[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1408-E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   CROATIAN AMBASSADOR EXPOSES YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN 
                        SERBIAN OCCUPIED CROATIA

                                 ______


                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 11, 1995
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Chairman, a memorandum sent by Dr. Petar 
Sarcevic, Ambassador of Croatia to the United States, exposed 
compelling evidence of direct military involvement by the Yugoslav 
Government in assisting secessionist Croat Serb forces. I have 
submitted this memorandum in order to make my colleagues aware of the 
gravity of these circumstances in hopes of continuing support of 
internationally imposed sanctions on Yugoslavia.
                                    Washington, DC, June 30, 1995.
     Re Belgrade regime responds to offers for suspension of 
         sanctions by stepping up its intervention in the Croatian 
         occupied territories.

     To: Members of the U.S. Congress.
     From: Dr. Petar Sarcevic, Ambassador.

       It is with deep concern that I write to you regarding the 
     dangerous build-up of the Yugoslav army forces in the 
     occupied territories of Croatia.
       During the past several weeks the international community 
     has been engaged in intensive negotiations with the Belgrade 
     regime over suspension of sanctions in exchange for the 
     normalization of relations with Croatia and Bosnia-
     Herzegovina. Concurrently, the Belgrade regime stepped up its 
     intervention in Croatia's occupied territories. Croatia has 
     obtained copious evidence that documents the active 
     engagement of the Yugoslav army in Croatia by: sending 
     equipment from Serbia and Montenegro to the occupied 
     territories; directing the paramilitary units on the occupied 
     territories through Belgrade-commissioned officers sent to 
     these territories for that purpose; paying the wages of those 
     officers and of other members of the proxy government and 
     military; and forcibly mobilizing citizens of the ``Federal 
     Republic of Yugoslavia'' (Serbia and Montenegro) and ethnic 
     Serb citizens of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 
     military service in the occupied territories of Croatia.
       Taken together, the above evidence (see Attachment) is 
     tantamount to yet another breach of the internationally 
     recognized borders that UNCRO is supposed to protect, as well 
     as fortifying the unlawful occupation of Croatia's 
     territories. At the same time, this evidence confirms an 
     additional build-up in the region, and specifically, 
     threatens the adjacent Bihac safe area in Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina. This situation could result in a renewed attack 
     from occupied Croatian territories on this important Bosniac 
     enclave. My Government would then be placed in a very 
     difficult position in light of its sincere efforts to meet 
     and honor the obligations in 

[[Page E 1409]]
     bilateral agreements with Bosnia-Herzegovina.
       I appeal to you to keep abreast of developments in both the 
     occupied territories of Croatia and neighboring Bosnia-
     Herzegovina. Your highest consideration of this escalating 
     situation is essential.
                             Attachment \1\


                  evidence of of Forcible Mobilization

       The forcible mobilization is proceeding on a large scale 
     and is expected to continue. As of June 14, 1995, over 4,500 
     mobilized men were transferred against their will and a 
     further 500 volunteers have been transported to the occupied 
     territories of Croatia. In addition, there has been a 
     dramatic increase in the transfer of military personnel from 
     Serbia and Montenegro through the territory of Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina in violent of relevant Security Council 
     resolutions. Soldiers have been transported in vehicles 
     provided by the Yugoslav army and entering the occupied 
     territories of Croatia. The primary objective of Belgrade 
     authorities is to further strengthen and reinforce their hold 
     in the area of Slunj in Croatia, and thereby secure the 
     occupation of this region and amass considerable forces for 
     further engagements in the strategically important region of 
     Bihac (UN ``safe area'') in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
     \1\ Source: Letter sent by The Minister of Foreign Affairs of 
     the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations Secretary 
     General on June 28, 1995.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


   evidence of direct and increasing military involvement in croatia

       The very fact that the commander of the Serb paramilitary 
     forces in Croatia, Lt. Gen. Mile Mrksic, prior to his present 
     assignment, served as Assistant Chief of the General Staff of 
     the Yugoslav army, demonstrates the level of military 
     involvement of Belgrade authorities in the occupied parts of 
     Croatia. Mrksic was responsible for the special forces of the 
     Yugoslav army and the JNA officer responsible for the siege 
     of Vukovar.
       Other evidence of Serbian military involvement in Croatia 
     include the following. On June 13, 1995 two Yugoslav army 
     tank units totalling 26 M-84 MBTs operated by the Yugoslav 
     army's 211th Armored Brigade, were sent from Nis, Serbia, 
     across the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and deployed 
     in Slunj, in the occupied territories of Croatia in sector 
     Glina. In addition, on June 12, 1995 one unit of armored 
     personnel carriers (APCs) consisting of 10 vehicles operated 
     by the Yugoslav army Second Motorized Brigade was sent from 
     Valjevo, Serbia, across the border with Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina, and deployed in the same region in Croatia, at 
     Banovina. Furthermore, on June 19, 1995 the Yugoslav army 
     supplied equipment for two MI-8 rotary-wing aircraft located 
     at the Udbina airport in the occupied territories, sector 
     Knin, through the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
       Croatia has also brought to the attention of the United 
     Nations evidence that throughout June 1995 the following 
     senior officials of the Yugoslav army commissioned officers 
     were assigned for duty in the occupied territories of 
     Croatia:
       Colonel Slobodan Tarbuk from the Yugoslav army Kragujevac 
     corps, transferred to the 39th corps of the so-called Army of 
     RSK in Petrinja, Croatia, on June 9, 1995.
       Lt. Colonel Vucekovic from the Yugoslav army, transferred 
     to the 11th corps of the so-called Army of RSK in Croatia, on 
     June 23, 1995.
       Colonel Uros Despotovic from the Yugoslav army, transferred 
     to the 70th paramilitary Infantry Brigade of the so-called 
     Army of RSK in Plaski, Croatia, in June 1995.
       Colonel Milivojevic from the Yugoslav army, transferred to 
     the 70th paramilitary Infantry Brigade of the so-called Army 
     of RSK in Plaski, Croatia, in June 1995.
       Lt. Colonel Milos Cvjeticanin from the Yugoslav army, 
     transferred to the 2nd Armored of the so-called Army of RSK 
     brigade in Croatia, in June 1995.
       Colonel Milorad Stupar from the Yugoslav army Pancevo 
     Special Units corps, transferred to the paramilitary Special 
     Forces of the so-called Army of RSK corps in Croatia, in June 
     1995.


               violation of the Zone of Separation (zos)

       As of May 1995 a total of 320 Serb paramilitary troops 
     remain in the zone of separation (ZOS), in violation of the 
     March 29, 1994 cease-fire agreement and UN Security Council 
     Resolution 994 (1995). Of these, 70 are in sector 
     ``Vukovar'', 50 in sector ``Glina'', and 200 in sector 
     ``Knin''. Furthermore, on June 22, 1995 two new platoons of 
     paramilitary personnel were deployed in the ZOS in the 
     vicinity of Kasic, in sector ``Knin'', directly threatening 
     the civilian traffic on the Zadar-Maslenica highway. On June 
     23, 1995 two additional platoons of paramilitary personnel 
     were deployed in the ZOS near Osijek.

  REINFORCEMENTS TO THE PARAMILITARY FORCES IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF CROATIA FROM ``ARMY OF YUGOSLAVIA'', 
                                                    JUNE 1995                                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Date           Reinforcement type          Number                From                     To            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment:                                                                                                      
    June 13.........  Armored personnel     10.................  2 motorized brig.    Banovina (sector Glina).  
                       carriers.                                  [Valjevo].                                    
    June 13.........  Main battle tanks M-  26.................  211 armored brigade  Slunj (sector Glina).     
                       84.                                        [Nis].                                        
    June 19.........  Anti-armor ordinance  2..................  ``Army of            Udbina airfield (sector   
                       for Mi-8 rotary-                           Yugoslavia''.        Knin).                   
                       wing aircraft.                                                                           
Personnel:                                                                                                      
    June 4..........  Volunteers..........  100................  Serbia.............  Plaski (Knin).            
    June 13.........  Volunteers..........  800................  Serbia.............  Knin (Knin).              
    June 13.........  Forcibly mobilized..  150................  Serbia.............  Batnoga (Glina).          
    June 14.........  Forcibly mobilized..  300 to 400.........  Serbia.............  Vukovar.                  
    June 14.........  Forcibly mobilized..  400 to 500.........  Serbia.............  Slunj (Glina).            
    June 15.........  Volunteers..........  100 to 120.........  Serbia.............  Plaski (Knin).            
    June 16.........  Forcibly mobilized..  700 to 800.........  Novi Sad...........  Slunj (Glina).            
    June 17.........  Forcibly mobilized..  2000 to 2300.......  Serbia.............  Slunj (Glina).            
    June 17.........  Volunteers..........  80.................  Serbia.............  Soskovci.                 
                                           ---------------------                                                
                        Total.............  4600 to 5200.......                                                 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                    OFFICERS                                                    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Date                  Name                  Rank                 From                     To            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 9..............  Slobodan Tarbuk.....  Colonel............  Kragujevac Corpps,   39 corps.                 
                                                                  ``FRY''.                                      
June 26.............  N. Vuckovic.........  Lt. Colonel........  ``Army of            11 corps.                 
                                                                  Yugoslavia''.                                 
June................  Uros Despotovic.....  Colonel............  ``Army of            70 brig. (Plaski).        
                                                                  Yugoslavia''.                                 
June................  Milivojevic.........  Colonel............  ``Army of            70 brig. (Plaski).        
                                                                  Yugoslavia''.                                 
June................  Milos Cvjeticanin...  Lt. Colonel........  ``Army of            2 arm. brig/spec. corps.  
                                                                  Yugoslavia''.                                 
June................  Milorad Stupar......  Colonel............  Commando brigade     Spec. Forces Corps.       
                                                                  Pancevo, ``FRY''.                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Letter from Mr. Hrvoje Sarinic, Head of the Croation Government's Commission for UNCRO, to Mr. Yasushi  
  Akashi, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, June 28, 1995.                                             

  

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