WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE DIASPORA?

Representatives of the Diaspora – strong and demanding opposition

It is almost certain that the new authorities will attempt to redefine relations between Croatia and its Diaspora. However, on the other hand, it is forgotten that the relationship is useful for both sides. That is why it is highly unlikely that the new authorities, once they review the situation, will openly be able to oppose the arguments

Considering announcements on the make up of the new government, it is evident that not one of the six Diaspora members will find themselves in a high position, determining the destiny of the Croatian Diaspora, despite the fact that those people elected them

It is almost forgotten that the Republic of Croatia obligated itself during the signing of the Dayton agreement to care for Croatians in B-H, rather to implement that stipulation of the agreement

Vesna Kljajic

          Ante Beljo, Zdenka Babic-Petricevic, Ljubo Cesic-Rojs, Milan Kovac, Zdravka Busic and Krunoslav Kordic are the six parliament members that were elected in the 11th Constituency (popularly referred to as the ‘Diaspora Ticket’) for the new constitution of parliament. All six were on the HDZ candidate list, a party that despite being the largest in parliament will not be forming the new government. Due to the coalitions that were formed prior to the elections, HDZ will be playing the role of the opposition in parliament.
          “The winning parties counted on a two-thirds majority, so that they could change the Constitution,” said Ante Beljo, a parliament member who won the confidence of the Diaspora once again. “Considering that they do not have a two-thirds majority, their government will have to take into account the opinion of the opposition, because they will not be able to make progress alone, particularly with the economic situation. Apart from that, relations among the coalition six parties are relatively strained, without special programs,” says Beljo.
          Political analysts say that for now, the only thing that is known is that Ivica Racan will be the Prime Minister, while the ministerial seats have yet to be determined. While this text is being written, the attitude of the new government towards the Diaspora is still unknown, especially concerning Croatian in B-H and Croatian minorities in other European countries. Up until now members of the coalition have been heard saying that they oppose the 11th Constituency Ticket for the Diaspora, explaining this view by saying that “the Croatian Diaspora does not pay taxes” and that “it mainly votes for HDZ.”
          It is almost forgotten that the Republic of Croatia obligated itself during the signing of the Dayton agreement to care for Croatians in B-H, rather to implement that stipulation of the agreement. That is why the visit by Jacques Klein, special representative of the UN secretary-general and co-ordinator for UN operation in B-H, to Ivica Racan, the future Croatian Prime Minister, is not surprising. The basic topic of talks was the influence of significant political changes in Croatia on the situation in B-H:

Klein’s concern
          “The entire international community, together with a big number of people in B-H, have invested too much effort, hope and resources to abstain from creating a democratic and European future for B-H,” stated Klein. Racan on the other hand stated that the Croatian government would continue taking into account Croatians in B-H, but that the assistance would be established in parliament, in a new and transparent way. Along with that, Racan emphasised that other factors, on which the progress and normalisation in B-H depends on, should show seriousness and effectiveness in a far greater extent that they have up until now.”
          Therefore, the future Prime Minister, rather the future government, has had to face the B-H issue even before it probably hoped.
          Just like the special representative stated, the international community has invested too much money into its operation in B-H to allow it to fail, while the words of the future Prime Minister indicate that anxiety concerning what the HDZ authorities emphasised as being the problem in B-H was not shear justification, but a very uncomfortable fact that most co-operation is expected from Croatia and the Croatian side in B-H.
          Considering announcements on the make up of the new government, it is evident that not one of the six Diaspora members will find themselves in a high position, determining the destiny of the Croatian Diaspora, despite the fact that those people elected them. Nothing else remains for them but to be a strong and demanding opposition, if nothing else.
          One of the unresolved issues of what will happen to the Croatian Heritage Foundation, rather whether the Supervisory Board of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, which is appointed by the government, is will there be a change of director? That position is currently occupied by Ante Beljo, a man that the Diaspora has elected for another parliamentary mandate.

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