The
day before, on October 7, 1991, a three-month moratorium on Croatia's decision
of 25 June 1991 to declare independence and sovereignty expired. Croatia Marks Independence Day on October 8
ZAGREB, Oct 7 - On October 8 Croatia marks Independence Day in memory of 8 October 1991, when its parliament adopted a unanimous decision to sever all constitutional relations with the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).
The
day before, on October 7, 1991, a three-month moratorium on Croatia's decision
of 25 June 1991 to declare independence and sovereignty expired.
The implementation of the parliament's decision to declare independence and sovereignty was postponed due to a request by the European Community that the Yugoslav crisis be solved peacefully.
After the moratorium expired, the Croatian parliament on October 8 adopted a decision to sever constitutional relations with the former SFRY.
In the midst of fighting on the frontlines, due to the danger of an attack by the former JNA, federal army, and Serb terrorists, the parliament session was held in secrecy at another location and not in parliament building.
By adopting the decision, the parliament established that Croatia no longer considered bodies of the SFRY legitimate and legal, or any legal act of any body acting on behalf of the former federation valid. It was also established that Yugoslavia no longer existed as a federation.
During the three-month moratorium, the JNA and Serb terrorists stepped up attacks on Croatian towns and villages, destroying hospitals, schools, churches, monuments and other civilian buildings. On October 7, a JNA jet bombarded the seat of the then Croatian president Franjo Tudjman.