A SCENARIO OF VILIFICATION

Press release of the Regional Board of the Dalmatian Action from Split concerning the drafting of Viktor Ivancic, Editor

• in - Chief of the Split weekly "The Feral Tribune".

AIM, SPLIT, January 11,1994

"The defense of the homeland is too important a matter to be manipulated by anyone and any personal interests, let alone small retaliatory ones, to be hidden behind it. We are therefore shocked by the latest evidence proffered by Vladimir Seks, Vice - Premier of the Republic of Croatia in an interview given to "Slobodna Dalmacija" on January 10". These are the opening words of the statement of the Regional Board of the Dalmatian Action (DA) addressed on Tuesday to the Split daily "Slobodna Dalmacija" and all other papers. The statement signed by Dr.Mira Ljubic - Lorger, President of DA, continues "We believe that the authorities in the Republic of Croatia had sufficient time to dissociate themselves from the ban of the "Feral Tribune" which is, together with the "Globus", almost the sole non - government paper, and to declare themselves in favour of the freedom of public word (and picture!), and against manipulations with the destiny of Croatia, which has been worrying us all these days.

However, instead of opting to put an end to the further shaming of the Republic of Croatia, and the tarnishing of its reputation in the world, the people in power are trying to serve the same scenario of framings and vilification on everything that thinks with a critical mind. Precisely for that reason the Dalmation Action, refusing to be a part of the indifferent Croatian opposition, demands that the eminent Dalmatian journalist and editor Viktor Ivancic be immediately demobilized and set free.

The scenario of slander and framing is always the same. First a false accusation is spread - where, as we see, even manipulating with the defense of the homeland is permissible - and the full name of the victim given ( in the recent affair with the Dalmatian Action it was "terrorism", while in this case that Viktor Ivancic refused to defend the homeland ), and then it is mockingly stated that everything was "in keeping with the law". The fact that unverified statements are published - is of no importance in this case. Where are, for instance, witnesses that Viktor Ivancic stated that he does not wish to defend the homeland, when we all know that he has more "days in the field" in Croatian theaters of war, than many of those slinging mud at him now!? Or, to whom did the gentlemen who publicly flaunted full names and surnames, together with the most disgusting slander, and all that prior to any inquest against the members of the Dalmatian Action, answer?

It is forbidden to publish unverified statements only when favourites - like Mercep, for instance - are in question. The aim is quite clear: to take one's revenge on "unpleasant" tongues and at the same time befog all the important questions which may opened up by an individual case. In the case of Viktor Ivancic it was especially important to dim the answer to the question of whether he would, since he was a citizen of the Republic of Croatia, born in Sarajevo, be sent to defend the homeland in B & H, a foreign state. If someone should publicly ask such a question, than that someone would perhaps dare ask that all our soldiers be demobilized until we are quite sure that they are not being sent to fight in foreign states. Also, it is important for the slander to be as bombastic as possible, so that no one will ask what is happening and who will find jobs for these soldiers of ours if they, unfortunately become invalids or lose their jobs while they are on the front.

Since in this case, a Dalmatian journalist and a paper testifying to the existence of freedom and democracy in Croatia, are in question, it is also important that no one ask why so much revengeful passion, precisely against Dalmatia, or concerning the destiny of Croatia. For, someone could then ask if further isolation of Croatia is precisely what is really wanted? Non - freedom of the media, the detention of politicians of the opposition and similar, are bringing us closer and closer to sanctions against Croatia. But, is that not, perhaps, precisely what those who are these days threatening with open intervention in B & H want? Does anyone really want sanctions imposed on Croatia so that he could finally, freely, in blessed isolation from all external democratic flows, destroy the efforts of us all ( or nearly all) to create a democratic Croatia? Or is simple nonsense in question? Mr. Seks has forced us to publicly ask these questions, to publicly express our doubts, and advance arguments. Let him prove that we are not right!? ends the public statement made by the Regional Board of Dalmatian Action.

LJUBICA VUKO