CONTENT
NATO/EU membership will solidify Croatia's historic
links with the West
President
Stjepan Mesic:
Signaling a maturation of Croatian democracy
Zagreb
as a destination:
Croatia's capital should not be overlooked
A
nation resolved to overcomeits tough heritage
Privatized
tourism industry will become engine of growth for Croatia
Croatia's
best lobbyist: its US Ambassador
Croatia's
resilient economy continues to grow
Ron
Brown credited for introducing US business to Croatia
Chemical
warfare conventions changed over fertilizer plant attacks
Film
and television producer Vladimir Kraljevic symbolizes worldwide success
of Croatian-Americans
What's
it like to visit Croatia?
State
of Minnesota develops close relationship with Croatia
Esplanade
hotel captures history and spirit of Zagreb
Spread
the word:
Croatia is an extraordinarily safe place to visit
Mega-Yachts:
the biggest status symbols in the world
Croatia
Airlines:
Creating a national identity during war and peace
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State of Minnesota
develops close relationship with Croatia
Lt. Governor spearheads effort
Owing to the fact
that thousands of people of Croatian descent reside in the state, Minnesota
has developed deep ties to Croatia. In September 2000 Minnesota’s
current Lt. Governor, Mae Schunk, visited Croatia as the head of a delegation
of Minnesota civic leaders. Although Ms. Schunk’s father, Jack Gasparac,
was born in Croatia this marked the first time that the Lt. Governor had
visited her family’s ancestral homeland. In September of this year
she was able to return, this time in an unofficial capacity.
In the following
comments Ms. Schunk reflects on her meeting with the President of Croatia
Stjepan Mesic and makes several observations about the Croatian economy
and political climate.
While we were in Croatia the US Embassy staff in Zagreb arranged our agenda. We began at the top by meeting Croatian President Stipe Mesic. He is a delightful man who has helped to restore better relations with the United States and Western Europe. Like Governor (Jesse) Ventura, President Mesic ran as an underdog reformer in Croatia’s opposition party. He rose rapidly in the polls, starting with only 3% support in December 1999, but went on to win the election less than two months later.
President Mesic’s first comment at our meeting was, "Croatia has the same size population as Minnesota, now we want to match your GDP."
His comment brought a laugh, but it is also true. Governor Ventura likes to mention that if Minnesota were a separate nation, its economy would rank us as the 23rd richest nation. Croatia is far behind that. It does not make it onto the list of the top 50 nations for GDP. Croatia’s most urgent need is economic development, but this follows 50 years of Communism, 5 years of recent war, and 5 years of political stagnation.
Under President Mesic, Croatia is for the first time admitting that it has some people who may have committed war crimes. This is one reason why Mesic has won greater respect for Croatia in the West. For example, President Clinton welcomed President Mesic to the White House, a courtesy not extended to Croatia’s previous administration. Also, Croatian Serb refugees are being allowed to return to their homes and farms. Now more than ever, Croatia is being welcomed as a trusted member of the community of nations.
