Konzularna predstavništva Velike Britanije u Hrvatskoj 1945.-1948.
British Consular Representatives in Croatia, 1945-1948

Summary/Abstract: The conditions for the activity of British political representatives in post-World War II Yugoslavia and Croatia were not especially positive, because the relations between Yugoslavia and Great Britain were strained by series of unresolved political issues. Nevertheless, the practical approach of British policy showed the readiness to keep the acceptable level of relations between the two states, despite the basic differences. Such British approach found the positive response from the Yugoslav side. Therefore the activity of the British consular staff in Croatia had an important role, despite occasionally problems. Despite the political uniformity of the post-World War II Yugoslav state, Croatia did have a special position in the British perception. Zagreb was presented as a "European" town, because of its cultural and public values. Some other parts of Croatia also gained particular attention. This shows that British consular representatives did show attention for their immediate environment. Historical and cultural remarks in diplomatic reports presented Croatia as a part of the "Western culture". The first British consul general in Zagreb C. Wakefield-Harrey was especially prominent in such views. He was a professional diplomat and served in various countries before World War II, but he did not have experience of serving in a communist country and he was openly anti-communist in his views. His attention toward the "Croatian question" is clearly visible and such approach resembled the views of the pre-World War II Croatian political public and also reflected the views of the remaining opposition in the Croatia after the World War II. R. Cornwallis Stevenson replaced Wakefield-Harrey. The new counsel general was equally critical toward the political environment, although slightly less personal in his reports.

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