23 August 1954
SECURITY: CONFIDENTIAL
TO: Department of State, CO, 66th CIC Group, APO 154, Att'n: Capt. REILLY
FROM: Mr. J. H. LENZ, Political Section, AHCONGEN, MUNICH, APO 108
REF:
SUBJECT: Croatian Emigrant Movement
1. Attached are translations of a recent LfV study for your information and carding. No answer required for here.
Tel: NUN 25531/435
Distribution:
3- Capt. REILLY
1- Mr. PARKINSON
2- AHCONGEN, Emigre Expert
TRANSLATION
12 July 1954
Report on the Political Development within
the Croatian Emigrants Movement during the
Period from 1 April 1954 to 30 June 1954
GENERAL SITUATION:
Activities within the Croatian Emigrants Movement have been continued. The individual groups are making efforts to get new followers. This is being done partly by staging events, partly by leveling at each other accusations and defamations, with the latter activities being concentrated on the differences of opinion between clericals and anti-clericals. Also belonging to the clerical groups is now the "Kroatische Nationalkomitee" (Croatian National Committee) in MUNICH, because of its close ties with the Franciscans in CHICAGO, mainly, however, because of its favoring the HAPSBURG plans concerning the Danube area. The anti-clerical groups, i.e., the "Croatian Farmers' Party", the "Ustaschi Movement" and the "Ustaschi dissidents", although being tolerant toward the Catholic Church, are opposed to any attempts to subordinate the Croatian national aims to the aims of the Vatican.
The magazine "Kroatischer Gedanke" (Croatian Idea) published again an appeal for unity by Dr. Ante BUTKOVIC. The appeal contained the following guiding rules for the Croatian emigrants:
1. Strengthening of the existing Croatian groups, morally and materially, thus enabling them to carry out large-scale actions.
2. Discontinuation of all mutual attacks and defamations; the entire forces are to be directed against the enemy.
3. Increased journalistic activities.
4. Joint action of the Croatian Government in exile, the Croatian Farmers' Party, and the Croatian National Committee, the aim of their activities being the restoration of an independent Croatian State.
5. Intensification of the relations with foreign politicians, journalists and military men.
6. Organization of special groups for special missions on special occasions.
7. All party-political interests and programs are to be suspended until after the liberation and restoration of the independent Croatian state.
The Farmer's party refuted as being incorrect the rumors, circulated in connection with above proclamation, that Dr. KRNJEVIC, the Secretary General of the "Croatian Farmers Party", would travel to Argentine to enter into negotiations with the leader of the Ustaschi Movement, Dr. PAVELIC.
RIGHTIST-RADICAL:
Hrvatska Drazvotvorna Stranka - HDS
Croatian State-Forming Party - Ustaschi Movement
(Croatian State Government in Exile)
Seat: BUENOS AIRES; representation in MUNICH.
According to reports from BUENOS AIRES, the Movement took part in the establishment of a "circulo centraleuropeo anticommunisto" consisting of "old Nazis, Fascists, Pfeilkreus-men, members of the HLINKA-Guard, and others". The former Vice Admiral WITZMANN, commander of the German naval units in the Black Sea, 1945 in TRIESTE, was to become the President of the organization. At the charter-meeting on 24 May in the CROATIAN [illegible] in BUENOS AIRES the representative of Dr. PAVELIC, VRANCIC, assured the Italians of the "eternal Croatian friendship" and promised "recognition of the legal Italian demands concerning the Adriatic Sea".
After the official part of the meeting had been concluded, disputes arose between Croatians who were of a different opinion and Italians; thereupon the latter left the meeting, declaring that they would refrain from further cooperation "as long as Croatian circles were of the opinion that the Italians pursued imperialistic aims."
Recently the Ustaschi have shifted their main activities to the military organization "Hrvatski Domobron" [sic] (Croatian Home-Guard). The staff in BUENOS AIRES issued another circular to all sub-organizations, instructing them to reject all offers for joining "supra-national military organizations" and to demand, always and everywhere, the creation of purely Croatian units with Croatian commanders.
Ujedinjenij Hrvata - UH
("Vereinte Kroaten" - United Croatians - Ustaschi)
The 15th anniversary of the day of the re-establishment of the independent Croatian State (10 April 1941) was celebrated on 11 April in the "Donnersberger Bierhalle" in MUNICH. Present were about 50 persons, including representatives of the emigrants' groups belonging to the ABN: Dr. WALTSCHEFF (Bulgarian National Front), Dr. POKORNY (Slovak Liberation Committee).
The Honorary President of the "United Croatians", dr. St.KUKOLJA, delivered a speech in which he pointed to the necessity of establishing contact with the orthodox Croatians. He demanded that efforts be made to forget all hatred and seek a common way. He stressed that the adherents of the orthodox church were also Croatians who under the rule of the Turks had adopted the orthodox faith only in order to escape persecution. Those of them who regarded themselves as Serbs should emigrate to Serbia. In a free Croatia all nationalities and denominations must have equal rights and duties. However, Serbian-orthodox undermining activities for the benefit of the Serbs or the idea of Jugoslavia would not be tolerated.
The other speeches held contained nothing but words of praise for Dr. Ante PAVELIC.
RIGHTIST:
Hrvatska Seljacka Stranka - HSS
(Croatian Farmers' Party)
Seat: WASHINGTON, representation in MUNICH
The party has been accused of double-dealing. The reason for this accusation was the participation of a leading member of the party, Ilija JUKIC, in the memorial service for Nikola, son of Prince Paul, who met with a fatal accident in LONDON. This had given new stimulus to those having doubts about the national-Croatian policy of the Farmers' Party. It was said that on the one hand the party announced, through Dr. KRNJEVIC (Secretary General and leader of the right, anti-Jugoslav, wing of the party), its demand for an independent Croatian State, while, on the other, leading members by order of HSS President MACEK were working behind the stage, together with the Serbs, for the establishment of a third Jugoslavia. In this connection attention is called to the founding in NEW YORK of the "Council for the Liberation of Jugoslavia".
The attempt, made by the HSS, to establish within the party in MUNICH a "Croatian Work Union", has so far failed, due to lack of persons interested. However, such an organization is said to have been created in TRIESTE.
Hrvatski Radnicki Savez - HRS
(Croatian Workers' Union)
Seat: PARIS
The HRS commented on the founding by Dr. KRNJEVIC (HSS) of the "Federation of Free Croatian Workers" as follows:
"The HRS in France stands for the unity and cooperation of all democratic workers in exile adhering to the democratic, anti-Communist idea. The HRS is a supra-partisan trade union organization which may be joined by all Croatian workers regardless of the denominations or parties to which they belong. The HRS in France is ready to actively support Dr. KRNJEVIC's plans for an overall organization, for the uniting of all Croatian workers in Western Europe and the international recognition of their trade unions. However, it must be mentioned that the resolutions of 25 October 1953, the day when the above-mentioned "Federation" was founded, are undemocratic, non-trade-unionist, and party-politically-totalitarian."
The "Croatian Workers Union" (also known as "Independent Croatian Workers' Union") is a member of the Federation of Christian Trade Unions - CFTC. The fact of its being non-partisan and belonging to the CFTC is used by the clerical Croatian groups as an argument against the "federation". Benefiting from this struggle between clericals and anti-clericals is Dr. TOPALOVIC, the representative of the "Jugoslav Trade Union in the Free World", who has been recognized by the "International Federation of Free Trade Unions". Due to these dissensions, Dr. KRNJEVIC's efforts for admission of the Croatians to this Federation are likely to remain unsuccessful for the time being.
Hrvatski Pokret za Europsku Federaciju
(Croatian Movement for a United Europe)
Seat: Great Britain
The Movement which so far is existing only in Great Britain, was founded by members of the "Croatian Farmers' Party". At the annual meeting on 31 March Ilija JUKIC, the secretary general, reported on the difficulties that have arisen in connection with the recognition of the Croatian national group by the Center in PARIS.
Hrvatska Brateka Zajednica - HBZ
(Croatian Brotherly Community)
Seat: USA
Above organization was founded 60 years ago by Croatian emigrants as a non-political, social and economic aid organization having the form of an insurance cooperative, intended to render aid to newly arrived or sick fellow-countrymen. It is the biggest and richest Croatian organization in the USA, having 106,000 members and properly amounting to 23 million Dollars.
During the first world war it made its first appearance on the political stage, supporting the fight against Austria-Hungary and favoring the creation of Jugoslavia. During world war II the organization, aligning with the policy at the time pursued by the USA, was opposed to PAVELIC and in favor of TITO.
After the last war the members became politically divided. The members of one group are in favor of Jugoslavia and TITO, the others are opposed to TITO and Communism but in favor of Jugoslavia, while the third group is opposed to Jugoslavia and stands for a free, independent Croatia. Recently the third group seems to be gaining the upper hand; however, a clear-cut line has not crystallized as yet.
CENTER:
Hrvatski Narodni Odbor
(Croatian National Committee for Europe)
On 11 April 1954 the Committee celebrated in MUNICH the 15th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Croatian State. Prior to the celebration a dispute arose between Dr. JELIC and Dr. BUC. The latter refused to speak at the meeting if Dr. JELIC delivered a speech, and vice versa. At the last moment the dispute was settled; Dr. JELIC held the main speech. He presented the demand for a sovereign Croatian state and urged the representatives of all nations still suppressed to unite in the struggle against Communism and to cooperate in the shaping of the free Europe of the future.
The attention paid to the events staged and the actions carried out by the Committee (protest against the planned speech by PIJADE over the Bavarian radio) was used by the Committee for launching a large-scale propaganda action among the Croatian emigrants. The Committee demands to be recognized as the sole Croatian representation in Europe and to be given the right to conduct binding political negotiations concerning the liberation of Croatia and the reorganization of the Danube area.
Although the activities of the Committee are appreciated, it cannot be conceded the right to conduct political negotiations of vital importance for Croatia and the Croatian people.
The Committee has also strongly been criticized for its leaning toward the "HABSBURG-Kreis". It is feared that participation in the legitimist plans for the Danube area may result in the loss of Bosnia/Herzegovina. In addition, the possibility is taken into consideration that Otto von HABSBURG may be ready at the expense of the Croatians to make concessions to the Hungarians whom he needs for the realization of his plans.
The "Croatian Society" (Kroatischer Verzin) in Belgium, connected with the Committee, also held a meeting in commemoration of the re-establishment of the Croatian State. Among the participants there was Dr. Josef TRISCHLER, member of the Vorstand of the "Jugoslawiendeutsche Landsmannschaft". In his speech he expressed himself for a free Croatia. The Germans from Croatia would always be ready to support the Croatian struggle for liberation, he said. However, this declaration is contradictory to the decision of the Jugoslawiendeutsche Landsmannschaft not to interfere in the disputes between Serbs and Croatians.