Voice of America, 00-01-23

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] CROATIA ELECTION (L O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (ZAGREB)

[02] CROATIA ELECTION ONITER (S-O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (ZAGREB)

[03] SERBIA/ARRESTS (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

[01] CROATIA ELECTION (L O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (ZAGREB)

INTRO: Sunday was a day of reflection for more than four-million Croats who vote Monday for a President to replace Franjo Tudjman who died last month. Correspondent Ron Pemstein reports from Zagreb that the battle is between personalities who may not maintain much power.

TEXT: According to opinion surveys, the second president of Croatia could be the same man who was technically the last President of Yugoslavia's collective presidency. Stipe Mesic was prevented from exercising that office by Serbia's opposition. That political conflict led to Croatia's war of independence from Yugoslavia. Mr. Mesic's role in Croatia's independence struggle and his later break with President Tudjman over Croatia's interference in Bosnia have contributed to his becoming the favorite in Monday's presidential election. His political program does not vary significantly from his leading rivals, former student leader Drazen Budisa, and Croatia's Foreign Minister Mate Granic. The new Croatian government that takes power Wednesday supports Mr. Budisa's bid. Mr. Granic has broken with President Tudjman's former ruling party and plans to leave the party if he is elected. All three front runners say they support the new Croatian government's plan to limit the powers of the president. This move to a parliamentary democracy would seem to make the voters' choice academic. Zagreb political analyst Ljubomir Cucic (pronounced Yoo-boh-mir-Choo-Ceech) says Monday's choice may not make any difference.

[02] CROATIA ELECTION ONITER (S-O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (ZAGREB)

INTRO: More than four-million Croats are eligible to vote (Monday) for a new president to replace Franjo Tudjman who died last month. Correspondent Ron Pemstein reports from Zagreb, personality may determine the decision.

TEXT: The three top contenders agree Croatia should make political and economic reforms to help the country join NATO and the European Union. They also agree that the new Croatian government that takes power Wednesday should turn Croatia into a parliamentary democracy, instead of a presidential system. This political agreement has turned the election for Croatia's second president into a personality contest. Opinion surveys say the leading candidate is the man with the best personality, 65-year old Stipe Mesic. Mr. Mesic was the last President of Yugoslavia's collective presidency ahead of Croatia's war of independence from Yugoslavia. If no one wins 50-percent, a runoff will be held February seventh. This first round may determine who joins Mr. Mesic in the run-off, former student leader Drazen Budisa, or foreign minister Mate Granic. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/DW 23-Jan-2000 12:03 PM EDT (23-Jan-2000 1703 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] SERBIA/ARRESTS (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

INTRO: Yugoslav police announced Saturday the arrest of three suspects in connection with the murder,one week ago of Serb Paramilitary leader Zeljko Raznatovic, better known as "Arkan",who was indicted for war crimes in Bosnia and Croatia. Stefan Bos reports from Budapest although investigators say they cannot link politics to the killing, opposition leaders claim the murder was the work of the Serbian Government.

TEXT: The 47-year old Serb warlord "Arkan" was shot to death in the lobby of Belgrade's Inter Continental Hotel. Two other men, a friend of the warlord and a policeman were also killed during the attack. Police officials in Belgrade say that the 23-year old alleged trigger man, Dobrosav Gavric, was arrested on the day of the killing,in a hospital,where he was treated for his wounds during the gun battle with Mr. Arkan's bodyguards. His two accomplices were arrested afterward. (Dejan Pitulic, 33-year old and Vujadin Krstic, 36-year old) Serbian police said all three men had contacts with the underworld,and Mr. Gavric along with 33-year old Dejan Pitulic worked as policemen until mid 1999. Both men were asked to leave the police force because of their alleged ties with criminals. That is one of the reasons why Serbian police and the Authorities in Belgrade are claiming that Mr. Arkan's death was crime-related, and that there were no political motives behind the killings. But Serbian opposition politicians and independent media have questioned that explanation. They said Mr. Arkan may have been killed for trying to bargain a deal with the United Nations Tribunal in The Hague, which indicted him for war crimes mostly in Bosnia and Croatia. A spokesman for the war crimes tribunal confirmed that intermediaries purportedly representing the Warlord had contacted the court last year, to discuss his case. Opposition parties argue that his death will make it much more difficult for International Community to find out the truth about President Milosovic role in the Yugoslav conlicts wich began in Slovenia and soon led to ethnic cleansing in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo.

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