Operation Storm

In the summer 1995, Croatia carried out a large scale military operation called Oluja -- Storm -- the objective of which was to reclaim areas of Croatia held by rebel Serb forces. The operation officially lasted four days and effectively eliminated the wartime "Republika Srpska Krajina". It was the largest military operation in Europe since World War II.

Controversy

Three Croatian generals who led the operation have been indicted by the ICTY: Ante Gotovina, Ivan ?ermak and Mladen Marka?. The future relations between Croatia and the international community depend, to a great extent, on the handling of these indictments by the Hague prosecution and the Croatian government. ?ermak and Marka? were handed over to the Hague, but Gotovina fled and is at large. He is widely believed to be at liberty in Croatia, where he is viewed as a hero, his continued freedom ensured by support from ? or at least a "blind eye" turned by ? the Croatian authorities.

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Croatia's application to join the European Union was rebuffed in March 2005 solely on the basis that the government had made little effort to bring Gotovina to trial. His continued freedom is an ognoing sore which dogs every effort Croatia makes to fully participate in the international community.

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The US Government has offered a $5m reward for the capture of Ante Gotovina and he remains the ICTY's most wanted man.

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