According to a report on 12 June 1990, the Executive Committee of the Association for a Yugoslav Democratic Initiative (UJDI) sent a telegram to Croatian president Franco Tudjman asking that the authorities not try Professor Branko Horvat for his public activities (BBC Summary 12 June 1990). Another report describes Branko Horvat as the "president of the Council of the Association for a Yugoslav Democratic Initiative" (Borba 21 June 1989). Also attached is an article which reportedly quotes Horvat as saying that the UJDI was not contemplating becoming a political party (Belgrade Domestic Service 2 Feb. 1989).

Attached are more recent articles stating that Professor Horvat is the head of the Social Democratic Party.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 12 June 1990. "Protest over Charges Brought Against Democratic Initiative Officials." (NEXIS)

Belgrade Domestic Service [Belgrade, in Serbo-Croatian]. 2 February 1989. "Democratic Initiative Association Explained." (FBIS-EEU-89-026 9 Feb. 1989, p. 65)

Borba [Belgrade, in Serbo-Croatian]. 21 June 1989. "Horvat Protests Ban on Association Registration." (FBIS-EEU-89-120 23 June 1989, pp. 69-70)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 3 June 1992. "Other Reports in Brief: Left-Wing Social Democratic Union Founded in Zagreb." (NEXIS)

. 12 June 1990. "Protest over Charges Brought Against Democratic Initiative Officials." (NEXIS)

Belgrade Domestic Service [Belgrade, in Serbo-Croatian]. 2 February 1989. "Democratic Initiative Association Explained." (FBIS-EEU-89-026 9 Feb. 1989, p. 65)

Borba [Belgrade, in Serbo-Croatian]. 21 June 1989. "Horvat Protests Ban on Association Registration." (FBIS-EEU-89-120 23 June 1989, pp. 69-70)

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 18 June 1993. Jonathan S. Landay. "Croatia Is Tense as Local Serbs Vote on Sucession." (NEXIS)

The Guardian. 1 February 1993. Mark Thompson. "Zagreb's Opposition Parties Hedge over Geneva Plan." (NEXIS)