Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-03-07

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES KLEIN

[02] R.S. OFFICIAL SAYS ACCORD ON PARALLEL RELATIONS VITAL FOR SERB PEOPLE

[03] RENMIN RIBAO ON FRY-RS SPECIAL RELATIONS ACCORD

[04] MARJANOVIC RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

[05] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES REPUBLIKA SRPSKA PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

[06] MINORITY RIGHTS IN YUGOSLAVIA ABOVE WORLD STANDARDS

[07] SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES RS DELEGATION

[08] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONVENES - STATEMENT

[09] YUGOSLAV AND AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN VIENNA

[10] KLEIN: ELECTIONS DATE TO BE FIXED SOON

[01] SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES KLEIN

Milosevic and Klein, who arrived with his associates, considered the current situation in the Srem-Baranja region and activities regarding the stabilization of the situation and the further cementing of peace in this area, a Government statement said.

The right to take part in the upcoming elections must be secured for all citizens who live in the region. The Transitional Administration has the biggest importance and responsibility in this endeavour, it was heard.

All conditions must be met for the elections to be prepared and implemented in a free and democratic way, the two sides agreed. In this respect, special attention was drawn to the right of refugees to take part in the elections.

It is necessary to eliminate the reasons which cause the population objectively to feel fear and insecurity regarding their freedom, existence, and equal life in these lands. This will be done through coordinated efforts by all the involved factors, in order to prevent emigration and secure permanent life for these people in these lands.

Yugoslavia supports the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonija, Baranja and Western Srem (UNTAES) and its Administrator Jacques Klein in their engagement on the implementation of the Erdut Agreement. This has enabled the process of cementing peace and creating preconditions for the greater protection of the Serb population in this region, the statement said.

This is why it is in the interest of the regional population and lasting peace that UNTAES continue their mission with the same mandate until the end of the period of transition, in keeping with the Erdut Agreement.

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic also took part in the talks.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[02] R.S. OFFICIAL SAYS ACCORD ON PARALLEL RELATIONS VITAL FOR SERB PEOPLE

Mirjanic told 'Tanjug' that the text of this document was in line with the Constitution of Bosnia-Herzegovina defined in Dayton so that objections on the part of the Moslem-Croat Federation only showed its opposition to the Republika Srpska's equality in exercising the right of an entity to set up relations with neighbouring countries.

'This shows that the agreement is necessary for creating balance as regards this right and, consequently, for protecting the interests of the Serb people and the citizens of the Republika Srpska,' Mirjanic, who is also deputy in the R.S. Parliament, said.

He said the document created a basis for a speedier regulation of relations between Yugoslavia and the Republika Srpska through special agreements on cooperation in the sphere of economy, infrastructure, education, science, information, and other spheres that are of mutual interest and especially in the interest of stability in the region.

He said the agreement was an encouragement to start the realisation of the Serb people's interests to develop in peace and on the footing of equality with other peoples in the region. He said relations with other peoples 'can only be built upon the respect of vital interests of the entire Serb people, which Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska have urged from the very outset of the Yugoslav drama.'

He said from the international point of view, the significance of the agreement lay in its potential to contribute to the stabilisation of peace in the region and to Republika Srpska's integration into the international community.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[03] RENMIN RIBAO ON FRY-RS SPECIAL RELATIONS ACCORD

The daily said the Accord represented a basis for future relations between Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska. It is especially stressed that the Accord on special relations was based on the principles of the Dayton document.

As the basic reason for signing the Accord the Chinese daily cited close ties between Serbs on both sides of the Drina river, 'who have been living in one state for a long time' and who have a common desire to promote relations in the interest of the all the Serbian people. 'Given the difficult economic situation of Bosnian Serbs, their only way was to re- establish relations with Yugoslavia,' Renmin Ribao said.

From the Yugoslav point of view, the daily said, the establishment of special relations had contributed to its international prestige.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[04] MARJANOVIC RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Talks focused on concrete measures for developing cooperation in the economy and social sphere. Attending the meeting were Yugoslav Deputy Premier Nikola Sainovic and President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Vlajko Stojiljkovic.

The two sides agreed to define and implement together activities conducive to cooperation in big industrial branches and significant social spheres. Developing capital infrastructural systems is of mutual interest, the officials agreed, such as construction of highways and modernization of railways and telecommunications, linking Republika Srpska and Serbia with world trends in transport. It was necessary also to plan and coordinate economic development. Production, technical and technological cooperation should be given priority, though good results have been achieved. Agriculture was also set out as a priority.

The Serbian and Bosnian Serb Directorates for commodity reserves will also work together through business arrangements.

Serbia's economic potentials in civil engineering, machine building, cement industry etc, should be employed in the reconstruction of economic, infrastructural and residential buildings throughout Republika Srpska.

The officials agreed it was necessary to coordinate customs and tax regulations, ensuring efficacious payment operations, in order to expedite trade deals and cooperation in other fields. It was agreed that joint measures be taken to prevent crime and black market dealings.

Firmer ties were needed in solving social questions, regulating the status and return of refugees, cooperation in education, culture and information, the statement concluded.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[05] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES REPUBLIKA SRPSKA PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the Lower House of the Yugoslav Parliament Milomir Minic and Serbian Parliament Speaker Dragan Tomic.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[06] MINORITY RIGHTS IN YUGOSLAVIA ABOVE WORLD STANDARDS

'The Yugoslav Constitution goes even a step further from the International Pact on civil and political rights and envisages a special right for members of national minorities to maintain contacts and relations with their parent countries,' Sedlak told the weekly. Most of the prescribed standards are realized in practice. The best example for this is the general situation in Vojvodina regarding minority and human rights.

Sedlak said the effects of the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, the period of transition, and the difficult material situation sometimes made it difficult for these rights to be realized. This does not affect minority rights in Yugoslavia in general, however, he said.

'The stands of parent countries often affect demands made by minorities in Yugoslavia, so that the principle of reciprocity in relations between states can affect the realization of minority rights. It is our stand that minorities on both sides of the border should be a bridge of cooperation between states,' Sedlak said.

Commenting manipulations by certain parties concerning the allegedly jeopardized rights of the Hungarian minority in Vojvodina, Sedlak said this thesis had been launched by certain leaders of national parties who were displeased because the state did not accept their concept of equalizing minority rights and territory, a concept based neither in the Constitution nor Legislation.

'This is a certain type of pressure on state organs in efforts to internationalize this issue. If such a solution were accepted under pressure of the international community, there would be problems in multi- national states, even those where there had not been any radical problems previously,' Sedlak said.

Regarding Serbia's southern Province of Kosovo and Metohija, Sedlak said the vast majority of the Albanian national minority were indoctrinated by separatist party leaders and that this was why they were living outside the system.

'There have been positive moves lately, however, in spite of terrorist actions and other excess situations. It is a fact that part of the ethnic Albanians are taking part in the economic and other spheres of life, and are trying to get out of the closeness of the enforced self-isolation,' Sedlak said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[07] SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES RS DELEGATION

The RS delegation was headed by Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic and the Co- Chairman of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Government Bora Bosic, while the Serbian Government delegation was headed by Premier Mirko Marjanovic.

The two delegations informed Milosevic about their joint intensive efforts on developing cooperation.

Underscored was the obligation of both sides' state organs to introduce more efficient measures and activities for stimulating economic expansion and the successful operation of economic subjects and partners from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska.

Specially important is the obligation of both Governments and their corresponding ministries to continually strengthen legality on both sides, which undoubtedly means strict measures for curbing crime, smuggling and all other illegal acts which greatly harm the citizens and the state.

Both sides said they believe that agreements and coordinated activities of both sides' Governments and state organs will secure the successful realization of the interests of the citizens and the advancement of Yugoslavia and RS.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[08] FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONVENES - STATEMENT

The Government agreed that positive processes in promoting economic cooperation between the two friendly countries had been realized last year. The overall level of trade reached the level of exchange existing before the time of international sanctions, the statement said. The Yugoslav delegation to this meeting will be headed by Yugoslav Trade Minister Djordje Siradovic, the statement said.

The Government also adopted a report on expert talks with China on concluding an Agreement on avoiding double taxation for income and property taxes. Deputy Federal Finance Minister Dragutin Vucinic was authorized to sign the Agreement with China on behalf of Yugoslavia.

Talks between a Yugoslav delegation and representatives of the National Hydrometeorology Service of Macedonia will be held in Skopje on March 10- 12. The Government adopted a platform for these talks and appointed Federal Hydrometeorology Department Director Slavko Maksimovic head of the delegation.

The Government also considered a report on the implementation of the Convention on eliminating all forms of racial discrimination. The report will be used by the Yugoslav delegation at a meeting of the U.N. Committee for the elimination of racial discrimination which will be held in Geneva on March 10, the statement said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[09] YUGOSLAV AND AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN VIENNA

Milan Milutinovic told Yugoslav correspondents in Vienna that he had an exhaustive exchange of views with Wolfgang Schuessel on a number of questions concerning bilateral cooperation, as well as on problems in international relations.

Thursday's meeting was a continuation of direct dialogue begun during the Yugoslav Foreign Minister's visit to Austria last October. 'We noted that we have not yet attained the desired level in bilateral relations that would reflect the potential and the changed international position of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Austria,' Milutinovic said. He added that agreements on investment stimulation and protection, passenger road transport and social security, which had been initialled, should be signed shortly, and that talks on a number of questions concerning future cooperation should be resumed.

'In view of the unaltered and unquestionable general economic and political interests of both Yugoslavia and Austria, the meeting maybe said to be an added stimulus to cooperation which is desirable for both traditional and many current reasons,' he said.

Milutinovic arrived in Vienna earlier on Thursday heading a delegation that is on Friday to take part in a Conference on ways and means of implementing the decision of the international Arbitration Commission for (the Bosnian Serb-Muslim disputed town of) Brcko.

Later on Thursday and on Friday, Milutinovic is expected to have more bilateral contacts with officials of countries and institutions attending the Conference on Brcko.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

[10] KLEIN: ELECTIONS DATE TO BE FIXED SOON

After talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, Klein briefly addressed reporters, saying he had informed the Serbian President about a package of measures approved by the U.N. Security Council ahead of the planned elections.

Evidently wishing to calm the fears of regional Serbs, Klein indicated a Council of Serb municipalities would be formed in the region, saying it would be an organization which would lobby in Zagreb.

Klein said there would be at least 800 policemen in the region - 700 Serbs and 100 Hungarians, Slovaks and others. He said a Council of Serbs for all of Croatia would also be set up.

He said he believed few people would leave the region. Most of the people he spoke to wished to stay if they were guaranteed security and given answers to their questions about vital matters, Klein said.

Klein said he hoped to receive the definite list of persons exempt from amnesty from his lawyer late this week or early the next. Then he will be able to say that the war is over for 99.9% of the population, he said.

Klein said he would inform Croatian President Franjo Tudjman in Zagreb about these issues next week. This is routine work, he said, since he regularly meets with the two presidents to secure progress in the region.

He said the region was stable and that everyday life did not include any incidents.

Klein said a demilitarization of the region would be beneficial for Yugoslavia, Hungary and Croatia.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-07 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-06

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