5 December 2011
Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament on Croatian elections

BRUSSELS: Commenting on the results of the Croatian parliamentary elections, the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek stated:
"I congratulate the Kukuriku coalition on winning Croatia's parliamentary elections I am glad that support for EU membership is an issue that cuts across the political spectrum in Croatia and that the winning coalition will remain strongly committed in the pursuit of European integration. It is necessary to maintain national unity ahead of the referendum, and sustain the reform momentum building on the good progress achieved by the outgoing government.

Much like the EU, Croatia is facing a difficult economic situation. I am confident that by the time Croatia becomes a full member of our Union, we shall all be standing more firmly and united on the path to recovery and growth.

On Friday, we will sign the Croatian Accession Treaty in Brussels. This will be a moment of celebration for the remarkable progress achieved by Croatia towards EU membership, but it shall also serve as an opportunity to look together at our common future in the European family."
Robert A. Golański, europarl President Press /HIA

29th November 2011.
COMMANDER JOINT FORCE COMMAND NAPLES VISITS KOSOVO

KOSOVO: Today 29th November 2011, Admiral Samuel J Locklear, III, Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, released the following statement regarding recent NATO operations in Kosovo. He was in Kosovo today to assess the current situation.
"The use of violence against KFOR troops is unacceptable. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and cooperate fully with all international actors on the ground to ensure freedom of movement without delay.

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2nd November 2011

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek was on an official visit to Croatia on Wednesday to meet political leaders and civil society ahead of the signing of the EU accession treaty.
During the visit, President Buzek stated:"Croatia's forthcoming membership of the European Union is a historic event both for Croatia and the EU. Croatia is a brave country which has achieved a great success.
Croatia's entry will be a signal that the European Union's door remains open to South East European countries which aspire to membership, provided that the necessary reforms are implemented.
Croatia is about to finish one important journey and embark on the next one, together with all other 27 Member States.
I congratulate Croatia on the impressive progress made in recent years. Reform efforts should continue, because the better Croatia is prepared, the more benefits it will gain from EU membership.
The EU offers many advantages: a huge market of more than 500 million people, a level playing field for enterprises, aid for less developed regions, foreign investment, support for agriculture, joint research projects, student exchanges, integration of networks in energy and transport. EU funds will give Croatia a chance to make a great leap forward economically.
From my own experience, I know how difficult it is for a nation to make the kind of transition Croatia is facing. It is a daunting task to adopt 100.000 pages of acquis in order to meet strict standards ranging from state-aid to judiciary, from fighting organised crime and corruption to respecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
Croatia has proven to be an example of engagement and cooperation both with the EU and in the South East Europe region. I commend the country for helping its neighbours on their path towards EU membership. I trust Croatia will remain committed to EU integration, as well as an active promoter of regional reconciliation."

This morning President Buzek held meetings with Croatian PM Jadranka Kosor and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebić. He will meet Croatian civil society in the early afternoon and will complete his visit after meeting Croatian President Ivo Josipović. press relaese,Marcin Grajewski / hia

27th October 2011
Lonely Planet: Top picks for Croatia
Varaždin is No 1 place
North Croatian town Varaždin has ended up in top spot of places to visit according to Lonely Planet’s guide of best tourist destinations in the country.

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24th October 2011
Vinko Grubisic:The Croatian States has an ambigouos attitude toward Croatian immigrants
on the picture:Vinko Grubišić

Vinko Grubisic, professor emeritus at the University  'Waterloo" in Canada, told the new issue of the Catholic weekly     " Voice of the Council", that the relationship between the Croatian Government towards Croats abroad has never been clear, and today is unclear, but ten years ago. Someone remembered that - although it was not found a single irregularity - to abolish voting by Parishes and Croatian Homes outside the Croatia, warned Grubisic, a famos writer and linguist .
According to him, thus the majority of Croats outside the Homeland completely disabled vote at the next parliamentary elections.
Likewise, long-awaited Law on the rights of Croats outside of the Croatian State and the relationship with them, was placed on the agenda of the vote in the Croatian Parliament (second reading) at the end of the Parliamentary year.  This happened to what was and predictable: the law will not be published. hia

19th October 2011
CEREMONY
The CRAVAT, icon of modern civilization celebrates birthday

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on the picture: the Tie Regiment

Tuesday, 18th October 2011
Violi Calvert and Capt. Iv Vidos
Travels bring experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
Capt. Iv Vidos achievements and personality reflect well on Croatia

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14th October 2011

7th October 2011
press:OSCE PA: Neil Simon
OSCE Parlamentary Assembly Fall Meetings in Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK, Croatia, 7 October 2011 – President Petros Efthymiou and political leaders of Croatia, speaking today at the opening of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Fall Meetings, held up the progress in South East Europe as an example of successful growth that can come from international co-operation.

6th October 2011.

14th September 2011
Zagreb's hotels seventh best place to stay in the world
Zagreb hotels have made it into seventh spot amongst hotels situated in the world’s metropoles and judged by the quality of stay and satisfaction of their guests, according to website hotel.info.Polish capital Warsaw is number one with 7.62 points, followed by Helsinki and Tokyo.
Zagreb hotels received 7.43 points, getting hold of seventh spot. Eternal city Rome, romantic Paris and legendary London all fared worse, with London receiving 6.48 points.Hotels.info provides reservations for over 210,000 hotels around the world, portal Business writes.Croatiantimes

30th August 2011.
NATO Aircraft collision in Lithuania
MONS, Belgium — At approximately 09:30, two NATO aircraft collided while conducting a training flight based out of the Zokniai Air Base located in northern Lithuania.
The incident occurred between a French Mirage fighter and a Lithuanian military jet L-39. The lightly damaged Mirage fighter was able to land after the collision while the two Lithuanian pilots ejected successfully from their jet before it crashed. The two Lithuanian pilots walked away from the crash without serious injury and are currently under medical supervision.The L-39 aircraft crashed in a rural area resulting in no further damage to any civilian property.The incident is under national investigation. The NATO air policing mission over the Baltic states continues.
(Allied Command Operations Public Affairs Office at SHAPE /HIA ).

29th August 2011.
Prince Harry has visited Hvar
Prince Harry (26) has enjoyed his time in a discotheque on the Croatian island of Hvar on Saturday night, TV channel NovaTV reported.The TV channel aired a video showing allegedly Prince Harry and his friends in Veneranda discotheque in Hvar.
Visitors of the club and Mayor Pjerino Bebic have confirmed to the channel it was really prince Harry despite the fact it cannot be said for sure when observing the video.The video shows a person alleged to be Prince Harry dancing in the club and jumping into the little pool.
"Prince had no special requests from city authorities and therefore we do not know for how long he would stay," the mayor of Hvar, Pjerino Bebic, has commented.Hvar is often a stop for world celebrities during summer time. People like Roman Abramovich, Bernie Ecclestone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Princess Carolina and Prince Albert of Monaco, Gerard Depardieu and Steven Spielberg have visted the place in recent years.

29th August 2011.
Most expensive ship built in Croatia tested in Split port
The most expensive ship ever to have been built in a Croatian shipyard has started testing in Split prior to delivery to its new owners.
The loading ramps of the 1.1 billion kunas (147.2 million Euros) worth ro-pax vessel "Piana" were tested under heavy cargo conditions and passed with flying colours.  In the future, the ship will connect Marseille and Bastia in Corsica.
The acronym ROPAX describes a roll on/roll off vessel (RoRo) built for freight vehicle transport along with passenger accommodation.Brodosplit shipyard is expected to finish the vessel in a month and deliver it to the "La Meridionale" line. The vessel is envisioned to carry freight vehicles, personal vehicles and passengers.Croatiantimes

29th August 2011.
CCN
Angelina Jolie Meets with Croatian President over Landmine Crisis


Angelina Jolie has met with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic to discuss the country's attempts to remove dangerous landmines.The UN Goodwill Ambassador arrived in Croatia over the weekend to urge President Josipovic to take decisive action to dispose of landmines still remaining from the country's civil war in the 1990s. Jolie and two of her children also attended a performance of Shakespeare's King Lear while visiting Croatia, according to newspaper Jutarnji List.
The star had been invited to the region by the Croatian actor Rade Serbedzija, who played Gregorovitch in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films.A source close to Jolie recently suggested that she and partner Brad Pitt have settled down now that their children have grown older.Jolie's directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey, which was partially filmed in Bosnia, opens on December 23 in US cinemas.

29.8.2011.
Gadhafi family members flee to Algeria, Gadhafi still on the run
Fugitive Libyan leader Moammar Gahdafi's wife Safia and three of their children arrived in Algeria on Monday, according to a statement from the country's Foreign Ministry.
The ministry notified UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the president of the UN Security Council and the second-in-command in Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) Mahmoud Jibril of the arrival of the family contingent. The statement was broadcast by Algeria's official APS news agency."Moammar Gadhafi's wife Safia, his daughter Aisha, his sons Hannibal and Mohammed, accompanied by their children, entered Algeria at 8:45 a.m. [local time] through the Algerian-Libyan border", said APS.
Algeria is the only one of Libya's North African neighbors which has yet to recognize the NTC, now Libya's de facto government after Gadhafi's compound in Tripoli was overrun by rebels last week.

Battle for Sirte
Gadhafi's own whereabouts, however, are still unknown. There is widespread speculation that the fugitive Libyan leader could be holed up in his hometown of Sirte. Thousands of rebel fighters have massed 100 kilometers (62 miles from Sirte, as they prepare to invade the city. The battle for Sirte could be the last major battle for control of Libya's coast as it is seen as the fugitive leader's last stronghold.
After Sirte, rebels say they will then focus attention on Libya's southern desert town of Sabha.Rebel leaders have entered into negotiations for the town's surrender, but Gadhafi forces in the city are reportedly urging residents to fight.
"I can't say there's any real progress because we have difficulty with the regime people from Tripoli," Hassan Droy, the NTC representative for Sirte, told Reuters.
NATO warplanes have continued strikes against military positions and ammunition deposits of pro-Gadhafi forces in Sirte.
NTC spokesman Shamsiddin Abdulmolah said it was now "a waiting game in favor of the liberating forces."

Aid reaches Tripoli
In the capital, Tripoli, residents have begun receiving the first wave of much-needed food, water and medicine supplies.The European Union has opened a humanitarian aid office to speed up delivery of essential aid and ensure "new needs are identified and addressed immediately."The World Food Programme has sent a humanitarian convoy of trucks from Tunisia, loaded with medical supplies, medicine and blood donated by the government of Tunisia. The convoy includes 23 trucks carrying 500 tons of food and five water tankers. Reuters/dpa/AFP/Deutsche welle

9th August 2011
wrote: Joe Foley
NFCA Cultural Foundation 2011 Assembly of Delegates Convenes in Pittsburgh”
WASHINGTON,DC: The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCA) just completed its 18th Annual Assembly of Delegates on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at the Clarion Hotel in Pittsburgh.  The many Delegates attending the Assembly represented Croatian communities from throughout the United States - including California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the Washington, DC area.

27th June 2011
NFCA CALLS FOR EXPANSION OF INDICTMENT AGAINST RATKO MLADIC AND FOR THE PROMPT ARREST OF GORAN HADZIC

WASHINGTON,DC: The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCA) welcomes the arrest of and the extradition to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) of the Serbian war criminal Ratko Mladic.

20th July 2011.
Austria has extradited one of Croatia’s most controversial politicians.
written by: Austrian Times

Former Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) chairman and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader was transferred from Salzburg to a prison in Zagreb, the federal capital of Croatia, yesterday evening (Mon). Sanader was put in custody in Salzburg last December. He had been behind bars in the Austrian city nonstop until yesterday. The arrest on the A10 Tauern motorway came shortly after Croatia issued an international arrest warrant on the disputed ex-prime minister.

photo: Ivo Sanader

20th July 2011.
Otto von Habsburg was buried
(20 November 1912 – 4 July 2011)


Otto von Habsburg, the oldest son of Austria-Hungary's last emperor and the longtime head of one of Europe's most influential families, died Monday, his spokeswoman said. He was 98.

Habsburg died in his sleep at his home in Poecking in southern Germany, where he had lived in exile since the 1950s, spokeswoman Eva Demmerle told The Associated Press. A longtime advocate of European reunification, he campaigned against communism and for the removal of the Iron Curtain.

20th July 2011.
CROATIAN HOTELS
Villa Andrea Tučepi in the Middle Dalmatia
The Villa Andrea Hotel is located in Dalatia in the Tućepi town right by the sea and it is only 400 metres away from the town centre which makes it a perfect choice for your vacation. Besides comfortable and luxurious hotel rooms, you will enjoy beautiful ambience of the àla carte hotel restaurant. Our culinary experts will dazzle you with ...

19th.July 2011.
FIRE ON THE YACHT NEAR THE MAKARSKA
In the Brac channel  4 miles from the Makarska, last night was a fire on a yacht.
Yacht "Blue Eye" length 14 meters has sank after the explosion of fuel tanks, to a depth greater than 60 meters. At the time of the explosion on a yacht were 5 people, four Russian and one Croatian skipper, and luckily everybody passed without any injuries.

The fire has spread very quickly, so the yacht was completely sunk till the 23.20.
Yacht is now on great depth so it does not endanger the safety of navigation.
So far there are no traces of leaking fuel, so the Port Authority Split will decide whether the ship will even be taken out of the sea.

7th July 2011.
ACCOMMODATION IN DUBROVNIK AREA
Pansion Tadija , Klek
Apartment Tadija, in Klek/Radalj in the southern part of Croatia certainly is a place where every guest, thanks to the atmosphere and pleasant hosts, will feel comfortable just like at home. Modern furnished house with 8 bedrooms and one luxury suite will not disappoint even the most demanding persons.

Tuesday, 18th May, 2010
THE YEAR WAS 1903
Notes from the history of Croatians in Chicago
Introductory note
Croatians in the homeland and around the world quite often sing:
It was the year nine hundred and three, When trouble befell our Croatia.
Hedervary raised the Hungarian flags
Trying to forcefully Magyarize Croatia.
Rise, oh ban, Croatia calls you, calls you, Rise, oh ban Jelačić!

The above lyrics are an expression of a resistance to the oppressive rule of the infamous Ban Khuen in Croatia which culminated in 1903.  In response to people's protests against the on going Magaryzation, Khuen introduced a wave of bloody terror that was heard around the world.  Chicago Croatians held a mass-meeting on May 21, 1903 in order to protest the use of terror in their homeland, to express their support for the people in Croatia, and to collect money for the victims.  The local Czech paper Denni Hlasatel/Daily Herald published the following report a few days after the meeting

PROTEST BY CROATIAN
Almost four hundred sturdy Croatians met in a hall at Center Avenue and 18th Street in order to protest against the licentious ruling of the Hungarian government and its henchman, the baneful Khuen-Hedervary in Croatia.  Conditions there are known to our people from newspaper reports.  Martial law exists in many towns today.  The soldiers shoot people without mercy and whoever is arrested is tried and hung mercilessly.  This is the reward of the Croats for having defended the Emperor and his government in 1848 against these same Hungarians, who today are oppressing them, and this because they are defending the rights given them by law.  There are no rights in Austria-Hungary and as a Croatian student predicted: "There will be no rights for the Slavs in Austria until the hoofs of Cossack horses beat upon the market-square of Vienna."
The meeting of our Croatian brothers was dignified.  The chairman was Mr. Juraj Mamek, vice-chairman, Ivan Bozic, treasurer, J. C. Jankovic, secretary, T. Lackovic, auditor, Stivelic.  Before the meeting was called to order, voluntary donations were brought to the treasurer's table.  It was impressive, the way those hard, callused hands contributed for the home-land, how willingly and how enthusiastically they contributed money earned by sweat and blood upon the altar of their Home-land.  Each of them gave at least a dollar, though we know, that Croatians are mainly workingmen and that they have no wealthy people among them.  In the meeting the following was accomplished:  The resolutions committee, consisting of Dr. Biankini, Pavel Hajdic and Ivan Bozic, sent two telegrams; one directed to the National Defense Committee in Zagreb, calling on the brothers to continue , the fight for Croatian rights; the other to Franz Josef, present Emperor of Austria, in which he is called upon to put an end to the reign of the Hungarian monster in Croatia.  By means of subscription sheets and at the meeting, a total of $355.80 and $51.00 for telegrams was collected since Thursday.  Certainly a distinguished showing of the conscientiousness by our brethren.

One more word.  It is our duty as Bohemians, to take collections for the benefit of our Croatian brothers and help them in their battle with the savage Hungarian hordes.  Croatians live among us, associate with us, and participate in all our national undertakings.  At the protest meeting, when martial law was declared in Prague, they took part in our meeting, spoke at the meeting and collected contributions for us.  They celebrated Bohemian Day with us in 1893 contributing almost $1,000 for the occasion.  However, it is now time that we show, that we sympathize with the unfortunate Croatian nation, which is being set upon, destroyed and murdered, and that as true Slavs stand with them.

***
A finishing thought
As this article indicates, Croatians in America and around the world have been always more than ready to help the people back home in their needs, especially at times of crisis, even when they themselves had very little.  However, the ruling casts in the homeland, now and in the past, have too often misused their love for the homeland, have kept them as outsiders, even as enemies, or at least as hindrance to their selfish and misguided policies.  Croatians around the world never asked nor do they ask today anything in return from the homeland.  However, no one can stop them from loving the land of their ancestors and fro

Tuesday,10th May 2011
ANNOUNCE
A Croatian Wine Event in New York City
The National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA) and the Croatians of New York & Los Angeles (CNYLA) are present Adriatic Breeze, an evening of exquisite wine and music at the Ana Tzarev Gallery on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 6:00 PM.
Will be present an extensive Croatian wine selection paired with several different small plates that will remind visitors of the warm and light breezes of the Adriatic Sea. Emerge yourself in the world of sound and flavors. A music showcase will be provided by award winning artists Ludvig & Stelar. Recent winner of the Best Independent International Musical Documentary, Damir Ludvig, has graciously teamed with CNYLA to bring you amazing sounds from the Adriatic Coast. John Kraljic, president NFCA
http://www.showclix.com/event/AdriaticBreeze

Friday, 22th April 2011
NORWAY
Croatia will finish negotiations in few weeks
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Store has said he is convinced Croatia will finish European Union negotiatons in a few weeks time.
During his visit to Croatia where he met his counterpart Gordan Jandrokovic, Store said that Norway was impressed with Craotia’s progress and that it strongly supports the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
He added that friendly relations between the two countries are evident in the fact that some 100,000 Norwegians choose Croatia as their vacation destination, the daily 24 Sata writes

Thursday, 10th March 2011
ACCOMMODATION IN ZAGREB
Hotel ARISTOS in Zagreb
Hotel Aristos is a modern 4* hotel, situated on hallway between Zagreb Airport and City Centre, only 200 m walking distance is a bus station and direct bus line to Downtown.

23.12.2010.
Montenegro's prime minister resigns after 20 years in power
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the longest-serving leader in the Balkans, has resigned. He said he had fulfilled his task after Montenegro was granted the status of European Union candidate country. The prime minister of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, has stepped down after 20 years in power. He resigned after saying he had fulfilled his goal of bringing the tiny Adriatic nation closer to European Union and NATO membership.
His decision comes just days after Montenegro was given formal status as an EU candidate country.
"Now when Montenegro is a stable country, when it is at the doors of the European Union and NATO, ... the conditions have been met for my withdrawal," Djukanovic told reporters in Podgorica.
Djukanovic led Montenegro to independence from Serbia in 2006. He was just 29 years old when he became the youngest prime minister in Europe in 1991. Since then he has been elected prime minister five times and was president once.

Djukanovic's successor
He said he would stay on as leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and recommended finance minister Igor Luksic to succeed him as prime minister.
"I am confident minister Luksic has the capability ... the ruling party has the right to propose who should lead the government; we have initiated that process," Djukanovic said.
Under the country's constitution, President Filip Vujanovic must officially propose to parliament a candidate for prime minister. The candidate has to then be confirmed in office by a vote in parliament.
The DPS has a comfortable majority in parliament, so it appears likely that 34-year-old Luksic will succeed Djukanovic.

Author: Catherine Bolsover (Reuters/AP)
Editor: Chuck Penfold