Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-10-03

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] MILUTINOVIC SENDS FELICITATIONS TO CASSOULIDES

[02] RS GOVERNMENT ON SFOR ACTION

[03] BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER KRAJISNIK CONDEMNS SFOR ACTION

[04] RAISING TENSIONS AND DISTURBING THE PUBLIC

[05] SFOR BLOCKED THREE TRANSMITTERS OF SERBIAN RADIO-TELEVISION

[06] RESULTS OF LOCAL ELECTIONS IN FOUR BOSNIAN MUNICIPALITIES ANNOUNCED

[07] BONN RESERVED ABOUT EXTENSION OF SFOR MANDATE

[08] POLICE PREVENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRISTINA

[09] SERBIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY ON DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRISTINA

[10] SERBIAN GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON DEMONSTRATIONS IN KOSOVO

[11] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC MEETS UDOVENKO

[12] YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO INDIAN PRESIDENT

[13] SERBIAN MINISTER SAYS ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS MISLED AGAIN

[14] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER RECEIVES FRENCH AMBASSADOR

[15] MORE THAN 450,000 VOTERS REGISTERED IN MONTENEGRO

[16] KRAJISNIK MEETS WITH ELESFAN

[17] OSCE : PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

[18] BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBERS INVITED TO VISIT BELGRADE

[19] BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL RELIEVES MAYOR DJINDJIC OF OFFICE

[20] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC RESUMES SERIES OF MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

[21] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MEETS BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER KRAJISNIK

[22] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL

[23] YUGOSLAV PREMIER SAYS TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IS A PRIORITY

[24] YUGOSLAVIA ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ARCHIVES

[25] ODALOVIC: ALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED WITHIN SERBIA AND YUGOSLAVIA

[26] US AND EU DIPLOMATS AGAINST DEMONSTRATIONS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS

[27] PRESIDENTS OF RUSSIA AND FRANCE ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON BOSNIA

[28] YUGOSLAVIA URGES PEACE, STABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD-NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS

[29] KRAJISNIK EXPRESSES BELIEF THAT AGREEMENT WILL BE RESPECTED

[30] OSCE WILL MONITOR ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

[01] MILUTINOVIC SENDS FELICITATIONS TO CASSOULIDES

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus, Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic on Wednesday sent sincere felicitations and hearty wishes for the comprehensive development and prosperity of the friendly Cypriot people to Foreign Minister Yiannakis Cassoulides.

Yugoslavia places great importance on the further promotion of bilateral relations and cooperation to the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, better understanding and peace in the region, said the telegram.

[02] RS GOVERNMENT ON SFOR ACTION

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

The Republika Srpska Government strongly denounced on Wednesday morning's SFOR action of siezing the Serbian Radio and Television transmittors. The RS Government said that a planned action is in question to put the RS media under the control of Biljana Plavsic, who has already violated the Belgrade Agreement.

The RS Government said it would inform the public about actions which it plans to take.

[03] BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER KRAJISNIK CONDEMNS SFOR ACTION

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

Bosnian Presidency member from Republika Srpska Momcilo Krajisnik has condemned the taking over of Serb Radio and Television transmitters by SFOR on Wednesday morning.

Krajisnik described the action as detrimental and added it might provoke uncontrollable reactions by the Serb people.

[04] RAISING TENSIONS AND DISTURBING THE PUBLIC

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

Srpska Radio Television (SRT) Director General Miroslav Toholj and TV and radio editors-in-chief Drago Vukovic and Milivoje Tutnjevic held a press conference at the SRT offices in Pale on Wednesday on the occasion of the action by the Implementation Force SFOR members who seized control of SRT transmitters.

Toholj presented the chronology of events. He said SFOR troops had ordered employees on the transmitters to turn them off and also the communication links between SRT and Serbian Radio Television (RTS). The SFOR troops acted correctly toward the employees stationed at the transmitter stations, he said.

He further said he had been in communication with SFOR representatives in Pale during the day, but not with the Sarajevo office of the High Representative of the international community for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Toholj said the SRT signal had been released following a meeting with U.S. Gen. Digels and Pale SFOR office Maj. Rogers, so that the programme was being broadcast from the studio in Banja Luka, which, according to the plan accepted under the Belgrade Agreement, today broadcasts for all of Republika Srpska. Toholj said he hoped the programme would be broadcast from the Pale studios on Thursday, as envisaged under the Belgrade Agreement.

The meeting with SFOR representatives was also attended by Republika Srpska National Assembly President Dragan Kalinic, Toholj said. The representatives had presented a SFOR statement saying the action was carried out in keeping with the Sintra meeting conclusions and NATO approval that the entire system be passed on to the new leadership, in fact to Biljana Plavsic.

Toholj said the SRT was a Government company and that the Republika Srpska Government had the right to interfere in staff politics and have insight into any other business of the SRT.

Toholj said SRT employees would write to Elizabeth Rehn to complain against human rights violations.

Srpska TV editor-in-chief Vukovic said the office of the High Representative had insisted on Sunday that the SRT broadcast a press conference by Luis Arbour in Sarajevo last week, to which the SRT had not been invited. We agreed to broadcast 10 of the 30 minutes of material on the press conference, Vukovic said. However, due to a misinterpretation by a SRT reporter, an apology was broadcast and a new statement by Arbour, at the reuqest of the High Representative, he said.

We agreed that the entire press conference would be broadcast, which was done late Tuesday, said Vukovic.

Lately, especially following the Agreement signed in Udrigovo between Krajisnik and Shinseki, the SRT has maintained good relations with the international community and the office of the High Representative had praised its cooperativity, he said.

The recent developments have cast doubts on the good cooperation with representatives of the international community, Vukovic said.

Srpska Radio editor-in-chief Tutnjevic said the SRT was consistent in implementing the Dayton Accords and that he did not understand the moves made by the international community to raise tensions and disturb the public.

[05] SFOR BLOCKED THREE TRANSMITTERS OF SERBIAN RADIO-TELEVISION

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

Members of the International Military Forces (SFOR) on Wednesday morning blocked three transmitters of the Republika Srpska Radio-Television (SRT), Pale and the SFOR command confirmed today.

SFOR representatives said that the transimitters in question are located on Mt.Trebevic, in Udrogovo and Duge Njiva, near Modrica.

NATO and SFOR spokesmen said that the SFOR action was launched at the demand of the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina Carlos Westendorp and was provoked by violations of the September 2. Agreement on reporting on the activities of SFOR and the representatives of the international community, and even the Dayton Agreement.

Reuters quoted Westendorp as saying that his demand was officially motivated by a program showing footage of a press conference of the chief U.N. Prosecutor in the Hague, Louise Arbour.

Westendorp said that technical interventions had violated the authenticity of the tape of the press conference and that the program was spiced with, as he said, "anti-Dayton language."

[06] RESULTS OF LOCAL ELECTIONS IN FOUR BOSNIAN MUNICIPALITIES ANNOUNCED

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

The Provisional Electoral Commission announced late on Wednesday the first results of municipal elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The results are for only four municipalities - Tuzla, Bosanski Brod, Rogatica and Hadzici.

The Commission has only just completed the technical processing of the returns for the elections held on September 13-14, while final results are not expected before December 31, Sarajevo Radio and Television said on Wednesday evening.

According to the published data for Tuzla, the Joint Ticket '97, which is a bloc of democratic parties, won the largest number of seats in the Town Council - 16. The Social Democratic Party of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for Bosnia-Herzegovina secured 3 seats each. The Coalition for an Integral and Democratic Bosnia-Herzegovina, led by the Democratic Action Party (SDA), won 8 seats.

In Bosanski Brod, the Serb Democratic Party was the most successful, securing 17 seats in the Town Council, followed by the HDZ for Bosnia- Herzegovina with 13 seats. The Coalition took 5 seats, the Socialist Party of the Republika Srpska, 4 seats, and the Croat Peasants' Party and the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) for the Republika Srpska, 3 seats each.

In Rogatica, the Coalition took 21 seats in the local Council, and the so- far governing Serb Democratic Party, 16 seats. The SRS for the Republika Srpska took 9 seats, and the Socialist Party for the Republika Srpska, 3 seats.

In Hadzici, the largest number of seats in the local Council (20) went to the Coalition, followed by the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia- Herzegovina with 4 seats and the Joint Ticket '97 with one seat.

[07] BONN RESERVED ABOUT EXTENSION OF SFOR MANDATE

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

German Defence Minister Volker Ruehe has expressed reserve about the extention of mandate of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) for Bosnia on the eve of a two-day informal meeting of NATO defence ministers in Maastricht.

Ruehe told German media in Bonn that NATO's engagement in Bosnia would remain a joint task of Europe and the United States. He said that was how it was going to be once SFOR mandate had expired in June 1998, saying one should not speculate at this point as to what was going to happen next summer. In this connection, he said the SFOR mission would be placed on agenda next spring.

Commenting on Ruehe's reserve, German commentators said his experience had taught him to behave in such a manner because of Washington's unpredictable attitude just before the expiry of the mandate of the Implementation Force (IFOR).

Reports on Bosnia from Washington are still contradictory, prompting Ruehe to take a reserved stand on the extension of SFOR mandate although quite a number of reports indicate that foreign military presence in Bosnia will continue after the expiry of SFOR mandate.

[08] POLICE PREVENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRISTINA

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

An energetic action by members of the Serbian Interior Ministry in Pristina at noon on Wednesday prevented an attempt at allegedly student demonstrations by members of the Albanian minority which had not been registered with the local organs.

The attempted demonstrations in this town in Serbia's southern Province of Kosovo and Metohija were staged by students of the outlawed Albanian university, but there were also many citizens and secondary school students.

The organizers of the protest had gone ahead with preparations for the demonstrations in spite of numerous warnings from the international community.

Attempting to hold the protest, several thousand ethnic Albanians rallied in the Velanija District and just before 11 a.m. local time, students and a group of professors and other ethnic Albanian citizens headed for central Pristina.

Police were lined across an intersection leading downtown and stopped the protesters in their march. Police repeatedly warned them to break up, but they refused to comply, and just before noon, police dispersed them with a quick action.

A number of organizers of the alleged student protest were detained, including self-proclaimed chancellor of the outlawed university Ejup Statovci.

Groups of citizens had been formed in certain other districts of Pristina as well, which were to have joined the protesters, but police prevented them from rallying further and disturbing law and order.

The situation in Pristina is quiet following the police action, under control, and traffic is proceeding normally.

The presence of large numbers of foreign correspondents, TV crews and diplomats is evident in Pristina.

There have been attempts to organize demonstrations also in other towns in Kosovo and Metohija, in Pec, Djakovica, Gnjilane, Kosovska Mitrovica, Urosevac, and Prizren. A certain number of older ethnic Albanians also joined the alleged students in these places, but the protesters broke up after warnings from the police.

Albanian-language classes were suspended at the University of Pristina in 1991, after ethnic Albanian students and teachers refused to recognize Serbia and Yugoslavia and work under its curriculums, but placed themselves as the main driving force for the separatist ambitions for Kosovo's secession.

Under orders from the ethnic Albanian separatist leadership, a scenario such as today's failed attempt to organize demonstrations in Pristina has been seen on several occasions in other parts of the Balkans as well, where Albanian minorities live.

Thus, in order to realize its goals, the Albanian separatist movement used the issue of education in Macedonia as well, where demonstrators were killed or injured in a clash between Macedonian police and ethnic Albanian demonstrators in Tetovo in 1995 over the Albanian university.

In July this year, there was a bloody conflict between Macedonian police and ethnic Albanian protesters in Gostivar. Ethnic Albanians, helped by ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and Metohija and from Albania prevented police from removing Albanian flags from the city halls of Gostivar and Tetovo. Two protesters were killed and there were dozens of injured in these clashes.

The official stand of all international organizations and the most influential countries is that Kosovo and Metohija is an internal affair of Serbia and that this territory is an inseparable part of Serbia and Yugoslavia.

[09] SERBIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY ON DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRISTINA

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

Undoubtedly acting under the orders of ethnic Albanian separatist leaders, several groups of students on Wednesday tried to organise unauthorised demonstrations in Pristina and five other towns in Serbia's southern Province of Kosovo and Metohija, the Serbian Interior Ministry said in a statement.

After a public warning, Interior Ministry representatives dispersed the demonstrators in keeping with the relevant laws, the statement said.

[10] SERBIAN GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON DEMONSTRATIONS IN KOSOVO

Tanjug, 1997-10-01

The Government of Serbia issued a statement on Wednesday about demonstrations by Albanian students in Kosovo and Metohija saying that the demonstrations of students-separatists are presented to the domestic and world public as a protest against the alleged violation of the human rights of the Kosovo Albanians, especially their right to education.

The statement, carried by the Information Ministry is as follows: "The demonstrations of separatist students are being presented to the world and domestic public as a protest against the alleged violation of the rights of Albanians in Kosovo, especially their right to education. In this way the public is being deceived, because in question is a separatist orientation for a separate state of Kosovo and, in keeping with this, a separate university. This is the basic motive of those who inspired and instigated the organization of the demonstrations. This is the basic reason for the failure of the implementation of the Agreement on the normalization of the education system for Albanian children and youth in Kosovo and Metohija.

Albanian pupils and students are entiteled, as all other pupils and students in Kosovo, Serbia and Yugoslavia, to study and attend classes under the same conditions and in their own language. The Serbian Government is resolute that the Agreement, which should secure this, is implemented consistently and fully. The sole obstacle for this is separatism. Serbia will never allow the existence of a separate Albanian state of Kosovo with a separate education system and university.

The governments of almost all countries of the international community came out against the idea of an independent Kosovo with the clear warning that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia. It is time for all Albanians in Serbia to realize that separatist ideas are unrealistic and harmful to them, all in the interest of a joint and equal life in Serbia and Yugoslavia.

[11] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC MEETS UDOVENKO

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic met in New York on Tuesday with U.N. General Assembly President and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Gennady Udovenko. Opinions were exchanged about a number of topics which are on the agenda of the 52nd regular fall session of the General Assembly, including reforms of the United Nations. Within international relations, they talked about the Dayton Peace Agreement and the implementation of the civilian part of the agreement. Milutinovic and Udovenko discussed bilateral Yugoslav*Ukrainian relations. They assessed that cooperation between the two friendly countries was constantly promoted and interest was expressed to further develop economic relations between the FRY and Ukraine.

Milutinovic, who had meetings with the foreign ministers of over 30 countries, also met on Tuesday with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ataf. Opinions were exchanged on that occasion about current international issues, especially the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, and the Non*Aligned Movement. Mutual interest was expressed to further promote traditionally good Yugoslav-Algerian relations.

[12] YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO INDIAN PRESIDENT

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to New Delhi Prof. Cedomir Strbac presented on Tuesday his credentials to Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan. President Narayanan said India hoped to develop the widest possible cooperation with Yugoslavia. Ambassador Strbac said Yugoslavia was determined to pursue the development of traditionally good bilateral relations and informed President Narayanan of the current situation in Yugoslavia and the fundamental goals of its foreign policy. Both cou= ntries are determined to cooperate as regards international relations, it was underlined during the meeting. Recallin= g India's experience in parliamentary life and economic reforms, President Narayanan hailed the democratization process and economic reforms under way in Yugoslavia and pointed to the commitment of both countries to same values.

[13] SERBIAN MINISTER SAYS ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS MISLED AGAIN

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Serbian Minister Ratomir Vico, commenting on an announced protest of ethnic Albanian students, told Tanjug on Tuesday that ethnic "Albanian students have been misguided again."

Vico, who heads part of the Working Group 3+3 in charge of implementing the education agreement, said that ever since the Group 3+3 was set up, Serbian Government officials had been urging that the agreement on normalizing the education system be implemented. He said, however, that the solution to the issue had not been found due to Albanian representatives' resistance alone. It is our mistake to have accepted their request that the activities of the Group be closed to the public. Otherwise, ethnic Albanian students, themselves, would have known the truth. Therefore, we shall insist that the following meeting, scheduled to be held at the Pristina University, be open to the public. This way, no one would be able to deceive the students, said Vico. Vico said that problems could not be solved through protests, but through respecting the law and institutions, which equally protect all people. He also said he was convinced that the students would not let themselves be manipulated.

[14] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER RECEIVES FRENCH AMBASSADOR

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Yugoslav Deputy Premier Danko Djunic received on Tuesday French Ambassador to Yugoslavia Stanislas Filliol, at the latter's request. The talks were attended by French Embassy Trade Adviser Andre Lambert and the Deputy Premier's Chief of Staff Dragisa Dabetic, a Federal Government statement said.

In lengthy hearty and open talks which passed in a friendly atmosphere, Ambassador Filliol informed Djunic about the contents of a press statement by the French Foreign Ministry released on the occasion of the Serbian parliamentary and presidential elections held on September 21. The statement said, among other things, that it had been noted with satisfaction that the elections had gone well in the first round, under OSCE supervision. Elections had proceeded peacefully and more than 62 percent of the electorate went to the polls. In spite of certain faults, it was estimated that developments have been positive since the recognition of the opposition's victory at the local elections last winter.

It is assessed that these are encouraging signs which should, in the opinion of the French Foreign Ministry, stimulate, in the end, the full integration of the FR of Yugoslavia into the international community, as well as its return to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Ambassador Filliol said the French Government was interested in the full normalization of relations with the FR of Yugoslavia and that it expected concrete moves by the Yugoslav side in the sense of removing the obstacles so far. The French side is already taking certain steps toward the improvement, primarily, of economic cooperation, he said, and spoke about the autonomous measures of the European Union (E.U.) toward Yugoslavia of April this year. Along these lines, the ambassador informed Deputy Premier Djunic that a meeting on economic cooperation with Yugoslavia will be held in Paris on October 9, organized by the French Centre for Foreign Trade (CFCE).

The objective of the meeting of French economists and businessmen, which will be attended by over 50 managers of major French firms and financial experts, is to provide a cross-section of the current situation and possibilities, as well as the positive experience already acquired by certain French banks and firms, such as the Societe General and Alcatel. Assessing that there were real possibilities and interest in stepping up economic cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador especially underscored the interest of the renowned French firm La Farge to invest in the Beocin Cement Factory, pointing out that, in his opinion, the French firm was very attractive and complex, and would contribute toward higher production, and resolve also the social components of the factory employees.

Should La Farge obtain the right to enter into the privatization process, this would be assessed by the French side as a concrete and significant contribution to improving cooperation between the two countries and opening prospects for further investments, which is of strategic interest. Djunic said Yugoslavia was on the road to reintegration into the international community and assessed there were conditions for the development of comprehensive bilateral relations between the two countries which have had good relations and common interests in their histories. Djunic said the entry of foreign capital was necessary for the successful realization of economic reforms in Yugoslavia, as well as the providing of technical assistance. Yugoslavia is open to cooperation with all international partners and has opted for an open market economy, he said.

Speaking about the possibility of investments in the Beocin Cement Factory, Djunic emphasised that the Yugoslav side would accept with sympathies the possibility that the French firm La Farge be an investor, provided its offer was acceptable to the Yugoslav side. Deputy Premier Djunic said such deals presented the country's strategic interest and that Yugoslavia accepted with pleasure the numerous contacts with renowned French firms aimed at expanding overall cooperation between the two countries, said the statement released by the Federal Secretariat of Information.

[15] MORE THAN 450,000 VOTERS REGISTERED IN MONTENEGRO

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

About 458,000 Montenegrin citizens will vote on Sunday to elect a President from eight candidates. This will be the third presidential elections since the introduction of the multi-party system in Montenegro.

The first and second presidential elections were held parallel with the parliamentary elections in early November 1990 and mid-December 1992. Both times, run-off's had to be held. At the first presidential elections in 1990, Momir Bulatovic of the then League of Communists of Montenegro defeated Ljubisa Stankovic of the Alliance of Reformist Forces. At the second presidential elections, Bulatovic and Branko Kostic participated in the second round on January 10, 1993, when Bulatovic won with 158,000 votes. The electorate consisted of 403,000 voters at the first parliamentary elections, 429,000 at the second and 448,000 at the third.

On Sunday voters will be able to cast their ballots at 878 polling stations between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. If none of the candidates wins the necessary majority, the second election round will be held on October 19.

[16] KRAJISNIK MEETS WITH ELESFAN

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The Republika Srpska (RS) representative in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik, met on Tuesday with the Deputy Head of the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for Bosnia, Ricardo Elesfan, to discuss this organization's role in the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in RS.

Afterwards, Krajisnik told journalists that the date of the parliamentary elections in RS would remain as set in the Belgrade Agreement.

Krajisnik said that the OSCE mission can only supervise the RS elections which must be conducted in keeping with our laws. We favour talks on possible technical problems, but solutions can not be imposed upon us without our agreement, he said. Commenting Monday's talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, Krajisnik said that Milosevic was informed about the agreement reached in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency regarding dual citizenship for RS citizens. According to Krajisnik, Milosevic expressed satisfaction that RS citizens will have the opportunity to also become the citizens of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

[17] OSCE : PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The OSCE estimates that 12 million dollars will be sufficient for preparations and monitoring of the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Republika Srpska, OSCE spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told Tanjug in Vienna on Tuesday. The OSCE will secure half of the sum through its own budget savings and hopes that the rest will be provided by the states which will participate in the observer mission.

Fleming said there were no estimates for the cost of the scheduled presidential election in the Bosnian Serb entity, but noted that it would be cheaper for the OSCE if the elections were held immediately after the balloting for Parliament.

[18] BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBERS INVITED TO VISIT BELGRADE

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency member from Republika Srpska Momcilo Krajisnik said on Tuesday that he had conveyed to the other Presidency members an invitation from Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to visit Belgrade together. Alija Izetbegovic and Kresimir Zubak took note of the invitation and said they would respond at a later time, Krajisnik said following a Presidency session in Sarajevo. The Presidency session focused on the establishment of diplomatic representations abroad, Krajisnik said, and added that the issues of three embassies had been settled while consultations on others have yet to be completed prior to appointing ambassadors. The Presidency was informed about the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, Krajisnik said, and added that Republika Srpska wished to have good relations with that country. A candidate for the post of ambassador to Israel is Dragan Jovanovic. The Presidency also discussed some issues regarding the Central Bank, whose Governor Serge Robert from France is due to leave. Presidency member Zubak raised the issue of unresolved status of Bosnian Television, Krajisnik said, and added that Republika Srpska was not interested in it as the entities are allowed to have their own media. Republika Srpska will, however, request a settling of Bosnian TV succession, as Serbs had invested money and work in it, Krajisnik noted.

[19] BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL RELIEVES MAYOR DJINDJIC OF OFFICE

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The Belgrade City Council relieved Mayor Zoran Djindjic of office on Tuesday. The motion for the move was raised by the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), and 67 of the 68 attending Councilmen cast ballots in the secret vote. The session was chaired by Deputy Mayor Milan Bozic and attended by Councilmen of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), the Yugoslav Left (JUL), the SPO, and the Serbian Radical Party (SRS). The Democratic Party (DS) and Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Councilmen did not attend. The City Council comprises 110 members.

Head of the Zajedno coalition grouping Borivoje Borovic said he was speaking in that capacity for the last time and emphasised that Djindjic had used the office to campaign for his party, the DS, and had turned his premises at the City Council first into the election and then anti-election headquarters which he used to break up the Zajedno coalition and insult citizens who wanted to cast ballots in the September 21 elections in Serbia. Borovic said Djindjic had taken scores of trips without consulting the City Government, and obstructed the work of the City Government by discontinuing contacts with head of the City Government Spasoje Krunic, in which way he stressed Djindjic had done great harm to Belgrade and its residents. Borovic accused Djindjic of directing city funds to enterprises whose directors were appointed by the DS and said that, as a result, the city lacked 500 million dinars.

At the proposal of Spasoje Krunic, the City Council included in the session agenda the dismissal of three DS members of the City Government, Deputy Head of the City Government Ljuba Andjelkovic and City Government members Goran Vesic and Mihail Golicin.

[20] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC RESUMES SERIES OF MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic met on Monday with the U.S. Special Envoy in charge of the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Robert Gelbard. Milutinovic and Gelbard discussed the ongoing implementation of the civilian aspect of the agreement as well as security and peace in the region. On Monday afternoon, Milutinovic met with the Egyptian and Belarus foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Ivan Antonovich respectively.

Milutinovic and Moussa discussed the promotion of the two countries' relations, saying both countries wanted to continue cooperation, especially in the field of economy. They also discussed the implementation of the Dayton agreement and the Non-Aligned Movement, with Moussa stressing that Yugoslavia should join the Movement's activities as soon as possible. In the meeting with Antonovich, both countries' wish was stressed to promote cooperation. Milutinovic met also with representatives of the U.S.-Jewish Committee, focusing on the promotion of cooperation and the role of the Jewish community in Yugoslavia.

[21] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MEETS BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER KRAJISNIK

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic received on Monday the Republika Srpska member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik.

Great progress has been achieved in resolving the crisis in Republika Srpska and an important agreement has been reached within Bosnian Presidency to enable Bosnian citizens to obtain dual (Bosnian and Yugoslav) citizenship, which is a great step forward, it was noted during the meeting.

The document on dual citizenship, signed by all three members of the Bosnian Presidency - Alija Izetbegovic, Momcilo Krajisnik and Kresimir Zubak - is based on the General Agreement on peace in Bosnia and confirms the importance of the Dayton Agreement for peace and stability in the region, it was underlined during the meeting.

[22] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic met with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan at U.N. Headquarters in New York on Monday.

During an exhaustive and friendly talk, Milutinovic and Annan exchanged views on topical international issues, specifically those on the agenda of the 52nd regular autumn session of the U.N. General Assembly. They discussed also the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord in Bosnia- Herzegovina, as well as peace, security and stability in the Balkan region.

Annan paid tribute to the active and positive role played by the FR of Yugoslavia in the Balkans.

Milutinovic presented to Annan a cheque to the amount of Yugoslavia's contribution to the United Nations for 1997, and invited him to visit Yugoslavia, which Annan accepted.

During the morning, Milutinovic met also with foreign ministers of Iraq and Jordan, Mohamed Sayed Al-Sahaf and Fayez Tarawneh, respectively.

The talk with the Iraqi minister related to the promotion of bilateral cooperation and, in this context, an exchange of ambassadors, as well as to the international situation and the implementation of the Dayton Accord. The talk also touched on the Non-alignment movement , with the Iraqi minister reiterating his country's support for Yugoslavia's fully inclusion in the movement as soon as possible.

The talk with the Jordanian minister brought to light a shared interest towards constant promotion of traditionally friendly bilateral relations in all fields, specifically in economy where there is great scope for cooperation.

It was also agreed that the two countries should exchange ambassadors.

The Jordanian minister stressed that Jordan fully supported the efforts of the FR of Yugoslavia for peace, security and cooperation in the region.

[23] YUGOSLAV PREMIER SAYS TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IS A PRIORITY

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Yugoslavia's Prime Minister said on Monday that scientific, technical and technological development was a priority for the national economy in the aftermath of the world's anti-Yugoslav sanctions and on the threshold of the 21st century.

Opening the 8th Congress of the Yugoslav Engineering Society, Prime Minister Radoje Kontic said that the present moment was characterised by greatly changed conditions in the FR of Yugoslavia and its neighbourhood. This state of affairs necessitated that "an adequate place be given to technical and technological progress in the new ambience," Kontic added.

"The development of an open market economy is our country's strategic commitment, whence the need for appraising current international trends," he said. Technical and technological inventions and innovations had become decisive factors in achieving production results, he added.

He said that current international trends were especially characterised by regional and sub-regional integration processes. Here he stressed that Yugoslavia had a positive attitude to all integrations that were based on the equality of the members and openness to cooperation with third countries. It was Yugoslavia's strategic orientation to be a full member of the European Union, which presupposed harmonising Yugoslav regulations with those of the E.U. states, he said.

It was important that the national economy should no longer lag behind the world in technical and technological terms, and the greatest efforts must be invested into putting a stop to this and then closing the gap, he said.

He said that some serious problems still persisted, such as the tenacity of the so-called outer wall of sanctions with a resultant shortage of domestic and foreign capital, as well as difficulties associated with the gray market and public spending.

[24] YUGOSLAVIA ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ARCHIVES

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

A Yugoslav delegation headed by Director of Yugoslav Archives Jovan Popovic attended the International Conference of Archives in Edinburgh.

The Conference, which focused on the legal aspects regarding archives, was attended by 200 delegates from around the world.

Yugoslavia attended the Conference as a permanent member and founder of the International Council of Archives, and had taken part in its activities even during the period under international sanctions.

[25] ODALOVIC: ALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED WITHIN SERBIA AND YUGOSLAVIA

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Ethnic Albanian political party leaders must give up the idea of an independent Kosovo and find solutions to all problems within Serbia and Yugoslavia, Deputy Head of the Kosovo District Veljko Odalovic said on Monday.

Odalovic and Provincial Information Secretary Bosko Drobnjak met with a 13- member delegation of the United States, the European Union and representatives of European countries' embassies in Belgrade, including U.S. Charge d'Affaires Richard Miles, Dutch Ambassador and E.U. representative Johannes Sizoo and Ambassadors Ivor Roberts of Great Britain, Raphael Gerard of Canada and Slawomir Dabrowa of Poland. A statement released after the meeting said that Sizoo had reiterated the E.U., U.S. and 'Contact Group' stand that Kosovo and Metohija was an integral part of Serbia and Yugoslavia and that the idea of an independent republic of Kosovo enjoyed no support in the world. He condemned terrorist attacks which had intensified of late.

Both sides expressed concern over the announced demonstrations of ethnic Albanian students. Odalovic said that the organisers of the rallies were responsible for all possible consequences and that the security and other state organs would act in keeping with the law and intervene only in case of violent provocations or direct breach of the law. He said that a large number of those who strolled the streets of Pristina were neither students nor inhabitants of Pristina.

The statement said that it had been concluded that the solution lay in the implementation of the education agreement, signed by Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova, solely through the legal institutions of the system.

[26] US AND EU DIPLOMATS AGAINST DEMONSTRATIONS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Chief of the US mission in Belgrade Richard Miles expressed on Monday in Pristina his concern with the announcement of demonstrations of ethnic Albanian students in Serbia's southern Province of Kosovo-Metohija scheduled for October 1.

At a press conference at the US Information Center in Pristina following meetings held by a joint 13-member delegation of the US, the European Union and representatives of embassies of European countries in Belgrade with Government representatives and with ethnic Albanian political and student leaders, Miles said he felt the greatest concern regarding the timing of the planned demonstrations - between the first and second rounds of elections in Serbia.

Underlining the serious approach of the delegation members' governments to the situation in Kosovo and especially the planned demonstrations, Miles said endeavours were being intensified to implement the agreement on education signed by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, then President of Serbia, and ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova.

Of course the people have the right to assemble and protest peacefully and to let the authorities know their views, Miles said, but added that the timing of the protest was ill-chosen and that he had conveyed this view to Rugova and student leaders.

The situation in Kosovo is explosive, Dutch Ambassador and member of EU Presidency Johannes Sizoo said, expressing the Union's concern with the situation in Kosovo. The EU believes that the situation in Kosovo must be resolved by peaceful means, Sizoo said and added that the stance of the entire international community was that a dialogue must be initiated as soon as possible between the authorities and the leaders of the Albanian population.

Referring to the meeting with Government representatives, Sizoo said he was assured by the authorities that force would not be used except in case of violation of the law. He also urged ethnic Albanian political leaders to refrain from violence, and said he had been assured by student leaders that the demonstrators would not resort to violence.

The Ambassador added that the delegation had told the students they had a tremendous responsibility regarding the forthcoming demonstrations and that the timing for the protest was bad.

Miles and Sizoo said the talks had helped the delegation understand the stances of both the authorities and Albanian political parties and students, and provided an opportunity to convey to them the stance of the international community.

Underlining that EU representatives will be present in Kosovo in the next few days, the diplomats expressed hope that the demonstrations would be postponed and that they would be peaceful.

[27] PRESIDENTS OF RUSSIA AND FRANCE ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON BOSNIA

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

President Boris Yeltsin of Russia and President Jacques Chirac of France on Friday expressed concern about the latest developments in Bosnia, saying the crisis in the Republika Srpska must be defused in a democratic manner. In a joint statement on Bosnia, issued after a meeting at Moscow's Kremlin, Yeltsin and Chirac said their states were ready to continue cooperation in the region within the Bosnia multinational force. They stressed that their countries would make a joint effort on the bilateral level as well as within the five-nation 'Contact Group' for Bosnia and other international bodies to help fully implement an agreement signed in Paris on December 14, 1995. The statement said Moscow and Paris treated all parties in Bosnia equally. It called on them to fulfil their obligations, especially as regards the functioning of common bodies of power, and to form local councils once returns of local elections held on September 13-14 were released. The statement said the crisis in the Republika Srpska must be resolved through elections, calling on Republika Srpska authorities to implement an agreement to this effect reached on September 24.

[28] YUGOSLAVIA URGES PEACE, STABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD-NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

Peace, stable development, good-neighbourly relations and all-round cooperation in the region are Yugoslavia's strategic commitments, Speaker of the Yugoslav Parliament's Chamber of Republics Srdja Bozovic said on Saturday at a ceremony at the Army of Yugoslavia Centre of Military Academies.

All well-meaning people at home and abroad know well that the FRY never proclaims any country or people beforehand as hostile or a potential aggressor, Bozovic said at the commencement of the senior classes of the Army of Yugoslavia's military academies.

"Peace, stable development, good-neighbourly relations and all-round cooperation in the region are our strategic commitments. That is why we rightly expect to have a more secure and better future. I sincerely hope that equality-based political, economic and cultural ties will at last be restored in the region in the interest of all peoples and states in the Balkans," the Yugoslav official stressed.

"The normalization of relations with old and new neighbours is the best guarantee of peace, progress and the Yugoslavia's faster inclusion in regional, European and world integration processes," Bozovic said and emphasised that was one of Yugoslavia's basic foreign-policy goals. Bozovic set out that Yugoslavia had renewed and intensified relations and cooperation with a large number of countries and international organizations thanks to its consistent policy aimed at achieving and maintaining peace. He emphasised that alongside of working for peace and cooperation among all nations, Yugoslavia must bear in mind that the "rivalry of European and world centres of power for the preservation of the existing and winning of new spheres of influence poses an objective threat to security and peace."

Bozovic said Yugoslavia insisted that the right to freedom be universal, that it be equal for all citizens and all peoples. "We highly appreciate the efforts and determination of the international community to back with its influence the hither to signed peace agreements, but we must always remember that the attitude of political centres of power and of the immediate and wider military environment toward our country primarily depends on our internal stability," Speaker Bozovic stressed.

"Consistent efforts for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts and constructive and mutually useful cooperation with all important international subjects do not eliminate the need for our state to develop and strengthen its own armed forces," Bozovic said.

"With its strength and the unity of its senior commanding personnel, our Army has helped prevent the war from spilling over onto the territory of the FR of Yugoslavia and has been an important factor of the country's overall stability. The success is all the greater since the tasks were performed with very limited material and financial resources," Speaker of the Yugoslav Parliament's Chamber of Republics Bozovic set out.

[29] KRAJISNIK EXPRESSES BELIEF THAT AGREEMENT WILL BE RESPECTED

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

Guarantees that the Belgrade agreement will succeed are the signatures of Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and my own, RS representative in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik has said. He told the Serbian Television's political program Vidik that he would inform the RS Government and National Assembly about the details of the agreement. If the agreement is not respected, this would be a catastrophe, Krajisnik said and expressed readiness to do everything possible to secure its success. He expressed belief that Plavsic would also do the same and that the Contact Group would respect the agreement and dates of the elections to enable the people to decide on the overcoming of the crisis in RS.

The agreement has been signed, the dates of the elections have been set and if one of the sides decided not to agree to the holding of the elections, that person would lose his credibility with the people, Krajisnik said. He said that for him there is the National Assembly and that this is where the decision of self-dissolution should be made in order to enable the holding of the parliamentary elections.

"Whether the presidential elections are held, depends on Plavsic, while the elections for the RS President within the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency depends on me, because if we want these elections, then both of us have to resign," Krajisnik said. According to him, the new elections will resolve the issues of the police, Government and the current controversies, since it cannot be allowed for this situation to last as it leads to the division of RS."

"If there are problems with the elections, Plavsic and I agreed to contact each other and not to allow problems to escalate. The elections will result in a clear cut situation and bring a better future to RS and its people," Krajisnik said.

[30] OSCE WILL MONITOR ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) decided on Friday after two days of deliberations to monitor the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Republika Srpska. The OSCE Standing Council agreed to monitor the parliamentary elections in Republika Srpska and any subsequent elections, a statement issued in Vienna says. Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic and Srpska member of the Bosnian Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik reached on Wednesday in Belgrade an agreement on resolving the crisis in Republika Srpska, with the mediation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. In line with the agreement, parliamentary elections in Republika Srpska are scheduled for November 15 and the presidential election for December 7. The foreign ministers of the member- states of the Contact Group (US, Russia, France, Britain and Germany) recommended a few days ago in New York that elections in Republika Srpska should be monitored by the OSCE.

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