Just the other day we discussed Monica Macovei’s work fighting corruption in Romania and Macedonia. Yesterday the Adriatic Institute had to take up that mantle yet again, A car bomb in Zagreb killed two investigative journalists, Ivo Pukanic and Niko Franjic. Mr Pukanic was the publisher of the Croatian political magazine, Nacional.
Below, read Natasha and Joel’s remarks in tribute to Ivo Pukanic, who worked hard to highlight and curb corruption in his country.
IVO PUKANIC – CROATIAN JOURNALIST AND PUBLISHER OF NACIONAL
KILLED IN CAR BOMB
Ivo Pukanic, publisher and invesitagtive journalist of Nacional – an independent media group in Croatia was killed in a car bomb in Zagreb on th evening of Thursday, October 23, 200. Pukanic’s colleague, marketing chief of Nacional was also killed in the tragic incident.
Pukanic was a prominent figure in Croatia’s media arena and a strong critic of Prime Minister Ivo Sanader’s government. Nacional’s investigative journalism featured Ivo Sanader and raised serious concerns about Sanader’s newfound wealth. Nacional also was the first to report PM Sanader’s seizure of private property from legitimate owners by influencing the court system and administrative offices in Zagreb. The evidence provided raised concerns regarding Croatia’s politicians, yet, the Croatian prosecutor’s office failed to initiatve a proper investigation.
A weak rule of law, an unreformed judiciary and rampant political corruption and the untamed organized crime networks have not been tackled by Sanader’s administration.
The Adriatic Institute has consistently communicated its concerns that both European Union and NATO members should carefully review Croatia’s stalled reforms and place a freeze in taxpayer funds from the US and EU member states that are being sent to aid Croatia’s reforms.
Moreover, Croatia’s electorate and civil society and media leaders have clearly voiced concerns about PM Sanader’s moral authority to combat political corruption and organized. Sanader’s credibility is severely tarnished by serious allegations of political corruption as reported in the few Croatian independent media groups.
Early elections may be warranted to usher a new honest administration to jump start necessary reforms in Croatia. Leaving the administration of Croatia’s reform process to questionable government officials will cause more serious problems for Croatia and the Balkan region. Croatia’s instaibilty should be a major concern for citizens and taxpayers from both NATO countries and the European Union. NATO and EU need honest and competent partners rather than compromised cadre.
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