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THE CROATIAN RESPONSE TO THE SECOND BIHAĆ CRISIS -
THE OPERATION LJETO ‘95 (SUMMER ’95)
Croatia responded to the second Bihać crisis just as it had done in the fi rst one. Th e
leadership of the Republic of Croatia had followed the new Serb off ensive very
attentively. 116 As the crisis reached its climax, President A. Izetbegović received
the unexpected invitation of the Croatian President F. Tuđman to come to Split for
“important talks”. 117 On 22 July 1995 both Presidents signed in Split the Declaration on the
Implementation of the Washington Agreement. However, the most important part of the
document was the agreement on military cooperation. 118 On the basis of the agreement
between the politicians, Croatian forces took concrete steps in the direction of Livno -
Bosansko Grahovo and Livno - Glamoč in order to help encircled Bihać. Th e objective
of the operation, called Ljeto ’95 (Summer ’95), was to crush VRS forces at the eastern
and north-eastern end of Livanjsko Polje, and capture Bosansko Grahovo and Glamoč,
thus stopping Serbian attacks on Bihać and creating the conditions for the liberation of
Knin and northern Dalmatia. Th e operation was executed between 25 and 29 July 1995.
Croatian forces entered Glamoč and Bosansko Grahovo, and intersected the Knin - Drvar
communication, vital for the fate of the RSK. 119 Th e road to Knin was open.
Th e signing of the Declaration
on the Renewal of the
Washington Agreement, Joint
Defence Against Serbian Aggression
and Realization of a
Political Solution with the Aid
of the International Community,
Split, 22 July 1995.
116 H. Šarinić, «Svi moji tajni pregovori sa Slobodanom Miloševićem, 1993-95 (98)» (All My Secret Negotiations
with Slobodan Milošević, 1993-95/98), 261.
117 Alija Izetbegović, “Sjećanja: autobiografski zapisi” (Memories: Autobiographical Notes); Šahinpašić, Sarajevo,
2001, 201.
118 Miroslav Tuđman, “Istina o Bosni i Hercegovini: dokumenti 1991-1995.” (Th e Truth About Bosnia&Herzegovina:
Documents 1991-1995); Slovo M, Zagreb, 2005, 614-616.
119 SVA MORH, ZZPS: Command OG North, cl. str. conf. 8/95-01/07, reg. no. 1080-01-95-294 of 25 July 1995; Attack
order; A. Gotovina, “Napadajni bojevi i operacije HV i HVO”(Off ensive HV and HVO Battles and Operations), 59-64.