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Serbia Today 96-08-08Serbia Today Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Yugoslavia <http://www.yugoslavia.com>Serbia Today8 August 1996CONTENTS
[01] READINESS FOR PROMOTION OF OVERALL RELATIONS BETWEEN FR OF YUGOSLAVIA AND CROATIAPresident of the Republic of Serbia Slobodan Milosevic and President of the Republic of Croatia Franjo Tudjman had extensive talks yesterday in Athens about the issues of interest for the promotion of the peace process in the region and for the normalization of the relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia. In the joint communique published last night in Athens, the two presidents gave a positive view of the developments so far of the mutual relations and welcomed the results which have been achieved in the realization of concrete agreements in the field of economic relations, linking of the infrastructure and the solution of the complex humanitarian questions. Starting from the great importance of the Yugoslav-Croat relations for strengthening of the peace process, for the peace and stability in the broader region, the two sides have expressed their readiness to start full normalization of the relations, to establish and develop good relations between their citizens and peoples, to respect each other as independent and sovereign states and, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, to work on mutual confidence building.Readiness was confirmed of the two sides, in the mutual negotiations, to resolve the disputable issue of Prevlaka, in order to eliminate tensions on both sides, with the stipulation that until the agreement is reached, the sides agree to respect the security regime established with the UN monitoring. The two sides have expressed readiness to create the necessary conditions for a free and safe return of all refugees and relocated persons to their homes or to the other places of their free choice, as well as to make possible the return into their possession of their property. In this respect, it was underlined that the safe return means a general amnesty. The question was also discussed of the protection of property of physical (natural) and legal (artificial) persons, having the citizenship of the other side and it was agreed that this property will be granted the same legal protection as the one owned by its citizens. It was agreed that there must be an immediate acceleration of the process of solution of the question of the missing persons, in which process the two sides will promptly exchange all the available data about the persons missing. It was also agreed that the competent resors will continue bilateral contacts for purpose of providing full normalization and promotion of the road, railway, air, river and postal traffic and telecommunications, which is of importance for the two countries and for the broader region. Special attention was devoted to the promotion of the economic and commercial links in all the fields. The two sides are devoted to the principle of free movement and circulation of citizens, goods and capital and will engage themselves in creating conditions which will make this possible. A positive qualification was given to the implementation so far of the Erdut Agreement on Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srem and it was pointed out at the need for further implementation of this Agreement. The two presidents are expressing their full support to the implementation of the provisions of the Dayton Agreement. It was agreed that the two ministers of foreign affairs will meet in Belgrade until the end of this month, in order to specify and sign the Agreement on normalization of the relations, in the spirit of the agreement in Athens. (Politika, August 8, 1996) [02] REACTIONS IN THE WORLD TO THE MEETING IN ATHENSThe Greek Prime Minister Simitis, who was the host to the Presidents of Serbia and Croatia, qualified this meeting as a very important one because "this is the first one between the two countries outside of the multi-lateral framework, or under the auspices of the international organizations". "The fact that the agreement was reached and the fact that the two counties have agreed to start with all the necessary steps for establishing of the diplomatic relations it showing that the counterparts made a decisive step in order to have better relations in the Balkans", said Simitis.On this occasion he implied that the conference of the heads of diplomacies of the Balkan countries may be held next year. The Greek media gave great publicity to the meeting between Milosevic and Tudjman, pointing out that it is a historical encounter which is opening a new chapter for the region of the Balkans. In Moscow, as a very important news from the world the agreement was announced between the Presidents of Serbia and of Croatia that Yugoslavia and Croatia are to start the process of full normalization of the mutual relations. The agreement on the free return of refugees and exiled persons to their homes was announced as a significant one, for the purpose of which a general amnesty will be proclaimed, as well as the agreement on mutual protection of property of persons and citizens of Yugoslavia and Croatia. The balance of the meeting in Athens is very successful and means an instigation to the peace process and stabilization of the situation in the Balkans, comments the French Radio France. Government of France was persistently emphasizing that a solid peace in former Yugoslavia can not be secured without normalization of the relations between the former Yugoslav republics. Also, France is persistently pointing out at the extreme importance of the efforts of Belgrade in overcoming of the consequences of the secessionist dismembering of former Yugoslavia, and therefore was decisively active with all the European Union government to follow in its example about normalization of the relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Thus, the official Paris is especially satisfied with the outcome of the meeting between Milosevic and Tudjman in Athens, underline the French reporters. (Politika, Vecernje novosti, August 8, 1996) [03] BRITISH AMBASSADOR ABOUT THE RELATIONS WITH YUGOSLAVIAIn his talk with the correspondents of the Yugoslav media in London, British Ambassador in Belgrade Ivor Roberts, gave a positive view of the development of the British-Yugoslav relations and emphasized that the immediate task now is the promotion of the cooperation between the two countries "both ways and to the mutual benefit". Some of the British firms have already engaged themselves extensively in this respect, some other ones have expressed interest to continue where they have left off at one time or to venture into completely new business arrangements, said Roberts and especially underlined the importance of selection of the Nat-West, the largest British commercial bank, as the adviser to the Yugoslav Government in the negotiations with the international financial institutions. While commenting on the question of succession, British ambassador said that there are still differences in views between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the majority in the international community, and expressed hope for a possible progress regarding this matter. "The worst solution both for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and for the other former Yugoslav republics would be to engage in endless litigation procedures. What is important is the political solution", said Ambassador Roberts. (Vecernje novosti, August 8, 1996)[04] ELIZABETH REN ACCUSES CROATIA"I feel sorry and I am sad because of everything I have seen in Krajina", stated for the press in Podgorica Elizabeth Ren, special envoy of the UN Commission for Human Rights, who has just returned from the places where the Serbs were living in Krajina. She said that even today there is a plunder of Serbian houses, that they are being burnt down and mined, especially the houses of those people who came with the intention to return to their homes. She saw injured old people, in whose houses explosive devices were placed on the very thresholds of their homes so their arms and legs were injured. "Over there they are looting old people, taking away from their houses their belongings and their cattle. People are living in constant fear because of these daily attacks and persecution", says Elizabeth Ren and adds: "The international community must not allow this to happen any longer". She qualified as suspicious the stories about reconstruction of the infrastructure leading to the villages where some few Serbs are living, because electrical power lines are being constructed only up to those houses where the Croats are living. High official for human rights accused Croat authorities for not issuing permits for the return of Serbian population and stated the fact that from 200 thousand persons who escaped from Krajina, permission was granted for the return of only seven thousand. (Politika, August 8, 1996)[05] ZAGREB SABOTAGES THE AGREEMENTAlthough there is progress in the peaceful reintegration of the region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srem, new challenges are appearing which are placing in jeopardy the success of the Temporary Administration (UNTA), states the latest report submitted to the Security Council by the UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali. While the local Serbian population is fearing its future after the departure of the world organization's mission, Zagreb is refusing to pay the local administration, is not passing the demanded law on general amnesty and is making difficult work of the temporary police forces, requesting that they "work for the state of Croatia". Ghali is stating with regret that the Government in Zagreb is not showing readiness to cover the expenses for the support of employees, among them teachers, doctors and policemen, although according to the provisions of the Basic Agreement it is obliged financially to support the local administration during the transition period. "If Zagreb should fail to change its behavior", writes the report, "Ghali will have to inform the Security Council that one of the sides, to a significant extent, is not fulfilling its obligations from the Agreement". It is also stated in the report that the general insecurity and political tensions in the region may jeopardize the results of the UNTA mission. (Politika, August 8, 1996)Serbia Today Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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