Border dispute lifting tensions between Croatia and Slovenia

AP via BalkanPeace ^ | Aug 20, 2002

[bob808]

ZAGREB, Croatia - Slovenia criticized Croatian police Monday after they charged a man living within a disputed strip of border land with civil unrest for flying the Slovene flag and playing loud Slovene national music.

Sunday´s legal move against Josko Joras was the latest manifestation of tensions between Croatia and Slovenia. Slovene fishermen and Croatian police boats confronted each other several times last week in coastal waters each country claims as its own.

The borders of Croatia and Slovenia were never clearly defined while both republics were federal partners in the old Yugoslav federation but became an issue after they declared independence in 1991.

Joras has a job in Slovenia and a seat in its municipal government, yet pays his utility bills in Croatia and lives in an area that now is in Croatia but claimed by Slovenia. Defying neighbors who have accepted Croat sovereignty, Joras often flies a Slovenian flag on his roof and has spray-painted a large sign saying "This is Slovenia," on his front balcony.

"Joras is a known offender and it is not the first time he has drawn police attention with provocations," police spokesman Nino Jaklin said. He could be fined if convicted.

Slovene Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel on Monday criticized Croatia´s handling of the Joras case.

"I have no phobia toward flags," Rupel said. "But it seems some people eager on provoking a bigger incident do."

Tensions between Slovenia and Croatia surfaced last week after Croat police tried to drive Slovenian fishing trawlers out of disputed waters in the Piran Bay in the northern Adriatic Sea.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan has hinted that his government may seek international arbitration to solve the border issues.

Slovenia was not daunted by the prospect of arbitration, Rupel said. But he warned against the option, saying it would be costly and lengthy.

[bob808]

"Joras is a known offender..."

Of what?

[bob808]

Bump

[vooch]

this guy came up a while ago and Blue had some inside info on the subject............

[bluester]

Interesting, but the report misses the fact that a group of Croats came to his house, took down the EU flag he had and replaced it with the Croatian flag and then threatened him and his family that they we're going to kill them. So much for the offenders. Only then did he put the Slovenian flag a start playing the Slovenian national anthem, obviously angered by the event. The problem is that his house lies in one of the hamlets that are still under dispute. Obviously such things should be solved in a civilized manner and everyone should restrain themselves from any unneccesary actions, Joras included.

As for the arbitration Tropoljac, no problem. :)

[bluester]

To be honest, I don't understand why he would fly the flag (whichever) on a normal day that is not a national holiday when flags are normally put out. I agree that he can do whatever he wants on his own private property unless it's something against the law, but I do sense provocation in the acts of flying a EU flag (we're not yet in EU) as to show some kind of superiority feelings. This is of course only my personal obervation, I may not know his true intentions. But since he is in the "no man's land" zone so to speak, not yet clear which country it will belong to, he could have some sense. As should his neighbours that are threatening him and his family.

I guess some would not call me a true patriot for saying this, but sometimes showing patriotic feelings in a too eager way can be seen as an act of primitivism and not the positive thing it should be. Love your country and people, but don't disrespect/hate others. :(

[bob808]

Interesting, thanks for the info.