Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
95ZAGREB1796
1995-05-09 18:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
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 04 ZAGREB 01796
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 01796
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
1. CONFIDENTIAL ENTIRE TEXT
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
2. ON MAY 8 AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH LED A GROUP THROUGH
FORMER SECTOR WEST TO NOVSKA, JASENOVAC, OKUCANI, NOVA
GRADISKA, AND PAKRAC. AT THE MONUMENT IN JASENOVAC
COMMEMORATING THOSE WHO DIED IN THE INFAMOUS
CONCENTRATION CAMP THERE, THE AMBASSADOR LAID A WREATH.
THE AMBASSADOR MET WITH LOCAL SERB LEADERS IN PAKRAC WHO
SAID THAT THE MAIN ISSUE NOW IS HOW TO OBTAIN GUARANTEES
OF THE LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE SERB POPULATION OF
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 01 OF 04 091748Z
WESTERN SLAVONIA, SO THAT REMAINING SERBS CAN BE
CONVINCED TO STAY. THE AMBASSADOR'S PARTY ALSO VISITED A
GYMNASIUM IN NOVA GRADISKA WHERE ABOUT 150-200 MOSTLY
ELDERLY (AND PRESUMABLY SERB) DETAINEES FROM THE OKUCANI
AREA ARE STILL BEING HELD ON SECURITY GROUNDS. AT THE
SAME TIME, PREVIOUSLY DISPLACED CROATS ARE APPARENTLY
ALREADY RETURNING TO THE TOWN. SOME SHOPS IN OKUCANI
APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LOOTED SINCE THE MAY 5 VISIT BY
POLOFF AND DATT. END SUMMARY.
3. ON MAY 8 AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH, POLOFFS, DAO, PAO, AND
APPROXIMATELY 30 MEMBERS OF THE ZAGREB PRESS CORPS DROVE
THROUGH FORMER SECTOR WEST, TO NOVSKA, JASENOVAC,
OKUCANI, NOVA GRADISKA AND PAKRAC. THE FOCUS OF THE TRIP
WAS PEACEFUL REINTEGRATION, SPECIFICALLY, GOC TREATMENT
OF THE SERB POPULATION AND MILITARY PRISONERS. IT BEGAN
WITH A TOUR OF JASENOVAC, A NOW NEARLY DESERTED TOWN
WHICH WAS THE LOCATION OF THE INFAMOUS CONCENTRATION CAMP
RUN BY THE FASCIST GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA DURING WORLD WAR
II. THE AMBASSADOR LAID A WREATH, ACCOMPANIED RY
PROMINENT CROATIAN SERB MILORAD PUPOVAC (WHO HAD COME AT
THE AMBASSADOR'S INVITATION).
-------------- --
LOCAL SERB OFFICIALS IN PAKRAC TELL THEIR STORY
-------------- --
4. THE AMBASSADOR MET WITH VELJKO DJAKULA AND OBRAD
IVANOVIC, LOCAL SERB LEADERS IN PAKRAC WHO HAD BEEN
ARRESTED BY THE CROATS LAST WEEK AND THEN RELEASED.
(NOTE: DJAKULA, A SERB MODERATE, WAS ONE OF THE SIGNERS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01796 01 OF 04 091748Z
OF THE DARUVAR AGREEMENT IN 1993 WHICH, HAD IT NOT BEEN
LOCKED BY KNIN AND BELGRADE, WOULD HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT
MODEST ECONOMIC COOPERATION RETWEEN ZAGREB AND THE SECTOR
WEST SERBS. IVANOVIC WAS THE MAYOR OF SERB-OCCUPIED
PAKRAC. DJAKULA SAID HIS MAIN OBJECTIVE AT PRESENT WAS
TO OBTAIN GUARANTEES OF THE LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE
SERB POPULATION OF WESTERN SLAVONIA. HE SAID THAT SERBS
ARE READY TO PEACEFULLY REINTEGRATE INTO CROATIA IF THE
GOC SHOWS THAT IT IS READY TO CARRY OUT THIS GOAL
PEACEFULLY. ON THAT POINT, DJAKULA WAS DOUBTFUL, GIVEN
EXPERIENCES SO FAR.
5. DJAKULA DESCRIBED EVENTS DURING THE HV OFFENSIVE AND
ACCUSED THE ARMY OF BREAKING PRIOR AGREEMENTS TO AVOID
HOSTILITIES. HE SAID THAT, AFTER ARTILLERY FIRE BEGAN
EARLY MAY 1, SERBS IN PAKRAC TOOK WEAPONS FROM THE
COLLECTION SITES, BUT WERE ORDERED NOT TO RETURN FIRE.
THEY REQUESTED A CEASEFIRE WITH THE HV THROUGH THE UN AND
LATER THAT MORNING AGREED TO TURN OVER THEIR SMALL ARMS
WITHIN 24 HOURS AND REMAINING HEAVY WEAPONS IN 4 DAYS.
REPEATED REQUESTS FOR MEETINGS TO FINALIZE THE WRITTEN
GUARANTEES, HOWEVER, WERE DELAYED RY THE CROATS UNTIL
AROUND 1400 HOURS WHEN ARTILLERY FIRE ERUPTED FROM ALL
SIDES. THE SERBS HAD NO CHOICE RUT TO SURRENDER. THE HV
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL PTQ5768
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 ARA-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 DOEE-00
DS-00 EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-10
LAB-01 L-01 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01
PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-01 SNIS-00 NISC-01
PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRME-01 PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /036W
-------------- C3CB55 091827Z /38
O 091845Z MAY 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5707
INFO CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N2/N22//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XP/IN//
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-PMA/J21//
COM SIXTHFLT//N2//
NSC WASHDC
AMCONSUL MUNICH
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
USLO SKOPJE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01796 02 OF 04 091827Z
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
ARRESTED "ARSK" TROOPS AND TOOK THEM TO HOLDING AREAS.
6. SERB LEADERS DID NOT KNOW HOW MANY OF THEIR FIGHTERS
WERE TAKEN AND WHERE, OR HOW MANY WERE CASUALTIES.
ALLEGATIONS OF MASSACRES WERE GETTING WIDE PLAY AMONG THE
SERB POPULATION, ACCORDING TO DJAKULA. IN MANY CASES,
SERB FAMILIES DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO FAMILY
MEMBERS WHO HAD BEEN ROUNDED UP RY CROATIAN FORCES.
DJAKULA CLAIMED GUNFIRE IN THE PAKRAC AREA CONTINUED
SPORADICALLY. SERBS WERE SCARED THAT THOSE WHO
SURRENDERED WERE BEING SHOT BY CROAT SOLDIERS EXACTING
REVENGE.
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 02 OF 04 091827Z
7. DJAKULA CLAIMED TO HAVE HEARD THAT THE UN WAS
INVESTIGATING WAR CRIMES IN THE AREA. HE ALSO REPORTED
ONE INCIDENT HE HAD HEARD ABOUT IN WHICH A TRUCK SEEKING
TO FLEE AT NIGHT FROM ADVANCING CROATIAN FORCES HAD BEEN
FIRED UPON AND 7 OF ITS EIGHT OCCUPANTS KILLED. THE
AMBASSADOR IN TURN INFORMED HIM OF THE INCIDENT NEAR THE
SAVA RIVER BRIDGE WHERE A GROUP OF CIVILIANS HAD BEEN
KILLED UNDER AS YET TO BE EXPLAINED CIRCUMSTANCES.
DJAKULA HAD APPARENTLY NOT YET HEARD OF THE INCIDENT. HE
CITED A SEPARATE CASE WHERE A SMALL NUMBER OF CIVILIANS
WERE KILLED BY AN HV PATROL.
8. THE AMBASSADOR ASSURED DJAKULA THE USG WOULD DO ITS
BEST TO INVESTIGATE BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS. THE
AMBASSADOR AND DJAKULA AGREED THAT UNHCR AND ICRC SHOULD
BE MONITORING RELEASES. ADDITIONALLY, DJAKULA STATED
THAT THERE WERE A FEW PROMINENT LOCAL SERBS IN JAIL IN
BJELOVAR: MLADEN KULIC, COLONEL HARAMBASIC, SAVO
RADOSEVIC. HE SAID HE HAD HEARD THAT KULIC HAD BEEN
BEATEN. (NOTE: EMBASSY WILL MAKE A FOLLOWUP VISIT MAY 9
TO SEE THESE INDIVIDUALS--AS WELL AS OTHER DETAINEES.
REFCOORD WILL ALSO BE CHECKING WITH UNHCR AND ICRC TO SEE
WHETHER THEY ARE MONITORING THE STATUS OF RELEASED
PRISONERS.)
9. INFLUENTIAL CROATIAN SERB LEADER MILORAD PUPOVAC ALSO
ATTENDED THE AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH DJAKULA. PUPOVAC
SAID THAT A NUMBER OF ISSUES MUST BE ADDRESSED FOR ZAGREB
TO BUILD CONFIDENCE WITH ITS SERB COMMUNITY.
--DETAINEES, WHETHER CIVILIAN OR MILITARY, MUST BE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01796 02 OF 04 091827Z
RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES.
--THE HV MUST WITHDRAW AND BE REPLACED BY AN
INTERNATIONAL FORCE.
--THE DISCUSSION ON HOW TO GUARANTEE SERB RIGHTS MUST BE
STARTED NOW.
--SERBS MUST BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH CROATIAN
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND WHAT IT OFFERS THEM.
--SERBS IN FORMER SECTOR WEST NEED TO FORGE STRONG TIES
TO SERBS IN THE REST OF CROATIA.
--THE GOC MUST SHOW THAT IT RESPECTS ITS OWN LAWS AND
APPLIES THEM FAIRLY TO THE SERB COMMUNITY.
10. THE AMBASSADOR ASKED WHAT KIND OF GUARANTEES SERBS
WOULD NEED TO CONVINCE THEM TO STAY IN CROATIA. DJAKULA
SUGGESTED A CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE AND
EVENTUALLY SOME KIND OF AUTONOMY UNDER A POLITICAL
SOLUTION. SERBS IN WESTERN SLAVONIA WOULD CONTINUE TO
DEPEND ON UNHCR AND ECMM AS GUARANTORS OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE AMBASSADOR TOLD DJAKULA THAT THE U.S. SUPPORTS A
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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 ARA-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 DOEE-00
DS-00 EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-10
LAB-01 L-01 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01
PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-01 SNIS-00 NISC-01
PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRME-01 PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /036W
-------------- C3CB5B 091828Z /38
O 091845Z MAY 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5708
INFO CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N2/N22//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XP/IN//
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-PMA/J21//
COM SIXTHFLT//N2//
NSC WASHDC
AMCONSUL MUNICH
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
USLO SKOPJE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
CONTINUED UNCRO PRESENCE IN THE SECTOR ALONGSIDE CIVIL
CROATIAN AUTHORITIES. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SECTOR
SHOULD BE DEMILITARIZED ONCE SECURITY HAD BEEN
ESTABLISHED. DATT NOTED THAT THE AMBASSADOR'S PARTY WAS
FORCED TO DETOUR BETWEEN NOVSKA AND OKUCANI BECAUSE OF A
FIREFIGHT AND ASKED IF DJAKULA KNEW OF ANY SERB UNITS
STILL OPERATING IN THE AREA, BECAUSE THAT WOULD PROVIDE A
PRETEXT FOR A CONTINUED HV PRESENCE. DJAKULA KNEW OF NO
ORGANIZED RESISTANCE AND SUGGESTED THERE WERE STILL
INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE AFRAID TO SURRENDER.
11. THE AMBASSADOR ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN
DISPLACED CROATS RETURNED TO CLAIM THEIR LAND AND HOW
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
DJAKULA THOUGHT THE URGE TO TAKE REVENGE COULD BE
STEMMED. DJAKULA BELIEVED THAT FEAR AND SELF-INTEREST
WOULD BALANCE EACH OTHER AND BRING PEACE. SERBS WHO
WILLINGLY RETURNED TO THE AREA WOULD NOT COME BACK TO
MAKE TROUBLE, BUT BY NECESSITY WOULD BE COMMITTED TO
SOLVING PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER,
DJAKULA SAID HE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO TELL PEOPLE TO
RETURN OR STAY BECAUSE HE WOULD BE BLAMED IF ANYBODY WAS
MISTREATED. HE COULD NOT TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
LEADING THE COMMUNITY INTO THE UNKNOWN BECAUSE EVERY
WRONG STEP WOULD BE USED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES BY KNIN,
PALE, AND ZAGREB. SERBS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES
INDIVIDUALLY. ULTIMATELY, MOST PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY
WANT TO REMAIN, BUT THE SERBS NEEDED A COOLING OFF
PERIOD. WHAT DJAKULA TERMED "PRESSURE" BY THE GOC ON
PEOPLE TO MAKE A DECISION IMMEDIATELY ON WHETHER THEY
WERE STAYING OR GOING WAS EXCESSIVE. (NOTE: ACCORDING TO
DJAKULA, 95 PERCENT OF THE SERBS IN THE PAKRAC AREA HAVE
STAYED IN THEIR HOMES.) ONLY WHEN GUARANTEES THAT HUMAN
RIGHTS WOULD BE PROTECTED WERE DEMONSTRATED WOULD HE MAKE
A DECISION ABOUT TAKING HIS OWN CROATIAN CITIZENSHIP
PAPERS.
--------------
ELDERLY DETAINEES STILL HELD
--------------
12. THE AMBASSADOR'S PARTY VISITED A GYMNASIUM IN NOVA
GRADISKA WHICH IS SERVING TO HOLD ABOUT 150-200 MOSTLY
ELDERLY DETAINEES FROM THE OKUCANI AREA. UNLIKE THE
POPULATION OF PAKRAC, PEOPLE IN OKUCANI WERE ROUNDED UP
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
AND TAKEN TO DETENTION CENTERS. POLOFF TALKED TO A FEW
OF THE DETAINEES WHO SAID THEY HAD BEEN WELL TREATED BY
POLICE AND RECEIVED GOOD FOOD AND MEDICAL CARE FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN YEARS. WHILE WE WERE AT THE SITE, RELIEF
WORKERS WERE BRINGING IN FRESH BREAD. THESE DETAINEES
WERE, HOWEVER, BORED AND WANTED TO GO HOME; THEY HAD NO
IDEA WHEN THE POLICE WOULD LET THEM LEAVE. AT LEAST A
FEW WERE UNCERTAIN WHETHER THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE GOC
OFFER TO REMAIN IN CROATIA OR LEAVE FOR BOSNIAN SERB
TERRITORY. IN CONTRAST TO THE ELDERLY SERBS STILL BEING
DETAINED, FORMERLY DISPLACED CROATS REPORTEDLY ARE
ALREADY BEING RETURNED TO OKUCANI TO REPAIR AND REOPEN
BUSINESSES.
--------------
LOOTING IN OKUCANI
--------------
13. WHEN POLOFF AND DATT VISITED OKUCANI ON MAY 5, THEY
NOTED SOME INSTANCES OF LOOTING. BY MAY 8, HOWEVER,
SHOPS THAT EARLIER HAD BEEN LARGELY UNTOUCHED APPEARED TO
HAVE BEEN LOOTED. THEY HAD HAD THEIR WINDOWS BROKEN OUT
IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT WITH SHELLFIRE, SHELVES WERE
STRIPPED, AND PACKAGING MATERIAL LITTERED THE FLOORS.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ5770
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ5770
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01796 04 OF 04 091828Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 ARA-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 DOEE-00
DS-00 EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-10
LAB-01 L-01 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01
PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-01 SNIS-00 NISC-01
PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRME-01 PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /036W
-------------- C3CB5F 091828Z /38
O 091845Z MAY 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5709
INFO CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N2/N22//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XP/IN//
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-PMA/J21//
COM SIXTHFLT//N2//
NSC WASHDC
AMCONSUL MUNICH
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
USLO SKOPJE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01796 04 OF 04 091828Z
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
DESPITE THE LOOTING, ONE OLD WOMAN THE AMBASSADOR TALKED
WITH TRIED TO SPREAD THE BLAME. SHE SAID THAT AFTER THE
INITIAL ARTILLERY FIRE, RESIDENTS TOOK EVERYTHING THEY
COULD. WHEN ASKED IF HV TROOPS LOOTED ANY OF THE STORES,
SHE REPLIED THAT EVERYONE DID.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
14. THIS VISIT BROUGHT TO LIGHT SOME INDICATIONS THAT
THE EARLY CROATIAN SENSITIVITY IN HANDLING DETAINEES MAY
BE ERODING. THE REFUSAL TO LET OLD MEN AND WOMEN BACK TO
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 04 OF 04 091828Z
THEIR HOMES AFTER BEING HELD ALMOST A WEEK IS
INEXCUSABLE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT CROATS ARE
RETURNING FROM OUTSIDE THE SECTOR TO OPEN BUSINESSES.
MOREOVER, THE FRESH LOOTING IN OKUCANI, IN AN ENVIRONMENT
WHERE THERE IS LITTLE OR NO RESIDENT CIVILIAN POPULATION
REMAINING, SUGGESTS AT THE VERY LEAST A DEGREE OF
LAXNESS, PERHAPS EVEN ACQUIESCENCE, ON THE PART OF SOME
CIVIL AND MILITARY POLICE.
GALBRAITH
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
1. CONFIDENTIAL ENTIRE TEXT
--------------
SUMMARY
--------------
2. ON MAY 8 AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH LED A GROUP THROUGH
FORMER SECTOR WEST TO NOVSKA, JASENOVAC, OKUCANI, NOVA
GRADISKA, AND PAKRAC. AT THE MONUMENT IN JASENOVAC
COMMEMORATING THOSE WHO DIED IN THE INFAMOUS
CONCENTRATION CAMP THERE, THE AMBASSADOR LAID A WREATH.
THE AMBASSADOR MET WITH LOCAL SERB LEADERS IN PAKRAC WHO
SAID THAT THE MAIN ISSUE NOW IS HOW TO OBTAIN GUARANTEES
OF THE LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE SERB POPULATION OF
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 01 OF 04 091748Z
WESTERN SLAVONIA, SO THAT REMAINING SERBS CAN BE
CONVINCED TO STAY. THE AMBASSADOR'S PARTY ALSO VISITED A
GYMNASIUM IN NOVA GRADISKA WHERE ABOUT 150-200 MOSTLY
ELDERLY (AND PRESUMABLY SERB) DETAINEES FROM THE OKUCANI
AREA ARE STILL BEING HELD ON SECURITY GROUNDS. AT THE
SAME TIME, PREVIOUSLY DISPLACED CROATS ARE APPARENTLY
ALREADY RETURNING TO THE TOWN. SOME SHOPS IN OKUCANI
APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN LOOTED SINCE THE MAY 5 VISIT BY
POLOFF AND DATT. END SUMMARY.
3. ON MAY 8 AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH, POLOFFS, DAO, PAO, AND
APPROXIMATELY 30 MEMBERS OF THE ZAGREB PRESS CORPS DROVE
THROUGH FORMER SECTOR WEST, TO NOVSKA, JASENOVAC,
OKUCANI, NOVA GRADISKA AND PAKRAC. THE FOCUS OF THE TRIP
WAS PEACEFUL REINTEGRATION, SPECIFICALLY, GOC TREATMENT
OF THE SERB POPULATION AND MILITARY PRISONERS. IT BEGAN
WITH A TOUR OF JASENOVAC, A NOW NEARLY DESERTED TOWN
WHICH WAS THE LOCATION OF THE INFAMOUS CONCENTRATION CAMP
RUN BY THE FASCIST GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA DURING WORLD WAR
II. THE AMBASSADOR LAID A WREATH, ACCOMPANIED RY
PROMINENT CROATIAN SERB MILORAD PUPOVAC (WHO HAD COME AT
THE AMBASSADOR'S INVITATION).
-------------- --
LOCAL SERB OFFICIALS IN PAKRAC TELL THEIR STORY
-------------- --
4. THE AMBASSADOR MET WITH VELJKO DJAKULA AND OBRAD
IVANOVIC, LOCAL SERB LEADERS IN PAKRAC WHO HAD BEEN
ARRESTED BY THE CROATS LAST WEEK AND THEN RELEASED.
(NOTE: DJAKULA, A SERB MODERATE, WAS ONE OF THE SIGNERS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01796 01 OF 04 091748Z
OF THE DARUVAR AGREEMENT IN 1993 WHICH, HAD IT NOT BEEN
LOCKED BY KNIN AND BELGRADE, WOULD HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT
MODEST ECONOMIC COOPERATION RETWEEN ZAGREB AND THE SECTOR
WEST SERBS. IVANOVIC WAS THE MAYOR OF SERB-OCCUPIED
PAKRAC. DJAKULA SAID HIS MAIN OBJECTIVE AT PRESENT WAS
TO OBTAIN GUARANTEES OF THE LEGAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE
SERB POPULATION OF WESTERN SLAVONIA. HE SAID THAT SERBS
ARE READY TO PEACEFULLY REINTEGRATE INTO CROATIA IF THE
GOC SHOWS THAT IT IS READY TO CARRY OUT THIS GOAL
PEACEFULLY. ON THAT POINT, DJAKULA WAS DOUBTFUL, GIVEN
EXPERIENCES SO FAR.
5. DJAKULA DESCRIBED EVENTS DURING THE HV OFFENSIVE AND
ACCUSED THE ARMY OF BREAKING PRIOR AGREEMENTS TO AVOID
HOSTILITIES. HE SAID THAT, AFTER ARTILLERY FIRE BEGAN
EARLY MAY 1, SERBS IN PAKRAC TOOK WEAPONS FROM THE
COLLECTION SITES, BUT WERE ORDERED NOT TO RETURN FIRE.
THEY REQUESTED A CEASEFIRE WITH THE HV THROUGH THE UN AND
LATER THAT MORNING AGREED TO TURN OVER THEIR SMALL ARMS
WITHIN 24 HOURS AND REMAINING HEAVY WEAPONS IN 4 DAYS.
REPEATED REQUESTS FOR MEETINGS TO FINALIZE THE WRITTEN
GUARANTEES, HOWEVER, WERE DELAYED RY THE CROATS UNTIL
AROUND 1400 HOURS WHEN ARTILLERY FIRE ERUPTED FROM ALL
SIDES. THE SERBS HAD NO CHOICE RUT TO SURRENDER. THE HV
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ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 ARA-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 DOEE-00
DS-00 EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-10
LAB-01 L-01 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01
PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-01 SNIS-00 NISC-01
PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRME-01 PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /036W
-------------- C3CB55 091827Z /38
O 091845Z MAY 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5707
INFO CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N2/N22//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XP/IN//
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-PMA/J21//
COM SIXTHFLT//N2//
NSC WASHDC
AMCONSUL MUNICH
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
USLO SKOPJE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
CONFIDENTIAL
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01796 02 OF 04 091827Z
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
ARRESTED "ARSK" TROOPS AND TOOK THEM TO HOLDING AREAS.
6. SERB LEADERS DID NOT KNOW HOW MANY OF THEIR FIGHTERS
WERE TAKEN AND WHERE, OR HOW MANY WERE CASUALTIES.
ALLEGATIONS OF MASSACRES WERE GETTING WIDE PLAY AMONG THE
SERB POPULATION, ACCORDING TO DJAKULA. IN MANY CASES,
SERB FAMILIES DID NOT KNOW WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO FAMILY
MEMBERS WHO HAD BEEN ROUNDED UP RY CROATIAN FORCES.
DJAKULA CLAIMED GUNFIRE IN THE PAKRAC AREA CONTINUED
SPORADICALLY. SERBS WERE SCARED THAT THOSE WHO
SURRENDERED WERE BEING SHOT BY CROAT SOLDIERS EXACTING
REVENGE.
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 02 OF 04 091827Z
7. DJAKULA CLAIMED TO HAVE HEARD THAT THE UN WAS
INVESTIGATING WAR CRIMES IN THE AREA. HE ALSO REPORTED
ONE INCIDENT HE HAD HEARD ABOUT IN WHICH A TRUCK SEEKING
TO FLEE AT NIGHT FROM ADVANCING CROATIAN FORCES HAD BEEN
FIRED UPON AND 7 OF ITS EIGHT OCCUPANTS KILLED. THE
AMBASSADOR IN TURN INFORMED HIM OF THE INCIDENT NEAR THE
SAVA RIVER BRIDGE WHERE A GROUP OF CIVILIANS HAD BEEN
KILLED UNDER AS YET TO BE EXPLAINED CIRCUMSTANCES.
DJAKULA HAD APPARENTLY NOT YET HEARD OF THE INCIDENT. HE
CITED A SEPARATE CASE WHERE A SMALL NUMBER OF CIVILIANS
WERE KILLED BY AN HV PATROL.
8. THE AMBASSADOR ASSURED DJAKULA THE USG WOULD DO ITS
BEST TO INVESTIGATE BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS. THE
AMBASSADOR AND DJAKULA AGREED THAT UNHCR AND ICRC SHOULD
BE MONITORING RELEASES. ADDITIONALLY, DJAKULA STATED
THAT THERE WERE A FEW PROMINENT LOCAL SERBS IN JAIL IN
BJELOVAR: MLADEN KULIC, COLONEL HARAMBASIC, SAVO
RADOSEVIC. HE SAID HE HAD HEARD THAT KULIC HAD BEEN
BEATEN. (NOTE: EMBASSY WILL MAKE A FOLLOWUP VISIT MAY 9
TO SEE THESE INDIVIDUALS--AS WELL AS OTHER DETAINEES.
REFCOORD WILL ALSO BE CHECKING WITH UNHCR AND ICRC TO SEE
WHETHER THEY ARE MONITORING THE STATUS OF RELEASED
PRISONERS.)
9. INFLUENTIAL CROATIAN SERB LEADER MILORAD PUPOVAC ALSO
ATTENDED THE AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH DJAKULA. PUPOVAC
SAID THAT A NUMBER OF ISSUES MUST BE ADDRESSED FOR ZAGREB
TO BUILD CONFIDENCE WITH ITS SERB COMMUNITY.
--DETAINEES, WHETHER CIVILIAN OR MILITARY, MUST BE
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01796 02 OF 04 091827Z
RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES.
--THE HV MUST WITHDRAW AND BE REPLACED BY AN
INTERNATIONAL FORCE.
--THE DISCUSSION ON HOW TO GUARANTEE SERB RIGHTS MUST BE
STARTED NOW.
--SERBS MUST BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH CROATIAN
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND WHAT IT OFFERS THEM.
--SERBS IN FORMER SECTOR WEST NEED TO FORGE STRONG TIES
TO SERBS IN THE REST OF CROATIA.
--THE GOC MUST SHOW THAT IT RESPECTS ITS OWN LAWS AND
APPLIES THEM FAIRLY TO THE SERB COMMUNITY.
10. THE AMBASSADOR ASKED WHAT KIND OF GUARANTEES SERBS
WOULD NEED TO CONVINCE THEM TO STAY IN CROATIA. DJAKULA
SUGGESTED A CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE AND
EVENTUALLY SOME KIND OF AUTONOMY UNDER A POLITICAL
SOLUTION. SERBS IN WESTERN SLAVONIA WOULD CONTINUE TO
DEPEND ON UNHCR AND ECMM AS GUARANTORS OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE AMBASSADOR TOLD DJAKULA THAT THE U.S. SUPPORTS A
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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 ARA-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 DOEE-00
DS-00 EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-10
LAB-01 L-01 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01
PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-01 SNIS-00 NISC-01
PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRME-01 PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /036W
-------------- C3CB5B 091828Z /38
O 091845Z MAY 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5708
INFO CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N2/N22//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XP/IN//
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-PMA/J21//
COM SIXTHFLT//N2//
NSC WASHDC
AMCONSUL MUNICH
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
USLO SKOPJE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
CONTINUED UNCRO PRESENCE IN THE SECTOR ALONGSIDE CIVIL
CROATIAN AUTHORITIES. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SECTOR
SHOULD BE DEMILITARIZED ONCE SECURITY HAD BEEN
ESTABLISHED. DATT NOTED THAT THE AMBASSADOR'S PARTY WAS
FORCED TO DETOUR BETWEEN NOVSKA AND OKUCANI BECAUSE OF A
FIREFIGHT AND ASKED IF DJAKULA KNEW OF ANY SERB UNITS
STILL OPERATING IN THE AREA, BECAUSE THAT WOULD PROVIDE A
PRETEXT FOR A CONTINUED HV PRESENCE. DJAKULA KNEW OF NO
ORGANIZED RESISTANCE AND SUGGESTED THERE WERE STILL
INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE AFRAID TO SURRENDER.
11. THE AMBASSADOR ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN
DISPLACED CROATS RETURNED TO CLAIM THEIR LAND AND HOW
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
DJAKULA THOUGHT THE URGE TO TAKE REVENGE COULD BE
STEMMED. DJAKULA BELIEVED THAT FEAR AND SELF-INTEREST
WOULD BALANCE EACH OTHER AND BRING PEACE. SERBS WHO
WILLINGLY RETURNED TO THE AREA WOULD NOT COME BACK TO
MAKE TROUBLE, BUT BY NECESSITY WOULD BE COMMITTED TO
SOLVING PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER,
DJAKULA SAID HE WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO TELL PEOPLE TO
RETURN OR STAY BECAUSE HE WOULD BE BLAMED IF ANYBODY WAS
MISTREATED. HE COULD NOT TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF
LEADING THE COMMUNITY INTO THE UNKNOWN BECAUSE EVERY
WRONG STEP WOULD BE USED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES BY KNIN,
PALE, AND ZAGREB. SERBS MUST MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES
INDIVIDUALLY. ULTIMATELY, MOST PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY
WANT TO REMAIN, BUT THE SERBS NEEDED A COOLING OFF
PERIOD. WHAT DJAKULA TERMED "PRESSURE" BY THE GOC ON
PEOPLE TO MAKE A DECISION IMMEDIATELY ON WHETHER THEY
WERE STAYING OR GOING WAS EXCESSIVE. (NOTE: ACCORDING TO
DJAKULA, 95 PERCENT OF THE SERBS IN THE PAKRAC AREA HAVE
STAYED IN THEIR HOMES.) ONLY WHEN GUARANTEES THAT HUMAN
RIGHTS WOULD BE PROTECTED WERE DEMONSTRATED WOULD HE MAKE
A DECISION ABOUT TAKING HIS OWN CROATIAN CITIZENSHIP
PAPERS.
--------------
ELDERLY DETAINEES STILL HELD
--------------
12. THE AMBASSADOR'S PARTY VISITED A GYMNASIUM IN NOVA
GRADISKA WHICH IS SERVING TO HOLD ABOUT 150-200 MOSTLY
ELDERLY DETAINEES FROM THE OKUCANI AREA. UNLIKE THE
POPULATION OF PAKRAC, PEOPLE IN OKUCANI WERE ROUNDED UP
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PAGE 04 ZAGREB 01796 03 OF 04 091827Z
AND TAKEN TO DETENTION CENTERS. POLOFF TALKED TO A FEW
OF THE DETAINEES WHO SAID THEY HAD BEEN WELL TREATED BY
POLICE AND RECEIVED GOOD FOOD AND MEDICAL CARE FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN YEARS. WHILE WE WERE AT THE SITE, RELIEF
WORKERS WERE BRINGING IN FRESH BREAD. THESE DETAINEES
WERE, HOWEVER, BORED AND WANTED TO GO HOME; THEY HAD NO
IDEA WHEN THE POLICE WOULD LET THEM LEAVE. AT LEAST A
FEW WERE UNCERTAIN WHETHER THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE GOC
OFFER TO REMAIN IN CROATIA OR LEAVE FOR BOSNIAN SERB
TERRITORY. IN CONTRAST TO THE ELDERLY SERBS STILL BEING
DETAINED, FORMERLY DISPLACED CROATS REPORTEDLY ARE
ALREADY BEING RETURNED TO OKUCANI TO REPAIR AND REOPEN
BUSINESSES.
--------------
LOOTING IN OKUCANI
--------------
13. WHEN POLOFF AND DATT VISITED OKUCANI ON MAY 5, THEY
NOTED SOME INSTANCES OF LOOTING. BY MAY 8, HOWEVER,
SHOPS THAT EARLIER HAD BEEN LARGELY UNTOUCHED APPEARED TO
HAVE BEEN LOOTED. THEY HAD HAD THEIR WINDOWS BROKEN OUT
IN A MANNER INCONSISTENT WITH SHELLFIRE, SHELVES WERE
STRIPPED, AND PACKAGING MATERIAL LITTERED THE FLOORS.
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PAGE 01 ZAGREB 01796 04 OF 04 091828Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 ARA-01 CIAE-00 SMEC-00 OASY-00 DOEE-00
DS-00 EB-01 FBIE-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-10
LAB-01 L-01 ADS-00 NEA-01 NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01
PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SCT-00 SP-00 SR-00 SSO-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SA-01 SNIS-00 NISC-01
PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRME-01 PRMC-01 DRL-09 G-00 /036W
-------------- C3CB5F 091828Z /38
O 091845Z MAY 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5709
INFO CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK//N2/N22//
CINCUSAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE//DO/LG/XP/IN//
HQ JTF PP NAPLES IT//CA/POLAD//
JOINT STAFF WASHDC//J5-PMA/J21//
COM SIXTHFLT//N2//
NSC WASHDC
AMCONSUL MUNICH
JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
USLO SKOPJE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY AMMAN
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU
AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 01796 04 OF 04 091828Z
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USNMR SHAPE BE//POLAD//
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
HQUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE//ECJ3/ECJ4/ECJ5//
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 04 OF 04 ZAGREB 001796
SIPDIS
STATE ALSO FOR DS/OP/EUR
VIENNA FOR BOSNIA; USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS:
SUBJECT: CROATIA UPDATE NO. 28: AMRASSADOR'S TRIP TO
FORMER SECTOR WEST, MAY 8
DESPITE THE LOOTING, ONE OLD WOMAN THE AMBASSADOR TALKED
WITH TRIED TO SPREAD THE BLAME. SHE SAID THAT AFTER THE
INITIAL ARTILLERY FIRE, RESIDENTS TOOK EVERYTHING THEY
COULD. WHEN ASKED IF HV TROOPS LOOTED ANY OF THE STORES,
SHE REPLIED THAT EVERYONE DID.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
14. THIS VISIT BROUGHT TO LIGHT SOME INDICATIONS THAT
THE EARLY CROATIAN SENSITIVITY IN HANDLING DETAINEES MAY
BE ERODING. THE REFUSAL TO LET OLD MEN AND WOMEN BACK TO
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PAGE 03 ZAGREB 01796 04 OF 04 091828Z
THEIR HOMES AFTER BEING HELD ALMOST A WEEK IS
INEXCUSABLE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT CROATS ARE
RETURNING FROM OUTSIDE THE SECTOR TO OPEN BUSINESSES.
MOREOVER, THE FRESH LOOTING IN OKUCANI, IN AN ENVIRONMENT
WHERE THERE IS LITTLE OR NO RESIDENT CIVILIAN POPULATION
REMAINING, SUGGESTS AT THE VERY LEAST A DEGREE OF
LAXNESS, PERHAPS EVEN ACQUIESCENCE, ON THE PART OF SOME
CIVIL AND MILITARY POLICE.
GALBRAITH
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