ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - "Vladimir Velebit Witness to History", an extensive book published by Zagreb's Razlog, was presented at the capital's Mimara museum on Tuesday. President Stipe Mesic was among those attending. Mira Suvar, who
compiled the book, conducted the conversations comprising the book with the 95-year-old Velebit, whose life has been exceptional and stormy. The book presents Velebit, attorney, polyglot, partisan, general, chief of ex-Yugoslavia's military mission to the Allies' headquarters, founder of Yugoslav diplomacy, and head of the UN Economic Commission for Europe. Stipe Suvar, who wrote the preface, said Velebit's memories and judgements of significant events he took part in would help the reader gain a better understanding of the history of the 20th century and some figures who left their mark on those events. One of them is Josip Broz Tito, the former Yugoslav president who died in 1980, w
ZAGREB, Nov 20 (Hina) - "Vladimir Velebit Witness to History", an
extensive book published by Zagreb's Razlog, was presented at the
capital's Mimara museum on Tuesday.
President Stipe Mesic was among those attending.
Mira Suvar, who compiled the book, conducted the conversations
comprising the book with the 95-year-old Velebit, whose life has
been exceptional and stormy.
The book presents Velebit, attorney, polyglot, partisan, general,
chief of ex-Yugoslavia's military mission to the Allies'
headquarters, founder of Yugoslav diplomacy, and head of the UN
Economic Commission for Europe.
Stipe Suvar, who wrote the preface, said Velebit's memories and
judgements of significant events he took part in would help the
reader gain a better understanding of the history of the 20th
century and some figures who left their mark on those events.
One of them is Josip Broz Tito, the former Yugoslav president who
died in 1980, whom Velebit respected as a historical figure whom he
himself had served, said Suvar, adding the author did not refrain
from pointing to some of Tito's mistakes and weaknesses either.
Slovenia's Janez Stanovnik and Yugoslavia's Mirko Tepavac,
diplomats and politicians at the time of the ex-Yugoslavia, also
spoke about the book.
According to Stanovnik, Velebit was not only a witness to but the
creator of the history of the past century as well, and his book is
"the anatomy of this time."
Tepavac said Velebit was an outstanding person who followed what
went on in the world and at home even in his old age, through several
decades one of the most active creators of ex-Yugoslavia's
history.
As for the break-up of the former Yugoslav federation, Tepavac said
it disintegrated because in 80 years of existence it failed to
become democratic.
Velebit, also at the presentation, thanked the book's publisher,
and particularly President Mesic for attending.
Also present were numerous anti-fascist fighters from World War
Two, diplomats, and Croatian political and state officials at the
time of the former federation.
(hina) ha sb