General Tolj, the Voice of Operation Storm: Briefing Tuđman on the Advance
Vesna Škare Ožbolt recalls the dramatic morning of August 4, 1995, and the role of General Ivan Tolj as the key link in information flow to the president and the public.
Vesna Škare Ožbolt recalls the dramatic morning of August 4, 1995, and the role of General Ivan Tolj as the key link in information flow to the president and the public.
On this day, August 4, 2026, we mark the 31st anniversary of the start of the military-police operation "Storm." On this occasion, Vesna Škare Ožbolt, who in 1995 served as the head of the Office of the President of the Republic, Franjo Tuđman, shared on social media a detailed account of the atmosphere at the very top of power on that historic morning.
Her recollection brings to light previously lesser-known details about the role of General Ivan Tolj, who, as the operation's spokesperson, was the constant link between the battlefield and the state leadership. "Every few hours, General Ivan Tolj would appear at the office door. As the operation's spokesperson, General Tolj would directly report to President Tuđman on the situation on the ground," wrote Škare Ožbolt.
While news of the operation's start came in from the direction of Knin, Gračac, and Petrinja, the atmosphere in the President's Office in Zagreb was extremely focused. At the same time, on Croatian radio and television, President Tuđman's words were repeated every half hour, calling on citizens of Serbian nationality to remain in their homes and guaranteeing amnesty to members of paramilitary units if they laid down their arms.
International pressure on Croatia grew by the hour. Hrvoje Šarinić had already informed the UN special envoy, Yasushi Akashi, of the operation's start at three in the morning. Meanwhile, information reached the president's office about Slobodan Milošević's meetings with peace mediators, as well as the decision of the Supreme Defense Council of the Republic of Serbian Krajina to carry out a mass evacuation of the civilian population from the areas of Northern Dalmatia and Lika.
Despite sharp protests from the European Union and the UN Security Council, and threats to break off negotiations, Croatia did not waver from its goal. At exactly 12:00 PM, General Ivan Tolj stepped before the journalists at a press conference. "With his characteristic calm but resolute demeanor, he informed the domestic and international public about the progress of the Croatian forces. He made it clear that Croatia would not yield to pressure and that the operation's goal was the final liberating reintegration," Škare Ožbolt emphasized in her post.
General Tolj continued to hold regular press conferences in the days following August 4, reporting on the progress of the Croatian Army. For many citizens, he became the recognizable face and voice of Operation Storm itself.
