Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-03-21

Yugoslav Daily Survey Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENT APPROVES KONTIC AS PRIME MINISTER

[02] YUGOSLAV-CHINESE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION MEETS IN BELGRADE

[03] YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENT CHAMBER OF CITIZENS CONFIRMS FRY-RS AGREEMENT

[04] CHAMBER OF THE REPUBLICS CONFIRMS ACCORD ON PARALLEL RELATIONS FRY-RS

[05] MILOSEVIC MEETS WITH KLEIN

[06] MONTENEGRIN GOVERNMENT EXAMINES REPORT ON PRIME MINISTER'S U.S. VISIT

[07] SERBIAN PREMIER STRESSES DETERMINATION TO IMPLEMENT REFORMS

[08] BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL APPLAUDS RATIFICATION OF ACCORD WITH YUGOSLAVIA

[09] KONTIC: YUGOSLAVIA'S STRATEGIC AIM IS A MODERN DEMOCRATIC STATE

[10] KLEIN: USEFUL TALK WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC

[11] BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW YUGOSLAV CABINET MEMBERS

[01] PARLIAMENT APPROVES KONTIC AS PRIME MINISTER

After being sworn in, Kontic said the new Government was aware of the situation Yugoslavia was in and that it was prepared to fulfil its commitments. He said he hoped the Government, with the help of Parliament, would lead Yugoslavia into the 21st century as the most democratic country in the region.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[02] YUGOSLAV-CHINESE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION MEETS IN BELGRADE

The delegations are headed by the co-chairmen of the Commission, Yugoslav trade Minister Djordje Siradovic and Chinese Deputy Minister of foreign trade and economic cooperation Chen Hsinhua.

The session was attended by representatives of Yugoslav and Chinese companies which were already cooperating, a Yugoslav Government statement said.

The two sides exchanged information about the economic situation in their respective countries and new laws on business operation, specifically with foreign countries.

They reviewed overall economic cooperation since last session in December 1995.

They agreed that two 1996 accords - on trade and economic cooperation and on the stimulation and protection of investment - had created a favourable legal framework for and given an impetus to the further development of bilateral trade and economic relations.

Both sides noted that economic cooperation had significantly risen in 1996, to reach 270 million dollars in value.

They noted favourable trends in cooperation in the agricultural, food processing, chemical, petrochemical, machine building and transport industries, electronics, telecommunications, and especially in the field of joint ventures and industrial cooperation.

Both sides proposed concrete cooperation projects and praised an arrangement signed between the Yugoslav Nis Jugopetrol Oil Company and China's Sinochem, the statement said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[03] YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENT CHAMBER OF CITIZENS CONFIRMS FRY-RS AGREEMENT

101 MP's voted in favour of the Agreement, three were opposed and three abstained.

In an introductory address, Chamber of Citizens Speaker Milomir Minic said that the document is of historic importance and strengthens the unity of the Serb people from both sides of the Drina river.

'With this Agreement the Serb people have once again shown their resolution for organized and lasting efforts in the spiritual, moral, cultural, economic and all other forms of linking in the reconstruction and development,' Minic said. He underscored that this is why the Agreement represents a major historic endeavour which confirms the centuries-old aspirations of Serbs to live in peace, freedom and in equality with other nations.

'The Agreement is turned both towards the present and the future and is a political framework and basis for wider and stronger integration processes in the sphere of economy, education, culture, information, market, sports, science and technology, cooperation between Parliaments and all institutions in the development of comprehensive close ties between FRY and RS,' Minic said.

The ratification of the document in the Federal Parliament sets the foundation for the development of comprehensive relations between the two states, he said.

'With this Agreement, FRY confirms once again that its strategic orientation and policy is oriented towards peace, stability, cooperation and advancement for all peoples and states on the basis of equality, democracy, a market economy, national equality and solidarity,' he said.

According to him, FRY and RS, conducted by these principles, concretely contribute with this Agreement to the strengthening of the Peace Process, the implementation of the Dayton Agreement, strengthening stability and trust and cooperation in the region.

'Its value will best be assessed by future generations, and our task is to politically responsible and wisely work on its further concretization and realization,' Minic said.

He said that the realization of all the goals set in the Agreement requires much mutual understanding, wisdom and patience, as well as much hard work and responsibility in the interest and to the good of the Serbs in RS, FRY and of all citizens.

The President of the multi-party delegation of the RS National Assembly, Dragan Kalinic, hailed the Agreement and said that the full democratic monitoring by the top legislative bodies into what is being realized from the program on a daily basis, 'will convince the citizens of both states that the intentions of the signatories were sincere and that there can be no mention of tactical moves by the leaderships and individuals, but rather the fulfilling of strategic interests of a single nation which has been divided and degraded, and separated into several states in an unacceptable way over the past years.'

Kalinic recalled that the RS National Assembly ratified the Agreement on February 15, and that he signed the Ratification Law on Wednesday.

'It is not necessary to mention separately that the Washington and Dayton Agreements, as the current international norms, have determined the Belgrade Agreement,' Kalinic said adding that this document neither repudiates the Bosnia-Herzegovina created in Dayton, nor does it 'merge' RS into Bosnia, it neither annexes it to Yugoslavia nor does it represent an alliance of two sides against a third party.

In the debate which preceded the vote, the majority of MP's fully supported the Agreement underscoring its huge significance for the Serbs from both sides of the Drina.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[04] CHAMBER OF THE REPUBLICS CONFIRMS ACCORD ON PARALLEL RELATIONS FRY-RS

The FRY and RS have thus confirmed their resolution to promote relations on the basis of friendship, trust, cooperation and respect for mutual interests, and in line with the principles of independence, non*interference in internal affairs, equality and respect for human rights and freedoms.

During the deliberations, Chamber of the Republics deputy Speaker Radmilo Bogdanovic said that the adoption of the bill was in implementation of the Dayton Agreement.

He recalled that the Accord was concluded at the initiative of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, stressing that the document was based on the principles of peace, freedom, cooperation, respect for the human rights of the Serbian people on both sides of the Drina river.

The Accord was hailed and supported throughout Europe and the world, Bogdanovic said and called on the deputies to ratify it, as a contribution to the unity of the entire people.

After the ratification of the accord, RS Parliament Deputy Speaker Miroslav Vjestica pointed out that the document confirmed the unity of the Serbian people and represented the basis for lasting future relations between the FR and RS.

'For us in Republika Srpska, after six years full of painful moments, the bringing of the Accord is of exceptional importance,' said Vjestica, and pointed out that the document constituted a step towards the further integration of Serbian territories. According to him, the Accord created possibilities for the Serbian people on both sides of the Drina river to integrate their economy and strengthen a single monetary system.

Chamber of the Republics Speaker Srdja Bozovic expressed satisfaction with the ratification of the Accord and stressed that it is the fruition of the strategic orientation of the FRY and RS for the development of comprehensive relations, based on the principles of peace, stability, respect for human rights and freedom.

The document is the result of the consistent implementation of the Dayton Agreement and represents a milestone for other concrete Accords between RS and FRY, Bozovic said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[05] MILOSEVIC MEETS WITH KLEIN

The talks addressed the activities and efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in the region.

The region's leaders made a number of proposals and demands relating to the permanent protection of vital interests, equality of all citizens and overall preparations for the upcoming elections, with a view to ensure that all the citizens of the region go to the polls, which should be conducted in a free and democratic manner.

President Milosevic supported the demands of the Eastern Slavonia's leadership, assessing that it was in line with the Erdut Accord. He underscored that the Transitional Administration, headed by Administrator Klein, had made considerable progress in coordinating approaches for the permanent normalization of the situation in the region and the successful holding of elections. President Milosevic expressed his satisfaction that an agreement was reached between the Administrator and the region's leadership on further steps and activities for the consistent implementation of the Erdut Accord, including the importance and competencies of the Joint Council of municipalities.

It was jointly assessed that the region's leadership should be engaged actively in the preparations for the upcoming elections.

It was also asserted that the issue of dual citizenship would be resolved by a bilateral agreement between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia, on what the region's leadership is especially insisting.

It was stressed that the further positive development of Serb-Croat relations and cooperation between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia will undoubtedly strengthen prospects for the normal life of all citizens in the region.

Attending the talks were Deputy Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic and other personalities.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[06] MONTENEGRIN GOVERNMENT EXAMINES REPORT ON PRIME MINISTER'S U.S. VISIT

The Government assessed that the results of the visit were conducive to promoting bilateral relations and intensifying dialogue with the U.S. Administration and Congress.

The Government praised highly Djukanovic's diplomatic efforts that led to a decision by the U.S. Administration to release five Montenegrin ships.

This is the first practical step the United States has taken to remove the outer wall of the sanctions against Yugoslavia, attesting as it does the right course of Montenegro's policy in its effort to return to the international community, the statement said.

It assessed positively the continuity of dialogue with international financial institutions and the technical issues of cooperation broached for the first time, said the statement.

The Government also referred to the 'media campaign following Djukanovic's visit culminating in sensationalist articles in most Belgrade newspapers.'

The campaign had from the start set out falsities and insinuations, attempting to depreciate the personality of the Prime Minister and the policy of Montenegro, intending to cause bad damage to Montenegro, said the statement.

The Government is united in the stand that Montenegro's internal strength and stability in its orientation to maintain peace, implement economic reform and open up to the world can not be disputed by 'obsolete methods of discrediting personalities and institutions,' said the statement.

The Government appeals to all media in Montenegro not to 'enter into the media war started by some Belgrade newspapers,' but to be guided by 'civilized standards of freedom of the press, in the interest of stable relations in the common state of Yugoslavia,' the statement concluded.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[07] SERBIAN PREMIER STRESSES DETERMINATION TO IMPLEMENT REFORMS

Speaking for Belgrade state radio, Premier Mirko Marjanovic said that the most important thing in the past three years of efforts for Serbia's economic and political stability had been a determination to change immediately the hyper*inflationary way of doing business.

The old way of doing business had virtually destroyed the country's economy, its monetary and fiscal systems, and eroded the living standards of a majority of the population, Marjanovic said.

This change had been hard to accomplish, he added, in conditions of sanctions, clamped by the international community on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (federation of Serbia and Montenegro) in May 1992 on an allegation of involvement in the Bosnian civil war.

It had nevertheless been done, primarily thanks to the Government succeeding in the shortest possible time to finance public spending only from real sources, and doing away with the practice of printing fresh money, Marjanovic said.

Asked what had decided the Government to persist in its economic recovery programme, he said there had been those who had doubted that the Government would persist and who had forecast that the programme would collapse within three months of its launching.

However, Marjanovic added, the Government was encouraged mostly by good results achieved over the past three years in raising the domestic product and living standards, maintaining stable prices and a stable exchange rate of the national currency, the dinar.

He listed some positive results: industrial production rose 4.4 percent in the first two months of 1997 over the same period in 1996, and in February alone, by 7.7 percent, and export rose in January and February by 50 percent.

He added that the average wage in February had been 12 percent higher than in January, prices had been rising at a rate of about 1 percent for the past three months, and the exchange rate of the dinar had been largely stabilised.

Marjanovic said that investment in infrastructure, too, was always of manyfold importance to the economy, because reliable and modern infra- structural facilities were prerequisite for ties with the world and a major source of earning from international transport.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[08] BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL APPLAUDS RATIFICATION OF ACCORD WITH YUGOSLAVIA

Momcilo Krajisnik told Republika Srpska Radio that the ratification dispelled doubts and apprehension entertained by some who had feared that the Accord might be no more than a political ruse and that its ratification would be procrastinated.

The Accord was now binding on all authorities both in the Republika Srpska and in Yugoslavia, Krajisnik said, adding he expected it to be followed by individual agreements designed to consolidate bilateral relations.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[09] KONTIC: YUGOSLAVIA'S STRATEGIC AIM IS A MODERN DEMOCRATIC STATE

I have taken President Zoran Lilic's offer to form a new cabinet as indicating a desire to continue with the current policy and to intensify the already begun transformation of Yugoslav society, out-going Prime Minister Kontic said in a Parliament session on Thursday.

Kontic said the modern democratic society would be built on universal values such as rights and freedoms of man, the rule of law, open market economy, division of power, political pluralism and social justice. He said the basic requirements and conditions for achieving that aim existed.

Yugoslavia has maintained its independence, said Kontic, the crisis in the former Yugoslavia was resolved peacefully, Yugoslavia's position in the world is strengthened, testifying to which are numerous bilateral and multilateral accords and a successfully implemented stabilization program, he said.

Yugoslavia's peace and stability have been preserved, the legal and institutional prerequisites created for a successful and speedy development of the economy and for the democratization of Yugoslav society, said Kontic.

He said many internal and external limitations existed that could affect the quality and speed of development, and these must be confronted.

'Although the (UN) Security Council has lifted the sanctions and created conditions for an end to Yugoslavia's isolation, the effects of the blockade will be present for a long time in the economic, social and other spheres,' said Kontic. This will impede the achievements of the new policy, he added.

Despite these internal and external limitations, Kontic said he was sure the essential social and economic reforms could be speeded up in the period ahead.

Kontic said consistent implementation of the Constitution was extremely significant for the functioning of the state.

'The Government will respect the constitutional commitment that federal competencies are carried out through federal organs and organizations. This implies the undertaking of federal competencies till executed by its republics,' he said.

The Government will urge an organization of power based on the legitimacy and lawfulness of attested democratic principles, and will support ideas aimed at further democratizing relations and institutions in the society.

The new Government's priority, Kontic continued, will be to coordinate federal legislation with the Yugoslav Constitution and to improve economic, civic and criminal legislation.

The Federal Government will seek to harmonize its regulations with the regulations of the European Union, said Kontic.

An urgent task is further liberalization of foreign trade and customs legislation, in keeping with the demands of the World Trade Organization, he said.

The Government will fight bureaucratism in the work of state organs, demand that law be respected in business dealings, human, civic and minority rights consistently upheld, and urge objectivity, professionalism and accountability in information.

Measures will be taken to strengthen principles of social justice, righteousness, solidarity and protection of families, with due attention to safety of person and property.

'The Government will energetically fight crime, especially organized crime, corruption, tax evasion, abuse of power, illicit trade, monopoly, drug production and trafficking and environment pollution,' said Kontic.

Kontic's top priority is the country's defense, with stress on a sophisticated, professional and better-paid army.

The Government's foreign political aims will be Yugoslavia's full reintegration into the international community, above all European bodies.

The Government will adhere to principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, equality in international relations, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, development of good-neighbourly relations, peaceful solutions to disputes, and cooperation with all on the basis of respect and mutual interest, said Kontic in conclusion.

Kontic underlined that the Government would give immediate priority to normalizing relations with international financial and trade organizations, as an essential condition for the process of structural adjustment of Yugoslavia's economy and the development of its infrastructure.

The new Government will pursue its endeavors for the consistent implementation of the Dayton and Erdut agreements, the normalization of diplomatic and economic relations with the former Yugoslav republics and the promotion of all-round bilateral cooperation with all its neighbours and other countries in the region.

Underlining that the treatment of national minorities is very important for good neighbourly relations, Kontic said that the Government's attitude towards minorities would be based on the constitutional concept of civil state and on its conviction that the existence of large numbers of minority members is not a problem for Yugoslavia but a treasure and a privilege.

Current developments and profound crisis in Albania are a cause for great concern in Yugoslavia. As this is Albania's internal affair, Yugoslavia hopes that the Albanian people will find a peaceful and democratic solution in its own interest and in the interest of the entire region, Kontic said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[10] KLEIN: USEFUL TALK WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC

At a press conference held in the late afternoon at UNTAES headquarters, Klein said he and President Milosevic had discussed demilitarization in the region, the opening of borders, dual citizenship and the creation of a Council of Serb municipalities.

Klein said Milosevic was satisfied with a document defining the Council's role, and added there was disagreement over only one word, but did not say which. This disagreement should be resolved by Friday, Klein said, as his aides were already discussing this with Croatian President Tudjman's Cabinet in order to reach a formula acceptable to both sides.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

[11] BIOGRAPHIES OF NEW YUGOSLAV CABINET MEMBERS

Vice-Premier Vojin Djukanovic, born 1948, degrees in economics and mechanical engineering, so far General Manager of the Niksic Iron Mills and President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Yugoslav Republic of Montenegro.

Vice-Premier Nikola Sainovic, born 1948, master of technological sciences, Vice-Premier in the previous Cabinet.

Vice-Premier Danko Djunic, born 1949, master of economics, so far Director of the Belgrade Economic Institute.

Vice-Premier Vladan Kutlesic, born 1955, doctor of law, so far advisor to the President of the Yugoslav Republic of Serbia.

Minister for coordinating activities and cooperation with international financial organisations Nebojsa Maljkovic, born 1954, doctor of law, so far Chairman of the Asi Bank Board of Managers.

Minister without portfolio Jugoslav Kostic, born 1929, degree in agriculture, he was MP of the Yugoslav Parliament in the previous composition.

Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, born 1942, degree in law, headed the Foreign Ministry in the previous cabinet.

Defence Minister Pavle Bulatovic, born 1948, master of economics, headed the Defence Ministry in the previous Cabinet.

Interior Minister Zoran Sokolovic, born 1938, degree in agriculture, so far Serbian Interior Minister.

Finance Minister Bozidar Gazivoda, born 1940, master of economics, so far Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of the National Bank of Yugoslavia (Central Bank).

Justice Minister Zoran Knezevic, born 1948, degree in economics, at present MP in the Yugoslav Parliament's Chamber of Citizens.

Economy Minister Rade Filipovic, born 1946, doctor of technical sciences, headed the Economy Ministry in the previous Cabinet.

Minister of Transport Dejan Drobnjakovic, born 1933, degree in civil engineering, so far Director General of the Montenegrin Railways Public Company.

Minister of Telecommunications Dojcilo Radojevic, born 1942, degree in electrical engineering, so far Deputy Director of the Federal Radio Communications Institute.

Minister of Domestic Trade Milorad Miskovic, born 1948, degree in law, so far General Manager of the Jabuka Trading Company.

Minister of Foreign Trade Borislav Vukovic, born 1951, degree in economics, Assistant Minister of trade in the previous Cabinet.

Minister of Labour, Health and Welfare Miroslav Ivanisevic, born 1956, degree in economics, headed the same Department in the previous Cabinet.

Minister of Development, Science and the Environment Jagos Zelenovic, born 1944, doctor of economics, Assistant Dean and professor at the Pristina University School of Economics.

Minister of Agriculture Nedeljko Sipovac, born 1942, degree in economics, so far Serbian Vice Premier.

Minister of Sport Zoran Bingulac, born 1953, doctor of economics, Minister without portfolio in the previous Cabinet.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-03-21 ; Tanjug, 1997-03-20

Yugoslav Daily Survey Directory - Previous Article - Next Article