[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CROATIA'S VIOLATION OF HELSINKI PRINCIPLES

                                 ______


                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 1995

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, after nearly 4 years of war, 
the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia have made a 
tangible commitment to peace. The Dayton peace agreement is, as Bosnian 
President Alija Izetbegovic stated, an unjust peace, but less unjust 
than the continuation of war. We can be hopeful, though, that the peace 
can be more just if there is international resolve to keep the 
signatories to the agreement in line with the commitments they have 
undertaken, not only in Dayton but, more broadly, in the OSCE and in 
international law.
  Most of us recognize that the chief concern in this regard will be 
the adherence to the agreement on the part of the Serb militants who 
have engaged in aggression and genocide against non-Serbs, and have 
undertaken a massive propaganda campaign to garner support from the 
Bosnian Serb population. However, there is a real cause for concern 
regarding the recent policies and actions of Croatia, and the Bosnian 
Croats over whom it exercises control.
  For example, since retaking last summer territory occupied by Serb 
militants, Croatian authorities have tolerated and even encouraged the 
harassment of fleeing Serbs, the looting and burning of their property, 
and the killing of dozens of Serbs--many elderly--who remained behind, 
in their homes. I commend my colleague and fellow Helsinki 
commissioner, Frank Wolf, for taking the lead in raising this issue 
here in Congress.
  Croatia held elections in October of this year in an effort to 
capitalize on military successes. By severely cutting back the 
representation of the Serb community in the parliament, the electoral 
process sent departed Serbs the message that they are not welcome back. 
At the same time, they sought to sway the loyalties of Croats from 
Bosnia and Herzegovina by giving them large representation in 
parliament. While observers concluded the elections to be free, 
controls on the media and other subtle manipulations of the electoral 
process made them less than fair.
  Croatia states its readiness to cooperate with the International 
Tribunal in the Hague where alleged war criminals from the former 
Yugoslavia are to be tried, but in reality the Croatian Government has 
refused to do so. One indicted Bosnian Croat general, Tihomir Blaskic, 
was transferred to the Croatian Army rather than surrendered to the 
court, while Ivica Rajic, a Bosnian Croat commander indicted for his 
role in the slaughter of civilians at the village of Stupni Do; was 
just released from custody by Bosnian Croat authorities who were 
holding him for unrelated reasons.
  Last Sunday's newspaper reported on the massive burning and 
destruction of property in Croat-controlled parts of Bosnia and 
Herzegovina that are to become parts of the Serb entity under the 
Dayton agreements.
  These actions, Mr. Speaker, are an outrage. As chairman of the 
Helsinki Commission, and as a Member of Congress who condemned the Serb 
aggression to which the international community allowed Croatia to be a 
victim, I nevertheless find these acts in violation of Helsinki 
principles to be inexcusable. Tactically, they do more to validate the 
fears of the average Serb than the most efficient propaganda machine, 
and damage Croatia's image abroad. Strategically, they feed on a cycle 
of hate, and ensure that Croats will again someday be the victims of 
that cycle. Morally--above all, morally--they are reprehensible, and 
deserve our condemnation.
  Beyond this expression, we should consider, for the new year, the 
implications of these policies on our relations with Croatia. If the 
burning, looting, and killing go on; if the indicted are not 
surrendered; if intolerance continues to dominate Government policy; 
then we cannot maintain the good, friendly relations with Croatia that 
we may nevertheless want. Our State Department may want to consider 
diplomatic action, such as the recalling of ambassadors, and possible 
economic actions as well.
  Let there be no mistake about it, Serb aggression remains the main 
problem in the former Yugoslavia. That does not mean we can turn a 
blind eye to the violations of others.

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