The Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia (HZHB) was established on 18 November 1991 with the goal of protecting the Croatian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other peoples who had found themselves within the community's territory. In August 1993, the community was renamed the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia (HRHB) in accordance with the international agreement on the Union of Republics of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The destruction of the Croatian village of Ravno in October 1991, and the statement by the President of the Presidency of SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović, "this is not our war," prompted the Bosnian Croats to organize for defence. These two acts were a clear indication that the central government in Sarajevo was not prepared to defend Bosnia and Herzegovina and its population. Based on the Constitution of SR Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1974, Croats formed a community of municipalities and thus coordinated the work of municipalities and directed the defence of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. HZ(R)HB did not have its territory or constitution but respected the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its constitution. Croats established the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), in which members of the Muslim people also participated, and they were the only ones ready to face the attacks of the Yugoslav People's Army and Serbian-Montenegrin forces.