At the end of November Topic visited the society's offices in the United States and Canada and upon his return to Bosnia-Herzegovina issued a statement warning about the negative attitude of Croat emigrants towards Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Catholic press agency of the Bosnian Bishops' Conference quoted Topic as saying that it was sad that people who consider themselves hard-line Croats do not want to listen to the Bosnian national anthem or watch the country's internationally recognised symbols.
He said that none of as many as 28 Croat associations operating in Hamilton, Canada, wanted to have anything with Napredak's activities just because it was based in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"We should not wonder then about natives in the USA, Canada and many other countries perceiving Bosnia-Herzegovina as a Muslim country. Why shouldn't they, if Croats (not to mention Serbs) are denying it and are ashamed of it," Topic said, adding that it was beyond comprehension that many Croats still did not recognise Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Croats must not renounce Bosnia because it is their country too, Topic said, adding that Napredak and its offices would intensify their work on promoting that fact.
Topic urged assistance in this endeavour from the clergy, media and diplomats from Croatia.