Mirjan Rimanić, a journalist from Glas Istre (The Voice of Istria) who covers Motovun, just called me. “What’s your reaction to the decision of the court in Pula?” he asked. “I’m going to the highest court in Zagreb,” I answered, “and then to Strasbourg.” “That’s the court for human rights?” he went on. “Yup,” I replied, “for this is a case of political repression in connection with the last municipal elections.” I added that this was typical of ex-communist countries, where laws regulating libel are systematically abused for political purposes. “Thanks,” chuckled Mirjan. We will see his article in tomorrow’s issue, I suppose, but the conversation left me wondering about my website. Is it possible that no journalist in Istria ever reads it? And I wrote about the whole thing only yesterday! Damned English, the so-called lingua franca of our day and age. Lingua franca, my ass.

Addendum I (July 2, 2011)

The article appeared today. It covers half a page, too. The text is on the meagre side, but the editor added to its importance by putting two large pictures of the mayor of Motovun and my humble self. However, the text does not offer any clue as to the nature of insult in question. In fact, I likened the mayor to a “complete and total cockroach” in the context of my claim that he works in the darkness and behind closed doors. And especially when golf development is concerned. The metaphor was used to put an additional punch behind my story about the lack of democracy in the hilltown. For some strange reason, the article skips this vital bit. Entirely. I just wrote to the editor, explained the whole thing, and demanded that my letter be published as soon as possible. Judging from my past experience with this newspaper, my chances are slim.

Addendum II (July 16, 2011)

I sent the letter to the editor several more times since the article appeared. But my letter has not yet appeared in print. Chances are that it never will, either. And this is far from the first time with this newspaper that my letters in direct response to something written about me end up in the bin. To the best of my knowledge, this is something that they must do by law. God only knows why I keep trying, though. Democracy is a pipedream in this country, and it is high time for me to learn that little lesson.