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Number 115 Summer 2004 Head of Mission: Mission’s goals shared with Government and EU

OSCE, EC and UNHCR to propose “Road Map” for refugee return to the governments of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro

s the Mission enters a new season of Refugee return con- activities, we can look back to quite tinues to be in the focus Mission Head, Ambassador Peter Semneby presents Mission a few successes in the course of the of our attention. The A reports on war crimes trials to Croatian media with last half year. But there is also a lot of work main criterion is that all Justice Minister Vesna Skare Ozbolt. (, 22 June 2004) ahead. refugees who have a de- In my last contribution to The Courier - sire to return should be immediately before the summer - I de- able to do so under reasonable conditions, In fact, the court decision has served as scribed the role that Croatia’s European in- which means, most importantly, a secure an opportunity for the Government and the tegration perspective has played in creat- environment and access to housing. Two international community to confirm the ing the much more positive environment important categories of refugees and dis- need to implement the housing programmes on most of the issues within the Mission’s placed persons—those in need of recon- for those former occupancy/tenancy rights mandate. Since then, Croatia’s efforts have struction assistance and repossession of holders who want to return. been recognized through the decision of their properties—have recently benefited The implementation of all housing pro- the EU in June to give the country mem- from more forceful Government action fol- grammes for refugees and DPs will also be bership candidate status. This decision also lowing the HDZ agreement with the Serb the central point of a Road Map on refugee stated that Croatia needs to make further MPs. return that is being prepared by the OSCE, efforts on refugee return, minority rights, One large category of refugees and DPs the European Commission and UNHCR in judicial reform, etc. The tasks will be de- still do not have access to housing: those Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia- fined in more detail in the European Part- who lived in socially owned housing with Montenegro. The purpose of this Road Map nership which is scheduled to be adopted occupancy/tenancy rights. The recent and is to give the governments in the three coun- by the EU in September. And we should widely debated verdict by the European tries a perspective for closing the refugee not forget that NATO, where Croatia also Court of Human Rights in the case Blecic file within a reasonable time frame. The Road seeks membership, subscribes to largely vs Croatia has not changed the humanitar- Map will, roughly speaking, consist of two the same criteria. All of this, together with ian and political need to provide housing legs: on the one hand, the creation of reason- the agreement between the HDZ and the to refugees of this category who want to able conditions for all refugees and DPs who minority representatives in Parliament, return. The Court decided on some legal want to return, and, on the other hand, sup- gives a very good basis for our work. In aspects concerning the termination of oc- port for the local integration of those who working on these tasks, we are acting in cupancy/tenancy rights, but did not con- decide to remain where they are. The princi- partnership with the Croatian Government sider, in this case, whether the terminations pals of the three organizations in the three and the EU. There may still be discussion were discriminatory from an ethnic point countries will send joint letters on the Road on tactical issues and speed, but the goals of view or what the effect was on refugee Map to the respective prime ministers in have now been agreed and clearly defined. return. the early autumn.

The Courier is an internal publication produced by the OSCE Mission to Croatia. Published by Public Affairs and Media Unit - Maja Polic, Hrvojka Dokoza, Slavka Jureta, Dragana Arezina. Please send contributions to: [email protected] Website: www.osce.org/croatia ...... Newsletter 115 In September, the Government and Mis- Together with the Office for Democratic sion will jointly launch the Public Awareness Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) we Chronicle Campaign, designed to stimulate the creation plan to follow up the recommendations made 19 May of a positive atmosphere conducive to the re- by recent election observation missions on turn of refugees and DPs who wish to return electoral reform. The first manifestation of HOM met with Minister of Justice home, but who need a clear signal that they these efforts will be a roundtable on elec- Vesna Skare Ozbolt to discuss the Mis- are welcome and that they can return to their toral reform. This area of activity is particu- sion’s war crimes trial monitoring re- former homes in an atmosphere of security larly topical since Croatia will have, within ports. and acceptance. the next year, both presidential and munici- 21 May Another issue that has generated a lot of pal elections. media attention is the conduct of war crimes Other issues where we will continue to HOM gave opening remarks at trials minority rights “Croatian and International Criminal in Croatia and the role of the Mission in engage are ; the strengthen- Law Seminar”, organized by Ministry of monitoring trials. The joint press conference ing of domestic institutions for human rights Justice and ICTY. that I held with the Minister of Justice in mid- protection, in particular a follow-up of last June, where we presented two major Mission year’s report on the Ombudsman and the 27-28 May reports on war crimes in Croatian courts, has analysis on cases involving Croatia in the DHOM visited AoR where increased awareness of the problems and has European Court of Human Rights that we he gave a presentation on the “Process stimulated a constructive public discussion of presented recently to Parliament; and police of Peaceful Reintegration and the issue. We will continue our discussions reform. Sustainability of Peaceful Coexistence in with the ICTY on what role the Mission could Finally, as we are becoming more fo- the Vukovar-Srijem County”. Around play in the monitoring of trials that may be cused on some core tasks, the role of our 100 local community leaders were in at- transferred from the Hague, and will explore democratization programme will continue tendance. how we can give support to the Croatian Gov- to change. As we start the planning for next ernment and the judiciary on these issues. We year, it will focus even more on support for 31 May will also investigate to what extent there is a our core mandate areas. Good governance HOM met with senior Ministry of need to improve inter-state legal co-opera- will increasingly be the catchword rather than Justice officials to discuss the Mission’s tion on war crimes issues. civil society development. war crimes trial monitoring reports. Media legislation continued to be an im- As I described in my last article, these portant issue in our portfolio in the last half changes will be accompanied by a change of 1 June year. Together with the European Commis- the Mission’s field structure, involving con- HOM IC meeting with Minister sion and the Council of Europe, we gave ad- centration of our efforts to a smaller number of Kalmeta (OSCE/EC/UNHCR/US Em- vice on several pieces of legislation, of which relatively large field offices or field units. By bassy). one - the Law on Media - was adopted in a making these changes, we will improve our version that took most of the advice into ac- capability to interact with and support local 2 June . We were engaged in an extensive dis- and regional political authorities and to use HOM gave a presentation to the Par- cussion on libel legislation, and although li- our field staff in a more flexible and efficient liamentary Committee for Human Rights bel was not entirely decriminalized, as we way. I hope to be able to announce most of the and Rights of National Minorities on had recommended, the new Criminal Code changes by the time of the Field Activity Train- ECHR cases involving Croatia. contains much more liberal provisions on li- ing in Sibenik in late September. DHOM attended a ceremonial ses- bel than before. In the autumn, there is likely I am convinced that we have a very excit- sion of -Baranja County Assembly. to be a lot of attention and Mission involve- ing and productive season ahead of us. ment on two further important laws: the Law 3 June on Electronic Media and the Law on Croatian Ambassador Peter Semneby, Head of DHOM participated in the round ta- Radio and Television (HRT). Mission ble discussion on “Asylum in Croatia af- ter 1 July, 2004”, organized by UNHCR, Croatian Law Centre and Human Rights Centre. - Contents - 4 June HOM met with PM Sanader. Feature Story...... 1 An intern’s perspective...... 7 Head of Mission: Yoshihiro Sato, FC 9 June Mission’s goals now clearly defined DHOM met with Canadian Amb. Following OSCE support...... 7 Denis Snider and David Allin, Deputy Chronicle...... 2-3 Centre for Abused Children opens Director for SEE Division at the Cana- in Osijek dian MFA, to discuss developments in Focus ...... 3 Croatia related to the OSCE mandate. 12th OSCE Economic , Prague Staff info...... 7 10-12 June Field News...... 4-5 Social Corner...... 8 HOM attended Wilton Park Confer- Plitvice: Weaving a future together Alessandro’s farewell: The whole ence in on EU enlargement. Biljane Donje: What it takes to sow city was there! the seeds of revitalisation 11 June OSCE in action...... 8 HOM field visit to area with the then EC Commissioner at the time Mission in the Press...... 6 Staff evacuated, fire at FC Sisak Chris Patten. Croatia and the OSCE Mission at a extinguished (cont. p. 3) crossroads 2 ...... Summer 2004 In Focus (cont. from previous page) 12th OSCE Economic Forum, Prague 13-16 June DHOM presented a Programme Budget Outline presentation to ACMF, Capacity Building for Economic . Development and Co-operation 15 June HOM met with CoE Human Rights CSPM sent six good governance projects to the Office for the Co-ordinator Commissioner, Gil Alvaro Robles. of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) for possible funding 18 June aving recently joined the OSCE In preparation of the Forum three DHOM attended address by Alba- Mission to Croatia as the Head of seminars were organized by OCEEA nian President, H.E. Alfred Moisiu, to H the Civil Society and Project Man- (Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic Croatian MPs. agement Unit, in June I participated in the and Environmental Activities). In my 12th OSCE Economic Forum in Prague. This previous capacity as Deputy Director of 3-4 July five-day meeting on “New Challenges for the OSCE Democratization Department DHOM gave a presentation on the Building Institutional and Human Capac- in Bosnia-Herzegovina, I participated in “OSCE and Monitoring of National Mi- ity for Economic Development and Co-op- the first preparatory seminar in Yerevan nority Rights” at a seminar on “National Minorities and European Integration”, Island of Sipan. 6 July HOM presented the latest Mission Status Report to Croatian media. 8 July HOM presented the Status Report to the OSCE Permanent Council. 9-10 July HOM attended International Semi- nar organized by the Atlantic Council of Croatia, Island of Sipan. 16-20 July HOM attended a series of meetings and consultations in MFA Paris and For- eign Office London.

22 June HOM held joint press conference with Justice Minister to present Mission reports on war crimes trials in Croatia.

3 August Gabriella Danza with her colleagues in Prague. Left-to-right: Gialuca Rampolla HOM met with Foreign Affairs Min- (EEA Officer, Italy), Gabriel Leonte (EEA Adviser, Romania), Kimberely Bulkley ister to discuss mandate-related issues. (Good Governance Officer, USA), Gabriella Danza, Helen Santiago-Fink (Sen. Economic Officer, USA), Annica Carlsson (Environmental Adviser, Sweden). 4 August Joint OSCE/UNHCR/EC/US Em- eration” gathered over 500 representatives last November on “Supporting the De- bassy meeting with Development Minis- from OSCE Participating States, interna- velopment of Small and Medium Enter- ter Bozidar Kalmeta to discuss the Gov- tional organizations, NGOs, academics, sci- prises”. ernment’s housing programmes for entists and entrepreneurs. As requested by the organizers, I gave a former OTR holders. Discussions highlighted the importance presentation on YES (Youth Entrepreneur- of improving the business environment ship Spirit project) which consists of a first 6 August through the promotion of good govern- introduction to entrepreneurship targeting HOM visited Dubrovnik and met ance, rule of law and cross-sector co-opera- young people, often within vulnerable with Mayor Dubravka Suica. tion (NGO – Government – Private Sector) groups. Subsequently, the project has been throughout the OSCE , in order to al- successfully replicated by targeting youth 19 August leviate social tensions, promote inter-ethnic within minorities, returnee populations HOM interview for HTV Dnevnik tolerance, cross-border co-operation as well and victims of human trafficking. YES aims on the implementation of the govern- as prevent future conflicts. Corruption was at supporting the economic transition to a ment’s housing programmes for often raised as a continuing serious problem market economy, countering the “brain former OTR holders. to be countered in many OSCE countries. (cont. p. 4) ...... 3 Newsletter 115 (cont. from p. 3) in this dimension relates to a few initia- 2. Some cross border environment or drain” while empowering vulnerable tives: entrepreneurship related projects (such groups to becoming productive members 1. Two entrepreneurship projects (YES as the River Basin initiative related of their community. and SEED) in Areas of Special State Interest to water resource management). From the first preparatory meeting, - along the economic revitalization concept; I have also sent six good govern- considerable follow-up has been ance projects prepared by CSPM staff made. The OCEEA has been praised in Croatia to the OCEEA for possible for this by delegations from the US, funding, as the US Delegation to the Germany, France, Canada, Turkey OSCE has earmarked some 350,000 and Russia. In addition, significant Euro for such projects. consensus has been built and con- The theme proposed for the next Eco- crete operational steps have fol- nomic Forum is: “Demographic lowed, both regionally and across- Trends, Migration and Integrating Per- (particularly between the sons belonging to National Minorities: Balkans and Central Asia/Cau- Ensuring Security and Sustainable De- cuses) by intensifying existing ini- velopment in the OSCE area.” tiatives or sharing good practices In order to learn more about these (especially related to good govern- initiatives, please feel free to contact ance and public awareness for en- me should you need any further in- vironmental protection and entre- formation! preneurship projects). Building on the interest of the Gabriella Danza with Marcin Swiecicki (EEA Co- OCEEA to be more operational in ordinator, Poland) and Gianluca Rampolla (EEA Gabriella Danza, Head of Civil Society Croatia, our planned involvement Officer, Italy). and Project Management Unit, MHQ Field News Revitalization of Plitvice’s rural return area: Weaving a future together mpowering women through tradi- will preserve the traditional heritage of the tional weaving is the idea behind area. E the project by the Citizens’ Asso- The Plitvice National Park has also en- ciation “Tara” (a weaving loom) from couraged the idea of enabling these women Licko Petrovo Selo. Financed by the Aus- to use their new skills in making woven sou- tralian Embassy and sponsored by FO venirs for the many tourists that pass Korenica, the project will give returnees through the area. This new-found economic and settlers the opportunity to weave a self-sufficiency will not only raise their self- new future for themselves by working esteem but independence in an area which and learning together. faces many economic hardships. By teaching these women traditional So if ever in the area, make sure you look weaving techniques, the project will also out for woven handicrafts by “Tara”. enable the dissemination of this knowl- edge to new generations which, in turn, Velinka Ivanisevic, FO Korenia

VUKOVAR - Lecture by Ambassador Becker in Vukovar on the economic KORENICA - The OSCE-organized English Discussion revival of the region: “Getting on with your neighbours makes good eco- nomic sense,” said Becker. The lecture was covered by all local media. Pic- Club boasts yet another visit by an ambassador, this tured being interviewed by a local TV station: Ambassador Becker, Vukovar- time Austrian Ambassador Hans G. Knitel. County Prefect Nikola Safer and FC Vukovar RR Valeriu Florean. 4 ...... Summer 2004 Biljane Donje: Revitalization still hindered by lack of electricity: What it takes to sow the seeds of revitalisation

hile there is much talk of the re- He has tried everything to resolve this working day, FO pitched in to help, vitalisation of the Zadar hinter- problem. Letter after letter was sent to the appealing to HEP Zadar to come up with W land, one project is finding it hard Croatian Electricity Distribution Company an interim solution. Finally, HEP Zadar to get off the ground... (HEP) in Zadar, but to no avail. He then provided Marinovic with a generator to Zadar, June 2004 – Many images come received the support of Mayor be used while awaiting further instructions to mind when writing of Biljane Donje - Branko Kutija who sent a letter on his be- from HEP Zagreb. The generator, which the destruction, the graffiti and the is awfully noisy, is the only source pure desolateness of the area. How- of power on the farm. For Marinovic, ever, these images appeared on the this generator is a blessing and a bur- verge of changing following the den - fuel prices are three times more breaking of bread by Biljane Donje expensive than monthly electricity Serb returnee Sofija Skoric with PM bills. Ivo Sanader and OSCE Chairman-in- With expenses skyrocketing and Office Soloman Passy. despite all obstacles, Marinovic has With one family (Skoric) return- decided to commence his business ing to the area, it appeared that late August, starting off with a Biljane Donje was getting a new lease smaller number of animals. This, for on life. But this may not be as soon as the time being, will enable him to hoped. Though much is said by poli- cover at least some of his costs. His ticians of the “revitalisation of the goal is to eventually have 15 people Zadar hinterland”, the actual situa- employed at his farm, all returnees tion in the field bares little resem- to the area. He has excellent relations blance to the positive messages with the neighbouring Skoric fam- sprouted by local officials. ily and they are looking forward to Milenko Marinovic, a middle working at the farm. aged postal office worker from Disappointed by the lack of sup- Benkovac bought the adjoining prop- port he has received so far, erty to Sofija Skoric in Biljanje Donje. Marinovic is considering suing the His intention was to set up a fattening Town of Benkovac and the State. It is farm for goats and poultry. Ulti- appalling that he is facing bank- mately, Marinovic would like to see ruptcy even before he has begun. 4,000 turkeys and 10,000 - 12,000 chick- The question which needs to be ens fattened at his farm every year. asked is why authorities aren’t do- To finance his business he received a ing more to help such initiatives? loan from the Croatian Bank for Re- Marinovic, who has had the courage High level visit to Biljane Donje, May 2004 construction and Development, to go out on a limb to commence a worth HRK two million. new business in Zadar’s “waste With construction completed back land”, appears to have been de- in September 2003, Marinovic believed he half, urging that his farm be put on the pri- ceived. Is all the hype surrounding the “re- was finally ready to commence his busi- ority list for electricity. vitalisation of the Zadar hinterland” ness, but he was soon to face his biggest, Marinovic’s farm was placed at number merely lip service? If so, it really is a almost insurmountable obstacle… 11 on the priority list for 2004. With a debt shame. Marinovic’s farm is without electricity. to repay and more money lost with every Sibille Cuka, FO Zadar

SISAK - At the - initiative of Rule of The OSCE info- Law Officer Leos stand, profes- Javurek, a quiz on sionally ar- EU integration and ranged by Vanja new EU member Levnaic, Senka states was organ- Duper, Julije ized at FC Sisak. Katancevic, and To everyone’s other FC Sisak delight, plenty of and FO food and local staff, attracted drinks, from the plenty of Czech Republic to visitors during Poland, were served Europe Day to top off a very celebrations enjoyable quiz. in Daruvar...... 5 Newsletter 115 Mission in the Press Croatia and the OSCE Mission at a crossroads he summer has once again proved adding that “drunken OSCE officials were officials, gave an overall positive assess- that though politicians may be on linked with local drunks and together were ment for Croatia to take over ICTY war T leave, media coverage of the OSCE attempting to create the political agenda crime trials. Media noted that the Mission Mission is hotter than ever. of this country”. however advised that further work was As usual, the pre-summer period is al- needed to strengthen the judiciary, noting ways marked by the release of the Mission’s Croatia to chair OSCE in 2007? that OSCE criticisms related to all parts of Status Report. All media, this time predomi- judicial processes. Another interesting statement was made nately TV, reported on the findings of the by Foreign Minister Miomir Zuzul (Jutarnji latest report. The main message by Am- Blecic vs. Croatia list, Slobodna Dalmacija, 26 July). According bassador Semneby was that Croatia had to him, diplomatic circles were discussing The verdict by the European Court of made progress in meeting its commitments the possibility of Croatia taking over the Human Rights (ECHR) in the Blecic case related to the Mission’s mandate, however OSCE Chairmanship in 2007. “One should thrust the issue of occupancy/tenancy rights several areas still required plenty of work. not be overly optimistic, but should such a (OTR) into the spotlight. This topic will cer- As the Mission’s Report was tainly be the focus of media the first since Croatia gained attention for some time to EU candidate-status, Spokes- come as the Government person Alessandro Fracassetti commences its public infor- was quoted by Vecernji list (5 mation campaign aimed at in- July) as stating that the “har- forming all former OTR hold- monization of the Govern- ers on how they can apply for ment’s political positions and the government’s two hous- actions will continue to be ing programs. monitored”. The daily noted The fact that both the OSCE that the report warned how- missions to Croatia and ever that the weakest point in Bosnia and Herzegovina that process was housing care acted as third parties in the for Serb citizens who wished Blecic case aroused media in- to return to Croatia but had lost terest. Jutarnji List (30 July) re- occupancy/tenancy rights ported that the verdict in the (OTR). Blecic case marked a prec- Mission reports - reference edent in that the Strasbourg Court ruled that OTR did not material represent a form of owner- Confirming that the Mission’s ship rights. reports were being used as ref- Vjesnik (9 August) column- erence material, Vjesnik (26 ist Miroslava Rozankovic July) columnist Tihomir Ponos dedicated a decision be adopted it would be the first amd Nacional (10 August) were quite criti- seperate article to the Mission’s study on time that the chair is given to a country cal of the OSCE’s involvement in the Blecic media freedom in Croatia as well as an- with an active OSCE Mission. Croatia can case. Rozankovic drew on the ECHR ver- other article on the status report weeks fol- do that, but intensive diplomatic efforts are dict to argue that the issue of OTR was once lowing its release. necessary,” Zuzul said. and for all resolved. “Strasbourg also de- Independent political analyst, Nicholas feated the OSCE, which has been claiming War crimes reports spur media debate White of the International Crisis Group throughout all these years that OTR and (ICG) referred to the Mission’s studies on ownership were the same category,” she The ICTY exit-strategy and war crimes tri- wrote. HTV Dnevnik (20 June) on the occasion of als were hot topics during June and July. Croatia receiving EU candidate status. Re- This coincided with two reports on war Libel decriminalization garding refugee return he said that “the crimes trials issued by the Mission. OSCE report was still expected.” Globus (22 July) reported that “foreign A Mission press release, expressing concern at a non-final two-month suspended prison Letica calls OSCE officials “drunkards” analyses” of war crime trials in Croatia were thwarting the transfer of ICTY trials term handed to a Croatian Radio reporter One of the most eye-brow raising com- against Croatian army generals to the by Split Municipal Court, started an ava- ments about the OSCE was by Party of Croatian judiciary. Globus referred to re- lanche of media experts and journalists Rights (HSP) presidential candidate Slaven ports by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and again called for the decriminalisation of li- Letica (17 and 18 July). In his opinion great the Mission, assessing that the OSCE re- bel. “The possibility of prison sentences mystification was built around representa- ports were more positively intoned than being imposed on journalists may have a tives of the international community in the report by HRW. chilling effect on the freedom of the me- Croatia for no good reason. “The fact is that Indeed, other media also reported that dia,” Mission Spokesperson Alessandro third-rate clerks are being sent here, [peo- the two OSCE reports, made public a day Fracassetti said. ple] who enjoy no respect and have no sta- before Justice Minister Vesna Skare Ozbolt tus in their own organizations,” he said, travelled to The Hague to meet with ICTY Slavka Jureta, Senior PAU Assistant, MHQ 6 ...... Summer 2004 An intern’s perspective: Yoshihiro Sato: The more people I get to know in this country, the more confused I become eople stop to stare at me. Children The fact that former was rav- knowing that I had sung and danced to the stare at me open-mouthed. The Police aged by war, a region that I believed to be a song along with locals. P stop me in order to check that I am part of well-developed Europe, if not as in- My activities for the Mission developed not an illegal entrant. It’s like they cannot dustrialized as Western Europe, struck me. into a new phase while working on a sur- comprehend that I look the way I do. In Japanese history, internal conflicts vey project on the “Sustainability of Refu- Honestly speaking, the first month of my were often derived from differences in po- gee Return”. Aside from official statistics, stay in this small town called Sisak was frus- litical ideology, rarely from those of reli- we have little knowledge of how many trating to say the least. All I wanted to do gion or ethnicity. My motive to apply for returnees have really established their life was scream out: “I want to be anonymous!” this internship was to understand the lat- in their home village. So along with my But putting aside the fact that I appear to ter type of internal conflicts. But the more colleagues, Magdalena and Jasmin, we set be an oddity in this country, the Balkans has people I get to know in this country, the out into the field to conduct an accurate always been a very tempting region for me. more confused I become. Their open, out- survey. This project has been fairly chal- going mentality with the local lenging in that there is not much ready- drink “rakija” seems to allow made information on the sustainability of anybody into their society. return. It was, of course, time-consuming, Yoshihiro Sato grew As an intern from Sweden but the field work has taught me how to up in a small town, posted at SO Hrvatska obtain the necessary information as well Yonago, 200 km from Kostajnica, I often go on small meet contacts in the field. the nearest well- adventure trips, exploring the My time here went by so quickly that I known city, Hiro- local . That is how I feel there is still so much more to see and shima. He studied at came across a small pub in the experience. the University in countryside which plays live Kyoto, which is the music. One of the songs old capital of Japan. Yoshihiro Sato, Intern, FC Sisak played was a Croatian version He lived and studied of the song “Super Trouper” by in Sweden for almost Swedish legends ABBA. You four years before join- Staff info can imagine my shame the next ing the Mission as R&I morning when I learnt what the intern at FC Sisak. These colleagues have song was really about and joined the Mission: Evelina Krinickaite (LIT), Field Officer, FO Following OSCE support: Osijek; Mihaela Lica (ROM), Field Officer, FO Osijek; Jan Repa (SLO), HFO ; Centre for Abused Children opens in Osijek Juhan Kakh (EST), Political Affairs Officer, FC Knin; Caroline Law (CAN), Intern, FC nstead of going to Zagreb in search of mitted to working together on violence Sisak; Beata Oleksy (POL), Intern, FC Knin. expert help, the opening of the Regional prevention, counselling, providing psy- I Counselling Centre for Child Protection chosocial assistance to abused children, Welcome to the Mission! in Osijek means that for the first time coun- victims of family violence and bullying. selling for children and families in the wider- Increasing its effectiveness in the com- These colleagues have left Osijek area is within arms reach. munity, the centre will also be linked to Opened by the NGO SUNCE Society for other state institutions. the Mission: Psychosocial Assistance in June this year, NGO SUNCE President Dunja Alessandro Fracassetti (ITA), Spokesper- the Regional Centre is the result of years Baraban also praised the excellent co- son and Head of the Public Afairs & Me- of training and preparation. It is also an operation and support received by the dia Unit; Kevin Steeves (CAN), Political excellent example of what can be achieved police as well as the financial support Affairs Adviser, MHQ; Dragana Arezina when NGOs, authorities and the interna- from local, regional and state authori- (NL), Intern, Public Affairs & Media Unit, tional community work together. ties, and the OSCE. MHQ; Frederic Marchand (CAN), Field The Mission provided initial funding in The need for such assistance is huge Officer, FO Osijek; Henrik Kiil (DAN), 2003 with the training of child welfare ex- in Eastern Croatia, where the children Head of Political Unit, MHQ Zagreb; perts, psychologists and social workers present a particularly vulnerable group Yevgen Paschenko (UKR), Field Officer, from the NGO SUNCE, the police, local due to the consequences of post-war FO Petrinja; Eduard Miskuf (SLO), Field schools, hospital and Centre for Social Wel- trauma. At the Centre, trained experts Officer, FO Osijek; Paul Richardson (UK), fare. In turn, those that participated in the work on a volunteer basis twice a week Community Policing Adviser, MHQ; Erik OSCE-funded project then trained teach- for two hours. During the past three Hylander (SWE), Intern, FC Knin; ers and police officers on how to identify months, 97 individuals sought assistance Yoshihiro Sato (SWE), Intern, FC Sisak. hidden domestic violence. at the Centre, of which 61 made contact During the opening of the Centre in June with the Centre for the first time. Thank you for your contribu- 2004, NGO SUNCE highlighted their in- tion to the Mission and best valuable partnership with the state-run Ljubica Menicanin, CSPM Unit, FC wishes for the future! Centre for Social Welfare. Both are com- Vukovar ...... 7 Newsletter 115 Summer 2004 Social Corner Alessandro’s Farewell: The whole city was there! The who’s who of Croatian media bid Mission Spokesperson farewell

fter three days of intensive call- those present was clearly visible. Shar- ing, Alessandro’s farewell was fi- ing this sentiment, Novi List published A nally prepared. The who’s who of a commentary on his departure. Attrib- Croatian media including journalists, uting the level of media freedom commentators and spokespersons had Croatia had gained to both Alessandro gathered alongside government, embassy as Mission Spokesperson and Mission and OSCE staff to bid Alessandro farewell. Head Peter Semneby, Novi List concluded After four years in the Mission, the re- that filling Alessandro’s shoes would be spect Alessandro had earned from all no easy task.

info...info...info...info...info...info...info...info...info...info OSCE in Action: A fire in FC Sisak’s backyard Staff evacuated, fire extinguished “Something is burning,” cried out a The fact that this was not woman in the corridor downstairs in FC a drill but reality ran Sisak. Running outside I saw both an through my mind as I amazing and horrible scene before me. quickly bounded up the Spiralling clouds of heavy black smoke stairs and informed my col- and sheets of flames rolled over the sky leagues. They reacted in a from the warehouse in our backyard. second. Branko, Drago, Tony, Roman, Age ran across the OSCE parking lot and im- mediately began moving OSCE vehi- cles away from the fire. Virtually quickly extinguished the rest of the fire the entire FC Sisak was outside, to prevent it from spreading further. ready to help, when we heard the Later we heard that two warehouse fire trucks screaming up the road workers had started the fire by accident. towards our blaze. Fortunately, no one was injured but the Though the Fire Brigade had damage was huge, with police assessing arrived only a few minutes after it to be valued at over HRK 350,000. the start of the fire, the huge flames had already engulfed the Julije Katancevic, National Press and entire warehouse. The firemen Information Officer, FC Sisak 8 ......