Yugoslav Daily Survey, 98-04-30

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] SERBIAN POLICEMAN KILLED IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

[02] TANJUG: WHAT ARE ITS GOALS, WHO SUPPORTS IT, WHO FINANCES IT

[03] SERBIAN DEPUTY PREMIER: VOJVODINA SETS AN EXAMPLE IN EXERCISE OF MINORITY RIGHTS

[04] DINKO SAKIC CASE COMES UNDER JURISDICTION OF BELGRADE DISTRICT COURT

[05] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT

[06] RUSSIA OPPOSES WHILE CONTACT GROUP ONLY PARTLY UPHOLDS SOME U.S. DEMANDS

[07] DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRISTINA AND PRIZREN

[08] NORWAY CONDEMNS TERRORISM

[09] GERMAN MEDIA REVEAL REAL INTENTIONS OF SEPARATISTS

[10] YUGOSLAV BUSINESS DELEGATION ENDS VISIT TO HUNGARY

[01] SERBIAN POLICEMAN KILLED IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

Tanjug, 1998-04-30

A Serbian policeman was killed at Dulje, on the route linking Pristina and Prizren, Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and Metohija, at 10.55 p.m. local time Wednesday, the Pristina-based Media Centre said on Thursday.

Sasa Jovanovic, 26, was killed as unidentified persons opened fire with a hand-held rocket-launcher at the police post at Dulje from a several- hundred-metre distance, police in Pristina told the Centre.

The police is searching for persons responsible for the attack, the Centre said.

[02] TANJUG: WHAT ARE ITS GOALS, WHO SUPPORTS IT, WHO FINANCES IT

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

The terrorist organization which goes by the name of the alleged Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) appealed on Wednesday to "liberation forces to join us in a common battle front against the enemy."

KLA, the statement further said, represents "the armed force of Kosovo and its occupied parts and its goal is the liberation and unification of all occupied Albanian lands."

It said that the "free part of the homeland must and has the obligation to help its occupied part" and added that the KLA "accepts the aid and support of international factors."

The statement said that the KLA was financed by "donations from the people" and demanded from the "Kosovo government" to "unblock the funds collected for national liberation."

Tke KLA called on the Albanian political factor to review positions about the current situation and appealed in the name of peace to "international decision-making centers, the European Union, and especially the United States, to intensify pressure on the alleged aggressors and to support the rightous battle of the Albanian people."

Also interesting is the part where the KLA "condemns terrorism and other forms of violence over the civilian population and prisoners," because it allegedly "recognizes and respects U.N. international acts and the Convention on War."

The KLA as a "defense-liberation organization", the statement said, agrees to "take part in talks with the enemy, with the mediation of a third, internationally-acceptable party, but only after the withdrawal of aggressor troops from Albanian territories." Every agreement without their presence will be invalid, said the statement published in the Albanian language daily Bujku.

[03] SERBIAN DEPUTY PREMIER: VOJVODINA SETS AN EXAMPLE IN EXERCISE OF MINORITY RIGHTS

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

Serbian Deputy Premier Vojislav Seselj said on Wednesday evening that drawing a parallel between the political situation in Kosovo and Metohija and in Vojvodina was totally inappropriate, as ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija were being autistic, boycotting all state institutions, as different from national minorities in Vojvodina.

In an interview to a Subotica-based regional television centre, Seselj explained that this was why there was no reason to provide for bicameral local councils under the new bill on local self-rule.

He said that ethnic Hungarians administered local bodies of power in many municipalities in Vojvodina, such as Subotica, Kanjiza, Mali Idjos and Senta, which was the result of the will of the people expressed in local elections.

Seselj stressed that local self-rule there was functioning without any problems whatsoever and that this could even set an example to the whole world in the exercise of rights of national minorities.

[04] DINKO SAKIC CASE COMES UNDER JURISDICTION OF BELGRADE DISTRICT COURT

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

The Yugoslav Federal Court Council decided on Wednesday to institute criminal proceedings against Dinko Sakic for commiting acts of genocide, and that the case should come under the jurisdiction of Belgrade District Court, a Federal Court statement said.

According to evidence collected, the "Federal Court has found that it proceeds that Dinko Sakic, former chief of the Ustashi concentration camp Jasenovac had committed the criminal act of genocide in accordance with article 141 of the Criminal Law of FR Yugoslavia."

Sakic is a national of Argentina, and the crimes he is charged with were committed in the territory of the former SFRY, now outside the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the statement said.

Under the provisions of the Criminal Law of FR Yugoslavia the Yugoslav criminal legislation applies to foreigners who have committed crimes abroad (article 107, para 1) and the provisions of article 24, point 7 and 31 of the Law on Criminal Proceedings, the Federal Court has determined that the Dinko Sakic case comes under the jurisdiction of the Belgrade District Court, said the statement signed by Federal Court President Borivoje Vukicevic.

[05] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

At the end of his two-day visit to Bonn on Wednesday, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic met with German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel. After the meeting Kinkel told reporters that the talks had been dedicated to the political situation in Yugoslavia, especially Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and Metohija. He said that the situation in Kosovo and Metohija was still "volatile" and that the danger of "Kosovo becoming another Bosnia" was not reduced.

Speaking about the 'Contact Group' meeting in Bonn in March, Kinkel mentioned the Rome meeting of political directors, which was "summarising everything done so far."

Kinkel said that a dialogue had not started yet and that both sides must make a move towards each other. He warned Kosovo Albanians that they had to be ready to enter the dialogue and "at least make a step in the right direction."

Kinkel demanded full control of borders towards Albania and Macedonia in order to prevent the conflict spilling over and stressed that all attempts of smuggling weapons had to be stopped on the border towards Albania.

"A solution for Kosovo must be found within Yugoslavia's territorial integrity," Kinkel said, avoiding any mention of Serbia of which Kosovo and Metohija is part.

Addressing reporters, Djukanovic urged an immediate start of talks on Kosovo and Metohija "with the participation of a third side."

[06] RUSSIA OPPOSES WHILE CONTACT GROUP ONLY PARTLY UPHOLDS SOME U.S. DEMANDS

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

The "Contact Group," meeting in Rome on Wednesday, agreed to take necessary action for opening as soon as possible unconditional dialogue to settle problems in the Yugoslav republic of Serbia's Kosovo and Metohija province.

The "Contact Group" failed to agree, however, on some measures insisted upon by the western states that were to be taken against Belgrade because of an alledged absence of substantive talks with Kosovo and Metohija's ethnic Albanians.

An official statement released after the meeting which was held at the level of political directors said that the Russian Federation did not agree to join in the application of some measures proposed by individual western states.

The statement said that the key demands made by the "Contact Group" at its meetings of March 9 and 25 had not yet been met. For this reason, the representatives of five "Contact Group" states agreed to take action to freeze Yugoslavia's financial assets abroad, but Russia dissented, which limits the effect of the decision of the part of the "Contact Group."

According to Jacques Blot, Political Firector in the French Foreign Ministry who headed his nation's delegation to the Rome meeting, the freezing of Yugoslav assets will apply in the European Union.

Further developments of the situation will be discussed in London on May 8, and another formal meeting of the "Contact Group" is to be held in Paris in three weeks' time.

Late on Wednesday, the "Contact Group" issued a statement at the close of its meeting, which is considerably more moderate than has been the case with similar statements before.

First and foremost, it is phrased as an invitation to dialogue, and not as a threat, and makes no specific mention of individual Yugoslav leaders who have so far, mostly in similar statements, in an astounding ignoring of the facts, been blamed for the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and had peremptory demands put to them on no grounds at all.

Wednesday's statement, however, stresses that the "Contact Group" met to decide on next steps regarding the increasingly dangerous situation in Kosovo, and because the risk of an escalating conflict requires immediate action.

The "Contact Group" condemns the increase in violence in recent days in Kosovo and Metohija, while speaking unjustly and unreasonably in the same context about an excessive use of force by the Yugoslav Army and the proliferation of arms in the territory, without stating the obvious, viz. who is smuggling arms into Kosovo and Metohija and why, and where they are coming from.

The "Contact Group" says it is not seeking to impose any particular outcome for the resolution of the differences between Belgrade and Kosovo Albanian leadership. Instead, in what is an improvement on similar statements to date, it calls on the parties themselves to determine a solution to the political status of Kosovo through negotiations.

The "Contact Group" also notes that representatives of Belgrade and Pristina have recently stated their general willingness to open unconditional dialogue. However, the "Contact Group" members did not note that ethnic Albanians have so far only professed a willingness to open dialogue, and that it has been only high representatives of the Serbian Government that have actually been endeavouring to open talks in Pristina.

The two sides have yet to agree with full authority on modalities for talks, particularly on the issue of international participation, the statement says, departing from the practice so far of mentioning international mediation.

The "Contact Group" says it firmly opposes independence for Kosovo and a continuation of the status quo, and expects immediate steps to be taken by the parties to reduce tension and to begin an unconditional dialogue, which is the only way to reverse the deterioration of the situation and bring about a political solution.

The document stresses the "Contact Group" members' absolute rejection of terrorism as a means of bringing about political change.

In order to begin the urgent process of dialogue, the "Contact Group" recommends, and urges both Belgrade and the ethnic Albanian leadership in Kosovo to adopt a framework for dialogue and a stabilisation package. The framework should be based on fundamental principles that the parties must accept, such as rejection of violence for achieving political goals, no preconditions, mutual respect and accordance with standards and principles of the OSCE and the U.N. Charter.

It is also important to note that the "Contact Group" members attach the greatest importance to the launching of the Gonzalez mission, which is essential for substantial progress in the relationship between Yugoslavia and the international community.

The "Contact Group" therefore notes that, if Belgrade agrees to the framework for dialogue and substantive talks begin, and if the Gonzalez mission is launched as essential for promoting relations between Yugoslavia and the international community, there should follow Yugoslavia's full integration in the international community, including participation in the OSCE and membership in international financial and political institutions.

It is important to say here that the "Contact Group" invites not only Yugoslavia, but the countries of the region as well, to exercise maximum restraint, full respect for human rights, to prevent the introduction of arms and of armed groups from outside, and to condemn terrorism.

The "Contact Group" also invites the countries of the region to confirm their respect for territorial integrity and for the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.

[07] DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRISTINA AND PRIZREN

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

Members of the Albanian national minority again assembled in the centre of Pristina, centre of Kosovo and Metohija, on Wednesday in response to a call issued by the "Organizing Committee for Protests." A new scenario was put to work. Instead of staging a "walk" as they used to, women stood in the middle of the main street while men "walked" around them. The stage director's idea was to send a message to the Contact Group and symbolically show "the threat of a new holocaust taking place in Kosovo."

The half-hour protest was covered by some foreign media.

Except for traffic policemen, there were no other police in sight.

Several thousand ethnic Albanian demonstrators protested also in central Prizren, but the police did not react to the increasingly open provocations.

The demonstrators have over the past few days shown marked aggressiveness, clearly with the intention of provoking a reaction of the police or the Serb citizens to engage in conflicts, which would then serve as proof of repression against the Albanian national minority.

Thus, on Monday, when the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was marking Constitution Day, the Serbian flag was torn apart outside the Prizren district seat, while on Tuesday several Serb apartments were stoned. Also recorded were several cases of cars being demolished and windows smashed.

[08] NORWAY CONDEMNS TERRORISM

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

Norway condemns terrorism in Kosovo and Metohija, urges unconditional dialogue between Kosovo and Metohija Albanians and authorities in Belgrade, and takes the view that Yugoslavia should return to the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek said in Pristina on Wednesday.

Minister Vollebaek told a news conference that it was everybody's duty and obligation to avoid conflict.

Before the news conference, Minister Vollebeak conferred with Kosovo District Chief Veljko Odalovic and Kosovo and Metohija Information Secretary Bosko Drobnjak.

The Norwegian minister told the press that his country condemned terrorism, did not and never would accept it. Minister Vollebaek said that there was no doubt that weapons and men were crossing from Albania into Yugoslavia, and urged that the problem be discussed by the governments in Belgrade and Tirana.

He said that smaller groups among Kosovo and Metohija Albanians supported terrorism but a great majority was still for a peaceful solution, which he set out must be used to find a right solution.

Minister Vollebaek said that in the meeting with president of the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova later in the day he would clearly tell the ethnic-Albanian leader that he was against any form of independence for Serbia's southern province.

The Norwegian Minister said he believed there was still political will to resolve the problem, and stressed that a comprehensive solution was possible only through a political and economic process.

[09] GERMAN MEDIA REVEAL REAL INTENTIONS OF SEPARATISTS

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

There is weakening faith in the power of sanctions as a form of pressure on Yugoslavia because Kosmet Albanian leaders are the ones who are avoiding dialogue with Belgrade, the Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung said on Wednesday.

A report on the meeting of the Contact Group in Rome said Albanian leaders of Kosmet were trying to provoke an international military intervention, following the example of the Muslim government of Sarajevo in the Bosnian war. Kosmet Albanian leader Ibrahim "Rugova is constantly repeating the story about a protectorate," the daily said.

Writing along similar lines, the prominent Die Welt has just now outlined the real plan of Kosmet separatists, explaining that they are no longer interested in autonomous status but are aspiring to having their own republic as a transitional phase toward secession.

[10] YUGOSLAV BUSINESS DELEGATION ENDS VISIT TO HUNGARY

Tanjug, 1998-04-29

A Yugoslav business delegation, led by Yugoslav Minister of Agriculture Nedeljko Sipovac, on Wednesday ended its two-day visit to Hungary.

Before leaving Hungary, the delegation met at the Yugoslav Embassy in Budapest with Yugoslav businessmen currently living and working in Hungary.

Sipovac, who also heads the Vojvodina Board of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), said on the occasion that it was hard to expect that Yugoslavia would reach the level of trade it had with Hungary before, but added that, still, there were prospects for cooperation, primarily in the areas of joint investment, setting up joint venture companies and joint appearance on third markets.

As for agriculture, Yugoslavia boasts surplus in maize, wine and other produce and these are the areas where barter arrangements could be most easily reached, Sipovac said.

He said that economic reforms launched in Yugoslavia had been made possible also by new laws on privatization and concessions.

During the visit to Budapest, Sipovac and Hungarian Minister of Agriculture Frigyes Nagy have singed a Protocol on cooperation in agriculture. Along with agreements on cooperation in veterinary medicine and crop protection signed in 1997, the protocol sets up a favourable legal framework for cooperation in agriculture.

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