Đuro Pucar
Encyclopedia
Đurađ "Đuro" Pucar "Stari" (Cyrillic: Ђурађ "Ђуро" Пуцар "Стари") (December 13, 1899 – April 12, 1979) was a Yugoslav and Bosnian
Serb politician. During World War II
he was a member of the Yugoslav Partisans and was later decorated with the Order of the People's Hero and twice with the Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour
. After the war he held the position of the President of the Presidium of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
from 1946 to 1948 and from 1948 to 1953 he served as the President of the Government of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. When Pucar came to power he introduced Serbian domination into Bosnia and Herzegovina and during his mandate as President of the Executive Council the activity of the Department of State Security (UDBA) was intensified.
near Bosansko Grahovo
. He originated from a poor peasant family. After he finished elementary school he learned farriery in Baranja and Pecs
in Hungary
. During that time he connected with other workers and became a member of a worker's movement.
In 1920, he joined the Young Communist League of Yugoslavia
, and in 1922 he became a member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. He was very active in the unions and for a long time he was the union's official. From 1924 to 1929 his activity was based in Subotica
Because of the dissemination of leaflets by his "Bečkerečka grupa", he was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Court for Protection of the State. Because he continued his party activity with other prisoners he was sentenced to another two years. He spent ten years in prisons in Lepoglava
and Sremska Mitrovica
.
After he was released Pucar lived in Sarajevo
illegally by order of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. In Sarajevo he worked in the provincial committee of the Communist Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Soon, he was arrested by the police and returned to his hometown, however Pucar returned to Sarajevo and continue his illegal activity.
As a delegate of the Communist Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pucar participated in the Fifth National Conference of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia in Zagreb in November 1940. At that conference he was elected to be a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia.
After he returned to Sarajevo he worked on popularization of the Communist Party until the start of the Invasion of Yugoslavia
by Nazi Germany
in April 1941.
When war started, Pucar was one of the main organizers of Yugoslav Partisans on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina
. When the Central Committee of the Communist Party decided to start a rebellion against the Axis forces on July 4, 1941, Pucar went to Banja Luka
. In Banja Luka, Pucar prepared a rebellion in Bosanska Krajina
, and when action started he joined the Yugoslav Partisans. He was member of Partisans until the end of the war, commanding with Bosanska Krajina Partisans.
As a secretary of Regional Committee of the Communist Party for Bosanska Krajina, Pucar constantly visited the Party's organizations and recruited volunteers. He participated in the Party's consultations in Šehitluci near Banja Luka
and Orlovići
near Prijedor
.
During the war, Pucar was one of the most notable persons in Bosanska Krajina. He organized various political and military consultations. Pucar came into conflict with the Axis forces during the Battle of Kozara
and Batle for Grmeč.
He was a member of the Supreme Command of the People's Liberation Movement's detachments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vice-President of ZAVNOBiH
and of the Presidency of AVNOJ
.
After the Communists took power at the end of the war, Pucar served on various high-ranking positions; he was the Minister without portfolio in the first Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Vice-President of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of FPR Yugoslavia from 1946 to September 1948. He was also the President of the Executive Council of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and secretary of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
from September 1948 to December 1953. He was the President of the Assembly of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina again from December 1953 to June 1963.
Pucar was a member of the Executive Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia
and secretary of the Executive Committee of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
Pucar died on April 12, 1979 in Belgrade
at the Military Medical Academy and was buried in Novo groblje in Sarajevo
.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
Serb politician. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he was a member of the Yugoslav Partisans and was later decorated with the Order of the People's Hero and twice with the Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour
Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour
Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour was the fourth highest state decoration awarded in Yugoslavia. It was awarded to the citizens, companies and sports teams for the outstanding achievements in their professional work. The order was awarded a total of 114 times until 1986...
. After the war he held the position of the President of the Presidium of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina , known until 1963 under the name of People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a socialist state that was a constituent country of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia...
from 1946 to 1948 and from 1948 to 1953 he served as the President of the Government of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. When Pucar came to power he introduced Serbian domination into Bosnia and Herzegovina and during his mandate as President of the Executive Council the activity of the Department of State Security (UDBA) was intensified.
Biography
Pucar was born on December 13, 1899 in KesićiKesići
Kesići is a village in the municipality of Bosansko Grahovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.-References:...
near Bosansko Grahovo
Bosansko Grahovo
Bosansko Grahovo is a town and municipality in western Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is located near the border with Croatia, near the towns of Drvar, Livno and Glamoč...
. He originated from a poor peasant family. After he finished elementary school he learned farriery in Baranja and Pecs
Pécs
Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county...
in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. During that time he connected with other workers and became a member of a worker's movement.
In 1920, he joined the Young Communist League of Yugoslavia
Young Communist League of Yugoslavia
Young Communist League of Yugoslavia, commonly known by its abbreviation SKOJ was the youth wing of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia from 1919 to 1948...
, and in 1922 he became a member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. He was very active in the unions and for a long time he was the union's official. From 1924 to 1929 his activity was based in Subotica
Subotica
Subotica is a city and municipality in northern Serbia, in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...
Because of the dissemination of leaflets by his "Bečkerečka grupa", he was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Court for Protection of the State. Because he continued his party activity with other prisoners he was sentenced to another two years. He spent ten years in prisons in Lepoglava
Lepoglava
Lepoglava is a town in Varaždin County, northern Croatia, located southwest of Varaždin, west of Ivanec and northeast of Krapina.A total of 8,271 people in the municipality lives in the following settlements:* Bednjica, population 214...
and Sremska Mitrovica
Sremska Mitrovica
Sremska Mitrovica is a city and municipality located in the Vojvodina province of Serbia, on the left bank of the Sava river. As of 2002 the town had a total population of 39,041, while Sremska Mitrovica municipality had a population of 85,605...
.
After he was released Pucar lived in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
illegally by order of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. In Sarajevo he worked in the provincial committee of the Communist Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Soon, he was arrested by the police and returned to his hometown, however Pucar returned to Sarajevo and continue his illegal activity.
As a delegate of the Communist Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Pucar participated in the Fifth National Conference of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia in Zagreb in November 1940. At that conference he was elected to be a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia.
After he returned to Sarajevo he worked on popularization of the Communist Party until the start of the Invasion of Yugoslavia
Invasion of Yugoslavia
The Invasion of Yugoslavia , also known as the April War , was the Axis Powers' attack on the Kingdom of Yugoslavia which began on 6 April 1941 during World War II...
by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
in April 1941.
When war started, Pucar was one of the main organizers of Yugoslav Partisans on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. When the Central Committee of the Communist Party decided to start a rebellion against the Axis forces on July 4, 1941, Pucar went to Banja Luka
Banja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
. In Banja Luka, Pucar prepared a rebellion in Bosanska Krajina
Bosanska Krajina
Bosanska Krajina or Bosnian Frontier is a geographical region, a subregion of Bosnia, in western Bosnia and Herzegovina enclosed by three rivers - Sava, Una and Vrbas. It is also a historic, economic and cultural entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
, and when action started he joined the Yugoslav Partisans. He was member of Partisans until the end of the war, commanding with Bosanska Krajina Partisans.
As a secretary of Regional Committee of the Communist Party for Bosanska Krajina, Pucar constantly visited the Party's organizations and recruited volunteers. He participated in the Party's consultations in Šehitluci near Banja Luka
Banja Luka
-History:The name "Banja Luka" was first mentioned in a document dated February 6, 1494, but Banja Luka's history dates back to ancient times. There is a substantial evidence of the Roman presence in the region during the first few centuries A.D., including an old fort "Kastel" in the centre of...
and Orlovići
Orlovići
Orlovići are a Serb clan originating from Čarađe, near Gacko . They are descendants of Vuk Orle, father of Pavle Orlović. Many of their descendants can be found in Montenegro....
near Prijedor
Prijedor
Prijedor is a city and municipality in the north-western part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is situated in the Bosanska Krajina region....
.
During the war, Pucar was one of the most notable persons in Bosanska Krajina. He organized various political and military consultations. Pucar came into conflict with the Axis forces during the Battle of Kozara
Battle of Kozara
The Battle of Kozara, also known as Operation West-Bosnien by the Axis, was fought in 1942 on and around the mountain of Kozara in northwestern Bosnia. It was an important battle of the Yugoslav Partisan resistance movement in World War II...
and Batle for Grmeč.
He was a member of the Supreme Command of the People's Liberation Movement's detachments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vice-President of ZAVNOBiH
ZAVNOBiH
The National Anti-Fascist Council of the People's Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was formed as the highest governing organ of the anti-fascist movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina and during World War II developed to be bearer of Bosnian statehood...
and of the Presidency of AVNOJ
AVNOJ
The Anti-Fascist Council of the People's Liberation of Yugoslavia, known more commonly by its Yugoslav abbreviation AVNOJ, was the political umbrella organization for the national liberation councils of the Yugoslav resistance against the World War II Axis occupation, eventually becoming the...
.
After the Communists took power at the end of the war, Pucar served on various high-ranking positions; he was the Minister without portfolio in the first Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Vice-President of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of FPR Yugoslavia from 1946 to September 1948. He was also the President of the Executive Council of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and secretary of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the Bosnian branch of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia.- Leaders :*Secretaries of the Central Committee of the League of Communists...
from September 1948 to December 1953. He was the President of the Assembly of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina again from December 1953 to June 1963.
Pucar was a member of the Executive Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia
League of Communists of Yugoslavia
League of Communists of Yugoslavia , before 1952 the Communist Party of Yugoslavia League of Communists of Yugoslavia (Serbo-Croatian: Savez komunista Jugoslavije/Савез комуниста Југославије, Slovene: Zveza komunistov Jugoslavije, Macedonian: Сојуз на комунистите на Југославија, Sojuz na...
and secretary of the Executive Committee of the League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The League of Communists of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the Bosnian branch of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia.- Leaders :*Secretaries of the Central Committee of the League of Communists...
.
Pucar died on April 12, 1979 in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
at the Military Medical Academy and was buried in Novo groblje in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
.