Yugoslav Daily Survey 96-01-11

Yugoslav Daily Survey Directory

From: ddc@nyquist.bellcore.com (D.D. Chukurov)

11 JANUARY 1996

YDS-1056

CONTENTS

[A] YUGOSLAVIA - CROATIA RELATIONS

[01] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

[02] MILUTINOVIC, GRANIC DISCUSS NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA, CROATIA

[03] MILUTINOVIC: FRY, CROATIA WELL ON THE WAY OF RESOLVING BILATERAL RELATIONS

[04] CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: TALKS IN BELGRADE, STEP AHEAD IN NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS

[B] FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA

[05] PRESIDENT OF SERBIA MILOSEVIC HOLDS TALK WITH AMERICAN ADMIRAL SMITH

[06] ADMIRAL SMITH SATISFIED WITH TALKS WITH MILOSEVIC

[07] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER TO ATTEND MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MITTERRAND

[08] YUGOSLAV-FRENCH CONSULTATIONS CLOSE

[09] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, 395 CAMPS FOR SERBS

[C] BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA

[10] BOSNIAN SERBS AND MUSLIMS EXCHANGE PRISONERS OF WAR

[11] MUSLIMS CONTINUE TORCHING SERB VILLAGES IN WESTERN BOSNIA

[12] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA SAYS 2,500 SERBS RESETTLED FROM USTIKOLINA TOWN

[13] IFOR SAYS SARAJEVO TRAMCAR SHELLING WAS ISOLATED INCIDENT

[D] OPINIONS

[14] PROFESSOR NAKAMURA FORESEES 'ECONOMIC SPRING' IN YUGOSLAVIA

[A] YUGOSLAVIA - CROATIA RELATIONS

[01] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES CROATIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Milosevic and Granic talked in Belgrade about issues of interest for the normalization of relations between the F.R.Y. and Croatia.

[02] MILUTINOVIC, GRANIC DISCUSS NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA,CROATIA

Milutinovic and Granic, who was on a one-day working visit to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (F.R.Y.), emphasized the importance that the consistent implementation of the peace agreement signed in Paris on December 14 has for the success of the peace process, confidence build-up, and stabilization of the situation in the territory of former Yugoslavia.

Stressed at their talk was the need for the consistent respect of the basic agreement on the Srem-Baranja region and for extending full support to the U.N. administration in impartial implementation of the agreement in this region.

The talk especially considered the outstanding questions around the Adriatic promontory of Prevlaka, while the Yugoslav side, in the context of unimpeded implementation of the peace agreement for Bosnia and Herzegovina, pointed to the need to observe the agreed-on principles and the necessity of compromises to the interests of Yugoslavia and Croatia.

Prevlaka is a promontory on the border between the F.R.Y. and Croatia, and, since 1992, it has been under U.N. control. Croatia has not fulfilled an accord from Dayton on Prevlaka to belong to the F.R.Y. and this has put off the mutual recognition of the two states.

The Yugoslav side, as was announced, committed itself to the full protection of the position and rights of Serbs in Croatia and to the abolition of all forms of discrimination against them.

Underscored at the talk was the responsibility for the generation of conditions for an unimpeded and safe return of the expelled and escaped Serbs from Krajina and Western Slavonija to their ancestral homes, under international control. The principle of voluntariness as regards the choice of residence must be consistently respected, the announcement said.

The talk referred in particular to the warranting of the rights to the expelled and escaped Serbs and citizens of the F.R.Y. who own property in the territory of Croatia to be able to freely dispose with their property.

Milutinovic and Granic stressed that the concern about the resolving of the outstanding economic problems was of joint interest. In this domain, marked as the most important points were the reopening of the road, railway, air and river traffic, the use of the oil pipeline, the renewal of links by the two electric power systems, the improvements in telephone links and the re-establishment of other postal traffic.

Pointed out at the talk was the positive experience gained in the work so far of the Office of the F.R.Y. Government in Zagreb and the Office of the Government of Croatia in Belgrade, and readiness was expressed to promote cooperation by extending the powers especially in the consular domain, it was stressed in the announcement.

[03] MILUTINOVIC: FRY, CROATIA WELL ON THE WAY OF RESOLVING BILATERAL RELATIONS

Milutinovic said that it had been assessed that 'Serb-Croatian relations were crucial for the overall situation in the region' and that the talks were held keeping in mind the responsibility of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Croatia regarding the full implementation of the Dayton agreement.

'We also discussed the normalization of relations between Yugoslavia and Croatia on the basis of what was agreed in Dayton. Although we have not achieved the expected progress, we have taken note of a readiness to pursue joint endeavors in this regard so that solutions acceptable to both sides can be found especially for the most delicate issues', he said.

'We believe that any selective or unilateral approach to the Dayton agreement would be detrimental and involve unnecessary risks, i.e. it would make difficult the progress of the peace process', Milutinovic said.

'A consistent, comprehensive and impartial implementation of all agreements is in the common interest of both countries, of the stabilization of the situation, of a full normalization of relations between neighbors and of joining the current integration process in Europe', Milutinovic said.

A particular emphasis was 'placed on providing full protection of the rights of the Serb people in Croatia and preventing all forms of denying the civil and human rights of Serbs', he said.

Readiness was expressed during the talks to continue the dialogue in order to pave the way for resolving a series of pending issues as a means for laying the bases for future cooperation, Milutinovic said.

This concerns above all the endeavors for the re-establishment of all forms of traffic and communications, reopening oil pipelines and reconnecting power networks, Milutinovic said.

[04] CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: TALKS IN BELGRADE, STEP AHEAD IN NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS

In assessing the talks as 'open and comprehensive,' Granic confirmed at a press conference here that Croatia and the F.R.Y. were firmly supporting the Dayton peace agreement. The talks in Belgrade meant a major step also in the understanding of problems within bilateral relations, especially regarding transport links, said Granic and added that accords on these questions would be stepped up.

The Croatian side 'hoped for a visit by Minister Milutinovic as soon as the latter part of the next month,' said Granic.

[B] FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA

[05] PRESIDENT OF SERBIA MILOSEVIC HOLDS TALK WITH AMERICAN ADMIRAL SMITH

It was pointed out at the talk that the impartial stance of the peace force as well as cooperation between the military and civilian authorities of the parties to the agreement represented the firm basis for the implementation of the peace agreement.

Confidence build-up during the fulfilment of the assumed obligations, it was emphasized, essentially presupposes that such solutions be applied as are of vital importance for the fate and future life of part of the population, especially in the territory of Sarajevo, in which IFOR and its Command have the first-rate role and possibilities.

Milosevic and Smith voiced content with cooperation and support being extended by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the IFOR peace mission in Bosnia.

Also taking part in the talk was Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic.

American Admiral Leighton Smith with associates arrived in Belgrade on Wednesday morning.

[06] ADMIRAL SMITH SATISFIED WITH TALKS WITH MILOSEVIC

The goal of the IFOR mission is to help all inhabitants of the city, including, of course, the Serbs, Smith said.

The aim of IFOR's presence in Sarajevo is to lay the conditions for normalizing life in the city, and ... 'Sarajevo is one of my biggest concerns right now', Smith said. 'I hope that the citizens in Sarajevo, particularly the Serb citizens, will not flee the city in large numbers, that they will elect to stay', he added.

The issue of the transfer of power in Serb parts of Sarajevo is one of principal concerns at present, including the overcoming of emotional problems resulting from this, Smith said, noting that the transfer would be carried out in line with the reached political agreement and that he was not empowered to change its provisions.

Smith noted that the implementation of the military aspects of the IFOR mission was proceeding very well and that all warring parties were meeting the demands made on the basis of the peace plan, though there were sporadic cases of opening fire on IFOR personnel. Groups or individuals responsible for such acts must be placed under control, Smith said, noting that President Milosevic had agreed with him on this.

Smith said he had discussed with Bosnian Muslim leader Alija Izetbegovic, Muslim-Croat Federation President Kresimir Zubak and Croatian President Franjo Tudjman the great tension prevailing in the divided town of Mostar, Herzegovina, and the means of overcoming it. This problem is out of IFOR competence, though IFOR will do all it can to help, Smith explained, ruling out deploying additional forces in the region.

[07] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER TO ATTEND MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MITTERRAND

[08] YUGOSLAV-FRENCH CONSULTATIONS CLOSE

The two sides set out a readiness to accelerate the solving of many difficulties that had arisen in the three-and-a-half years of international sanctions against Yugoslavia, which have afflicted not only the interests of Yugoslavia as a state, but many Yugoslavs who live in France, or pensioners who returned to Yugoslavia.

The two sides agreed that concrete issues in consular, legal and social matters should be examined in more detail and expert meetings held in Paris and Belgrade.

By enforcing previously concluded accords and conventions, bilateral cooperation in the consular field would intensify, said the officials.

They assessed that mutual dialogue and bilateral encounters were conducive to Yugoslavia's and France's intentions to normalize and promote inter-state relations.

Yugoslav Ambassador Radomir Bogdanovic was received by the Director of the Sector for Europe at the French Foreign Ministry and the two officials exchanged views on prospects for developing political, economic and cultural relations after the suspension of the sanctions and the signing of the Bosnian peace accord in Paris.

[09] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, 395 CAMPS FOR SERBS

The report, sent Wednesday to international institutions, says that Croats and Muslims in nearly all cities and major towns had had camps for Serbs and that, in addition to police stations or jails, these camps were mostly located in factory warehouses or cellars, silos, schools, and even in privately-run jails.

The report carries also a testimony by Jovo Krstic, 72, from the Sarajevo section of Ilidza, who spent three years and five months in the Tarcin camp outside Sarajevo. His testimony relates to the cruel and inhuman treatment of 138 Serbs, two women included, who were held prisoner there last October.

At least seven camp inmates were starved to death or died of injuries received from camp guards, while the camp management had been hiding some of the jailed Serbs from representatives of the International Red Cross by moving them out to the camp Krupa in western Bosnia, Krstic testified.

Prisoners were held at Tarcin without any legal ground and no more than 18 of them had been tried, said Krstic who, while in Tarcin, had received only his indictment which, however, was taken from him before he was exchanged. Camp prisoners were constantly taken to frontline trenches whence many of them never returned, Krstic testified, adding that on April 15, 1993, thirty inmates were moved to Hrasnica outside Sarajevo. Nomore than eighteen of them had returned. Krstic said that the Muslims had falsely presented the victims of their murders as those of Serb artillery fire. He added that all Muslim actions at Tarcin were managed by a 'crisis staff' headed by certain Dzelilovic, ex-mayor of Hadzici. He stressed that this staff knew about all misdeeds taking place at Tarcin but never prevented anything.

In the summer of 1992, every day one loaf of bread had to be shared by ten people. The inmates received six spoons of very poor quality soup, and this was what had continued during June, July and August 1993, and in January, February and March 1994, when even Red Cross representatives were barred from the camp, said Krstic.

[C] BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA

[10] BOSNIAN SERBS AND MUSLIMS EXCHANGE PRISONERS OF WAR

The Serb and Muslim parties on Wednesday made further arrangements for the exchange of pows.

[11] MUSLIMS CONTINUE TORCHING SERB VILLAGES IN WESTERN BOSNIA

The General Headquarters of the R.S. Army (VRS) said Wednesday in a statement that Muslim forces initiated this action of vandalism Tuesday at noon, when they burned down the village of Marcetic, and continued Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning setting fire to Serb houses in Hadrovac, Davidovic and Novakovic, north-west of Sanski Most.

The VRS Command demanded from the IFOR to put an end to the destruction of Serb property in areas which are to be returned to R.S. The VRS statement also notes that Muslim forces opened fire Tuesday evening on Serb positions in Posavina, near Brcko, northern Bosnia. The VRS did not return fire.

[12] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA SAYS 2,500 SERBS RESETTLED FROM USTIKOLINA TOWN

The settlers have been given provisional residence papers, the source added and explained that these were all rural households and had been resettled together with about 4,000 heads of cattle, in a drive organised by Srbinje's civilian and military authorities.

[13] IFOR SAYS SARAJEVO TRAMCAR SHELLING WAS ISOLATED INCIDENT

Bosnian Serb authorities on Tuesday rejected any possibility that their forces might have fired the shell that hit the tramcar in central Sarajevo, killing one and injuring 18. Late on Tuesday, the Republika Srpska news agency SRNA quoted sources close to the presidential cabinet as saying that IFOR had been requested to institute an immediate investigation into the incident.

[D] OPINIONS

[14] PROFESSOR NAKAMURA FORESEES 'ECONOMIC SPRING' IN YUGOSLAVIA

Nakamura also pointed out that Yugoslavia had good touristic capacities. He explained that Yugoslavia lacked strategic management. The experience gained by western countries, Japan and several countries in Asia and the Far East, proves that strategic management was crucial for the development of these countries, and sometimes entire regions.