CROATIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION LOBBIES KEY DECISION-MAKERS

Promoting Croatian Interests in US Congress

          During its 13th Annual Croatian Days on the Hill, May 4 – May 6, a national CAA delegation met with White House National Security Council Advisor on Croatia, Lisa Tepper, and several key Members of Congress including Henry Hyde (R-IL) to provide expertise and advice on important U.S. foreign policy issues:
          Accountability of assets of the former Yugoslavia;
          The inequity of debt forgiveness to Serbia;
          The necessity of transparency of U.S. A.I.D. funding in the region;
          The dangers of the “command responsibility” promoted by the The Hague’s International Criminal Court;
          Encouraging political and economic stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina (B-H).
          Vis-à-vis B-H, the CAA promoted the issue of refugee return in the region based on “dual exchange,” the elimination of government duplication, and a long-term proposal for economic development. The CAA additionally recommended that the U.S. State Department and international electoral organizations should not be involved in the next election in Croatia.
          On May 6, Lisa Tepper, Director for Southeastern European Affairs at the National Security Council, briefed a select group of CAA members in the Old Executive Office Building on U.S. policy toward Croatia and the region. During this briefing, the CAA was able to identify disparities and risks inherent in current U.S. policy, which conflicts with several CAA positions. Furthermore:
          - CAA presented compelling reasoning to Tepper why the Adriatic Charter Partnership Initiative could be detrimental to Croatia’s candidacy to NATO and the EU, and free trade development in the region.
          - CAA pointed out that while the liabilities of the former Yugoslavia have been evenly distributed, the assets have been stripped of millions of dollars and are not being evenly or fairly divided.
          - In response to Tepper’s appeal for Croatia to be a “team player” in the region – and her focus on Serb refugee return, pensions and multiethnic development – the CAA pressed for Croatia to be considered on its own merits, and for reciprocity between Croatia and B-H on refugee return.
          - The CAA also encouraged support for Bishop Komarica, the Pope’s upcoming visit to Banja Luka on June 22, and the rebuilding of Catholic Churches in B-H.
          During the additional days of lobbying, members expressed CAA policy and exchanged ideas in meetings with Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL), Congressman Denis Kucinich (D-OH), Congressman Peter Viscloskey (R-IN), and Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), all of whom pledged their support to issues affecting Croatia. In a new format, selected officials addressed CAA in a Hearing Room on Capitol Hill, during which CAA members discussed constructive action on these issues with a key adviser to the House International Relations Committee, several Congressional staffers, and Consular Representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia and the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
          At a CAA reception, the esteemed Jeffrey Kuhner, Assistant National Editor at The Washington Times, addressed CAA members. Mr. Kuhner shared compelling and cogent arguments on the perils of international justice at The Hague and how Croatia’s future existence could be at stake if the international legal issue of command responsibility, the country’s economic development and other key matters are left unresolved.
          During the CAA’s Annual Board Meeting, consensus was reached on future objectives; and General Elections continued a trend of promoting younger members to leadership positions. George Rudman was re-elected as CAA National President.
          Among other issues, CAA’s 13th Annual Croatian Days on the Hill will build on Congressional support to promote the following policies and positions in the coming year:
          - The U.S. should remain in Bosnia to prevent an outbreak of hostilities and work with Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Covic, who assumes the Chairmanship of the Presidency on June 1st.
          - Oppose the overstretched theory of "command responsibility" against Croatian General Ante Gotovina, since it will be used in a case against U.S. General Tommy Franks.
          - Oppose financial and political favoring of Serbia at the expense of Croatia, since Serbia provided military arms to Iraq and initiated the war in the region.
          - Monitor the State Department Authorization Bill to avoid future funding of anti-American organizations in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
          Although many CAA positions are contrary to views of the current government in Croatia, the CAA looks forward to working with U.S. government officials, and individuals and organizations in the region that remain true to the goal of preserving Croatian heritage and promoting the interests of Croats worldwide.
          For more information on CAA activities visit www.caausa.org

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