Zagreb, (IKA) – A statement by the Justitia et Pax Commission of the Croatian Conference of Bishops on the occasion of the acquittal of Croatian Generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač and the end of the Homeland War was presented at a press conference held on Friday, November 23, at the headquarters of the CCB.
The President of the Commission, Bishop Vlado Košić of Sisak, expressed satisfaction in this statement that International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia had ultimately delivered a just verdict that respects the truth and what really happened during the Homeland War, and confirmed that there had been no planned crime from the side of the state, i.e., that the Republic of Croatia did not commit ethnic cleansing conducted by soldiers, i.e., the Generals of the Croatian Army. Not only were the generals released but also the government policy has been liberated and, we can say, the entire nation, since it was a just defensive war that we citizens of this country had to endure, said Bishop Košić.
The Secretary of the Justitia et Pax Commission, Prof. Gordan Črpić, presented the contents of the statement. Prof. Črpić noted that it is divided into four sections that refer to previous statements issued by the Commission on this matter.
The first section is entitled “Human Justice on Constant Trial,” in which it was pointed out that, unfortunately, due to human weakness and sinfulness, justice and righteousness do not always go hand in hand. Nevertheless, despite frequent lapses and abuses of human rights, Western civilization never rationally abandoned the concept of ideal justice entirely. As Christians, we also pray for human legislators to abide by divine law, according to which every person is God’s creature and in God’s image, and others are our brothers and sisters, instead of human traditions according to which there have always been some people and nations considered to be more worthy than others.
The second section concerns the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. It states that the Appeals Chamber saved the Tribunal’s face and secured for it a place in history in which the Tribunal will be ranked among the courts which, despite numerous politically motivated indictments, the judges were able to render a just and legally based verdict in compliance with international law. This verdict, which clearly indicates who is the aggressor and who is the victim, and singles out the perpetrators of crimes against peace, made it possible for the Tribunal to enter history as a court that did not completely miss its mandate.
In the section entitled “War and Reconciliation,” it is emphasized that mere justice, as necessary as it is for healing relationships among people, is not sufficient to achieve lasting peace. For peace, something more is needed. It is necessary to open the horizons of encounter with God and man, and to try to forgive. To forgive means to liberate oneself from attachment to evil and then, in freedom, to give the other an opportunity for a new encounter, a new beginning. Without this, there is no peace and, thus, no happiness, either for individuals or nations.
The fourth and most extensive section, entitled “The Croatian State,” refers in its introduction to the activity of politicians who are more commonly politicians in Croatia than Croatian politicians. There is often the impression, according to the statement, that many of our public officials and politicians have a servile attitude toward the demands they receive from European headquarters, while communicating superficially, incompletely and not infrequently arrogantly with their own people. However, people justifiably expect that their representatives, both inside and outside the country, should be dignified and free from the colonial syndrome to which small nations often succumb in the modern world. Croatia is a cofounder of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Since the work of the Tribunal is drawing to an end, it seems useful to conclude this episode in our history so that it does not burden us in the future. Therefore, the Commission raises issues that can help remind us of historical moments and events that are important for the development of Croatia.
Thus, it is asked why Croatia never posed the question in the UN Security Council about why the Tribunal indicted deceased persons who could not defend themselves, which is contrary to legal and civilizational traditions, something it could and should have done. Why did Croatia never initiate discussion on the compatibility of the definition of a unified criminal enterprise with international criminal law, and never insist on a discussion of the so-called “artillery logs.” Moreover, Croatia never even raised the question before the UN Security Council about the log books kept by European observers during Operation Storm, which the Trial Chamber sought and the European Union claims are not in its archives. In the statement, it is also asked why Croatia never initiated discussion about the international conflict before the same Security Council, explicitly asking for the definition of aggression in this case and the determination of who committed a crime against peace on the soil of the former state.
In the statement, further attention is given to the Brijuni transcripts and it is asked why they went to The Hague illegally, citing the principle that all are equal before the law, and that those unauthorized person who without authorization and irresponsibly brought national security into question should be held accountable.
With the release of the Croatian generals from prison in The Hague, the obligations of the Republic of Croatia regarding the solving of problems resulting from the long trial of these innocent and persecuted people do not end. Despite the clause according to which the Tribunal is not required to compensate those not found guilty for damages, compensation should be paid from the funds of the Republic of Croatia, which would be paid from the war damages that Croatia must not stop seeking, i.e., it should not withdraw the charges of genocide that the International Court of Justice declared relevant even before the verdict regarding Operation Storm, since this is a question of justice and, then, peace. Croatia has a moral obligation to pay compensatory damages to the generals and their families, who have endured much suffering, says the statement.
The generals have said that as of today the war is part of history, we should look toward the future, and Croatia is a country where all people who wish it well can live. Their assertions are based on their faith and Christian forgiveness. This sad war, postwar period and the dramatic ongoing Hague epic have been imbued with the fervent and profound prayers of the people. … If we could conclude with what remains for us after this verdict, we could say: Trust in God, the righteous judge, but also trust in God, the merciful Father, who most of all wants his children to be good to each other, to learn to forgive as He forgives them, and to leave this world better and more beautiful for those who come after them, says the statement. It also urges all the inhabitants of Croatia to pray tirelessly to the good Lord and, inspired by prayer, work tirelessly for the country’s progress, prepared for sacrifices and self-denial, but in truth and in justice.