Yugoslav Daily Survey, 96-10-21

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From: Yugoslavia <http://www.yugoslavia.com>

CONTENTS

[01] YUGOSLAV - JAPANESE RELATIONS TO BE RETURNED TO AMBASSADORIAL LEVEL

[02] YUGOSLAVIA AND MONTENEGRO READY TO DEVELOP REGIONAL COOPERATION

[03] HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA REQUIRES MORE ATTENTION

[04] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT ENDS VISIT TO ZIMBABWE

[05] RELATIONS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND ZIMBABWE EXCELLENT

[06] YUGOSLAVIA AND GHANA WANT TO PROMOTE BILATERAL RELATIONS

[07] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT LILIC ARRIVES IN GUINEA

[08] ARGENTINEAN OFFICIAL BACKS YUGOSLAVIA'S REINTEGRATION INTO WORLD

[09] YUGOSLAVIA PROPOSES RENEWAL OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS TO ARGENTINA

[10] YUGOSLAV AND ARGENTINEAN OFFICIALS DISCUSS PROMOTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

[11] YUGOSLAV AND ARGENTINEAN OFFICIALS ON BILATERAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION

[12] YUGOSLAV VICE PREMIER SAYS TOUR HELPS EXPAND TIES WITH LATIN AMERICA

[13] COOPERATION WITH FRY ONE OF BULGARIA'S PRIORITIES

[14] SUCCESSFUL VISIT OF YUGOSLAV DELEGATION TO ISRAEL

[15] AUSTRIA WISHES TO HELP SERBIA GAIN ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKET

[16] CONSTITUENT SESSION OF RS NATIONAL PARLIAMENT

[17] KINKEL: PEACEKEEPERS MUST REMAIN IN BOSNIA

[18] OSCE: NEW RULES FOR VOTING OF REFUGEES AT LOCAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA

[19] 'ROUND TABLE' ABOUT SERBS IN CROATIA

[01] YUGOSLAV - JAPANESE RELATIONS TO BE RETURNED TO AMBASSADORIAL LEVEL

Milutinovic and Urabe said this would speed up the renewal and further promotion of comprehensive mutual cooperation, especially in the economic sphere.

Milutinovic and Urabe also discussed current issues and the situation in the Region, Europe and throughout the world, specially the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord on Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Urabe had separate talks on Friday with Assistant Federal Foreign Minister Nikola Cicanovic to discuss bilateral relations and topical foreign affairs' issues linked to the development of the Peace Process in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

[02] YUGOSLAVIA AND MONTENEGRO READY TO DEVELOP REGIONAL COOPERATION

Regional cooperation is 'a very efficient means to have the particularities and traditions of each state acknowledged and respected, no matter its size and its population number, while at the same time identifying and developing the common interest,' Bulatovic said in opening a two-day International Annual Conference of the Centre for Mediterranean Studies.

Taking part in the Conference dedicated to the Euro-Mediterranean space and new forms of regional association, there are around 200 scientists, experts or government representatives from more than 30 Balkan, Mediterranean and European countries, in addition to representatives of international organizations and institutions.

Also present are Foreign Ministry envoys from Spain, Greece, Turkey, Romania and Belgium.

Bulatovic stressed that Montenegro, at the time of tragical events in former Yugoslavia, had preserved civic peace and inter-ethnic and religious tolerance, had been creating conditions for the development of democratic relations, while, on the plane of external policy, had been, and is working towards the strengthening of stability in the Balkan region and towards the development of good-neighbourly relations with all countries.

Bulatovic said that international diplomacy had long noted and recognized Montenegro's sincere commitment to the policy of peace and cooperation.

Montenegrin Foreign Minister Janko Jeknic emphasized that this Conference was another expression of Montenegro's and Yugoslavia's readiness to reaffirm the new spirit of understanding and cooperation on the principles of regional integration. This way, he assessed, a step further would be taken towards the strengthening of peace, stability and economic prosperity, doing this on an equal footing because the Region's future cannot and must not be limited to individual countries.

[03] HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN YUGOSLAVIA REQUIRES MORE ATTENTION

The Spokeswoman of the Yugoslav Red Cross (JCK), Vesna Milenovic, told Tanjug on Friday that JCK had informed the Geneva meeting about the serious humanitarian situation of the 700,000 refugees in Yugoslavia and the drastic drop in relief aid. She said that aid would also be needed in 1997.

UNHCR recalled that the refugee census had shown that more than 60% had opted to stay in Yugoslavia and that U.N. agencies would take action to find lasting solutions for refugees within the existing financial possibilities.

'Even now it is clear that there will be less aid than last year, but we will try to use the funds and possibilities at our disposal and continue the difficult task of providing for the refugees, the majority of whom are seriously threatened.

[04] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT ENDS VISIT TO ZIMBABWE

Lilic and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe attended the signing of Inter-Governmental Agreements on investment stimulation and protection, establishing civilian traffic between the two countries and avoiding double taxation.

Lilic and Mugabe held a joint Press Conference, where they said that bilateral political relations were excellent but that the comprehensive promotion of economic and other cooperation was necessary. Possibilities, wishes and joint interest for this exist, they said.

Mugabe said that he included Yugoslavia among one of the best friends and pledged that he would make personal efforts aimed at realising the agreements. Mugabe said that preparations might end soon for signing a number of other agreements aimed at promoting comprehensive, especially economic cooperation, between Zimbabwe and Yugoslavia.

Mugabe said there was a deep, warm friendship for the FRY, whose people probably has the same feelings. Mugabe said he believed that nothing stands in the way of the further strengthening of friendship and of developing cooperation.

The Yugoslav President said that besides the very significant talks he held with President Mugabe and his assistants, he had the opportunity to find out for himself, not only an exceptional friendship, but also great possibilities for economic cooperation, especially in the mining sector, in industry and in agriculture. He added that the signed Accords between the two countries provided a perfect basis for that.

Lilic pointed out that Zimbabwe was the first country to be visited by the Yugoslav President after the lifting of sanctions against the FRY, on October 1 this year. The decision not only confirmed the validity of the policy of FRY of peaceful resolution of the crisis in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, but also that the efforts of our friends have not been in vain, Lilic said.

'We came here to thank you once again and to assure you that the FRY will continue to pursue its policy of peaceful resolution of all problems, through goodneighbourly cooperation, integration and equality in relations between states, the Yugoslav President said.

Lilic pointed especially to the 'principled and personal courage of President Mugabe and of his representatives' who at different international conferences 'stood up for truth and justice during the crisis in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.'

Lilic added that the FRY was rapidly returning to different international institutions, especially in those where it was one of the founding members. He said that it must not be allowed that the Nonaligned Movement, which should represent the interests of developing countries, be manipulated by individual interests.

The Yugoslav President expressed support for the idea of a New World Order based on equality, partnership and mutual recognition, to what, he said, the Nonaligned Movement can give a significant contribution.

Most African countries at the time of the Yugoslav crisis kept their distance from biased and one sided views, and preserved a continuity of relations with FRY, the Yugoslav President said.

[05] RELATIONS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND ZIMBABWE EXCELLENT

He said he was confident both sides would promote economic cooperation following the current visit of Yugoslav President Zoran Lilic and a group of businessmen to Harare.

'Zimbabwe is an important political and economic partner to Yugoslavia,' said the Assistant Federal Foreign Minister in an interview to the show 'International' broadcast on Zimbabwean Television's Channel One late friday. Jovanovic pointed out the fact that the good cooperation went back to the time when Robert Mugabe and his co-fighters fought against the racist regime of Ian Smith in then Southern Rhodesia.

Asked by the anchorman about the Movement of Non-aligned Countries, Jovanovic said it had held an important place and role even after the end of the Cold War. Now, its aim is the battle for democratization of relations in the world and settling the accumulated social-economic problems, especially in developing countries, Jovanovic said.

Speaking about the renown which Yugoslav businessmen had enjoyed in Zimbabwe earlier, jovanovic said he was confident that there would be significant progress in Yugoslavia's economic cooperation with Zimbabwe now that the anti-Yugoslav sanctions had been lifted.

[06] YUGOSLAVIA AND GHANA WANT TO PROMOTE BILATERAL RELATIONS

President Lilic arrived in Accra late on Saturday, on a working visit to Ghana.

Meeting with Rawlings, Lilic said that Ghana had maintained an objective and balanced approach to the crisis in former Yugoslavia and had voted against suspending Yugoslavia from international organisations.

Both sides said they expected their political dialogue to continue, with Rawlings stressing Ghana had never questioned the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's international legality and continuity with the former Federation.

He accepted an invitation to visit the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Bilateral economic cooperation should be constantly promoted, it was stressed during the meeting. The presence of the Belgrade-based 'Energoproject' construction company in Ghana, where it has built and continues to build major projects, was highlighted in this context.

[07] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT LILIC ARRIVES IN GUINEA

At Conakry airport, President Lilic and the Delegation from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were welcomed personally by President Conte.

On arrival, Lilic had his first private meeting with Conte. Official Presidential talks open on Monday, when the Yugoslav President is scheduled to meet also with Guinea's Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and Constitutional Court President. The talks are expected to affirm the two countries' historically good political relations and wish considerably to promote economic cooperation.

Yugoslav businessmen, headed by Minister Zoran Bingulac, will have contacts with Guinean businessmen.

[08] ARGENTINEAN OFFICIAL BACKS YUGOSLAVIA'S REINTEGRATION INTO WORLD

Rodrigues was speaking late on Friday in a meeting with Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Zebic, who heads a Yugoslav State and Economic Delegation to Latin America. Rodrigues also urged the restoration of the Yugoslav-Argentinean Mixed Committee and setting up of a Special Business Council for economic cooperation.

Zebic said that Yugoslavia, as the country which maintains the continuity of the former Yugoslavia, expected an extension of all existing Inter-Governmental Agreements with Argentina and proposed the signing of new documents on investment stimulation and protection and avoiding double taxation.

'In addition to restoring dialogue on a high political level, our visit to Argentina is also aimed at making a significant promotion in our economic and other cooperation,' Zebic said and stressed the need for intensifying direct business contacts and opening representative offices.

[09] YUGOSLAVIA PROPOSES RENEWAL OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS TO ARGENTINA

Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Zebic, who heads a Yugoslav State and Economic Delegation on a tour of Latin America, was speaking with Argentinean Trade Minister Roque Fernandez in a meeting in Buenos Aires late on Thursday.

Zebic offered to his hosts to use the Yugoslav ports to transport goods to Central Europe and to restore cooperation in the military and technical industry.

Fernandez said that his Ministry, which comprised nine secretariats, was ready to support the establishing and broadening of cooperation between the two countries' businessmen.

Zebic informed Fernandez about the Yugoslav market system and measures aimed at liberalising foreign investment regulations, concessions and capital transfer.

[10] YUGOSLAV AND ARGENTINEAN OFFICIALS DISCUSS PROMOTION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

Bulajic, who is a member of a Yugoslav State and Economic Delegation, informed the representatives of the Argentinean diplomacy about the situation in the Balkans and Yugoslav views on the implementation of the Dayton Accords. Bulajic said that despite some questions outstanding, Yugoslavia's peace policy had been conducive to the normalisation of relations with all former Yugoslav republics.

He said that the current problem in the functioning of Central Authorities in Sarajevo had been primarily prompted by disagreements between Croats and Muslims within their Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

[11] YUGOSLAV AND ARGENTINEAN OFFICIALS ON BILATERAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Turcinovic, who is member of a Yugoslav State and Economic Delegation to Latin America, told Avogardro in Buenos Aires on Friday that all conditions existed for broadening trade.

The Argentinean side put forth a lengthy list of Argentinean companies which are ready to invest in Yugoslavia. Argentinean bankers, who met with the Yugoslav Delegation on Friday, expressed readiness to give immediate financial backing to the two countries' commercial firms.

The financial and banking members of the Yugoslav Delegation met with Inter-American Bank financial arrangement adviser Rafaelo Millan, who said that the Inter-American Bank was ready to enable Yugoslav companies to participate in the projects it finances.

[12] YUGOSLAV VICE PREMIER SAYS TOUR HELPS EXPAND TIES WITH LATIN AMERICA

Vice Premier Jovan Zebic was speaking to reporters at Belgrade airport on returning from the tour, in the course of which he had visited Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. He said that all his partners in political talks had highly praised the contribution made by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the consistent implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Zebic said the Yugoslav Delegation had meetings at very high level, which had confirmed the importance of Yugoslavia's consistent constructive and peaceful policy.

He said that the partners in talks had recognised the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's continuity with the former Federation and Economic Agreements signed by the former State.

In the case of Argentina and Venezuela, they agreed to reactivate the Joint Commissions for Economic Cooperation, and Brazil suggested the setting up of a Business Council to stimulate economic cooperation, he added.

'All the states agreed to open talks at expert level in order to improve the institutional frameworks and reach agreements on mutual stimulation and protection of investments and on avoidance of double taxation,' Zebic said.

Speaking about possibilities of Yugoslav industrial involvement in Latin America, he said that many countries in the Region were planning major infrastructural works, such as railways, roads, power plants and water regulation. Zebic said that, before the United Nations clamped sanctions on Yugoslavia, Yugoslav construction companies had worked with great success in these states. 'Traditionally good cooperation is already being resumed,' he added.

Zebic said that the Delegation had talks with the development, finance and economy ministers and representatives of commercial and industrial chambers and banks in the states they had visited.

Yugoslavia and its partners in these talks agreed, he added, that the complementarity of their economies provided a good basis for expanding the volume of bilateral trade.

[13] COOPERATION WITH FRY ONE OF BULGARIA'S PRIORITIES

Chervenyakov, at whose invitation Yugoslav Justice Minister Vladimir Krivokapic came for a three-day visit to Bulgaria, told Tanjug's correspondent that relations between the two countries were constantly improving.

Chervenyakov and Krivokapic talked about the adoption of new regulations and their coordination with European standards, and about their joint fighting of crime.

Asked by Tanjug's correspondent about preparations for the Balkan Conference of Ministers of Justice for fighting crime, Chervenyakov said it was planned for 1997. Besides Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, the holding of the Balkan Conference is supported by Romania and Greece, Chervenyakov said. He added that expert groups will prepare a document about the organized, joint fighting of crime, especially drug-trafficking and smuggling of stolen cars.

Minister Krivokapic, who concludes his visit to Bulgaria Saturday, said that Balkan countries should give their full contribution to the scientific research of crime and to finding out the most efficient measures for fighting crime.

[14] SUCCESSFUL VISIT OF YUGOSLAV DELEGATION TO ISRAEL

According to him, it was assessed during talks with Israeli officials that the announced opening of the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade will significantly improve bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic sphere. It is also expected that Isreal will support the efforts of the FRY for its integration into international organizations and institutions, he said.

The visit was an opportunity to get acquainted with cooperation possibilities in the field of health and medicine, and in that respect the Accord on cooperation in those fields, signed for the Israeli side by Foreign Minister Levi, represents significant progress.

Stressing that this is the first State Accord signed with Israel after a long period of time, Ivanisevic assessed that it will help cooperation in the field of health and medicine, on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit. Concrete forms and possibilities of cooperation in the field of health tourism were also examined in Tel Aviv, and the exchange of information, experts and technological know-how was agreed upon, Ivanisevic said.

[15] AUSTRIA WISHES TO HELP SERBIA GAIN ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKET

A meeting between a Serbian Delegation and Austrian businessmen focused on both sides' interest in restoring economic cooperation to the level prior to the introduction of international sanctions against Yugoslavia. The Serbian Delegation on a three-day visit to Austria is headed by the Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Babic and Minister of Industry Oskar Fodor.

Austria has promised to back Yugoslavia's endeavours for reintegration in international trade and financial institutions, Babic said. It has also been agreed that until new documents are signed, the Agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and protection of investments signed by the former Yugoslav Federation (SFRY) and Austria would remain in force.

Babic informed Austrian officials that Serbian legislation was brought in line with Western European regulations, which will facilitate Yugoslavia's reintegration.

Minister Fodor underlined the great potentials of Serbian and Yugoslav market for Austrian partners, and recalled that Austria used to be Yugoslavia's fifth most important foreign trade partner.

Serbia intends to restructure its economy, but this can not be done without foreign capital and new technology, which provides good opportunities for Austrian partners, Fodor said.

[16] CONSTITUENT SESSION OF RS NATIONAL PARLIAMENT

Miroslav Vjestica and Nikola Poplasen are the elected Deputy Speakers of RS Parliament.

RS President dr Biljana Plavsic recommended Gojko Klickovic as mandator for forming the new RS Government. The recommendation was accepted by RS Parliament deputies. At the end of the Session, the RS Parliament elected Vojislav Maksimovic, Borivoje Sendic, Milan Krnjajic, Borislav Paravac and Momir Tosic as its deputies in the House of the Peoples of the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[17] KINKEL: PEACEKEEPERS MUST REMAIN IN BOSNIA

The future Peacekeeping Force will probably comprise a joint German-French contingent, Kinkel said at a Press Conference he gave together with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali following their two-day talks in Hamburg.

[18] OSCE: NEW RULES FOR VOTING OF REFUGEES AT LOCAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA

Agencies reported quoting a statement by OSCE Spokesman David Foley that refugees would be able to vote only in Municipalities where they had a place of residence at the time of the 1991 census. Those who insist on voting in their new Municipalities will have to provide reliable evidence confirming that they had been at that place of residence since December 14, 1995, when the Dayton Peace Accords were signed in Paris, Foley was quoted as saying.

The meeting of the Commission of Thursday, when the decision was adopted, was attended by representatives of Serbs, Muslims, and Croats and international officials, Foley said.

[19] 'ROUND TABLE' ABOUT SERBS IN CROATIA

The return of Serbs is not only their natural right, but a right deriving from the Croatian Constitution and numerous International Conventions and Acts, which must be observed by Croatia as a UN member country, it was concluded at the discussion. That is also an obligation, it was said, taken on by Croatia after it was indicated that it could soon be admitted into the Council of Europe.

It was said at the Zagreb meeting, attended by scientists, political, social and public figures, and for the first time by representatives of the Croatian authorities, that more than 400,000 Serbs had fled Croatia in the past five years. According to data presented at the discussions, Serbs who remained make up only two to three percent of the population of Croatia.

Creating conditions for life together, judging by discussions heard, will not be easy. But it is expected, especially from the International Community, that greater efforts would be made to secure human and national rights for Serbs in Croatia.

The Round Table was attended by a number of representatives of the Helsinki Council and of Non-governmental organizations from Belgrade, and at the end it was announced that a similar meeting would be held in Belgrade next month.

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