Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
95ZAGREB3045
1995-08-10 16:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ZAGREB 003045
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ZAGREB 003045
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
1. (U) ON AUGUST 9 AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH MADE HIS SECOND
VISIT TO "SECTOR NORTH" SINCE THE CROATIAN MILITARY
ACTION. ONE OF HIS STOPS WAS GLINA, WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO
OBSERVE THE DESTRUCTION THAT HAD OCCURRED DURING RECENT
FIGHTING, SPEAK TO A FEW CROATIAN RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN,
AND DISCUSS THE FUTURE WITH CROATIAN AUTHORITIES.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
OLD DESTRUCTION AND NEW
--------------
2. (U) THE AMBASSADOR AND A NUMBER OF EMBASSY PERSONNEL
TRAVELLED TO THE TOWN OF GLINA IN SECTOR NORTH ON AUGUST
9. ON THE WAY, AFTER CROSSING WHAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN
THE CONFRONTATION LINE, THE EMBASSY VEHICLES PASSED
THROUGH A SURREAL LANDSCAPE OF DEVASTATED HOUSES AND
SHATTERED STOREFRONTS THAT LOOKED STRAIGHT OUT OF THE SET
OF THE OLD "COMBAT" TELEVISION SERIES. EVERY FEW MILES,
GROUPS OF SOLDIERS COULD BE SEEN LOUNGING INSIDE BOMBED
OUT BUILDINGS, SHELTERING THEMSELVES FROM THE RAIN.
3. (U) JUDGING FROM THE GROWTH OF VEGETATION, MOST OF THE
DESTRUCTION ALONG THE ROAD HAD TAKEN PLACE DURING THE '91
WAR. IN GLINA, HOWEVER, FRESH SCARS FROM MORTAR SHELLS
AND MACHINE GUN FIRE COULD BE SEEN ON MANY BUILDINGS.
MOST STRUCTURES WERE INTACT, HOWEVER, AND THERE WERE NO
SIGNS OF THE FIRE BOMBING THAT HAD BEEN SO PREVALENT ON
BOTH SIDES DURING THE CONFLICT OF FOUR YEARS AGO.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03045 01 OF 03 101510Z
4. (U) THE SHOW WINDOWS OF MOST STOREFRONTS HAD BEEN
SHATTERED AND MUCH OF THE MERCHANDISE (THOUGH BY NO MEANS
ALL) HAD BEEN LOOTED. WHETHER THIS HAD OCCURRED AS THE
RESIDENTS WERE DEPARTING AND GRABBING WHAT THEY COULD, OR
WHEN THE CROATIAN FORCES FIRST ARRIVED, WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO
TELL. THERE WAS CLEARLY NO LOOTING GOING ON WHILE WE WERE
THERE AND THE CROATIAN MILITARY AND POLICE APPEARED
DISCIPLINED AND WELL-ORGANIZED.
5. (U) AT THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE/POST OFFICE, A FEW
PEOPLE HAD BEGUN SWEEPING UP THE SHATTERED GLASS WHICH
COVERED THE FLOOR. WATER DRIPPED IN THROUGH A GAPING
SHELL HOLE IN THE ROOF. REPAIRMEN FROM THE CROATIAN
TELEPHONE COMPANY SAID THE LOCAL PHONE SYSTEM WOULD BE UP
AND RUNNING THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE TOWN SHOULD BE
HOOKED UP TO THE NATIONAL GRID SHORTLY THEREAFTER. DURING
THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS, ALL "RSK" COMMUNICATION LINES HAD
RUN THROUGH BELGRADE.
--------------
FIRST THE CROATS AND NOW THE SERBS
--------------
6. (U) THE TOWN HAD AN EERIE FEEL ABOUT IT, AS ITS
INHABITANTS HAD APPARENTLY GOTTEN UP AND LEFT IN THE
MIDDLE OF WHATEVER THEY WERE DOING. CLOTHES WERE STILL
HUNG ON THE LINE TO DRY. ICECREAM WAS MELTING IN
FREEZERS. FRESH MEAT COULD BE SEEN SPOILING IN THE
BUTCHER SHOPS. (NOTE: ELECTRIC COMPANY OFFICIALS SAID
POWER WOULD BE RESTORED IN A COUPLE OF DAYS). IN A TV
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03045 01 OF 03 101510Z
REPAIR SHOP A SET WAS DISMANTLED ON THE WORKBENCH. OTHER
SETS LINED THE WALLS. A SMALL DOG WAS COWERING UNDER A
CHAIR, VAINLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF HIS MASTER.
7. (U) SOLDIERS ACCOUNTED FOR 90 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE TO
BE SEEN ON THE STREETS. THE TOWN'S POPULATION WAS 6,933
IN THE 1991 CENSUS. VIRTUALLY ALL OF GLINA'S CROATS,
(ABOUT A THIRD OF THE POPULATION),WERE ETHNICALLY
CLEANSED DURING THE '91 WAR. NOW ITS SERBIAN RESIDENTS
HAD FLED AS WELL, PANICKED BY THE ADVANCE OF CROATIAN
TROOPS, LEAVING THE BULK OF THEIR POSSESSIONS BEHIND.
8. (U) THE AMBASSADOR ENCOUNTERED NO SERBS IN GLINA, BUT
AMONG THE FEW CIVILIANS WANDERING ABOUT WERE A PAIR OF
CROATIAN WOMEN. THEY HAD SOMEHOW MANAGED TO STAY ON AFTER
THEIR FELLOW CROATS HAD BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE FOUR YEARS
AGO. THE ONE WITH WHOM THE AMBASSADOR SPOKE WAS A MIDWIFE
WHOSE SKILLS WERE PERHAPS NEEDED. SHE HAD NO COMPLAINTS
REGARDING HER TREATMENT BY THE SERBS. SHE SAID THAT SHE
ALWAYS KNEW THAT THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD EVENTUALLY
RETURN TO THE REGION.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ9345
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9345
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00 EB-01
OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01 ADS-00
NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01 PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SP-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00
PRM-10 PRME-01 DRL-09 G-00 /039W
-------------- E21E6F 101511Z /38
P 101611Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6837
INFO SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION USVIENNA
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
NSC WASHDC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 ZAGREB 003045
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
--------------
A PRIEST RETURNS TO HIS PARISH
--------------
9. (U) WE HAD A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH THE LOCAL CATHOLIC
PRIEST, RETURNED TO HIS PARISH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE
BEING FORCED TO LEAVE ON JULY 14, 1991. AS HE WANDERED
THROUGH THE ROOMS OF HIS FORMER RECTORY, HE POINTED OUT
ITEMS THAT HAD APPEARED SINCE HE HAD LEFT; A POSTER OF THE
BELGRADE "RED STAR" SOCCER TEAM, A PICTURE OF SERBIAN
LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.
10. (U) A FAMILY HAD CLEARLY BEEN LIVING IN THE HOUSE UP
TO A FEW DAYS BEFORE. THE GARDEN WAS PLANTED WITH
VEGETABLES. CHILDREN'S TOYS LAY SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR.
A HALF EATEN BOX OF COOKIES WAS ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER.
THE FACT THAT THE PLACE HAD BEEN INHABITED PROBABLY
EXPLAINS WHY IT HAD BEEN SPARED THE FATE OF MOST CROAT-
OWNED BUILDINGS.
11. (U) THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ACROSS THE PARK HAD NOT BEEN
SO LUCKY. IN WHAT AT FIRST GLANCE APPEARED TO BE AN EMPTY
LOT, THE OUTLINES OF THE CHURCH'S FOUNDATION COULD JUST
BARELY BE MADE OUT. EXCEPT FOR THE TWISTED REMAINS OF A
WROUGHT IRON GATE, NOTHING ELSE REMAINED, INCLUDING AN
ALTAR WHICH HAD BEEN SALVAGED FROM THE ZAGREB CATHEDRAL
AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE IN THE LAST CENTURY. THE PARISH
PRIEST SAID HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MINISTERED TO A CONGREGATION
OF 2.500 PEOPLE.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
12. (U) A LITTLE FARTHER DOWN THE STREET, AT THE ORTHODOX
CHURCH A SHELL HAD LANDED NEARBY AND BLASTED A HOLE
THROUGH THE WALL SHATTERING SOME OF THE WINDOWS. HOWEVER,
THE ALTAR AND ICONOSTASIS REMAINED UNDAMAGED. THERE WERE
NO SIGNS OF VANDALISM. A CROATIAN POLICEMAN WAS STATIONED
OUT FRONT TO PREVENT LOOTING.
-------------- ---
"WE WILL NOT TREAT THEM AS THEY HAVE TREATED US"
-------------- ---
13. (U) WE SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF SOLDIERS ORIGINALLY FROM
THE GLINA AREA. THEY SAID A MAJORITY OF THE SOLDIERS WE
SAW WERE FROM THE AREA AND THEY EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO
REMAIN NOW THAT THE TOWN HAD BEEN RETAKEN. THE HOUSE OF
ONE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE HOUSE OF THE OTHER WAS STILL
INTACT BECAUSE, HE SAID, A SERBIAN FAMILY HAD BEEN LIVING
THERE.
14. (U) IN TALKING TO US THEY EMPHASIZED THAT SERB
PROPERTY WOULD NOT BE DESTROYED AND SERBS WHO HAD NOT BEEN
GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES OR ETHNIC CLEANSING WERE WELCOME TO
RETURN. "WE ARE A CIVILIZED, WESTERN SOCIETY," THEY
INSISTED. "WE WILL NOT TREAT THEM AS THEY HAVE TREATED
US."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
15. (C) THE WAY THE POLICEMEN SPOKE GAVE THE IMPRESSION
THAT THEY HAD TAKEN SOME PAINS TO LEARN THE "PARTY LINE."
CLEARLY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE IN SISAK WHERE, REPORTEDLY,
THE PEOPLE HURLED BRICKS AND INSULTS AT DEPARTING SERBS
AND THE POLICE STOOD BY AND DID NOTHING TO PREVENT IT.
(NOTE: THE AMBASSADOR IS TRAVELLING TO SISAK AUGUST 10 TO
OBSERVE, AND IF POSSIBLE PREVENT, FURTHER SUCH INCIDENTS.)
16. (C) IT WAS PREDICTED THAT MOST SERBS WOULD FLEE THE
KRAJINA IF CROATIA TOOK MILITARY ACTION. FROM WHAT WE
HAVE HEARD AND OBSERVED IN PLACES LIKE PETRINJA, KNIN, AND
GLINA, THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES
OR PEOPLE BEING FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES BY CROATIAN
FORCES. MORE TYPICALLY THEY FLED BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF
CROATIAN TROOPS OR WERE ORDERED TO LEAVE BY "RSK"
AUTHORITIES.
17. (C) HOWEVER, THE FOCUS WILL NOW TURN TO WHETHER THE
CROATIAN GOVERNMENT CREATES THE CONDITIONS THAT WILL
ENCOURAGE THESE PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMES.
HUMANE TREATMENT OF SERBS WHO REMAINED BEHIND, CARE AND
PROTECTION OF SERB PROPERTY, AND ALLOWING FOR A
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ9346
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9346
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03045 03 OF 03 101511Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00 EB-01
OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01 ADS-00
NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01 PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SP-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00
PRM-10 PRME-01 DRL-09 G-00 /039W
-------------- E21E72 101511Z /38
P 101611Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6838
INFO SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION USVIENNA
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
NSC WASHDC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 ZAGREB 003045
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03045 03 OF 03 101511Z
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF POLITICAL AND CULTURAL AUTONOMY IN
SERB MAJORITY AREAS WILL BE CRITICAL IN THIS REGARD.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE EXAMPLE OF FORMER SECTOR WEST AND THE
INCIDENT IN SISAK ARE NOT LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE MANY OF
THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT TO RETURN.
GALBRAITH
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
1. (U) ON AUGUST 9 AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH MADE HIS SECOND
VISIT TO "SECTOR NORTH" SINCE THE CROATIAN MILITARY
ACTION. ONE OF HIS STOPS WAS GLINA, WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO
OBSERVE THE DESTRUCTION THAT HAD OCCURRED DURING RECENT
FIGHTING, SPEAK TO A FEW CROATIAN RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN,
AND DISCUSS THE FUTURE WITH CROATIAN AUTHORITIES.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
OLD DESTRUCTION AND NEW
--------------
2. (U) THE AMBASSADOR AND A NUMBER OF EMBASSY PERSONNEL
TRAVELLED TO THE TOWN OF GLINA IN SECTOR NORTH ON AUGUST
9. ON THE WAY, AFTER CROSSING WHAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN
THE CONFRONTATION LINE, THE EMBASSY VEHICLES PASSED
THROUGH A SURREAL LANDSCAPE OF DEVASTATED HOUSES AND
SHATTERED STOREFRONTS THAT LOOKED STRAIGHT OUT OF THE SET
OF THE OLD "COMBAT" TELEVISION SERIES. EVERY FEW MILES,
GROUPS OF SOLDIERS COULD BE SEEN LOUNGING INSIDE BOMBED
OUT BUILDINGS, SHELTERING THEMSELVES FROM THE RAIN.
3. (U) JUDGING FROM THE GROWTH OF VEGETATION, MOST OF THE
DESTRUCTION ALONG THE ROAD HAD TAKEN PLACE DURING THE '91
WAR. IN GLINA, HOWEVER, FRESH SCARS FROM MORTAR SHELLS
AND MACHINE GUN FIRE COULD BE SEEN ON MANY BUILDINGS.
MOST STRUCTURES WERE INTACT, HOWEVER, AND THERE WERE NO
SIGNS OF THE FIRE BOMBING THAT HAD BEEN SO PREVALENT ON
BOTH SIDES DURING THE CONFLICT OF FOUR YEARS AGO.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03045 01 OF 03 101510Z
4. (U) THE SHOW WINDOWS OF MOST STOREFRONTS HAD BEEN
SHATTERED AND MUCH OF THE MERCHANDISE (THOUGH BY NO MEANS
ALL) HAD BEEN LOOTED. WHETHER THIS HAD OCCURRED AS THE
RESIDENTS WERE DEPARTING AND GRABBING WHAT THEY COULD, OR
WHEN THE CROATIAN FORCES FIRST ARRIVED, WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO
TELL. THERE WAS CLEARLY NO LOOTING GOING ON WHILE WE WERE
THERE AND THE CROATIAN MILITARY AND POLICE APPEARED
DISCIPLINED AND WELL-ORGANIZED.
5. (U) AT THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE/POST OFFICE, A FEW
PEOPLE HAD BEGUN SWEEPING UP THE SHATTERED GLASS WHICH
COVERED THE FLOOR. WATER DRIPPED IN THROUGH A GAPING
SHELL HOLE IN THE ROOF. REPAIRMEN FROM THE CROATIAN
TELEPHONE COMPANY SAID THE LOCAL PHONE SYSTEM WOULD BE UP
AND RUNNING THE FOLLOWING DAY AND THE TOWN SHOULD BE
HOOKED UP TO THE NATIONAL GRID SHORTLY THEREAFTER. DURING
THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS, ALL "RSK" COMMUNICATION LINES HAD
RUN THROUGH BELGRADE.
--------------
FIRST THE CROATS AND NOW THE SERBS
--------------
6. (U) THE TOWN HAD AN EERIE FEEL ABOUT IT, AS ITS
INHABITANTS HAD APPARENTLY GOTTEN UP AND LEFT IN THE
MIDDLE OF WHATEVER THEY WERE DOING. CLOTHES WERE STILL
HUNG ON THE LINE TO DRY. ICECREAM WAS MELTING IN
FREEZERS. FRESH MEAT COULD BE SEEN SPOILING IN THE
BUTCHER SHOPS. (NOTE: ELECTRIC COMPANY OFFICIALS SAID
POWER WOULD BE RESTORED IN A COUPLE OF DAYS). IN A TV
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03045 01 OF 03 101510Z
REPAIR SHOP A SET WAS DISMANTLED ON THE WORKBENCH. OTHER
SETS LINED THE WALLS. A SMALL DOG WAS COWERING UNDER A
CHAIR, VAINLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF HIS MASTER.
7. (U) SOLDIERS ACCOUNTED FOR 90 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE TO
BE SEEN ON THE STREETS. THE TOWN'S POPULATION WAS 6,933
IN THE 1991 CENSUS. VIRTUALLY ALL OF GLINA'S CROATS,
(ABOUT A THIRD OF THE POPULATION),WERE ETHNICALLY
CLEANSED DURING THE '91 WAR. NOW ITS SERBIAN RESIDENTS
HAD FLED AS WELL, PANICKED BY THE ADVANCE OF CROATIAN
TROOPS, LEAVING THE BULK OF THEIR POSSESSIONS BEHIND.
8. (U) THE AMBASSADOR ENCOUNTERED NO SERBS IN GLINA, BUT
AMONG THE FEW CIVILIANS WANDERING ABOUT WERE A PAIR OF
CROATIAN WOMEN. THEY HAD SOMEHOW MANAGED TO STAY ON AFTER
THEIR FELLOW CROATS HAD BEEN FORCED TO LEAVE FOUR YEARS
AGO. THE ONE WITH WHOM THE AMBASSADOR SPOKE WAS A MIDWIFE
WHOSE SKILLS WERE PERHAPS NEEDED. SHE HAD NO COMPLAINTS
REGARDING HER TREATMENT BY THE SERBS. SHE SAID THAT SHE
ALWAYS KNEW THAT THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD EVENTUALLY
RETURN TO THE REGION.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ9345
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9345
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00 EB-01
OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01 ADS-00
NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01 PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SP-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00
PRM-10 PRME-01 DRL-09 G-00 /039W
-------------- E21E6F 101511Z /38
P 101611Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6837
INFO SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION USVIENNA
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
NSC WASHDC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 03 ZAGREB 003045
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
--------------
A PRIEST RETURNS TO HIS PARISH
--------------
9. (U) WE HAD A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH THE LOCAL CATHOLIC
PRIEST, RETURNED TO HIS PARISH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE
BEING FORCED TO LEAVE ON JULY 14, 1991. AS HE WANDERED
THROUGH THE ROOMS OF HIS FORMER RECTORY, HE POINTED OUT
ITEMS THAT HAD APPEARED SINCE HE HAD LEFT; A POSTER OF THE
BELGRADE "RED STAR" SOCCER TEAM, A PICTURE OF SERBIAN
LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.
10. (U) A FAMILY HAD CLEARLY BEEN LIVING IN THE HOUSE UP
TO A FEW DAYS BEFORE. THE GARDEN WAS PLANTED WITH
VEGETABLES. CHILDREN'S TOYS LAY SCATTERED ON THE FLOOR.
A HALF EATEN BOX OF COOKIES WAS ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER.
THE FACT THAT THE PLACE HAD BEEN INHABITED PROBABLY
EXPLAINS WHY IT HAD BEEN SPARED THE FATE OF MOST CROAT-
OWNED BUILDINGS.
11. (U) THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ACROSS THE PARK HAD NOT BEEN
SO LUCKY. IN WHAT AT FIRST GLANCE APPEARED TO BE AN EMPTY
LOT, THE OUTLINES OF THE CHURCH'S FOUNDATION COULD JUST
BARELY BE MADE OUT. EXCEPT FOR THE TWISTED REMAINS OF A
WROUGHT IRON GATE, NOTHING ELSE REMAINED, INCLUDING AN
ALTAR WHICH HAD BEEN SALVAGED FROM THE ZAGREB CATHEDRAL
AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE IN THE LAST CENTURY. THE PARISH
PRIEST SAID HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MINISTERED TO A CONGREGATION
OF 2.500 PEOPLE.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
12. (U) A LITTLE FARTHER DOWN THE STREET, AT THE ORTHODOX
CHURCH A SHELL HAD LANDED NEARBY AND BLASTED A HOLE
THROUGH THE WALL SHATTERING SOME OF THE WINDOWS. HOWEVER,
THE ALTAR AND ICONOSTASIS REMAINED UNDAMAGED. THERE WERE
NO SIGNS OF VANDALISM. A CROATIAN POLICEMAN WAS STATIONED
OUT FRONT TO PREVENT LOOTING.
-------------- ---
"WE WILL NOT TREAT THEM AS THEY HAVE TREATED US"
-------------- ---
13. (U) WE SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF SOLDIERS ORIGINALLY FROM
THE GLINA AREA. THEY SAID A MAJORITY OF THE SOLDIERS WE
SAW WERE FROM THE AREA AND THEY EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO
REMAIN NOW THAT THE TOWN HAD BEEN RETAKEN. THE HOUSE OF
ONE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE HOUSE OF THE OTHER WAS STILL
INTACT BECAUSE, HE SAID, A SERBIAN FAMILY HAD BEEN LIVING
THERE.
14. (U) IN TALKING TO US THEY EMPHASIZED THAT SERB
PROPERTY WOULD NOT BE DESTROYED AND SERBS WHO HAD NOT BEEN
GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES OR ETHNIC CLEANSING WERE WELCOME TO
RETURN. "WE ARE A CIVILIZED, WESTERN SOCIETY," THEY
INSISTED. "WE WILL NOT TREAT THEM AS THEY HAVE TREATED
US."
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ZAGREB 03045 02 OF 03 101510Z
15. (C) THE WAY THE POLICEMEN SPOKE GAVE THE IMPRESSION
THAT THEY HAD TAKEN SOME PAINS TO LEARN THE "PARTY LINE."
CLEARLY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE IN SISAK WHERE, REPORTEDLY,
THE PEOPLE HURLED BRICKS AND INSULTS AT DEPARTING SERBS
AND THE POLICE STOOD BY AND DID NOTHING TO PREVENT IT.
(NOTE: THE AMBASSADOR IS TRAVELLING TO SISAK AUGUST 10 TO
OBSERVE, AND IF POSSIBLE PREVENT, FURTHER SUCH INCIDENTS.)
16. (C) IT WAS PREDICTED THAT MOST SERBS WOULD FLEE THE
KRAJINA IF CROATIA TOOK MILITARY ACTION. FROM WHAT WE
HAVE HEARD AND OBSERVED IN PLACES LIKE PETRINJA, KNIN, AND
GLINA, THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES
OR PEOPLE BEING FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES BY CROATIAN
FORCES. MORE TYPICALLY THEY FLED BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF
CROATIAN TROOPS OR WERE ORDERED TO LEAVE BY "RSK"
AUTHORITIES.
17. (C) HOWEVER, THE FOCUS WILL NOW TURN TO WHETHER THE
CROATIAN GOVERNMENT CREATES THE CONDITIONS THAT WILL
ENCOURAGE THESE PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMES.
HUMANE TREATMENT OF SERBS WHO REMAINED BEHIND, CARE AND
PROTECTION OF SERB PROPERTY, AND ALLOWING FOR A
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNNPTQ9346
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ9346
PAGE 01 ZAGREB 03045 03 OF 03 101511Z
ACTION EUR-01
INFO LOG-00 AID-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00 OASY-00 SRPP-00 EB-01
OIGO-01 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-06 L-01 ADS-00
NSAE-00 OIC-02 PA-01 PM-00 PRS-01 P-01 SP-00
SS-00 STR-01 TRSE-00 USIE-00 SNIS-00 NISC-01 PMB-00
PRM-10 PRME-01 DRL-09 G-00 /039W
-------------- E21E72 101511Z /38
P 101611Z AUG 95
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6838
INFO SECDEF WASHDC//ISA/ISP//
AMCONSUL MUNICH
USLO SKOPJE
AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA
USMISSION USVIENNA
AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
NATO EU COLLECTIVE
NSC WASHDC
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 03 OF 03 ZAGREB 003045
SIPDIS
USVIENNA ALSO FOR USDEL OSCE
BRUSSELS ALSO FOR USEU
E.O. 12356: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF MOPS PREF MOPS PREF MOPS
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ZAGREB 03045 03 OF 03 101511Z
SUBJECT: UPDATE NO. 21: GLINA BECOMES A GHOST TOWN
SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF POLITICAL AND CULTURAL AUTONOMY IN
SERB MAJORITY AREAS WILL BE CRITICAL IN THIS REGARD.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE EXAMPLE OF FORMER SECTOR WEST AND THE
INCIDENT IN SISAK ARE NOT LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE MANY OF
THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT TO RETURN.
GALBRAITH
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN