Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-03-18

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HOLDS TALKS WITH SERBIAN GOVERNMENT MEMBERS

[02] PUBLIC COMPETITION FOR RADIO AND TV FREQUENCIES IN SERBIA IN APRIL

[03] RISTIC RECEIVES ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

[04] USEFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN DE CHARETTE AND MILUTINOVIC

[05] MINIC RECEIVES ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

[06] TOMIC ON DECLARATION ON COOPERATION

[07] DECLARATION ADOPTED ON FRY-RS ACCORD

[08] KRAJISNIK SAYS DECLARATION IMPLIES HARMONY OF SERBS

[09] DJUKANOVIC: OBJECTIVES FULFILLED, DENIALS OF STATEMENTS IN WASHINGTON TIMES

[10] BULAJIC HOLDS TALKS WITH ACHILLE OCCHETTO

[01] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HOLDS TALKS WITH SERBIAN GOVERNMENT MEMBERS

This was pointed out at talks held on Monday between Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and the Serbian Government, headed by Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic, at the end of three years of successful work of the Government.

President Milosevic pointed out especially that the Government, through its measures, is expected to give an impetus to the further carrying out of reforms of which the most important ones are privatization and structural reforms.

Today conditions have improved for the successful conclusion of reforms which have been started, President Milosevic said, when industrial and agricultural production are growing and public spending is financed from real income.

Pointing to the great importance of the campaign launched by the Government with a view to combating crime, suppressing smuggling and eliminating gray economy, as well as other forms of illegal activity, President Milosevic said he expected the results of the action will eradicate illegal business channels created at the time of sanctions and war in the neighbourhood - times that are behind us.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[02] PUBLIC COMPETITION FOR RADIO AND TV FREQUENCIES IN SERBIA IN APRIL

Minister Milentijevic told a news conference that the Serbian Government would take measures to introduce more order in the use of frequencies. 'There are more than 180 radio stations in Serbia at the moment, and as many as 70 TV studios broadcasting without a licence,' Milentijevic said.

She noted that each individual application for frequencies would promptly be analyzed in detail. 'Radio and TV stations will have to meet three basic conditions in order to get a licence - technical, financial and programmatic,' the Serbian Information Minister said.

Serbian Minister of transportation and communications Svetolik Kostadinovic, who attended the news conference, explained that a single communications system had been set up in Yugoslavia but that licences were issued by republican and municipal authorities.

Minister Kostadinovic said all conditions set in the Federal Law on frequencies had to be met in order to get a licence. 'Every licence is registered with the International Committee for radio frequencies, so that the founders of radio and TV stations are obliged to abide by the letter of the law,' he stressed.

'Every application for licence to open a radio or TV station must come together with the full documentation about technical and financial possibilities and the programmatic orientation, after which competent control services of the Ministry of transportation and communications will give their opinion,' Kostadinovic said.

The Federal Radio Communication Agency has defined which frequencies must be secured for the priorities, including the Army of Yugoslavia, Interior Ministries, Flight Controls and other radio communication services, he said and noted that the remaining frequencies had been given to the republics to divide.

Answering questions, Information Minister Milentijevic said the state TV had very good programs on its channels, especially those covering entertainment, sports and the arts, but that she was not satisfied with the news and other information broadcasts.

She said she expected that the final draft of a new Information Law would be submitted to the Serbian Assembly in May, and noted that her Ministry was already receiving numerous written suggestions and objections to the first working draft of the Law.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[03] RISTIC RECEIVES ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

Ristic, the President of the Lower House Foreign Relations Committee, briefed his guests on the functioning of the new Yugoslav Parliament, set up largely of deputies from the left bloc, headed by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, which carried a sweeping victory in federal elections on November 3 last year.

Ristic said the crisis over municipal elections had ended, and expressed hope that preparations for the forthcoming republican elections later this year would take place simultaneous to the Parliament's regular work, through dialogue and in a constructive spirit.

Ristic said Yugoslavia's policy was always based on independence and peaceful coexistence with other countries, particularly its neighbours.

He said Yugoslavia faced many difficult and serious tasks, with the secession of the former Yugoslav republics, the war in former Yugoslavia, and the hundreds of thousands of refugees sheltered in Yugoslavia.

Ristic said the fundamental motive of all patriotic forces in the country was equality for all people and openness to the world and economic reform.

The President of the Foreign Relations Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, Achille Occhetto, who heads the Italian delegation, said Yugoslavia had been moderate even in the most dramatic situations of the Yugoslav crisis and open to dialogue.

Ochetto said the aim of his visit was to become acquainted with Yugoslavia's internal situation and its stands on current problems.

He said Italy wished to know in particular Yugoslavia's stands and assessments on self-determination, autonomy and human rights of minorities and ethnic groups, especially in (Serbia's southern Province) Kosovo and Metohija, without any desire to interfere in internal affairs.

Ochetto said second aspect of interest was possible implications of the crisis in Albania on the situation in Kosovo, and the third related to further implementation of the Dayton Accord, in the realization of which Yugoslavia had put in much effort.

Ristic said that as regards Kosovo, the left forces in Yugoslavia (Socialist Party of Serbia, Yugoslav Left and New Democracy) had always urged equality of all citizens, whether they are Serbians or ethnic Albanians.

He said Yugoslavia and Serbia were always prepared for dialogue with Albanians in Kosovo, in order to solve current problems, but that unfortunately, Serbia was confronted with a very radical form of separatism in Kosovo, whose adherents do not view Kosovo within Yugoslavia and Serbia, of which it is an integral part. It takes two sides for dialogue, added Ristic.

He said similar separatist aspirations existed in Macedonia. Those who support separatism are working on destabilizing the Balkans and do not wish the Balkan peoples well, said Ristic.

Speaking about the situation in Albania, Ristic said the crisis there was an internal issue of a neighbouring country and that 'we do not want to be another country to interfere in the internal situation of Albania.'

Parliament member Cedomir Mirkovic said it would be useful if the international community would inform Albanians in Kosovo that Yugoslavia can enter Europe only with united forces, not individually.

Mirkovic set out the detrimental effects of Yugoslavia's international isolation over the past few years, which he said could end by eliminating the aspects of isolation.

Ivica Dacic welcomed the delegation on behalf of the Socialist Party, and set out Italy's constructive role during the Yugoslav crisis. He commended the positive stand of the international community that Kosovo was an internal question of Yugoslavia, but added that human rights, minority rights and autonomy were issues open for discourse.

He said many foreign parliamentary delegations, such as U.S. congressmen, affected negatively the situation in Kosovo, giving false hopes for the Province's secession.

Dacic said the problem in Kosovo was the Albanians' refusal to enjoy the rights guaranteed them under the Constitution, and to recognize the state they live in.

He singled out as positive the agreement between President of Serbia Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova normalizing education in Kosovo.

Dacic said dialogue on freedoms and rights was necessary in political, economic, social and cultural spheres, but added there could be no real dialogue as long as the international community left a ray of hope for separatism.

He urged the international community to be objective and well-meaning in viewing the situation in Kosovo, and recalled its impartiality regarding events in former Yugoslavia over the past few years.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[04] USEFUL DIALOGUE BETWEEN DE CHARETTE AND MILUTINOVIC

At the press conference, held after the talks, Milutinovic said he held with his host meaningful, open and useful talks on all aspects of cooperation between FR Yugoslavia (FRY) and France and possibilities for its promotion. He pointed out with pleasure that the two had agreed to continue and intensify the dialogue of representatives of the Governments, Parliaments, businessmen and their associations, representatives of culture, education and science, where certain results have already been achieved.

Especially important is the joint assessment about the importance of further promotion of economic cooperation, for which there is a great interest of Yugoslav and French business circles.

The French side received with great interest information on our steps in the realization of economic and social reforms, on its positive position towards the European Union (EU) regional approach and other similar initiatives for the promotion of regional cooperation in the Balkans and in South-Eastern Europe.

It is clear from the talks held on Monday, that France recognizes Yugoslavia as an important political and economic partner in bilateral relations and as a factor which plays a central role in the realization of all plans of establishing regional links and cooperation.

Milutinovic said he informed his colleague De Charette of basic objectives of the FRY at internal and external political levels, and especially at the level of building relations of good*neighbourliness through the promotion of comprehensive cooperation with all neighbours, including full normalization and cooperation with the former Yugoslav republics. He said they assessed jointly that this was at the same time a contribution to peace and stability in the region and the safest way towards European integrations.

Milutinovic said they stressed that such a strategy and role of Yugoslavia presupposed the quick elimination of all obstacles to equal treatment and inclusion of Yugoslavia into all European and world organizations and forums. In that context, Milutinovic said, they pointed out especially that it was absolutely necessary to eliminate all barriers in economic cooperation between Yugoslavia and the EU and that the Union should accord equal treatment to Yugoslavia, the same it accorded to other countries in the region, i.e. the former Yugoslav republics.

Milutinovic said he was leaving with the impression that the French Government understood the foundations and reasons of the FRY position and that France, as well as other EU countries, with which Yugoslavia also shared substantial common interests, would take a positive stand in the EU about 'autonomous measures' to be put on the agenda of the EU Council of Ministers. In that respect, Milutinovic said that clear assurances had been made by minister De Charette.

"This visit to France, although brief, has unequivocally confirmed that Yugoslav - French relations and cooperation have very good prospects", Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic said in conclusion.

Addressing the press conference, Minister De Charette expressed satisfaction at the opportunity he had to exchange views with his colleague Milutinovic on the major issues of bilateral relations, the further democratization process in Yugoslavia and current developments in the Balkans.

De Charette said he was particularly pleased to learn that, following the visit of a delegation of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe at Serbian Government's invitation, the problem over a small number of seats in local councils and the differences over this problem in Serbia's public life had been resolved. French Foreign Minister underlined the need for continuous dialogue between the authorities and the opposition and for intensifying the process of reaching political agreement in the pre- election period in Serbia.

De Charette said he had presented to Milutinovic his ideas on pursuing the dialogue, in accordance with the report of the OSCE mission headed by Felipe Gonzalez. Underlining that both the authorities and the opposition in Serbia wanted to continue the dialogue, the French Foreign Minister supported the process of agreement reaching. He added that an OSCE mission might help by providing recommendations regarding all important issues of political life and electoral process.

De Charette also reiterated the idea of opening a European Information Center in Pristina, in addition to a US Center, but the Yugoslav side did not demonstrate understanding for this idea.

The talks also focused on the recently concluded Agreement on special relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska, which was assessed by both sides as being in the spirit with the Paris Peace Agreement which envisages the establishment of special ties between Serbs on both banks of the Drina river.

In conclusion, De Charette said that France had always been a friend to the Serbian people and that it wished with all its heart to help Yugoslavia in its endeavours for the speediest possible reintegration in the international community.

Referring to the traditional friendship between the two countries, Minister Milutinovic said that all issues discussed with De Charette would be carefully examined in Belgrade.

Although full agreement has not been reached on all issues discussed on Monday, De Charette's proposals will be taken into account as they were made out of friendship and good will, Milutinovic said in conclusion.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[05] MINIC RECEIVES ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

Minic told the Italian delegation that the European Union is expected to make a decision on the application of 'positive trade measures towards the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.'

'We also expect our country to return to the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe and other European integrations,' he added in talks with the Italian Parliamentarians headed by the Chairman of the Committee for foreign relations and the European Union, Achille Occhetto.

Both sides underscored the traditionally good relations between the two countries and the need for their further promotion in all spheres, especially the economy, the Federal Parliament's Information Service said.

The Italian delegation urged the full reintegration of Yugoslavia into the international community and financial institutions, and the normalization of relations with the E.U. They expressed interest in the state of human relations in Yugoslavia, especially in Kosovo and Metohija (Kosmet).

Minic underscored that Yugoslavia views Kosmet as its internal question and that all problems should be resolved in keeping with the Constitutions of Yugoslavia and Serbia which secure all the rights to the Albanian national minority according to top European standards.

During the talks agreement of both sides was confirmed that the issue of Kosmet is an internal Yugoslav issue and that the resolution of the problem should be sought through a democratic dialogue, the statement said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[06] TOMIC ON DECLARATION ON COOPERATION

Tomic described the Declaration as an act of building 'strong and lasting bridges between the Serbs in Serbia and RS.' These are the bridges to which Ivo Andric, a Nobel prize laureate for literature, had devoted his life and which symbolize the need for links and coexistence, he said.

Tomic stressed that the Agreement helped establish the closes ties between the FRY and the entity of RS, formerly part of the ex Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

According to Tomic, the Declaration strongly supports the Agreement based on the international documents signed in Dayton and Paris which had brought peace to the region, and underlines the need for finding permanent solutions to regional relations. The Agreement had become a foundation for the future relations of nations living in Yugoslavia and Republika Srpska, Tomic said.

Serbian people in Serbia and RS are eager to make their dreams come true, fulfil their wishes and aims, Tomic said and added that they were striving to realize their vital needs in all areas, create better and happier life and win full freedom and permanent peace, respecting their own interests and the interests of other nations. He stressed that the Declaration clearly supported the unity of the Serbian people and that this act was future and progress oriented.

Life continues and new answers and solutions must be found, and strong, new relations established, Tomic said and added that such a document can de signed on behalf of the people only by its elected deputies.

The Declaration shows that the Serbian people strives to live in peace and freedom, cooperate with other nations on equal footing, establish institutions on the principles and ideals of freedom and human and civil rights, develop democracy, national equality and solidarity and renew and develop economic activity.

Tomic said that the Agreement especially stressed the unity of the Serbian nation as the foundation for permanent ties. Serbs in Serbia and in Republika Srpska work, build and create, Tomic said. Our people are qualified and capable, energetic, wise and eloquent, firm and patriotic, he added.

The Agreement provides hope for the future, which is also the duty of every responsible and rational statesman, as Plato said many centuries ago, Tomic said. He also added that these had been some of our guidelines for the happier future of all the people.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[07] DECLARATION ADOPTED ON FRY-RS ACCORD

Voting in favour of the Declaration, proposed by the Serbian Government, were 147 deputies. One deputy did not vote. There were no votes against or abstentions.

The Declaration said the Serbian Parliament greets the Accord on special parallel relations between FRY and RS and stresses that the document constitutes direct political support to the strengthening of confidence, cooperation and agreement in the Balkans and in Europe, that is based on principles which consolidate stability in the region and is not directed against the interests of any people or state.

The Accord is the expression of the continuity of the policy of FRY and RS to solve all problems in peace, by political means, and represents concrete support to the strengthening and implementation of the Dayton Agreement.

The Accord, the Declaration said, represents the continuity of political efforts of the Serbian people to work on the protection and preservation of its national interests and dignity, to consolidate and affirm spiritual, economic, cultural, moral and political traditions and values, and to join quickly all integrational processes in the world.

The Serbian Parliament, the statement specified, expects from the Federal Parliament to ratify the Accord on special parallel relations between FRY and RS.

The Accord on special parallel relations between FRY and RS was signed on February 28 in Belgrade by Yugoslav President Zoran Lilic and Bosnia and Herzegovian Presidency member from RS Momcilo Krajisnik.

The Accord was approved two days ago by the RS Parliament, and the Yugoslav Parliament will take a vote on it on March 20.

The session was attended by a RS delegation headed by Parliament Speaker Dragan Kalinic. The delegation included RS Parliament Vice-President Miroslav Vjestica, Presidents of deputy groups of the Serbian Democratic Party, the Serbian Radical Party and the Alliance for Peace and Progress, respectively Vojislav Maksimovic, Nikola Poplasen and Dragutin Ilic, and RS and FRY Bureau Director Danilo Dursun.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[08] KRAJISNIK SAYS DECLARATION IMPLIES HARMONY OF SERBS

Speaking in reference to the adoption of a Declaration supporting the Agreement on special and parallel relations between FR Yugoslavia (FRY) and Republika Srpska (RS), Krajisnik said the presence of a multi-party RS Parliament Delegation in the Serbian Parliament was just as important. He said the Serb people had been waiting for this for the past five years.

The presence of the Bosnian Serb delegation was symbolic, said Krajisnik, marking a union on peoples, if a union of states could not take place. He said he was sure the people would, in time, establish close economic, cultural and all other forms of cooperation.

He appealed to all parties to unite and overcome rifts so as to prevent Serb national territory from splitting.

Krajisnik said the Agreement would be a significant moral and driving force for transformation, restoration and progress for Republika Srpska.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[09] DJUKANOVIC: OBJECTIVES FULFILLED, DENIALS OF STATEMENTS IN WASHINGTON TIMES

'All the objectives we set before us before leaving for the United States' have been accomplished, Djukanovic said in an interview to Montenegro Television late on Sunday.

Assessing the visit, he said 'the first of he two basic goals was to maintain the continuity of the dialogue with U.S. political officials and with international financial institutions, and the second, a deblockade of the remaining Montenegrin property in the United States following the suspension and lifting of the sanctions.'

Djukanovic last week had talks at the State Department, the Ministry of finances, the White House, the U.S. Congress, and international financial institutions.

'The basic subject in our talks was a review of the current moment in the economic and political reforms in Montenegro and possibilities for their continuation and acceleration within the real political framework of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,' he said.

'I have spoken to very informed and competent officials, who are acquainted in detail with our internal problems, who have voiced high opinions about the quality of the economic and political reforms in Montenegro,' Djukanovic said.

'They gave many compliments and words of support to the continuation of such reforms, whose final objective is the advancement of Montenegro, to make its environment democratic, including the internal policy,' he said.

'Regarding the other objective, a deblockade of our property in the United States, it has been realized, to our satisfaction. Five vessels of Montenegrin maritime companies had been blocked in U.S. waters until now - four of 'Jugooceanija' of Kotor, and one of 'Prekookeanska Plovidba' of Bar, ' he said.

'As a gesture of good will by the United States, which was conveyed to us by John Kornblum and his associates at the State Department, Montenegro has in a way been rewarded for the quality of its policy, so that these vessels have been released and they will be placed at the disposal of their owners, 'Jugooceanija' and 'Prekookeanska Plovidba,' through the usual procedure,' Djukanovic said.

Asked about the meetings with representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the Montenegrin Prime Minister pointed out that these talks had covered ways to secure a specific type of professional, expert, and technical assistance for privatization in Montenegro.

'We met with the greatest possible approval of our reform programme, the greatest possible readiness to provide certain help to us for the correct conducting of these reforms. We also agreed about the procedure, which will have to go through the respective federal organ, for providing further technical assistance to our privatization programme,' he said.

'That is exactly why I believe it should be made clear that the achieved results of our talks at the IMF and World Bank are fully in accord with our expectations and our goals,' Djukanovic said.

The reporter asked Djukanovic to comment why 'a great media campaign was launched' on the occasion of his U.S. visit.

Djukanovic said: 'when there are no statements of mine with which to prove some kind of lack of good will toward the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, then people mostly go by certain other statements and assessments which I did not make in the United States, but in Podgorica, to an independent Belgrade weekly.' 'Those statements evidently met with the disapproval of a part of the public, especially in Belgrade, who would, because of all this, and standing without reservations behind their political leader, want to show that Milo Djukanovic and the Montenegrin Government - are someone who is toppling the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. No way. By no means. I have denied any such attempts, with conviction, I hope,' he said.

Djukanovic then spoke about the text which was printed in the 'Washington Times' and which gave rise to different comments in part of the home press. 'That is a report which quotes some of my alleged statements taken from some, again alleged, letter of mine to U.S. congressmen,' he said.

'It is clear even to insufficiently politically informed readers that those statements absolutely differ from all my statements so far, and, generally, from my political engagement, so that I think that is the best denial,' Djukanovic said.

'Regardless of all that, I have personally written to the editor of the 'Washington Times', which is again unusual, expressing my disapproval over the publishing of these alleged stands of mine. I told him that I never wrote any such letter to U.S. congressmen, that I am not behind such statements,' Djukanovic said.

'A copy of my letter to the 'Washington Times' editor was also sent to the New York correspondent of (the Belgrade daily) 'Vecernje Novosti', since 'Vecernje Novosti' carried this text from the 'Washington Times' the same day it appeared,' he said.

'I do not know why my denial never appeared in 'Vecernje Novosti', or other Belgrade papers, but I believe this fact speaks clearly enough about the trends in question,' Djukanovic said.

'Therefore, all the statements I gave, all the talks I had, I think they are absolutely along the lines of the general policy practised by the Montenegrin Government, by all state organs of Montenegro, a policy which is trying to make an adequate contribution to the realization of the vital national interests of Montenegro and the cementing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a common state, through a diplomatic initiative,' he said.

'Montenegro is practising a policy which is along the lines of the defined national interests and the defined option for a Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. I believe that is something Montenegro should continue doing in future as well,' Prime Minister Djukanovic concluded in his interview to Montenegro Television late on Sunday.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

[10] BULAJIC HOLDS TALKS WITH ACHILLE OCCHETTO

The Italian side repeated it supported the quick and full return of FR Yugoslavia to international organizations and institutions.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-18 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-17

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