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| Misinformation on BBC and reply to the BBC by B. Gallagher Here is the full correspondence I have had with the BBC, including their comments: Thank you for replying. The reason you can't find the reference (nor the bit about the woman giving a Nazi salute) is because the items has been amended, as you probably are aware. Sadly, I kept no copy. However, the original report is still on your website at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662480.stm And it says this: "A candlelit vigil took place on Saturday night at Vukovar's hospital from where hundreds of patients, mostly soldiers, were taken away and killed in November, 1991. " and again "While hundreds of hospital patients, mostly soldiers, were executed, the rest of the remaining inhabitants were forced to march to the next Croat-controlled town" So yes, an attempt was made to play down the civilian deaths. Also, Ms Kroeger said "The town had a majority Serb population." Completely untrue. It does however, tie in with Serb propaganda of the time that parts of Croatia are 'really' Serbia. The fact that some 22, 500 Croats and non-Serbs were forced out of Vukovar and thousands of civilians were killed was also not mentioned. Which would put into context the Mayor's remarks. Anyone unfamilar with the situation would think that "mostly soldiers" died at Vukovar and that Croats are preventing Serbs from returning to their city where they were the "majority". Croat bashing? Yes it certainly is. What next from the BBC? Serbs the true victims of Srebrinica? On the second item (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662896.stm), which was later revised to omit the "mostly soldiers" drivel, unusual attention is paid to Croat "neo-Nazis". This staggering quote appears: "The relationship between Croatian nationalism, Nazi sympathisers and the war 10 years ago is an uneasy one." Would you say such a thing if a small group of British National Party supporters appeared at Remembrance day ceremony? I suspect not. The quote clearly implies that patriotic Croats - "nationalists" - have fascist leanings and the war in 1991 was something to do with Croat fascists. Is it a coincidence that the same line was given by the Serbs in 1991? Indeed, the hospital atrocity at Vukovar and the destruction of the city was justified in precisely those terms. The crass insensitivity of Ms Kroeger's comments beggars belief. If the BBC were covering a Holocaust remembrance ceremony, would you include Nazi propaganda drivel about Jews bringing about German decline etc etc. Quite rightly you would not. The BBC are happy however to lend credence to the sick excuses the Serbs gave for their crimes against Croats. I invite you to examine the following line from the Hague Milosevic indictment for crimes in Croatia.(http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mil-ii011008e.htm) "26 m) controlled, contributed to, or otherwise utilised Serbian state-run media outlets to manipulate Serbian public opinion by spreading exaggerated and false messages of ethnically based attacks by Croats against Serb people in order to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred among Serbs living in Serbia and Croatia. The propaganda generated by the Serbian media was an important tool in contributing to the perpetration of crimes in Croatia. " The propaganda mentioned was of the "Croats are fascists" variety. Milosevic, you will note, was also charged for the hospital crime at Vukovar. How fascinating that the BBC are mouthing similar sentiments to Milosevic's propaganda machine from 1991. The insensitivity of the BBC is beyond compare. So yes, the BBC do indulge in Croat bashing. And has a pro-Serb streak. Certainly, if Mr Milosevic read those two items I am sure he would have toasted to Ms Kroeger's good health. I also believe the BBC's - frankly sick - reporting on Vukovar requires wider attention. I do not pay my license fee for such drivel. Yours faithfully Brian Gallagher NewsOnline <newsonline@bbc.co.uk> wrote: I am unable to see the reference to which you refer, that the victims were "mostly" soldiers. I am also unable to accept your assertion that we are pro-Serb, or indulging inC roat-bashing. It is not the way we operate and I am disappointed that you should think it is. Regards BBC News Online http://news.bbc.co.uk/ -----Original Message----- From: Brian Gallagher [mailto:brigall@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: 18 November 2001 19:55 To: NewsOnline Subject: "Croat town remembers fall" Dear Sir Re: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662896.stm I wish to complain about the above story by Alix Kroeger. I note that the earlier version of the story, to which I had telephoned a complaint to your duty office earlier today has been changed. The earlier version, amongst other things, had the utterly obscene remark that Vukovar had a majority Serbian population prior to the war. That was of course, a complete untruth. It's rather like saying Belgrade has a majority Croat population. A mistake, or a bit of Serbian propaganda? And where was the apology for such an insensitive comment, to which I think the city of Vukovar deserves? Your updated version is little better. Ms Kroeger correctly points out that a massacre occurred at the hospital in Vukovar. But then makes the claim that the victims were "mostly soldiers". Of course, that in itself is crime, but the reality is that a great deal of civilians were murdered in that episode. Here are two extracts from the International War Crimes indictment on the matter (http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mrk-ii951107e.htm) 8. On the afternoon of 19 November 1991, JNA units arrived at Vukovar Hospital and took control of it. Those inside offered no resistance. Early the following morning, Major SLJIVANCANIN ordered the nurses and doctors to assemble for a meeting. While the medical staff was attending this meeting, JNA and Serb paramilitary soldiers hurriedly removed about 400 men from the hospital. Among those removed in this way werenglishemrk> htmiehtm, hospital staff, soldiers who had been defending the city, Croatian political activists, and other civilians. By the time the medical staff meeting with Major SLJIVANCANIN concluded, the soldiers had removed almost all of the men who were at the hospital. and: 14. Of the 300 men taken from Vukovar Hospital on the morning of 20 November 1991, 261 remain missing. All of these men were alive after the end of hostilities in Vukovar, and all of these men were taken under JNA guard first to the JNA barracks and then to the Ovcara farm. They have not been seen alive since that time. There is nothing in the indictment about "mostly soldiers" being the victims. What is it Ms Kroeger knows the War Crimes Tribunal does not? Furthermore, how is it that Ms Kroeger completely fails to mention that the three men indicted by the Tribunal are at large - and protected - in Serbia? How is it also that the deaths of thousands of Croats - and others, such as Hungarians - slaughtered during the Serbian assault on Vukovar was not mentioned? It was not just the hospital massacre. This was a war by the Serbs against civilians, not soldiers, as Ms Kroeger implies. Ms Kroeger also points out that one individual gave a Nazi salute. Given that no-one else apparently did, what was the point of mentioning it? To imply many Croats are fascists? Given that the justification used by the Serbs to destroy Vukovar and commit various massacres including the hospital slaughter was precisely that, Ms Kroeger's comments were wholly unnecessary, crass and insensitive. I find it remarkable that the BBC is utilising Serbian propaganda techniques from 1991. The piece conveys a number of messges. That what happened at Vukovar was one massacre of "mostly soldiers" - implying that civilians did not overly suffer and were not targeted by the Serbs - and that many Croats are fascists. Vukovar was one of the most appalling atrocities of the twentieth century. A crime by the Serbs against Croat civilians and indeed, humanity. Thousands of civilians died and many more lost their homes. Trust the BBC to play that down and turn a memorial to what happened into a Croat bashing item. I would be interested in your comments. Yours faithfully Brian Gallagher Here is the full correspondence I have had with the BBC, including their comments: Thank you for replying.The reason you can't find the reference (nor the bit about the woman giving a Nazi salute) is because the items has been amended, as you probably are aware. Sadly, I kept no copy. However, the original report is still on your website at: <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662480.stm ">http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662480.stm</A> And it says this: "A candlelit vigil took place on Saturday night at Vukovar's hospital from where hundreds of patients, mostly soldiers, were taken away and killed in November, 1991. " and again "While hundreds of hospital patients, mostly soldiers, were executed, the rest of the remaining inhabitants were forced to march to the next Croat-controlled town" So yes, an attempt was made to play down the civilian deaths. Also, Ms Kroeger said "The town had a majority Serb population." Completely untrue. It does however, tie in with Serb propaganda of the time that parts of Croatia are 'really' Serbia. The fact that some 22, 500 Croats and non-Serbs were forced out of Vukovar and thousands of civilians were killed was also not mentioned. Which would put into context the Mayor's remarks. Anyone unfamilar with the situation would think that "mostly soldiers" died at Vukovar and that Croats are preventing Serbs from returning to their city where they were the "majority". Croat bashing? Yes it certainly is. What next from the BBC? Serbs the true victims of Srebrinica? On the second item (<A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662896.stm ">http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662896.stm</A> ), which was later revised to omit the "mostly soldiers" drivel, unusual attention is paid to Croat "neo-Nazis". This staggering quote appears: "The relationship between Croatian nationalism, Nazi sympathisers and the war 10 years ago is an uneasy one." Would you say such a thing if a small group of British National Party supporters appeared at Remembrance day ceremony? I suspect not. The quote clearly implies that patriotic Croats - "nationalists" - have fascist leanings and the war in 1991 was something to do with Croat fascists. Is it a coincidence that the same line was given by the Serbs in 1991? Indeed, the hospital atrocity at Vukovar and the destruction of the city was justified in precisely those terms. The crass insensitivity of Ms Kroeger's comments beggars belief. If the BBC were covering a Holocaust remembrance ceremony, would you include Nazi propaganda drivel about Jews bringing about German decline etc etc. Quite rightly you would not. The BBC are happy however to lend credence to the sick excuses the Serbs gave for their crimes against Croats. I invite you to examine the following line from the Hague Milosevic indictment for crimes in Croatia.(<A HREF="http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mil-ii011008e.htm"> http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mil-ii011008e.htm</A>) "26 controlled, contributed to, or otherwise utilised Serbian state-run media outlets to manipulate Serbian public opinion by spreading exaggerated and false messages of ethnically based attacks by Croats against Serb people in order to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred among Serbs living in Serbia and Croatia. The propaganda generated by the Serbian media was an important tool in contributing to the perpetration of crimes in Croatia. " The propaganda mentioned was of the "Croats are fascists" variety. Milosevic, you will note, was also charged for the hospital crime at Vukovar. How fascinating that the BBC are mouthing similar sentiments to Milosevic's propaganda machine from 1991. The insensitivity of the BBC is beyond compare. So yes, the BBC do indulge in Croat bashing. And has a pro-Serb streak. Certainly, if Mr Milosevic read those two items I am sure he would have toasted to Ms Kroeger's good health.I also believe the BBC's - frankly sick - reporting on Vukovar requires wider attention. I do not pay my license fee for such drivel. Yours faithfully Brian Gallagher NewsOnline <newsonline@bbc.co.uk> wrote: I am unable to see the reference to which you refer, that the victims were "mostly" soldiers. I am also unable to accept your assertion that we are pro-Serb, or indulging in Croat-bashing. It is not the way we operate and I am disappointed that you should think it is. Regards BBC News Online <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/">http://news.bbc.co.uk/</A> -- From: Brian Gallagher [mailto:brigall@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: 18 November 2001 19:55 Subject: "Croat town remembers fall" </DIV> Dear Sir Re: <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662896.stm ">http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1662000/1662896.stm</A> I wish to complain about the above story by Alix Kroeger. I note that the earlier version of the story, to which I had telephoned a complaint to your duty office earlier today has been changed. The earlier version, amongst other things, had the utterly obscene remark that Vukovar had a majority Serbian population prior to the war. That was of course, a complete untruth. It's rather like saying Belgrade has a majority Croat population. A mistake, or a bit of Serbian propaganda? And where was the apology for such an insensitive comment, to which I think the city of Vukovar deserves? Your updated version is little better. Ms Kroeger correctly points out that a massacre occurred at the hospital in Vukovar. But then makes the claim that the victims were "mostly soldiers". Of course, that in itself is crime, but the reality is that a great deal of civilians were murdered in that episode. Here are two extracts from the International War Crimes indictment on the matter (<A HREF="http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mrk-ii951107e.htm"> http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mrk-ii951107e.htm</A>) Brian Gallagher distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| CROWN, HIC, Croatian American Times, feel free to distribute, republish, This was published - in slightly edited form - in InterLib No.5, the newslettter of the Liberal International Group (although these are my personal views and not the Group's) and consequently has been read by a number of British Liberal parliamentarians. For illustrations, the Veritas website may be of interest, with its "Krajina" images and reference from Blewitt. Brian InterLib No.5 November 2001 The Gotovina War Crimes Indictment Brian Gallagher The recent controversial indictment of Croatian General Ante Gotovina by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is in many ways as significant as the forthcoming Milosevic trial. Gotovina is charged with ethnic cleansing - 'deportation' – of 'Krajina' Serbs in Croatia's 1995 'Operation Storm' campaign to liberate its territories held since the Serb invasion of 1991. The charges also include his responsibility for murders of Serbs and destruction of property during and in the aftermath of Operation Storm. Before Gotovina has even stepped foot in The Hague - his whereabouts are unknown - questions and doubts about this indictment have been raised in Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal. To find out what is problematic about this indictment, a quick re-cap of what happened in Croatia is required. In 1991, the Yugoslav Army invaded, occupied and ethnically cleansed one third of Croatia. This included the destruction of Vukovar. In the occupied territories the illegal structure of 'Krajina' was set up. In the process, at least 15,000 Croats were slaughtered and at least 170,000 ethnically cleansed. The UN rolled in. Their mandate was to re-integrate territory with Croatia, disarm the combatants and return refugees. The UN failed to carry out this mandate, effectively protecting Serb gains. Ethnic cleansing of the remaining Croats continued. Furthermore, Croat cities were bombarded from the occupied territories. 'Krajina' Serbs even launched an invasion into Bosnia-Herzegovina to attack the UN safe haven of Bihac. This included aircraft bombing the enclave with napalm and cluster bombs. By August 1995 the situation was critical; if Bihac – strategically positioned - fell, 'Greater Serbia' would have been effectively established. Shortly after Srebrenica, the fate of the citizens of Bihac would not be difficult to imagine. Operation Storm was implemented. The 'Krajina' Serb leadership ordered the Serbs to leave, and most left ahead of the Croatian Army advance. Large swathes of Croatian territory was recovered, Bihac was saved and further chunks of Bosnia-Herzegovina liberated. The ‘Greater Serbia’ project was stopped dead and the end of the war the result. Since then, over 3,000 Croat corpses have been dug up in the formerly occupied territories; an indicator of what 'Krajina' was built on and why many Serbs were keen to leave. As can be seen, 'Operation Storm' was a more than legitimate operation yet the ICTY characterise it as an ethnic cleansing exercise. ICTY indictments carry background histories to events. None of the above facts are mentioned in the Gotovina indictment - bar a comment that the Croatian government stated that one third of Croatia was controlled by the Yugoslav army and local Serbs. The omission of information such as how 'Krajina' was created gives the impression that 'Krajina' is a historic Serb dominated province that had always existed. Most of Croatia's Serbs didn't even live in the occupied territories. 'Krajina' was the term for the Austro-Hungarian 'Military Frontier' abolished in 1881. There has never been any Serb 'Krajina' province. The correct terms for the areas occupied are their historic names of Lika, Kordun and Dalmatinska Zagora; ignored in the indictment. In a bizarre contradiction, the Milosevic indictment for Croatia does describe the horror involved in setting up ‘Krajina’ which it describes as nothing less than part of a "criminal enterprise". It gives short shrift to the whole ‘Krajina’ business, referring to "Croatian Serbs" rather than "Krajina Serbs" as in the Gotovina indictment. It refers quite clearly to the Serbs "occupying" this territory. The indictment talks of the ethnic cleansing of one third of Croatia, hundreds of murders, camps, torture, the creation of 'Greater Serbia' etc. The horrors of the Serb occupation go a long way to explain the unfortunate murders of Serbs and arson that took pla ce during and after Operation Storm. This is not to excuse such behaviour, which the Croat authorities should indeed punish, but to put it into context. The Gotovina indictment goes so far as to refer to 'Krajina' as having "officially" declared independence. The Prosecution has effectively recognised it as a legitimate state. This ignores both international law and legitimises the methods - ethnic cleansing – by which it was created. UN resolutions previously referred to the areas as "occupied territories". The director of the Serbian 'Veritas' organisation, which claims to be a human rights organisation documenting crimes against Serbs, already considers this indictment to be the basis of restoring 'Krajina'. Veritas has been working very closely with the ICTY for some years. This is dubious enough, given the organisations political aims. Aims clearly shown by the 'Krajina' images on their home page - www.veritas.org.yu. It comes as a bit shock then to see on their website this group being given a glowing reference by the ICTY-as well as the UN and Red Cross - apparently in order to help Veritas raise funds for its projects. Whilst one may accept that the ICTY Prosecutor has to deal with many people, giving a reference to a group that makes statements in support of restoring a structure based upon violations of international humanitarian law and illegally appropriating territory of a UN member beggars belief - especially as the Prosecutors have themselves referred to the establishment of these structures as a "Criminal enterprise". It is well known that the Croats were assisted in 'Operation Storm' by US intelligence. The Americans may not take kindly to this indictment. What is important - as revealed by Newsweek - is that US intelligence material, including satellite images, help prove that Gotovina is innocent of the charges, in particular the deportation charges. As the former US ambassador to Croatia put it "You can't deport people who have already left". Given that the orders by the Serb leadership to evacuate Croatia have also been on the public record for some time, the Prosecutor may be in for a tough time. But why is the Prosecutor behaving in such a contradictory manner? Clearly, there are different factions at work in The Hague. One group obviously does not want to spare anyone's blushes and is going for the jugular of those who committed the most war crimes. The other is more concerned about creating an illusion of "all sides equally guilty". But why? The Croatian war is sensitive. As is known, Milosevic was originally backed by the Western powers. "All sides equally guilty" was the mantra of both Serb propagandists and Western governments. 'Operation Storm' angered many in the West who wanted to see the Serbs win quickly and have their gains legitimised by 'peace plans' cooked up by David Owen, Carl Bildt etc. 'Operation Storm' made fools of all these people. The late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman is named as a co-offender on the indictment; a blatantly political move. Srebrinica is also relevant. Had Bihac fallen, there would have been another massacre. The UN allowed the 'Krajina' Serbs to besiege and napalm Bihac; the very forces the UN were supposed to be disarming. The UN was prepared to countenance another Srebrenica. Not something many want known, hence the attempts to criminalize 'Operation Storm'. When one considers the full truth of the war, Operation Storm is quite obviously an operation to liberate territory. All countries have the right to self-defence, and given that the Prosecutors themselves refer to Croatia as having been part-occupied in the Milosevic indictment then to characterise Operation Storm as nothing more than an ethnic cleansing operation is a bit much - especially when negotiations with the Serbs were fruitless after 4 years. Due to the indictment’s distortion of the historical record, just one 'guilty' verdict on any Gotovina charge and the ‘all sides equally guilty’ view of history becomes 'legitimate' in the eyes of those who seek to propagate that view: truth and memory are very seriously under attack here. This is a case that all concerned with a permanent war crimes court should observe very closely indeed. Both the Gotovina "Operation Storm" and Milosevic "Croatia" indictments are available at the ICTY website at: http://www.un.org/icty/ - I recommend all interested should compare and contrast the treatment of the ‘Krajina’ structures in them. © Brian Gallagher distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| Greetings! The BBC have denied their referred to "mostly soldiers" being the victims of the Vukovar hospital massacre. Their story has been changed to omit it. Unfortuantely for them, their original story is still on their website; they missed it. Here it is, with "mostly soldiers"and the comment about Serbs being the majority. Save this; the BBC may delete the story after I contact them Brian [input] [input] CATEGORIES TV RADIO COMMUNICATE WHERE I LIVE INDEX --> SEARCH - SERVICES Daily E-mailNews TickerNews for PDAFeedbackHelpLow GraphicsSunday, 18 November, 2001, 01:40 GMT Croat town marks its fall People were ordered out by the Yugoslav army By the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Vukovar The Croatian town of Vukovar is marking the 10th anniversary of its fall to the Yugoslav national army. A candlelit vigil took place on Saturday night at Vukovar's hospital from where hundreds of patients, mostly soldiers, were taken away and killed in November, 1991. The town is now equally divided between Croats and Serbs, but the Croat Mayor has said there is no place for Serbs at the commemoration. When Vukovar fell to the Yugoslav national army it was a severe blow to Croatia's efforts to establish an independent state. The town had a majority Serb population. Its location on Croatia's eastern border made it a critical part of any plans to create a greater Serbia. Executions and expulsions Vukovar held out for three months under siege, before falling in November, 1991. While hundreds of hospital patients, mostly soldiers, were executed, the rest of the remaining inhabitants were forced to march to the next Croat-controlled town. The town council has organised a programme of commemorations for Sunday, but the Mayor, Vladimir Stengl, has said Vukovar's Serbs have no place at the ceremonies. The European security organisation, the OSCE, says the security situation in Vukovar has improved and there are fewer attacks against returning refugees. But unemployment is high and government assistance for returns will stop at the end of this year. The Croatian Government has recently reactivated dormant lists of hundreds of people wanted for alleged war crimes. The OSCE says the lists are an extra deterrent to Serbs wanting to return, who could face arrest at the border, or any time afterwards. See also: 10 Feb 01 | Europe Call for arrests over Vukovar massacre 29 Jun 01 | From Our Own Correspondent Viewpoint: The West did not do enough Internet links: OSCE The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Europe stories now: Journalists killed in Afghan ambush Spanish 'evidence' of terror guilt EU rebuffs Kosovo independence calls Sharon 'summoned' by Belgian court German economy grinds to a standstill Anger as Gibraltar talks get set Socialist wins Bulgarian presidency Swiss comeback for Bamiyan Buddhas Links to more Europe stories are at the foot of the page. Links to more Europe stories In This Section Journalists killed in Afghan ambush Spanish 'evidence' of terror guilt EU rebuffs Kosovo independence calls Sharon 'summoned' by Belgian court German economy grinds to a standstill Anger as Gibraltar talks get set Socialist wins Bulgarian presidency Swiss comeback for Bamiyan Buddhas US hands over Caroline suspect UK denies rift over Afghan troops Lake tragedy jail plea Bomb shakes Macedonia peace Authorities open Becker tax probe EU seeks progress on reaction force Moulinex pays off sacked staff Olympic flame sparks to life Hijacker's farewell love letter Former Corsica prefect in arson trial Moscow opens Chechnya peace talks Europe's airports fly into turbulence US warning on Iraq bio-weapons Pope calls Assisi peace meeting Plane-spotters hope to be released Croat town remembers fall Russians in Kabul for talks Rugova: Kosovo's political survivor Belgium link in Lumumba death European press review Profile: Georgi Parvanov [input] Brian Gallagher Sunday, 18 November, 2001, Croat town marks its fall By the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Vukovar The Croatian town of Vukovar is marking the 10th anniversary of its fall to the Yugoslav national army. A candlelit vigil took place on Saturday night at Vukovar's hospital from where hundreds of patients, mostly soldiers, were taken away and killed in November, 1991. The town is now equally divided between Croats and Serbs, but the Croat Mayor has said there is no place for Serbs at the commemoration. When Vukovar fell to the Yugoslav national army it was a severe blow to Croatia's efforts to establish an independent state. The town had a majority Serb population. Its location on Croatia's eastern border made it a critical part of any plans to create a greater Serbia. Executions and expulsions Vukovar held out for three months under siege, before falling in November, 1991. While hundreds of hospital patients, mostly soldiers, were executed, the rest of the remaining inhabitants were forced to march to the next Croat-controlled town. The town council has organised a programme of commemorations for Sunday, but the Mayor, Vladimir Stengl, has said Vukovar's Serbs have no place at the ceremonies. The European security organisation, the OSCE, says the security situation in Vukovar has improved and there are fewer attacks against returning refugees. But unemployment is high and government assistance for returns will stop at the end of this year. The Croatian Government has recently reactivated dormant lists of hundreds of people wanted for alleged war crimes. The OSCE says the lists are an extra deterrent to Serbs wanting to return, who could face arrest at the border, or any time afterwards. <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1164000/1164407.stm ">Call for arrests over Vukovar massacre</A> <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/from_our_own_correspondent/newsid _1413000/1413764.stm">Viewpoint: The West did not do enough</A> Brian Gallagher distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| Nenad Can I just say the following via Croworld: My thanks to everyone who has contacted me over the BBC Vukovar scandal. I have never been able to say defending Croatia is a thankless task and that certainly is not the case now. The gratitude does energise me. So different from local politics! Truly, the Croats are well worth defending. I shall be writing an article on the whole experience, and its implications. One darker thing to consider is that the BBC portrayal of Croatia in the first and second report will have gone down well with certain interests in Croatia. It is no coincidence, I fear, that there is no official response to things such as this or other matters. I understand even worse has been screened on the BBC of late. A separate article will lay my cards out on what I mean. Please have a look at how the Lithuanians deal with rubbish: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/monitoring/media_reports/newsid_1 669000/1669020.stm Good for them! Now, why can't Zagreb do the same on much worse matters? Really just incompetence? My advice to everyone is to email media outlets when something upsetting appears. The more we sting, the more cautious people will be in writing on the Croats. Others also wrote to the BBC on Vukovar; they were stung, hence the hurried production of a sympathetic report. In such a way we can change things. It is possible. Brian Brian Gallagher op-ed 100% agree. That is the reason of CROWN existence. To change things on better. And you certainly did your part so far. If there is a smart man or woman that leads, follow them. On that note please check "how the Lithuanians deal with..." (Click Here: <A HREF="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/monitoring/media_reports/newsid_1 669000/1669020.stm">BBC News | MEDIA REPORTS | Baltic upset over US…</A>) and if we DO respond on every literate and illiterate provocation, soon we can be more proactive. One doesn't exclude the other, but it certainly helps to be more free of constantly defending yourself. Thanks again Brian. It's an honor knowing you. I will also use this opportunity and ask number of people who are constantly emailing to each other and at the same time carbon copying everybody else to STOP that. I am for freedom of expression, but not for abuse of the given opportunities. This is the 3rd year of CROWN and it's existence is valuable to us who DO understand it's value. I am happy to follow the leads of smart people and am willing to put them in front of me any given moment. They are never a threat, but opposite. Mediocrity is threat to us. Thanks Brian and Davor and Marko and Hilda and all of you who contribute for our well being. We are stronger every day and it is gonna be better and easier. On that optimistic note, I promise to put CROWN on the WEB very soon. Nenad distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| Greetings! I think my emails to the BBC have had an effect, look: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1666000/1666300.stm A solid improvement over the previous stuff, which was indefensible. The old articles are still there, and I suspect the article was commissioned for "balance" and to cover bottom. The change of tone is not, I suspect coincidence. Apart from Phil Magas (CIO) and myself I suspect others complained. I think my quote from the Milosevic Croatia indictment of his propaganda against the Croats (ie Croats are fascists) may have had an effect on them. This could be key in countering fascist allegations; by pointing out such comments were used to justify atrocities against civilians as mentioned in a war crimes indictment. You put people on the back foot that way. Here is the para if anyone wants to use it: (http://www.un.org/icty/indictment/english/mil-ii011008e.htm) "26 m) controlled, contributed to, or otherwise utilised Serbian state-run media outlets to manipulate Serbian public opinion by spreading exaggerated and false messages of ethnically based attacks by Croats against Serb people in order to create an atmosphere of fear and hatred among Serbs living in Serbia and Croatia. The propaganda generated by the Serbian media was an important tool in contributing to the perpetration of crimes in Croatia. " What this shows is that resistance works. I shall write an article on this affair, pulling together my thoughts. Tommorrow the BBC may publish something worse than before. But today we have scored a small victory. I shall have a small glass of wine to celebrate tonight. And I invite you all to do the same. And I shall give some thought to the victims of Vukovar, because they deserved better from the BBC and also because a great many people would prefer they never be thought of. Brian Gallagher op-ed Congratulations !!! distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| Wolfgang Petrsich had a piece in today's NY Times Op-Ed page. This is my response. John Kraljic To the Editor: Wolfgang Petrisch's claims concerning the recovery of Bosnia and Herzegovina reflect the Potemkin village like quality of his tenure as High Representative. Contrary to Mr. Petrisch's beliefs, his role should not be to promote a multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina but a democratic, law-abiding society where the rights of the three constituent nations comprising Bosnia and Herzegovina are respected. This has certainly not been the case when it comes to the Croats of that country. Mr. Petrisch denied them their rights to elect their own representatives by engineering the elections to candidates more favorable to him. His decision to employ armed forces to allegedly stem corruption at a local Croat-owned bank while indicted Serb war criminals such as Radovan Karadzic remain free within the country reflects the OHR's skewed priorities. That Mr. Petrisch's actions as OHR favor certain ethnic groups over others is reflected upon an analysis of the very same refugee returns which Mr. Petrisch touts which show that most returns continue to occur in the Muslim-Croat Federation. Hundreds of thousands of Muslim and Croat refugees can only dream that possibly within their lifetimes they may travel back to their homes in ethnically cleansed Republika Srpska. Very truly yours, John Peter Kraljic President, National Federation of Croatian Americans op-ed NEW YORK TIMES To e-mail a letter to the editor, write to letters@nytimes.com You may also send your letter to: Letters to the Editor The New York Times 229 West 43rd Street New York, NY 10036 fax: (212) 556-3622 distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| Nenad, May be of interest. Maryann Zovak Graduate Fellowship Information for US Graduate Students: NSEP is required by law to focus on geographical areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. For the 2001 competition, NSEP is focusing on particular countries in the following regions: Africa; East Asia and the Pacific; Eastern Europe, former Russian states, and Turkey; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Near East; and South Asia. Subject: National Security Education Program Grad International Fellowships Information as of November 19, 2001 ********************************************************************** SCOPE: The National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Graduate Fellowships enable U.S. graduate students to pursue specialization in area and language study, or to add an important international dimension to their education. DEADLINE: The deadline has been updated to February 1 from the previous deadline of February 15. FUNDS: NSEP Fellowship awards are made for a minimum of one and a maximum of six academic semesters (two years). Support for language or area studies coursework at the applicant's home university is $2,000 per semester. Overseas study offers up to $10,000 per semester for up to two semesters. The maximum level of support for a combined overseas and domestic program is $28,000. ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in or applying to graduate programs in accredited colleges and universities located in the U.S. All applications must include study of a modern language other than English. Award recipients incur a requirement to work for an agency or office of the federal government involved in national security affairs or in the field of higher education in an area of study for which the fellowship was awarded, in that order of precedence. AREAS: NSEP Fellowships support students studying languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. national security, but which are less frequently studied by U.S. graduate students, i.e., areas of the world other than Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Fellowships are intended to support graduate students who will pursue the study of languages and cultures deemed critical to U.S. national security, and who would consider the possibility of federal government service. Students already enrolled in internationally oriented programs are encouraged to intensify their study of areas, languages, and cultures through overseas study and limited domestic tuition support. Applicants design their own programs and may combine domestic language and cultural study with study overseas. NSEP is required by law to focus on geographical areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. For the 2001 competition, NSEP is focusing on particular countries in the following regions: Africa; East Asia and the Pacific; Eastern Europe, former Russian states, and Turkey; Latin America and the Caribbean; the Near East; and South Asia. CONTACT: Academy for Educational Development, National Security Education Program (NSEP), 1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20009-1202, 800-498-9360, fax 202-884-8408, email nsep@aed.org, web <A HREF="http://www.aed.org/nsep/">http://www.aed.org/nsep/</A> <A HREF="http://www.aed.org/nsep/application.html"> http://www.aed.org/nsep/application.html</A> . distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| We are opening up applications for the 4th generation of the School for Personal and Organisational Development. After huge success with 3 previous generations in Croatia, the school has become international so we are also accepting applications from other countries. Through research and communication, we have not found a similiar school anywhere. Therefore we highly recommend that if you are interested in personal and organisational development from a systemic view, to check out http://www.horizont.hr/school/school.htm Warm regards, Ante Glavas ante.glavas@zg.hinet.hr distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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| CROATIA’S SECOND TRANSITION Presented by Dr. Ivan Grdesic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the United States of America When: Monday, November 26, 2001 Place: Oak Room at the Indiana Memorial Union 900 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405 Phone: (812) 856-6381 Time: 12:00-1:30 p.m. Presented by the WORKSHOP IN POLITICAL THEORY AND POLICY ANALYSIS Workshop Colloquia For more information, visit the Web site: http://www.indiana.edu/~workshop Then click on "Colloquia Announcements & Abstracts" under the heading "Information & Activities:" Frank Mustac frankmustac@att.net distributed by CROWN (Croatian World Net) - CroworldNet@aol.com |
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