Independent Dalmatia
01-01-2008, 14:15
A Coastal Wind - Dalmatia Declares Independence
~~~~~
"We are three countries that emerged from the former Yugoslavia - countries that are now in transition and must cooperate with each other, because our economies depend on each other."
Stjepan Mesic.
"My appeal, and I say this as a German chancellor on the basis of our experience during the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, is 'Don't fire on your own people.' That would be a disaster."
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder appeals to the Yugoslav Security Forces.
~~~~~
The historic city of Dubrovnik sits on the Adriatic coast. Termed "the pearl of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik had for years been a place of cultural enlightenment, it was a central point for the development of Croatian language, literature and sciences. A beautiful tourist spot, Dubrovnik was in normal circumstances and quiet and tranquil place.
These were not normal circumstances.
As the black limousine rolled through the streets of the city, negotiating shell holes and burnt out vehicles, Danilo Franko stared grimly from the rear window at the destruction left by the brief firefight. As the car took a left turn at the next intersection, he leant back in the seat and sighed, looking across at the man sitting opposite him. "Did it really have to go this way?" he asked quietly.
The Brigadni general (Brigadier General) sitting opposite him was smoking a cigar quietly, the fumes wafting lazily into the air. He removed the object from his mouth and licked his lips for a moment. "You know it did," he said gently but pointedly. "They didn't wish to negotiate at all."
Franko nodded reluctantly. "Even so," he said, turning back to the window. "The senseless waste of life..." The car turned down Stradun, the main street in Dubrovnik, passing a burnt-out T-72 at the intersection surrounded by children. They scattered as the car went past, running back into their own homes.
The temporary headquarters was the St Vlaho Church, which the car pulled up outside of. Soldiers, still wearing the uniforms of the Croatian Ground Army, were dug in with Heavy Machine Guns at the edges of the road, only recently seeing peace after the Croat's last attempt to hold the city before surrendering.
It was the same scene all over the region. As far north as Gospic, the months of increasing tension had exploded into rebellion against the Croatian Army, directed in its anger by the hands of the Dalmatian Independence Army. And now, with the Croat Ground Army pulling back into the north, the DIA, comprising defected soldiers of Dalmatian heritage and armed volunteers, were digging in to protect their new gains.
Franko stepped out of the vehicle as it stopped, directly into a swarm of press photographers and video cameras. He was momentarily taken aback at the attention, but forced himself to remain composed and climbed the steps to the podium. Taking his place, he turned to the press and cleared his throat. The scene went quiet.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Franko began, and then paused. Cameras whirred and clicked as the civilian leader of the DIA considered his words.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Franko repeated, placing both hands on the podium. "Ever since the first century AD, the people of Dalmatia have held a history of development different from the rest of the region. We have held ourselves against invaders on all sides for centuries, and we have constantly been passed from country to country with no respect for our own identity. Our unification with Croatia, with our cultural and historical ties, was the closest we came to recovering out cultural heritage. But we have forgotten about our own independent, sovereign heritage."
The cameras clicked again. Franko continued. "The Dalmation forces for independence were elected in local, representative, democratic bodies, and petitioned Croatia for greater autonomy. Our cousins to the north refused our request. They refused us our sovereignty, as Serbia refused theirs. With peaceful means exhausted, we were forced to resort to physical means to establish our sovereignty."
"As of today, the Republic of Independent Dalmatia declares its sovereignty and independence from the Republic of Croatia, with all the authority and rights allowed to any legitimate state. We appeal to the international community to recognise this claim."
There was a significantly greater click of cameras as the press attempted to catch this moment in the speech. Franko smiled, relaxing more into his role. "The Dalmatian Independence Army will become the temporary governing body of the Republic as the establishment of secure borders is ensured. Following this, the Republic will elect a unicarmal legislature and an elected Head of State and Head of Government to represent the will of the Dalmatian people."
"This is a great day in the history of Dalmatia. We hope it will be the start of a successful period of advancement for our people and our country."
With a sudden flair for drama, Franko clenched his fist and raised himself tall. "Long live Dalmatia!" he declared, to cheers from local press representatives.
~~~~~
"We are three countries that emerged from the former Yugoslavia - countries that are now in transition and must cooperate with each other, because our economies depend on each other."
Stjepan Mesic.
"My appeal, and I say this as a German chancellor on the basis of our experience during the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, is 'Don't fire on your own people.' That would be a disaster."
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder appeals to the Yugoslav Security Forces.
~~~~~
The historic city of Dubrovnik sits on the Adriatic coast. Termed "the pearl of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik had for years been a place of cultural enlightenment, it was a central point for the development of Croatian language, literature and sciences. A beautiful tourist spot, Dubrovnik was in normal circumstances and quiet and tranquil place.
These were not normal circumstances.
As the black limousine rolled through the streets of the city, negotiating shell holes and burnt out vehicles, Danilo Franko stared grimly from the rear window at the destruction left by the brief firefight. As the car took a left turn at the next intersection, he leant back in the seat and sighed, looking across at the man sitting opposite him. "Did it really have to go this way?" he asked quietly.
The Brigadni general (Brigadier General) sitting opposite him was smoking a cigar quietly, the fumes wafting lazily into the air. He removed the object from his mouth and licked his lips for a moment. "You know it did," he said gently but pointedly. "They didn't wish to negotiate at all."
Franko nodded reluctantly. "Even so," he said, turning back to the window. "The senseless waste of life..." The car turned down Stradun, the main street in Dubrovnik, passing a burnt-out T-72 at the intersection surrounded by children. They scattered as the car went past, running back into their own homes.
The temporary headquarters was the St Vlaho Church, which the car pulled up outside of. Soldiers, still wearing the uniforms of the Croatian Ground Army, were dug in with Heavy Machine Guns at the edges of the road, only recently seeing peace after the Croat's last attempt to hold the city before surrendering.
It was the same scene all over the region. As far north as Gospic, the months of increasing tension had exploded into rebellion against the Croatian Army, directed in its anger by the hands of the Dalmatian Independence Army. And now, with the Croat Ground Army pulling back into the north, the DIA, comprising defected soldiers of Dalmatian heritage and armed volunteers, were digging in to protect their new gains.
Franko stepped out of the vehicle as it stopped, directly into a swarm of press photographers and video cameras. He was momentarily taken aback at the attention, but forced himself to remain composed and climbed the steps to the podium. Taking his place, he turned to the press and cleared his throat. The scene went quiet.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Franko began, and then paused. Cameras whirred and clicked as the civilian leader of the DIA considered his words.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Franko repeated, placing both hands on the podium. "Ever since the first century AD, the people of Dalmatia have held a history of development different from the rest of the region. We have held ourselves against invaders on all sides for centuries, and we have constantly been passed from country to country with no respect for our own identity. Our unification with Croatia, with our cultural and historical ties, was the closest we came to recovering out cultural heritage. But we have forgotten about our own independent, sovereign heritage."
The cameras clicked again. Franko continued. "The Dalmation forces for independence were elected in local, representative, democratic bodies, and petitioned Croatia for greater autonomy. Our cousins to the north refused our request. They refused us our sovereignty, as Serbia refused theirs. With peaceful means exhausted, we were forced to resort to physical means to establish our sovereignty."
"As of today, the Republic of Independent Dalmatia declares its sovereignty and independence from the Republic of Croatia, with all the authority and rights allowed to any legitimate state. We appeal to the international community to recognise this claim."
There was a significantly greater click of cameras as the press attempted to catch this moment in the speech. Franko smiled, relaxing more into his role. "The Dalmatian Independence Army will become the temporary governing body of the Republic as the establishment of secure borders is ensured. Following this, the Republic will elect a unicarmal legislature and an elected Head of State and Head of Government to represent the will of the Dalmatian people."
"This is a great day in the history of Dalmatia. We hope it will be the start of a successful period of advancement for our people and our country."
With a sudden flair for drama, Franko clenched his fist and raised himself tall. "Long live Dalmatia!" he declared, to cheers from local press representatives.