Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-02-26

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] KONTIC BEGINS CONSULTATIONS ABOUT NEW GOVERNMENT

[02] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S SOCIAL COUNCIL MEETS

[03] YUGOSLAV PREMIER MEETS WITH SERBIAN AND MONTENEGRIN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

[04] BULATOVIC: MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL MANDATE IS WORKING WITH MILOSEVIC

[05] YUGOSLAV AND CROATIAN COMMISSIONS DISCUSS MISSING PERSONS

[06] PANEL DEBATE ON YUGOSLAVIA AS FACTOR OF PEACE

[01] KONTIC BEGINS CONSULTATIONS ABOUT NEW GOVERNMENT

In talks with Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) Secretary-General Gorica Gajevic and the party's Deputy Club Head in the Federal Parliament Milutin Stojkovic, Kontic presented the draft programme and proposals for promoting the functioning of the Government.

Kontic said the tasks of the new Government would be further to constitute the Federal State as a modern, democratic, legal, and social Federation, Yugoslavia's reintegration into international political, financial, trade, and other organizations, the development of an open, market-oriented economy, and the promotion of the standard and social security of citizens.

The Prime Minister designate also presented his views on the structure of the new coalition Government.

Kontic will continue intense consultations about the programme and new Government with political parties represented in the Federal Assembly, the statement said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-02-26 ; Tanjug, 1997-02-25

[02] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT'S SOCIAL COUNCIL MEETS

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic and representatives of the Trade Unions, Chambers of Commerce and Ministries for labour, health care and social policy also participated in the session.

In view of the country's economic, social and political situation, the session focused on the social policy issues and adoption of a social programme.

It was said that the social policy was not in the authority of the Federal State, but of the Republics and that this was why there could be no talk about a social programme that would be adopted and implemented by the Yugoslav Government.

Therefore measures must be taken aimed at making a concept and reaching solutions that would enable the Republican and Federal Governments to coordinate work in this field in the first place, it was said.

Serious social and economic problems require both short - and long-term solutions which can now be realised within the Republics' authority. Time and the Republics' agreement would be needed in order to organise authority in any other way or to transfer it to the Federal State.

A full agreement exists that the implementation of economic reforms and the country's reintegration into international institutions are important preconditions for adequate solutions in the field of social policy.

The Social Council believes that the Yugoslav Government should seek solutions for this orientation within the economic and social policies.

It was said that a social programme, which is part of the economic package on Yugoslavia's reintegration into the international community and financial institutions, will be discussed at one of the next sessions.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-02-26 ; Tanjug, 1997-02-25

[03] YUGOSLAV PREMIER MEETS WITH SERBIAN AND MONTENEGRIN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Prime Minister Radoje Kontic was meeting with Serbian Vice Premier Nedeljko Sipovac, Montenegrin Vice Premier Asim Telacevic, Vice Governor of the National Bank of Yugoslavia (Central Bank) Bozidar Gazivoda and Chamber of Commerce President Mihailo Milojevic.

Yugoslav Federal Vice Premier Nikola Sainovic, Chairman of the Federal Government's Economic Council Milutin Cirovic, as well as competent Federal and Republican ministers also attended.

They discussed questions of stabilisation and development policy of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the most important development and stabilisation matters and evaluated macro-economic trends by the year 2005, according to a Government statement.

The papers submitted on Yugoslav development policy, viz. the basic questions of Yugoslav economic stabilisation and development, were considerably upgraded as compared with the earlier ones, especially as regards clearly defined targets for the coming period.

The basic precondition for a dynamic economic development as the only policy imperative is an urgent normalisation of relations with international financial and trade bodies, primarily the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A speedy return to the international community and resumption of membership rights in the IMF and the WTO are certainly necessary conditions for returning into world financial processes and a guarantee of future economic development.

In conditions where there is virtually no domestic accumulation, the Yugoslav economy can hope to acquire fresh capital only by regulating relations with world financial bodies.

Fresh capital is indispensable if the country is to revive investment operations, raise the quality of production and increase the national economy's competitiveness on the world market.

Of course, return to the WTO presupposes restoration of facilities in trade with the world.

A brisk and dynamic development of the Yugoslav economy is a target which has no alternative, and not merely a working version of development policy. It may rather be said to be the only guarantee of solving the accumulated economic and social problems.

A highly important place in attaining development policy targets is held by the economy and banking restructuring programme, without which the Yugoslav economy can hardly be fully transformed into a modern and competitive market-oriented economy.

In order for the national economy to achieve a high growth rate over the coming period, it is important to get down as soon as possible to working out the necessary mechanisms, i.e., Yugoslavia's development strategy, the Government statement said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-02-26 ; Tanjug, 1997-02-25

[04] BULATOVIC: MOST IMPORTANT POLITICAL MANDATE IS WORKING WITH MILOSEVIC

"Dear Sirs,

Thank you for your letter of January 30 and all comments on present and future cooperation between Congress and the State organs of the Republic of Montenegro.

I wish sincerely that this cooperation may continue to develop, and therefore take this opportunity to express my stand regarding the questions you have singled out.

1. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as a democratic community of equal republics and citizens, is the result of a freely expressed will of the people of Montenegro. My most important political mandate, being constitutionally the person representing the Republic of Montenegro, is to cooperate with the President of the Republic of Serbia, regardless of the degree of our mutual agreement.

Regarding the meeting to which you have referred, President Milosevic and I expressed Montenegro's and Serbia's commitment to FR of Yugoslavia and its democratic and economic development. No one said that there were no political differences between the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro, but that Montenegro and Serbia wished to continue to live in a common state.

I abide by the political stands that I set forth in our talks in Podgorica. I believe you will agree that dialogue is the way to affirm political stands. I hope the recent positive steps of President Milosevic owe something to Montenegro's and my own efforts and suggestions.

2. I have never either openly or informally criticized the democratic efforts of any political party, or the student movement, or the "Zajedno" coalition. My stand has been and remains that democratization means dialogue between government and opposition, which I have called for, without wishing to judge who is right.

3. The Republic of Montenegro strives to assist in resolving the extremely complex issue of Kosovo democratically. I have expressed my views regarding those issues and they remain so.

I believe the head of the U.S. Mission in Belgrade, Mr. Richard Miles, would be able to give you more information on my concrete stands regarding Montenegro's assistance to Serbia in solving problems in Kosovo.

The Republic of Montenegro has constitutionally no say in the matter of Kosovo. Montenegro wishes to and is able to assist by setting a good example, developing and promoting the rights of members of national minorities in its own territory.

4. I guarantee you that there is no political force or any powerful individual that may threaten the Constitution of the Republic of Montenegro. Therefore, you are wrong in your view that I wish to seek out some illegal way to extend my mandate as President of the Republic of Montenegro.

Presidential elections will be held in Montenegro at the end of the year. It is understandable then, that candidates have not yet been nominated. I wish to stress that the specific situations in the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro are not identical. Namely, under the Montenegrin Constitution, I have the right to be re-elected. The Constitution allows for two presidential mandates, and this is my first mandate.

I hope, gentlemen, that these explanations will remove your deep concern, and any doubts you might have in the intentions of the authorities of the Republic of Montenegro to continue to invest efforts so that Montenegro and Yugoslavia may develop as democratic states, with maximum protection of human rights, freedom of the press, ethnic tolerance and a free market economy. Toward that aim, enclosed is a translation of the communique of my talks with President Milosevic on January 22 this year, and a copy from Montenegrin daily 'Pobjeda'.

As you know, the relations and mutual rights and obligations of the Republics of Montenegro and Serbia are defined under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Federal Constitution defines the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a state community of equal member- republics, peoples and citizens. Montenegro has a high degree of autonomy in the creation of its own internal and foreign policies, which can be successfully interpreted only after an analysis of its political reality, its laws and practical activities. On the federal level, we persist in our endeavours to influence the Republic of Serbia to expedite democratization and privatization processes and consolidation of internal political stability. We have been partly successful, bearing in mind that Serbia is an independent and equal entity in FR of Yugoslavia and its policy is formed in legal organs of authority, the mandate and legitimacy of which were given by the people of Serbia.

The recent recognition by President Milosevic of the findings of the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will bring about a speedy and successful end to the crisis in Serbia, instigated after the second round of municipal elections on November 17. This actualizes the real need toward decisive steps in the normative sphere and more concrete political practice toward true democratization and transformation of the Serbian and Yugoslav economy, on the principles and practices known to present day developed countries.

Finally, gentlemen, I assure you in the sincere wishes of the Montenegrin government that Montenegro and FR of Yugoslavia develop as modern democratic societies. We comprehend this as a true condition for our actual reintegration into the international community and the future of freedom and prosperity for our people. We are fully aware of our need for continuous communication with representatives of countries whose reality may serve as a good example. We are fully open toward cooperation, advice and all forms of assistance and I wish to take this opportunity to express our readiness and wish to develop in the future close ties with the U.S. administration and Congress.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the expression of my sincerest consideration, Momir Bulatovic", the letter concludes.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-02-26 ; Tanjug, 1997-02-25

[05] YUGOSLAV AND CROATIAN COMMISSIONS DISCUSS MISSING PERSONS

A statement released after the talks said the two sides had stated there were certain questions that slowed down the work of the Commissions, agreeing it was necessary to expedite their work.

A new meeting has been scheduled to be held in Zagreb on March 6.

Commission Presidents Pavle Todorovic of Yugoslavia and Ivan Grujic of Croatia were received by Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-02-26 ; Tanjug, 1997-02-25

[06] PANEL DEBATE ON YUGOSLAVIA AS FACTOR OF PEACE

Ambassador Dragan Vucicevic, who heads the Directorate for the neighbouring countries in the Foreign Ministry, spoke about the present political situation and changes that have occurred in the world in the past few years.

Vucicevic said that Yugoslavia no longer served as a buffer, but was rather a Balkan and a Mediterranean state serving as a link between other states.

He said that Yugoslavia should make use of its geo-strategic position to strengthen peace and security, adding that it had gained affirmation as a factor of peace in Europe as well as in other parts of the world.

The burden of isolation had been shed, Vucicevic said, quoting in illustration that the number of foreign representations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had risen from 9 to 80, of which 40 at Embassy level.

According to Vucicevic, Yugoslavia gives priority to a normalisation of relations with the former Yugoslav republics as crucial to peace.

Palpable results had been achieved in picking up ties with Macedonia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, whereas those with Slovenia were lacking because of Slovenia's antagonistic policy within former Yugoslavia, he added.

Among other priorities Vucicevic listed consistent implementation of the Dayton Accord and protection of the population in the (Bosnian Serb) Republika Srpska.

Also, he added, Yugoslavia planned to be reintegrated in the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It also wanted to cooperate with all those willing to do so as equal partners, specifically the United States, Russia and China, Vucicevic said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-02-26 ; Tanjug, 1997-02-25

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