Battle for historical truth about Operation Storm must be fought and won in the Hague as well

The leaving of generals Ivan Čermak and Mladen Markač for the Hague, Croatia’s strategy towards said criminal court, and the trilateral negotiations with Slovenia and Italy on the management of the Adriatic were the reasons for holding this interview with State Secretary to the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hido Biščević.

How does the MFA describe the character of the indictments that arrived in Zagreb?
The government’s basic strategy rests on the judgement that the political qualifications are completely unacceptable and legally unfounded, and do not correspond to the facts. Political conclusions of the indictments take an unobjective and biased stand not only towards the preparations for the Operation Storm, but larger state policy objectives as well.

What do the Ministry and the government intent to do?
We will obviously have to fight the battle for the historical truth about Operation Storm and the whole War for Independence in the Hague as well. Of course, the Croatian government, in view of its judgement of the qualifications, believes that these qualifications should be refuted at a legitimate international court. We will conduct these proceedings in two ways – by offering help and legal support to the indicted generals and through intensive diplomatic efforts.
We, of course, appreciate the Hague Tribunal’s independence, but it is Croatia’s long-term interest to familiarise the international public with the necessity for an objective attitude towards events in the recent history in this part of Europe. Historical inaccuracies and falsifications of truth are no foundation for stability to be built upon. For the truth about the War for Independence to be known is not just Croatia’s inner need. Croatia, of course, wishes to turn a new, “European” page in its history. The time has come to take the relations with our neighbours out of the “breakup of Yugoslavia” context and into the context of entering the EU.

Many crimes were committed after the Storm that have not been sanctioned.
There is no doubt that many unnecessary, thoughtless and unsanctioned actions occurred at that time. It would have to be check, but I think that more than 5000 judicial proceedings were opened and a number of perpetrators were sanctioned. But those things should be look at within the context of that time, although that does not justify any individual crimes, of course. In any case, there is no doubt that Operation Storm was launched with different objectives than those qualified by the indictments.

Establishment of common ecological-fishing zone in north Adriatic is not necessary

You have just finished the second round of trilateral negotiations with Italy and Slovenia on managing the Adriatic. What will the final solution look like?
After that, the negotiations entered the phase of concrete solutions. Our prime ministers authorised us to determine Italy and Slovenia’s concern about establishing the ecological-fishing zone and consider all possible solutions. So far we have found out that our Italian friends are concerned with the fishing issue, which is an important issue on the Italian scene, while our Slovenian friends are concerned mostly with the legal consequences of establishing that zone, including the effect of our dialogue on sea border.
I told my colleagues Logar and Antonione that the Croatia-Slovenia-Italy triangle can also be strengthened by strengthening its borders. So, some issues are left for the bilateral negotiations. I think that talks are going very well, and that we will soon be able to launch the initiative for the start of the negotiations with the European Commission about the fishing treaty. I also hope that the forthcoming meetings between ministers Rupel and Žužul will show improvement as regards the borders issue.

Will Croatia accept Slovenia’s proposal for the creation of a common protection zone between the three north Adriatic countries?
As regards the ecological protection of the north Adriatic, existing commissions should be activated, and in view of the Croatian parliament’s legitimate decision, we do not think that a common ecological-fishing zone in the north Adriatic is necessary. We are perfectly willing to harmonise our decision with our neighbours and believe that we will reach an agreement and continue with the talks in a friendly atmosphere.