Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-04-11

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] FRY WILL SEND 15 OBSERVERS TO ELECTIONS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA

[02] FIRST LOCAL ELECTIONS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA

[03] ROUND TABLE ON KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

[04] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA CHIEF OF STAFF MEETS RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO BOSNIA

[05] ANNIVERSARY OF ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION

[06] YUGOSLAVIA AND MACEDONIA ADJUST DRAFTS OF CONSULAR CONVENTION

[07] MILUTINOVIC SENDS TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DRAFT AGREEMENT ON ESTABLISHING RELATIONS

[08] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL MEETS MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

[09] MILUTINOVIC RECEIVED PRESIDENT OF SREM AND BARANJA REGION 1995.

[01] FRY WILL SEND 15 OBSERVERS TO ELECTIONS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA

This was decided at a Federal Government session presided over by Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, the Yugoslav Secretariat of Information said.

It was assessed that elections in Eastern Slavonia represent the key for the successful implementation of the Erdut Agreement and that the invitation for the participation of our observers represents a recognition to the role of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in strengthening peace, security and cooperation in the region.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[02] FIRST LOCAL ELECTIONS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA

Whether this will be the case, depends above all on Croatian authorities which have been entrusted with the task by the United Nations to create conditions for the elections, which implies the respect for democratic norms, equality of all citizens irrespective of the ethnic group to which they belong.

Although Croatia is in charge of creating preconditions for the elections, the United Nations Transitional Administration, i.e. UNTAES with Transitional Administrator Jacques Klein are directly responsible for them.

This means that the greatest responsibility for the forthcoming elections and normalization of situation in this part of the former Yugoslavia practically lies with the international community itself.

At the proposal of the Transitional Administration the date of the elections has been also determined. It has been changed from 16 March to 13 April so that the Croatian authorities would have more time to carry out all necessary preparations.

This proposal has been accepted by the Security Council which in its two latest Presidential Statements of 31 January and 6 March confirmed the position that Croatia has the obligation to create most favourable conditions for the elections.

These statements point out that the issuance of citizenship papers and identification documents to the voters is a crucial task for Croatian authorities.

In this respect it is emphasized that Croatia should fulfil its obligations under Amnesty Law.

Furthermore, Zagreb is called on to guarantee to all refugees and displaced persons the right to return to their places of origin, or to freely choose the place where they wish to live, which is also an important precondition for the holding of the elections.

Croatia is also called upon to implement consistently the provisions of the Basic Agreement on the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium signed on 12 November 1995.

By such lukewarm appeals to the official Zagreb, it seems that the Security Council has also criticized at the same time Croatian authorities because of, as said, the perpetuation of the atmosphere of instability and insecurity among the Serb population. Therefore, the latest Presidential Statement of the Security Council of 6 March demands Croatia to grant also public guarantees that the rights of the Serbs will be respected and that normal living conditions be created.

In view of such positions of the Security Council which are encouraging, the international community seems to be interested in stabilizing the situation in the territory of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium.

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is also deeply interested in peace, stability and creation of conditions for safe life in equality of the Serbs in this Region.

Although it is not a signatory party to the Basic Agreement on the Region on Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, the FR of Yugoslavia has rendered a significant contribution to the achievement of peace solution and its implementation thus far.

Yugoslavia is vitally interested in ensuring lasting peace and stability in this region, and this can be achieved only by consistent implementation of the precisely defined provisions of the Basic Agreement.

This is the reason why the violations of the Agreement by the Croatian side is viewed with anxiety and concern particularly in respect of the inconsistent implementation of the obligation to create conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons who lived in the territory of Croatia.

The authorities in Zagreb seek to circumvent the provision of the Basic Agreement to the effect that the only criterion for a resident of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, is his/her previous residence in any other part of Croatia.

The slow and inconsistent implementation of the Amnesty Law causes concern, as well. There are still several hundreds of Serbs detained in Croatian prisons. Most of them were arrested on the preliminary charges of "participating in the armed rebellion", but after the adoption of the Amnesty Law, the Croatian authorities commuted these charges into other criminal acts which are not subject to amnesty.

The overall atmosphere is burdened by the media campaign pursued by some Croatian electronic media which increases insecurity and fears among the Serbian population.

Such conduct of Croatian authorities obviously does not contribute to the creation of the much needed stability. The fuelling of instability may be conducive to mass exodus of the Serbs and ethnic cleansing of the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium, which cannot be in the interest of the international community and which should not be the goal of Croatia if it seeks to prove that it is a democratic State.

The FR of Yugoslavia which has been shouldering for years a huge burden of providing shelter and assistance to more than 700 000 refugees from the former Yugoslavia, out of which 350 000 of them from Croatia, rightfully expects the international community to respond objectively and decisively in preventing new ethnic turbulence in the Region.

It is up to the United Nations to prove on this occasion its consistency and to confirm, in spite of numerous instances of its biased approach towards Croatia, its commitment to ensuring that the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium be a demilitarized region in which all citizens will enjoy equal rights and life in freedom.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-02

[03] ROUND TABLE ON KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

The current lack of confidence between the two sides can not be overcome without international help and encouragement, nor can there be a lasting solution without this, said a statement prepared by the U.S. organizers.

The statement was welcomed by participants, representatives of ethnic Albanian separatists, and certain Serbian opposition parties. The participants, therefore, believe a step by step strategy should be started immediately, aimed at opening comprehensive political negotiations, said the statement.

The organizers, the U.S. Project for National Relations, and the participants are both very satisfied with the Round Table talks, it was heard at a press conference held at the Carnegie Foundation building in downtown New York late on Wednesday.

Behind closed doors, participants in the meeting held at the Carnegie building exchanged views and stands on possible solutions for the problem of Kosovo and Metohija.

President of the U.S. organization Project for National Relations Alan Cassof read two separate statements, at a press conference, which placed emphasis on the fact that the participants had agreed to continue regular meetings and that the next Round Table should be held in Belgrade or the Kosovo town of Pristina. This meeting will be organized by the U.S. Project for National Relations in cooperation with the Yugoslav organization, the Forum for Ethnic Relations.

The statement further said that Kosovo was a very serious problem, and that its resolving would be slow and difficult. The participants in the meeting pointed out they were determined to settle all conflicts peacefully.

An entire paragraph is devoted to expressions of gratitude to U.S. organizers and other U.S. institutions for their constant support to the promotion of dialogue in the region. The participants expressed hope that they would receive similar aid from European institutions, adding in closing, that a solution would have to be found in the end by politicians from Serbia and ethnic Albanians from the Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

Cassof said the talks were not easy, and that they went in depth. Asked about the stands of the ethnic Albanian minority and the Serbian opposition, Cassof said it was no secret that ethnic Albanians wanted an independent Kosovo, which they set out openly in the talks.

There were different views among the Serbs, varying from concern about the integrity of Serbia, to those who were optimistic about the benefits of such meetings and talks.

Adem Demaci said he was highly optimistic about the talks, as they were an opportunity to meet with prominent politicians with whom the necessary contact had been made. He said an atmosphere has been created for resolving the 100-year old problem of Kosovo, and added that 'we came here to broach the subject of Kosovo in New York, so that we may try to prevent another Bosnia from occurring.'

He said the road was now open for other talks. Asked about his view of the solution to Kosovo, Demaci replied that he did not see the solution within Serbia, or within Yugoslavia. He proposed that a new state be formed, consisting of Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo, named Balkania.

Serbian opposition representatives had no comment of their participation in the talks, which are an attempt to internationalize the problem of Kosovo and break up Yugoslavia.

Vice President of the Democratic Party Miroljub Labus said ethnic Albanians did not expect a solution within the parliamentary system of Serbia, which was why they wanted negotiations. This wish was met by the Project for National Relations.

Cassof declined to explain the patronage of the United States over the meeting in which secessionist plans were clearly set out, when Washington had said decisively that it supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and Yugoslavia. About ten officials from the State Department attended the talks as observers.

Serbian opposition leaders did not give their reasons for attending the Round Table, the aims of which are the break up of Serbia and Yugoslavia, and were surprised at the hard-line stands of the ethnic Albanians.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[04] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA CHIEF OF STAFF MEETS RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO BOSNIA

Colic said after the meeting that Army of RS had no aggressive intentions, as has been confirmed by international community representatives who have pointed to the good cooperation with the Serb people and its army.

Colic added that he had informed Gerassimov of Muslim provocations and said that Serbs would defend themselves by all means if attacked.

Gerassimov pointed to the importance of cooperation of all Bosnian sides with Brcko supervisor Robert Farand, who is expected to arrive on Friday.

Russia believes that the Brcko problem must not be allowed to become a cause for a new war in the region, Gerassimov said and added that the Serb side would know best how to resolve the problem.

The international community is striving to resolve the problem of lines of separation in the Brcko area, Gerassimov said and added that one of Farand's deputies would be a Russian representative.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[05] ANNIVERSARY OF ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION

At a working meeting Chambers of Commerce and international economic cooperation at the Belgrade Intercontinental hotel, we will present the Yugoslav economy and stress Yugoslavia's readiness to reintegrate into world economic trends, Milojevic told reporters.

He said the anniversary would be an opportunity to show to the guests that the Yugoslav federation of Serbia and Montenegro had weathered the international sanctions thanks to the national economy which sustained an indispensable level of production.

Milojevic told the press that foreign guests would be informed that Yugoslavia was pursuing reforms, had major investment projects and room for foreign partners on its market.

It was in 1857 that Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic decreed the setting up of a Trade Board in Belgrade, in fact an Association of merchants and artisans, Milojevic reminded reporters.

He said 30 representatives of foreign trade, industrial and employers's associations and chambers of commerce would be in Belgrade for the anniversary.

Milojevic said guests would come form the United States, Germany, France, Italy and Great Britain, from Russia and some other major 'old' partners, and from former Yugoslav republics.

The Yugoslav official stressed that the national economy was market oriented and ready to affirm itself at the international level, but decision*makers in the world needed to approve Yugoslavia's return to all international economic, trade and financial organizations.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Borba, 1997-04-11

[06] YUGOSLAVIA AND MACEDONIA ADJUST DRAFTS OF CONSULAR CONVENTION

The Yugoslav delegation to the talks was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister Dragan Sekulovic, while the Macedonian delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister Branko Stojanovski.

The Convention and the Agreement are to be signed soon.

The Convention is to provide for the regulation of consular functions by the two countries' diplomatic and consular offices and protection of interests of Yugoslav citizens and juristic persons in Macedonia and Macedonian citizens and juristic persons in Yugoslavia.

The Agreement on abolishing visas will regulate travelling without visas and visits to the two countries.

Yugoslav and Macedonian citizens did not need visas up to this point either as this was regulated under each country's unilateral decision to this end. The Agreement will regulate the matter on a bilateral basis.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[07] MILUTINOVIC SENDS TO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DRAFT AGREEMENT ON ESTABLISHING RELATIONS

The draft Agreement is based on the Paris Declaration of President Slobodan Milosevic and Alija Izetbegovic from October 3, last year.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[08] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL MEETS MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The two officials exchanged views on the possibilities of cooperation and discussed Yugoslavia's inclusion into European integrational processes.

Speaking about the process of democratization in Yugoslavia, its economic recovery and development, Babic noted that the Yugoslav Parliament had adopted several laws in line with the standards of the European Union (EU). He stressed Yugoslavia's wish to appear on the world market of goods and capital.

Yugoslavia's strategic objective is to preserve peace and stability in the region, Babic said and stressed that Yugoslavia was consistently implementing the Dayton Agreement.

Hadar said it was his personal view that Yugoslavia should become a member of the European Union (EU), and the Yugoslav Government and Parliament should take a stand on this issue and present it publicly.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

[09] MILUTINOVIC RECEIVED PRESIDENT OF SREM AND BARANJA REGION 1995.

Hadzic informed Milutinovic about preparations for the forthcoming local polls in the region that will be organised by the U.N. Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES) and U.N. Administrator Jacques Klein and that will be overseen by international observers.

The two officials stressed UNTAES' responsibility in securing conditions for fair elections and guaranteeing free participation to all residents of the region in keeping with an agreement reached between Croatian authorities and Serb representatives in November

The importance of concrete measures and preparations for setting up a Council of Serb municipalities was also stressed as well as of securing a lasting presence of a network of international officials in the region once the UNTAES mandate expires.

It was stated that massive participation in elections in the region was vital for forming local authorities and a Council of Serb municipalities as well as for Serbs to remain in the region for good and for their equality.

The importance was stressed of creating conditions for dual citizenship, which is backed by Klein and the international community.

Yugoslavia is ready to help solve this issue in the best possible way either through a bilateral agreement with Croatia, to which end it has already made certain moves, or through changes of and amendments to the Yugoslav legislation.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1997-04-11 ; Tanjug, 1997-04-10

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