Subject: Croatian Resistance Movement, Activities of Mime ROSANDIC, Mate FRKOVIC, [illegible], Lovro SUSIC, MONSIGNORE, et. al.
Place Acquired: [censored] Evaluation: [censored] Source: [censored] |
Report No: [censored]
Date of Info: June 1947. Date Acquired: June 1948 Date of Report: 14 June 1948 |
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I. Introductory Note:
1. For the purposes of the present report the term "Croatian Resistance Movement" is intended to apply only to that organization which is functioning under the leadership of ROSANDIC-FRKOVIC-KAVRAN-SUSIC, et al, and whose origins are outlined in the paragraphs below. This report, which constitutes only an outline introduction to the various facets of Croatian resistance as they are visible [censored] will be followed by more [illegible]. At that time a more precise terminology designed to define the ROSANDIC-FRKOVIC organization in its relationship to the over-all opposition effort, will be evolved.
II. Origins of the CRM
2. ROSANDIC AND FRKOVIC Confide Intentions [censored]:
During [censored] June 1947, Mate FRKOVIC and [censored] ROSANDIC confided their intention of proceeding to Croatia for the purpose of organizing the Croatian resistance movement. One of their most important tasks, they believe, will be that of attempting to discourage members of the resistance from undertaking premature attacks and operations which could only expose them to the danger of reprisals.
3. ROSANDIC and FRKOVIC Agree to Maintain Contact with Source:
At their meetings, a conventional language for maintance of correspondence between ROSANDIC-FRKOVIC and Source was set up, and the two agreed that they would be glad to consider any suggestions which Source might care to present to them.
4. [censored] ROSANDIC and FRKOVIC:
Leaving Rome on 29 June 1947, [censored] Mate FRKOVIC and [illegible] ROSANDIC to the Italo-American border on the first leg of their journey from Italy to Croatia where they intend to organize the Croatian resistance movement.
5. In Austria, FRKOVIC and ROSANDIC intend to meet with Vance MIHAJLOV, "invisible" leader of the Macedonian resistance. Before the war MIHAJLOV collaborated with Ante PAVELIC, as chief of the VMRO (Macedonian Revolutionary Organization), which is struggling for Macedonia's independence and political autonomy. FRKOVIC and ROSANDIC will inform [censored] before MIHAJLOV is in effective contact with his country, and they stated they would arrange an appointment with MIHAJLOV [censored] should the latter desire such a meeting.
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[illegible] would bring with him the necessary funds to affect the transfer, and that these funds should be entrusted to the groups leader (Lt.) Zvonko [illegible].
b) [illegible] is first to accompany his group to a house in the country (location unknown) where its members will be conditioned physically, and where they will prepare for the journey ahead of them. CJEAKOVIC does not know whether the group will proceed to Jugoslavia from Italy or whether it will travel via Austria.
c) It is reported that Luka VUKELIC (35 years old, ex-employee of the Croatian Secretariat of State for Security and Public Order) will also be a member of the group, but first he wishes to secure himself that the enterprise is favorably regarded by the Americans.
d) A fourth who has confessed to membership in the group is Drag. FERKOVIC (30 years old, a housepainter by trade) who is furious because of CJEAKOVIC's utter disregard for security.
e) Milovan MANHOTER (a functionary of the short-lived 1943 TITO-partisan administration of SUSAK) recently changed his mind about leaving with the group as he had previously intended; he is aware, however, of the project as it is outlined here. MANHOTER is a friend of Stjepan MAJSEC who is undoubtedly a British agent, but is of much doubtful moral character that he would be quite capable of collaborating with OZNA.
f) A sixth individual, Franje MILOS, 45 years old, politically reliable from the anti-Communist point of view, has also reversed a previous decision to be a member of the departing group.
VII. DRAGANOVIC Attempts to Establish Liaison with CRM.
32. DRAGANOVIC Reports to American Embassy.
It has been determined that (Dr.) Krunoslav DRAGANOVIC is in contact with at least one functionary of the American Embassy in Rome to whom he furnishes reports on Croatian matters. These reports are compiled on the basis of information which DRAGANOVIC gathers from refugees escaping from Jugoslavia. It is felt that DRAGANOVIC's reports on the Jugoslav internal situation, insofar as Croatian resistance is concerned, reflect his own profound [illegible] in the field of political science rather than current reality. Valuable from the academic point of view of analysis and interpretation of certain facts and trends, his reports undoubtedly fall short of presenting a true picture of current attempts at opposition in Croatia.
33. DRAGANOVIC Approaches MONSIGNORE
Recently DRAGANOVIC has attempted to establish a contact with local CRM leaders, probably because his American Embassy acquaintance has requested information as to Croatian resistance activities, and has naturally turned to MONSIGNORE. The latter, [censored] so that reluctantly decided to inform DRAGANOVIC that a quite well-organized CRM actually exists. It was felt necessary to extend this degree of confidence to DRAGANOVIC in order to assure that the latter would not in any way impede the Italy-Austria flow of personnel necessary for CRM cadres.
34. [cut off from top of page]
Therefore, the only valid CRM informations which DRAGANOVIC can now supply to his American Embassy contact are those furnished him by MONSIGNORE. The latter, [illegible], will not submit any material to DRAGANOVIC without first consulting with [illegible] and obtaining his approval. Thus arises the somewhat ridiculous situation in which one [censored] submits to another (DRAGANOVIC's [censored] materials which might be construed as "chicken feed".
VIII. Unidentified American Agency in Austria Seeks Rome CRM Contact.
35. DIETRICH Attempts to Contact MONSIGNORE.
As regards its eventual significance, the case of Herber DIETRICH may be considered analogous to that of DRAGANOVIC. DIETRICH, an American stationed with an American unit in Vienna, has recently been to Rome, apparently for the express purpose of contacting MONSIGNORE in an effort to obtain information on the CRM.
36. [censored] Requested to Furnish "Security Check" on DIETRICH
A recent letter from Mate FRKOVIC requests [censored] to submit an opinion as to the background and reliability of DIETRICH, which would indicate that DIETRICH is in contact with the CRM's Austrian representatives. Here again is a point of [censored] control over the operations of another [censored] it can logically be assumed that the type, amount and quality of informations supplied to DIETRICH by the CRM in Austria will depend on [censored] advice.
IX. PERNAR and the "Independent HSS Resistance Movement"
37. "American Contact" of JESIK-MUSE.
A third similar situation arises in the case of Most (Reverend Father) Pavao JESIK and Panimir (or Darko) MUSE who are allegedly in contact with a high-ranking American officer. MUSE arrived in Rome from Spalato (Split) for the purpose of informing (Dr.) Ivan PERNAR of HSS organization in the District of Spalato and its participation in the Croatian resistance. PERNAR placed MUSE in contact with JESIK who considers himself a loyal HSS representative, but who is merely a good and honest priest completely innocent of any comprehension of political realities [censored] has been acquainted with JESIK for at least twelve years).
38. MUSE to Return to Jugoslavia
Through PERNAR, the father of the idea, and JESIK it is to be demonstrated to the Americans that HSS, too, controls an independent resistance organization within Croatia. To implement this project MUSE must be returned to Croatia from whence he will maintain a contact with JESIK and the American officer mentioned above. The only manner in which MUSE can return and activate his contact, however, is by seeking the aid of the CRM organization represented in Rome by MONSIGNORE.
39. MONSIGNORE Delays MUSE Mission.
In the meantime MONSIGNORE is deliberately delaying the return of MUSE because certain elements in the latter's case leave more doubt as to his
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