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BosNet NEWS (June 9, 96)Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Adnan Smajlovic <asmaj@spectranet.ca>CONTENTS
[01] GOTOVAC ADMITS "SOME MISTAKES"Zagreb, June 9, 1996 (Press TWRA)Though allegedly it was HSLS which required that not even general announcement should be released during the negotiations with HDZ, Vlado Gotovac called today, a press conference giving a list of conditions that HSLS had put to HDZ on Friday. Gotovac stresses his motive was his wish to ease political tension in the state and anxiety in public and HSLS. Gotovac admits some of his mistakes - that he overestimated credibility of his personality and discretion of the talks in Croatian policy. Session of the HSLS Grand Council is to be held for three days, at which the decision to negotiate with HDZ will be discussed. Today's "Novi List" writes liberal delegates will, at that session, require the leading party members- Gotovac, Drazen Budisa, Jozo Rados, Goran Granic and Franjo Zenko, bear responsibility for the harm done to the reputation of HSLS by semi- secret negotiations with HDZ. The same paper alleges V. Gotovac, in his last night's phone talk refused to comment the claim of his party's colleague B. Kovacevic who said that some in the HSLS leadership sold that party for their private interests. "That is his view," says Gotovac refusing to deny Kovacevic's allegation, as he does not want to "be trapped into political paranoia that might affect the party."Chairman of Croatian People's Party (HNS) Radimir Cacic, hasrecently said the seat of his party was called by some HSLS branches from Split, Rijeka and other towns claiming that the liberals consider their collective joining of their branches to HNS or other opposition parties. Chairman of the Rijeka HSLS branch Marko Ivanovic said liberals in Rijeka would never accept coalition with HDZ. In the announcement of the HSLS County's Council of the Primorje-Goran County,Teodor Antic writes the decision of HSLS on talks with HDZ opposes the decision of this year's HSLS resolution where the monopoly of HDZ to power is described as a vital barrier to general development of Croatia. The HSLS parliamentarians allege V. Gotovac agreed with D.Budisa (previous HSLS chairman) and I. Herak (who left Istrian Democratic Assembly for HSLS) on the conditions put to HDZ, some of which are hard to meet regarding general HDZ policy. Says Gotovac: "There will be agreement if HDZ accepts our policy." Respond of HDZ to the conditions of HSLS is expected tomorrow. Sources close to HSLS leadership, referred to by a journalistof the independent "Radio 101" Gordana Simonovic, allege some of the HSLS vice-chairmen (among them some candidates for the Zagreb mayor refused by president Tudjman) are for cooperation with HDZ explaining it by the fact that the party would remain in power for three and half years at least and that Croatia's rating was so low that opposition's giving up cooperation with the government would further revert Croatia. By some sources, the meeting Gotovac - Tudjman was set by the president Tudjman's advisor for culture Zlatko Vitez. (end) A.S. [02] CUTURA (HDZ) ON THE HDZ-HSLS TALKSZagreb, June 9, 1996 (Press TWRA)The Zagreb HDZ secr. general Dinko Cutura (one of few Herzegovinians remaining in the Zagreb HDZ leadership after the staff shuffle after the latest elections), said: "I would not call the cooperation between HSLS and HDZ a coalition but partnership. Such thing is known in Europe, e.g. in Germany. It is the case when a party, like HDZ in Croatia, offers partnership to another, also reputable party, and the two of them form a long-term partnership, practically leading the political life of the state in the long run. In case of our partnership, which it is likely to happen, I hold that HSLS will be given some posts of ministers and ambassadors. In Zagreb, HSLS would hold the posts of president of the Assembly and deputy mayor and also the headship of some sectors in the town's authorities. (end) A.S.[03] THE OPPOSITION LEADERS ON THE HSLS - HDZ TALKSZagreb, June 6, 1996 (Press TWRA)Chairman of Social-democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), Ivica Racan: "The offer to liberals was expected. There are two key problems for HDZ: non-admission to the Council of Europe and poor support of the Zagreb residents to HDZ but also elsewhere in Croatia. In such a situation, HDZ has no other chance but to try to break the opposition coalition by strengthening the cooperation with some stronger opposition party. The talks are underway, their outcome is not known. It should be stated that HDZ has got a point: if the talks fail and there is no cooperation, HDZ has succeeded in compromising to some extent, an opposition party which accepted to talk separately. If the talks succeed, HDZ has settled its problems for some time. It takes the advantage to impose its solution to the Zagreb crisis. I do not believe that at next elections, the citizens would honour such acting either of HDZ or a party enabling HDZ, for some reason, to continue with the so far policy in Zagreb."Chairman of Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) Zlatko Tomcic: "Iwould not talk about the agreement till I see it. There is particularly pronounced will in HDZ to find a coalition partner. It was discussed with us a month or two ago. Some signals are continuously sent about their wish to cooperate with us. We, on principle, could not accept that offer.They will go on looking for and maybe find a partner. Liberals, or some other, I do not know." Chairman of Croatian Party of Right 1861 Dobroslav Paraga:"Results of recent advisory referendum - catastrophically poor response of the citizens, the hardest blow to Tudjman and HDZ so far. Disapproval of the citizens in Zagreb and elsewhere expressed towards the authorities has reached its peak. Tudjman's regime now sees a way out in multi-party government to avoid criticism and international isolation. HDZ has ended in a dead-end street. Possible agreement on the share of authorities with HDZ would be compromising for any of the seven-party-coalition and the hardest blow to the fight of democratic parties for different Croatia. Coalition of any party with HDZ offers last straw to Tudjman, cutting off a democratic way. Such a party would prove itself a Trojan horse in the opposition. Croatian public should deny credibility to any opposition party that would dare make a pact with HDZ. Secret meetings of Gotovac with Tudjman is death for the Coalition. Our party will not support Gotovac as a presidential candidate. Action of Croatia's Social Democrats (ASH) announced: "Theonly chance for Croatia is united opposition. The Zagreb coalition should remain a mode for the united opposition at the state's level. Giving credibility, i.e. national character to the HDZ policy, any participation in the authorities, regardless of promises which bought it, is a step to break coalition, drive Croatia further to totalitarism and international isolation." (end) A.S. [04] OPPOSITION BOYCOTTED BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROTHERS RADICSisak, June 9, 1996 (Press TWRA)Opposition parties to Sisak (HSS, HSLS, HNS, SDP, HND) boycotted today's ceremony of the 125th and 128th birth anniversary of Stjepan Radic and A. Radic, respectively held in the native village of the Radic brothers, Trebarjevo Desno. HDZ, as an organizer has not invited the opposition to the ceremony or, unlike in prior ceremonies, included as co-organizers, claiming their right as the only successor of S. Radic's work and deed. The Radic brothers (Stjepan is outstanding) led HSS, the most important Croatian political party in the first half of 20th century. Stjepan and Pavle Radic, Djuro Basaricek were killed by a Serb assassin in the Belgrade Parliament in 1928, which was followed by extreme Croat ustasha's movement whose members, from 1941-45 also prosecuted Radic's followers as "too modest". Since 1990, when HDZ took power, it has claimed it inherits the best tradition of Croatian left and right, primarily tradition of HSS led by S. Radic and V. Macek. Today's ceremony was attended by HDZ high officials like Ivan Valent, Vladimir Seks, Djuro Brodarac. (end) A.S.[05] CONDITIONS FOR THE VIENNA AGREEMENT PUT BY B-H GOVERNMENTVienna, June 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)B-H government will not sign the arms control agreement if Serb side sticks to its attitude Serbs have to accept the agreement preamble stating that there are three signatory states and two entities. If they do not accept it by midnight, we will not sign the arms control agreement in Oslo," said the head of the B-H delegation at the Vienna talks, ambassador to OSCE Mahir Hadziahmetovic. (end) A.S.[06] DIFFERENTLY ON ELECTIONS, SANCTIONS AND CRIMINALSBelgrade, June 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)"Conditions for admission of FR Yugoslavia to the Council of Europe are the same as for Croatia. Respect of human rights comes first. That is why Croatia was not admitted to the Council of Europe," said president of European commission, Jacques Santer, after today's talks with Serbia's president Milosevic. Asked about reimposing sanctions against Belgrade, Italian foreign minister and president of the EU Council of ministries Lamberto Dini said in that stage of the peace process implementation no sanctions could be introduced. Asked if that meant they did not back the idea of the ICTY president A. Cassese on reimposing sanctions against FR Yugoslavia, Santer and Dini just said the purpose and mandate of their visit was different."Elections in B-H are to be held by Sept. 14, this yearalthough all conditions have not been met yet. Authorities of Croatia, FRY and B-H support the elections," said L. Dini. Sarajevo - At the ceremony of the fourth anniversary of theB-H army's victory on Mt. Mojmilo and Mt. Zuc, attended by 50,000 people, president of the B-H presidency A. Izetbegovic said: "We oppose the elections at all costs. There are forces which have politically and militarily worked for four years on the division of this state. We do not believe such thing is possible to carry out. Fight for integral B-H will continue, but this is not declaration of another war. Our citizens must resist the temptations of revenge and violence of any kind. We want Bosniaks back to eastern Bosnia and Serbs to Sarajevo." The spokesman of the PIC high representative Carl Bildt,Collum Murphy said: "Bildt holds that some elections are better than none. There is a danger that elections might reinforce the authorities of nationalists, not only in Serb entity." European mediator in the B-H Federation, German diplomatChristian Schwarz Schilling said it was real to expect cantonal and federal elections, adding that he did not believe that conditions for general elections would be provided by September. "If you do not start implementing the signed agreements, we will have another war soon. I must say that you would wage it without any, even humanitarian aid provided by the international community," said Schwarz-Schilling, addressing the sides to B-H. Washington - The USA wants to give Serbia's presidentMilosevic time to exert pressure on Serbs in Bosnia, before likely sanctions against Belgrade are imposed, State Dept. released. In the same statement, spokesman of the US diplomacy Nicholas Burns said that B-H president Izetbegovic again firmly promised Iranian volunteers would leave B-H. At Thursday meeting with the USA ambassador to Sarajevo, John Menzies, A. Izetbegovic said Iranians would leave B-H soon, explained Burns. Brussels - The NATO secr. general Javier Solana declared theIFOR troops began their re-deployment in B-H what should considerably restrict freedom of movement to the war criminals. "It will be hard for war criminals as the troops will be deployed throughout B-H in order to guarantee security of freedom of movement to all but them," said Solana. IFOR soldiers have been so far deployed mainly around the separation lines of the two entity in B-H. (end) A.S. [07] CASADO ABOUT MOSTAR, ONE CROAT WOUNDED IN BIJELO POLJEMostar, June 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)EU Mostar Administrator,Casado, spoke about forthcoming elections (June, 30). When mentioning his recent meeting with opposition parties in Sarajevo, he said several parties intend to form a democratic coalition for the elections, adding several serious incidents, which, however, will not influence the elections, took place this week. If needed, EUAM possesses means to prevent a possible effort of endangering votersF safety, Casado said, calling citizens and authorities to do everything possible for the continuation of a normal life. EU Administrator informed that voting places for citizens of Mostar temporarily living abroad have not yet been appointed. Swiss and German governments approved voting in their countries and the same thing is still expected from Norway and Sweden. Commission for the supervision of elections abroad started working and negotiations about financing transport-fees of voters to voting places have been incited. When asked whether it is a final decision that citizens of Serb nationality could not pass to the polls in Belgrade and Nevesinje, to which was opposed Croatia side, Casado said: tAll concerning the elections has been settled by the agreement dated May 25, which means that the elections would not be held in Belgrade and Nevesinje. Citizens of the Serb nationality will be in the position, within the EU organization, to vote in Mostar. When asked whether the postponement of the elections will present an element of (des)integration of Mostar, Casado answered: tThe elections have been postponed following the three-partite agreement and the destiny of this town is in the hands of its citizens.v IPTF informed in the night from Thursday to Friday, one Croat was wounded in Bijelo Polje, village under the Bosniak control, situated some 10 kms Northern of Mostar. IPTF spokesman assistant, Azvedo, informed Bosnian police arrested a man who was shooting in this incident which has no political background. Bosniak sources inform the wounded person is named Ljubomir (Karlo) Omeic, who left Bijelo Polje at the beginning of the war and went to Western Mostar which is under Croatian control. According to the same source, Omeic repeatedly treatened Remzo Skoro, his former neighbor, over the phone. Two nights ago, Omeic arrived to Bijelo Polje by car, requested and, was given, the right to enter to the garden of the family house Skoro and, in front of many witnesses, threatened him he would be killed. Skoro (Bosniak) ordered Omeic (Croat) to leave his garden, which he did, but he returned somehow later. Skoro took a rifle from his house and shot twicely into OmeicFs car. Omeic was driven to the regional hospital Velmos, where it was found out his injuries were not serious. Skoro has been arrested and besides him, Bosnian police arrested a group of Bosniaks, charged for inciting armed-incidents in the town- center in the night between June 3 to 4. They are follows: Zijad Orucevic tZijov and Amel Selimotic. Criminal charges were also raised against Semir Cemalovic tPikav, Ibrahim Demirovic tHecimv, Denis Cemalovic tCelov, Mustafa Grbic, Nermin Muhic tBosanacv and Senad Djiletovic tAjkulav. (end) A.S.[08] FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE FOR SARAJEVOSarajevo, June 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)Fourth anniversary of the battle for the mountain of Zuc, in which BH Army forces and Bosnian police, imposed, on June 8, 1992 a great defeat to FRY army and Serbian para-army, is being celebrated in Sarajevo today. (end) A.S.[09] NEGOTIATIONS ON HDZ - HSLS COALITIONBonn, June 8, 1996 (Press TWRA)President of HDZ and the Republic of Croatia, F. Tudjman, met last week three times with President of Croatian socio-liberal party (HSLS), V. Gotovac, both sides confirmed. The first meeting was held on Tuesday and lasted just 15 minutes and both negotiators were mutually criticized for negative public statements against each other. The second meeting was held on Wednesday and the third yesterday, when some dailies published information on alleged HDZ - HSLS coalition. Before the last meeting, HSLS Main Secretary, K. Gorinsek stated: tHDZ initiative refers to a proposal for establishment of a bi-partite coalition on a state level. As a democratical party, we are ready to negotiate with everyone, including HDZ. Media speculation on HDZ - HSLS coalition is incorrect. We still negotiate. There is no agreement yet.v On an urgently called press-conference, V. Gotovac stated: tI kindly ask you, to inform Croatian public with the facts that are very simple. We discussed and concluded we should present each other the conditions for negotiations on cooperation. Our conditions relate to each aspects of our national life for we talked about all important issues. This long list includes the freedom of media, independent juridical and Parliamentarian activity, ensuring of parliamentarian supervision upon army and police etc., it means everything for which HSLS has been fighting for during the seven years of its existence.v It was found out HSLS mentioned exactly which exchanges in the governmental activity they expect and established the dead-lines for their implementation, including the exchange of the Croatian Constitution - decreasing of the Presidential authorities, annulling of juridical proceedings raised against tNovi listv, tFeralv and other(s), allotting of concessions to the independent Radio-station t101v (...) When asked by whose accord he negotiates with HDZ, Gotovac said: tWith the accord of all members of the Small Committee but, when serious negotiations start, all other points will be harmonized and executed only with the accord of HSLS Great Committee. If these bodies appear as insufficiently strong to make decisions which could result from the actual situation, then it will be done by an extraordinary HSLS Assembly.v One female journalist asked him why he decided to negotiate with a dead man who was thus given an injection, he answered: v These are usual political talks. LetFs do not make drama out of it.v When asked whether he would pursue in his Presidential candidature, he responded: t Absolutely yes, no matter I have not yet officially decided.v tDoes Tudjman consider You as an important counter-candidate ?v tWell, yes. I think he does.v Is this the reason he called you to negotiate ? tI do not know. Maybe it is one of the reasons, but I can only guess. Any negotiation is made in a way that everything is said openly.. What does he think about tFeral Tribunev photo-montage, presenting him as a naive sheep, subordinate to HDZ and Tudjman ? tI think I will not and I did not appear as a sheep. My picture under the guise of sheep I consider as funny and witty and I laughed when I saw it.v The first draft of public statement, as proposed by HDZ, was not acceptable to HSLS, so the next one was prepared, saying: t Following the principal of their political programs, as parties of a center, aiming to support further development of democratical relations in Croatia and to reinforce its sovereignty, HDZ and HSLS leaders agreed to start negotiations on possible cooperation and no further statement will be given till their conclusion. I. Pasalic, I. Milas, I. Sanader, Z. Canjuga, I. Valent (HDZ) and G. Granic, Z. Kramaric, J.Rados, I. Primorac and I. Herak (HSLS) are appointed members to negotiation boards. Their task is to prepare a text of the agreement on possible cooperation.v (end) A.S.Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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