Voices for Croatia

Published: May 15, 1998
View the Original Newsletter: Cirkular-11.pdf

About this issue:

Cirkular No. 11 blends national mourning with resilience and hope. It honors Gojko Šušak as a symbol of Croatian courage, calls for unity in improving Croatia’s international reputation, and celebrates the strength of community figures—both in Canada and at home—who continue to carry the spirit of Croatia forward through compassion, culture, and faith.

A Nation in Mourning

The May 1998 issue of Cirkular opens with the somber news of the passing of Gojko Šušak, Croatia’s Minister of Defence. Born in Široki Brijeg in 1945, Šušak immigrated to Canada in 1969 and became a pillar of the Croatian-Canadian community before returning to Croatia during the Homeland War.
The article reflects on his life of dedication—from leading cultural organizations in Ottawa to organizing Croatia’s defense during its most critical years. It highlights his compassion, strength, and patriotism, and recalls how he transformed Croatia’s modest military into a disciplined and respected force. Operations Bljesak and Oluja are cited as lasting examples of his leadership and strategy.

A personal tribute by editor Valentina Krčmar adds warmth to the remembrance, recalling Šušak’s humanity and emotional honesty, especially his tears when speaking of the soldiers lost at Vukovar. His death, she writes, is not just a political loss but the loss of a man whose love for Croatia was absolute.

Editor’s Letter: Gratitude and Change Ahead

Valentina Krčmar reflects on reaching the eleventh issue of Cirkular, describing how the publication has evolved from a hopeful idea into a trusted voice of the Croatian community in Toronto. She expresses gratitude to contributors, readers, and sponsors—especially those who supported the paper when finances were scarce.
Krčmar also shares a personal note about illness in her family, thanking readers and colleagues for their patience and encouragement. She reveals that the next issue, Cirkular No. 12, will be released under a new name, to be announced soon, symbolizing growth and renewal.

Croatian Community in Toronto

Several announcements reflect the vibrant social and cultural life of Croatians in Canada.

Bedem Ljubavi (Mothers for Peace) invites readers to a Father’s Day Lunch at Yellow Pumpkins Restaurant on June 21, 1998, with proceeds supporting humanitarian causes in Croatia.
Croatian Community Services offers free computer training and job support for adults, as well as financial assistance for mature students pursuing higher education.
The editorial team reminds organizations to submit news and announcements early to ensure coverage, and encourages local businesses to support the newsletter through advertising.

Media, Perception, and Croatia’s Image

A major section covers the Symposium on the Relationship Between Global Media and Croatia, held on May 2, 1998, at the University of Toronto. Organized by the American-Croatian Academy, the event featured professors Stjepan Meštrović and James Sadkovich, who examined how Western media portrayed Croatia during and after the war.
They explained how postmodern journalistic practices often distort truth through “balanced” narratives that equate aggressors and victims. The professors argued that while Slobodan Milošević was presented as charismatic and cultured, President Franjo Tuđman was often cast as authoritarian, largely due to selective framing by international outlets.
The speakers urged the Croatian diaspora to strengthen public relations and media literacy, suggesting the creation of a Croatian Cultural Centre in North America to coordinate messaging and outreach.

A follow-up column by Rina Slezic expresses disappointment at the low turnout, lamenting that such important events rarely draw large Croatian audiences. She contrasts the apathy with the tireless work of humanitarian volunteers like Barbara Taylor, a Canadian who has long organized fundraisers for Croatian and Bosnian children despite her own health struggles. Her dedication, Slezic writes, is a reminder that true compassion requires persistence, not convenience.

International and Domestic News

A section of translated HINA reports summarizes Croatia’s most significant national developments between April 30 and May 12, 1998:

Exhumation of 80 war victims from Vukovar’s mass graves.
Reconstruction of St. Joseph’s Church in Vukovar.
The burial of 39 exhumed victims with military honors.
Peaceful demonstrations by displaced Croats from Bosnia and Vojvodina demanding equal rights for return.
The passing of Minister Šušak on May 4.
Croatia’s election to two UN committees on population and social development.
The announcement of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Marija Bistrica for the beatification of Cardinal Stepinac.

Reflections on Faith and History

The issue commemorates the 100th anniversary of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac’s birth, marked by a mass and the unveiling of a monument in his honor. Pope John Paul II’s upcoming visit is celebrated as a moment of pride and recognition for Croatia’s resilience and Catholic identity.

Health and Wellness

A medical feature by Dr. Darko Desaty focuses on heart disease and nutrition, outlining the primary risk factors—smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and stress—and offering practical dietary guidelines for prevention.
He stresses the importance of moderation, variety, and balance, promoting plant-based foods, olive oil, and physical activity as the cornerstones of heart health.

Home and Garden

A short lifestyle column by Zeljko Sokacic, a horticulture engineer, offers practical spring gardening advice, from trimming perennials to enriching soil with compost. The section concludes with herbal remedies and recipes, including one for spinach pasta and another for dandelion salad—both drawn from Maria Treben’s “Health Through God’s Pharmacy.”

In Brief

CROATA International announces the first Cro-Can Open Tennis Tournament, with proceeds going toward the reconstruction of Vukovar.
The 6th Annual “Dora” Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 16, 1998, benefiting the same cause.
A new scandal in Vukovar is reported, involving graffiti reading “We’ll repeat Ovčara,” which the UN Civil Police dismissed as vandalism, though Croatian officials condemned it as a reminder of ongoing hostility.
The newsletter closes with a lighthearted joke and a “Tip of the Day” on planting perennials—a familiar touch of optimism amid the heavier news.