March 15, 1996 (IKA) – On March 14, Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka, during a visit to Zagreb on the occasion of the plenary session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, sought a meeting with Mrs. Doris Pack, representative of the European Parliament, and with a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. The purpose of this meeting was to warn world leaders and the public that the Croats and Muslims in the Serbian part of Bosnia-Herzegovina known as “Republika Srpska” will not be able to participate in the forthcoming political elections. All those who inhabited this territory before the Serbian authorities expelled them by “ethnic cleansing” are supposed to have the right to vote in this election. Of the many hundreds of thousands of the former Croatian inhabitants of this territory, only approximately 10,000 are still living in Banja Luka and the environs; the rest have been scattered throughout the world, primarily in Germany, Austria and neighboring countries. Who will assure that these people will be able to vote, that their names will be entered properly on the voting lists#!? Who will announce the non-Serbian candidates in the territory that the Serbs have under maximum control? If voting will be made possible for the former inhabitants dispersed throughout the world, what documents will be used to identify them when the majority were unsuccessful in obtaining Bosnian- Herzegovian passports or other confirmation of Bosnian-Herzegovian citizenship? Who will be authorized and responsible for safeguarding the exercise of these people#!s political rights?
The bishop, as a representative of the Church, that intercedes for all human rights, is the only person at the moment calling the world#!s attention to this issue. It is also a vital question for the survival of the Catholic Church in this territory. If the non-Serbian population is prevented from participating in this election, all the authority in this territory will remain in the hands of Serbian extremists. If this occurs, it will be practically impossible for any refugees and displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes.
The assistant Croatian minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Ivan Šimunović, emphasized that the Republic of Croatia is obligated to intercede for the political rights of the Croats in Bosnia Herzegovina because, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, it is responsible not only for all the citizens within its borders but for all Croats, wherever they live. Mrs. Doris Pack fully understood the bishop#!s concern and expressed confidence that the European politicians will do whatever is possible from their side. However, she did not attempt to conceal a foreboding that this question will not be satisfactorily resolved.
At the meeting, Dr. Šimunoviæ promised to immediately inform not only the minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Mate Graniæ, but also the president of the Republic. Dr. Franjo Tuđman, who had just bestowed a high state honor upon Mrs. Doris Pack.
Also participating at this meeting with Bishop Komarica were the Archbishop of Sarajevo Vinko Puljić, representatives of the Association of Croats of Northwest Bosnia, President Vjekoslav Tripalo and Vice President Grga Kolobariæ An unanswered question is whether the Croats will be obligated to seek a postponement of the election or declare it invalid if they are not able to participate, according to the stipulations of the Dayton agreement.