Prime minister Ivo Sanader The right wing & church: Ivo Sanader, Josip Bozanic and Ivica Todoric are the most influential men in Croatia

Nacional’s research team has again compiled their rankings of the most influential people in the country by their area of expertise. In comparison to earlier years, the number of politicians, police officers and spies has decreased while media figures and businessmen have entered the rankings. This all goes to prove that life in Croatia is becoming more normal and that control over social processes is shifting. Furthermore, 2006 will remain in our memories as the year the negotiations for European Union accession began. Certain new faces have appeared, who only one or two years ago were nowhere near this list. Below is the list of the 100 people with the greatest influence in the year that Croatia took a big step forward towards the European Union.

Politics

IVO SANADER, Premier. Though he is far from a charismatic leader, as his HDZ associates would have us believe, the Premier is certainly Croatia’s most important politician. His formula for success is simple: Sanader controls the government, and the government controls all sectors of the state, making him the man to decide on everything. Such a style can cause problems as he usually chooses ministers on the criteria of loyalty and bad decisions can result. His promises to reduce the VAT and unemployment and to lead Croatia into the EU by 2007 have since been forgotten. He has failed to achieve a great deal, but still, few have questioned his qualities as premier. Statistics say that Croatia is recording solid economic growth, though much lower than promised, but things are moving forwards.

VLADIMIR SEKS, Speaker of the Parliament. Despite numerous scandals and affairs, Seks is still one of the strongest HDZers and a close associate of Sanader. He controls the HDZ MPs and secures the government policies in the parliament. Also, he is one of the main creators of personnel policy for the judiciary, but we are yet to see how he will pass the test against Branimir Glavas, who has accused him of being responsible for the liquidation of Slavonian Serbs in 1991.

DRAGAN PRIMORAC, Minister of Education and Sport. Undoubtedly the strongest non-partisan member of the government, proven by the fact that Sanader offered him the candidacy to run for Zagreb mayor. He enjoys the support of conservative academic circles and physicians.

ANDRIJA HEBRANG, leader of the HDZ right wing. Not as powerful as he was two years ago, though Hebrang still symbolizes the right faction within the ruling party. Hebrang says what HDZ thinks. When he finally retires from politics one day, the consequences of his policies will still be visible.

MARIO ZUBOVIC, reliable friend of Ivo Sanader. Elite Zagreb circles believe him to be the best dentist in town. His true power lies in his friendship with Ivo Sanader. He will likely be assigned the task of leading the HDZ Zagreb branch, which is in a poor state. If he can raise party support in the capital to at least 25%, Zubovic could receive an important function in government in the future.

IVAN SUKER, Finance Minister. His power comes from his function. Though he was previously on the side of Pasalic in the party’s faction wars, he later gave his loyalty to Sanader and was made minister. He solidly runs his portfolio, and little more can be expected from Croatia’s uncompetitive economy.

RATKO MACEK, government spokesman. This former HTV reporter has since become Sanader’s Alastair Campbell. Macek has a dual role – he is informed of all the government’s secrets and also responsible for press relations. Macek oftentimes resembles Sanader’s shadow. He is so close to Sanader that even his “off the record” statements can be assumed to be the Premier’s position.

JERKO ROSIN, government architect. Once known only in Split, today he decides on the architecture of the entire Adriatic coast. The fact that he has beat out local lobbies in the majority of cases proves his power.

BOZIDAR KALMETA, Construction Minister. Kalmeta continued Cacic’s construction projects and completed the Zagreb-Split highway and is now working on the road to Dubrovnik. He is a politician with such strong financial and voter resources that his future is bright.

HIDO BISCEVIC, Diplomat. Though he is not the Foreign Minister, those well aware of the situation claim he is the most powerful person in Croatia’s diplomacy. His people control the ministry and he is close to the premier.

MARINA MATULOVIC- DROPULIC, Environment and Planning Minister. Both the ruling party and opposition consider her to be one of the most competent members of the government, with strong political backing for her work. So strong that she can send bulldozers to tear down hundreds of weekend homes on the island of Vir and in elite Split neighbourhoods.

MIOMIR ZUZUL, lobbyist and MP. One of the rare politicians to retain his influence after stepping down as minister. Zuzul continues to have strong ties to the American administration and numerous leading European diplomats. Proof of Zuzul’s political ties could be seen in a possible appointment to an important UN function.

ANTE GOTOVINA, General on trial in the Hague. Though demonstrations and support groups are no longer organized in his name, Gotovina continues to have a massive influence on Croatian society. For a large part of Croatian citizens, this retired general represents the nation’s fight for independence. His wartime successes mean that everything else is forgiven, including his expression of condolence to the family of Slobodan Milosevic. Most Croats are awaiting the Gotovina trial as some sort of important political-judicial game and when it starts, he will again be one of the most popular people.

MIODRAG DEMO, Veteran. In the war years, he was an elite commando, and today he is the primary liaison between the Zagreb SDP and veteran’s groups. He represents Bandic’s filter towards the war veterans and has been successful for the past four years.

JOSIP BOZANIC, Cardinal. The leading representative of the Croatian Catholic Church and a favourite of the Vatican administration. He lacks the charisma of Franjo Kuharic, however, this is not of crucial importance in a country with 88% of residents as catholic. He is conservative on social issues, however, keeps his distance from the right-wing Bishops of Lika and Dalmatia on national issues. Add his influence on the media, health care and labour and social legislation, he is much more than a highly position religious official.

MIJO GABRIC, priest. Poorly known to the public, he is the main church treasurer. He is close to the leading church officials and informed in many of the secrets of Kaptol. Very influential in banking and business circles.

IVAN JARNJAK, President, Parliamentary National Security Board. One of the most important members of the government. He has insight in all the most important intelligence information, which is commonly used to soften attacks against his party. He is also General Secretary of HDZ. Smart enough to known that he can only exist politically for as long as he follows Ivo Sanader.

MATE GRANIC, lobbyist. Former Foreign Minister is now one of the region’s top lobbyists. Granic strongly influences political processes in Croatia and thanks to his advice, HSP and Anto Djapic have turned towards becoming a civilized conservative party. He has close ties to the leading politicians in southeast Europe.

ANTO DJAPIC, president of HSP. Undoubtedly the leader of the Croatian right-wing, mayor of Osijek and, interestingly, appears to be doing a good job. He has taken important steps towards national minorities, turned his back on Ustasha-ism and wants to become a conservative politician at the helm of a decent party. The majority of HSPers are having trouble following him in his reforms, however, if the party can retain its position as third strongest in the state, he could become part of the next coalition government.

BRANIMIR GLAVAS, Slavonian leader. Even now, threatened with arrest and charges of war crimes, he is still one of Slavonia’s most popular politicians. For the past 16 years, he has had crucial influence on events in Osijek and controls everything, from Belje and Glas Slavonija to the Osijek football team. The charges against him have portrayed him as the victim of political prosecution, only increasing his popularity.

Left-wing & opposition

STIPE MESIC, Croatian President. In the second year of his second mandate, the presidential role has been diminished to protocol and the honourable representation of Croatia. All in all, he enjoys the support of all except the most extreme right-wing groups, and he has become the “president of all Croats”.

MILAN BANDIC, Zagreb mayor. With the exception of the Premier, Bandic is the politician with the strongest executive function in the country. With a budget of over 8 billion kuna, and control over all the public enterprises in the capital, few decisions are made without him.

STIPE GABRIC JAMBO,
Metkovic mayor. Though numerous charges have been raised against him, from illegal business operations to insulting the police, he has remained the unquestionable ruler of the Neretva Valley. After his coalition with SDP and HNS, he has obtained important political legitimacy.

IVAN JAKOVCIC, Istrian prefect. The court seized his private village, IDS is no longer untouchable in Istria and Damir Kajin is the most popular regionalist, however, Ivan Jakovcic continues to hold full power in Istria. If Croatia becomes an EU members in three years time, he will do all he can to be elected to the European Parliament.

RADIMIR CACIC, Varazdin prefect. Without any doubt, the most agile Croatian politicians. As minister, he is responsible for the construction of the Zagreb-Split highway and the subsidized housing program, and he is now working to successfully revitalize Varazdin County.

MILORAD PUPOVAC, leader of the Serbian minority. In cooperation with Sanader’s government, he has succeeding in achieving many of the goals of the Serbian minority in Croatia. Thanks to the coalition SDSS-HDZ, the return of Serbian refugees is on track, minority laws are being enforced and the number of ethnic incidents has been reduced.

BUDIMIR LONCAR, presidential advisor. Former head of the Yugoslav diplomacy, he has been close to Mesic for years. Though he no longer has the same number of contacts as he did 20 years ago, Loncar continues to handle important tasks, particularly with former Socialist countries and non-aligned countries.

TOMISLAV JAKIC, presidential advisor. The former foreign policy reporter today plays an important role in forming Mesic’s foreign policy. Jakic is a firm left-winger and the Americans do not like him, and nor does Ivica Racan.

MARIO IVEKOVIC, unionist. The Croatian unions still do not understand the concept of globalizations, and neither does Ivekovic. He stands out among the unionists for his aggressiveness towards local capitalists.

IVICA RACAN, president of SDP. In about 18 months time, he could again become Croatian Premier, though the paradox is that Racan is least deserving of that. For the past two years he has done nothing, which the media describes as proof of his political wisdom. However, a slow and cautious politician such as Racan has little to offer the country as premier.

ZORAN MILANOVIC, young hope of SDP. In less than two years since being appointed Racan’s advisory, he has become SDP’s most serious candidate for future Foreign Minister. In the decade to come he will be one of the top policy creators in Croatia.

SUZANA JASIC, head of GONG. Under her leadership, GONG has become the primary elections observation institution, ensuring fair elections. Though she is a non-governmental activist, a political role is not excluded for the future.

BERNARDICA JURETIC, opponent of the conservative clergy. Once the most popular nun in Croatia is less influential due to her role in the battle against drugs and more for her lifestyle. Her personal example confirmed her move away from church dogma – she plans to soon marry a divorced man.

ANDRO VLAHUSIC, politician. At the recent local elections, he came out the most important politician in Dubrovnik. The former minister has strong influence among doctor’s and he now has the support of the residents of southern Croatia.

ZVONIMIR SOSTAR, head of Zagreb health care. One of Milan Bandic’s closest associates, which in and of itself guarantees great power. In his hands he holds the budget for health care and social welfare, an amount in the billions.

DURDA ADLESIC, president of HSLS. Following the merger with LS, HSLS again passes the election threshold. There are two reasons why she is important in politics: first she takes the liberal votes from HNS and SDP and second, the seats HSLS could win will be very important to Sanader in forming the new government.

Medicine &Science

NIKICA GABRIC, ophthalmologist. Top physician who has the best insight in the domestic health care. He is convinced that health care reforms imply a public debate on the problems and all the negative issues. With more than 10,000 operations under his belt, he is also founder of the Lions Croatian Eye Bank. He is the eternal candidate for Health Minister, though he is not favoured within SDP.

JOSIP PALADINO, neurosurgeon. Likely the leading manager among physicians and the best known neurosurgeon. Very respected by Racan, who has planned an important position for him. He enjoys strong support among doctors.

IVAN DJIKIC, scientist. Unquestionable the top name among Croatian scientists. Though he lives and works in Frankfurt, he is socially active in Croatia. Djikic is a star in our science scene, particularly among the younger member and, were he to avoid conflicts with Minister Primorac, he could increase his influence in politics in science.

RAJKO OSTOJIC, SDP physician. Main candidate for future Health Minister if the social democrats will the next elections.

Business & finance

MILAN HORVAT, head of Validus. A successful businessman specialized in management. He was involved in coupon privatization with his company Validus, which manages the assets of numerous companies whose shares were included in coupon privatization.

ZELJKO ROHATINSKI, CNB governor. As government of the Croatian National Bank, he receives the most credit for Croatia’s stable monetary policy despite poor economic trends and for slowing the growth of the foreign debt. He is the first government to survive both a SDP and HDZ government.

FRANJO LUKOVIC, CEO of Zagrebacka Bank. For years, Lukovic has been at the helm of the strongest bank in Croatia and one of the greatest financiers of the Croatian economy. Though the bank is under ownership of Italy’s Unicredito, the Italians have trust in Lukovic who strengthened his position by creating strong business ties to the most powerful businessmen in the country.

ANTE VLAHOVIC, CEO, Adris Group. With a monopoly comes power. Today, Adris Group is among the most powerful regional corporations. Vlahovic is responsible for the fact that a great deal of the money earn in the tobacco business was reinvested in tourism and Istrian hotels, which he saved from bankruptcy.

BOZO PRKA, CEO, PBZ. For many years, Prka has been CEO of the second strongest bank in Croatia, which today forms part of the financial foundation of the Croatian economy.

HEINZ TRUSKALLER, CEO of Hypo Bank.
One of Croatia’s most dynamic bankers. Though Hypo Alpe Adria Bank is only fourth in terms of assets, Truskaller is perhaps more strongly involved in economic flows than his colleagues. Some claim the bank to be the largest landowner on this side of the Adriatic.

JAKSA BARBIC, legal arbitrary. As the author of many laws in the field of commerce, Barbic virtually created the code of conduct in Croatia’s economy. He wrote the Companies Act and Binding Relations Act and is one of the authors of the privatization laws, thereby directly shaping the appearance of today’s economy.

DARKO MARINAC, CEO of Podravka. Formerly with Pliva, for the past few years he been at the helm of Podravka, working to turn this into a respectable company in regional terms.

IVICA TODORIC, owner, Agrokor. With last year’s profit of 754 million kuna, his company approached the profits of the financial sector. He independently manages this group that employs almost 20,000 people, has annual revenues of 12.6 billion kuna and hold a large share of the domestic food industry and retail market. His influence is expanding and he intends to form a strong regional holding with the leading Serbian and Slovenian retail chains.

BOZENA MESEC, grey eminence of the CFP. The government changed, but Mesec remained in the Croatian Privatization Fund, proof of her strong ties with economic centres of power.

TOMISLAV DRAGICEVIC, CEO of Ina. Son-in-law of Savka Dapcevic Kucar and enjoying the political protection of President Mesic, Dragicevic led the energy company INA from a loser to big profits. He decides on virtually everything in the company and has excellent cooperation with their strategic partner, MOL from Hungary.

DUBRAVKO GRGIC, insurance king. Over the past decade, this attorney from Herzegovina has created the most powerful private company in the financial sector in Croatia. He built his Agram Group around the Euroherc insurance company and the Group includes several insurance companies and banks. He is expanding his business into the region and Grgic could soon become the insurance leader in southeast Europe.

JOZO PETROVIC, Vice-president, INA. The member of the INA board was formerly under Ivica Todoric and within INA, he strongly represents the interests of the current Croatian government.

ZELJKO SELENDIC, top craftsman. Selendic is among the rare craftsman who can brag about close ties to the most powerful politicians and businessmen in the country. Last week, he celebrated the 100th anniversary of the family trade founded by his grandfather. Today, Selendic produces brakes for railway cars and trams.

IVICA MUDRINIC, CEO, T-HT. Mudrinic is among the most responsible for the development of telecommunications in Croatia. At the helm of HT since 1999. Only months after his arrival into HT, the first package of shares was sold to Deutsche Telecom on the terms that he remain CEO.

MLADEN VEDRIS, analyst. Former HDZ minister without a portfolio and vice-president in two governments, today he has the image of a respectable economic analyst. He participated in the privatization of Zagrebacka Bank, which today he has business ties with.

FRANJO GREGURIC, powerholder in the shadows. Greguric was Premier of Croatia’s third government, the National Unity Government, from July 1991 to August 1992. He was once CEO of INA and he is still thought to hold interest in personnel issues in that company. Today he rarely makes public appearances, but he holds strong ties to powerful businessmen and companies.

BORISLAV SKEGRO, lobbyist. Former Deputy Premier and Finance Minister will always be remembered for implementing the value added tax (VAT). Regardless of his withdrawal from active politics, Skegro is still very influential. In his investment fund Quaestus, which he founded and acts as director, he has brought together a consortium of a dozen strong companies that trust Skegro with their money. He invested funds in the third mobile operator Tele 2, which is no surprise considering that Skegro is well acquainted with all the secret contracts between the government and Deutsche Telecom in the sale of T-HT shares.

EMIL TEDESCHI, CEO, Atlantic Group. Tedeschi has never been in politics. He is a successful young businessman and owner of the company Atlantic which unites manufacturing with trade. Though he earned his fortune in trade and the distribution of import products, he prefers to be associated with Cedevita and Neva cosmetics, two companies he took over from Pliva. He is very active as president of the Croatian Employers Association and often criticizes the government’s economic and tax policies.

NADAN VIDOSEVIC, president of the CCC. Through the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Vidosevic has strong influence on economic events. Despite numerous protests over the legal obligation to pay dues to the CCC, he has succeeded in keeping the monopoly his institution has in this field.

DARKO OSTOJA, fond-manager. When pressured by the Liburnia scandal to publicly release the list of parties he had financed, it became clear that financial power strongly influences political decisions. Ostoja became one of the heroes of coupon privatization in the late 1990s when his PIF grasped key production and tourism companies.

VJERAN PIRSIC, ecologist. Though he is without formal political power, the leader of the Eko-Kvarner society succeeded in the rejection of the most significant energy project in Croatia – hooking JANAF up to the transnational DruzbaAdria oil pipelines. He has strong influence through family ties and the support of Kaptol.

JURE RADIC, bridge architect. Former HDZ minister and Chef du Cabinet for Tudjman, Radic built an academic and political career simultaneously. He made key decisions on significant construction projects. Even today, Radic influences where and how the largest bridges will be built.

JUROSLAV BULJUBASIC, businessman from Split. One of the wealthiest Croats with business in the fields of telecommunications, shipping and tourism.
Culture & media

MIRKO GALIC, Director, HRT. At the helm of the national television station for the past six years. He successfully fended off the competitors RTL and Nova TV and political pressures, particularly those orchestrated by Hebrang. Galic has the support of President Mesic and the leading politicians of the European Union, who indirectly warned Sanader not to touch HRT.

GORAN MILIC, television editor. Editor of Yutel during the aggression against Croatia is now one of our most popular reporters. Milic’s Sunday evening news and Brisani proctor have among the highest ratings. With the help of HDZ, he hopes to become HRT director if Galic returns to diplomacy.

MILJENKO MANJKAS, editor-in-chief, Vecernji list. He did not disappoint like-thinkers or surprise his opponents. Once a close associate of Tudjman and Pasalic’s executor, in less than a year he has turned Vecernji List into the leading right-wing voice of the nation. Sales are up and the newspaper is against has the highest distribution.

HRVOJE KRSTULOVIC, film distributer. Owner of Blitz films, his friends describe him as a workaholic. His strategic thinking was seen even back in 2004 when, as a 24-year old, he had a ten-year plan drafted for his company.

ANA LEDERER, Director, CNT. Appointed by Mirjana Sanader, the Premier’s wife, to run the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, this year she received the largest budget ever. Under Mrs. Sanader’s patronage, she spends millions on unnecessary plays, hiring without tenders and bringing in unnecessary and expensive guests.

MIRJANA SANADER, powerful wife of Ivo Sanader. Though she is an archaeologist, she is the most powerful woman in Croatia. She does not make many public appearances, but her authority and advise often influence her husband’s opinion, particularly the government’s cultural policy.

IGOR ZIDIC, cultural right-winger. Uses his position of President of Matica Hrvatska, the main national cultural institution, for his right-wing and conservative politics and his intellectual position as a writer and director of the Modern Gallery to stimulate negative public opinion on Croatia’s entry into the EU.

PETAR SELEM, Premier’s friend. The art director of the Croatian National Theatre in Split, HDZ MP, head of the Parliamentary Culture Board and university professor, Selem became a member of HDZ in 2000 due to his close ties with the premier. Many consider him to be a minister in the shadows.

DUSKO LJUSTINA, Bandic’s culture minister. As a loyal associate of Milan Bandic, he handles the largest cultural budget in the country. Director of the Kerempuh theatre, member of the HRT Program Council and the Dinamo executive board and co-founder of the Ulysses Theatre, he makes all the decisions in Zagreb culture, and has proven himself to be the most competent manager in the branch.

VINKO BRESAN, film director. After taking the helm of Zagreb Film, Bresan began a new period of animated film and, in cooperation with several independent productions, has made several excellent cartoons. His film, ‘Witnesses’ will soon be distributed in the US and Russia and he recently became a member of the European Film Academy.

VEDRANA RUDAN, writer. One of the most influential and best selling Croatian writers. In her columns and books, she was the first to openly speak of women’s issues. Without compromise and never beats around the bush.

DAMIR KRSTICEVIC, cyber-general. After being forced into retirement in 2000, Krsticevic quickly stepped away from politics and became manager in the M-San group. Some claim that it was thanks to his ties that M-San won numerous jobs to equip state institutions with hardware and software under both Racan and Sanader.

MARKICA REBIC

, former spy. Formerly Tudjman’s spy and today unemployed, he still has influence over the media. Rebic is the grey imminence of Zadarski list, which aims at attacking everyone it deems to be a traitor. Today, those are Stipe Mesic and Ivo Sanader.

SEVERINA, entertainment icon. The Teflon diva can survive any scandal or attack and still remain number one on the Croatian entertainment scene. Severina is Croatia’s strongest star brand, which the editors of women’s magazines know well, putting her face on the cover more than any other. The only bona fide Croatian celebrity. Severina is the reflection of the spirit of the nation, the image Croatia sees when it looks in the mirror.

IVAN MALOCA, film producer. Pragmatic and not interested in the content of the film or art but only the closed financial construction and changes for success of the final product.

TONCI HULJIC, composer. The founder of the band Magazin and record label Tonika, Huljic is exceptionally wealthy and influential, especially in Split. His unique blend of Croatian-Turkish melodies with the lyrics by his wife Vjekoslava have created an entertainment dynasty which will long dominate the Croatian scene.

MIROSLAV SKORO, singer-songwriter. Rarely can someone with so little singing talent become such a successful singer-songwriter. He has great influence over the part of the population inclined to the right-wing, particularly youth.

BOZO BISKUPIC, Culture Minister. The minister with two mandates is one of Sanader’s closest associates and friends. He announced that he would increase the 2006 culture budget by 22% to over 877 million kuna, but this money mostly goes to cultural heritage or construction and renovation of museums and libraries, for which he is commonly considered a conservative minister.

CHRISTOPH MAINUSCH, CEO of RTL. Though he’s only one part of a great team, it’s a winning team. Last week, RTL passed HTV in the ratings. Whoever has had their television on for the past few years knows why.
Judiciary and spies

MLADEN BAJIC, State Prosecutor. One of the rare domestic judicial officials who has earned the respect of the Hague Prosecution with his involvement in the arrest of Ante Gotovina. He has strong social intelligence and an excellent sense of timing as to when to prosecute. The public perception of his work, both in Croatia and beyond, is virtually all positive, and his influence will only grow in the future.

DJURO SESSA, leader of Croatian judges. Both president of the Croatian Judge’s Society and member of the State Judicial Council, which some consider to be a conflict of interests, though judicial circles claim this is a reflection of his great ambitions. He also influences the selection of judges through the judicial council.

JADRANKO AND IVICA CRNIC, lobbyists. Long-term attorneys well respected in their work in prominent judicial functions. Their influence today comes from their skilful lobbying, contacts in the judiciary and good ties to the management of companies Ivica Crnic has represented over the years.

IKA SARIC, judge. Judge of the County Court in Rijeka. In addition to the Gospic case, she has ruled in several other difficult and complex cases against classic criminals and drug dealers. She recently found herself in the spotlight again when she took on the case of Rijecka Bank. Her influence comes from the fact that she was not easily impressed by the value of the cases she rules in, or their political weight.

MIROSLAV SEPAROVIC, HDZ attorney. Former head of HIS and Justice Minister in the 1990s, his political experience and knowledge of the justice system has lead to his influence on political parties in that branch. Though he only appears as an attorney with a handful of lucrative clients, Separovic also plays an important role in affairs which are very uncomfortable for HDZ and Sanader.

MARIJAN HANZEKOVIC, attorney. His law firm is specialized in commercial law and is one of the firms most commonly hired to represent foreign companies on the Croatian market. He speaks fluent English and French and is a member of the legal commission of the FIBA basketball association.

BRANKO HRVATIN, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. His influence comes from his position, which he has held since summer 2005. At age 47 and with a spotless career, his influence will only increase in the future.

DINKO CVITAN, head of USKOK. The new head of the organized crime organization has been achieving solid results in the battle against organized crime, best seen in last week’s arrest of a group suspected of a series of robberies and murders in Zagreb.

PETAR KLARIC, Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. Keeper of the Constitution, despite the conservatism within the Constitutional Court, his rulings to date have ensured the rule of law.

TOMISLAV KARAMARKO, director of POA. Croatia’s leading intelligence agent. After Mesic and Sanader brought him back to the intelligence community, he contributed to professionalizing the work of agents and cleaning up the mess left behind by Josko Podbevsek. He participated in the hunt for Gotovina and several months ago, his men correctly assumed who was behind the Fina robbery and murder of the security guards.

Sport

VLATKO MARKOVIC, director of HNS. In the more than seven years of being president of the Croatian Football Association, he has become untouchable. Skilled with money, he has ensured full financial backing of HNS. He has expanded his influence into UEFA, where he is a member of the technical committee and FIFA. He is trying to use this influence in Croatia’s joint bid with Hungary to host the 2012 European Championships.

BOZO MILICEVIC, director of Cibons. Cibona no longer has the European influence it had 20 years ago, the team has begun losing in the Croatian championships, players are not being paid and those who left claim the club still owes them large sums of money. Despite this, Milicevic is still the untouchable president. He attempted to expand his influence through the Goodyear League, which he helped to found, though this has proven questionable.

ZDRAVKO MAMIC, head of Dinamo. He learned how to stay in power from Miroslav Blazevic. A big sweet talker, he became one of the top men in Dinamo ten years ago and through all the turbulent years, Mamic has always been there. He eliminated all those who stood in his path and even HNS avoids any conflicts with him, which says enough about his strength in the club.

ZORAN GOBAC, head of handball. After creating the Zagreb handball club in the early 1990s, which went on to become the two-time European champions, Zoran Gobac became the boss of all that is handball in Croatia and his frequent successes help him maintain his influence. Olympic gold in 1996 in Atlanta, World gold in Portugal in 2003 and Olympic gold in 2004 in Athens made up for later failures in Zagreb.

ANTE KOSTELIC, ski coach. After creating the world’s top women’s skier of his daughter Janica and a respectable skier of his son Ivica, he has become an untouchable authority in skiing, a sport that did not exist in Croatia until a few years ago. However, if Janica Kostelic stops skiing, his influence will fade.

ROBERT JEZIC, president of the Rijeka football club. Businessmen are still not successful when they invest in sport, though Robert Jezic is an example of the opposite. The president of the Rijeka football club decided to invest his oil money into the creation of a strong football club. This was confirmed this year when Rijeka is a serious contender for the national title.

IVAN LJUBICIC, tennis player. At the time when the Ivanisevic family is causing problems in the Croatian Tennis Association, Ljubicic has become a key figure in Croatian tennis. Calm and intelligent, one of the world’s best tennis players, his decisions in the Davis Cup national team have the most weight.