TRANSLATION
Report on the Political Development within
the Croatian Emigrants' Movement during the
Period from 1 July 1954 to 30 September 1954
GENERAL REMARKS:
In June a delegation of Croatian priests handed over to President EISENHOWER and the Secretary General of the UN a memorandum containing the Croatian demands, which was signed by 153 Croatian priests. Although, on the whole, this step was welcomed by the Croatian emigrants' groups there were numerous persons warning against the "politicalization" of the clergy since this might result in the Croatians being suspected of having committed themselves to a one-sided political course. It would have been more advisable, those critics say, if the Croatian priests had assumed the role of mediators between the individual Croatian groups and had taken care that such an important document was signed also by the representatives of those organizations since this would have demonstrated the solidarity of all the Croatian emigrants' groups.
RIGHTIST-RADICAL:
Hrvatska Drazvotvorna Stranka - HDS
(Croatian State-Forming Party - Ustaschi-Movement)
(Croatian State Government in Exile)
Seat: BUENOS ARIES; representation in MUNICH
Considerable sensation among the Croatian and Serbian emigrants was caused by an interview which two representatives of the Ustaschi-movement had in BUENOS AIRES with the former Jugoslav Minister President Dr. M. STOJADINOVIC. On that occasion the Serbian politician who formerly had been pro-Jugoslav expressed himself in favor of two separate states, Serbia and Croatia. The event made big headlines in the Ustaschi press; however, the names of the interviewers were not disclosed. According to confidential information, this had been a conversation between Dr. STOJADINOVIC and the leader of the party, Dr. PAVELIC, which had taken place in the Italian Embassy in BUENOS AIRES, at the initiative of Italian Monarchist circles (adherents of Umberto). According to reports, further talks are expected to take place, with border problems being one of the main points of discussion. PAVELIC is said to be inclined to waive the claim to the "historical border on the Drina" if the Serbs give up their claims to Croatian territory (Syrmia). In addition, PAVELIC is said to have reconfirmed the former agreements concerning the cession of Dalmatian coast areas and in talks with Hungarian "Pfeilkraus" men (Hungarist Movement) to have expressed his readiness to eliminate the controversial border problems by the cession of the so-called Mur-island. All these actions have allegedly been initiated by the Italian monarchists who in that way want to counteract the HAPSBURG plans for restoration.
Following above "interview" leaflets were disseminated among the Croatian emigrants in Argentina, in which PAVELIC was called a traitor who is planning to "sell out" Croatia in order to realize his personal ambitious plans. The authors of the leaflets are allegedly extreme-nationalist Ustaschi. A split among the Ustaschi is regarded as possible if the "agreements" should come to the knowledge of wider circles. In the case of a split the extreme elements among the Ustaschis are expected to join Max LUBURIC (known in exile as General DRINJANIN), commander of Group V (Europe) of the "Croatian Armed Force in Exile", seat: MADRID. Differences of opinion have allegedly been existing between LUBURIC and PAVELIC for a long time.
Ujedinjenih Hrvata - UH
(United Croatians - Ustaschi)
Seat: MUNICH
The group is inactive. Since its founder, Dr. KUKOLJA, has withdrawn from political activity and left the organization the latter is general called "a head without a shepherd". For some time there had been rumors that a person, devoted to PAVELIC, would come to MUNICH to assume leadership of the Ustaschi-movement in the Federal Republic; however, it seems that these plans have come to nothing.
RIGHTIST:
Hrvatske Seljacka Stranka - HSS
(Croatian Farmers' Party)
Seat: WASHINGTON; Representation in MUNICH
The party celebrated its 50th anniversary and simultaneously the 75th birthday of its leaders, Dr. MACEK. On this occasion a dinner took place in the "Kroatischen Kultur- und Wohlfahrtsvereinigung Radic" (Croatian Cultural and Welfare Association Radic) in MUNICH (united in that association are the MUNICH adherents of above party). Taking part were about 50 members and guests. The speakers attempted to justify the policy pursued by the party (and, thus, by MACEK) saying that it had been adapted to political circumstances. These speeches were held in an effort to refute the numerous accusations, leveled at MACEK, that his aimless policy was responsible for the fate of Croatia.
An incident occurred when one of the persons present made reference to the period from 1941 to 1945 and wanted to know what standpoint the party takes with regard to an independent Croatian state under Dr. PAVELIC. The President of the Association, Nikola PRCE, rejected the demand, pointing out that they were celebrating the anniversary of the party and the birthday of their leader MACEK and nothing else was of interest at the moment.
From the above, as from all other Croatian events, it appears that no agreement can be achieved among the Croatian emigrants.
Also of some importance was the celebration held for the same reason in Belgium in the presence of the Secretary General of the party, Dr. KRNJEVIC. In his speech and in interviews with Belgian journalists KRNJEVIC declared there could be no doubts that CROATIA will be free some day in the future. However, he was doubtful with regard to the restoration of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy and the preservation of the Jugoslav state. He warned that the mistakes of the past must not be repeated. To restore peace it was absolutely necessary to create small states - Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia -, to insure their autonomy and incorporate them into a confederation of the Danube area, he said. In his opinion this was the only possibility in that part of Europe to secure peace in the spirit of the principles of freedom and democracy.
KRNJEVIC's declarations contained something new: the mention of Macedonia as a state. Until now the party's attitude toward the Macedonian problem had been reserved. Croatian circles consider that remark as an indication that a Jugoslavia liberated from Communism will be organized in a way similar to the present one, i.e. it will consist of six provinces: Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, and, perhaps, as the 7th province Vojvodina which at present as an autonomous province belongs to Serbia. Since Dr. KRNJEVIC has very good relations with England it is believed that the English plans concerning Jugoslavia are about the same.
On 5 September 1954 the HSS held in MUNICH a meeting at which Ilija JUKIC from London spoke as a guest on the general political situation in Europe, European unification, and the Croatian interests. JUKIC is a member of the HSS management and the Secretary General of the "Croatian Movement for a United Europe". JUKIC is planning to visit BONN, too. The main purpose of his trip is to make propaganda for the movement and the founding of local groups. The aim of the whole action is: 1. to get the Croatian emigrants at one table, under a neutral name; 2. to strengthen the Croatian representation in the European Federation; and 3. to popularize the demand, recently emphasized by the HSS, for a free and independent Croatian Republic as a federative member of the Community of European States.
Taking part in the meeting were about 40 persons, among them Dr. JELIC and Dr. SUSNJARA of the "Croatian National Committee". Dr. Grga VUKOVIC, representative of the HSS in MUNICH, delivered the opening address. The speeches that followed stressed, above all, the necessity of understanding to be established among the Croatian emigrants, as the only way for the Croatians to enforce their demands. The reasons why so far they had had little success in defending their interests JUKIC saw in the Croatian inclination to egotism and particularism, manifesting itself, on the one side, in the enmity between the individual Croatian groups and showing, on the other, that the Croatians consider themselves as the center of the world events and are unable to coordinate their interests with those of world politics and make plans for the long range. He recommended that the Croatian groups become more tolerant and refrain from defaming from the very beginning every action taken by another group. Each group should utilize its own possibilities and connections in the interest of the Croatian cause; however, above all, cooperation must be insured because the decision on the fate of the whole people could not be left to one group and, still less, to one individual. (These remarks referred, first, to PAVELIC and his policy before and during the war and, second, to the cooperation of certain clerical circles with Otto von Habsburg.)
With regard to the EDC Treaty and the defense against Communism Ilija JUKIC declared it was regrettable that the EDC had been rejected in France but a new way for the common work would undoubtedly be found. It was impossible, he said, to defend or protect Europe against the Communists without the Federal Republic, just as it was not possible to save Asia without the help of the Japanese. Both Asia and Europe would not be safe from Communism until each of the two countries mentioned had again a strong army. The neutralization of Germany must be rejected since the only one benefiting therefrom would be the East. The plan calling for a "neutral belt", i.e.: neutralized Germany, Austria and Jugoslavia (which is favored especially by TITO), might at present perhaps appear to be advantageous, however, in the long run it must necessarily lead to the ruin of the Western world. It was understandable that the Germans insisted on reunification and the restoration of their former borders. The key to the realization of these demands, he said, was in the hands of the Soviets who, when the time had come, would say: "Join us, then you will get your reunification and your borders," thus trying to win the Germans over to their side, and this would be tantamount to the destruction of Europe.
JUKIC was of the opinion that a new Big Four conference will take place which will be just as unsuccessful as all former ones. He was convinced that England would not allow herself to be separated from America by the Russians because she was dependent on the USA, in Europe as well as in Asia. What the British wanted to prevent was the withdrawal of the USA from Europe in the belief that the best protection for Europe against the Soviet Union was a German army. After the failure of another Big Four conference the Soviet Union would return to its old tactics of force, JUKIC said.
With regard to the problem of Jugoslavia JUKIC declared that then TITO's day would come, too. The Western peoples must make all efforts possible to be well-prepared for that day. They must not once again, as in 1948, miss the opportunity to smash the Soviet Block. TITO will, then, find himself confronted with an alternative. In the West everything will be ready to "seize" Jugoslavia, and then the day of the Croatians will have come; they will attain freedom earlier than the other oppressed peoples. Therefore, JUKIC said, it was high time, "24 hours", so to speak, for the Croatians to establish unity and, with the support of the American policy, to make preparations for the liberation.
During a confidential conversation JUKIC expressed the opinion that the Croatian demand for independence has little prospect of being realized; 95 percent of the prominent Western politicians were against a dismemberment of Jugoslavia whose Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian and Macedonian areas had grown together since 1918, especially under TITO's regime. To divide that state would, in the opinion of the West, shake the economy and the political life of the whole area and prevent its consolidation for a long time to come. However, JUKIC added, the future Jugoslavia was expected to be a Federation. The reason why the HSS now officially and with emphasis presented its demand for an independent Croatian state was that it wanted to have a sufficiently wide margin for future negotiations. The HSS rejected a Danube Federation as was favored by certain Croatian as well as by Austrian and Hungarian circles, JUKIC said.
Hrvatski Pokret za Europsku Federaciju
(Croatian Movement for a United Europe)
Seat: Great Britain, representation in MUNICH
The HSS representative in MUNICH, Dr. Grga VUKOVIC, who has been charged with the task of organizing above group is making efforts to win over to the movement also the adherents of other Croatian groups in MUNICH. So far his efforts have had little success. He is now planning to convene a large-scale charter-meeting. Invitations will be sent to all Croatian emigrants' organizations in MUNICH and to "neutral" persons. No decision has as yet been made as to whether that meeting will be held before JUKIC returns to MUNICH in mid-October or during his stay there. The general opinion is that the new movement will be nothing but a new group of the HSS, which will struggle along the same way as the others.
Independent Croatian Club
MUNICH
The Croatian paper "Hrvatska Zora" published a report on the HAPSBURG tendencies existing in part of the divided Ustaschi Movement. After the last Eucharists' Congress in Spain, where some PAVELIC-friends had met, the "Independent Croatian Club" was founded in MUNICH. The former Croatian Homeguard General BROZOVIC was elected to the office of President of the club; the priest BUZANCIC was appointed secretary. Only 24 hours after the founding of the organization the Jugoslav Consulate in KLAGENFURT was in possession of the minutes of the charter-meeting. BUZANCIC was accused of having forwarded the copy to said Consulate and as a result he was compelled to resign. At another meeting BROZOBIC [sic] was again elected President. Vice President of the organization is JELIC; Dr. BUC was appointed secretary.
The Club has HAPSBURG tendencies and is in favor of Croatia being incorporated into a new Danube Monarchy.
CENTRIST GROUPS:
Hrvatski Sredisnji Odbor - HSO
(Croatian Central Committee)
Seat: MUNICH
With regard to the dissensions among the Croatian emigrants' organizations it must be mentioned that the planned reorganization of above Committee could not be carried out because the "United Croatians", the "Croatian National Committee" and the "Croatian Catholic Academic Association STEPINAC" refused to cooperate. Architect Ivo KIEFER who was in favor of the reorganization and had become chairman of the provisional Praesidium, with the aim of creating an active cultural and social organization, has withdrawn from all and any activities. Dr. VUKOVIC, the honorary President, has in the past few months made efforts to reorganize the Committee but all his efforts have failed. Thus, the Committee now exists practically only on paper.
Croatian National Committee for Europe
Hrvatski Narodni Odbor - HNO
MUNICH: Brunnstrasse 9
On 20 June the Committee held a celebration in KAISERSLAUTERN in honor of Cardinal STEPINAC's "Namenstag". Main speakers were Dr. SUSNJARA and Dr. OMRCANIN. While almost all of the Croatians living in KAISERSLAUTERN took part in the Church service, the meeting itself was attended only by the adherents of the Committee. (The majority of the Croatians in KAISERSLAUTERN who are employed in the Labor Service Company are adherents of PAVELIC.) Among the German guests there was Count EIZ whose family originates from VUKOVAR and who is a member of the "Abendlaendische Akademie" in MUNICH. Among the welcoming letters there was one sent by Count DEGENDORF who conveyed greetings from Otto von HABSBURG.
The Croatian colony in BERLIN held on 27 June a STEPINAC-celebration; speaking on that occasion was Dr. JELIC.
The dispute between JELIC and BUC has not yet been settled. Althoug [sic] JELIC in the event of an open clash could count on the support of the majority of the members and sympathizers of the Committee he wants to avoid such a clash since it "would do greater harm to the reputation of the HNO than the arbitrary ways of BUC". It was said that it was JELIC, not BUC, whose voice was decisive in important political matters; arrangements made by BUC with other groups and organizations were not binding on the HNO as long as they had not been decided by the entire HNO leadership.
In this connection it must be mentioned that after the meeting held by the HSS on 5 September Dr. JELIC had with JUKIC a talk concerning the problem of cooperation. Thus, it may not be expected that as a result of JELIC being dissatisfied with BUC a reorganization of the HNO will be carried through.
Both Croatians and Slovenes sharply criticized an article published in the July/August Bulletin of the HNO, in which BUC called the Catholic priests in Slovenia of today "helpers of the Communist regime" propagandizing the Communist idea of "Away from Rome". In this connection BUC referred to an item contained in the ZAGREB paper "Vijesnik", according to which 75 percent of the Catholic priests in Slovenia are members of the Communist-directed, government-sponsored Priests' Association "Kyrill and Methodi". The Croatians among those criticizing that article restrict themselves to the remark that it is not very wise to publish such articles which mean a strain on the relationship between Slovenes and Croatians in exile. To enforce their own demands the Croatians need the support of the Slovenes; therefore, efforts should be made to win the Slovenes over to the Croatian side, instead of annoying them by publications of the kind mentioned.
The Slovenes reacted sharply to the article in question and declared that they would not permit the Croatian "Habsburg-adherents" to interfere with their own affairs; it was simply impudent to publish such defamations based on reports of the Communist Croatian press. They stressed it was common knowledge that the Slovenian Catholic priests, like the Croatian priests, today are engaged in a serious struggle against Communism and for their church.
Hrvatsko Akademske Drustvo Alojzije Stepinac
(Croatian Catholic Academic Association Alois STEPINAC)
Seat: MADRID; representation: MUNICH, Forstenriederstrasse 414.
The young Croatian intellectuals among the more recent arrivals are making efforts for the founding of an organization outside the existing Croatian groups which are considered as out-dated and are rejected because they are dominated by private and personal interests. Zvonimir PAVLINIC, MUNICH, is making attempts to united these young Croatians in a new group. For the time being they are planning to hold meetings only on a small scale for the purpose of discussing the possibilities of cultural and, later, political activities.
So far these talks have resulted only in the decision to reorganize the Croatian Academic Association.
Croatian Workers' Associations:
The symptoms of disunity shown by various Croatian emigrants-organizations are apparent also in the Croatian workers' associations. The "Independent Croatian Workers' Union" in PARIS is trying in vain to establish cooperation with the "Union of free [sic - here and below] Croatian Workers" in Belgium which is connected with the HSS and a member of the "Federation of free Croatian Workers". For its refusal the Belgian Union gave the reason that the PARIS organization is influenced by the clergy. It was stated that the Union of Croatian Workers must adhere to the principles of "supra-confessionality" since a large number of the Croatian workers in exile are moslems.
The "Federation of Free Croatian Workers" is making further efforts for being admitted to the "International Federation of Trade Unions" (internationaler Gewerkachaftsbund).
