Croatia and the World - 02
Croatia, her Diaspora and the European Union
(continued from: http://croatianinstitute.blogspot.com.ar/2014/03/croatia-and-world-01-croatia-her.html
Several cases of embezzlement are known to have occured with the monies that Croatian emigration contributed, either for the defense of Croatia or as commercial ventures. It is well known that the Croatian Diaspora have contributed greatly in various ways to the liberation and independence of the Republic of Croatia. But here we are referring to cases of investments by Croatian Diaspora in ventures that ended badly. These are cases that have not been well investigated neither resolved judicially, remaining as impediments to new investments by the Croatian Diaspora.
The third issue of insecurity is rather broad, difficult and painful. We will mention here the most recent and sounded case. This is called "Lex Perković". The point is that during the communist Yugoslavia, her secret services were involved in pursuing and liquidate dissidents. In addition to cases within Croatia, and Yugoslavia, that criminal activity was committed in several countries, especially Germany. These cases have not yet been resolved.
We are referring to the case of Stjepan Đureković, murdered in Germany in 1983 by the Yugoslav secret services. This case was and is being investigated by Germany. The German court asked the governing extradition of Croatian and Yugoslav Josip Perković secret police, accused of ordering and organizing the crime.
The point is that Croatia, according to the treaty of accession to the European Union, was to deliver Perković once entering the Union on July 1, 2013.
The current government of Croatia did not want to give him to the German courts. So it passed a law a few days before entering into the Union, popularly known as Lex Perković.
The attempt to change the rules only days before the date of entry, was poorly received by the European Union, especially Germany. Clearly this was not a good start and thus it is difficult to encourage investment. Croatia finally relented and gave Perković on January 1, 2014. But the lost trust is not easily recovered.
As we have said, the other unholy activities of communist secret services have not been investigated and remain in the dark. The Diaspora expects the clarifying of that part of the past.
Croatia, her Diaspora and the Advisory Council
While the Law dealing with the Relations of Croatia with her Diaspora is a major breakthrough and is welcome, we believe that it is only a beginning and there is much to do. Much of the Diaspora believes that Croatia should come to a more mature relationship. Recall that Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia are as numerous as those living in the Republic of Croatia and they want to be seen and treated as an equal partner and not as a minority partner.
A few days ago a Croatian who lived in exile and returned to Croatia, was quoted as saying, "Croatia treats her Diaspora as a stepmother." The phrase is quaint and although we cannot say that accurately represents this complex relationship, it indicates something about the feelings of Croatians outside Croatia.
Croatian emigration (or Diaspora: every word has its advantages and virtues or defects) have expressed their wants and needs through proposals channeled through the Government Council for Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia.
Everyone wants to help strengthen Croatia not only in her economy but also in the social, political, cultural and many other aspects of a nation.
Within the framework of the Council of the Croatian Government for Croatians outside Croatia, a number of proposals and concerns were submitted, many of which have been published on websites such as www.croatia.org/forum , as well as Studia Croatica in Croatian, English and Spanish languages.
In turn, the Council is organized into four Committees, where its members are grouped by their different areas of interest, according to the law.
The four Committees are:
- Commission for the preservation and strengthening of the identity of the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia.
(Helps the Government of the Republic of Croatia in the formulation of policies, measures and legislation for the preservation of the Croatian language, culture and identity of the Croatians outside the Republic of Croatia, the strengthening of Croatian communities through information and networking, cultural cooperation, cooperation in education and science, encouraging scientific and research work in the field of Croatian migration, ...)
Joza Vrljičak
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