Media Statement by the Co-ordination of the
Australian Croatian Democratic Union for Australia and New Zealand

The “Slobodna Dalmacija” daily newspaper in Split, Croatia published an interview on 21.11.2005 with an apparent Australian Migration Agent, Trevour Hains-Wesson, from Perth, who claims to have recently migrated to Komiza on the Island of Vis in Croatia.

On Wednesday 23.11.2005, Hains-Wesson held an information seminar for prospective applicants for migration to Australia at the Engineers’ Club in Split, Croatia, where more than 300 people attended. This was the first in a planned series of seminars to be help in several cities across Croatia and in other republics of the former-Yugoslavia.

In his media interviews and during the seminar, Hains-Wesson is promising citizens of Croatia and easy life and quick wealth if they wish to migrate to Australia. Other Croatian daily media outlets “24 Sata”, “Jutarnji list” and “Vecernji list” have also written about Hains-Wesson. Croatian Radio-Television and various other Internet News Sites in Croatia have also reported on Hains-Wessons claims, as have Croatian media in Australia, through SBS Radio, Radio 3ZZZ, and “The Croatian Herald” newspaper.

“That so-called Migration Agent, Trevour Hains-Wesson has based himself on an idyllic island on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast from where he is feeding naďve people in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia with a range of fanciful promises and false hopes of an utopian get-rich-quick Australia,” said Mr. Rade Buljubasic, spokesperson for the Co-ordination of the Australian-Croatian Democratic Union for Australia and New Zealand.

“That so-called Migration Agent is promising potential migrants an annual income of at least $50,000 claiming that this is earnt in the lowest paid jobs in Australia. Hains-Wesson claims that for better jobs migrants will earn at least double that amount. Moreso, Hains-Wesson claims that in less than eight years in Australia, a migrant family will be able to acquire a four bedroom house with a swimming pool, two motor vehicles and ensure an excellent education for their children.”

“From our experience as migrants to Australia, the Croatian community is well aware that this is not a land of milk-and-honey. To attain what Hains-Wesson promises takes a lot longer than 8 years of very hard work and many sacrifices… and while many migrants have been successful in achieving a comfortable standard of living for themselves and their families, very few in the Croatian community have made it to a rich-list. On the other hand, a lot of migrants struggle to move out of low-skilled, low-paid jobs.”

“Trevour Hains-Wesson claims that there is a shortage of workers in Australia at the moment, and that 100,000 workers need to be imported in order to meet the demands of a booming economy. Hains-Wesson does not mention that unemployment exists in Australia, but we know it does” said Rade Buljubasic, who migrated to Australia more than 30 years ago.

“The truth is that Hains-Wesson is offering his services to help prospective applicants arrange their migration to Australia. He has already placed advertisements in local newspapers in Croatia, and claims to have attracted interest from more than 1000 persons from Croatia and neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina.”

“Hains-Wesson says that he can help applicants get their migration visas and these lucrative jobs as well. Even so, he has told the seminar in Split that Chemical Engineers are not a wanted profession in Australia, but that Hairdressers are in high demand. He suggests that a man married to a hairdresser will be able to piggy-back to Australia on his wife’s skills!”

“Hains-Wesson also says that jobs can easily be found in the building industry and that an income of over $100,000 per year is assured for this kind of work.”

“It is clear that Hains-Wesson is preying in the less-educated sections of Croatian society, who may know some English, but don’t feel confident about lodging migration applications on their own, so will fall into the trap of seeking his help to come to the PROMISED LAND,” stated Mr Buljubasic.

“What makes matters worse is that there is no listing for Trevour Hains-Wesson as a legally registered Australian Migration Agent! But he is listed as the European Office contact for a company in Perth which does have legally registered Migration Agents.”

“The Co-ordination of the Australian-Croatian Democratic Union for Australia and New Zealand is outraged by the actions of Trevour Hains-Wesson and questions the ethics of the company he is representing. We are asking the Croatian community to contact family and friends in Croatia and inform them of the realities of living here.”

“In the past 14 years the Croatian community across Australia has had to bear the consequences of war in our homeland. We have sent material aid to refugees and funds to support rebuilding efforts of devastated villages, towns and cities. We have also supported refugees who have arrived to Australia because of that war and raised money to build Croatian diplomatic missions across Australia.”

“We do not want to be in a position to also have to support those naive individuals who sell up their homes on Croatia’s pristine coastline to come to the Trevour Hains-Wesson Utopian Illusion of Australia, because we know that their dreams will be shattered as soon as they arrive and realize they have been hoodwinked!”

“So, we are taking steps now to ensure that Croatian citizens are not stripped of their cash and dreams by Trevour Hains-Wesson and his friends,” concluded Rade Buljubasic, spokesperson for the Co-ordination of the Australian-Croatian Democratic Union for Australia and New Zealand.

Melbourne, 27 November 2005.

PM Sanader Says This Is Great Day For Croatia

ZAGREB - Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw have expressed deep satisfaction with the historic day when Croatia opened accession negotiations with the European Union.

Addressing the press after the meeting of the bilateral inter-governmental EU-Croatia conference, which marked the official start of Croatia's membership talks in Luxembourg on early Tuesday, Straw and Sanader described the decision of the EU Council of Ministers to launch the accession negotiations with Zagreb as historic. "This is a great day for Croatia. I am proud of being here as the Prime Minister of a country which just opened the accession negotiations with the EU," the Croatian premier said.

This is a historic decision for Croatia, said Straw, the chairman of the EU ministerial council. At the bilateral intergovernmental conference, which was held behind the closed doors, the two officials also gave speeches after which all participants in the meeting celebrated with champagne. At the news conference, the British Foreign Secretary commended the Croatian government's efforts in achieving full cooperation with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal. The assessment of the tribunal's Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte on the country's full compliance with the court gave the go-ahead for the EU Task Force to recommend the start of Croatia's membership talks. The start of the talks was this spring postponed after Del Ponte criticised Zagreb for failing to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

The EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn also expressed satisfaction with the opening of Craotia's entry talks. Sanader reiterated that his cabinet was determined to continue cooperating with the Hague-based ICTY and that Zagreb would not forget the neighbouring region. Asked by reporters whether one could expect to see Croatia as a full EU member in 2009, Rehn said that this was a sensible time term, if everything went smoothly.

Sanader said that this would be a desirable aim but that that it was not a priority. The priority is to conduct the negotiations well and efficiently, the Croatian premier explained. He dismissed all speculations about the coincidences that the agreement on the negotiating framework for Turkey was reached at the same time when the ICTY Chief Prosecutor assessed Croatia's cooperation as positive. There are some speculations that Austria, which previously strongly opposed to offering Turkey a possibility of full membership, yielded when Croatia was given the green light. Croatia's Prime Minister also announced an extraordinary session of his cabinet for later on Tuesday in Zagreb. (Hina)

Prime Minister Ivo Sanader unveils monument
to first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman
May 7, 2005

KASTELA, May 7 (Hina) - Croatia's Prime Minister and leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Ivo Sanader, unveiled a monument to the first Croatian president and founderof the HDZ, Franjo Tudjman, in the southern town of Kastela on Saturday.

The bronze monument, sculpted by Aleksandar and Silvana Guberina, is four metres high and weighs one tonne.

The monument was commissioned by the residents of Kastela, the local Homeland War Association, and the town authorities.

The democratic maturity of every nation is also measured by how much its members can rise above party membership in those matters that are more important than party membership, which is why there should be such unanimity in evaluating the first Croatian president, Sanader said.

"His work is great and his opponents and those who have tried to belittle what he did will be forgotten, while Franjo Tudjman will be remembered in history," the PM said.

HDZ officials attending the unveiling ceremony took the opportunity to present party candidates running in the upcoming local elections in Kastela.

Resolution of the Central Board of the Croatian Democratic Union about the Relations between Croatia and the European Union

Confirming the authentic commitment and consistent dedication of the Croatian Democratic Union to the fundamental program principles and goals of the party, among which integration of Croatia into the European Union and NATO is marked as a national and state interest of the Republic of Croatia,

Empowering full support of the party to all efforts and achievements directed towards accomplishment of this strategic state interest and goal,

Assessing that full membership of Croatia in the European Union is firming the international position of the country, enabling permanent consolidation of democracy, rule of law, efficient market economy and social equity and full respect of human and minority rights,

Assessing that Croatia's full membership in the European Union is a contribution to the stabilization of political circumstances in South-East Europe and a strong component of accomplishing the 2003 Thesalonika Declaration of the European Union,

Accepting European Union politics of a European perspective for all the countries in this part of Europe, on the grounds of satisfying the Copenhagen criteria and individual approach.

Confirming the readiness and interest of the Republic of Croatia to actively contribute to the construction of a new and undivided Europe, as an association of peace, dialogue, reciprocity and preserving national identities of the member countries,

Calling the member countries of the European Union to recognize the historical importance of opening negotiations for Croatian membership, based on satisfying the Stabilization and Association Agreement and decisions of the European Council and EU Council of Ministers from 2004 and 2005,

The Central Board of the Croatian Democratic Union, the National Council of the Croatian Democratic Union, the Club of Croatian Democratic Union Representatives in the Croatian Parliament and the Chairmanship of the Croatian Democratic Union are establishing conclusions in which:

1. The Croatian Democratic Union assesses that the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers and discussion led on 16 March 2005, are representing a further step forward towards the convening of the Intergovernmental Conference and the opening of negotiations for full membership of Croatia in the European Union.

2. Assesses that the overall politics of the Government of the Republic of Croatia on fulfilling the necessary recommendations and conditions, including full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, the EU Council of Ministers was in a position to confirm the opening of negotiations during their last session.

3. Perceives the absence of a consensus between the member states concerning this question and expresses the belief that soon, based on the discussion held by the EU Council of Ministers of 16 March 2005, an assessment of full cooperation of the Republic of Croatia with the Hague Tribunal will jointly be accepted and that negotiations will start.

4. Asses the conclusions of the Council from 16 March regarding the confirmation of Croatian status as a candidate for full membership in the EU, confirmation of full membership as the final goal of the negotiations and especially the adoption of the negotiating framework as particularly positive.

5. Stimulates the Government of the Republic of Croatia to, after the Conclusions of the EU Council of ministers from 16 March 2005, to intensively continue to work on assuring all the necessary internal and international conditions, which will ensure the final decision on the opening of negotiations between Croatia and the European Union, as well as to cooperate with the EU Presidency, the European Commission, the European Parliament and other European institutions.

6. Welcomes and supports the already implemented efforts and accomplishments of this Croatian Government in implementing reforms necessary for further democratic and development progress of the country and Croatian society, on the fulfillment of recommendations from decisions of the European Union, and supports the determination of the Government to continue the politics of fostering national and state interests, consolidating democratic stability, social tolerance, social sensitivity, respect of human and minority rights, and the balances economic development of the country.

7. Perceives that accession to the European Union is an irreplaceably important framework for achieving basic economic and other Croatian interests, and that the Government, in the past period, along with political and diplomatic activities towards the assurance of that goal, equally and consistently worked on the achievement of all components of the Government's Program, presented and accepted by the Croatian Parliament, especially with regard to strengthening the economic potential of the country, social policy and the implementation of reforms in justice, health and other fields.

8. Assesses as positive the consent between the parliamentary parties on the strategic importance of full membership in the European Union as a common political and social interest and welcomes the establishment of the National Committee for the Monitoring of Negotiations in the Croatian Parliament, as well as the support for the National Program of the Republic of Croatia for accession to the European Union and the support to the negotiation structures of the Government.

9. The Croatian Democratic Union, in accordance with its program, proceeds to work for Croatia's membership in the EU, but considers public discussions regarding advantages and disadvantages of full membership in the EU as legitimate and useful. Public discussion can help the Government and the Negotiating Team in the negotiations with the European Union, on which the Croatian public will decide in a referendum.

10. Confirms the commitment to the necessity for dissociating the historic, moral and political side of Croatia?s victorious and defensive Homeland War from individual judicial proceedings in front of domestic and international courts, and confirms full support to the Government?s position about the legal foundation of full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague according to the Constitutional law of cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the ICTY, and the obligation of the Republic of Croatia, as a member of the United Nations, towards the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

11. the Croatian Democratic Union appeals to all parliamentary parties and the political public, especially the Croatian intellectual community, which bears special responsibility in this historic period of Croatia?s integration in the political and social community of European values, to maintain an active consensus regarding this strategic national goal, and continue fostering the meaning of Croatian national identity and its compliance with European values.

12. Emphasizes the importance of the Declaration and the recommendations of the EU- Croatia Joint Parliamentary Committee and the Committee?s support for the opening of negotiations between Croatia and the European Union.

13. Expresses gratitude to its sister parties in the EU member states, especially to the European Peoples Party, for the Resolution of the Political Bureau of the EPP, from 3-4 March of this year, and the expressed unreserved support to Croatia for the fast and unconditional start of negotiations with the EU and especially regarding the spreading of an objective picture on the Croatian Government activities.

14. Calls all parliamentary parties to continue working on ensuring full support of their sister parties in the European Parliament and a prompt affirmation of the date for the start of the negotiation process between Croatia and the European Union.

15. Asses as positive the overall external political activities of the Government, including the importance of the further development of good neighborly relations, based on the European vision, with all countries in the region, and resolving any remaining open questions through political dialogue.

EPP SUPPORTS THE START OF EU-CROATIA ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS

In view of the European Council decision of December 17, 2004, the Political Bureau of the European People's Party unanimously approved today a Resolution, which supports Croatia’s intention to start accession negotiations on March 17, 2005.

The EPP expressed its concern of the "negative effect" for the stability in the region that a negative decision on the opening of the negotiations will have by not rewarding the efforts of Croatia in several fields, including cooperation with the ICTY.

"The EPP is convinced that the Croatian authorities have cooperated fully and without reservation with the ICTY and have taken exhaustive and far-reaching measures in their effort to arrest war-indicted criminal General Ante Gotovina", according to the Resolution.

Croatian Foreign Affairs Minister, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who participated in the EPP Political Bureau, thanked the EPP for this initiative "that comes at a crucial moment for Croatia and the entire South-East European region", she said.

EPP President, Wilfried Martens, declared: "We are unanimously behind Ivo Sanader’s Government and its initiatives. The decision of starting negotiations with the EU on March the 17th is an essential step of vital political importance for this country".

The full text of the EPP Resolution:

In view of of the European Council decision of December 17, 2004, the European People´s Party re-affirms its commitment taken by all EPP Member Parties in December 2004 to unreservedly support Croatia´s intention to begin accession negotations on March 17, 2005.

The EPP recognizes the efforts and impressive achievements of the Croatian government, led by Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, in cooperation with the ICTY, in particular the fulfilment of more than six hundred demands of the prosecution – with the case of the accused Gotovina remaining the only exception.

The EPP is convinced that Croatian authorities have cooperated fully and without reservation with the ICTY and have taken exhaustive and far-reaching measures in their effort to arrest war-indicted criminal General Ante Gotovina.

The upcoming evaluation, by the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs, for the fulfillment of the set criteria, should be based exclusively on concrete facts and not on speculation. Ultimately, the politicial decision to start accession negotiations with Croatia is the exclusive right of the European Union, regardless of the opinion of other organizations, non-EU countries, and individuals.

The EPP expresses its concern about the negative effect and signal for political stability in the region, that a negative decision on the opening of the negotiations will have by not rewarding the efforts and achievements of Croatia in the fields of cooperation with ICTY, minority policy, market –economic reforms and the successful political fight against nationalism.

Croatian Folklore – The tradition lives on…

MELBOURNE - Sunday 30 January, Mladez HDZ Melbourne staged the first ever Croatian Folklore Festival at Footscray Park. Over a decade ago, Footscray Park was a place of gathering where several Croatian community events had taken place. For some reason this had ceased. Visitors that attended the first ever Folklore Festival at Footscray Park were a little uncertain as to what they were to expect, as it had been so long since an event of this nature was held at the same place. With a reported figure of 800 people in attendance, the festival not only re-ignited the local Croatian spirit but brought back many memories continued...

PHOTOS FROM THE FIRST CROATIAN FOLKLORE FESTIVAL IN VICTORIA

'Folklorasi' to come together for first ever Victorian Folklore Festival
http://www.croatianherald.com/ - January 21, 2005

MELBOURNE - Mladez HDZ Melbourne will be staging the first ever Croatian Folklore Festival on Sunday January 30 at Footscray Park. If successful, the event's organisers are promising it will become an annual event on the Melbourne Croatian calendar.

According to MHDZ Melbourne president, Marko Bajer, Croatian folklore groups from all over Victoria will be performing live on stage, together with popular local Croatian band 'More'.

''We know Sydney has a regular folkloric festival. As a result, we thought with a total of five groups down here in Victoria , why couldn't we have a similar festival showcasing all the groups at the one venue.

''We want the festival to become an annual event and maybe next year, we will be able to attract other Croatian folkloric groups from other states to come and perform as part of the Victorian ferstival,'' said Bajer, who is also a member of the Australian/New Zealand co-ordinative body of HDZ.

Commencing at 12 noon, the festivals' programme will see the five groups - Geelong's HKUD Lado, Hrvatska Zora from Sunshine, Clifton Hill's Mladi Hrvati, Antun Mihanovic from Fawkner and possibly Zvonimir from Springvale (at the time of writing Zvonimir had not yet been confirmed but organisers were hopeful they would participate in the concert) - each perform 2-3 times throughout the afternoon on a central stage.

The band 'More' will perform during the breaks and continue wirth several sets following the completion of the official concert programme.

The actual concert will be of a non-competitive nature, allowing the various groups to purely showcase their talents, without the added pressure of competing for awards.

Entry is free to the event and all-day car parking facilities are available. Food and beverages will also be availble for purchase from 12 noon till closing time, which is expected to be around 6pm.

- FOOTSCRAY PARK is located in between Ballarat Rd & Maribyrnong Bvd, Footscray (Melway Map 42, D2). For further information regarding the folklore festival, contact Marko Bajer on (03) 9449 1175 or (0423) 512 852 or visit the MHDZ website at: www.mhdz.com.au

 

 

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