Jareb: Mass crimes in NDH were not isolated incidents, but the number of Serbs in Jasenovac was manipulated

Mass crimes committed during the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) were systemic, though figures regarding the number of Serbs killed at Jasenovac have been subject to manipulation, according to historian Dr. sc. Mario Jareb.

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The Ustaše were not founded on January 7, 1929, but in the spring of 1930, as a military or paramilitary organization prepared for armed struggle with the aim of establishing an independent Croatian state.

Jareb, speaking on the Večernji TV podcast "Historical Dialogues," detailed the history of the Ustaše movement and the NDH. He clarified that the Ustaše movement, initially a small group, became more prominent after the NDH's establishment in 1941. Prior to that, it operated as the "Ustaše – Croatian Revolutionary Organization," focused on armed struggle for an independent Croatian state. Jareb noted that from 1931 to 1934, their activities included assassinating Yugoslav officials and a bombing campaign. He specifically mentioned the 1934 assassination of King Alexander Karađorđević in Marseille, carried out in collaboration with Macedonian nationalists.

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From 1931 to 1934, the core of their activity was carrying out assassinations of Yugoslav authorities, and in the summer and fall of 1931, a bomb campaign was also carried out, which was stopped after civilian casualties.

During the 1930s, the Ustaše received protection from Italy, despite initial intentions to base themselves in Austria. When World War II began, Germany initially offered power to Vladko Maček, who refused, leading them to turn to the Ustaše. The NDH was proclaimed on April 10, 1941. Jareb explained the significance of the Roman Treaties on May 6, 1941, where Italy controlled southern NDH territories and agreed to a proposal for an Italian royal to take the Croatian throne, a move sarcastically dubbed the "Duke of Rope" in Zagreb. Pavelić, however, resisted making the NDH a kingdom to maintain his own authority.

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The Ustaše enjoyed the protection of Italy during the thirties, although Pavelić's initial intention was to settle in Austria.

The development of the NDH's armed forces was constrained, with a significant German and Italian military presence. Italian forces exploited the NDH's weakness following a Serbian uprising in September 1941, negatively impacting the Croatian population's view of the NDH. Jareb acknowledged the mass atrocities in camps like Slano, Jasenovac, and Stara Gradiška, as well as the Holocaust, holding the Ustaše authorities responsible. He also pointed out the contributions of many Croats, including Archbishop Stepinac and Caritas, who participated in rescuing persecuted individuals, protecting Jews and Serbs. Stepinac, Jareb noted, criticized the regime's actions and sought to preserve the Croatian state.

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The Italians, south of the central line, exploited the weakness of the NDH after the Serbian uprising in September 1941, which negatively affected the attitude of the Croatian population towards the NDH.