Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-11-07

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] PREMIER KONTIC MEETS WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

[02] PRESS BRIEFING ON JASENOVAC DEATH CAMP HELD AT U.N. HEADQUARTERS

[03] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED U.N. ADMINISTRATOR WALKER

[04] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HOLDS SESSION

[05] VOJVODINA FOSTERS NATIONAL IDENTITY OF ETHNIC CZECHS

[06] FEDERAL AND REPUBLICAN PREMIERS DISCUSS ECONOMIC POLICY FOR NEXT

[07] SERBIAN GOVERNMENT WILL PURSUE FIRM ECONOMIC POLICY

[08] KRAJISNIK: THE SERB SIDE WILL HONOUR THE DAYTON ACCORDS

[09] US PARTICIPATION IN THE MULTINATIONAL PEACE FORCE

[10] BOSNIAN MUSLIMS REJECT ACCORD ON SPECIAL TIES WITH CROATIA

[11] KRAJISNIK RECEIVED A WORLD BANK DELEGATION

[12] F.R. YUGOSLAVIA - HABITAT

[13] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER: YUGOSLAV REFORM FORCES NEED SUPPORT

[14] KRAJISNIK RECEIVED A VISITING US DELEGATION

[15] NEW TRAFFIC REGIME IN THE BORDER ZONE WITH THE SREM-BARANJA REGION

[16] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ON SECURITY ISSUES IN THE BALKANS

[17] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: WE HAVE BEGUN OUR FUTURE OF COOPERATION

[18] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL ELECTED TO PRESIDENCY OF EUROPEAN BRANCH OF HABITAT

[19] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: SUMMIT IS A BIG STEP TOWARD COOPERATION AMONG BALKAN PEOPLES

[20] PRIME MINISTER NANO: COOPERATION WITH YUGOSLAVIA TO BE STEPPED*UP

[21] MARKALE MARKET EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A PLANTED MINE

[22] COOPERATION BETWEEN ROMANIA AND FRY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THE BALKANS

[23] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR RECEIVES U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT DELEGATION

[24] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER BULAJIC RECEIVED CELAK

[25] KRAJISNIK AND WESTENDORP CONFERRED ON BRCKO

[26] SOLANA CALLS FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA

[27] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MET WITH BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

[28] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ON EXTENSION OF SFOR MANDATE

[29] COMMISSIONER MORINA RECEIVED MCKINLEY

[30] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER CIORBEA

[01] PREMIER KONTIC MEETS WITH RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic met on Thursday with Russian Ambassador to Belgrade, Yuri Kotov, to discuss Kontic's forthcoming official visit to Moscow, the Federal Information Secretariat has said.

Kontic and Kotov also discussed key issues of Yugoslav-Russian cooperation and the degree of readiness of interstate agreements whose signing is expected to take place during Kontic's visit.

Kontic and Kotov said that, before the visit, it is necessary to hold the third session of the Yugoslav-Russian Mixed Committee for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

[02] PRESS BRIEFING ON JASENOVAC DEATH CAMP HELD AT U.N. HEADQUARTERS

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

A press briefing on Croatia's World War II Jasenovac death camp was held at the U.N. Headquarters on Wednesday following the first International Conference on the subject that took place in New York several days ago.

The briefing, organised by the Association of foreign reporters based at the U.N. headquarters, was addressed by Bernard Klayn, a Kingsborough College professor, and Milan Bulajic, Director of Belgrade's Museum of World War II genocide victims.

Klajn said the recent Conference had been aimed at learning the truth about the Jasenovac death camp, set up by the World War II Independent Nazi- puppet state of Croatia. He said the truth about the Nazi-run Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps had been disclosed long time ago, saying it was high time that a file on the Jasenovac death camp were opened.

Asked by reporters what made him believe that it would be possible to disclose the truth about the camp at this point when it had been withheld from the public for 50 years, Klajn said this was not going to be an easy job. He said the truth had been withheld for political reasons, which was confirmed by a large number of participants in the Conference on the Jasenovac death camp, held at the Kingsborough College last week.

He said the most important thing to do at this point was to make U.S. academicians interested in the matter so that historians could begin their research work. He said an International Commission, which would be set up under a decision taken at the close of the Conference, would also take part in the effort. He said the commission would be formed by Bulajic and himself but the Croatian side would also be called upon to take part in the research.

Reporters were informed that some of the files on the Jasenovac death camp were still under seal and that it was of utmost importance to gain access also to documentation in the possession of countries of the anti-Hitler coalition as well as those that were kept in Germany.

Commenting on attempts to revise history, Bulajic said Croatian President Franjo Tudjman had also tried to do this by claiming that only 20,000 people had perished in the Jasenovac death camp. He said there were lists containing the names of more than 77,000 Jasenovac victims, Serbs, Jews and Gypsies. Of this figure, 19,544 are the names of children aged between 1 and 14 years, he said.

He said Jasenovac was an extermination site where at least between 500,000 and 600,000 Serbs, Jews and Gypsies had been killed, saying former Jasenovac camp inmates could testify to atrocities committed by Croatia's World War II Ustasha fascist troops.

Bulajic said the United Nations' responsibility in shedding the light on atrocities committed at the camp was great.

Asked by a German reporter whether there was anything left of the Jasenovac death camp, Bulajic said that, according to numerous reports, Croatian authorities had planted a park on the site where used to be the Jasenovac memorial and that there was practically nothing left of it.

Klajn said it would be best if an international delegation went to Jasenovac to see for itself what had really happened.

[03] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED U.N. ADMINISTRATOR WALKER

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received on Thursday the U.N. Administrator for the Srem-Baranja region, Ambassador William Walker, and his associates.

Milosevic and Walker focused on the current situation in this region and on the realization of the Erdut Agreement.

Walker informed Milosevic about the efforts for the successful implementation of the UNTAES mandate, especially the creating of normal living conditions, and the securing of the freedom and safety for the citizens.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the overall realization of the Erdut Agreement and underlined that the process of promoting the Yugoslav-Croat relations contributes to the total stabilization of the situation and normalization of life in this region. Mutual belief was expressed that joint and coordinated efforts towards the faster normalization of the situation in the Srem-Baranja region would give positive results.

The talks were attended by Assistant Federal Foreign Minister Dragomir Vucicevic and the Chief of the Yugoslav President's Cabinet, Goran Milinovic.

[04] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HOLDS SESSION

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

At its Thursday session, chaired by Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, the Yugoslav Government reviewed and adopted Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic's report on the Crete Summit of the heads of state or government of Southeastern European countries.

The Government said that the Summit, the first of its kind in the history of the Balkans, was successful not only for the future of the Balkans but also of Europe as a whole, to which the Yugoslav delegation, headed by President Slobodan Milosevic, had largely contributed.

It is especially important that all participants reaffirmed their readiness to join efforts on the creation of conditions for closer cooperation and prosperity of regional countries and peoples in peace, security, good neighbourly relations and stability.

The Government said that the Crete Declaration, adopted at the end of the Summit, represented a strong stimulus to the promotion of regional cooperation aimed at a better use of common potentials and securing of the Balkan countries' active and equal position in modern European processes and efforts.

Welcoming the adopted conclusions and agreements, which should help improve political and all other forms of cooperation in the region, especially in the economy, transport and other infrastructure, telecommunications, the power industry, science and culture, the Yugoslav Government said that the FR of Yugoslavia would actively work on the implementation of adopted stands and conclusions, expecting all other regional countries to give their full contribution to this.

The Government described as useful and important bilateral meetings between the Yugoslav delegation and the heads of all delegations, especially that of the Republic of Albania.

The Government also determined platforms for the conclusion of an Agreement on the tourist industry with China, an Agreement on investment stimulation and protection with Israel, and an Agreement on social security with Greece and Ukraine.

The Government adopted a report by the Yugoslav delegation for succession issues on its meeting with international mediator Sir Arthur Watts in Brussels on October 16. It was said that the Yugoslav delegation had fully abided by the Yugoslav Government's platform during the meeting.

Yugoslav Assistant Minister for Labour, Health Care and Social Policy Maksim Korac was appointed head of a Yugoslav Government Commission for humanitarian issues and missing persons.

[05] VOJVODINA FOSTERS NATIONAL IDENTITY OF ETHNIC CZECHS

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

Vojvodina Deputy Premier Damnjan Radenkovic and Provincial Secretary for Minority Rights Pavel Domonji received the Czech Ambassador to Yugoslavia on Thursday, at his request.

The officials informed Busniak of the measures the Serbian and Provincial governments were taking to help the Czech minority in Vojvodina renew its cultural activities, said a statement released by the Provincial Information Secretariat.

They said the 75th anniversary of the Czech Cultural Society will be marked in the town of Bela Crkva later this month. Ethnic Czechs, who live in Bela Crkva and surrounding villages, wish to introduce the Czech language in schools and start a radio program in Czech.

The Serbian Government and local Provincial bodies have allotted funds to this purpose, though there is a shortage of staff, said the statement.

Busniak said the Czech Republic was prepared to assist in efforts to foster the national and cultural identity of Czechs in Vojvodina.

[06] FEDERAL AND REPUBLICAN PREMIERS DISCUSS ECONOMIC POLICY FOR NEXT

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic met on Thursday with republican Premiers to discuss the economic policy for 1998, said a statement issued by the Federal Information Ministry.

Premiers Kontic, Mirko Marjanovic (of Serbia) and Milo Djukanovic (of Montenegro) discussed a single economic policy for next year, to be implemented by the federal and republican governments, and the National Bank of Yugoslavia.

The Federal Government remains committed toward an open and market economy, capable of competing on the world market, and protected by the standards of the World Trade Organization.

The economic policy will maintain stable prices and a steady currency, work on accelerating production and exports, increasing the living standard, and speeding up the reform process, especially in transformation and privatization.

Implementation of the economic policy requires Yugoslavia's return to international financial and trade organizations. Otherwise, the Yugoslav economy has no access to the world market. Bearing this in mind, the policy is based on structural changes and privatization, the adoption of laws that would attract foreign capital and enable long-term development and the stability of Yugoslavia's economy and society, said the statement.

[07] SERBIAN GOVERNMENT WILL PURSUE FIRM ECONOMIC POLICY

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic said on Thursday that the Government would not deviate from its policy of economic and social stability and would do everything to stabilize the market situation as speedily as possible.

Addressing a press conference, Marjanovic strongly denied recent media speculations and "expert interpretations" on allegedly approaching end of the stability of prices and exchange rate.

There are no economically valid reasons for increasing prices, especially those of essential foodstuffs, Marjanovic said and pointed to exceptionally good results in agriculture this year.

That fact and the incentives provided by Serbia's Government completely deny the announced possible perturbations in prices and supply of bread, cooking oil, sugar, milk and dairy products, Marjanovic stated.

Price and exchange rate stability, good market supply and considerable growth of production and wages were achieved in the past four years precisely thanks to the financing of the payment of old age pensions and of wages in health, education and other public sector spendings from real sources, Marjanovic said.

"We acted in the same manner now in ensuring stable and regular payment of old-age pensions through a correction of prices of oil and fuels. We have stated publicly that this correction will influence the general price growth by only 2.8% and that this measure is the most acceptable at this moment from economic and social aspects", Marjanovic explained.

Underlining that the Serbian Government has the means and will to take measures so as to maintain stable prices and market supply in the coming period, as it has done so far this year, Marjanovic said his Government had decided at its session on Wednesday to sell considerable quantities of cooking oil, sugar and flour from state stocks at present prices and to import powdered milk.

Anti-monopoly measures will be taken firmly and without exception against anyone resorting to marker speculations, Marjanovic said and added that the Serbian Government measures would be backed by the Federal Government and the Yugoslav National Bank. These measures will lead to reducing the amount of money in circulation and to stabilizing the exchange rate, the market and prices, Marjanovic underlined.

Marjanovic added he was sure that the measures would be effective speedily and pointed out that the recent increase in the black market exchange rate had been reduced, which is a clear indication that it had been due to pure speculation and psychological factors.

[08] KRAJISNIK: THE SERB SIDE WILL HONOUR THE DAYTON ACCORDS

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

Republika Srpska member of the Bosnian Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik said late on Thursday that the Serb side was ready to solve all problems and persist in respecting the Dayton Peace Accords and carrying out the obligations ensuing from it.

On return from Sarajevo, Krajisnik said in Pale that, at its session, the Steering Board for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords had exchanged reports on outstanding issues of Bosnia's joint bodies. He said that there were some warnings on both sides, saying that threats of use of force towards the settlement of some issues were voiced.

I have urged that the mandate of every institution included in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Treaty be observed, said Krajisnik. He said that use of force or outvoting was the wrong way of trying to solve problems. He also said that it was necessary to cooperate in all issues in order to bridge the differences in a quality manner.

Krajisnik said that laws on passports and citizenship should be regulated before an International Conference on the results achieved so far in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords, scheduled for Vienna in early December.

He said that other two members of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bosnian Croat leader Kresimir Zubak and Muslim leader Alija Izetbegovic, had urged that, at the coming Conference in Vienna, international community's High Representative for Bosnia Carlos Westendorp be given more authority and the role of arbitrator-executive. If they are for it, then I accept it, too, but first they should solve problems in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and then in Bosnia-Herzegovina, said Krajisnik. He said that it would be wrong to revise the Dayton Peace Accords and give the international community's High Representative more power which clashed with the Accord itself.

Krajisnik did not rule out this possibility, evaluating that recently many attempts are being made to impose things which are not in accordance with the Dayton Peace Accords.

[09] US PARTICIPATION IN THE MULTINATIONAL PEACE FORCE

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

US Defense Secretary Willian Cohen said on Thursday that a consensus had not yet been reached on keeping US troops in Bosnia after the mandate of the Bosnia peace Stabilization Force (SFOR) expires in June 1998. He said a consensus was building for an international military presence in Bosnia after next June. "But there's been no decision made, no consensus established, in terms of what form that international presence would take and whether the United States would participate, and in what form," he said.

US forces could provide intelligence support, logistics support or military, but that has yet to be decided or defined, Cohen specified, refusing to say if he supports keeping US troops in Bosnia.

[10] BOSNIAN MUSLIMS REJECT ACCORD ON SPECIAL TIES WITH CROATIA

Tanjug, 1997-11-06

The Muslim Party of Democratic Action (SDA) rejected on Thursday an Accord on special ties between the Republic Croatia and the Muslim-Croat Federation proposed by the Republic Croatia, Muslim Radio Sarajevo reports.

"The SDA is firm in its stand that any confederation of Croatia and Bosnia, or the Federation, is unacceptable," said SDA spokesman Ismet Grbo. The SDA supports only the provisions that contribute to cooperation between the two states, said Grbo.

The office of the High Representative for Bosnia expressed concern over some parts of the Accord, which Croatia submitted to the representatives of the Federation.

[11] KRAJISNIK RECEIVED A WORLD BANK DELEGATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-05

Republika Srpska member of Bosnia's three-man Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik received late on Tuesday a delegation of the World Bank, headed by its Deputy Director Samia Mitra.

After the meeting, Mitra said he had informed R.S. officials about the World Bank's readiness to back and offer technical assistance in implementing a privatisation project in the Republika Srpska.

Mitra said the World Bank would offer financial and expert assistance by sending teams that would help organise financial and money markets and help draft relevant laws.

He said the Privatisation Law should be amended through new regulations and measures that would mark the beginning of the privatisation process. He said in this way shares that were to be released on the market would become more valuable.

Mitra said the World Bank had offered cooperation to the R.S. Government, saying if both sides worked hard, privatisation should be completed within 3-4 months.

The World Bank delegation met also with R.S. Premier Gojko Klickovic.

[12] F.R. YUGOSLAVIA - HABITAT

Tanjug, 1997-11-05

A Yugoslav Parliament delegation, headed by Serbian Minister of Construction Branislav Ivkovic, concluded successfully its participation in the first session of the European Council of members of national parliaments for HABITAT.

Ivkovic was chosen on Tuesday into the Presidency of the European branch of HABITAT, and at the constituent session proposed to the permanent members of that body to prepare soon their Information Center which would be connected to Internet. The proposal was accepted, and at the initiative of the host of the meeting this important job was entrusted to Yugoslavia.

In only three years of participating in the work of HABITAT, FR Yugoslavia has, despite difficulties due to our status in international organizations, succeeded to become a full-fledged member and acquire influence in the U.N. agency.

Until the next conference, which according to yesterday's decision in Bonn, will be held in 1998 in Mexico, Yugoslavia will actively take part in the preparations for the meeting and implement the already adopted positions in the field of urban development and create conditions for adequate housing, and thus continue to make its contribution to that important field of work of the world organization.

[13] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER: YUGOSLAV REFORM FORCES NEED SUPPORT

Tanjug, 1997-11-05

Reforms and the process of transition in Yugoslavia are a question of survival and the only way to lasting prosperity, said Yugoslav Deputy Premier on Wednesday, opening an International Conference on transition in Yugoslavia.

The two-day Conference, titled Challenges and Possibilities for Transition in Yugoslavia, brought together about 150 participants, 70 of them from abroad.

Addressing a two-day international meeting on the challenges and prospects of transition in Yugoslavia, Djunic underlined that the country was committed to privatization, free private enterprise, full opening to the rest of the world, and guarantees to domestic and foreign investors in the form of a stable political and economic environment.

We cannot carry out reforms all by ourselves, nor has any eastern European country been able to do it, the Yugoslav official said.

It is why Yugoslavia "expects and seeks political, expert and material support from the international community for its reformist efforts," Deputy Prime Minister Djunic emphasized.

Meanwhile, Yugoslavia had worked out an economic systemic and institutional ambience to carry out the transition process more efficiently, said Djunic.

There have been results, but much still remains to be done, such as practical application of the reforms, said Djunic, and set out courses for reform activity in the country.

"We believe that we will not be alone in the future in our reformist efforts and that support from the international community will not be lacking," the Yugoslav official told the meeting.

He said the participation of distinguished guests in the Belgrade meeting and the readiness of the U.S. Agency for International Development to initiate it reflected readiness to lend full support to reformist processes in Yugoslavia and the forces which he said were the chief representatives of those reforms.

He said the legal and institutional prerequisites for implementing privatization had been realized and that the process of restructuring firms and banks had begun.

Yugoslavia must open up to the world market and international capital trends. A strategic developmental orientation is to trade more than half the social product with the world, said Djunic, and announced the setting up of state agencies to boost exports and foreign investments.

Another course of transition relates to public spending, which currently exceeds 50%. It will be reduced gradually, said Djunic, one to two percent annually.

On the plane of relations with the international community, Djunic said it was necessary to make concrete progress, in the succession issue and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and other institutions.

He said it was realistic to expect the social product to rise between 8 and 10%, and maintain a steady currency and stable prices.

Djunic said Yugoslavia had always paid its debts, and it was prepared to do so now, and to make additional efforts to lift the so-called outer wall of sanctions.

The wall of sanctions is detrimental to both Yugoslavia and the international community, said Djunic and added that talks on the conditions for Yugoslavia's return to international political and financial institutions should be more flexible, without endangering anyone's interests.

"Basic economic, political and national interests must be protected, but newly created realities must be respected," said Djunic.

Serbian Minister for economic and ownership transformation Milan Beko said the Law on ownership transformation, which was passed last week, did not round off the reform regulations.

Trade is about to be liberalized, said Beko, and the foreign trade regimen adjusted to the demands of the World Trade Organization, pension and welfare benefits improved and the securities market better regulated.

The Law on ownership transformation is being launched in conditions where we have to struggle against the dwindling of the value of the assets of social capital left behind from the past, as the coexistence of the social and private sector that had so far been detrimental to the social sector, said Beko.

[14] KRAJISNIK RECEIVED A VISITING US DELEGATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-05

The Republika Srpska member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik and Parliament Speaker Dragan Kalinic received on Wednesday a delegation of the Washington-based US Institute for Peace headed by Harriet Hengis.

The meeting focused on the proposal to create a Commission for truth and reconciliation in Bosnia on the basis of the Dayton Agreement, Krajisnik's Cabinet said.

The Serb side voiced readiness to do everything to build and consolidate trust and reconciliation of the former parties to the conflict in Bosnia.

Serb representatives underlined that the future Commission's task should be preceded by an agreement of the three sides on general amnesty and on a new approach to the activities of the War Crimes Tribunal.

Hailing the peacemaking mission of the US Institute, Krajisnik and Kalinic pointed to the complex task of seeking and understanding the truth on the causes and the nature of Bosnian war, which will certainly influence the efficiency of the activities of the Commission, which should be created with the participation of all three sides in Bosnia on an equal footing.

[15] NEW TRAFFIC REGIME IN THE BORDER ZONE WITH THE SREM-BARANJA REGION

Tanjug, 1997-11-05

Spokeswoman for the U.N. office in Belgrade Suzan Manuel said today that the application of the traffic regime in the border zone of the Srem- Baranja region would be postponed till December, or the so-called soft borders which were initially due to take effect on November 1 this year.

Manuel specified, at a joint press conference, that the two sides were not ready yet to start applying the agreement, adding that the traffic regime from Yugoslavia to the region and vice-versa was conducted in the same way as before.

According to her, the population living in the UNTAES region will have to apply for special passes at local stations of Transitional Police forces in Beli Manastir, Dalj, Ilok, Mirkovci and Vukovar.

Manuel said that for the population living in border zones in FR Yugoslavia and in the Region should refer to the Passport Departments of local police stations. They will be able to cross the border on both sides with those special passes and without visas as of December 1.

All those travelling to the Region as of Monday by bus or train will need to fill a form with personal data, and the carrier will hand over the list of passengers to members of the Transitional Police. Those travelling in their cars are advised to possess Special Passes till November 19, and after that date they will fill forms at control points.

Manuel said that as of November 11, trains will be in service between Tovarnik * Sid, and Erdut - Bogojevo.

She denied Croatian press reports that allegedly Croatian citizens had access to the "blue zone" on Prevlaka, pointing out that only representatives of U.N. peace missions had access to that zone. She specified that the mission's mandate was till January 14 next year.

Spokesman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mons Niberg said that the UNHCR had proposed that the budget for next year, in the case of FR Yugoslavia, will remain at this year's level of 40 million dollars, and that a budget reduction had been proposed for the Muslim*Croat Federation from 124 to 87 million and for Croatia from 22 to 14 million dollars.

[16] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ON SECURITY ISSUES IN THE BALKANS

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has stated that Yugoslavia has an enduring and strategic interest in building a security system that will guarantee security to all countries in the Balkans and Europe and enable their unhindered economic and social development.

Taking part in a debate on security at the Summit of Balkan leaders in Agia Pelagia, the Greek island of Crete, late on Monday, Milosevic said that, on a permanent basis, such a system could neither be secured by powerful armies equipped with sophisticated weaponry nor by military pacts and groupings. Regional security can only be ensured if it is based on the principles and elements that equally take into account interests of all countries and peoples in the region, he said.

Milosevic said a security system should be primarily built by strengthening and developing all-round political, economic, social, scientific and cultural relations among the countries in the region and by using all instruments that could help strengthen peace, stability and confidence. Economic prosperity, social security and commitment to democracy, justice and equality are decisive for ensuring peace and stability, he said adding that creation of barriers, unequal treatment of some countries, pressures and arbitrary actions could not only trigger tensions but also new problems and conflicts. Consequently, an adequate security system can be only built through the equal treatment of all countries and the strengthening of integration processes on the global as well as regional and subregional level, he said.

The Dayton Peace Agreement is vital for establishing relations among the countries in the region on a new basis. It has considerably helped calm the situation and strengthen peace, stability and security. It is therefore of utmost importance that all parties to the Dayton Agreement consistently and fully meet the obligations they have assumed, he said.

The Subregional Arms Control Agreement, reached in Florence, Italy, in June 1996, has played a major role in setting up new relations in the military sphere. Its implementation is crucial to a stable military balance and, subsequently, to the further promotion of all forms of cooperation in the region. We expect all parties to demonstrate a high level of responsibility and fulfil their obligations, he said.

Yugoslavia is strongly committed to the implementation of the Dayton decisions aimed at contributing to the regional balance of power. It is in the interests of all countries in the region that activities to this effect begin immediately, in which way a major step towards creating a stable military balance would be taken on a wider regional level, he said.

Yugoslavia backs all initiatives for strengthening regional and subregional cooperation, aimed at resuming and promoting cooperation in the southeast of Europe which is an integral element of security in Europe in general. Processes of securing these ties should be complementary to overall integration processes in Europe and should not be a substitute for them, he said.

Yugoslavia will continue helping strengthen all-round cooperation and confidence among all European countries through its strategic commitment to peace, equality and development, this being the only way of ensuring a lasting and stable basis for a new security system in the region and Europe in general. I am confident that today's meeting will create new positive prospects for the promotion of relations, all-round cooperation and good- neighbourliness, this being the best way of strengthening security and stability in the region, Milosevic said.

[17] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: WE HAVE BEGUN OUR FUTURE OF COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic said at the close of the Summit of Southeastern European countries that a new era of cooperation had begun.

"This was a very important conference. For the first time after fifty years the heads of Balkan states met and started to build a new future, a future of cooperation," said Milosevic in Crete, where he met with former Greek Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis.

"The Balkan pot has bubbled many times in history. Now we are opening new roads for cooperation and this was a great success. There were many bilateral meetings, too, that were very important for us all," Milosevic said.

Asked to comment the meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Milosevic said, "I consider the meeting as very constructive. We decided to start a process of normalization of relations between Yugoslavia and Albania. It is a huge step forward."

"So, I have a very positive judgement in regard to all our activities in the past few days here in Crete," Milosevic concluded.

Milosevic and Mitsotakis expressed mutual satisfaction over their meeting today, stressing their long-term friendship.

Mitsotakis assessed the conference in Crete as significant for improving the atmosphere among Balkan states.

[18] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL ELECTED TO PRESIDENCY OF EUROPEAN BRANCH OF HABITAT

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Head of a Yugoslav parliamentary delegation Branislav Ivkovic was elected member of the Presidency of the European Council of members of national parliaments to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT).

Ivkovic, a Yugoslav Parliament member and Serbian Minister of Construction, is heading the Yugoslav delegation to the European parliamentarians' First Regional Conference on Housing that opened in Bonn on Tuesday. Comprising the Yugoslav delegation are also MP's Zivadin Mihajlovic and Miroslav Stefanovic and head of HABITAT's Yugoslav Office Marija Sijan-Mitrovic.

Participating in the Conference are representatives of 17 countries. Ivkovic will take part in the work of the newly-elected Presidency on Wednesday.

The Yugoslav delegation also made bilateral contacts with German politicians and other delegations to the Conference.

The successful development of Yugoslavia's relations with HABITAT were now crowned by Ivkovic's election to the Presidency, including also representatives of Germany, France and several other countries. His election was welcomed by representatives of other countries taking part in the Conference. Ivkovic was especially congratulated by the head of the Mexican delegation.

[19] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: SUMMIT IS A BIG STEP TOWARD COOPERATION AMONG BALKAN PEOPLES

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov said on Tuesday that the just ended Summit of Southeastern European countries on Crete had been successful and presented a big step toward cooperation among the Balkan peoples.

Gligorov told a press conference that the Summit had been in the focus of all international organizations and that its success depended on "all of us" and the readiness of the peoples of all countries to reject everything that had divided them and to set forth on paths of cooperation and that which draws them together.

Commenting the meeting between Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, which attracted great attention at the Crete Summit, Gligorov said this had been a great event since top representatives of the two neighbouring countries had met after more than 50 years.

The problem of Kosovo can be resolved through dialogue within Yugoslavia and Serbia, said Gligorov, adding that there can be no secession or changing of borders since Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He pointed out the historical importance of Kosovo as a place where the Serb state grew in all its historical, cultural and religious elements.

The Macedonian President gave a positive assessment of the development of Yugoslav-Macedonian relations, underscoring that after the signing of 10 inter-state agreements, including one on free trade, Yugoslavia had become Macedonia's number one foreign trade partner.

[20] PRIME MINISTER NANO: COOPERATION WITH YUGOSLAVIA TO BE STEPPED*UP

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, referring to results of his talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, on Tuesday announced a stepped-up bilateral economic and political cooperation and meetings of Albanian and Yugoslav officials.

Nano told a news conference after the Balkan leaders' Summit on the Greek island of Crete that Belgrade and Tirana would soon raise diplomatic representations in both countries to the ambassadorial level.

He qualified as positive the results of the Crete Summit, saying that cooperation and dialogue reduced tension in the Balkans.

To a question on the "autonomy of Kosovo", Nano said that Albania shared the international community's view of autonomy for Kosovo-Metohija and ethnic Albanian representation in institutions of the democratic society in Kosovo-Metohija and Yugoslavia.

As for education problems in Kosovo-Metohija, Nano said that this called for unblocking the implementation of an agreement on education signed by President Slobodan Milosevic and ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova.

[21] MARKALE MARKET EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A PLANTED MINE

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

The explosion in Sarajevo's marketplace Markale in August 1995 was caused by a mine planted so that blame would be laid with the Serbs, it was heard at a Symposium on explosives which opened on Tuesday.

Miroljub Vukasinovic, the author of a paper titled "Application of the method of numerical experiment in ballistic expertise of the Markale 2 event," said he attempted to estimate the destructive power of the 120-mm mortar shell without going into the political aspects of the event.

Vukasinovic employed the method of numerical simulation to determine the effect of the missile on the target, and carried out analyses based on video tapes of the site.

He said it was unmistakable that the mine had been planted, and added that the time, place and method indicated that the operation had been carefully prepared, said Vukasinovic.

The two-day Symposium, titled JKEM '97, will hear about 50 papers submitted by military-technical and scientific institutes, the arms industry, civic institutes and colleges. It was organized by the Yugoslav Army Military- Technical Institute.

[22] COOPERATION BETWEEN ROMANIA AND FRY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THE BALKANS

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

The General Director of the Romanian Electric Power Industry, Dr. Aureliu Leka, said on Tuesday at the end of his official visit to Belgrade, that he "is very satisfied with the Agreement on cooperation signed with the Yugoslav Electric Power Industry on the exploitation of the Djerdap 1 and 2 hydro and navigation systems." The fact that the 56th session of the joint Romanian-Yugoslav Committee for Djerdap has just ended, is a good sign that the two countries have been cooperating well in the production and exploitation of electric power and the navigation system on the Danube river, Leka told Tanjug.

Leka, who is also the President of the Romanian part of the Yugoslav- Romanian Joint Committee for the Electric Power Industry, added that the Djerdap hydro and navigation system was put into operation 25 years ago and that the two neighbouring and friendly countries have demonstrated good cooperation in practice. In that period, the Romanian and Yugoslav parts of the Djerdap hydro-electric power plant have manufactured 300 billion kilo- Watt hours of electricity.

Leka said that in Belgrade and Greece, where the Joint Committee met, the further cooperation between the two Electric Power Industries over the next 25 years was agreed upon. The first and foremost task is the joint revitalization of our electric power plants within the Djerdap 1 hydro- energy system, Leka said.

He set out that the time had come for the two countries and their Electric Power Industries to become part of the power and other economic systems of the European Union. Romania and Yugoslavia are an example of good cooperation in the Balkans and our Electric Power Industries should become members of the European Community of Power Systems, Leka said.

He underscored that the Summit of the heads of state or government of Southeast Europe, held in Crete, Greece, is a sign to the Electric Power Industries of the region to cooperate in the interest of the economies and consumers of the entire Balkans.

Leka said he was specially glad that Yugoslavia and its Electric Power Industry are overcoming faster than expected the effects of the international sanctions.

[23] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR RECEIVES U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT DELEGATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

National Bank of Yugoslavia Governor Dusan Vlatkovic and associates received on Tuesday a U.S. Treasury Department delegation, headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Medish, at the request of the guests. Representing the Yugoslav side were also Vice-Governor Zarko Trbojevic, and General Directors Gavrilo Djedovic and Dragan Lijesevic.

Attending on behalf of the U.S. side were Treasury Department officials Michael Monderer and Brian Cox, and Economic Adviser of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade Gregory Barton, a National Bank of Yugoslavia statement said.

Governor Vlatkovic informed the U.S. delegation about current economic and financial trends in Yugoslavia, and the importance of Yugoslavia's inclusion in international financial institutions.

He raised a whole range of concrete issues relating to economic and financial cooperation with corresponding U.S. institutions.

Special attention was devoted to the unblocking of Yugoslav assets in U.S. banks and the activating of the work of the Yugoslav "Beogradska Banka" and "Jugobanka" banks in New York.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Medish set out that Yugoslavia's return to international institutions and its integration into world financial and trading processes depended on a number of factors.

Medish welcomed positive trends in Yugoslavia which are to help the country's quick return to the international community, the statement said.

[24] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER BULAJIC RECEIVED CELAK

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Deputy Foreign Minister Radoslav Bulajic received on Tuesday Serge Celak, Ambassador in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, issues of bilateral relations between FR Yugoslavia and Romania were reviewed, and special attention was devoted to economic cooperation.

During his stay in Belgrade, Ambassador Celak was received by Yugoslav Minister of Economy Rade Filipovic. They reviewed possibilities for the further promotion of economic links between our two countries.

[25] KRAJISNIK AND WESTENDORP CONFERRED ON BRCKO

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

President from Republika Srpska on the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik conferred in Pale on Tuesday with High Representative of the international community Carlos Westendorp on the implementation of the arbitration decision on Brcko.

After the talks, Krajisnik told reporters that Brcko was a sensitive topic which deserved special attention. He said the Serb side had informed Westendorp that a body had been set up of persons familiar with the problem of Brcko and that this had been coordinated with Srpska President Biljana Plavsic.

The body consists of people who had worked at the time of arbitration - Srpska Vice-President Dragoljub Mirjanic, Deputy Premier in charge of foreign relations Aleksa Buha, Deputy Foreign Minister Radomir Lukic, Arbitration Commission member Vitomir Popovic, and Brcko municipality head Miodrag Pajic, Krajisnik said.

Krajisnik said the body had been set up so that implementation could be more successful and that Brcko could finally, by its own decision, remain within Republika Srpska next year.

Announcing that he had also spoken with Westendorp about Srpska Radio Television (SRT), Krajisnik said the High Representative had shown readiness for his associates to be engaged on finding solutions to overcome this problem with representatives of the Srpska Government and the SRT.

It is our objective to cooperate with the international community and the High Representative, Krajisnik said, pointing out that the vast efforts by the international community to establish and maintain peace, implement the Dayton Accords, and resolve controversial issues in a satisfactory way, must be appreciated.

Krajisnik expressed hope that the Dayton Accords and the results of the elections would be implemented successfully and that the issue of the SRT would be settled because it especially burdened Republika Srpska's relations with the international community.

Assessing that the problem of media in Republika Srpska, actually the SRT, must be settled, Westendorp pointed out that the international community was investing efforts so as to enable people free media.

He expressed hope that the necessary agreement, regarding the SRT, would be reached with Republika Srpska Government representatives.

Noting that the main purpose of his visit to Pale had been the implementation of a multi-ethnic administration of Brcko, Westendorp said he understood this was a very sensitive issue and that he realized the implementation of the arbitration decision on Brcko was important for Republika Srpska.

Underlining that he had come to Pale so as to establish good relations with Republika Srpska representatives on this implementation, Westendorp expressed hope they would work together towards achieving positive results which, he emphasized, everyone wanted.

The Krajisnik-Westendorp meeting was attended also by Republika Srpska Deputy Premier in charge of foreign relations Aleksa Buha, Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic, and Assembly Speaker Dragan Kalinic.

[26] SOLANA CALLS FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana urged in Munich on Tuesday that the consolidation of the peace process in Bosnia be the topic of a new International Conference on the former Yugoslav republic.

Addressing a Symposium on NATO's eastward expansion, Solana devoted special attention to the further development of the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina.

We must not yield now, and must remain on the current course and united, Solana said. He warned that the withdrawal of the multinational force and partitioning of Bosnia-Herzegovina would be "morally, politically and economically disastrous."

The NATO Secretary-General highly commended the contribution of the multinational force SFOR to the calming of the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina. He, however, said that the goal of getting the peace process on its own feet had not been achieved yet.

Solana set out that a joint conference of representatives of NATO, Russia and the other countries included in the mission could help.

According to NATO Secretary-General, in addition to security issues, the conference should discuss reconstruction and the reconciliation of the three sides in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

[27] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MET WITH BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic met today, before the beginning of the plenary session of the Balkan Summit in Crete, with Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

Expressing satisfaction with the talks he held today with the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Milosevic told reporters that they were very constructive.

"As first neighbours we can develop our cooperation and at the talks we focused on economic development. There is practically no field in the economy where we cannot cooperate," President Milosevic said.

We talked about a number of issues and decided that the Foreign Trade Ministers of the two countries should meet as soon as possible to prepare a draft about mutual cooperation for next year, Milosevic said, assessing in conclusion that the talks with the Bulgarian Prime Minister were constructive and concrete.

Prime Minister Kostov said he was very satisfied with the talks with President Milosevic, assessing that they were very concrete and practical.

There are good prospects for economic cooperation, the Bulgarian Prime Minister assessed, and for specific measures that could expand trade.

Taking part also in the talks were Foreign Ministers of the two countries - Milan Milutinovic and Nadezda Mihajlova.

[28] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ON EXTENSION OF SFOR MANDATE

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Russia believes the extension of the mandate of the peace force SFOR in Bosnia is necessary to the extent to which these forces contribute to the implementation of the Dayton Accords, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Russia bases its stand on the fact that the Dayton Accords must be realized, Press Department Director Gennady Tarasov told a regular press conference in Moscow.

Tarasov said the extension of the mandate of the international forces was directly linked with the function which the troops were sent to perform in Bosnia.

Tarasov said Russian troops which were now in Bosnia had also been asked there to cooperate in the implementation of the Dayton Accords.

[29] COMMISSIONER MORINA RECEIVED MCKINLEY

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Serbian Refugee Commissioner Bratislava Morina on Monday received the coordinator for humanitarian issues for Bosnia-Herzegovina with the United States Government Brunson McKinley and informed him about projects for a lasting solution to the problem of refugees, a Serbian Government statement said. The organized return of refugees who wish to go back to their native towns is the Government's priority, said Morina. Under the Dayton Accords, the international community is obliged to help the permanent settling of the problem of refugees, she said.

The project for the return of 60,000 refugees from the FR of Yugoslavia to Republika Srpska has been waiting for international help and support for much too long without any reason, she said.

Morina spoke about the grave humanitarian situation of refugees in Yugoslavia, saying it could further deteriorate, because a considerable reduction of international aid for next year had already been announced. McKinley voiced full support for the Serbian Commissariat's project. He said the Commission for registering property of refugees from Bosnia- Herzegovina would soon be opened in Serbia.

[30] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER CIORBEA

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received on Monday Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea, as part of a series of his bilateral contacts at the Crete Balkan Summit.

President Milosevic underlined that relations between Yugoslavia and Romania were very good and friendly. Emphasis was placed in the talk on the need to intensify economic cooperation between the two countries.

President Milosevic set out that there was no reason at all for Yugoslavia and Romania not to cooperate in all economic sectors, and that relations between them had no limitations, especially not at the economic level. A joint comparative advantage of the two countries is the Danube, as a river of cooperation, and great possibilities for cooperation exist in the petro- chemical industry, joint electrical power production, and the infrastructure, including communications.

President Milosevic set out that the two governments should be supported in launching concrete cooperation programs and projects.

Romanian Prime Minister Ciorbea stressed the historical ties between the two peoples and countries, and agreed with President Milosevic that the bilateral economic relations were open to all-round cooperation.

Ciorbea said that, in view of the two sides' potentials, their economic cooperation could be far greater, and underlined the readiness of the two countries to cooperate in all sectors of economy.

The position of ethnic Serbs in Romania and ethnic Romanians in Yugoslavia was also discussed. President Milosevic stressed that members of all peoples and minorities in Yugoslavia had equal rights.

An initiative for the Prime Ministers of the two countries to exchange visits soon was upheld in the meeting between Yugoslav President Milosevic and Romanian Prime Minister Ciorbea.

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