An Open Letter

Vukovar, 12 October 1991

We have deliberated over whether to write this letter for a long time. But after all the events that have occurred within the past few days, we have brought our decision and we would like you to read it publicly, instead of the evening report from our front.

Dear people of Vukovar and Borovo Naselje!

This letter is not addressed to you who find yourselves on the left bank of the river Drava, because we know for certain what you think about this war and whose side you are on; this letter is addressed to you, our compatriots, who are now all over Croatia listening to this open letter tonight.

We have been resisting vicious attacks launched on us by Chetniks and the Yugoslav Army for four full months, even though they are stronger in numbers and technology. They have been defeated on many occasions as they are not aware that they lack something that we cherish and which gives us the strength to persevere and win. They lack heart, because, unlike us, they are not fighting for something that is theirs; and what hurts most is that sometimes there is no mention of us on prime-time news, although other places are mentioned. Whether two shots were fired at them, or similar information; we mean no disrespect, nor do we wish to underestimate someone else’s misfortune in this war, but we would like you to know that here no count is kept any longer, as grenades do not fall in the dozens, nor in the hundreds, but in the thousands.

But, let me return to why I am writing this letter to you.

Dear compatriots, after the last elections you stood in the front rows when the victory of democracy was celebrated, you were at the front of the line when lamb and oxen were being roasted, but where are you now? This land needs you even more than it did. Word has it that you are spending your time in cafés in Zagreb and in cafés and hotels along the Adriatic coast. And as you unconcernedly drink your morning coffee, we have already been plagued by a hundred shells aimed at us from a variety of enemy weaponry. Perhaps you are uninformed and do not know that wonderful young men and true heroes have fallen and they have fallen so that we and you may enjoy freedom tomorrow.

It is difficult to accept the bitter truth, but neither Blago, nor Zilet, nor Grga, nor Vinko, nor Gudelja, nor Vidos, nor Mandic, or Krivic, and who knows how many other heroes like them, will ever walk among us again. And what about you? Will you have the courage and boldness to come to our free cities one day, to walk among us, among their relatives and friends, and look us in the eyes? Know then that this is the last possible moment for you to come to your city and help us defend it and cleanse it of invaders. As, otherwise, there will no longer be a place for you to return to.

Come and join us in our struggle. Because do not think that we will look after your flats, feed your fish, and die, so that you may return happily when it is all over forever.

Signed by the defenders
of Vukovar and Borovo Naselje

Siniša Glavašević