306:
366:
MesiÄ's decision to retire the generals is widely seen as one of the most important events of his presidency. Stjepan MesiÄ's successor Ivo
JosipoviÄ stated that this was MesiÄ's best move in both of his five-year terms, while Croatian military analyst Igor Tabak described it as a "hard decision to
162:
The signatories stressed in the second point that they were not against the sanctioning of individual criminal acts. However, they asserted that recent actions by the police had left the impression of a crackdown on terrorism or organized crime, rather than an act of a democratic country within the
177:
In the sixth and final point, the signatories urged the government, civil society and the media to "resist the negativist, historically incorrect and untrue portrayals of the
Croatian War of Independence" and to "protect the dignity of Croatian officers and soldiers" as the foundations of Croatian
173:
The fifth point comprised a comment by the signatories on speculation regarding the reorganisation of the
Croatian Army. They declared their support for the promotion of the most educated and most capable individuals, "which means those who proved themselves in the Croatian War of Independence".
269:
On 29 September 2000, a day after the letter was published, President MesiÄ announced that he was retiring all seven serving officers (Gotovina, ÄosiÄ, KrstiÄeviÄ, Kapular, FilipoviÄ, Domazet-LoÅ”o and Norac) who signed the letter. He stated that "those who thought a
367:
take", since it came early in the MesiÄ's first term, and went against an old authoritarian system that was still strong. The move is seen as important in the context of the depoliticisation of the armed forces and defence reforms that ultimately led to the
128:
was murdered on 28 August 2000, a wave of arrests of war crime suspects followed. In response, veterans' groups organized protests that escalated into threats and violence. An anonymous death threat was sent to
President MesiÄ and Prime Minister
287:, president of the HDZ, criticized it as "extremely dangerous". MesiÄ was also severely criticised by Croatian war veterans' organisations. On the other hand, polls showed that the majority of Croatian public supported the President's actions.
371:
in 2009. On the other hand, MesiÄ's critics contend that the supposed "coup" was non-existent and that his decision was essentially a continuation of anti-military sentiment which the generals had to publicly address as their patriotic duty.
166:
The third point denounced what the signatories called an "unnecessary show of force" and presumptions of guilt, including speculation about indictments by the ICTY, deeming them detrimental to tolerance and democracy in
Croatia.
258:, provided "that the government is still functioning, that there is no selective approach, and that the law applies to everyone". He said that some individuals from the HDZ were responsible for the letter's creation.
296:
weekly warned that twenty more generals were planning to sign a letter against the government, which created concern about an actual coup. President MesiÄ, however, dismissed such speculations as "nonsense".
1178:
265:
called the letter "inappropriate". The
Ministry of Defence also described it as "unprofessional", noting that the law forbids the members of Croatian Armed Forces from engaging in political activities.
317:
On several occasions it was speculated that the retired generals might return to active duty. On 2 October 2000, President MesiÄ hinted that his decision might not yet be final for Maj. Gen.
110:
283:
MesiÄ's actions produced widely varied reactions from the political parties. The ruling coalition parties generally supported the move, calling it "logical", and even "necessary", while
508:
136:
The new government also started a cycle of defense reforms, which aroused further concern among high-ranking officers of the
Croatian Army who were themselves war veterans.
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The fourth point rejected conflicts, violence and terrorism, which the signatories deemed to not be in the interests of "anyone responsible", war veterans in particular.
344:
66:
officers. The affair was a source of significant controversy in
Croatia and is considered one of the key events in MesiÄ's ten-year presidential incumbency.
325:ā the only general from the TuÄman era with no party affiliation. KrstiÄeviÄ declined MesiÄ's implicit offer, saying that he had "nothing to repent for".
86:, died in office in December 1999. In January 2000 TuÄman's HDZ, a nationalist party that had ruled Croatia since independence in 1991, lost power in the
1327:
340:
weekly, Sanader abandoned the idea due to his inability to implement it against the wish of
President MesiÄ, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
321:, stating that KrstiÄeviÄ's fate depended on "his further conduct". At 33 years of age, he was the youngest among the signatories, and was ā apart from
1342:
1337:
359:, stated that, if elected, they would rehabilitate the generals and return some of them to active duty. The eventual winner of the election,
329:
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1332:
95:
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as "something bad, problematic, even shameful, while in fact it was the foundation of
Croatia's freedom, independence and sovereignty".
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rule of law, in accord with the actual circumstances and the dignity of war veterans and Croatian Army officers.
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The first point noted "with bitterness" that a significant proportion of media and politicians spoke of the
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352:
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509:"Croatian Defense Reforms and Issues of National Security: Interview with Military Analyst Igor Tabak"
336:, president of the HDZ, announced the possibility of reactivating the generals. However, according to
51:
had suffered undignified treatment. On 29 September 2000, a day after the letter was published by the
322:
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228:
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1293:[An Open Letter of Croatian Generals to the Croatian Public] (in Croatian). Archived from
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freedom and independence, as well as the future of a democratic and prosperous Croatia.
1209:"Izlaganje prof. dr. Miroslava TuÄmana s predstavljanja knjige "Hrvatska mora iz rova""
891:
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220:
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846:
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1262:"Nakon ogulinske tragedije pojavit Äe se teza da Hrvatskoj ne trebaju oružane snage!"
1068:
1036:
1007:
978:
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said that retiring the generals was one of the best moves he had made as a president.
280:
have played the wrong card. As of today, they are not members of the Croatian Army."
201:
193:
186:
121:
549:[An Open Letter of Croatian Generals to the Croatian Public] (in Croatian).
144:
The letter was titled "An Open Letter of Croatian Generals to the Croatian Public" (
1123:
660:"Predsjednikovu odluku ocjenjuje se u rasponu od jedino moguÄe do - krajnje opasne"
437:
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117:. These developments enraged the war veterans' groups and extreme nationalists.
63:
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reacted by sending into forced retirement all seven of the signatories who were
48:
32:
74:
Croatia underwent major political changes in late 1999 ā early 2000. The first
1002:
363:, rejected this suggestion, saying that the generals' retirement was final.
114:
102:
305:
816:"MesiÄ: Moji najbolji potezi su umirovljenje generala i ZagrebaÄki summit"
1268:(in Croatian). No. 321. Croatian Information Centre. 4 December 2000
949:
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854:
823:
791:
757:
726:
667:
52:
1261:
972:
MaliÄ, Gordan; NeziroviÄ, Vanja; VukoviÄ, Rozita (25 November 2009).
974:"BandiÄ, Hebrang i VidoÅ”eviÄ Å¾ele rehabilitirati pobunjene generale"
467:"Hrvatski generali pozivaju da se prestane blatiti Domovinski rat"
304:
847:"Iako je odluka konaÄna, za KrstiÄeviÄa bi se mogla promijeniti?"
719:"DubrovaÄki stožer nezadovoljan MesiÄevim umirovljenjem generala"
101:
The new liberal and pro-European government began to investigate
400:"Croatia's president gives seven generals their marching orders"
784:"MesiÄ: NagaÄanja o državnom udaru u Hrvatskoj su besmislena"
750:"Vlast svjesno radikalizira politiÄku situaciju, tvrdi ĆapiÄ"
1150:"JosipoviÄ: Umirovljenje generala najbolji je MesiÄev potez"
90:
and was replaced by a center-left coalition of six parties.
254:
noted that he also supported preserving the dignity of the
111:
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
917:"General KrstiÄeviÄ: Nisam ni pokajnik, a ni izdajnik!"
1291:"Otvoreno pismo hrvatskih generala hrvatskoj javnosti"
547:"Otvoreno pismo hrvatskih generala hrvatskoj javnosti"
595:(34). Archived from the original on December 2, 2000
150:
Otvoreno pismo hrvatskih generala hrvatskoj javnosti
109:(1991ā1995), aiming to improve cooperation with the
1179:"Biografija Stipe MesiÄa (8): Na ruÄku s Gadafijem"
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261:The Office of the President of Croatia and the
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629:"Croatian Leader Fires 7 Protesting Generals"
8:
945:"Sanader umirovljene generale vraÄa u MORH?"
541:
539:
537:
535:
533:
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94:, one of TuÄman's fiercest critics, won the
247:In his first public comment on the letter,
1064:"SreÄom, MesiÄ za rat ima tek mjesec dana"
461:
459:
457:
455:
814:RožankoviÄ, Miroslava (7 February 2001).
433:"Croatian war crimes suspects rounded up"
875:
873:
380:
276:in this country could be achieved with
606:
578:
576:
574:
572:
7:
915:MarijaÄiÄ, Ivica (24 January 2001).
105:committed by Croatian forces in the
1236:"JuÄer i danas - Pismo 12 generala"
1091:ÄuliÄ, Marinko (19 February 2010).
583:FitzPatrick, Pat (9 October 2000).
553:. 28 September 2000. Archived from
477:. 28 September 2000. Archived from
1240:Portal Hrvatskoga kulturnog vijeÄa
1213:Portal Hrvatskoga kulturnog vijeÄa
1030:ButkoviÄ, Davor (9 January 2010).
431:Thorpe, Nick (14 September 2000).
343:The issue was raised again in the
14:
1328:Political controversies in Europe
347:. Three presidential candidates,
152:) and organized into six points.
1234:PavkoviÄ, Mladen (5 June 2007).
1001:ButkoviÄ, Davor (21 July 2007).
699:(in Croatian). 30 September 2000
671:(in Croatian). 30 September 2000
16:Political controversy in Croatia
1158:(in Croatian). 10 December 2009
1130:(in Croatian). 13 December 2009
1093:"MesiÄ ā odlazak tužnog viteza"
953:(in Croatian). 25 November 2003
691:"MesiÄ umirovio sedam generala"
345:2009/2010 presidential election
880:LasiÄ, Igor (6 October 2000).
507:RaiÄ, Ante (31 October 2010).
309:One year into his first term,
1:
1177:ÄikiÄ, Ivica (8 April 2010).
1124:"Škare Ožbolt za Zagreb News"
890:(in Croatian). No. 175.
858:(in Croatian). 3 October 2000
795:(in Croatian). 4 October 2000
761:(in Croatian). 3 October 2000
730:(in Croatian). 3 October 2000
1343:Croatian War of Independence
1338:Political history of Croatia
585:"Letter sparks coup rumours"
369:accession of Croatia to NATO
263:Croatian Ministry of Defense
256:Croatian War of Independence
157:Croatian War of Independence
107:Croatian War of Independence
45:Croatian War of Independence
29:Pismo dvanaestorice generala
1333:Military history of Croatia
1032:"10 godina Stjepana MesiÄa"
1359:
1299:(Full text of the letter)
613:: CS1 maint: unfit URL (
181:The letter was signed by
80:Croatian Democratic Union
78:and leader of the ruling
551:Croatian Radiotelevision
475:Croatian Radiotelevision
882:"Pismo opasnih namjera"
88:parliamentary elections
21:Twelve Generals' Letter
330:2003 election campaign
314:
149:
124:and war crime witness
96:presidential elections
28:
1103:Serb National Council
589:Central Europe Review
398:(30 September 2000).
308:
41:Croatian Armed Forces
1297:on 20 November 2014.
76:President of Croatia
1062:(20 January 2010).
557:on 20 November 2014
227:, Maj. Gen. (ret.)
211:, Maj. Gen. (ret.)
183:General of the Army
98:in the same month.
35:, signed by twelve
922:Slobodna Dalmacija
696:Slobodna Dalmacija
634:The New York Times
513:Balkananalysis.com
315:
249:Croatian President
237:Miljenko FilipoviÄ
231:, Lt. Gen. (ret.)
219:, Lt. Gen. (ret.)
209:Davor Domazet-LoŔo
57:Croatian President
47:and asserted that
1207:(24 March 2010).
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1101:. No. 531.
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637:. 1 October 2000
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217:Damir KrstiÄeviÄ
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1318:2000 in Croatia
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481:on 5 March 2016
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357:Nadan VidoÅ”eviÄ
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1284:External links
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1155:VeÄernji list
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1323:Open letters
1295:the original
1270:. Retrieved
1266:Dom i svijet
1265:
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1217:. Retrieved
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609:cite journal
597:. Retrieved
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559:. Retrieved
555:the original
516:. Retrieved
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483:. Retrieved
479:the original
470:
442:. Retrieved
438:The Guardian
436:
409:. Retrieved
405:The Guardian
403:
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349:Milan BandiÄ
342:
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233:Ivan Basarac
225:Ivan Kapular
223:, Maj. Gen.
215:, Maj. Gen.
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120:After a key
119:
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49:war veterans
20:
18:
1272:16 December
1246:16 December
1219:16 December
1189:15 December
1183:zurnal.info
1162:13 December
1134:16 December
1128:Zagreb News
1076:16 December
1044:15 December
1015:15 December
986:13 December
957:13 December
929:14 December
892:OsloboÄenje
862:14 December
831:16 December
799:13 December
765:18 December
734:18 December
675:18 December
518:16 December
444:19 December
334:Ivo Sanader
285:Ivo Sanader
273:coup d'Ć©tat
221:Ivan Äermak
213:Ivan Korade
205:Mirko Norac
196:, Lt. Gen.
126:Milan Levar
64:active-duty
33:open letter
1307:Categories
641:9 December
599:9 December
561:7 December
485:7 December
411:7 December
376:References
319:KrstiÄeviÄ
207:, Admiral
113:(ICTY) in
103:war crimes
70:Background
301:Aftermath
278:pamphlets
243:Reactions
202:Maj. Gen.
115:the Hague
31:) was an
1108:20 April
950:Index.hr
897:20 April
703:20 April
338:Nacional
293:Nacional
191:Lt. Gen.
146:Croatian
53:Croatian
37:generals
25:Croatian
1098:Novosti
887:BH Dani
855:Vjesnik
824:Vjesnik
792:Vjesnik
758:Vjesnik
727:Vjesnik
668:Vjesnik
328:In the
185:(ret.)
140:Content
82:(HDZ),
55:media,
39:of the
471:hrt.hr
850:(PDF)
819:(PDF)
787:(PDF)
753:(PDF)
722:(PDF)
663:(PDF)
131:RaÄan
1274:2010
1248:2010
1221:2010
1191:2010
1164:2010
1136:2010
1110:2017
1078:2010
1046:2010
1017:2010
988:2010
959:2010
931:2010
899:2017
864:2010
833:2010
801:2010
767:2010
736:2010
705:2017
677:2010
643:2010
615:link
601:2010
563:2010
520:2010
487:2010
446:2010
413:2010
355:and
19:The
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