Prominent psychiatrist Dr. Herman Vukušić sharply reacted to yesterday's SNV gathering and the anti-war protest at Ban Jelačić Square, highlighting Franjo Tuđman's historic message.
Marking the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm prompted psychiatrist Dr. Herman Vukušić to publicly comment on yesterday's gatherings in the capital. In his social media post, Vukušić emphasized that some had "deliberately forgotten" the proclamation of then-President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tuđman, dated August 4, 1995.
Commenting on the rally organized by the Serb National Council (SNV), Vukušić did not mince words. He noted that it was a repeated "farce" led by an individual facing legal proceedings. According to him, the liberation operation "Storm" was presented solely through the lens of war crimes committed against civilians, without any expression of regret for the long-term occupation of Croatian territory during the war.
He also recalled the historical context, quoting Tuđman's message from August 4, 1995. "Today marks the 31st anniversary of the historic message of President Dr. Franjo Tuđman from August 4, 1995, when he called on Croatian citizens of Serbian nationality to surrender their weapons and guaranteed full civil rights and amnesty for those who surrendered, all with the aim of resolving the crisis peacefully or swiftly ending the military conflict," Vukušić wrote.
The psychiatrist also addressed the anti-war protest held at the same location under the slogan "Crimes in Storm are the responsibility of us all." The gathering was organized by the Center for Women Victims of War Rosa, the Association for Social Research and Communications (UDIK) based in Sarajevo, the Center for Civic Courage, Documenta, and the Women's Network of Croatia.
Vukušić called the protest participants a "handful of buffoons," criticizing them for, as he noted, never appearing at commemorations for the victims in Vukovar, Škabrnja, Dalj, or Borovo Selo.
Vukušić described the entire situation vividly, linking it to his profession. He claimed that it all resembles a "wailing for the times" when Croatia was under occupation, adding that it personally reminds him of one definition of madness: "Repeating the same thing countless times while expecting a different, impossible outcome."
He concluded his post with the words: "Keep gathering, keep gathering, Croatia will live forever anyway." The post sparked numerous reactions on social media ahead of the central state celebration of Victory Day, Homeland Thanksgiving, and Croatian Veterans Day.
