BosNet NEWS / Apr. 9, 1996

From: Nermin Zukic <n6zukic@SMS.BUSINESS.UWO.CA>

Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory

From: Nermin Zukic <n6zukic@SMS.BUSINESS.UWO.CA>

Subject: BosNet NEWS / Apr. 9, 1996

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Reaction to Milosevic recognizing Skopje

``This act by the Federal republic of Yugoslavia does not assist in efforts to maintain stability and improve relations between nations in the Balkan region... This act can not be taken as a friendly gesture towards Greece,'' Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Dimitris Bikas said, after rump-Yugoslavia announced it would recognize Macedonia.

Greece has objected to the use of name "Macedonia" since the incpetion of the new republic. They allege the name Macedonia or any of the word's derivatives implies territorial designs on the northern Greek province of Macedonia.

Commentators in Athens said the timing of Macedonia's recognition by Belgrade was not coincidental and could effect the outcome of the Tuesday's talks between Clinton and Simitis.

``What Milosevic did was highly immoral and unethical,'' said Socialist lawmaker and former Public Order Minister Stelios Papathemelis.

[02] KARADZIC'S SERBS MIGHT COME TO BRUSSELS

Tokio, Brussels, Sarajevo, April 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)

PIC High Representative, Carl Bildt, said during the visit to Japan that he would till Wednesday decide whether he can "suggest Bosnian Serbs' participation to the Conference on reconstruction of B-H in Brussels". Bildt explained that Serbs have in the meantime made "the significant progress in release of prisoners, which has been the condition for presence this week in Brussels". He added that he would know the real situation after return to Sarajevo.

Bildt said that Serbs yesterday gave his Sarajevo office the documentation on 16 persons, still held in arrest, blamed for the crimes against Serb population. ICRC however says that among the 16 persons, there are 13 from the previous list of ICRC, while 3 persons missing from the list, were replaced by 3 other persons. Karadzic's Serbs brought to Pale a group of 18 prisoners, out of whom 16 were accused for the war crimes by Serb courts, AFP said. From Banjaluka & Foca were brought 6 Bosniaks and 12 Croats, what was requested by C. Bildt's deputy, Michael Steiner, said Dragan Bulajic, head of Serb commission for exchange of prisoners.

Organizers of the conference, which should gather the main donators for the reconstruction, have warned the meeting could be canceled if all prisoners-of-war are not liberated. The Bosnian prime minister H. Muratovic said he was not opposed to presence of Serbs at the meeting - "If the EU allows it to them, the Serb representatives will participate the meeting within our common delegation, along with representatives of Federation & Republic of B-H" Muratovic explained. Bosnia's prime minister said the aim of the meeting of the enlarged Islamic Contact Group in Sarajevo, in two days, will be analysis of the Peace accord implementation and preparations for the Brussels meeting. OIC representatives will announce a declaration, by which they will express their willingness to help Bosnia's reconstruction. (end) A.S.

[03] CROAT TERRORIST SHOT A POLICE PATROL IN MOSTAR

Mostar, April 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)

Chief of staff of WEU police (West-European Union) in Mostar, Pieter Lambrechtse, signed a statement, informing about "an incident in western part of Mostar at crossroad near Cathedral, in the night 6th to 7th of April".

A man in a car blocked the joint patrol, composed of Croat, Bosnian, European policemen. Italian Carbineer officer Fiori left the patrol vehicle, trying to calm the tension, but his head was hit by a bullet. Yet, he survived. The gunner was caught some 2O minutes later, and Croatian police cooperated with WEU "in the very serious and sorrowful incident" WEU says, not mentioning the name of the assassin, nor a detail commented in Mostar - the WEU and Croat policemen were addressed by the gunman - "Give me these balije" (pejorative name used by Croat & Serb chauvinists for the Bosniaks - here for Bosnian policemen). As the patrol did not follow the demand, Fiori was shot. It was the night before the Catholic Eastern, celebrated the next day in Mostar. (end) A.S.

[04] NATO MOVED ILLEGAL CHECK-POINTS IN B-H

Sarajevo, April 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)

IFOR spokesman S. Haselock said: "After moving illegal check-points, in B-H is established a total freedom of movement. NATO soldiers have so far moved some 4O of such points, opposite to the Peace Accord, threatening the freedom of movement. We will go on to act so". (end) A.S.