Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-04-14

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] KLEIN DECIDES TO EXTEND ELECTIONS TO MONDAY

[02] KRAJISNIK MEETS THE POPE

[03] YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN IPU

[04] YUGOSLAV DELEGATION VISITS SLOVAKIA

[05] US DOES NOT SUPPORT IDEA ON KOSOVO'S SECESSION

[06] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES US OFFICIAL

[07] SERB PARTY SDSS LODGES STRONG PROTEST WITH GEN. KLEIN

[08] SERBIAN OFFICIALS APPEAL TO CITIZENS TO COLLECT PAPERS

[09] YUGOSLAV MEMORANDUM ON SITUATION IN EASTERN SLAVONIJA

[10] MILOSEVIC - KLEIN TALKS

[11] CHINA CALLS FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL BODIES

[12] UN ADMINISTRATOR COMMENDS SERBS FOR DIGNITY AND PATIENCE

[01] KLEIN DECIDES TO EXTEND ELECTIONS TO MONDAY

UNTAES experts believe that this extension will be sufficient to remove the numerous irregularities uncovered on the first day of the elections in this region and thus give a chance to all the inhabitants of Eastern Slavonija, Baranja and Western Srem to invoke their voting rights.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-13

[02] KRAJISNIK MEETS THE POPE

Krajisnik said he had presented to the Pope a message from the Serb people that he must bear in mind the fact that a grave civil war had been waged in the territory of former Bosnia-Herzegovina and that it was necessary to secure reconciliation.

The political persecution of alleged war criminals must be replaced with a policy of reconciliation and forgiveness.

Politics must not dominate over verdicts, because this will make the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina even more difficult, Krajisnik said he had told the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

The policy of taking care of refugees should continue, there must be no scoring of political points on the troubles of people who are in a difficult predicament, Krajisnik had told the Pope.

The policy of repatriation must be replaced with the policy of taking care of refugees, Krajisnik said. The priority in Bosnia-Herzegovina must be to preserve peace, he said.

A long-term policy must be built for the survival of all three peoples in these lands, Krajisnik said he had told the Pope.

Peace can reign only if the policy of self-determination of the people according to their interests is allowed, Krajisnik said. The Pope, as the spiritual leader of a part of the world, has undertaken the obligation to invest efforts to see that there are no more wars in these lands, Krajisnik said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-13

[03] YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN IPU

Stojkovic, who heads a Yugoslav Parliamentary delegation to the IPU, said that Yugoslavia was oriented towards the future, which it saw in the economic and cultural linking with its neighbours, Europe and the world.

Stojkovic spoke in a general debate about the political, economic and social situation in the world.

The Yugoslav delegation is very active in bilateral contacts. During these talks, the sides express their expectations that Yugoslavia will soon take its rightful place in the international community and international institutions.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-11

[04] YUGOSLAV DELEGATION VISITS SLOVAKIA

Kozlik, who is also Slovakia's Finance Minister, informed Djunic about the Slovakian Government's approach to economic reform and development.

The Yugoslav Vice Premier, who is heading a Yugoslav state and business delegation on this visit, has met also with Slovakian Central Bank Governor Vladimir Masar.

Yugoslav and Slovakian Government delegations signed on Friday a Protocol on their talks held on April 10-11 to discuss the development of privatisation and other forms of economic cooperation between the two states.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-11

[05] US DOES NOT SUPPORT IDEA ON KOSOVO'S SECESSION

Underscored was the need for all issues linked to Kosmet to be resolved in a peaceful way. It was said that it is necessary to make big efforts to regain the shattered trust between the citizens of different nationalities through talks at the same table, a dialogue and carefully planned activities in the gradual resolution of all individual problems.

Both sides said that the increasingly frequent terrorist attacks most certainly do not lead to normalization, but threaten to radicalize the current situation. These attacks are as a rule most frequently organized when it is felt that a favourable climate has been created for opening a dialogue.

The realization of human rights in keeping with the highest international criteria will certainly contribute to the peaceful resolution of the problems in Kosmet.

The implementation of the Agreement on education, signed by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova, is a good step towards the further normalization of relations. It should not be abused for political aims but treated solely as a humane issue, the statement said.

The U.S. delegation also met with Rugova and the representatives of the Albanian side.

Afterwards, a press conference was held in the U.S. Information Centre in Pristina at which reiterated was the U.S. stand that Kosmet is an internal issue of Serbia and that all problems should be resolved through talks and in a peaceful way.

Kornblum said he had 'clearly stated that there is no place for terrorism' and that this is not supported regardless from where it comes.

Supporting the Agreement on education, Kornblum expressed hope in the further continuation of all talks on controversial issues in Kosmet and their resolution.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-12

[06] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES US OFFICIAL

Milosevic and Kornblum reviewed the most important issues for the promotion of the Yugoslav - U.S. relations and consolidation of peace and stability in the region.

It was established that it was in the interest of both sides to promote relations and cooperation, which implied the removal of obstacles and orientation towards the building of confidence, openness and equality.

It was said that problems in Serbia's southern Province of Kosovo and Metohija were issues within the Republic of Serbia. It was said that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was consistently pursuing a policy of peace and continuously contributing to the consolidation of stability in the region, which made it become an active and constructive factor in the international community. Therefore, from our point of view, the postponement is not understandable of the country's equal participation in international organisations and institutions which Yugoslavia founded, or further prevention from realising normal international trade and financial relations.

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic also participated in the talks.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-11

[07] SERB PARTY SDSS LODGES STRONG PROTEST WITH GEN. KLEIN

The protest said irregularities had been noted at all polling stations from Ilok to Erdut and from Vukovar to Tenja. More than 3,500 people waited at polls for more than two hours and then left polling stations because of many irregularities - names were missing from voters lists although these persons had all the necessary Croatian papers, there were no names of streets in some lists and there was no election material in others, the protest said.

Voters lists did not arrive at all in the villages Pacetin and Ver, there were no ballots in Erdut and Vijelo Brdo, and certain committee members in Trpinje did not permit citizens to vote although they had valid UNTAES certificates on their voting rights.

All this brings into question the regularity of the elections and seriously damages this Party and its voters, said the SDSS protest signed by Party President Vojislav Stanimirovic. The SDSS urges Klein to take the necessary measures immediately to correct all these irregularities, the protest said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-13

[08] SERBIAN OFFICIALS APPEAL TO CITIZENS TO COLLECT PAPERS

A statement released by the Executive Council's Press Service said nine offices would be open on Monday to issue the papers.

Those who have submitted their requests for papers, and those who will do so on Monday will be considerably contributing to the Serb election victory in several municipalities, even towns, the statement said in conclusion.

The President of the Independent Democratic Serbian Party (SDSS), Vojislav Stanimirovic, said that all reports on the voting process show that the number of election posts with irregularities by far exceeds those where there are no problems.

In a brief review of the situation at the election posts, Stanimirovic told a press conference that in the village of Oriolik, which has 1,000 Serb inhabitants with voting rights, only 51 were registered in the voting lists.

He said that in Baranja five counties had not even received voting lists and in the village of Bobota the election committees are refusing to allow Serbs to cast their votes although they have receipts from UNTAES showing that they have submitted requests for being issued Croat documents. Jacques Klein has promised that this would be sufficient to realize one's voting rights.

'In such conditions, there can be no mention about the regularity of the elections. Despite everything, we are still calling on our people to go to the election posts and act in a dignified manner, thus preventing any kind of incident,' Stanimirovic said. He said that a possible solution to the chaotic situation is the extension of the elections for another day, but expressed doubt that 'new correct voting lists could be completed until Monday.'

'This is why we view as realistic only the possibility mentioned to us by Klein, this being that everyone who appears at the election posts is allowed to vote after receiving certain receipts from the on-site UNTAES staff,' Stanimirovic said. He added that 'Klein and U.S. Ambassador Peter Galbriath are currently discussing possible solutions to the almost dramatic situation.' Stanimirovic stated that Galbriath had personally seen for himself what the situation was like after visiting four election posts in Ilok of which two had not even been opened.

Stanimirovic warned about the irregularities reported by monitors in Western Slavonija. According to him, 'in this region SDSS had on time registered a list of candidates, headed by Vojin Mrdjic, but this list has not been included in the voting slips.'

'At the same time, Bosnian Croats, who are registered as living at Serb addresses, have been allowed to vote in Western Slavonija,' Stanimirovic said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-13

[09] YUGOSLAV MEMORANDUM ON SITUATION IN EASTERN SLAVONIJA

The memorandum is a response to a recent letter to the Council by Croatia, on preparations for the elections in the region on April 13.

The Croatian letter states misinformation regarding the creation of conditions for the return or refugees and displaced persons in the region and the issuing of documents to Serbs.

The Yugoslav memorandum points out the omissions and misinformation that give a false picture of the situation in Eastern Slavonija, Baranja and West Srem. Yugoslavia calls on the relevant decisions of the Security Council, the OSCE and the EU which ask Croatia to comply in full and without delay with the commitments it had undertaken regarding the elections.

This pertains chiefly to providing an equal position for the Serbs in the region.

The relevant international factors have assessed that Croatia had not completed the necessary preparations for issuing citizenship papers and other documents to Serbs, enabling them registration in the voting lists, said the Yugoslav memorandum.

The memorandum appeals for the removal of all administrative, political and psychological barriers so as to ensure the free and organized return of Serb refugees to Croatia. This should be done, the memorandum says, with the aid and supervision of the international community, above all, the UN High Commissioner for refugees and OSCE. Yugoslavia is willing to provide the necessary aid. Yugoslavia is deeply convinced that the creation of conditions for the free and safe return of refugees to Croatia and guarantees of their freedom are imperative for the achievement of lasing peace and good-neighbourly relations in the region.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-12

[10] MILOSEVIC - KLEIN TALKS

It was stressed at the talks that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia consistently supported the UNTAES mission in carrying out its mandate.

It was assessed that the upcoming elections in Eastern Slavonia will be a positive step in the process of full normalization of life in the region, which presupposed, in the first place, freedom and equality for all citizens.

Yugoslavia insists especially on freedom of expression and respect for the democratic will of all the citizens of the region. In that connection, Klein informed President Milosevic that at the upcoming elections all the citizens in the region will be guaranteed the right to vote, in line with Erdut Agreement.

It was said at the talks that the holding of democratic elections will strengthen prospects for peaceful life and equal rights in the region, which will undoubtedly contribute to the further promotion of Serb - Croat relations, on the basis of the Agreement on the Normalization of Relations between FRY and Croatia.

Attending the talks also was Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic.

Klein described as successful his talks with Milosevic.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[11] CHINA CALLS FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S RETURN TO INTERNATIONAL BODIES

In an interview to Radio Yugoslavia on Friday, Zhu Ankang underscored the traditionally friendly ties between the peoples of Yugoslavia and China, and the wide prospects for economic cooperation.

Chinese companies and businessmen are interested in investments in Yugoslavia, said Zhu, and assessed that Yugoslavia had a solid economic basis that guaranteed successful cooperation.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-12

[12] UN ADMINISTRATOR COMMENDS SERBS FOR DIGNITY AND PATIENCE

The entire international community has noted this, through the monitors, said a joint statement delivered to the regional press center.

The statement thanks the people for their patience, and expresses hope that the vote on Monday will pass in the same manner, without any incidents.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-14 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-13

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