Original scientific paper
THE QUESTION OF THE RECOGNITION OF THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF CROATIA BY THE SWISS CONFEDERATION
Tomislav Jonjić
; Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
In this article, which is based primarily on unpublished Swiss diplomatic sources, the development of relations between the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) and the Swiss Confederation is briefly described, especially with regard to the question of diplomatic recognition of the NDH. Available archival sources do not support the conclusion that Berlin or Rome was advocating recognition of NDH by any means possible, but that Croatian authorities were seeking de jure recognition for a variety of reasons. Officially, Bern rebuffed these requests, partly due to its traditional policy of neutrality, and partly because the British embassy pressured the Swiss by warning them that recognition of NDH could be construed as open allegiance with the Axis. Consequently, the result of Croatian-Swiss discussions, in which the Swiss consulate in Zagreb played an important part, was an oral agreement extending informal relations between the two states, especially economic and financial relations.
Nevertheless, Croatia was allowed, through the auspices of the permanent trade delegation in Zürich, to carry out limited consular activities. In this regard, it is important to mention that Croatian interest in Switzerland was motivated by a desire to form a possible bridge to the western allies.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
212207
URI
Publication date:
1.12.1999.
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