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(H) Odlomci iz knjige Kostelici - Cijela istina
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Odlomci iz knjige Kostelici - Cijela istina
Kupite knjigu Online:
http://www.tomislavbirtic.com/
Poglavnik je vec pobjegao iz domovine, ostaci ustasake vlasti su na radiju pozivale gradjanstvo da mirno doceka jugoslavensku vojsku, a Bobanovi legionari su zaprijetili da ce sve vojno sposobne musakarce koji se odbiju povlaciti prema Austriji, a oni ih pronadju, ubiti. U noci sa 7. na 8. svibnja 1945. Zagrebom se sirila vijest da lubiricevci kolju po gradu; nakon cetiri godine aritmije uzbuna i preduzbuna, bijede u kojoj se aristokracija od puka razlikovala josa samo po obrazovanju, manirima i nekretninama, otac Ante Kostelica morao je donijeti najvazniju odluku u dotadasanjem zivotu.
Otac Ante Kostelica bio je zeljeznicar, tramvajac. U ratu je bio domobran, ali je procijenio da ga, ostane li u Zagrebu, partizani nece strijeljati. Nije bio gorljivi pobornik palog rezima, nego je zeljeznicarima i tramvajcima Endehazija nametnula radnu obvezu. Povrh toga, otac Ante Kostelica, ciji je jedan od jedanaestoro brace bio banski savjetnik (rang ministra!), bio je fakultetski obrazovan covjek, pa je imao i dodatni razlog za vjeru da ga partizani nece ubiti: nova vlast jednostavno nema strucnog kadra, potreban je.
U posvemasanjem kaosu nastalom ulaskom partizana u Zagreb, oni koji su se u Zagrebu zatekli razlicito su prolazili. Opcenito, partizani se nisu okomili na ljude koji su ostali u gradu. Oni koji su napustili Zagreb stradali su na Bleiburgu i kriznom putu, stradali su i mnogi koji su odlucili ostati, ali, u danima bez pravila jedno je pravilo ipak postojalo: vazno je bilo biti poznat. Umjetnik, sportasa, trgovac... ali poznat, trebalo je imati vezu, biti potreban.
Ante Kostelic malo prica o prvim poratnim danima, no rekao mi je da se u njihovoj kuci nikad nije govorilo "oslobodjenje", nego "prevrat", te da mu partizani nisu dirali oca. Otac je nastavio raditi u ZET-u kao komercijalni direktor, a u vremenu kad se glava doista lako gubila, jos lakse dospijevalo u zatvor, jedina neugoda koju je obitelj Kostelic morala izdrzati bilo je nametnuto useljenje mlade skojevke. Zagreb je 1939. godine imao sto i osamdeset tisuca stanovnika, za vrijeme Endehazije grad je narastao na dvjesto i pedeset tisuca, uglavnom Bosanaca i Hercegovaca, a nakon 1945. napucavanje je nastavljeno. Problem stanovanja nova je vlast rjesavala prisilno useljavajuci dosaljake starosjediocima, otuda i neugodno Kostelicevo sjecanje na rigidnu partijku sto nikad nije nosila nista osim sivomaslinaste uniforme, a o opasacu je stalno imala okacene dvije rucne bombe.
Kostelic je bio opcinjen svojim djedom, vlasnikom jedne od tri najvece privatne biblioteke u Hrvatskoj, s dvadesetak tisuca knjiga. Cesto je odlazio djedu u Split, cemu se silno veselio: beskonacnom promatranju geografskih karata sto ih je djed crtao iz hobija, djedovim povijesnim pricama i knjigama; samo je majku, o kojoj i danas cesto govori, volio i postovao koliko i djeda... I, djed ga nije, poput oca, opterecivao za djecju dob preteskom literaturom, poput Dantea.
- Ja sam se protiv toga pobunio! I zato sam izabrao sport! kaze Ante Kostelic.
Kad smo se sastali da mu obrazlozim kakvu knjigu pisem, iskoristio sam priliku i zamolio Kostelica da mi podrobnije prica o razlozima, ili bar onome sto on smatra razlozima zbog kojih mu je sport bio toliko privlacan. Stovise, pitao sam ga je li to mozda zbog toga sato je odrastao u vremenu kad su mnoge vrijednosti duboko ukorijenjene u njegovo obiteljsko naslijedje obrazovanje, strani jezici, latinski, maniri, bonton, pohadjanje glazbene sakole, ukratko ono sto se naziva beckom skolom bile doslovce anatemizirane. Pitao sam ga, eksplicitno, je li u sport pobjegao jer nije mogao podnijeti "tesaku knjigu", ili zato sato nije mogao podnijeti sadisticko obrusaavanje svih onih sato su nazlili Zagreb na sve suptilnije od parola i koracnica. Kostelic je rekao samo da je obozavao pikulanje, da su ga fascinirale te saarene kuglice u svim mogucim bojama (majka ga je grdila jer su mu ruke zbog pikulanja stalno bile prljave), pa je promjena teme, pojacana neverbalnom komunikacijom izraz lica je odavao da mu tema definitivno nije draga bila odgovor kojim sam z morao zadovoljiti.
No, jedno je sigurno: sport je bio cisto gradjanska stvar, oaza duha koji bi z, da nije bilo dva prevrata, nesmetano razvijao, a ovako z negdje morao skloniti. U kaosu cije ce prevodjenje u kakvo-takvo uredjeno drusatvo potrajati godinama postojao je otocic za djecu omrazenih pripadnika negdasanje gradjanske klase, sport.
Radosna, nasmijana, raspolozena Janica Kostelic sjela je na zadnje jedisate dzipa Chevrolet. Vozio je otac, na suvozackom mjestu je bio doktor Zeljko '8aucur. "Odvrnuli" su Olivera do daske i povremeno pjevali glasnije od zvuka koji je dopirao iz zvucnika. Prema stazi na kojoj ce z za koji sat voziti slalomske utrke za kombinaciju Janica je krenula kao da nakon pobjede vozi prema hotelu, kao da je vec pobijedila. Imala je neobican sjaj u ocima...
Neprekidno je bila ozlijedjena, propustila je bazne pripreme. Nitko nije mnogo ocekivao, ali apetiti su porasli nakon izvrsne voznje kombinacijskog slaloma. Na suhom snijegu, koji pozbno pogoduje tehnicki superiornima.
Ante Kostelic je, u ciljnoj areni spusta, u dzepu jakne imao malu drvenu olovku i na komadu papira je racunao Janicine izglede. Prvo za osvajanje bilo kakve medalje, a potom za trijumf. Pokusaavao je procijeniti koje ce joj vrijeme biti dovoljno.
- Necu izazivati Boga, ali mogli bismo osvojiti medalju mrmljao je Ante Kostelic.
Promjene Gipsovog raspolozenja su bile uzasne. Kad je do Janicinog nastupa ostalo samo cetiri ili pet natjecateljica, rekao je '8aucuru, koji je cijelo vrijeme stajao uz njega: "Uh... Tesako, tesako bu do medalje, kuzisa, tesako bu do medalje." Kad je, na osnovu Janicine prednosti u slalomu i voznji vecine konkurentica, zakljucio da Janica moze osvojiti medalju, mrmljao je: "Uh, super, medalja! Ali, ne zlatna, zlato ne mre." I, kad je, konacno, Janica dosala na cilj, a Kostelic shvatio da je pobijedila, samo je ponavljao: "Janica olimpijska pobjednica, Janica olimpijska pobjednica, Janica olimpijska pobjednica."
- za ne vjerovati, u vremenu izmedju ulaska u cilj natjecateljice koja je vozila prije Janice, i Janicinog starta, on je tom olovcicom na papiru nabrzinu izracunao koje vrijeme joj je dostatno za zlatnu medalju sjeca z '8aucur najdramaticnijih trenutaka u dotadasanjem zivotu Janicinog tate-trenera.
Nakon slalomske utrke za kombinaciju clanica Organizacijskog odbora Igara, Fransoiz zweifel, prisla je Antunu Vrdoljaku i pitala ga je ostaje li i dalje pri zelji da dodijeli medalje bas u toj disciplini. U Medjunarodnom olimpijskom odboru nastoje predstavnicima nacionalnih odbora darovati zadovoljstvo da basa oni dodjeljuju zlatne medalje reprezentativcima svojih zemalja, a zweifelova je, smatrajuci da Janica nece izdrzati kombinacijski spust, a ima sjajne sanse u slalomu, Vrdoljaku savjetovala da z predbiljezi za drugu disciplinu. Nazvala ga je u hotelsku sobu i zamolila ga da navrati u njen ured, te mu je rekla: "Ante, ona ce vjerojatno osvojiti medalju u slalomu. U kombinaciji, tesako."
Vrdoljak je, pak, bio siguran da ce Janica trijumfirati u kombinaciji, racunao je na Janicinu svjezinu na pocetku Igara, a ionako je zbog drugih poslova morao otputovati iz Salt Lake Cityja, pa je inzistirao da ga se uvrsti u protokol dodjele medalja za kombinaciju.
Prema protokolu, organizatori su Janicu preuzeli u hotelu i vec je u ranim popodnevnim satima, otprilike tri sata prije svecanosti, oko cetiri popodne, sluzbenim automobilom odvezli u grad, gdje z imala odrzati dodjela medalja. I, dok su nju pripremali za ceremoniju, u sjedisatu reprezentacije odvijala z drama: saznavsai od Pavleka da ce medalje dodjeljivati Antun Vrdoljak, Ante Kostelic je odlucio da Janica nece stati na postolje, ne dolazi u obzir da zlatnu medalju primi iz njegovih ruku. Kostelic je bjesnio, nije z mogao smiriti, a kad je stozer saznao da je Vrdoljak teatralno najavio kako ce z uprizoriti u tamnom odijelu i lakiranim cipelama, te z pred cijelim svijetom prikazati kao najveci prijatelj obitelji, napetost je bila na vrhuncu. Samo su sigurnosne mjere stajale izmedju njega i cina povlacenja Janice iz protokola. zbog straha od terorizma samo su najavljene osobe mogle proci kontrolne tocke, a Kosteli!
c nije bio na protokolovom popisu...
- Ne mozesa to uciniti, Gips. To je skandal. Prva zlatna olimpijska medalja. smirivao ga je Pavlek.
Medjutim, od dana kad z Marica uplakana vratila sa sastanka s Vrdoljakom, na kojem je pokusaala ishoditi da HOO, za potrebe trenaznog procesa, tijekom Igara u Naganu financira boravak blizu staze, a ne u Olimpijskom zlu, Ante Kostelic ne zeli cuti za njega.
- Cuj, ne radi se tu o Anti Kostelici i Antunu Vrdoljaku, radi se o Hrvatskoj, covjece. Svi reflektori svijeta su uprti u tebe, necesa valjda sad napraviti svinjariju?! Tko ce shvatiti te vasae intrige? zamisli kakav cesa skandal izazvati kad sve svjetske novine objave: Hrvatica nije primila medalju! apelirao je '8aucur.
- Ne! Ne, ne... Ja znam sato je on o meni rekao, ne moze to tako nije se dao Kostelic.
Svi okupljeni u dnevnoj sobi reprezentacije, dakle cijeli stozer reprezentacije plus ljudi iz Hrvatskog olimpijskog odbora, znali su da agresivnim pristupom prema Kostelicu nece postici nisata drugo osim kontraefekta, pa su ga takticno nastojali odobrovoljiti. Poceo se smeksaavati kad je shvatio da nema nacina promijeniti uglednika koji ce dodijeliti medalje.
S najljepsaima osmijehom na svijetu Janica je primila zlatnu medalju, od Vrdoljaka.
Na skijalisata, u osvajanje srebrne u superveleslalomu, te zlatnih u slalomu i veleslalomu, vozila se u istoj "ekipi". Slusaala je i pjevala jednog te istog Olivera.
Kupite knjigu Online:
http://www.tomislavbirtic.com/
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(E) Travel to Croatia: A Beginner's Guide by Jeanne Oliver
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Travel to Croatia: A Beginner's Guide
February 28, 2006
by Jeanne Oliver
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good reason. The rocky coastline continues for 1778 kilometres and includes pine-fringed coves, wide sandy beaches and cozy inlets. As if that weren't enough, there are a good 1185 islands that range from lush and wooded to stark and hilly. Yachties love the sailing opportunities, sunbathers have an incredible choice of beaches and scuba divers have a paradise of sea life to explore.
Beyond the pretty scenery, Croatia also boasts a fascinating history and cultural life.The walled city of Dubrovnik on its southern tip is a must-stop for Mediterranean cruises but the long coast is littered with remnants of Croatia's varied past.
The Romans swept through two thousand years ago, leaving an amphitheatre in Pula and Diocletian's Palace in Split. Long ruled by Venice, many ports along the coast bear the distinctive imprint of its former master. In southern Dalmatia, the towns of Hvar and Korcula resemble Little Venices without the canals. In Istria, the striking bell tower in Rovinj is modeled after that on St Mark's Square in Venice.
In contrast to the Italian-influenced coast, the Croatian interior was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and looks it. Zagreb, Croatia's capital, has the kind of stately architecture that wouldn't be out of place in Vienna or Budapest. Plus,it has a small medieval quarter that vaguely resembles Prague.To the north of Zagreb, in the middle of green, rolling hills, lies Varazdin, Croatia's most underrated city. Lying too far from the coast to attract much tourism, Varazdin nevertheless boasts a stunningly well-preserved baroque center.
So, what to see first? Following is my personal list of highlights for a Croatian visit:
Dubrovnik
Byron called it the "Pearl of the Adriatic" for the magnificent curtain of walls surrounding a city paved in marble and strewn with Renaissance sculpture.
Hvar Town
In addition to the splendid harbor promenade and sculptured facades, it's becoming known for the best nightlife on the Adriatic.
Korcula Town
It resembles Hvar in some ways, especially the narrow cluster of streets,but iit lies on a narrow peninsula and is quieter.
Rovinj
Istria's prettiest little town, it retains the flavor of a traditional fishing port despite the heavy influx of tourists in recent years.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
It has to be seen to be believed. The 16 turquose lakes seem to glow and there are waterfalls everywhere. It's a UNESCO world heritage site.
Brela Beach
The idyllic coves, bordered with pine trees, stretch out like a long necklace of beaches. Forbes magazine recently named it one of the top twenty beaches in the world.
No matter where you go in Croatia, you'll find people eager to welcome tourists after the grueling war of the early 1990s. English is widely spoken and costs are comparatively reasonable compared to the rest of the European coast. So what are you waiting for?
Jeanne Oliver is the author of this article. She has written all three editions of Lonely Planet's Croatia guidebook. To find out more about traveling to Croatia including accommodation, car rentals, ferry schedules and itineraries, visit Jeanne's website, http://www.croatiatraveller.com.
This article represents the views and opinions of the author and not of www.dailyindia.com.
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/4338.php
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(H) Vremena izvrnutih vrijednosti
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Vremena izvrnutih vrijednosti
Pise:
Zvonimir B. Ranogajec
Krscanski TV producent
Ovo je moj osvrt na clanak "Maleni ispod zvijezda" koji je izasao u Vjesniku, (Tribina, srijeda, 8. ozujka 2006.), a potpisao ga je umirovljeni profesor filozofije i povijesti Tomislav Ravlic. Autor pise o danasnjem opcem stanju u Hrvatskom drustvu.
Iako je profesor Tomislav Ravlic ponovio sto su rekli i mnogi, mnogi drugi, pametno i mudro je ponavljati te cinjenice, kako bi zapamtili, jer zaboravljamo brzo! Iz istih razloga, Isus je namjerno ponavljao svojim ucenicima i po nekoliko puta iste stvari! Takoder, iz istih razloga bilo je pametno i hrabro od profesora Ravlica javno pisati preko stranica Vjesnika o danasnjem opcem stanju u Hrvatskoj! Ovdje je moj osvrt izvaden djelomicno iz konteksta teksta "Maleni ispod zvijezda", ali iz krscanske perspektive gledanja i razumijevanja.
Na samom pocetku teksta profesor Ravlic pise:"Ti si k"o droga, volim te k" o Boga" odzvanjalo na netom zavrsenoj Dori u Kristalnoj dvorani opatijskog hotela Kvarner. Kao vrhunac parade neukusa i povrsnosti uz casne izuzetke pobijedila je Severinina pjesmom "Moja Stikla". Sto se to dogada na nasoj estradi, na kojoj sve vise dominiraju totalni neukus i povrsnost?....Pogledamo li sto se sve pojavljuje na nasim elektronskim medijama, koje onda naveliko podrzavaju i pisani mediji, vidjet cemo da ta parada povrsnosti i neukusa ima svoje dublje korijene. To sto je televizijski program na najnizoj umjetnckoj razini od kad znamo za magicnu moc tv ekrana manje je vazno. Brdo bezvrijednih sapunica bez jakoga dramskog programa, bez pravog humora, koji ne samo nasmijava nego i pokrece, bez emisija za djecu, vrijednih znanstvenih emisija....dovodi nas u stanje upitanosti zivimo li u vremenu izvrnutih vrijednosti. Ono sto je jos jucer bilo otkvaceno, danas postaje hvale vrijedno.....S pravom mozemo ustvrditi da je u svijetu nastupilo vrijeme neukusa i povrsnosti. A ono je doslo, jer covjek je jednostavno zanemario citav niz vrijednosti kao sto su moralne, umjetnicke, znanstvene, vjerske i dr. bez kojih covjekov zivot gubi na svojoj ljepoti i smislu".
Moj je odgovor:
Tekst profesora Tomislava Ravlica u Vjesniku "Maleni ispod zvijezda" dovoljno jasno i glasno govori o kojim ljudskim vrijednostima u Hrvatskoj se radi danas! Hrvatska drzavna televizija HTV emitira u svoje udarno vrijeme filmove i programe sa spornim temama i sadrzajima, a nitko se ne protivi tim grijesima ili otrovu koji truju hrvatsku, mladez, cijele obitelji i hrvatski narod! Ako se tako nastavi, Hrvatska ce za trideset-cetrdeset godina biti zemlja totalnog nemorala! Da li je zaista potrebno da se to dogodi nama Hrvatima, a moze se vrlo lako dogoditi, htjeli mi ili ne priznati tu mogucnost? Gledajuci danasnju sveopcu situaciju morala ili nemorala, iz krscanske perspektive u Hrvatskoj, ono bi moralo Hrvatima biti upozoravajuce, a ujedno i spasonosno Bozje ogledalo istine!
CroatianWorldNet
Postovani urednice/ Nenad Bach!
Srdacan pozdrav. Ne smijemo zatvarati oci pred stvarnoscu u kojoj se nalazi nasa domovina Hrvatska. Mudro i pametno je ponavljati cinjenice koje mi Hrvati ne mozemo i ne smijemo zanemariti. Iz istih je razloga nas Gospodin Isus Krist namjerno ponavljao svojim ucenicima i nekoliko puta iste stvari. Americki predsjednik Woodrow Willson jednom je prigodom rekao:" Narod koji se ne sjeca sto je bilo jucer, nezna sto je danas, niti zna sto zeli uciniti!" Ovdje vam saljem tekst o danasnjem opcem stanju u Hrvatskoj, iz krscanske perspektive gledanja i razumijevanja
S postovanjem,
Zvonimir B. Ranogajec
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(E) SONGS & STORIES New York Remembers Rory Gallagher
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(E) Easyjet launches more flights to Croatia from Bristol
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Easyjet launches more flights to Croatia
Thursday, 09 Mar 2006 09:34
Split, Croatia, is an ideal point for exploring the islands of Hvar and Brac Printer friendly version
Easyjet is launching cheap flights to a further five cities on top of last week's move into three new markets.
Hot on the heels of its new route to Croatia's third largest city, Rijeka, the low-fares airline revealed it will be flying to Split, Croatia's second largest city after Zagreb, from May.
The addition of Split to the airline's rosters is good news for holidaymakers, as the city is an ideal launch point for the exploration of Croatia's islands such as Hvar and Brac.
Easyjet is also increasing its routes to France and Italy, with Ajaccio in Corsica, Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Rimini new destinations for the airline.
It has added five new routes from Bristol to Rijeka, Toulouse, Krakow, La Rochelle and Marseille, and revealed plans to launch flights between Edinburgh and Alicante in the summer.
"This is a significant announcement from Easyjet," said Andrew Harrison, Easyjet chief executive.
"As well as adding a further Croatian city to the network, we are delighted to be growing even further at our Bristol base, from where we will carry almost three million passengers in the coming year."
Easyjet's new routes
London Gatwick to Split, Croatia – launches May 2nd, four times a week (Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat) with one-way fares from £25.99.
London Luton to Bordeaux, France – launches June 29th, daily, with one-way fares starting from £25.99.
London Luton to Rimini, Italy- launches June 29th, four times a week (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun) with one-way fares starting from £25.99.
Edinburgh to Alicante, Spain – launches May 20th, Saturdays only, with one-way fares starting from £30.99.
Bristol to Toulouse, France – launches July 21st, daily, with one-way fares starting from £20.99.
Bristol to Krakow, Poland – launches July 21st, four times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), with one-way fares starting from £25.99.
Bristol to La Rochelle, France – launches July 21st, four times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun), with one-way fares starting from £20.99.
Bristol to Marseille, France – launches July 22nd, three times a week (Tue, Thu, Sat), with one-way fares starting from £20.99.
Bristol to Rijeka, Croatia – launches July 22nd, three times a week (Tue, Thu, Sat), with one-way fares starting from £25.99.
Paris Orly to Ajaccio, Corsica – launches July 14th, daily, with one-way fares starting from €34.99.
http://www.travelbite.co.uk/news/flights/cheap-flight/easyjet-launches-more-flights-croatia-france-and-italy-$314825.htm
easyJet announces MASSIVE expansion at Bristol with five exciting NEW routes
/noticias.info/ easyJet, Europe's leading low-fares airline, is to launch five new routes from Bristol to Krakow, La Rochelle, Marseille, Rijeka (Croatia) and Toulouse this summer.
These routes are the result of the introduction of a ninth aircraft being based at Bristol, bringing the total number of destinations served by easyJet to 30 and increasing the capacity at its Bristol base by almost 10%. The new routes to Krakow, La Rochelle, Marseille and Rijeka are not currently served by any other carrier from Bristol International airport.
In the next 12 months, easyJet expects to carry some 300,000 passengers on these new routes and almost 3,000,000 in total from Bristol.
The introduction of Bristol to Rijeka, Croatia's third-largest city is a new move for easyJet as it spreads its wings outside the EU for the first time. La Rochelle is also a completely new market for the low-fares airline to the vibrant French city, which is situated midway down France's Atlantic seaboard. Krakow, Marseille and Toulouse are currently served by the carrier from other UK airports and following their success easyJet is now introducing them to the Bristol region.
All five destinations should prove popular with both business and leisure passengers, not only for Bristolians travelling abroad, but also for inbound passengers bringing business and tourism to the region.
Last year easyJet converted its Bristol base to a solely Airbus operation, replacing the existing fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft with brand new Airbus 319s. This move reflects easyJet’s continued commitment to Bristol International Airport and the people of the south west.
easyJet's Bristol operation now accounts for over almost 10% of its total network, making it the airline’s largest UK base outside of London with close to 70 daily departures and 8,500 passengers every day.
easyJet also today announced new routes from Gatwick to Split (Croatia), Luton to Bordeaux and Rimini, Edinburgh to Alicante and Paris Orly to Ajaccio (Corsica).
Toby Nicol, easyJet Communications Director commented:
“Bristol’s largest airline is delighted to be announcing more routes to more destinations once again. easyJet is the only airline to offer low-cost flights with both care and convenience for its customers – no wonder almost 3 million people will fly with us from Bristol over the course of the next year.”
Tony Hallwood, Aviation Development Director at Bristol International said:
"This is fantastic news for Bristol, with easyJet having once again reinforced their commitment to grow their business in the south west. By introducing five new routes this summer they now offer an unrivalled choice of exciting destinations for leisure and business travellers.
"Poland has been top of the airport’s ‘wish list’ over the last 12 months and we are pleased that Krakow (a World Heritage City) will be our launch gateway. The increasing numbers of Poles who live in the south west have been instrumental in supporting the airport in securing this route and we look forward to the inbound tourism potential that this route will now offer.
"Rijeka in Croatia is an up-and-coming destination with an attractive coastline and alongside La Rochelle on France’s Atlantic coast, we believe both will be firm favourites with holidaymakers and second home-owners. Meanwhile, the introduction of Marseille, France’s second largest city will provide key business links to the south west and additional Toulouse capacity will be welcomed by aerospace industry and leisure customers alike."
http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=152126&src=0
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(E) W. Balkans countries to join CEFTA, Croatia won its case
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W. Balkans countries to join CEFTA, Croatia won its case
09/03/2006
(Brussels, DTT-NET.COM)-The dispute between Croatia and the EU is expected to be resolved soon as all countries of the Western Balkans region are expected to join Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), a European body charged for regional cooperation said on Thursday.
Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe ( SP for SEE), said in a statement today that authorities of Western Balkan countries and Moldova together with existing members of CEFTA and Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania are to meet in April and give a political boost to the new upgraded CEFTA agreement.
“On 6 April, one of the Stability Pact’s long-standing objectives the creation of a single FTA in South Eastern Europe (SEE) –will receive a strong political boost. The Prime Ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and representatives of UNMIK (representing Kosovo) will meet in
Bucharest at the invitation of the Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and the Special
The Special Co-ordinator of the SP for SEE Erhard Busek to politically launch the negotiations to achieve the single FTA through the simultaneous enlargement and amendment of CEFTA, “ a statement of SP for SEE said.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, will also attend the meeting.
The interest shown by other countries of the region to join CEFTA followed strong lobbing of Croatia in the regional capitals, amid Zagreb refusal in January to the European Commission suggestion that Western Balkan countries should establish a new free trade zone, and incorporate 31 bilateral agreements into single one.
Croatia rejected the call of EC and argues that countries should join existing free trade agreement of CEFTA and avoid creating a new one.
The strong rejections by Croatia have made the EU’s executive body and some of its member states to show flexibility and consider the CEFTA as an option for Western Balkan nations.
EU officials have said that the 25 nation bloc has nothing against Western Balkans countries joining the CEFTA, but called for membership criteria to be softened as countries from the region are not members of World Trade Organisation.
Croatian government (which chairs the CEFTA currently) has also called on Ukraine and Moldova to join the organisation and both countries have positively responded to Zagreb’s offer.
Macedonia signed the membership agreement on 27 February.
CEFTA is a multilateral agreement for creation of a free - trade zone by a gradual removal of duties for industrial goods, liberalization of trade for agricultural products, and free competition on the territories of the countries - members.
As Bulgaria and Romania are to join the EU in January next year or at latest in January 2008, they are to walk out of the trade network with Balkan region and also from CEFTA.
Earlier members of the organisation: Poland; Czech Republic, Slovakia; Hungary and Slovenia left as they joined the EU in May 2004.
Current discussions between EC, SP for SEE and countries are focused on the changes necessary to be made at CEFTA related to accession of W. Balkans countries.
“CEFTA membership originally stipulated that a member of CEFTA has to be a member of the World Trade Organisation and that it must have institutionalised relations with the EU. This would have ruled out several SEE countries/territories. This issue was resolved following the CEFTA meeting of Prime Ministers in November last year. Membership criteria are now inclusive but still demand high standards of trade policy.” reads the statement of SP for SEE.
It also said that the procedures required to accede to CEFTA must be changed (simplify the procedures) so that there could be a simultaneous group enlargement and immediate amendment of the text in the course of 2006 (to meet the ministerial request).
http://www.dtt-net.com/en/index.php?page=view-article&article=1192&CMSSESSID=d04c2671108e0dcdf120f15107a3912a
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(E) From a population of less than four and a half million
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World Cup Preview: Part 19 - Croatia
By
Steve Beagrie Posted: March 08, 2006 12:03AM
As those who know me are tired of hearing, I think the field for the 2006 World Cup Finals is the best for over twenty years, at least. The reason for this is the emergence of so many new nations as powers and many of them are from Eastern Europe. Croatia are a prime example of this; from a population of less than four and a half million (less than, say, Scotland), they've become a regular and dangerous participant at the major tournaments. It all started before independence was won in 1991. In 1987, a Croat team featuring Prosineki, Stimac, Jarni, Boban and Suker won the World Youth Championship. Nine years later, they made a real impact at the European Championships in England. Eventual winners Germany were lucky to beat them in the quarterfinals. Two years later, they gained revenge at the same stage of the France World Cup, hammering the Germans by three goals. Hosts and winners France beat them in the semis but Croatia defeated Holland to take third place. Putting that in perspective, a small country that had only been officially recognised for seven years had finished third at the World Cup. Davor Suker's seven goals also made him the tournament's top scorer.
Croatia's own Golden Generation began to disintegrate and they missed the 2000 Euro Finals, but they made it to the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Finals. They're definitely back on track and I can say for certainty, having seen them play Scotland, that the Under-21 side is a bit handy. Croatian players tend to be, like their Balkan rivals, technically proficient and tough and the current vintage are a side to be feared, going into their third consecutive World Cup Finals. Coach ZLATKO KRANJCAR (a former Yugoslav international) has molded a team high on ability into a fierce unit. Many of the Croat side play in Germany's Bundesliga, giving them another advantage. Ranked 20th in the world by FIFA, they did well to top another tough European qualifying group.
Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goal Diff Points
Croatia 10 7 3 0 16 24
Sweden* 10 8 0 2 26 24
Bulgaria 10 4 3 3 0 15
Hungary 10 4 2 4 -1 14
Iceland 10 1 1 8 -13 4
Malta 10 0 3 7 -28 3
*Sweden qualified automatically by virtue of being best European runner-up.
Croatia's two wins over the Swedes (14th) were decisive as far as topping the group was concerned. Both sides had sewn up automatic qualifying early though, thanks to dominating a Bulgarian team (39th) that had made the Euro 2004 Finals. Hungary (70th) may never again be the force they were in the fifties and sixties, but they're a technically proficient and dangerous opponent. Iceland (95th) keep threatening to make a move on the international scene and minnows Malta (119th) were overmatched by everyone else.
Croatia have three good goalkeepers who should all make the final squad. TOMISLAV BUTINA (Club Brugge, Belgium) will probably be first choice. Tall and intimidating, with huge wingspan, he's an intimidating prospect on and off the field. His outspoken views on how former club Dynamo Zagreb were run led to his move to Belgium's Jupiter league. Australian-born JOSEPH DIDULICA (Austria Memphis Vienna, Austria) will go in the squad, assuming his legal troubles are cleared up. The former Ajax goalkeeper was banned for eight matches for assaulting a Rapid Vienna player in his club's derby match and there was talk of a criminal case being put together. The other custodian likely to go to the Finals is former Hajduk Split keeper STIPE PLETIKOSA (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine). The Croats conceded a miserly five goals in ten qualifying matches and the goalkeeping position is one that they can rely on, thanks to the three players listed above.
The defence is pretty mean as well, in the best Balkan tradition. Croatia usually play a 3-5-2 formation, with wingbacks in midfield. The centre of defence is a murderers row of powerful, aggressive man markers. Former Juventus enforcer IGOR TUDOR (Siena, Italy) is one such player. Injured before the 2002 Finals, he was badly missed. His brutal challenges tend to earn him a lot of suspensions though. DARIO SIMIC (AC Milan, Italy) is a bit cleverer than Tudor. He uses his experience (over seventy caps, rivaling Stimac's record) and keen footballing brain to read the move before piling into his man. Simic is one of the select group of players to have played for both Milan and city rivals Inter. In the middle is one of my favourite defenders ROBERT KOVAC (Juventus). Possibly the best man marker in the world game, the German-born Kovac has Bundesliga experience; with both Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. He played every minute of Croatia's last two tournaments, which tells you how valued his skills and durability are. The two main reserves at centreback are STJEPAN TOMAS (Galatasaray, Turkey) and JOSIP SIMUNIC (Hertha Berlin, Germany). Tomas is another bruiser; exceptional in the air, he was Tudor's replacement at the 2002 Finals and has experience in Italy from his time with Vicenza and Como, as well as Turkey's Fenerbache. Australian-born Simunic benefited from a spell at their formidable Institute of Sport and is reportedly a transfer target of AC Milan. MARIO TOKIC (Austria Memphis Vienna) is a candidate, as is new cap MARIJAN BULJAT (Dynamo Zagreb).
There are two candidates for the left wingback slot. Veteran ANTHONY SERIC (Panathaniakos, Greece) can play midfield but is more defensively minded and can point to his experiences with five Serie A clubs (Inter, Brescia, Lazio and Verona). His younger rival MARKO BABIC (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) is full of energy and can counter his youth with the fact that he appeared in a Champions League Final in 2002. The right wingback will probably be DARIJO SRNA (Shakhtar Donetsk), he moved to the Ukraine after being crowned Croat MVP in 2003. His four goals in the qualifying campaign have led to comparisons with David Beckham. Another midfielder who warrants such praise is IVAN LEKO (Club Brugge). Naturally left sided, he's able to move inside one space to accommodate the left wingback. A fabulous passer and dead ball specialist, he's recently returned to the squad after being left out for a couple of years.
The heartbeat of the team is another world class performer. NIKO KOVAC (Hertha Berlin, Germany) is not only Robert's older brother, but one of the best central midfielders in the game. Another Croat born in Germany, the former Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern lynchpin does everything; he has a great touch, passes and tackles well while covering the whole field. Comparing him to the likes of French World Cup winning captain Didier Deschamps or Irish star Roy Keane isn't unreasonable. The advanced central midfielder will be NIKO KRANJCAR (Hajduk Split). Yes, he is the coach's son, as well as the only home based player likely to make the first team. He's struggled to live up to the early hype, when he made his club debut at sixteen he was compared to Zinedine Zidane! That said, he's still only twenty one and could well be ready to break out at the Finals.
Most of the main options in reserve are more defensively minded. The most noteworthy is JURICA VRANJES (Werder Bremen, Germany), who can also play as a sweeper. Vranjes is one of the best tacklers around; combining technique, timing and the ability to make his opponents feel like they've been thrown under a train. He'll see plenty of action at the Finals at both positions. JERKO LEKO (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine) is a more physical man marker, who struggles to avoid bookings and suspensions. A less heralded player is DANIEL PRANJIC (Heerenveen, Holland) who runs all day and is an underrated passer who could make an impact. I'm hoping to see him in action this Friday against Utrecht, before going to the Ajax - PSV match on Saturday.
Yes, I'm going to Amsterdam for the weekend. I may not make it back...
An intriguing midfield option is Brazilian-born DUDU (Dynamo Zagreb), who moved to the club at the age of seventeen. He's eligible as a naturalised Croat and is a great dribbler. He's similar in many ways to Portugal's Deco (another naturalised Brazilian) in that he can add that little bit extra skill and determination to the team. If he's half as successful as Deco, Croatia will have a real find. His club teammate LUKA MODRIC has just been called up for the first time, for the recent friendly with Argentina.
There are five real striking options. First choice is DADO PRSO (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland). Prso played in a Champions League Final for Monaco, but killed any chance of a repeat by going to Rangers. A late bloomer, he hit the headlines when he scored a record four goals in one Champions League match. He scored five times in qualifying and is useful both centrally, as well as when he drifts out to the left. Patient markers (such as Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson) seem to have more success against him than tough tacklers.
Of course, given his employers, I hope he walks in front of a bus and takes a couple of fans with him.
The most interesting partner is probably IVICA OLIC (CSKA Moscow, Russia). Hailed as the New Boksic, after the former star striker, he warrants the compliment. Olic is strong, hard working and quick. Most impressive, however, are his runs in and around the opponent's penalty area, he often finds space where there appeared to be none. Recent injuries have slowed him somewhat, but he should be back to full speed by the summer. Attacking midfielder IVAN BOSNJAK (Dynamo Zagreb) can be used in attack, or as a link up man when only one conventional striker is picked. His energy and versatility merit a place in the squad. German-born IVAN KLASNIC (Werder Bremen) is another class act that's had consistent success in the Bundesliga. Another strong, quick player, he's managed a goal every three international matches, often at vital times. Fans of England's Aston Villa will be astonished to learn that their former player BOSKO BALABAN (Club Brugge) is in great form, and likely to make the squad.
That's a good squad, if not quite on a par with the previous generation. As far as their prospects go, Croatia were dealt a tough draw. Brazil will be favourites to win the group, leaving the Croats to fight it out with Japan and Australia for the second spot. The final match, against the Socceroos, will be the vital match. To be honest, I see both sides are pretty even. Croatia have the advantage of better regular opposition and I think, were they to make the second round, they'd be better equipped than the Aussies to go further. The friendly last week against Argentina, held in Switzerland, was a cracker of a match. Croatia immediately got one ahead, thanks to Klasnic, before the Argentines took over. They scored two to go ahead, three goals in the first six minutes!
Wingback Srna headed home Prso's cross (unsurprisingly, from the left) after the break to equalise and Simic headed an unlikely winner in injury time at the end of the match. Whilst there was an element of complacency from Argentina, the game showed that Croatia are a dangerous opponent for anyone. If they can negotiate the opening group without losing confidence, they can perhaps cause a real shock. The win over Argentina has raised expectations at home, maybe the Croats have it in them to meet those hopes. After all, nobody was ready for them in 1998. This ambitious, reborn, nation have confounded the experts before.
Next week, I'll be taking a break from the World Cup to look at the European Champions League. The quarterfinal lineup, bar one team, will be decided by then. Most of the big name players that are going to Germany have appeared in the Champions League this year, but how many of them will still be in with a chance of the trophy?
NEXT WEEK - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Steve Beagrie is the resident Football (that's soccer for the yanks) expert here at SFM. Check out his website at SteveBeagrie.com.
http://www.sportsfanmagazine.com/sfm/add_reply.html?id=944
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(E) What do they write about Croatia
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What do they write about Croatia ? So you're looking for Cheap Flight To Split Croatia. Whether its a holiday, or on business Croatia is increasing in popularity amongst us Brits - and rightly so!
The Croatian people will tell you that there is so much more to see and do in Croatia, than just what you see in the brochures.
The official entering of Croatia into personal union with Hungary, becoming part of the Kingdom of Hungary, had several important consequences.
Croatia has a mixture of climates. In the north and east it is continental, Mediterranean along the coast and a semi-highland and highland climate in the south-central region.
In the 4th century BC the northern parts of modern-day Croatia were also colonized by the Celts, the Scordisci tribe. Other Celtic peoples may also have been found elsewhere integrated among the Illyrians. The islands of Issa and Pharos as well as the locality of Tragurion became Greek colonies since the same period.
The medieval Croatian kingdom reached its peak during the reign of King Petar KreSimir IV (1058-1074) when it was composed of twelve counties and was slightly larger than in Tomislav's time, also including the four southern Dalmatian duchies (Pagania, Zahumlje, Travunia and Duklja). The end of Petar KreSimir IV also marked the de facto end of the Trpimirovic ruling dynasty which had ruled the Croatian lands for over two centuries.
The princes of Bribir from the Subic family became particularly influential during the time of Pavao Subic (1272-1312) who asserted control over large parts of Dalmatia, Slavonia and Bosnia during an internal conflict between the Ć?rpĆ”d and Anjou ruling dynasties. Later, however, the Anjouvines intervened and scattered the Subic family across the country (an important offspring being the Zrinski family), and later even selling the whole of Dalmatia to the Republic of Venice in 1409.
Illyria was a sovereign state until the Romans conquered it in 168 BC. The Romans organized the land into the Roman province of Illyricum which encompassed most of modern Croatia. Illyricum was subsequently split into the provinces of Pannonia and Dalmatia in year 10. Pannonia was further split in two by Trajan between 102 and 107.
The first King of Croatia, Tomislav of the Trpimirovic dynasty, was crowned in the Duvno field in 925 (note that sources vary from 923 to 928). Tomislav, rex Chroatorum, united the Pannonian and Dalmatian duchys and created a sizeable state, including most of today's central Croatia, Slavonia, Dalmatia, and most of Bosnia. The central town of the Duvno field is nowadays named Tomislavgrad (Tomislavtown) in his honor.
The government ministers (the cabinet) are appointed by the prime minister with the consent of the Parliament. The prime minister is the head of government, appointed by the President with the consent of the Parliament who takes his duty when Parliament gives its consent by absolute majority of all representatives.
After the death of Domitar Zvonimir, Ladislaus I of Hungary was the strongest candidate for the throne, but the Croatian lords struggled for independence from Hungary. Following the death of the last Croat king Petar Svacic in the defeat at the Gvozd hill in 1097 to Coloman of Hungary, they eventually recognized him as the common king for Croatia and Hungary in a treaty of 1102 (often referred to as the Pacta Conventa), thus making a personal union with Hungary. The two crowns would remain connected until the end of World War I.
The Constitutional Court (Ustavni sud) of the Republic of Croatia decides on the constitutionality of laws and has the right to repeal a law it finds unconstitutional. It also can impeach the president. The body is made up of 13 judges on 8-year term. The president of the Constitutional Court is elected by the court for a 4-year term
By the 1840s, the movement had moved from cultural goals to resisting Hungarian political demands. By the royal order of January 11, 1843, originating from the chancellor Metternich, the use of the Illyrian name and insignia in public was forbidden. This deterred the movement's progress but it couldn't stop the changes in the society that had already started.
A change of leadership was far from a solution to the war with the Turks, in fact, the Ottoman Empire gradually expanded in the 16th century to include most of Slavonia, western Bosnia and Lika.
After that there was one more notable native King, Dmitar Zvonimir (1075-1089). His kinghood is carved in stone BaSka Tablet, preserved to this day as the oldest written Croatian text, kept in the archaeological museum in Zagreb. Zvonimir's reign is remembered as a peaceful and prosperous time, during which the connection of Croats with the Pope was further affirmed, so much so that Catholicism would remain among Croats until the present day.
Rapid industrialization and diversification occurred after World War II. Decentralization came in 1965, allowing growth of certain sectors, like the tourist industry. Profits from Croatian industry were used to develop poorer regions in the former Yugoslavia. This, coupled with austerity programs and hyperinflation in the 1980s, led to discontent in both Croatia and Slovenia that fueled the independence movement.
The area known as Croatia today has been inhabited throughout the prehistoric period, ever since the Stone Age.
In the middle Paleolithic period, Neandertals lived in modern Zagorje, northern Croatia. Dragutin Gorjanovic-Kramberger discovered bones and other remnants of a Neandertal, subsequently named Homo krapiniensis, on a hill near the town of Krapina.
Croatia has a three-tiered judicial system, consisting of the Supreme Court, county courts, and municipal courts. The Constitutional Court rules on matters regarding the Constitution.
A change of leadership was far from a solution to the war with the Turks, in fact, the Ottoman Empire gradually expanded in the 16th century to include most of Slavonia, western Bosnia and Lika.
Regardless of different interpretations, the Croat tribes eventually settled in the area between the Drava river and the Adriatic sea, the western Roman provinces Pannonia and Dalmatia; western Balkans in modern usage. The Croat tribes had been organized into two dukedoms; the Pannonian duchy in the north and the Dalmatian duchy in the south.
Since the adoption of the 1990 Constitution, Croatia has been a parliamentary democracy.
The governments of Austria and Hungary each tried to colonize Croatia over a period of several centuries: they imposed their languages on the Croatian people and settled many Austrian and Hungarian colonists in Croatia. Croatian romantic nationalism emerged to counteract the non-violent but apparent Germanization and Magyarization.
In an economy traditionally based on agriculture and livestock, peasants comprised more than half of the Croatian population until after World War II. Pre-1945 industrialization was slow and centered on textile mills, sawmills, brickyards, and food-processing plants.
The main executive power of Croatian state is the Government (in Croatian: "vlada"), presided by the Prime Minister.
The Lombards and the Huns made an incursion from the north. After 476 the area was subject to Odoacer and then to Ostrogoth rulers beginning with Theodoric the Great. Justinian claimed the old province of Dalmatia to the Eastern Roman Empire in 535. Forebears of Croatia's current Slav population settled there in the 7th century following the Avars, partly under instructions from Byzantine emperor Heraclius.
Inflation and unemployment rose and the kuna fell, prompting the national bank to tighten fiscal policy. A new banking law passed in December 1998 gave the central bank more control over Croatia's 53 remaining commercial banks. Croatia is dependent on international debt to finance the deficit. A recently issued Euro-denominated bond was well received, selling $300 million, which helped offset economic losses from the Kosovo crisis.
The negative effects of feudalism escalated in 1573 when the peasants in northern Croatia and Slovenia rebelled against their feudal lords over various injustices such as unreasonable taxation or abuse of women in the Croatian and Slovenian peasant revolt.
The powers of the legislature include enactment and amendment of the constitution; passage of laws; adoption of the state budget; declarations of war and peace; alteration of the boundaries of the Republic; calling referenda; carrying out elections, appointments, and relief of office; supervising the work of the Government of Croatia and other holders of public powers responsible to the Sabor; and granting amnesty.Decisions are made based on a majority vote if more than half of the Chamber is present, except in cases of national rights and constitutional issues.
Croatia has a mixture of climates. In the north and east it is continental, Mediterranean along the coast and a semi-highland and highland climate in the south-central region.
By orders of the king in 1553 and 1578, large areas of Croatia and Slavonia adjacent to the Ottoman Empire were carved out into the Military Frontier (Vojna Krajina) and ruled directly from Vienna's military headquarters. Due to the dangerous proximity to the Ottoman armies, the area became rather deserted, so Austria encouraged the settlement of Serbs, Germans, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks and Rusyns/Ukrainians and other Slavs in the Military Frontier, creating an ethnic patchwork.
The official entering of Croatia into personal union with Hungary, becoming part of the Kingdom of Hungary, had several important consequences.
Western aid and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, is helping restore the economy. The government has been successful in some reform efforts — partially macroeconomic stabilization policies — and it has normalized relations with its creditors.
The recession that began at the end of 1998 continued through most of 1999, and GDP in 1999 was flat. Inflation remained in check and the kuna was stable. However, consumer demand was weak and industrial production decreased. Structural reform lagged and problems of payment arrears and a lack of banking supervision continued.
Empress Maria Theresia ignored and eventually disbanded the Croatian Parliament and in 1779, Croatia was relegated to just one seat in the governing council of Hungary, held by the ban of Croatia.
Following the disappearance of the major native dynasty by the end of the 11th century, the Croats eventually recognized the Hungarian ruler Coloman as the common King for Croatia and Hungary in a treaty of 1102 (often referred to as the Pacta Conventa).
In the 4th century BC the northern parts of modern-day Croatia were also colonized by the Celts, the Scordisci tribe. Other Celtic peoples may also have been found elsewhere integrated among the Illyrians. The islands of Issa and Pharos as well as the locality of Tragurion became Greek colonies since the same period.
The Constitutional Court (Ustavni sud) of the Republic of Croatia decides on the constitutionality of laws and has the right to repeal a law it finds unconstitutional. It also can impeach the president. The body is made up of 13 judges on 8-year term. The president of the Constitutional Court is elected by the court for a 4-year term
The book De Administrando Imperio, written in the 10th century, is the most referenced source on the migration of Slavic peoples into southeastern Europe. It states that they migrated first around or before year 600 from the region that is now Galicia and areas of the Pannonian plain, led by the Turkic Avars, to the province of Dalmatia ruled by the Roman Empire.
In recorded history, the area was inhabited by the Illyrians, and since the 4th century BC also colonized by the Celts and by the Greeks.
After that there was one more notable native King, Dmitar Zvonimir (1075-1089). His kinghood is carved in stone Baska Tablet, preserved to this day as the oldest written Croatian text, kept in the archaeological museum in Zagreb. Zvonimir's reign is remembered as a peaceful and prosperous time, during which the connection of Croats with the Pope was further affirmed, so much so that Catholicism would remain among Croats until the present day.
The most commonly accepted facts about the origin of the Croats are that they originate from Slavic tribes that lived in and around today's Poland. The early Croatian people is believed to have been mixed Slavs and the Iranian-speaking Alans according to many modern scholars. It is unclear whether the Alans contributed much more than a ruling caste or a class of warriors; the evidence on their contribution is mainly philological and etymological.
After the death of Domitar Zvonimir, Ladislaus I of Hungary was the strongest candidate for the throne, but the Croatian lords struggled for independence from Hungary. Following the death of the last Croat king Petar Svacic in the defeat at the Gvozd hill in 1097 to Coloman of Hungary, they eventually recognized him as the common king for Croatia and Hungary in a treaty of 1102 (often referred to as the Pacta Conventa), thus making a personal union with Hungary. The two crowns would remain connected until the end of World War I.
The President of the Republic (Predsjednik) is head of state and elected for a five-year term. In addition to being the commander in chief of the armed forces, the president has the procedural duty of appointing the Prime minister with the consent of the Parliament, and has some influence on foreign policy.
The Croatian legislature is the Hrvatski Sabor. The Sabor is unicameral which can have between 100 and 160 deputies (152 in 2003). All representatives are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.
http://www.croatias.co.uk/CheapFlightToSplitCroatia.html
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(E) And you thought you can park the car. A Vi mislili da znate ?
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(E) A personal commitment to animal protection
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A personal commitment to animal protection
Humane Society of the United States
www.hsus.org
A personal message from Heather and Paul McCartney
Dear Friend ,
For years, we have shared a personal commitment to
animal protection. Today we'd like to ask for your help in
supporting an issue that's deeply important to us -- stopping
Canada's massive seal hunt.
We have just returned from a trip to the seal nursery on the ice
floes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. We
walked on the ice among mother seals as they nursed their newborn
babies. There are no words to express how breathtaking the
landscape is, with nothing but ice and ocean as far as the eye can
see. The only sounds we heard were the wind and the cries of
the baby seals, calling out to their mothers.
But in just a few weeks, the boats will arrive, and
the cries of the baby seals will be those of terror and agony as
sealers clamber onto the ice with their clubs and guns. The
pristine white of the ice will be stained with the blood of
these baby seals, bludgeoned and shot to death so the sealers
can sell their skins to the fur industry.
Today, we desperately need your help to stop this slaughter.
We believe that if we all work together, we can
convince the Canadian government that now is the time to end the
hunt forever. That's why we are asking you to make as
generous a gift as you can to help The Humane Society of the United
States continue the fight to save Canada's baby seals.
Click here to make your gift today:
The HSUS's ProtectSeals campaign is bringing all
compassionate and humane-thinking citizens of the world together
to pressure the Canadian government to end this hunt forever.
Your donation will be used exclusively for the ProtectSeals
campaign and will enable The HSUS to send a team of experts,
journalists, and videographers to the ice so they can document the
hunt, exposing the hideous cruelty that the Canadian government
doesn't want the world to see.
We plan to make sure that the world knows what
happens on those isolated ice floes in the middle of the sea, and we
will not rest until the slaughter has ended forever. Please donate today:
Yours,
Heather and Paul McCartney
protect-seals@hsus.org | 202-452-1100 |
www.hsus.org
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
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