Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-10-17

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] NEW YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR TO BELGIUM PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

[02] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED GUINEAN ENVOY

[03] PETRIC MEETS WITH TSAKIRIDIS

[04] YUGOSLAVIA AND CROATIA EXCHANGED SAMPLES OF SMALL BORDER PASSES

[05] DIRECTORS OF FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS' ARCHIVES TO MEET IN BELGRADE

[06] YUGOSLAVIA IS OF LONG-TERM INTEREST TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

[07] YUGOSLAV IRON AND STEEL WORKS EXPORT GOODS WORTH 135.3 MILLION DOLLARS

[08] CONFERENCE OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OFFICIALS

[09] SRPSKA PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS US OFFICIALS

[10] RS ARMY AND SFOR MAINTAIN GOOD COOPERATION

[11] BOSIC MET WITH GENERAL MANSUI

[12] RUSSIA WELCOMED BELGRADE AGREEMENT ON REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ELECTIONS

[13] KRAJISNIK AND KUZNYETSOV TALK ABOUT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

[14] NATWEST EXECUTIVE: OPTIMISM ABOUT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN YUGOSLAVIA

[15] MALJKOVIC: OUR NEW CONDITIONS WILL BE ATTRACTIVE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

[16] PREMIER KONTIC RECEIVED GUINEAN PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL ENVOY

[17] MILUTINOVIC RECEIVED JIANG DEGUANG

[18] SESSION OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT

[19] ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS LAUNCH TERRORIST ATTACK ON POLICE STATION

[20] IDEA ON INDEPENDENT KOSOVO IS UNTENABLE

[21] RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVED YUGOSLAV DELEGATION

[22] YUGOSLAV CENTRAL BANK DELEGATION ATTENDS ISTANBUL MEETING

[23] SOLANA: NATO WILL NOT LEAVE BOSNIA NEXT YEAR

[24] YUGOSLAV DELEGATION TO ATTEND MEETING OF BALKAN CENTRAL BANKS IN ISTANBUL

[25] YUGOSLAV-CHINESE CONSULTATIONS

[26] YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

[27] WIDE POSSIBILITIES FOR YUGOSLAV-CZECH ECONOMIC COOPERATION

[28] YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER KONTIC RECEIVED CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER ZIELENIEC

[29] YUGOSLAV-RUSSIAN TALKS IN MOSCOW

[30] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED CHINESE FIRST DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

[01] NEW YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR TO BELGIUM PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the Kingdom of Belgium Nikola Cicanovic presented his credentials on Wednesday to King Albert II. After the ceremony, King Albert and Ambassador Cicanovic had a friendly conversation.

[02] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER RECEIVED GUINEAN ENVOY

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

Yugoslav Deputy Foreign Minister Radoslav Bulajic received on Wednesday the special envoy of the Guinean President, the Minister of Information and Culture Alf Ibrahim Dialla.

The meeting focused on the endeavours of the two countries to pursue and enhance their successful political cooperation, as well as bilateral cooperation in international organizations and in economic, cultural and other fields of mutual interest.

[03] PETRIC MEETS WITH TSAKIRIDIS

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

Republika Srpska (RS) Justice Minister Branko Petric said on Wednesday that the findings of Brcko supervisor Robert Farand about the multiethnic administration and judiciary in this district are contrary to the current constitutional and legal system in RS. During talks in Pale with the head of the European Community's regional observer mission, Ioannis Tsakaridis, Petric said that Farand's instructions according to which the President and the Vice-President of the Regional Court in Brcko should be of different nationalities and that the judges and prosecutors should be appointed by the RS President, completely negate the RS Constitution and laws. These documents do not contain the institution of court vice-president and they state that the judges and prosecutors are appointed by the National Assembly at the proposal of the minister and the assembly's Legal Committee. Petric said that Farand refused to meet with the RS authorities to discuss all this.

[04] YUGOSLAVIA AND CROATIA EXCHANGED SAMPLES OF SMALL BORDER PASSES

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

Competent Yugoslav and Croatian bodies on Wednesday exchanged samples of passes and other documents for residents of the border zone between Yugoslavia and Croatia under an Agreement on small border transport. The passes would be issued by police precincts in the relevant border zone as of November 1, 1997.

[05] DIRECTORS OF FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS' ARCHIVES TO MEET IN BELGRADE

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

The Archive directors of the states that emerged in the territory of the former Yugoslavia will meet in Belgrade on Friday, the Yugoslav Archives said on Wednesday.

The expert-level discussion about disputed issues may help reach the final solution to the issue of archives within the Working Group for Succession.

The Working Group for Succession reached no agreement on archives at its plenary session in Brussels eight months ago. The directors of the Archives of Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, the Bosnian Muslim-Croat Federation and the Republika Srpska have confirmed their arrival to the meeting, which will be held at the Yugoslav Archives and chaired by Yugoslav Archives Director Jovan Popovic, the statement said.

[06] YUGOSLAVIA IS OF LONG-TERM INTEREST TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

Further structural and other reforms would make Yugoslavia lastingly attractive to foreign investors, most foreign participants in a Pan- European Financial Forum, which is being held in Belgrade, agreed on Wednesday. The recent Ownership Transformation Law was a step in the right direction and Yugoslavia should now continue to work to create a more adequate ambience for its implementation, it was noted at the gathering. It was said that Yugoslavia had huge potential for becoming an export-oriented economy operating at low cost. These were just some of the questions of importance for evaluating the risk of investing foreign capital in any country, it was noted. Results of analyses presented by London Standard Bank Director Jeffrey Clifford showed that Yugoslavia, compared on five points with countries at a similar level of development, is near the top of the list of economies attractive to investors. The five points were: the countries' respective income per capita, inflation rate, foreign debt- domestic product ratio, ability to finance fiscal deficit, and ratio between the balance of payments deficit and the gross domestic product. Speaking about other macro-economic factors affecting investment risk in a country, Clifford said that Yugoslavia had banking stability and security, an independent Central Bank, legal security, a good auditing service, etc.

He concluded that calculations showed that Yugoslavia's debt repayment ability was good, which should particularly interest foreign investors. Should Yugoslavia repay its debts, it could expect higher foreign investment, he said. Ivan Koprivica of the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce said that Yugoslavia's repayment ability would be much better if its assets blocked in foreign banks were fully at its disposal. There was no direct answer to this, but David McWilliams, BNP representative to the Grouping for Investment in Eastern Europe, said that sanctions and blockade were bad and ridiculous measures to be used against any country. He said that the frozen assets should be released with interest. There was, however, the problem of insufficient saving by the population in the national banks, which reduced these banks' investment potential, it was noted at the forum. Most foreign participants took the view that the greatest prospects for Yugoslavia lay in the financing of trade, i.e. in obtaining commercial credits, and that it should wait a while longer before obtaining any major international loans.

[07] YUGOSLAV IRON AND STEEL WORKS EXPORT GOODS WORTH 135.3 MILLION DOLLARS

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

The iron and steel works Sartid in Smederevo, eastern Serbia, and in Niksic, western Montenegro, produced 681,901 tons of crude steel in the January- August period, which is 319,706 tons up on the same period last year, and earned 135.3 million dollars through exports of final products. Of this figure, 101.6 million dollars were earned through exports to west European industrialised countries, according to the Yugoslav Iron and Steel Industry Association.

Sartid produced 596,627 tons of steel in the same period, while the Niksic works produced 316,051 tons, which is 3,655 tons up on the same period last year. The two works and other metallurgical companies in the country produced a total of 740,305 tons of final steel products, which is 344,446 tons up on the same period last year, the Association said. Of this figure, 224,759 tons were delivered to the domestic market, which is 23% up on the same period last year, while 450,106 tons were exported, which is 317,6% up on the same period last year. A total of 102,118 tons of final steel products worth 60 million dollars were imported, which is 43,236 tons down on the same period last year.

[08] CONFERENCE OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OFFICIALS

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

A Yugoslav delegation to the Conference of Parliament speakers of southeast European countries, which opened in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, proposed that an inaugural meeting of a Consultative Assembly of Regional Parliaments be held in Belgrade next June.

Yugoslav Parliament Lower House Speaker Milomir Minic, who heads the delegation and who was the first to address the Conference, said the Yugoslav Parliament had already begun preparations for that meeting and that it expected other regional Parliaments to help it.

The two-day Conference is attended by Parliament speakers from Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania, Macedonia and Greece. Turkey has not sent its parliamentary delegation to the Conference because it has not formed a new Parliament following the latest elections.

Minic said Yugoslavia paid great attention to parliamentary cooperation in the region, saying the country was determined to help bring about an initiative to institutionalise that cooperation. He welcomed the fact that the initiative had been backed in its entirety. Yugoslavia moved for the setting up of a Consultative Assembly of southeast European Parliaments at a meeting of foreign ministers in Sofia, Bulgaria, last year. The move was backed at a Ministerial Meeting in Salonika, Greece, in June.

Yugoslavia is firmly committed to making full contribution to the promotion of all-round cooperation in the region, on the footing of equality and in the interest of building confidence and strengthening peace and stability in the region, Minic said.

Multilateral cooperation among southeast European countries has been confirmed in the initiative that reflects in the best way possible authentic regional interests and needs, contributing to the strengthening of each country's status in the world, he said. Consequently, it is Yugoslavia's foreign policy priority, he said. Yugoslavia has been most active in the resumption and strengthening of that cooperation. By deciding to take part in the coming Summit at Crete, Greece, Yugoslavia has demonstrated in the best way possible its commitment to the noble goal of cooperation among regional countries and its readiness to contribute to it continually, he said. Yugoslavia takes the view that the essence of regional cooperation lies in encouraging and boosting positive trends in the region and in securing conditions for making that process last, he said adding that the initiative was a manifestation of Yugoslavia's effort to preserve lasting peace and to cherish all-round cooperation. Minic said the region's prospects lay in its joining positive processes in Europe, explaining that all European countries shared the same fate. He said it was the task of all regional countries to preserve peace in the region as well as stability, all-round cooperation, good-neighbourly relations and open borders. To secure this, it is necessary to fully and consistently implement all peace agreements, to fully respect their principles and solve all outstanding issues in a democratic manner and through talks, he said.

Moreover, it is vital to honour the principles of International Law, the U.N. Charter and documents of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and in particular the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country, the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and mutual respect, he said. He said he was confident that all countries taking part in the Conference had identical attitude to the issue. Minic said the assembly was aimed at promoting regional cooperation by creating conditions for direct participation of national Parliaments in strengthening a multilateral political dialogue and by launching initiatives that would be a political framework and a basis for regional governments' cooperation in numerous areas of mutual interest. Consequently, this will help develop bilateral relations and create a more favourable climate for the resolution of outstanding bilateral issues, he said. The setting up of the assembly and regular meetings of regional foreign ministers and heads of state or government will help create an efficient system of cooperation and of greater responsibility for the fate of all countries in the region, he said. The assembly would discuss measures for and activities in strengthening peace, stability, mutual confidence and good*neighbourly cooperation in the region, and in boosting bilateral and regional cooperation in a large number of fields ranging from economy and finance to power industry and environment protection, respect and promotion of human rights, and diversification of cooperation in the humanitarian, social and cultural sphere as well as in the sphere of judiciary and the fight against organised crime and terrorism, he said. Minic said various forms of cooperation within the assembly, specifically bringing into accord regulations and standards, should boost all processes of development in all countries, promote democracy, human rights and cooperation among non- governmental organisations.

All conditions for the regions' quicker participation in european integration processes will thus be created, he said. The assembly will also make possible exchange of experiences and promotion of cooperation with other regional and international organisations, he said. Taking into account the need for an active and full contribution to the achievement of goals of cooperation and good*neighbourliness in the region, it is vital to do the outmost so as to immediately eliminate the existing anachronism of Yugoslavia being shut out not only from major initiatives in the region but also from the United Nations, the OSCE and world financial institutions, he said.

Minic said Yugoslavia highly appreciated southeast European countries' support for its reintegration into international and regional organisations and bodies, manifested in all meetings to date in the region. He said this Conference, in which Yugoslavia took part on equal footing, would doubtless also help resolve the issue.

[09] SRPSKA PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MEETS US OFFICIALS

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

Republika Srpska Parliament Speaker Dragan Kalinic met on Wednesday in Pale a US delegation to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Dayton Agreement and problems in this regard.

The delegation comprises advisors to the US Congress Foreign Policy Committee Mark Kirk and John Hetzberg, and Andy Becker, member of the team headed by the US envoy Robert Gelbard.

The meeting focused on the modalities of SFOR's future mission in Republika Srpska, the problems hindering the repatriation of refugees, the freedom and equality of the media and the forthcoming elections in Republika Srpska. Kalinic reiterated the determination of the Republika Srpska leadership to ensure the full implementation of the Dayton Agreement. The internal crisis in Republika Srpska must be resolved by democratic means on the basis of mutual respect of all persons involved, and making sure that all concerned will endeavour equally to remove all threats to the vital interests of Republika Srpska and its citizens, Kalinic said.

[10] RS ARMY AND SFOR MAINTAIN GOOD COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1997-10-15

Commander of the Republika Srpska Army First Corps General Momir Talic said on Wednesday in Doboj that he was satisfied with the progress of the implementation of the Dayton Agreement and added that the Republika Srpska Army and SFOR maintained good cooperation. Following a meeting of the Joint Military Commission attended by commanders of SFOR and Muslim and Croat armies, Talic said that nothing special was agreed at the meeting in Doboj, but that emphasis was laid on the need for clearing mine fields which represent a tremendous danger for the civilian population both in Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat Federation.

The Republika Srpska Army will intensify its mine clearing activities as soon as additional funds are provided for the purpose, Talic said, underlining that this difficult and dangerous job must be adequately paid.

[11] BOSIC MET WITH GENERAL MANSUI

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

The co-chairman from Republika Srpska (RS) in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Council of Ministers, Boro Bosic, met on Tuesday with Deputy SFOR Commander for Bosnia, French General Philippe Mansui.

Preparations for the opening of the airport in Banja Luka were discussed. Bosic said he had received assurances from the French general that the Banja Luka airport is the best prepared in Bosnia-Herzegovina and that SFOR is considering to open it for civilian air traffic.

Bosic said that General Mansui had informed him that the decision on the status of the Serbian Radio and Television (SRT) would soon be taken up by Contact Group representatives at a joint meeting with the International Community's High Representative Carlos Westendorp.

Bosic set out that satisfaction about the start of the reconstruction of the RS police was expressed.

According to Bosic, Mansui also said that SFOR should take care that a just balance is established in Bosnia-Herzegovina so that nobody is forced to resolve political issues through military means.

Bosic said that parliamentary elections, to be held in RS on November 23, as well as activities for their success were also discussed.

[12] RUSSIA WELCOMED BELGRADE AGREEMENT ON REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ELECTIONS

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

Russia on Tuesday gave a positive assessment of the agreement reached in Belgrade on Monday, in the presence of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, by Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic and President from Republika Srpska on the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik.

Russia gave a positive assessment of the Belgrade agreement on the implementation of parliamentary and presidential elections in Republika Srpska, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Valery Nyesterishkin told a press conference.

Moscow expects that the agreement will help ease apprehension and mutual tensions which have accumulated in society, through a normal democratic procedure in the implementation of parliamentary and presidential elections, he said.

[13] KRAJISNIK AND KUZNYETSOV TALK ABOUT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

Republika Srpska (RS) President in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Momcilo Krajisnik talked with OSCE Political Director in Sarajevo Vladimir Kuznyetsov about parliamentary elections in RS, scheduled to be held on November 23.

Kuznyetsov said that Krajisnik informed him about the meeting in Belgrade with RS President Biljana Plavsic and Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. He added that the political situation, prior to parliamentary elections, was also discussed.

Krajisnik said that participants to the meeting in Belgrade agreed that the Belgrade agreement should be observed fully, but added that despite that the "international community and Biljana Plavsic were trying to avoid the calling of presidential elections."

[14] NATWEST EXECUTIVE: OPTIMISM ABOUT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN YUGOSLAVIA

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

We are very optimistic about investment of foreign capital in Yugoslavia and especially in Serbia, John Crowley of the NatWest Markets corporation said here on Tuesday.

The optimism is based on Yugoslavia's expected and dynamic economic growth and development, said Crowley, who is a top executive of the Investment Banking Corporation operating as part of the NatWest Group. The annual growth rate of the Yugoslav economy is expected to amount to about 6% over the next five years, which are excellent conditions for foreign investors, said Crowley, one of the participants of the international conference Pan- European Financial Forum that opened in Belgrade on Tuesday.

In a brief statement to the press, Crowley said that he expected Yugoslavia's gross social product to reach 20 billion dollars as early as next year. He added that the gross social product was up by 6% in the first six months of 1997. He said the sale of the Telekom Srbija was a very successful transaction, which brought Serbia funds equivalent to 12% of the country's social product.

Crowley said the deal also provided the best incentives to foreign investors, especially during the privatization process.

[15] MALJKOVIC: OUR NEW CONDITIONS WILL BE ATTRACTIVE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

The Pan-European financial forum is taking place in Yugoslavia at a time when it is passing through a process of radical economic reforms aimed at the further construction of a market economy, Yugoslav Minister for Coordinating Cooperation with International Institutions Nebojsa Maljkovic said in Belgrade on Tuesday.

Opening a two-day meeting of Yugoslav economists and businessmen and representatives of financial institutions interested in investing in the Yugoslav economy, Maljkovic said Yugoslavia's basic goal was equal membership, primarily, in the World Trade Organization and the European Union.

The most important task of the Federal Government is also the country's full reintegration into political, financial, and trade world and regional organizations, he said.

Maljkovic announced that Yugoslavia would, thus, in the coming days, hold a new round of talks with the London Club of the most important commercial banks which have granted credits to Yugoslavia.

Pointing out that Yugoslavia had so far realized its reform activities exclusively with domestic forces and resources, Maljkovic said the country was trying to overcome shortages of capital by creating attractive conditions for foreign investments, as well as by reformist moves in the area of privatization, concessions and other related areas.

The conference of international investors and interested Yugoslav firms and banks, organized by the British specialized firm Pan-European forum, in cooperation with the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce, the Beobanka bank of Belgrade, and the Association of Banks of Yugoslavia, rallied about 60 participants.

[16] PREMIER KONTIC RECEIVED GUINEAN PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL ENVOY

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic received on Tuesday the special envoy of the President of Guinea, Alpha Oumar Diallo, who is also Minister for communication and culture.

Diallo presented Kontic with a letter from President Lansana Conte for Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, the Federal Information Secretariat said.

Kontic and Diallo exchanged views on Yugoslav-Guinean cooperation.

Kontic urged the development of bilateral relations with this African state, especially in the sphere of the economy.

[17] MILUTINOVIC RECEIVED JIANG DEGUANG

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic received on Tuesday China's First Deputy Foreign Minister Jiang Deguang who is visiting the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Milutinovic and Jiang concluded that relations between the two countries are developing successfully. Mutual readiness was expressed to boost comprehensive cooperation to even higher levels in the spirit of traditional friendship and understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

[18] SESSION OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

The Yugoslav Government held a session on Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Radoje Kontic and approved a report on negotiations and the text of the Agreement on a state commodity credit to the value of 150 million US dollars provided by the Russian Federation to the FR of Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav Information Secretariat said in a statement.

Yugoslavia will use the credit in the next two years to pay for the imports of equipment, goods and services from Russia for the energy, gas processing, mining and metal processing sectors.

The Government discussed a report on the problems of transit traffic through Yugoslavia and the measures proposed to resolve them. It noted that following the lifting of the UN sanctions, the number of foreign vehicles transiting Yugoslavia had risen slightly but not as much as expected.

To resolve this problem, synchronised measures must be taken immediately by federal and republican authorities to lay the conditions for improving transit road traffic.

The Government also adopted a platform for the participation of a Yugoslav delegation in a meeting with the Chairman of the Working Group for succession issues of the Peace Implementation Council Sir Arthur Watts, scheduled for October 16 in Brussels. The delegation will be headed by Academician Kosta Mihailovic.

According to its plan of activities by the end of the year, the Government will discuss and present to the Federal Parliament 65 new bills, and discuss over 30 subject matters.

[19] ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS LAUNCH TERRORIST ATTACK ON POLICE STATION

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

Albanian separatists launched an armed terrorist attack on the police station in Celopek, in the Pec district of Kosovo and Metohija, at 1:30 a.m. on Monday night, the Information Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia has said in a statement.

The terrorists used bazookas and automatic firearms but no-one was hurt. The police station and vehicles suffered considerable material damage. The Serbian police repelled the attack and, after an organized search, found and detained several persons who were found to be illegally carrying two rifles and two pistols, the statement said.

The Serbian police has mounted an investigation and taken measures to resolve this terrorist attack, the statement said.

[20] IDEA ON INDEPENDENT KOSOVO IS UNTENABLE

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

Kosovo District Deputy Head Veljko Odalovic and Swiss Ambassador to Belgrade, Paul Wipfli, concluded on Monday evening that the political leaders of the Albanian national minority must accept the view of the international community that Kosovo and Metohija are an inalienable part of the Republic of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and that the idea of an independent Kosovo is untenable. Odalovic and Wipfli said that the recent period has been marked by increasingly radical demands by a part of the Albanian population for the violent seizing of schools and that this could only lead to an escalation of tensions and to attempts to resolve controversial issues outside the mutually accepted agreement on education. Odalovic and Wipfli strongly condemned the terrorism which is intensifying in this region and threatening all attempts at resolving problems.

The return of Albanian national minority members from Switzerland, where they had requested asylum, will be in keeping with international laws and interstate agreements between the two countries, a statement issued after the talks said.

[21] RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER RECEIVED YUGOSLAV DELEGATION

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

A Yugoslav delegation, headed by Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic and Deputy Yugoslav Premier Nikola Sainovic, conferred in Moscow on Tuesday with Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin on issues of interest for the development of overall bilateral cooperation.

Special attention was given to economic subjects, including the functioning of the arrangement on gas deliveries. Both sides underscored the importance of the unhindered realization of this arrangement, which has been ongoing for a full five years now with the utmost understanding of the Russian side, and has had a significant contribution to the preservation of economic activities and growth of industrial production in Serbia and Yugoslavia.

It was also agreed by both sides that it was necessary to take measures fully to balance relations between firms taking part in the realization of this arrangement, including a new mechanism for gas payments, with the objective to balance gas payments and deliveries.

The sides agreed that work on this subject at the level of experts should continue.

[22] YUGOSLAV CENTRAL BANK DELEGATION ATTENDS ISTANBUL MEETING

Tanjug, 1997-10-14

National Bank of Yugoslavia (Central Bank) Governor Dusan Vlatkovic and Board member Djordje Djukic attended a two-day meeting of Central Bank governors of Balkan states, which ended in Istanbul on Tuesday. The governors discussed monetary matters in individual states, paying special attention to financial liberalisation, interest and exchange rates, bank control and development of the money and capital markets.

They said that the meeting had been successful, and stressed that Balkan Central Bank governors should meet at least once a year, and should meanwhile maintain contacts at expert level and exchange information about monetary and other developments.

[23] SOLANA: NATO WILL NOT LEAVE BOSNIA NEXT YEAR

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana on Monday urged that NATO troops remain in Bosnia after the expiry of their current mandate next year, Reuters said.

NATO will not turn its back on Bosnia. That would be not only contrary to its interests, but would represent a tragic mistake, Solana told a regular annual session of the North Atlantic Assembly (NAA) in Bucharest.

The deadline for the withdrawal of NATO troops from Bosnia is June 1998, but no decision has been made yet about whether the Stabilization Force (SFOR), numbering 36,000 men, will be replaced.

Solana also said NATO was determined to maintain its presence in Bosnia in order to secure the further cementing of peace in that Balkan country, he said. He said, however, that NATO troops would not remain in Bosnia indefinitely and strongly rejected demands by certain western politicians that the Dayton Peace Accords should be abandoned.

Solana was categoric in claiming that such a course would be disastrous - morally, politically, and economically.

[24] YUGOSLAV DELEGATION TO ATTEND MEETING OF BALKAN CENTRAL BANKS IN ISTANBUL

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

A delegation of the National Bank of Yugoslavia will take part in a two-day meeting of Balkan countries' Central Bank governors opening in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. =0D

The delegation, made up of National Bank of Yugoslavia Governor Dusan Vlatkovic and member of the National Bank of Yugoslavia Council Djordje Djukic, has been invited to the meeting by Turkey's Central Bank Governor, the National Bank of Yugoslavia Governor's Office said.

[25] YUGOSLAV-CHINESE CONSULTATIONS

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

Yugoslav and Chinese First Deputy Foreign Ministers held consultations on Monday at the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry.

The Yugoslav side was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Radoslav Bulajic and the Chinese delegation by his counterpart Jang Denguang.

The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation and its development, especially in political and economic fields, as well as on bilateral cooperation as regards international developments.

[26] YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO ATTEND CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

A delegation of the Yugoslav Federal Parliament, headed by Chamber of Citizens Speaker Milomir Minic, leaves on Tuesday for Athens to participate in the Conference of the parliament speakers of southeast Europe, the Federal Parliament has said.

The Yugoslav delegation also includes the President of the Foreign Relations Board of the Federal Parliament's Chamber of Citizens Ljubisa Ristic, the Secretary of the Chamber of Citizens Perisa Jovanovic and the Secretary of the Chamber of Citizens' Foreign Policy Board Dusan Maksic.

The two-day Conference in Athens will consider ways for strengthening cooperation between parliaments in the region, the initiative for the setting up of a Consultative Parliamentary Assembly of southeast European countries and possibilities for the more active participation of parliaments in the political developments of the region.

In Athens, Minic and the Yugoslav parliamentary delegation are expected to have several top-level bilateral meetings.

[27] WIDE POSSIBILITIES FOR YUGOSLAV-CZECH ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic and his Czech counterpart Josef Zieleniec, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, concluded official talks on Monday by signing an Agreement between their two countries on the mutual stimulation and protection of investments.

Milutinovic told journalists that this has practically paved a wide path for two-sided economic cooperation. "In today's talks we assessed this cooperation as the key to the entire further development of our bilateral, friendly and already traditionally good relations," Milutinovic said.

He added that Zieleniec and he had used the opportunity created by their first official meeting to exchange views on the situation and prospects of relations and cooperation between the two countries.

"We concluded with pleasure that the people of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Czech Republic are linked by friendship expressed during certain important and serious moments of our histories, as was confirmed in contacts and results achieved in different spheres of our entire cooperation," Milutinovic said. He emphasised that this "obliges all of us, as well as the future generations, to carefully nurture and promote these joint achievements."

Milutinovic said that "the need for the regular holding of such meetings and for establishing the continuity of political dialogue at all levels" was concluded. He said that this should enable, through joint efforts, the overcoming of obstacles in relations and cooperation which occurred over the past few years and added that these relations should be returned to earlier levels.

Milutinovic set out that the talks also focused on the promotion of economic cooperation.

"We concluded that the current level of trade is far beneath the needs and possibilities of our economies and that concrete measures to step up the overall economic relations are necessary," Milutinovic said. He added that his Czech counterpart and he had agreed that the first results, achieved this year, are very encouraging and that it is necessary to continue in this fashion.

"We believe that the just signed Agreement on mutual stimulation and protection of investments will positively affect the dynamization of trade as well as other forms of economic cooperation," Milutinovic said.

He said that the two sides had in view the need for developing higher forms of cooperation, such as industrial cooperation, mixed firms, joint ventures on third markets and the establishing of closer financial and banking cooperation.

"We agreed that property transformation in Yugoslavia offers possibilities for the presence of Czech capital in our economy," Milutinovic said.

He set out that the talks had also focused on the situation in the region.

"We confirmed our joint interest for the consistent implementation of the Dayton-Paris and Erdut agreements, without one-sided interpretations or changes which would threaten the already positive trend in the development of the peace process," Milutinovic said.

He said that the talks underscored that the active participation and essential contribution of FRY in the establishing and strengthening of peace in the region render Yugoslavia a major factor for the stability of the region, and thus in Europe.

"We concluded that for the complete stabilization of the situation in the region and its inclusion in modern European trends, of great importance are the various forms of regional cooperation which should be complementary and open to all countries of the region. We agreed that the full reintegration of FRY in the international community is necessary and in the interest of all," Milutinovic said.

"Minister Zieleniec's visit and our talks have confirmed the mutual interest and readiness to promote relations between our two countries in all spheres. This is why we believe that today's talks are useful and an undoubtedly significant stimulus in that direction," Milutinovic said.

Zieleniec expressed satisfaction that he had come to Belgrade and set out that this represents a sign of the improved and extended relations between the two countries, as well as a sign of improvement in the region in general.

Zieleniec said that "friendship and the traditional relations between the two countries are a good starting point for the further development of their relations."

He said that the promotion of relations and strengthening of cooperation between FRY and the Czech Republic had also been one of the main topics of his talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Federal Prime Minister Radoje Kontic.

[28] YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER KONTIC RECEIVED CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER ZIELENIEC

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic received on Monday Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Josef Zieleniec.

Kontic and Zieleniec concluded that the positive experiences from the past and the high level of former relations highlighted the significant possibilities for the faster establishing of comprehensive Yugoslav-Czech cooperation.

Both sides set out that the current level of foreign trade, amounting to some 100 million dollars per year, is ten-fold down on the earlier period.

Kontic and Zieleniec positively assessed the latest development of economic cooperation characterized by the revival of trade, business and other contacts.

At the same time, efforts have been intensified for adopting all kinds of important inter*state agreements for the speedy development of comprehensive Yugoslav-Czech relations.

Kontic said that Zieleniec's visit is a strong stimulus to the revival of the Yugoslav-Czech political dialogue which is lagging behind the resumed economic cooperation between the two countries following the lifting of the international sanctions against Yugoslavia.

Kontic underscored interest for the promotion of economic cooperation and various forms of investing Czech capital into FRY.

Kontic and Zieleniec said that the return of FRY into international political, financial, trade and other organizations would be the best contribution to the peace process. Zieleniec concluded that "without an advanced and democratic Yugoslavia, there can be no stability in the region."

[29] YUGOSLAV-RUSSIAN TALKS IN MOSCOW

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic, Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic, Yugoslav Foreign Trade Minister Borislav Vukovic and Yugoslav Ambassador in Moscow Danilo Markovic held talks with the leadership of the Russian firm Gasprom.

In a lengthy talk with Gasprom President, the Yugoslav delegation examined details of the realisation of an agreement signed earlier between Yugoslavia and Russia on gas deliveries.

The delegation is expected to meet on Tuesday with Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin.

[30] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED CHINESE FIRST DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

Tanjug, 1997-10-13

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received on Monday Chinese First Deputy Foreign Minister Jang Denguang, who is on an official visit to Yugoslavia.

Both sides voiced satisfaction with the intensive development of bilateral relations between Yugoslavia and China, relations which are based on a strong friendship and mutual confidence between the two peoples and the successful achievement of joint interests.

Yugoslavia highly values the positive stance and support lent by China to Yugoslavia's efforts to strengthen the equality of states and peoples in the world and consolidate peace and regional stability, in which one of its major points of departure is the principle that each country decides its own future.

Yugoslavia wishes to develop dynamic economic and other ties with China, bearing in mind wide possibilities for cooperation in industry, agriculture, trade, science, culture and other domains in which joint ventures and activities have been on an upturn.

Yugoslav Assistant Foreign Minister Dragan Vucicevic and Chinese Ambassador in Belgrade Zhu Ankang also attended.

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