Šušnjar Fires Back at Serbian Tabloid
Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar responded ironically to insults from Serbia, saying that the journalists attacking him are welcome to vacation in Croatia.
Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar responded ironically to insults from Serbia, saying that the journalists attacking him are welcome to vacation in Croatia.
Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar sharply responded on Thursday, August 6, to articles in Serbian media that labeled him the "worst Ustasha." The trigger was his congratulatory message for Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, in which he emphasized that Croats did not attack but defended their homes.
Serbian tabloid Informer claimed in its article that Šušnjar had made a series of lies and that he was threatening Serbs with a "new Operation Storm." The minister responded with an ironic post on social media platform X, noting that he had received a new "title."
"The top of Serbian politics has already called me an Ustasha (her grandfather Ante, you know the surname), and now they've sent their megaphones after me. They did add a bit of originality, so now, get this, they've declared me the 'WORST Ustasha.' An Ustasha, but the worst," wrote Šušnjar.
In his typical style, he also added a remark about the summer habits of his critics: "Temperatures are record-breaking, and newsrooms are deserted because a good number of those paid megaphones are on vacation in Croatia."
The minister said that the journalists in question are "very polite and respect our laws" while in Croatia, and despite the insults, he welcomed them. He also commented on the narratives coming from Serbia, comparing them to earlier periods.
"I must admit that a childhood with cows, delivering milk, and promises of new roads is a more likable trans-Drina mythology than the Greater Serbia from Glina and the Jewish Cemetery above Sarajevo. Their lies remain, but it seems they may have become peacetime lies," concluded Šušnjar.
He added that Croatia will build interpersonal and economic relations with those across the Drina as long as they remain peaceful, but also said they cannot move forward until they acknowledge the truth and confront their own deeds.
In an earlier post for the holiday, Šušnjar emphasized the importance of historical truth. "To those who still try to distort the truth, I say: Croats did not attack, but defended their homes. Croats did not conquer, but liberated," he wrote.
He stressed that the foundations of the Croatian state were laid in Knin and that the military-police operation Storm saved Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, enabling peace. "That is the truth that must be repeated time and again, and today we celebrate the truth," the minister said.
