ADDRESS BY

H.E DR. IVO SANADER

PRIME MINISTER

OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

ON THE OCCASION OF RECEIVING A

PRESIDENTIAL CITATION FROM

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

SEPTEMBER 27, 2004

Distinguished members of the Faculty and Administration,

Dear Friends,

Ladies and Gentlemen

I want to thank the President of Duquesne University, Dr. Charles J. Dougherty, for his very kind and generous invitation to your wonderful campus. I also want to thank Reverend Sean M. Hogan for his warm words of welcome and prayers. The best way that I can express my gratitude in receiving this Presidential Citation is by quoting Duquesne’s motto: EDUCATION FOR THE MIND, THE HEART, AND THE SOUL.

Thank you Dr. Dougherty, and congratulations to Duquesne University on celebrating its 125th anniversary, a remarkable achievement in advancing higher education and respect for tradition in a rapidly changing modern world.

I am thrilled to return to the United States and to see old friends and to establish new friendships.

Pittsburgh is particularly close to the hearts of Croatian people. Large numbers of Croats that immigrated to the United States over a century ago settled in the greater Pittsburgh area.

They have enriched themselves by becoming active participants in their new communities and in sharing their cultural traditions, talent and culture with other Americans from diverse backgrounds.

Indeed, they have been dynamic and energetic in fostering economic, cultural and educational links between Croatia and the United States.

Your city is the home of the Croatian Fraternal Union, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year.

The strong ties Croatians have had with their own cultural heritage have been important in preserving their identity, which is an essential ingredient of tolerance and democracy.

Respect for their heritage, felt by new immigrants when they first arrived to America, has ensured that generations of Croatians living here have been model citizens and never forgotten their roots, their culture and customs.

You have all now spent some time studying here at Duquesne University pursuing the noble goal of expanding your intellectual horizons, and I hope that at some point you have also given thought to the traditions upon which this institution was founded.

This would be time well spent, since the fundamental Christian values of tolerance, respect, dignity and service are the core virtues of any progressive and truly free community. The Spiritan founders of Duquesne had this in mind as they sought to promote excellence in education by staying true to their values and moral framework.

Out of the modest beginnings of a rented room over a bakery in Pittsburgh, the Fathers and Brothers began a process that has directly led to Duquesne becoming one of the leading Catholic institutions of higher learning in the United States, while at the same time maintaining their respect for diversity and the advancement of the common good. This great institution of higher learning is proof that progress and tradition can, and often do, go hand in hand.

One of the palpable manifestations of these shared values and traditions has been taught and preserved here at Duquesne. I am of course referring specifically to the tamburitzans, which have been performing tamburitza music for almost 70 years.

The splendid sound of the tamburitza is cherished by many in Croatia. It is also part of the tradition of other nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

Remarkable young people have been coming together year after year to perform and build friendships, and at the same time bringing to the world the richness of their individual cultures and traditions.

Spirituality and faith are also the foundations that have shaped the culture and cultural heritage of many European nations. Croatians are no exception.

Croatia’s aspirations to shape its own destiny are universally shared. America’s moment was galvanized in 1776 when the American people sought their freedom from colonial rule.

Standing before you today, I cannot but help to wonder what Benjamin Franklin must have been thinking when, as America’s envoy in Paris, he received the news that the United States had been recognized as an independent state.

I am pleased and honored to be able to share with you that one of the first Ambassadors who came to inform Franklin of the news of this recognition was from the Republic of Dubrovnik. The beautiful Croatian city of Dubrovnik was at that time a city-state on the Adriatic coast with an acute awareness of the values of freedom and independence.

The citizens of the then Dubrovnik Republic cherished the same ideals and values as in the United States. Franklin’s mission was by no means an easy one.

He needed to explain to the European monarchies the meaning of republicanism in the United States, while at the same time seeking international recognition. During the Croatian war of independence, our Homeland war, the United States was also able to recognize Croatia’s desire for freedom, democracy and independence.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

My Government is preparing Croatia for membership in the European Union and NATO. We have spared no effort in adopting policies to reform Croatia’s society and economy to be ready for the challenges of membership.

We strongly believe that people must be free to explore their interests and to believe what they wish to believe without reservation or fear.

This entails respect for human rights in all its forms and vigilance on the part of authorities to safeguard everyone’s rights and liberties equally. These are rights that we hold as absolute and inviolable and are not subject to interference or play of human power. 

My Government and I firmly believe that transatlantic values, cooperation and interests are necessary and vital to maintaining international peace, security and ensuring that the global economy continues to grow. The Atlantic bridges Europe and America rather than divides them.

Croatia took a major step forward towards membership in the European Union in June 2004 when it became a candidate country.

In an opinion editorial published last year in the Wall Street Journal, I wrote that our definitive determination to be part of Europe is inseparable from friendship and partnership with the United States. Croatia values and appreciates the important role played by the United States in supporting our efforts to join the Euro-Atlantic community.

Croatia’s membership in these two crucial institutions of the transatlantic community reflects our commitment to the shared values of democracy, rule of law and human rights.

The admission of new members sharing the values of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law into NATO is yet another step towards a “Europe whole and free.” It also enhances our common ability to face the threats to our security by reducing or almost eliminating the possibility of instability in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Membership in the transatlantic community is not an end in itself, but rather an opportunity to participate in the common objective of ensuring that all our citizens can enjoy the benefits of security, freedom and economic opportunity.

Croatia feels that considering the time and effort that has been invested in these integration processes, their development must not deviate from the basic core values that bind nations – and ultimately, people – together. Duquesne University has demonstrated in a very real way that progress and tradition can be linked, and that the results can be outstanding.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me thank you once again for the honor of receiving this recognition, which bears witness to the unique multicultural openness of your University, your City, Pennsylvania and the United States as a whole.

Congratulations to Duquesne University on celebrating its 125th anniversary in providing excellence in education and producing generations of graduates with knowledge, heart and soul. We wholeheartedly and sincerely hope that this tradition continues for generations to come.

I am proud that Croatians have been able to build a part of their culture, their spirit and identity in your beautiful and friendly country. The recognition you have bestowed on me, you have in turn bestowed on them.

Thank you.