Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia

Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia was a self-proclaimed entity that existed from 1991 to 1996, during the Bosnian War, with its capital in Mostar. The entity was established by HDZ BiH, a political party led by Mate Boban, with the goal of uniting Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina and potentially joining a Greater Croatia. The entity was supported by the Croatian government, led by Franjo Tuđman, and received significant assistance from the Armed Forces of Croatia, including the Croatian Army and the Croatian Defence Council.

● History

The history of the entity began with the Slovenian independence referendum and the Croatian independence referendum, which led to the declaration of independence of Slovenia and Croatia from Yugoslavia. This prompted the Bosniaks and Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina to form their own entities, including the Autonomous Province of Western Bosnia and the Republika Srpska. The Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia was established on November 18, 1991, with Mate Boban as its president, and was recognized by the Croatian Parliament and the European Community. The entity played a significant role in the Bosnian War, including the Siege of Mostar and the Lašva Valley ethnic cleansing, and received support from the Croatian Defence Council, led by Tihomir Blaškić, and the Armed Forces of Croatia, led by Janko Bobetko.

● Geography

The geography of the entity included the regions of Herzegovina and parts of Bosnia, with its capital in Mostar. The entity bordered the Republika Srpska to the east, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the north, and Croatia to the west. The entity included several important cities, including Široki Brijeg, Ljubuški, and Čapljina, and was home to several significant landmarks, including the Stari Most and the Međugorje shrine, which is an important pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics, including Pope John Paul II.

● Government

The government of the entity was led by Mate Boban, who served as the president, and Jadranko Prlić, who served as the prime minister. The entity had its own parliament, which was composed of representatives from the HDZ BiH and other parties, including the Croatian Party of Rights. The entity also had its own judicial system, which was based on the Constitution of Croatia and the European Convention on Human Rights. The entity received significant support from the Croatian government, led by Franjo Tuđman, and the European Union, led by Jacques Delors.

● Economy

The economy of the entity was largely based on agriculture, with significant production of tobacco, wine, and fruits. The entity also had a significant tourism industry, with several important tourist destinations, including Međugorje and Mostar. The entity's economy was also supported by the Croatian economy, including the Croatian National Bank, led by Marko Škreb, and the Croatian Chamber of Economy, led by Nikica Valentić. The entity also received significant assistance from the International Monetary Fund, led by Michel Camdessus, and the World Bank, led by Lewis Preston.

● Culture

The culture of the entity was largely based on Croatian culture, with significant influences from Roman Catholicism and the Croatian language. The entity was home to several important cultural institutions, including the University of Mostar and the Croatian Cultural Society. The entity also had a significant media industry, with several important newspapers, including the Večernji list and the Jutarnji list, and television stations, including the Croatian Radiotelevision and the Federalna televizija. The entity's culture was also influenced by the Bosnian culture and the Serbian culture, and was home to several important cultural events, including the Mostar Summer Festival and the Sarajevo Film Festival.

● Dissolution

The dissolution of the entity was the result of the Washington Agreement, which was signed on March 18, 1994, by the Croatian government, led by Franjo Tuđman, and the Bosniak government, led by Alija Izetbegović. The agreement established the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which included the territories of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The entity was officially dissolved on August 7, 1996, and its territories were incorporated into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Sarajevo as its capital. The dissolution of the entity marked the end of the Bosnian War and the beginning of a new era of peace and cooperation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the United Nations, led by Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and the European Union, led by Jacques Santer.

Category:Bosnian War