Croatia: British Gov. vs. Croatia

The attack on Ivo Pukanic, controversial editor of Croatia's Nacional newspaper, and several other attacks on prominent figures have led the British government to warn visitors of Croatia this summer to beware of organized crime. Travel advice for Croatia posted on the website of Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office states, "There is an underlying threat from terrorism and organised crime in Croatia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers." In response, a BBC article claims, "Croatia is cursed by crime ad corruption."

Of course, Croatia is not pleased.

Croatian officials are especially distraught over potential effects on the rapidly approaching summer tourist season (tourism generates almost 20% of the country's gross domestic product). Dubravko Novak, a secretary at the interior minister's office, even went as far to say that the article had been purposely published just before the summer tourist season. Though this may seem unfounded, some believe that the warning may have been provoked by Croatia's lifting of visa restriction on the citizens of Russia and the Ukraine, "since many people consider residents of those two countries to be actual or potential criminals."

--Ellen Leto

Economic Crisis affects on Croatia

The Croatian government was criticized by Croatian Telecom CEO Ivica Mudrinic for its lack of vision and strategy to get Croatia out of the current economic crisis.  According to an article in Croatia's Nacional Mudrinic gave an interview to Business.hr about stating how he accused the government of inactivity, lack of strategy for the recession and inability to carry out the necessary reforms.  This criticism by Mudrinic, who is not only a top member in a Croatian company, but also member of the ruling party and minister in HDZ government in the 90s, is very rare.

In another article from the IMF explained how The IMF met with Croatian authorities and discussed the recent global and domestic developments and policies needed to preserve macroeconomic and financial stability.  The article reported that "However, no economy can remain fully immune to the turmoil [that has evolved into the greatest global economic crisis in 60 years]."  It is explained that priority should be given to preserving financial stability.  Liquidity conditions should also remain under control. This revised budget, adopted in early April also pushes for tight control over spending and improvements in tax administration as well.  Further specifics of the budget can be found in the article itself.  Over all the IMF was "grateful to the authorities and its other interlocutors for the open discussions, excellent cooperation, and warm hospitality." 

-Lindsey Nass

Croatia

Albanians proud, Croats cool on joining NATO

Croatia and Albania are the newest members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  According to this article, Albania has shown much more enthusiasm with regard to its membership.  While Albanians are brimming with pride, Croatia still has its sights set on EU membership, which has been a goal for quite some time.  Albania, one of the poorest countries in Europe, views NATO membership as great progress.  For Croatia, however, there was very little excitement over its membership, as it will not do much for Croatia's EU membership.  While this may be the goal, the progress of NATO membership is a positive sign.  And the lack of excitement shows the progress Croats have come to expect, especially when compared to a poor country like Albania.  Hopefully, the talks with Slovenia will continue, and EU membership is somewhere on the horizon for Croatia.

- Matt Orminski (Croatia)

Croatia: Slovenia OKs accession to NATO

On Friday, Slovenia “formally ratified Croatia’s accession to NATO,” allowing the country to join the alliance as scheduled next week. This is significant because, last week, a border dispute with Slovenia threatened to impede Croatia’s admittance. While the Slovenian government continue to maintain that it supported Croatia joining NATO, a nationalist group, the Party of the Slovenian Nation, strongly opposed. This group attempted to quickly gather the 40,000 signatures needed to “force a referendum on Croatia’s NATO bid,” but, by the Thursday deadline, ultimately fell short.

This is not Croatia’s first disagreement with Slovenia – in December, Slovenia vetoed Croatia’s European Union bid.

I found two articles describing these events: one from an English-language Ukrainian newspaper and one from the New York Times. I find it very interesting that the New York Times article is significantly shorter and less detailed…

-- Ellen Leto

Croatia: Friendly with France

Croatia has France's support as soon as it agrees to EU mediation under leadership of Martti Ahtisarri, says an article in Croatia's the Nacional.

However, it seems that military cooperation with France plays a key role as well.  Thales, France's military-industrial giant will be installing communication equipment in 126 Croatian AMV armored combat vehicles.  On August 7, 2008 Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polance signed a memorandum of agreement with Thales on its entry into the ownership structure of the PCE Split Company, a state-owned company, making this the largest joint venture contract.

According to this article, PCE Split Company will be able to make a huge technological jump forward and join the select companies of manufactures of top electronic technology for military use.  It will be able to manufacture radio and communication equipment for the Croatian Armed Forces and enter the global market.

Lindsey Nass

(Croatia Group)

Croatia allies with Serbia, takes swipe at Slovenia

Croatia has made great strides in burying the hatchet with a former foe.  The country is willing to support Serbia's bid for EU integration despite past tension between the countries.  According to this article, Croatia has decided to take a different approach than its neighbor, Slovenia, which has been blocking Croatia's membership in the EU due to disputes following the collapse of Yugoslavia.  "Croatia will not be to Serbia what Slovenia is to us," Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader told reporters in Belgrade.  Sanader stressed that Croatia must remember the past but continue to live in the future.  While this may be seen as a direct shot at Slovenia in an attempt to change Croatia's fortunes, it is a progressive step in cooperation between nations that do not have the friendliest of histories.  Croatia has been a country in transition for the past several years, trying to establish strong democratic principles.  Hopefully, its intentions in supporting Serbia's quest to become an EU nation are more a sign of this progress than a shot at Slovenia.  Either way, the initiative to aid a country that is not really seen as an ally is better than blocking them in the way Slovenia has blocked Croatia.  Perhaps Slovenia will be influenced by this decision, allowing Croatia to pursue membership of its own while continuing to make progress in terms of political and social freedoms and protection.

Posted by:

Matt Orminski (Croatia)

Croatia's Prime Minister To Meet With Obama

Croatia's Prime Minister, Ivo Sanadar, could very well be the first Croatian official to meet with the new United States' President Barack Obama. The meeting is scheduled for the end of March.

According to the article in the Croatian Times, United States President Barack Obama was surprised by Slovenia's attitude towards Croatia after discussions of blocking EU attainment. Not only that, but also the setback in entering NATO. The Slovenian Parliament approved the procedure on February 9th. The United States projects that it will obtain the appropriate documents this month.

Euro-Atlantic integration would be encouraged, as well as American-Croatia alliance, as a result of this meeting between Barack Obama and Ivo Sanadar.

Kelly Witmer
Croatia Group

Croatia: False stories about EU officials? Maybe not a good idea.

As Lindsay metioned, Croatia is currently a candidate for European Union membership and hopes to gain access by 2011. According to the report on Croatian press freedom by the International Freedom of Expression eXchange, the country has made human rights improvements because of this candidacy. Unfortunately, Croatian press still seems to suffer from corruption.

According to the Copenhagen Post, two Croatian newspapers have recently accused Bo Eric Weber, the Danish ambassador to Croatia, of attempting to block Croatia’s admittance to the EU. This story seems to have stemmed from a conflict over a Danish factory in Croatia that is considered to be dangerous to health and the environment. Weber, however, completely denies these claims and has asked for a correction to the article. In a Croatian Times article, Weber is quoted as saying, "Unfortunately, this is an example of very bad journalism based on non-ethical behaviour. If [the author] Mr. Grakalic had contacted the Danish embassy beforehand, the false story would never have been written."

This shows a definite weakness in Croatia’s standards of professional journalism. I can only imagine that false stories, particularly those involving EU officials, will hurt their admission.

-- Ellen Leto (Croatia)

Croatia: Blocked from NATO and EU

There is concern that politics in Slovenia might prevent China from formally joining NATO in early April.  Nato Secretary General Jaapde Hoop Scheffer said. "... we might not see a situation at the summit in Strasbourg and Kehl that we can greet Albania and Croatia in the NATO family."

The article further explains that although Slovenian lawmakers approved Croatia's entry to NATO, two nationalist groups in Slovenia petitioned for a referendum on Croatia's NATO membership, do to territorial disputes.  For this act to be successful the two groups need 40,000 votes and have 5 weeks to acquire these.  The NATO summit however was barely six weeks away when the petition was filed, making Croatia's acceptance a possible delay regardless if the referendum is successful or not.

According to Bloomberg Press, Slovenia's government has also stalled Croatia from joining the EU, and aims to do the same with NATO.  The admission of Croatia into both the EU and NATO are strongly encouraged, as stated on Freedom House.  Croatia has worked to facilitate the return of refugees, repair war-damaged houses, and improve minority rights in order to meet the conditions for European Union accession (found on Freedom House).

Lindsey Nass (Croatia)

Censorship explicitly prohibited?: Croatia

According to the report on Croatia by the Committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), “the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia guarantees to all citizens freedom of expression.” Censorship, it states, is “explicitly prohibited.” (See Croatian Constitution, Provision 38.) However, is this actually practiced?

In addition to the arrest of a man who created a Facebook group criticizing the prime minister, attacks on journalists, both violent and non-violent, have plagued Croatia in recent months. The International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) lists several fatal attacks on and death threats directed towards journalists. For example, in October, one of Croatia’s top investigative journalists, Ivo Pukanic, and the marketing director of the leading investigative news paper were killed when a bomb exploded under Pukanic’s car.

These incidents are usually not the work of the government, but what about the government has fostered such behaviors? Are the people responsible being adequately punished? Or are the actions of the government (see Facebook arrest) consequently encouraging terrorist attacks?

IFEX believes that Croatia, motivated by their desire to join the European Union, has made improvements in human rights, but clearly has a long way to go. It will be fascinating to monitor Croatia’s progress (or not).

-- Ellen Leto

Croatia: Freedom of Expression through Facebook

As a response to the Facebook group " I bet I can find 5,000 people who don't like Sanader," and the repercussions that resulted, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, in an article from SETimes.com stated, "No one in Croatia can be detained or arrested because of a different opinion or because of a protest against my or any other political view.  My main task as prime minister is to defend that right."  Sander ordered the interior the interior ministry to decide if police abused their powers by arresting individuals who criticized the government over the Internet.

Regardless of the prime ministers statement above, additional Facebook groups have formed against Ivo Sanader.  One Facebook group is searching for 10,000 critics  of the prime minister.  The group has exceeded 10,000 and at last count was 13,600 members.  The goal is to reach 15,000.  Another group named "Enter my apartment Gestapo gang, Croatia is not a police state" is up to 5,100 memembers (found on Federal Computer Week).

-Lindsey Nass (Croatia)