Is history a teacher of knowledge and a path to a better future? Drawing parallels or not – that is a thing of personal views and understanding. However, arguments about an unsuccessful and absurd country – Bosnia and Herzegovina – as a precondition which, according to panelists’ claims, led to forming of the third entity irresistibly remind and clearly correspond with many events from the near past. One of the panelists presented the “Memorandum on Croatian Entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” After four decades of writing new memorandums, argumentation regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina greatly corresponds with already famous quotations for which TheHague Tribunal convicted not only the six, but also the first man of then Croatia, for crimes, aimed at, according to the UN Court, reuniting of the Croat people in the event of the collapse of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is important to recall key statements and guidelines Franjo Tuđman presented to then governmental and non-governmental policy advocates, convicted as a joint criminal enterprise.
Statements by Franjo Tuđman
“From our viewpoint as well, nothing less than from Serbian, there is a need to solve the issue at its core, because establishment of Bosnia and borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina following the Second World War is a historical absurdity of restoring a colonial creation from the 15th to the 18th century”(June 8, 1991)
“Bosnia and Herzegovina did not exist between the two wars. Communists made it up, after the Second World War, returned it to the scene, and even declared Muslims as a nation, in order to, supposedly, settle the differences between Serbian and Croatian people. Did they succeed? No, on the contrary…”( December 27, 1991)
“Just like we used this historical moment to establish independent Croatia, internationally recognized, I think it is time to use, to unite the Croatian national being within the maximum possible borders. Whether this would result in 30 or 28 municipalities – from that view point, this is less important…” (December 27, 1991)
War Context and Aims
“I said: there will be no war in Croatia, nor it is needed in Croatia! Now we have to ensure borders of Croatia, the future borders of Croatian country in Bosnia and Herzegovina!” That is a unique historical mission of the country of Croatia, Croatian Army, something we can’t miss…” (November 6, 1993)
“Let’s not gamble, this means some two governments and two countries. The aim is to establish Herzeg-Bosnia, the Federation…” (September 30, 1994)
Remembering Mostar
For a history lesson, it is impossible not to recall one of the most tragic days in the history of our country, or to anyone normal it is one of the tragic days. The crystal night in Mostar.
Franjo Tuđman: “Okay, by the way, that bridge in Mostar, who destroyed it?”
Mate Boban: “It –there were terrible rains.”
