Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina

Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina
Overview
Established19 December 1991 (1991-12-19)
Dissolved7 August 1995 (1995-08-07) (Operation Storm)
Country Republic of Serbian Krajina
LeaderPrime Minister

The Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was the highest executive authority of the Republic of Serbian Krajina (1991–1995). Its organization, jurisdiction, and decision-making procedures were regulated by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbian Krajina and laws of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, as well as subordinate legal acts.[1][2]

In a historical context, the Government of the RSK represented a continuity of executive functions from previously existing bodies:

  • Government of SAO Krajina (May–December 1991)
  • Executive Council of SAO Krajina (December 1990–May 1991)
  • Presidency of the Community of Municipalities of Northern Dalmatia and Lika (July 1990–December 1991)

History

The first Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was elected on 19 December 1991, the day the Constitution of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was proclaimed.[3]

This event was preceded by the gradual formation of executive bodies of Serbian autonomy in SAO Krajina and other Serbian regions that emerged within the administrative borders of the former Yugoslav federal unit of SR Croatia from mid-1990 to the end of 1991.

First executive bodies

In Knin, on 27 June 1990, a decision was made to establish the Community of Municipalities of Northern Dalmatia and Lika (CMNDL). On 3 July, its provisional Presidency was constituted as an executive body, headed by Milan Babić, then President of the Assembly of the Municipality of Knin.

On 25 July 1990, a large Serb assembly was held in Gračanac in Srb, at which the Serbian National Council (SNC) was founded. Milan Babić was elected President of the SNC, while continuing to serve as President of the provisional Presidency of the CMNDL.

At its first session on 30 July 1990 in Knin, the SNC called a Referendum on the autonomy of Serbs in Croatia, held from 19 August to 2 September, in which 98% of voters supported Serbian autonomy. On 30 September 1990, based on the referendum results, the SNC adopted a series of decisions aimed at further building Serbian autonomy in Croatia.

On 21 December 1990, the SNC and the Presidency of the CMNDL proclaimed the creation of SAO Krajina. At the same time, the Croatian Parliament proclaimed a new Constitution of Croatia on 22 December 1990, defining Croatia as a national state of the Croatian people, while Serbs were categorized as “other peoples and minorities.”[1][2]

Executive Council

The Statute of SAO Krajina of 21 December 1990 established the Executive Council as the executive authority.[4] Milan Babić was elected President of the Executive Council.

By a decision of the Executive Council on 4 January 1991, the Secretariat of Internal Affairs of SAO Krajina was established, and Milan Martić was appointed as secretary.

On 21 February 1991, the Croatian Parliament adopted the “Resolution on accepting the procedure for disassociation from the SFRY” and a decision declaring Yugoslav laws invalid in Croatia. In response, the Serbian National Council and the Executive Council of SAO Krajina adopted the “Resolution on the disassociation of the Republic of Croatia and SAO Krajina” on 28 February 1991, providing that SAO Krajina would remain within Yugoslavia as a separate political entity.[5]

These decisions were confirmed on 18 March through amendments to the Statute of SAO Krajina, formally defining it as a separate political entity within Yugoslavia.[6]

Shortly thereafter, without convening the Assembly of SAO Krajina and without consultations with official Belgrade, the Executive Council adopted a decision on 1 April to unite SAO Krajina with the Republic of Serbia.[7] At the same time, a Referendum on the status of SAO Krajina was called for 12 May. Although the referendum result was affirmative,[8] the Executive Council soon abandoned plans for unification with Serbia and returned to the concept of transforming SAO Krajina into a separate political entity within Yugoslavia.[1][2]

Government

In Knin, on 29 May 1991, a series of decisions transformed the Statute of SAO Krajina into the Constitutional Law of SAO Krajina and converted the Executive Council into the Government of SAO Krajina, headed by Milan Babić as Prime Minister.[9]

With the subsequent adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, SAO Krajina was transformed on 19 December 1991 into the Republic of Serbian Krajina, after which the first Government of the RSK was elected, with Milan Babić as Prime Minister. Between 1991 and 1995, in addition to the formation of new governments, periodic cabinet reshuffles also took place.[1][2]

Governments

Presidency of the Community of Municipalities of Northern Dalmatia and Lika (1990)

The Community of Municipalities of Northern Dalmatia and Lika was founded on 27 June 1990, and on 3 July its provisional Presidency of the Assembly was constituted as the executive body. At the end of 1991, the CMNDL was transformed into SAO Krajina.

Provisional Presidency of the Community of Municipalities of Northern Dalmatia and Lika
(3 July 1990 – 21 December 1990)
Name Position Represents Image
Milan Babić President Municipal Assembly of Knin
David Rastović Vice-President Municipal Assembly of Donji Lapac
Vojislav Lukić Delegate Municipal Assembly of Gračac
Sergej Veselinović Delegate Municipal Assembly of Obrovac
Zdravko Zečević Delegate Municipal Assembly of Benkovac

Serbian National Council (1990–1991)

The Serbian National Council was founded on 25 July 1990 at the large Serb assembly in Srb, and was dissolved after the transformation of the Executive Council of SAO Krajina into the Government of SAO Krajina (25 July 1990 – 29 May 1991).

Serbian National Council
(25 July 1990 – 29 May 1991)
Name Position Represents Image
Dr. Milan Babić President President of the Municipal Assembly of Knin
David Rastović Vice-President President of the Municipal Assembly of Donji Lapac
Dr. Jovan Rašković Delegate President of the SDS
M.A. Mile Dakić Delegate President of the JSDS
Jovan Opačić Delegate Delegate from Knin
Dr. Dušan Zelenbaba Delegate Delegate from Knin
Radoslav Tanjga Delegate Delegate from Knin
Ratko Ličina Delegate Delegate from Gračac
Dušan Ergarac Delegate Delegate from Donji Lapac
Vojislav Lukić Delegate President of the Municipal Assembly of Gračac
Sergej Veselinović Delegate President of the Municipal Assembly of Obrovac
Zdravko Zečević Delegate President of the Municipal Assembly of Benkovac
Velibor Matijašević Delegate President of the Municipal Assembly of Glina
Parish priest Veljko Bosanac Delegate Representative of the Serbian Orthodox Church
Dušan Vještica Secretary

Executive Council and Government of SAO Krajina (1990–1991)

The Executive Council of SAO Krajina was elected after the proclamation of SAO Krajina on 21 December 1990, and was later renamed the Government of SAO Krajina on 29 May 1991. It was dissolved on 19 December 1991, when the first Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was elected (21 December 1990 – 19 December 1991).

Government of SAO Krajina
(21 December 1990 – 19 December 1991)
Name Position Party Image
Dr. Milan Babić Prime Minister
Jovan Katić Deputy Prime Minister
Risto Matković Deputy Prime Minister
Dušan Starević Deputy Prime Minister
Vukašin Babić Minister of Electric Power and Energy
Dušan Badža Minister of Education
Milan Bauk Minister of Finance
Dr. Vaso Ležaić Minister of Health and Social Policy
Lazar Macura Minister of Information
Milan Martić Minister of Internal Affairs
Jovan Radulović Minister of Foreign Affairs
Veljko Stojisavljević Minister of Trade, Tourism, Forestry and Agriculture
Milan Tarbuk Minister of Defence
Petar Štikovac Minister of Religious Affairs
Dušan Vještica Minister of Urban Planning and Construction

Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina (1991–1992)

The first Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was elected on 19 December 1991 and was dissolved upon the election of a new government on 26 February 1992 (19 December 1991 – 26 February 1992).

Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina
(19 December 1991 – 26 February 1992)
Name Position Party Image
Risto Matković First Minister and Minister of Justice
Vukašin Babić Minister of Energy
Dušan Badža Minister of Education
Drago Jaramaz Minister of Finance
Savan Grabundžija Minister of Transport and Communications
Mićo Jelić Grnović Minister of Culture
Lazar Macura Minister of Information
Milan Martić Minister of Internal Affairs
Veljko Popović Minister of Urban Planning and Construction
M.A. Borivoj Rašuo Minister of Foreign Affairs
Petar Štikovac Minister of Religious Affairs
Dr. Vaso Ležaić Minister of Labour, Health and Social Policy

Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina (1992–1993)

The second Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was established on 26 February 1992 and was dissolved upon the election of a new government on 28 March 1993 (26 February 1992 – 28 March 1993).

Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina
(26 February 1992 – 28 March 1993)
Name Position Party Image
M.A. Zdravko Zečević Prime Minister
Dr. Boško Božanić Deputy Prime Minister
Jovo Kablar Deputy Prime Minister
Stevo Bogić Deputy Prime Minister
Veljko Džakula Deputy Prime Minister (dismissed 11 February 1992)
Dušan Steravić Deputy Prime Minister
Nebojša Arbutina Minister of Economic Relations, Industry and Development
Đorđe Bjegović Minister of Energy and Mining
Mitar Brnović Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry
Dušan Ećimović Minister of Information
Zdravko Janković Minister of Information (after Ećimović)
Savan Grabundžija Minister of Transport and Communications
Rade Gaćesha Minister of Construction and Urban Planning
Mladen Hadžić Minister of Labour and Social Welfare
Milan Martić Minister of Internal Affairs
Milan Knežević Minister of Education
Vojin Peurača Minister of Finance
David Rastović Minister of Sports
Dobroslav Vejzović Minister of Foreign Affairs
Slobodan Jarčević Minister of Foreign Affairs (after Vejzović)
Sergej Veselinović Minister of Culture and Religious Affairs
Svetozar Vinčić Minister of Trade and Tourism
Dr. Dušan Jović Minister of Health
Dr. Spiro Kostić Minister of Health (after Jović)
Stojan Španović Minister of Defence

Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina (1993–1994)

The third Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was established on 28 March 1993 and was dissolved upon the election of a new government on 21 April 1994 (28 March 1993 – 21 April 1994).

Government of the RSK (28 March 1993 – 21 April 1994)[3]
Name and surname Office Party Image
Đorđe Bjegović Prime Minister
Branko Lubovac Deputy Prime Minister
Stojan Španović Deputy Prime Minister
Nebojša Arbutina Minister of Economic Relations, Industry and Development
Dr. Dragica Bakić Minister of Labour and Veterans’ and Disability Protection
Miomir Crnogorac Minister of Transport and Communications
Mitar Brnović Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry
Slobodan Jarčević Minister of Foreign Affairs
Milivoj Krička Minister of Energy and Mining
Dr. Spiro Kostić Minister of Health
Milan Knežević Minister of Education
Radomir Kužet Minister of Justice and Administration
Đorđe Lazić Minister of Trade and Tourism
Milan Martić Minister of Internal Affairs
Vojin Peurača Minister of Finance
Milena Tanjga Minister of Information
Dušan Rakić Minister of Defence
Ljubiša Budić Minister of Construction and Urban Planning

Government of the RSK (1994–1995)

The fourth Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was formed on 21 April 1994 and dissolved upon the election of a new government on 27 July 1995 (21 April 1994 – 27 July 1995).[3]

Government of the RSK (21 April 1994 – 27 July 1995)[3]
Name and surname Office Party Image
Borislav Mikelić Prime Minister
Dr. Milan Babić Minister of Foreign Affairs
Uroš Funduk Minister of Justice and Administration
Prof. Dr. Rade Tanjga Minister of Defence
M.A. Ilija Prijić Minister of Internal Affairs
Milivoj Krička Minister of Energy
Ratko Veselinović Minister of Finance
Dr. Branko Petrović Minister of Economy
Simo Šijan Minister of Agriculture
Milivoj Vojnović Minister of Sport
Milan Pađen Minister of Transport and Communications
Stevo Ratković Minister of Education
Ljubiša Budić Minister of Urban Planning and Construction
Dr. Stevan Đurić Minister of Health
Slobodan Perić Minister of Labour and Social Welfare
Mile Bosnić Minister of Trade
M.A. Borivoj Rašuo Minister of Information
Dragutin Bolić Minister of Culture

Government of the RSK (1995)

The fifth Government of the Republic of Serbian Krajina was formed on 27 July 1995 and dissolved on 5 August 1995 (27 July 1995 – 5 August 1995). The government ceased to function on 5 August 1995 after the Republic of Croatia launched a military offensive against the Republic of Serbian Krajina.[10]

Government of the RSK (27 July 1995 – 5 August 1995)[3]
Name and surname Office Party Image
Dr. Milan Babić Prime Minister
Milivoj Vojnović Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mile Bosnić Minister of Trade
Svetozar Vinčić Minister of Finance
Slobodan Perić Minister of Labour, Social and Veterans’ Affairs
Uroš Funduk Minister of Justice and Administration
Tošo Pajić Minister of Internal Affairs
Drago Kovačević Minister of Information
Vukašin Egić Minister of Energy
Ranko Bakić Minister of Industry and Development
Vaskrsije Vuksanović Minister of Agriculture
Đuro Podunavac Minister of Education
Dr. Stevan Đurić Minister of Health
Milan Pađen Minister of Transport and Communications
Milan Bogunović Minister of Construction and Urban Planning
Marko Atlagić Minister without portfolio
Milan Radmanović Minister without portfolio
Nikola Dobrijević Minister without portfolio
Ratko Gondi Minister without portfolio
Vojislav Stanimirović Minister without portfolio

References

  1. ^ a b c d Dakić 1994.
  2. ^ a b c d Dakić 2002.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Documents and Constitution of the Republic of Serbian Krajina" (in Serbian). Documents of the Government and Assembly of the Republic of Serbian Krajina in exile. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  4. ^ Rupić 2007, p. 120–124.
  5. ^ Rupić 2007, p. 141–142.
  6. ^ Rupić 2007, p. 151–153.
  7. ^ Rupić 2007, p. 160–161.
  8. ^ Rupić 2007, p. 172–177.
  9. ^ Rupić 2007, p. 178–181.
  10. ^ "Република Српска Крајина и рат 1990-1995" (in Serbian). Српска Крајина. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.

Bibliography