Required Reading for Italian-Americans...

Sicilian Culture: News & Views

Ethnic Cleansing of 400,000 Italians in Croatia & Slovenia

The ANNOTICO Report
Thanks to Dr. Manny Alfano, founder of IAOV

The Austro-Hungarian Empire's 300 years of influence/occupation of Northern Italy was finally broken with the Unification of Italy in 1860, although Venice and environs was not relinquished until 1866.

Other territories on the East Coast of the Adriatic that had either substantial or predominate Italian populations, that were NOT relinquished, were called the "irredenta" territories, and were a very sore spot for the Italians, and included Trieste, the Istria Peninsula, Fiume (Rijeka), Dalmatia, etc

With the loss of WWI, the Austro Hungarian Empire was broken up, and Italy was "returned" Trieste, Istria, Zara, Lagosta, but Fiume and Dalmatia were given to the newly created Yugoslavia. Italy later obtained a Protectorate over Albania.

Even though Italy was an Enemy of the Allies only from June 10, 1940 to September 1943, and became a Co-Belligerent of the Allies from then, until the end of the War in Europe on May 7, 1945, the "irredenta" territories were given to Yugoslavia.

So now there were numerous Italians in those "irredenta" territories, and a great number in Croatia and Slovenia, that were caught in the middle of the incendiary mix of Croatians, Serbians, Muslims, and their long simmering animosity, that fostered severe tribalism, and a Communist government, that fostered aggression against Italians.

(BIAPAC) Bronx Italian-American Political Action Committee is addressing that matter, and appears to be doing it with an extremely effective Strategy.

I commend them for standing up for their rights, and deserve our support, which I'm sure will be reciprocated on other issues not as close to them, but nevertheless, of concern to the Italian American Community, or a portion, that is being treated unfairly.

I will be looking forward to being advised of the address of BIAPAC's Web Site, which will be loaded with information on the subject, and of their efforts to recruit a Mailing list of supporters that may be called upon to inundate the appropriately indicated persons/offices with letters of support.

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Bronx Italian-American Committee Tackles Ethnic Cleansing Issue
New advocacy group tackles ethnic cleansing issue
by Jon Minners

At its first meeting, the Bronx Italian American Political Action Committee (BIAPAC) tackled the explosive subject of anti-Italian discrimination in Slovenia and Croatia, two countries presently seeking entry into NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). The assembly was held on Monday, January 29 at the Sons of Italy Uguaglianza (Equality) Lodge, at Frankie & Johnnie’s Pine Restaurant.

Anthony Chiofalo, a Morris Park resident and the founder of BIAPAC, said his goal is to raise awareness concerning issues affecting Italian Americans.

"The large Italian-American population in the Bronx needs a group that will act in its interests," he said. "We want to reach out to other Italian groups in an effort to bring attention to many issues that are vital to the Italian-American community."

A major topic he believes deserves particular scrutiny is the ethnic cleansing of Italians in Croatia and Slovenia. In an open letter to the press, Chiofalo cited that 400,000 ethnic Italians were purged, through murder and/or exile from 1943 to 1954 in Yugoslavia. When Communism collapsed in that country in 1991, the country was divided into Croatia and Slovenia.

At the time, many Italian-Americans living in the Bronx hoped this event would open the door to land reclamation that was once rightfully their own. "They deserved some recognition of what was taken from them," reported Chiofalo.

But Croatia and Slovenia effectively enacted legislation prohibiting Italians from returning or claiming any rights of heredity or restitution.

Simultaneously, however, Croatians and Slovenes were given the right to claim restitution to the property nationalized by the Yugoslavian Communist regime.

Further legislation prevented Italians and other non-citizens of the countries, from buying any real estate in the formerly Italian lands, which Chiofalo claims violates international laws and the free market principles Americans have embraced.

For this reason alone, Chiofalo believes America should prevent these countries from entering into NATO until significant changes are made to their system of laws.

"We want the human rights of Italian exiles recognized and respected," said Giovanni De Pierro, president of the Italian Alliance Istria Fiume Dalmazia, co-speaker of the event. De Pierro stated that many members of the Bronx community were affected by ethnic cleansing and/or are the direct descendants f those subjected to it. "We want to get the word out and get people involved," De Pierro said. "We are working together with other associations and are lobbying the Italian government and various people in America to get something done about it."

While ethnic cleansing was the main focus of BIAPAC’s initial meeting, Chiofalo said other issues will take precedence in the future, as they attempt to be an influential voting group during future elections. These pertinent issues include voter registration for Italian seniors and the unfavorable depiction of Italians in movies and television shows.

"As Italians, and Italian-Americans, are we truly treated with equality by the larger society?" asks Chiofalo. "Or are we essentially excluded by a society which suffers from what I call selective social compassion?"

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