Published: March 15, 2000
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-54.pdf
About This Issue
Iskra No. 54 opens in a turbulent moment for Croatia and the diaspora. The shocking 45-year sentence of General Tihomir Blaškić by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sends waves of disbelief through Croatian communities worldwide.
In this issue, Valentina Krčmar’s editorial channels outrage and heartbreak, while letters, commentaries, and community reports reveal how faith, patriotism, and perseverance anchor Croats in times of injustice. Political reflections intertwine with community life — from Toronto’s Croatian gatherings to papal appeals for forgiveness — offering both moral reckoning and renewed unity.
Editorial: “Haag, Justice, and the Weight of Conscience”
Valentina Krčmar’s lead piece is a powerful, emotional response to General Blaškić’s sentencing. She questions the tribunal’s impartiality and the silence of those who could have defended him more forcefully. Her essay weaves empathy for Blaškić and his family with deep frustration at political leaders who, she argues, failed to protect the truth.
“He is guilty because he is a Croat — and because Croats are always guilty.”
Krčmar cites Western media portrayals, including an interview with Canadian judge Louise Arbour, highlighting how biased language — such as “Croatian killing field” — can distort global understanding of the war. Her critique goes beyond anger; it is a plea for dignity, accuracy, and the defense of historical truth.
The piece closes with a direct challenge to President Mesić’s public comments supporting cooperation with The Hague:
“In a democracy, every man is innocent until proven guilty. Mr. President, your words carry weight — and they must uphold justice, not prejudice.”
National Focus: Croatia Between Justice and Politics
Several accompanying articles examine the broader implications of Blaškić’s case and Croatia’s evolving relationship with The Hague. Writers ask whether political compromises during previous administrations contributed to the harsh sentence and urge transparency from Zagreb.
A feature explores the revelation that Croatia paid over $9 million USD for American legal services related to war-crimes defense — raising questions of accountability and ethics within the previous government.
Faith and Reflection: Pope John Paul II’s “Mea Culpa”
Amid the political storm, the issue also highlights a moment of profound humility in global Catholicism. Pope John Paul II publicly asks forgiveness for the Church’s historical sins — from violence to prejudice — in a gesture that resonates with Croatia’s ongoing struggle for moral clarity and reconciliation.
Valentina frames this event as an example of courage: an institution acknowledging its faults to rebuild trust.
Diaspora Voices: Which Way Forward for Ontario’s Croatian Community?
Contributor Stanko Trtanj writes an urgent essay titled “Kojim putem ide hrvatska zajednica u Ontariju?” — “Which Path Is the Croatian Community in Ontario Taking?”
He warns that disconnection and complacency threaten the survival of Croatian cultural life in Canada. Clubs are shrinking, youth involvement is declining, and traditions risk fading unless leaders and parents renew their commitment to cultural education and community participation.
“If we do not wake up, our future will vanish quietly — not through conflict, but through forgetfulness.”
Community Highlights
Bedem Ljubavi – Mothers for Peace:
The Toronto chapter gathers for a long-delayed “Christmas Dinner,” finally held in March. The women reminisce about their wartime activism — fundraising, advocacy, and protest — and discuss how to carry that spirit into the new century. Valentina calls it “a meeting of hearts that never stopped working for Croatia.”
Hamilton’s Credit Union Assembly:
The Croatian Credit Union holds its 42nd annual meeting, welcoming younger members and celebrating the purchase of land for a planned retirement home and community centre — a sign of growth and solidarity within the diaspora.
Istrian Club “Učka” Celebration:
An exuberant Maškare 2000 carnival fills the hall with laughter, folk music, and homemade food. Valentina’s report captures the warmth of the Istrian dialect and the joy of shared heritage:
“It was a feast of friendship and memory — of everything that keeps our hearts Croatian.”
Health Feature: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Dr. Darko Desaty contributes an in-depth health column explaining the causes, symptoms, and care strategies for Alzheimer’s disease. Written in accessible language, it offers both medical insight and compassionate guidance for families supporting loved ones with dementia.
Closing Reflection
Valentina’s final note turns from sorrow to gratitude. She recounts receiving a call from a former prisoner who, despite hardship, finds beauty in the first flowers of spring — a reminder that hope blooms even in confinement. She thanks readers and urges continued support for Hrvatska Iskra, appealing to business leaders and associations to help sustain the publication’s mission.
“These pages exist because of you — your faith, your stories, your love for Croatia.”
