Bishops, intellectuals back pro-Ustasha singer

A number of Croatian intellectuals, including bishops and university professors, have sent a letter of support to singer Marko Perkovic, a.k.a. Thompson. "Your performances awaken noble feelings of solidarity, while emotions bring about optimism that lifts many people from indifference and apathy," the letter, published on Friday, and also signed by some members of the Croatian Academy of Science, reads. Bishops, intellectuals back pro-Ustasha singer Thompson is further "thanked for the work that he gifts to the Croatian people and all the people of good will with his music, songs and public performances". The controversial singer has for years drawn crowds which appear in his concerts with Ustasha insignia, while some of his songs glorify the Ustasha. This puppet Nazi regime that ruled Croatia during the Second World War was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews and Romas, with most of the victims killed in the death camp of Jasenovac. In their letter yesterday, the Croatian intellectuals are calling on Thompson "not to be discouraged by the petty and lowly tricks, that spread after the recent concert in Zagreb, organized by the Croatian defenders", Hina news agency said. "We hope you view with contempt the tricks and the dirty campaign being led against you," the letter went on to say. The signatories include Academics Ivan Aralica, Smiljko Asperger, Rafo Bogisic, Dubravko Jelcic, Josip Pecaric i Nedjeljko Mihanovic, and Catholic Church Bishops Mile Bogovic and Ante Ivas. Among others, the letter was also signed by Josip Boteri Dini, Nikola Debelic, Andrej Dujela, Hrvoje Hitrec, Ilija Ivezic, Zvonimir Janovic, Slobodan Lang, Branimir Luksic, Ljubo Marangunic, Slavica Maras, Marko Matic, Marko Mikulandra, Miroslav Mikuljan, Tihomir Novak, Marija Peakic-Mikuljan, Goran Petrac, Nenad Piskac, Marko Samardzija, Jakov Sedlar and Miroslav Tudjman.

Bishops, intellectuals back pro-Ustasha singer

Thompson is further "thanked for the work that he gifts to the Croatian people and all the people of good will with his music, songs and public performances".

The controversial singer has for years drawn crowds which appear in his concerts with Ustasha insignia, while some of his songs glorify the Ustasha.

This puppet Nazi regime that ruled Croatia during the Second World War was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews and Romas, with most of the victims killed in the death camp of Jasenovac.

In their letter yesterday, the Croatian intellectuals are calling on Thompson "not to be discouraged by the petty and lowly tricks, that spread after the recent concert in Zagreb, organized by the Croatian defenders", Hina news agency said.

"We hope you view with contempt the tricks and the dirty campaign being led against you," the letter went on to say.

The signatories include Academics Ivan Aralica, Smiljko Ašperger, Rafo Bogišić, Dubravko Jelčić, Josip Pečarić i Neđeljko Mihanović, and Catholic Church Bishops Mile Bogović and Ante Ivas.

Among others, the letter was also signed by Josip Boteri Dini, Nikola Debelić, Andrej Dujela, Hrvoje Hitrec, Ilija Ivezić, Zvonimir Janović, Slobodan Lang, Branimir Lukšić, Ljubo Marangunić, Slavica Maras, Marko Matić, Marko Mikulandra, Miroslav Mikuljan, Tihomir Novak, Marija Peakić-Mikuljan, Goran Petrač, Nenad Piskač, Marko Samardžija, Jakov Sedlar and Miroslav Tuđman.