Date: August 25, 1994
Author: Valentina Krčmar, Director, Mothers for Peace – Bedem Ljubavi (Toronto Chapter)
Addressed to: Mr. Chris Anderson, Public Relations Department, Royal Bank of Canada
View the Original Letter: krcmar book 2_Part150_Part2.pdf
About This Letter
In this letter dated August 25, 1994, Valentina Krčmar, on behalf of Mothers for Peace (Bedem Ljubavi), writes to Chris Anderson of the Royal Bank of Canada to both commend and criticize the bank’s upcoming partnership with the charitable organization Help the Aged. While she praises the initiative for its compassion toward the elderly, she expresses deep concern over the choice of retired General Lewis MacKenzie as the project’s spokesperson.
Krčmar begins with warmth and sincerity, acknowledging the moral significance of supporting vulnerable seniors displaced or affected by war:
“It is absolutely high time that somebody remembers those that are at the end of their days with no peace, home or children to look after them. One of the old ladies from Bosnia said at one point that she would like to sleep peacefully at least for one night. Actions like this one will perhaps help her a bit.”
However, her tone quickly shifts to one of alarm and dismay as she highlights MacKenzie’s controversial reputation in Bosnia and Croatia, where he was widely criticized for showing pro-Serbian bias during his time as a UN peacekeeping commander.
“This man, a Canadian peacekeeper who is hailed by Canada and Canadians as a hero, is absolutely despised in Croatia and Bosnia, and by the majority of the Canadians of Croatian and Bosnian descent.”
Krčmar references a Toronto Sun article by journalist Eric Margolis (August 19, 1993), which reported that MacKenzie was paid $15,000 plus expenses by the SerbNet organization for a series of lectures in Washington — an association that, even if later amended, cast serious doubt on his neutrality.
“The definite proof of his alliance with the side who is ostracized by the world is the fact that he was paid by the Serb Net ‘at least $15,000 plus expenses for a few days to give more than a dozen speeches and interviews in Washington.’ He did give this money (after embarrassment) to, I think, the Cancer Foundation, but the point stays: the Serb Net would not pay anyone for lectures if his lectures were not favourable to them.”
Krčmar’s appeal is not vindictive but deeply moral — she fears that associating MacKenzie’s name with a humanitarian initiative will undermine its credibility and offend the victims of war the project aims to help.
“We ask you to reconsider the spokesperson for such a necessary project, because retired General MacKenzie and his words have done great harm to the real victims of the war in Croatia and Bosnia.”
The letter closes with Krčmar’s characteristic professionalism, offering to provide supporting documentation and further information if required — a reflection of her integrity and commitment to truth.
This correspondence demonstrates Krčmar’s relentless advocacy not only in political and humanitarian spheres but also in the public ethics of representation — ensuring that those who speak for victims of war are worthy of the role.
