Gojko Susak, Minister Of Defence Of The Republic Of Croatia

The moment Josip Manolic called publicly for the defence minister to resign, President Tudjman expelled Manolic from the ruling HDZ party and began praising Susak as the "best minister" in the cabinet. Nevertheless, Susak has many enemiesboth in the HDZ and the opposition.

HDZ criticism: for causing a rift in the party. After the Washington accord, the HDZ leftwing (headed by Manolic) urged Tudjman to sack Susak because of his abortive policy in Bosnia, which seriously harmed Croatia.

Opposition criticism: for bringing into question the degree of Croatia's democratic image, by his arrogant and irresponsible attitude towards everybody, except the President. This means more pressure on the media and fewer consultations with the Assembly when Bosnian peace talks are concerned.

So, Susak has problems: the opposition used the explosion at a military depot in Sesvete (Zagreb suburb) to call for Susak's resignation. Moreover, there have been rumours about the Defence Ministry being involved in long-running arms deals. Susak's villa in Salataone of Zagreb's residential areas is believed to be built with Ministry funds.

Caution recommended: Susak's resignation has been delayed through various procedural excuses (investigation into the Sesvete incident, etc.), but Tudjman might still decide to sack his defence minister. With so many HDZ members "in cahoots" with the opposition over the Susak case, the President is not feeling very comfortable. But for the time being, there are no hints of a possible dismissal.

Susak is important because: he personifies the "continuity" of Croatia's policy in Bosnia, despite Tudjman's concessions to the right-wing (which is believed to be ready for a state coup if its influence continues to decline). The other connection leads us to Tudjman's son whose firm was involved in the arms trade, and his daughter who has a lease in the Defence Ministry's exclusive premises.

Susak entered politics: after an inactive period as an emigrant (political?) in Canada. He joined the HDZ after he returned to Croatia, and when the time was ripe he used his connections with rich and influential emigrants from western Herzegovina to provide weapons for the national cause. Many belive that these connections have propelled him to the office of defence minister and helped him stay there so long.

Reputation: Susak is seen as the authentic ideologist of Herzeg-Bosnia who advocates Bosnia's division, a nationalist "hawk" and one of the most powerful people in Croatia. Born in Herzegovina, he embodies all of its insolence, primitive attitudes and inclination to shady deals. At the time of the Sesvete incident, he was on a private visit to Herzegovina. He didn't bother to return to Zagreb the next day, nor did he make a public statement which would indicate a feeling of responsibility.

Critics say: the Defence Ministry, including the minister himself, has been involved in a series of human rights violations: missing persons, arrested Serbs and political opponents (Dedakovic case), mined Serb houses, camps... He's also blamed for intentionally obstructing the domestic production of arms in favor of the uncontrolled illegal import of arms and of shady deals with logistics support equipment (trucks with weapons destined for Vukovar reportedly ended up in Herzegovina).

Supporters say: individual cases of human rights violations were inevitable during the war in Croatia. Susak's arms policy is also extremely rational: if it is cheaper to import than producethen you import. As for his policy in Bosnia, the famous "continuity" of Croatia's policy is indisputable. And the villa, sale commissions and profitable deals with the state are only part of Susak's patriotic reward.