IN MEMORIAM 
FRANJO TUDJMAN (1922-1999)
PERSONAL REFLECTIONS…Since loosing independence and statehood in 1102, Croatians have held a firm and unshakable belief that they will regain what was lost. That belief and all the ideas associated with it served as a driving force for the entire nation during centuries of foreign domination. The long trials and tribulations of that domination reaffirmed over and over the resolve to become free. For the most part, Croatian beliefs and ideals of freedom ended up being dreams and visions rather than clearly defined goals and actions. Nevertheless, with much love and care, ideals and dreams were passed from one generation to the next.
A strong desire for the realization of those ideals gave birth to leaders who were able to vocalize them, and during the course of Croatian history some were able to rally groups and individuals to take arms against oppressors. Unfortunately, their quests always had a tragic end. The martyrs came and went, but ideals, desires and visions of freedom and independence survived. Centuries passed in waiting for the right time and for an effective and benevolent leader who would be able to define ideals, set goals, articulate them, and then, lead the nation to freedom.
The waiting was over in 1990. The Croatian leader, Franjo Tudjman, not only articulated the Croatian national beliefs, ideals and identity, but also unified all segments of Croatian society. Those principles created a sense of “Pluribus Unum”, and the independent state of Croatia was born. When the Serbian aggressors started to pillage, kill, burn and torture, only God was on our side. It was Tudjman’s courage, vision and firm belief in his nation’s desire for independence, and his pragmatism, sprinkled with a dose of idealism, that led a nation to break the chains of foreign domination and exploitation. Croatian people realized that he was a man of deep conviction and a true leader. On the wings of idealism, Croatian men and women, young, and not so young, rose up to defend their land. Poorly armed, but richly endowed with resolve and love, led by Tudjman and generals Markac, Gotovina, Krsticevic and other capable and eager military commanders, they fought valiantly. They saved Croatia from the paws of “Greater Serbia”.
In passing judgment on Tudjman and his government, his critics have never taken into account the harsh political and economic realities of Croatia in the 1990’s. They fail to mention the human, economic and psychological consequences of Serbian aggression and the Serbian occupation of 1/3 of Croatian territory. In addition to fighting the aggression, Tudjman had to deal with over 500,000 refugees-ethnically cleansed from Croatian and B/H territories. Tudjman’s most important actions did not fall short of his and his nation’s ideals. Nothing that critics attribute to Tudjman can take away from his legacy as a founding father of a free and independent state of Croatia.
While resisting the aggressors, liberating occupied land and dealing with not very friendly foreign powers, Tudjman unfortunately trusted and empowered some of his associates who later proved to be unscrupulous. They were interested only in power and material gains. Tragically, some of his associates were also loyal “jugofils” and communists. The best example of such unworthy associates are Stipe Mesic, Ivo Sanader and many others. They deliberately mangled, and unfortunately, some still mangle his and his nation’s vision. I clearly remember that President Tudjman often warned of enemies from outside of Croatia, and unfortunately, within Croatia as well. Those enemies within Croatia are still alive and well.
For the past 16 years, many in power were, and some still are, inept and intellectually shallow. It seems that their hearts are void of love for the centuries old dream of a free and independent state. Tragically, some lack the very basic knowledge of Croatian history. They created sharp political division and economic depression. Very deep apathy among people has plagued Croatia from 2000 to 2015. Freedom achieved through rivers of blood, death, destruction, and ashes of Vukovar, devastated land and cultural heritage (still loaded with mines left by the aggressors ), is taken for granted on daily basis. Veterans of Domovinski rat have suffered degradation, deliberate humiliation by those in power since the elections of 2000. Lack of moral convictions, lack of vision, and short-term fragmented policies of Mesic’s , Josipovice’s and Milanovic’s administrations are responsible for a sad state of domestic and foreign affairs in today’s Croatia. The election of Mrs. Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic and Andrej Plenkovic may bring better life for people in Croatia providing they continue to honor Tudjman’s vision for his nation, but that remains to be seen. Some preliminary decisions leave me with much to be desired, but the hope for better future remains in my heart.
Times change, but continuity of ideals that the victims of Vuckovar, Skabrnja, Petrinja, Pakrac, Lovinac and others died for, lives on. Despite the bleak reality of Croatia today, Tudjman’s legacy also lives on. His ideals and visions are expressed on somber faces of those who light candles and place modest bouquets of flowers on his grave at the Mirogoj’s cemetery. Most freedom loving people in Croatia still endure injustice slapped at them by the powers since the year 2000. Tudjman’s ideals resound in the songs of Marko Perkovic Thompson, Miro Skoro, Najbolji hrvatski tamburasi and others. Tudjman was a man who brought to fruition the centuries old visions and dreams of freedom. He will always remain a national hero and an icon symbolizing love, dedication and courage. I was privileged, and lucky to meet Croatia’s first President four times. The first time was during his visit to Milwaukee before Croatia’s independence, a visit he fondly remembered. The second time I meet him he was the President of Croatia. That was when he visited Washington D.C. I also met him twice in Zagreb. It was there I was honored to sing with him, and others, his favorite song “Boze cuvaj Hrvatsku”. Since my retirement, my husband Boris and I spend several months each year in Croatia. Each time we visit Mirogoj’s cemetery and light a candle and place some flowers on Dr. Tudjman’s resting place.
May Tudjman’s legacy inspire Croatian people to work toward social justice, prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts, thus consistently enhancing freedom and extending democracy for all who live there. Croatia, freedom and Tudjman—the three are inextricable—and through them the spirit of 1102, and 1991, lives on!
Thomas Jefferson in his “Original Rough Draft” of the Declaration of Independence wrote “…that whenever any form of government becomes destructive…it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and institute a new government.” Franjo Tudjman was both Croatia’s George Washington and Thomas Jefferson!
May he rest in peace.
Ivanka M. Kuzmanovic, USA
