Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
91ZAGREB1658
1991-11-25 17:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
ZAGREB UPDATE, NOVEMBER 25, 1991
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
USMISSION USNATO 1159
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0370
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS MARR PHUM
SUBJECT: ZAGREB UPDATE, NOVEMBER 25, 1991
-
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
USMISSION USNATO 1159
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0370
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS MARR PHUM
SUBJECT: ZAGREB UPDATE, NOVEMBER 25, 1991
-
1. (U) SUMMARY: PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WENT ON
CROATIAN TELEVISION YESTERDAY TO DENOUNCE
ALLEGED RIGHTIST AND JNA COVERT PLOTS TO BRING
DOWN HIS GOVERNMENT. THE EVACUATION OF JNA
INSTALLATIONS IN THE ZAGREB AREA HAS BEGUN,
THOUGH NOT ALTOGETHER SMOOTHLY. SHELLING IN
OSIJEK WAS REPORTED TODAY. A CONTACT IN
DUBROVNIK CLAIMS THE JNA AIMS TO PRESSURE THE
CIVILIAN POPULATION OUT IN ORDER TO TAKE THE
CITY. REFUGEES CONTINUE TO FLOOD INTO ZAGREB
AND ELSEWHERE, AND STORIES OF HUMANITARIAN
ABUSES ARE MOUNTING. END SUMMARY
-
TUDJMAN: "THE FINAL PHASE" OF THE BATTLE
--------------
2. (U) CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN APPEARED ON
CROATIAN TELEVISION SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 24,
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 01 OF 05 251748Z
TO DECLARE THAT "THE BATTLE" FOR CROATIAN
INDEPENDENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION "HAS
TAKEN ON DRAMATIC PROPORTIONS AS IT ENTERS ITS
FINAL PHASE." TUDJMAN DISCUSSED HIS HOPES FOR A
U.N. PEACE-KEEPING FORCE, SAYING THAT
DIFFERENCES STILL EXISTED ON DEFINING THE
"CRISIS AREAS" TO WHICH SUCH A FORCE WOULD BE
DEPLOYED, AND WARNING THAT THE JNA AND SERBIA
WOULD SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR TERRORITORIAL
GAINS BEFORE THE PEACE-KEEPING FORCE COULD
ARRIVE. HE ASSERTED THAT WITH THE WEST NOW
READY "TO ACT MORE DECISIVELY, THE SERBIAN SIDE
HAS UNDERTAKEN NEW DECEITS."
-
3. (U) TUDJMAN DEVOTED MUCH OF HIS SPEECH TO A
DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HE TERMED "EVIDENT PROOF"
THAT BOTH CROATIAN RIGHTIST EXTREMISTS, IN THE
FORM OF THE CROATIAN PARTY OF THE RIGHT (HDS)
AND ITS ARRESTED LEADER, DOBROSLAV PARAGA, AND
THE INTELLIGENCE BRANCH OF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY
(KOS) WERE ENGAGED IN PLOTS TO OVERTHROW THE
CROATIAN GOVERNMENT, ALTHOUGH TUDJMAN SEEMED TO
SUGGEST THAT PARAGA WAS BEING UNWITTINGLY USED
BY KOS RATHER THAN BEING IN ACTIVE COLLUSION
WITH IT. TUDJMAN CRITICIZED PARAGA AND HIS
PARTY FOR REVIVING FASCIST SYMBOLS WHICH
DISCREDITED CROATIA.
-
4. (C) TUDJMAN'S EXPLANATION OF HIS "EVIDENT
PROOF" WAS NOT VERY SPECIFIC, AND WHEN WE RAISED
THE ISSUE THE FOLLOWING DAY DURING A MEETING
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 01 OF 05 251748Z
WITH HRVOYE SARINIC, A TOP TUDJMAN AIDE, SARINIC
CLAIMED THAT COLONEL MILE DEDAKOVIC, NOW UNDER
ARREST FOR "UNDERMINING" THE DEFENSE OF VUKOVAR,
HAD "CONFESSED" TO HAVING TIES WITH JNA
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 02 OF 05 251749Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B0138E 251801Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0014
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0888
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 02 OF 05 251749Z
USMISSION USNATO 1160
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0371
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
INTELLIGENCE. (DEDAKOVIC IS AN ETHNIC CROAT WHO
DEFECTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO FROM THE JNA TO JOIN
THE CROATIAN SIDE.) MOREOVER, THERE WAS
EVIDENCE THAT DEDAKOVIC WAS COOPERATING WITH
PARAGA IN A PLOT TO OVERTHROW TUDJMAN AND HIS
GOVERNMENT, SARINIC CLAIMED.
-
PARAGA REMAINS JAILED
--------------
5. (U) PARAGA'S DETENTION HAS BEEN EXTENDED
THIRTY DAYS PENDING PREPARATION OF THE CASE
AGAINST HIM. PARAGA'S DEPUTY, MILAN VUKOVIC,
WAS RELEASED OVER THE WEEKEND, AND IMMEDIATELY
ANNOUNCED THAT HE, ALONG WITH PARAGA, WOULD
CONTINUE A HUNGER STRIKE UNTIL PARAGA'S
RELEASE.
6. (C) VIRTUALLY ALL OF CROATIA'S OPPOSITION
PARTIES ISSUED STATEMENTS CRITICAL OF THE
GOVERNMENT'S ARREST OF PARAGA, ARGUING THAT
PARAGA SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY POLITICAL RATHER
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 02 OF 05 251749Z
THAN LEGAL MEANS. AT LEAST SOME CROATIANS BOTH
IN AND OUT OF GOVERNMENT ARE TAKING THIS STANCE
OF OPPOSITION SOLIDARITY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT,
HOWEVER; AS ONE JOURNALIST POINTED OUT, MANY IN
THE OPPOSITION WERE CRITICIZING TUDJMAN ONLY
LAST WEEK FOR NOT DEALING MORE FORCEFULLY WITH
PARAGA.
-
7. (C) THERE HAVE BEEN DAILY GATHERINGS SINCE
SATURDAY OF ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PERSONS, INCLUDING
SOME OF PARAGA'S ARMED TROOPS, IN ZAGREB'S MAIN
SQUARE TO PROTEST PARAGA'S ARREST. THESE
PROTESTS ARE REPORTEDLY SLATED TO OCCUR DAILY
UNTIL HIS RELEASE. TUDJMAN AIDE SARINIC CLAIMED
TO US THAT "THE MAJORITY" OF THE FORCES LOYAL TO
PARAGA (HE PUT THEM AT "LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND")
ARE ACCEPTING INTEGRATION INTO REGULAR CROATIAN
FORCES. MOST OTHER CROATIAN SOURCES CONSIDER
THIS PREDICTION UNREALISTICALLY OPTIMISTIC.
-
PROGRESS ON UNBLOCKING JNA INSTALLATIONS
--------------
8. (C) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT SIGNED
NOVEMBER 22 TO EVACUATE THE REMAINING BLOCKED
JNA "PEACE-TIME UNITS" IN CROATIA BEGAN OVER THE
WEEKEND. CONVOYS LEFT PLESO, NEAR THE ZAGREB
AIRPORT, HEADED FOR BANJA LUKA UNDER EC
SUPERVISION. THE EC MONITORS SPOKESMAN TOLD US
THAT THE CONVOY WAS FIRED UPON FROM CROATIAN
LINES AS IT PASSED THROUGH KARLOVAC, AND WAS
ONLY ALLOWED TO PASS AFTER EC MONITORS CONTACTED
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 02 OF 05 251749Z
CROATIAN NEGOTIATORS IN ZAGREB TO ASSURE SAFE
PASSAGE. THE EVACUATION OF THE DUGO SELO
BARRACKS WAS TO BEGIN TODAY.
-
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B0139C 251801Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0015
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0889
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
USMISSION USNATO 1161
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0372
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
INAUSPICIOUS START FOR LATEST CEASE-FIRE
--------------
9. (C) ACCORDING TO EC MONITORS, HEAVY JNA
SHELLING OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND IN KARLOVAC,
ZADAR, AND OSIJEK, AND DID NOT STOP ENTIRELY
WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW CEASE-FIRE
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 22 AT 1800 LT. THE EC
SPOKESMAN SAID CROATIAN FORCES DEMOLISHED THE
MASLENICA BRIDGE (25 KM NORTHEAST OF ZADAR) THE
NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 20-21, RESULTING IN SOME
THIRTY DEATHS.
10. (C) DURING OUR CALL ON SARINIC AT THE
PRESIDENCY MONDAY MORNING, SARINIC RECEIVED WORD
THAT THE JNA WAS SHELLING OSIJEK. SARINIC
CALLED DEFENSE MINISTER KADIJEVIC'S OFFICE TO
PROTEST THE APPARENT CEASE-FIRE VIOLATION, AND
LATER TOLD US IN DISGUST THAT THE JNA CLAIMED
THE CROATIANS THEMSELVES WERE SHELLING OSIJEK.
SITUATION IN DUBROVNIK
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
--------------
11. (C) SLOBODAN LANG, PRESIDENT OF THE
CROATIAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY AND A
LONG-TIME CONSULATE CONTACT, HAS BEEN
TELEPHONING US NIGHTLY FROM THE DUBROVNIK AREA
WITH UPDATES. (HE APPARENTLY HAS ACCESS TO
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES BROUGHT IN BY ONE OF
THE RELIEF GROUPS.) LANG SAYS THE JNA IS
ATTEMPTING TO INTIMIDATE THE CIVILIAN POPULATION
TO ABANDON DUBROVNIK BY USING A COMBINATION OF
THREATS (LANG SAID YET ANOTHER JNA "ULTIMATUM"
EXPIRED AT 1100 THIS MORNING),SHELLING, AND
SPORADIC ADMISSION OF RELIEF VESSELS TO TAKE
PEOPLE OUT. THE AIM, ACCORDING TO LANG, IS TO
REDUCE THE POPULATION TO WHAT CAN BE CLAIMED TO
BE "USTASI HOLD-OUTS" AND THEN TO TAKE THE CITY.
-
12. (C) LANG SAID HE IS CONCENTRATING HIS
EFFORTS ON PRACTICAL MEASURES AIMED AT WINNING
JNA OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN
CONVENTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE JNA IS BEING
ASKED TO ALLOW LOCAL WOMEN RESIDENTS TO
ACCOMPANY THEM WHEN THEY ENTER HOMES TO SEARCH
FOR WEAPONS IN AN EFFORT TO MONITOR THEIR
BEHAVIOR. SOME TROOPS ARE DISCIPLINED, HE SAID;
OTHERS, NOTABLY THE RESERVISTS, "HAVE NEVER
HEARD OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS AND DON'T
CARE." BASED ON HIS DEALINGS THERE, LANG
BELIEVES THAT SOME POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR
OBTAINING COOPERATION FROM MONTENEGRO TO ASSURE
THE SECURITY OF DUBROVNIK.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
13. (U) ALTHOUGH LANG SAID HE HOPED ADEQUATE
CONDITIONS COULD BE PROVIDED TO PERMIT THE
CIVILIAN POPULATION TO REMAIN IN DUBROVNIK, HE
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B013A7 251802Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0016
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0890
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
USMISSION USNATO 1162
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0373
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
PROMISED TO TRY TO CONTACT EVERY AMERICAN
CITIZEN REMAINING IN DUBROVNIK AND TO SEEK
PRIORITY EVACUATION FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE.
-
THE HORRORS OF WAR
--------------
14. (U) REFUGEES FROM VUKOVAR AND ELSEWHERE
CONTINUED TO POUR INTO ZAGREB OVER THE WEEKEND.
WE ARE NOW HEARING FIGURES OF 100,000 REFUGEES
IN ZAGREB ITSELF (THOUGH MOST OF THESE WILL
QUICKLY BE MOVED ELSEWHERE) AND AS MANY AS HALF
A MILLION IN CROATIA AS A WHOLE. THE REFUGEES
FROM VUKOVAR TELL WRENCHING STORIES OF MONTHS
SPENT IN UNDERGROUND SHELTERS, WITH DIMINISHING
SUPPLIES, NO NEWS OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND FINALLY
OF EMERGING TO FIND THEIR CITY COMPLETELY
DEMOLISHED AROUND THEM.
-
15. (U) THE REFUGEES' MOVING TESTIMONY, THE
ABSOLUTENESS OF VUKOVAR'S DESTRUCTION, AND
CONTINUAL RUMORS OF ATROCITIES STILL NOT
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
UNCOVERED HAVE RAISED PUBLIC EMOTION ABOUT THE
WAR TO A HIGH PITCH. CROATIAN ANGER WAS FURTHER
STOKED BY THE BBC BROADCAST OF FOOTAGE FROM
VUKOVAR OF SERBIAN IRREGULARS MARCHING
VICTORIOUSLY THROUGH THE STREETS SINGING
(UNBEKNOWNST TO THE BRITISH CORRESPONDENT) AN
OLD "CHETNIK" SONG OF WHICH THE WORDS WERE
CLEARLY HEARD: "THERE'LL BE MEAT; THERE'LL BE
MEAT; WE'LL SLAUGHTER CROATS." THE JNA
ALLEGATION THAT CROATS HAD MASSACRED SERBIAN
CHILDREN IN VUKOVAR, PUBLISHED BY REUTERS AND
LATER RETRACTED, IS BEING CITED AS FURTHER PROOF
OF SERBIAN PERFIDY.
-
16. (U) AT THE SAME TIME, THE CROATIAN PRESS
HAS REPORTED AN ALLEGED MASSACRE BY SERBIAN
IRREGULARS OF 35 CIVILIANS FROM THE CROATIAN
VILLAGE OF SKABRNJA, NEAR ZADAR. ACCORDING TO
PRESS REPORTS, THE BODIES WERE TURNED OVER BY
THE JNA TO THE ZADAR MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH
ESTABLISHED THAT THE BODIES BORE SIGNS OF
"MASSACRE." THE EC MONITORS' SPOKESMAN TOLD US
TODAY THAT THE EC GROUP REGARDS THE CASE AS A
"SERIOUS ONE MERITING INVESTIGATION," BUT THAT
THE JNA HAS DENIED PERMISSION TO EC MONITORS TO
VISIT THE AREA.
17. (U) WE ALSO UNDERSTAND FROM THE EC
MONITORS' GROUP THAT EFFORTS TO CONFIRM THE
STATUS OF PERSONS MISSING FROM THE EVACUATION OF
THE WOUNDED FROM VUKOVAR'S HOSPITAL CONTINUE.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
ACCORDING TO THE CROATIAN PRESS, ONLY ONE FOURTH
OF THE WOUNDED WHO WERE TO HAVE BEEN EVACUATED
TO CROATIA HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR; THE REST,
INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL,
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 05 OF 05 251753Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B013B3 251802Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0017
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0891
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 05 OF 05 251753Z
USMISSION USNATO 1163
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0374
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
APPARENTLY REMAIN IN JNA HANDS.
18. (U) THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT HAS CALLED FOR
AN INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE AND
PUNISH "WAR CRIMES" AND VIOLATIONS OF
HUMANITARIAN LAW. THE SERBIAN DEMOCRATIC FORUM
OF ZAGREB HAS JOINED IN THIS PROPOSAL.
STEPHENS
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
SIPDIS
USMISSION USNATO 1159
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0370
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS MARR PHUM
SUBJECT: ZAGREB UPDATE, NOVEMBER 25, 1991
-
1. (U) SUMMARY: PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WENT ON
CROATIAN TELEVISION YESTERDAY TO DENOUNCE
ALLEGED RIGHTIST AND JNA COVERT PLOTS TO BRING
DOWN HIS GOVERNMENT. THE EVACUATION OF JNA
INSTALLATIONS IN THE ZAGREB AREA HAS BEGUN,
THOUGH NOT ALTOGETHER SMOOTHLY. SHELLING IN
OSIJEK WAS REPORTED TODAY. A CONTACT IN
DUBROVNIK CLAIMS THE JNA AIMS TO PRESSURE THE
CIVILIAN POPULATION OUT IN ORDER TO TAKE THE
CITY. REFUGEES CONTINUE TO FLOOD INTO ZAGREB
AND ELSEWHERE, AND STORIES OF HUMANITARIAN
ABUSES ARE MOUNTING. END SUMMARY
-
TUDJMAN: "THE FINAL PHASE" OF THE BATTLE
--------------
2. (U) CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN APPEARED ON
CROATIAN TELEVISION SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 24,
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 01 OF 05 251748Z
TO DECLARE THAT "THE BATTLE" FOR CROATIAN
INDEPENDENCE AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION "HAS
TAKEN ON DRAMATIC PROPORTIONS AS IT ENTERS ITS
FINAL PHASE." TUDJMAN DISCUSSED HIS HOPES FOR A
U.N. PEACE-KEEPING FORCE, SAYING THAT
DIFFERENCES STILL EXISTED ON DEFINING THE
"CRISIS AREAS" TO WHICH SUCH A FORCE WOULD BE
DEPLOYED, AND WARNING THAT THE JNA AND SERBIA
WOULD SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR TERRORITORIAL
GAINS BEFORE THE PEACE-KEEPING FORCE COULD
ARRIVE. HE ASSERTED THAT WITH THE WEST NOW
READY "TO ACT MORE DECISIVELY, THE SERBIAN SIDE
HAS UNDERTAKEN NEW DECEITS."
-
3. (U) TUDJMAN DEVOTED MUCH OF HIS SPEECH TO A
DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HE TERMED "EVIDENT PROOF"
THAT BOTH CROATIAN RIGHTIST EXTREMISTS, IN THE
FORM OF THE CROATIAN PARTY OF THE RIGHT (HDS)
AND ITS ARRESTED LEADER, DOBROSLAV PARAGA, AND
THE INTELLIGENCE BRANCH OF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY
(KOS) WERE ENGAGED IN PLOTS TO OVERTHROW THE
CROATIAN GOVERNMENT, ALTHOUGH TUDJMAN SEEMED TO
SUGGEST THAT PARAGA WAS BEING UNWITTINGLY USED
BY KOS RATHER THAN BEING IN ACTIVE COLLUSION
WITH IT. TUDJMAN CRITICIZED PARAGA AND HIS
PARTY FOR REVIVING FASCIST SYMBOLS WHICH
DISCREDITED CROATIA.
-
4. (C) TUDJMAN'S EXPLANATION OF HIS "EVIDENT
PROOF" WAS NOT VERY SPECIFIC, AND WHEN WE RAISED
THE ISSUE THE FOLLOWING DAY DURING A MEETING
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 01 OF 05 251748Z
WITH HRVOYE SARINIC, A TOP TUDJMAN AIDE, SARINIC
CLAIMED THAT COLONEL MILE DEDAKOVIC, NOW UNDER
ARREST FOR "UNDERMINING" THE DEFENSE OF VUKOVAR,
HAD "CONFESSED" TO HAVING TIES WITH JNA
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 02 OF 05 251749Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B0138E 251801Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0014
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0888
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 02 OF 05 251749Z
USMISSION USNATO 1160
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0371
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
INTELLIGENCE. (DEDAKOVIC IS AN ETHNIC CROAT WHO
DEFECTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO FROM THE JNA TO JOIN
THE CROATIAN SIDE.) MOREOVER, THERE WAS
EVIDENCE THAT DEDAKOVIC WAS COOPERATING WITH
PARAGA IN A PLOT TO OVERTHROW TUDJMAN AND HIS
GOVERNMENT, SARINIC CLAIMED.
-
PARAGA REMAINS JAILED
--------------
5. (U) PARAGA'S DETENTION HAS BEEN EXTENDED
THIRTY DAYS PENDING PREPARATION OF THE CASE
AGAINST HIM. PARAGA'S DEPUTY, MILAN VUKOVIC,
WAS RELEASED OVER THE WEEKEND, AND IMMEDIATELY
ANNOUNCED THAT HE, ALONG WITH PARAGA, WOULD
CONTINUE A HUNGER STRIKE UNTIL PARAGA'S
RELEASE.
6. (C) VIRTUALLY ALL OF CROATIA'S OPPOSITION
PARTIES ISSUED STATEMENTS CRITICAL OF THE
GOVERNMENT'S ARREST OF PARAGA, ARGUING THAT
PARAGA SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY POLITICAL RATHER
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THAN LEGAL MEANS. AT LEAST SOME CROATIANS BOTH
IN AND OUT OF GOVERNMENT ARE TAKING THIS STANCE
OF OPPOSITION SOLIDARITY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT,
HOWEVER; AS ONE JOURNALIST POINTED OUT, MANY IN
THE OPPOSITION WERE CRITICIZING TUDJMAN ONLY
LAST WEEK FOR NOT DEALING MORE FORCEFULLY WITH
PARAGA.
-
7. (C) THERE HAVE BEEN DAILY GATHERINGS SINCE
SATURDAY OF ABOUT ONE HUNDRED PERSONS, INCLUDING
SOME OF PARAGA'S ARMED TROOPS, IN ZAGREB'S MAIN
SQUARE TO PROTEST PARAGA'S ARREST. THESE
PROTESTS ARE REPORTEDLY SLATED TO OCCUR DAILY
UNTIL HIS RELEASE. TUDJMAN AIDE SARINIC CLAIMED
TO US THAT "THE MAJORITY" OF THE FORCES LOYAL TO
PARAGA (HE PUT THEM AT "LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND")
ARE ACCEPTING INTEGRATION INTO REGULAR CROATIAN
FORCES. MOST OTHER CROATIAN SOURCES CONSIDER
THIS PREDICTION UNREALISTICALLY OPTIMISTIC.
-
PROGRESS ON UNBLOCKING JNA INSTALLATIONS
--------------
8. (C) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT SIGNED
NOVEMBER 22 TO EVACUATE THE REMAINING BLOCKED
JNA "PEACE-TIME UNITS" IN CROATIA BEGAN OVER THE
WEEKEND. CONVOYS LEFT PLESO, NEAR THE ZAGREB
AIRPORT, HEADED FOR BANJA LUKA UNDER EC
SUPERVISION. THE EC MONITORS SPOKESMAN TOLD US
THAT THE CONVOY WAS FIRED UPON FROM CROATIAN
LINES AS IT PASSED THROUGH KARLOVAC, AND WAS
ONLY ALLOWED TO PASS AFTER EC MONITORS CONTACTED
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CROATIAN NEGOTIATORS IN ZAGREB TO ASSURE SAFE
PASSAGE. THE EVACUATION OF THE DUGO SELO
BARRACKS WAS TO BEGIN TODAY.
-
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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B0139C 251801Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0015
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0889
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
USMISSION USNATO 1161
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0372
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
INAUSPICIOUS START FOR LATEST CEASE-FIRE
--------------
9. (C) ACCORDING TO EC MONITORS, HEAVY JNA
SHELLING OCCURRED OVER THE WEEKEND IN KARLOVAC,
ZADAR, AND OSIJEK, AND DID NOT STOP ENTIRELY
WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW CEASE-FIRE
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 22 AT 1800 LT. THE EC
SPOKESMAN SAID CROATIAN FORCES DEMOLISHED THE
MASLENICA BRIDGE (25 KM NORTHEAST OF ZADAR) THE
NIGHT OF NOVEMBER 20-21, RESULTING IN SOME
THIRTY DEATHS.
10. (C) DURING OUR CALL ON SARINIC AT THE
PRESIDENCY MONDAY MORNING, SARINIC RECEIVED WORD
THAT THE JNA WAS SHELLING OSIJEK. SARINIC
CALLED DEFENSE MINISTER KADIJEVIC'S OFFICE TO
PROTEST THE APPARENT CEASE-FIRE VIOLATION, AND
LATER TOLD US IN DISGUST THAT THE JNA CLAIMED
THE CROATIANS THEMSELVES WERE SHELLING OSIJEK.
SITUATION IN DUBROVNIK
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
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11. (C) SLOBODAN LANG, PRESIDENT OF THE
CROATIAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY AND A
LONG-TIME CONSULATE CONTACT, HAS BEEN
TELEPHONING US NIGHTLY FROM THE DUBROVNIK AREA
WITH UPDATES. (HE APPARENTLY HAS ACCESS TO
COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES BROUGHT IN BY ONE OF
THE RELIEF GROUPS.) LANG SAYS THE JNA IS
ATTEMPTING TO INTIMIDATE THE CIVILIAN POPULATION
TO ABANDON DUBROVNIK BY USING A COMBINATION OF
THREATS (LANG SAID YET ANOTHER JNA "ULTIMATUM"
EXPIRED AT 1100 THIS MORNING),SHELLING, AND
SPORADIC ADMISSION OF RELIEF VESSELS TO TAKE
PEOPLE OUT. THE AIM, ACCORDING TO LANG, IS TO
REDUCE THE POPULATION TO WHAT CAN BE CLAIMED TO
BE "USTASI HOLD-OUTS" AND THEN TO TAKE THE CITY.
-
12. (C) LANG SAID HE IS CONCENTRATING HIS
EFFORTS ON PRACTICAL MEASURES AIMED AT WINNING
JNA OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN
CONVENTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE JNA IS BEING
ASKED TO ALLOW LOCAL WOMEN RESIDENTS TO
ACCOMPANY THEM WHEN THEY ENTER HOMES TO SEARCH
FOR WEAPONS IN AN EFFORT TO MONITOR THEIR
BEHAVIOR. SOME TROOPS ARE DISCIPLINED, HE SAID;
OTHERS, NOTABLY THE RESERVISTS, "HAVE NEVER
HEARD OF THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS AND DON'T
CARE." BASED ON HIS DEALINGS THERE, LANG
BELIEVES THAT SOME POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR
OBTAINING COOPERATION FROM MONTENEGRO TO ASSURE
THE SECURITY OF DUBROVNIK.
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 03 OF 05 251751Z
13. (U) ALTHOUGH LANG SAID HE HOPED ADEQUATE
CONDITIONS COULD BE PROVIDED TO PERMIT THE
CIVILIAN POPULATION TO REMAIN IN DUBROVNIK, HE
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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B013A7 251802Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0016
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0890
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
USMISSION USNATO 1162
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0373
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
PROMISED TO TRY TO CONTACT EVERY AMERICAN
CITIZEN REMAINING IN DUBROVNIK AND TO SEEK
PRIORITY EVACUATION FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE.
-
THE HORRORS OF WAR
--------------
14. (U) REFUGEES FROM VUKOVAR AND ELSEWHERE
CONTINUED TO POUR INTO ZAGREB OVER THE WEEKEND.
WE ARE NOW HEARING FIGURES OF 100,000 REFUGEES
IN ZAGREB ITSELF (THOUGH MOST OF THESE WILL
QUICKLY BE MOVED ELSEWHERE) AND AS MANY AS HALF
A MILLION IN CROATIA AS A WHOLE. THE REFUGEES
FROM VUKOVAR TELL WRENCHING STORIES OF MONTHS
SPENT IN UNDERGROUND SHELTERS, WITH DIMINISHING
SUPPLIES, NO NEWS OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND FINALLY
OF EMERGING TO FIND THEIR CITY COMPLETELY
DEMOLISHED AROUND THEM.
-
15. (U) THE REFUGEES' MOVING TESTIMONY, THE
ABSOLUTENESS OF VUKOVAR'S DESTRUCTION, AND
CONTINUAL RUMORS OF ATROCITIES STILL NOT
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
UNCOVERED HAVE RAISED PUBLIC EMOTION ABOUT THE
WAR TO A HIGH PITCH. CROATIAN ANGER WAS FURTHER
STOKED BY THE BBC BROADCAST OF FOOTAGE FROM
VUKOVAR OF SERBIAN IRREGULARS MARCHING
VICTORIOUSLY THROUGH THE STREETS SINGING
(UNBEKNOWNST TO THE BRITISH CORRESPONDENT) AN
OLD "CHETNIK" SONG OF WHICH THE WORDS WERE
CLEARLY HEARD: "THERE'LL BE MEAT; THERE'LL BE
MEAT; WE'LL SLAUGHTER CROATS." THE JNA
ALLEGATION THAT CROATS HAD MASSACRED SERBIAN
CHILDREN IN VUKOVAR, PUBLISHED BY REUTERS AND
LATER RETRACTED, IS BEING CITED AS FURTHER PROOF
OF SERBIAN PERFIDY.
-
16. (U) AT THE SAME TIME, THE CROATIAN PRESS
HAS REPORTED AN ALLEGED MASSACRE BY SERBIAN
IRREGULARS OF 35 CIVILIANS FROM THE CROATIAN
VILLAGE OF SKABRNJA, NEAR ZADAR. ACCORDING TO
PRESS REPORTS, THE BODIES WERE TURNED OVER BY
THE JNA TO THE ZADAR MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH
ESTABLISHED THAT THE BODIES BORE SIGNS OF
"MASSACRE." THE EC MONITORS' SPOKESMAN TOLD US
TODAY THAT THE EC GROUP REGARDS THE CASE AS A
"SERIOUS ONE MERITING INVESTIGATION," BUT THAT
THE JNA HAS DENIED PERMISSION TO EC MONITORS TO
VISIT THE AREA.
17. (U) WE ALSO UNDERSTAND FROM THE EC
MONITORS' GROUP THAT EFFORTS TO CONFIRM THE
STATUS OF PERSONS MISSING FROM THE EVACUATION OF
THE WOUNDED FROM VUKOVAR'S HOSPITAL CONTINUE.
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01658 04 OF 05 251752Z
ACCORDING TO THE CROATIAN PRESS, ONLY ONE FOURTH
OF THE WOUNDED WHO WERE TO HAVE BEEN EVACUATED
TO CROATIA HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR; THE REST,
INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL,
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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01658 05 OF 05 251753Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-01 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 DODE-00 DPR-01 EB-01
CSCE-01 HA-09 H-01 INRE-00 INR-01 IO-19 L-03
ADS-00 NRRC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 PA-01
PM-01 PRS-01 P-01 RP-10 SNP-01 SP-01 SR-01
SSO-00 SS-01 TRSE-00 T-01 /062W
-------------- B013B3 251802Z /49
O 251747Z NOV 91
FM AMCONSUL ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0017
INFO AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE
USIA WASHDC 0891
AMEMBASSY ANKARA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG
AMEMBASSY MADRID
AMCONSUL MILAN
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMCONSUL MUNICH
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY ROME
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
AMEMBASSY VIENNA
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01658 05 OF 05 251753Z
USMISSION USNATO 1163
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0374
COMSIXTHFLT//N2//
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON//N24//
CTF SIXTWO
CTF SIXONE
USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 05 OF 05 ZAGREB 01658
SIPDIS
APPARENTLY REMAIN IN JNA HANDS.
18. (U) THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT HAS CALLED FOR
AN INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE AND
PUNISH "WAR CRIMES" AND VIOLATIONS OF
HUMANITARIAN LAW. THE SERBIAN DEMOCRATIC FORUM
OF ZAGREB HAS JOINED IN THIS PROPOSAL.
STEPHENS
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