senior correspondent with National PublicRadio. Barbara Zwerdling- Rothschild is a psychotherapist and freelance writer.

GETTING THERE: Getting to Dubrovnik, Croatia, can take some juggling,especially if you're trying to save money. Under frequent-flier constraints, weflew a complicated route from Washington to Boston to Zurich to Zagreb toDubrovnik. No matter what, you'll have to connect at least twice to get there.Choices include flying Austrian Airlines from Dulles to Vienna, then takeTyrolean Airlines or Croatia Airlines to Dubrovnik via Zagreb. Or, fly United,British Airways or Virgin Atlantic to London, then hop on a Croatia Airlinesflight to Dubrovnik via Zagreb. Round-trip fare is about $1,775 for summertravel, $885 for fall. You can also fly to Rome, catch a train to the Italianport of Bari and take an overnight ferry to Dubrovnik.

WHERE TO STAY: The Villa Dubrovnik (Vlaha Bukovca 6, www.villa-dubrovnik.hr)is a cozy hotel with great views, about a half-mile outside of Old Town. Ratesstart at about $150, double. The nearby Villa Orsula (Frana Supila 14, www.hoteli-argentina.hr/index.html)is also recommended, at about the same rates.

Or you can rent a house. We found ours through a friend -- it had never beenlisted before. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic, with four bedrooms,three bathrooms, a main kitchen, two mini-kitchens with extra refrigerators, alarge outdoor terrace and swimming pool, it rented for $5,500 for one month, butcurrent rates may vary. For information, e-mail the owners' daughter-in-law,Marijana, at vicko.soko@du.hinet.hr.

Dubrovnik is just beginning to develop a rental house market, but manyapartments are available. The Croatian National Tourist Office (see below) listsmore than 25 firms who can help arrange private accommodations. Here are someoptions:

• Gulliver Travel and Tourism Agency, telephone 011-385-20-419-109, www.gulliver.hr.

• Atlas Travel and Tourism Agency, telephone 011-385-20-442-222, www.atlas-croatia.com.

• Refika Knezevic, telephone 011-385-20-412-521, e-mail ilija.knezevic@du.tel.hr.

These agencies can also help arrange bookings at B&Bs, where rooms startat $20 per night. Or you can find rooms last minute by driving along the coastand looking for signs proclaiming "Zimmer-Chambres-Camere."

WHERE TO EAT: Most of the restaurants we recommend -- in fact, mostrestaurants on the Croatian coast -- specialize in the sort of simple,super-fresh Mediterranean dishes you'd expect to find in Italy: whole grilledfish and steaks, grilled or fried calamari, risotto, arugula salads. Expect topay $25 to $60 for two, including drinks, tax and tip. Note: Steak costs lessthan fish.

Orhan (Od Tabakarije 1), tucked in a cove at the base of the fortifiedwalls, might be the best restaurant near Old Town. It's lively, relaxed andnever pompous. Sesame (Dante Alighieri bb), just outside the fortifiedwalls, resembles a terrace at a country villa and prepares lovely fish andzucchini carpaccio. Buffet Skola (Vl Dinka Popovic), a few steps off theStradun, serves local cheese and ham on thick slabs of bread. Villa Dubrovnik(Vlaha Bukovca 6) offers a romantic setting for lunch.

Near Dubrovnik, Pansion Mali Raj (HR-20235 Zaton Veliki 99) serveshuge platters of great food on Zaton Bay, 20 minutes from Old Town . At Orsan(Zaton Mali), which offers deceptively simple meals under a thatched awning onthe shore of Zaton Bay, we were served the best fried calamari we've ever had. StaraMlinica, an hour by taxi boat from Dubrovnik on the nearby island of Sipan,has good food overlooking a tiny harbor that feels as if the tourist worldpassed it by.

INFORMATION: Croatian National Tourist Office, 800-829- 4416, www.htz.hr.

Op-ed
It was a 
great opportunity and a success to be part of thegames.
We may do even better next time. Congratulations Vatreni !

Nenad Bach

Croatia Bows Out of World Cup 
Thu Jun 13, 
By EUGENE BRCIC, Associated Press Writer 
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) - Up, down, and out.


Croatia's stay at this year's World Cup had some exhilarating thrills, 
nerve-racking twists and at the end, a regretful feeling of nausea.
A semifinalist at the last World Cup, Croatia bowed out at the earliest 
exit this time with a bitter sense of disappointment after a 1-0 loss to 
Ecuador on Thursday night. Croatia needed a win to get to the final 16 and 
certainly expected it after beating Italy in its previous game.
The Croats opened Group G with a 1-0 loss to Mexico and its hopes of 
emulating the team's bronze-winning effort at the '98 World Cup were in 
serious danger. Then came the win over Italy.
But Croatia couldn't handle the newcomers from South America, who also 
were eliminated as Mexico and Italy moved on.
"This is a major disappointment, to be a step into the next round and then 
to have the door slammed in our faces," said Croatia coach Mirko Jozic.
Edison Mendez got the winner in the 48th minute when he took a header from 
Agustin Delgado and drilled the ball home with his right foot.
It was Mendez' first and Ecuador's second goal in the tournament.
"Everyone in Ecuador should celebrate because it's a great joy, we won our 
first World Cup game," Mendez said. "We played poorly in the first game, 
but we recovered and won the match."
The Ecuadoreans celebrated the win with backslaps and hugs. The Croatian 
players were stunned. Thousands of Croats in the crowd — most dressed in 
the trademark red and white checked shirts — stood silent in the stands.
"That's football," veteran Alen Boksic said. "We had just one win and two 
losses. What more can you expect than an early exit?"
Milan Rapaic came close to tying it, but his free kick from 25 yards was 
headed wide by the defense.
Daniel Saric got into a one-on-one with Ecuador goalkeeper Jose Cevallos, 
but was called offside. Then backup midfielder Davor Vugrinec slammed a 
right-footed strike well over the crossbar in the 83rd minute.
Brilliant reflexes by veteran midfielder Alex Aguinaga got the ball off 
his goal line after a powerful Croatian header two minutes later as the 
Ecuadoreans clung to their slender lead.
"I'm very happy with my boys," Ecuador coach Hernan Gomez said. "We were 
eliminated, but with dignity.
"We're going home with a lot of confidence after scoring our first World 
Cup goal and getting our first win. This team has worked itself into 
history." Mendez had the only shot on target for Ecuador in the opening half, but 
his right-footed shot from 20 yards was held on the second grab by keeper 
Stipe Pletikosa in the 24th minute.
But Mendez found the net with Ecuador's only shot on goal in the second 
half. And Croatia was done.
"Despite explicit orders, my players failed to move the play away from our 
goal and deeper into the field," Jozic said. "We had our chances and our 
half-chances because we were lucky, but they were not created out of set 
plays. "We lost the match and we lost our chance to progress further. We did not 
succeed in our goal and have to concede that our mission was a failure."

Press Briefing Notes
Friday 14 June 2002
International Organization for Migration

CROATIA - Trafficking in Women and Children for Sexual Exploitation - A new 
IOM report on trafficking of women and children in Croatia sheds light on 
the extent of this practice and underlines the need for the authorities to 
take appropriate action to counter this phenomenon.

The report, published by IOM with the Center for Transition and Civil 
Society Research, suggests that trafficking in Croatia is more serious than 
fragmentary and incomplete official data indicates.

Statistics on illegal crossings into Croatia show a constant increase over 
the last five years, with no attempt made to distinguish smuggled from 
trafficked persons. Despite this, Croatia is generally considered to be a 
transit country for trafficked women on their way to Western Europe.

According to data from the Croatian Ministry of Interior (MOI), the 
percentage of trafficked women and children is very small compared to other 
types of criminal activity.

From 1998 to 2000, only five criminal offences were reported relating to 
Article 175 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Croatia (Establishment 
of Slavery and the Transport of Slaves) and 21 offences relating to Article 
178 (International Prostitution). These cases involved 24 female victims of 
trafficking: 22 adults (10 from Hungary, 7 from Ukraine, 3 from Romania, 1 
from Bulgaria and 1 from Slovakia) and two minors from Romania. But 
unofficial police estimates suggest that the number of victims of 
trafficking could be 10 times higher than those officially recorded.

The data indicates that Italy is the main country of destination for female 
victims of trafficking after they leave Croatia.

The report notes that from January 1998 until December 2000, the MOI issued 
work permits to 296 foreign women who requested permission to stay in 
Croatia. Some 34% were from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22% from Slovenia, 
11.5% Ukraine, some 10% from Romania, and the remainder from the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), Hungary, the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Albania.

The report reveals that victims of trafficking from Moldova, Romania and 
Ukraine are sold to Croatian traffickers at "collecting centres" located in 
Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina. One such centre is the "Arizona market"; a 
huge unregulated market situated near the border between Croatia and FRY. A 
similar market also exists in Bihac, near Bosanski Petrovac.

Trafficking in Croatia has changed significantly during the last decade
In the first half of the 90s, trafficking was concentrated in Zagreb and 
its surroundings. The main and possibly the sole trafficking route was from 
Hungary to Zagreb. Trafficked women were mainly employed in nightclubs and 
bars on the outskirts of the capital. This first phase was abruptly ended 
by a series of raids in 1996-1997.

In the later half of the 90s, several routes from Bosnia and Herzegovina 
replaced the Hungarian connection. Trafficking networks also became more 
geographically dispersed. The business spread to tourist towns and places 
frequented by military personnel.

The most recent trend seems to be seasonal or temporary employment of women 
trafficked from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as wider international sex 
tourism.

No single official strategy or response to trafficking
Interviews with police officers revealed that some tended to ignore or 
minimise the extent of the problem whilst others did not recognise 
trafficking as a serious issue. All said corruption, lack of training and 
resources, and the absence of a clear and decisive plan of action hindered 
any policing attempt.

The report recommends a policy change based on efficient policing and on 
providing assistance to trafficked individuals. This can be achieved through:

ˇ Special training and additional resources for the police force, 
including border officers;

ˇ Regional coordination/sharing of information and intelligence on 
organized crime, trafficking routes, etc.

ˇ The establishment of a counter-trafficking unit with regional offices;

ˇ Legal reforms and training programmes for judges and other law 
enforcement,

ˇ The establishment of a safe-house/shelter (including legal and 
psychological counselling) for trafficked women and children;

ˇ The establishment of a protection and assistance programme 
allowing/encouraging trafficked victims to prosecute their traffickers;

ˇ Stronger mass media involvement to ensure trafficked women and 
children are perceived as victims, and traffickers as criminals; and

ˇ The setting up of a coordinated network of organisations and 
institutions including governmental offices, NGOs, international 
organisations and foreign embassies to provide assistance, coordinate 
fund-raising and promote research activities.

The reports adds that the general public in Croatia is generally well aware 
of trafficking, with almost two thirds of the respondents saying they had 
heard of cases of organised prostitution involving foreign women in the 
country.

Larry Cirignano, Esq.
CatholicVote.org   
PO Box 70695
Washington, DC 20024
609-781-0090
202-318-0789 fax
-----------------

Podruznica Hrvatskog kulturnog drustva “Napredak” u New York-u je svecano proslavila stotu obljetnicu osnutka ovog kulturnog drustva u nedjelju, dana 26.5.2002 godine. Tom prigodom u velikoj dvorani Hrvatskog centra na Manhattan-u sakupilo se stotinjak clanova i prijatelja. Svojom nazocnoscu sastanak je uvelicao i Generalni konzul Republike Hrvatske u New York-u, gospodin Domagoj Kero. Predsjednik Napretkove p!
rodruznice u New York-u, gospodin Josip Knezevic je pozdravio sve nazocne, te se kratko osvrnuo na aktivnosti ove novo osnovane podruznice.



Dopredsjednik drustva, Mr. Ognjen Martinovic je u kracem govoru iznjeo znacaj proslave dana Napretka, koji je povezan sa tridesetim travnja, danom pogubljenja Zrinskog i Frankopana. Mr. Martinovic dao je sazetak povjesnih dogadaja vezanih za ovaj dan, a potom je gospodin Kero pozdravio publiku i organizatore proslave.



Nakon pozdrava Generalnog konzula, tajnik podruznice Dr. Anton Sertic govorio je o osnutku “Napretka” i njegovom stogodisnjem djelovanju, te stipendiranju talentiranih studenata ciji su uspjesi uvijek bili na diku njihovim zajednicama i narodu iz kojeg su nikli. Dr. Sertic je zavrsio svoje predavanje sa pozivom hrvatskim iseljenicima da se pridruze Napretkovim aktivnostima i na ovaj nacin pomognu bolju i sretniju buducnost hrvatskog naroda.




Pocasni gost proslave bio je Dr. Drago Stambuk, bivsi opunomoceni predstavnik Republike Hrvatske u Velikoj Britaniji i veleposlanik RH u Indiji, Egiptu i vecem broju arapskih zemalja. Dr. Stambuk je zapoceo svoje predavanje osvrtom na hrvatsku unutarnju i vanjsku politiku te je govorio o tajni uspjesnog upravljanja drzavom, tocnije nalazenju prave ravnoteze izmedju centripetalnih i centrifugalnih sila drzave, regionalnih i centralistickih aspiracija, te nacionalnih i europskih, odnosno svjetskih interesa. Dr. Stambuk je govorio i o politici koju bi RH trebala voditi prema sestrinskoj republici BiH, te komentirao Daytonski sporazum i negativan uticaj koji postojanje srpskog entiteta u BiH ima na ovu drzavu.



Dr. Stambuk je isto tako zborio o temama vezanim za Haski sud, ulasku Republike Hrvatske u NATO i EU, te katastrofalni ishod procesa privatizacije u Hrvatskoj. Svoje predavanje zakljucio je konstatacijom da je duznost svakog svjesnog gradjanina Hrvatske oboruzati se znanjem, principima opceg dobra, predanim radom i nadasve vjerom da vlastitim snagama moramo i mozemo iznijeti Hrvatsku na mjesto koje joj pripada medju naprednim drzavama svijeta. 



Nakon predavanja slijedila su pitanja publike koja su potakla zanimljivu diskusiju. Razgovori su se nastavili uz domijenak i glazbeni program. Proslava je svecano zavrsena otvaranjem prodajne izlozbe hrvatskog akademskog slikara Josipa Zankija.



Za sve informacije o “Napretku” i aktivnostima podruznice u New York-u, molimo obratite se gospodinu Knezevicu na telefon 718-353-0069 ili na e-mailkdeletis@excite.com. 

[Croat-Biz-Exchg] 

Tražite bolji posao? Dobro došli na www.moj-posao.net. Pregledajte kompletnu bazu oglašenih poslova, pretražite ih prema odredenoj kategoriji ili kljucnoj rijeci. Obratite pozornost na Vruce poslove kojima krajnji rok istice za koji dan, i zavirite u Nove poslove - istaknute u zadnjih tjedan dana. 

http://www.moj-posao.net/ 

ABSOLUT ATRACTION

The international photo magazine PDN (Photo District News) awarded IVAN
PARIC the winning entry in 2002 Photo Annual. On May 22nd, Paric was honored
at the gala celebration in Manhattan at the exclusive Sky Club on top of Met
Life building.

Next year, Paric will graduate from the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography located in Santa Barbara, California.

Born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1980, Ivan is the eldest child of Danica and Ljubo
Paric. When he was ten, his parents gave him a small, Kodak point-and-shoot
camera using 110-size cassettes. Thrilled with his toy, Ivan brought the
camera to school to photograph classmates, until his teacher confiscated the
camera as a punishment for disrupting the class. "I still remember that day
as my earliest photo session. I had to return to school with one of my
parents to get the film and camera back."

At age of 13 he became an active member of the Photo Club Zagreb. Pretty
soon, photography was all he wanted to do in life. In 1996, Paric met third
generation Croatian American photographer Don Wolf, who was visiting Zagreb
at that time. Wolf, who changed his name from Vuk, went out of his way to
mentor Paric.

In 1998, Paric received the People's Choice award from University of
California Santa Barbara Extension, International Programs. Than in 2000, Paric excel at the Brooks Institute of Photography by receiving an award from Faculty-Staff.

Ivan focuses on fashion, portrait and product photography. He is currently defining his own style by experimenting with light and smoke in his latest series 
"American Spirit".

Ivan Paric can be reached by telephone (805) 967-0792 or e-mail ivan.paric@brooksglobal.net or paric1@hotmail.com 

Vecernji list ( www.vecernji-list.hr), 19. svibnja 2002.
HONG KONG ZANIMA HRVATSKI TURIZAM

HONG KONG - Hrvatski predsjednik Stjepan Mesic jucer je doputovao u Hong
Kong gdje je razgovarao s izvrsnim administratorom Specijalne
administrativne regije Hong Kong Tung Chee Hwaom o jacanju gospodarskih veza
s Hrvatskom. Tung je Mesicu govorio o razvoju Hong Konga te kazao kako je sa
zanimanjem pratio stanje na prostoru bivse Jugoslavije i stvaranje Republike
Hrvatske.

Mesic i Tung razgovarali su i o skorom otvaranju pocasnog konzulata
Republike Hrvatske u Hong Kongu te se slozili kako ce otvaranje tog
konzulata ojacati bilateralne veze. Na taj ce nacin hongkonski poslovni
ljudi koji su pokazali zanimanje za ulaganja u hrvatski turizam dobiti uvid
u stanje u Hrvatskoj, a i hrvatski ce gospodarstvenici lakse doprijeti do
hongkonskog i kineskog trzista.

Hong Kong ima veliku stopu rasta, vrlo razvijeno gospodarstvo, a bruto
nacionalni dohodak iznosi 24.000 dolara po stanovniku.

Hong Kong je nakon Shanghaija, Xi"ana i Pekinga posljednja etapa Mesiceva
visednevnog drzavnog posjeta Kini. Mesic ce se danas nakon obilaska luke u
Hong Kongu vratiti u Hrvatsku.



Croatian World Congress H.S.K.
NGO Member of the United Nations
http://www.crowc.org 

WRITTEN IN THE SAND

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert.
During some point of the journey, they had an argument, and
one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got
slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, he wrote in
the sand:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE"

They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where
they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped
got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but his friend
saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he
wrote on a stone:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE"

The friend, who had slapped and saved his best friend,
asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand,
and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we
should write it down in sand, where the winds of
forgiveness can erase it away, but when someone does
something good for us, we must engrave it in stone,
where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND
AND TO CARVE YOUR BLESSINGS IN STONE.