Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-10-02

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC RESUMES SERIES OF MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

[02] BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBERS INVITED TO VISIT BELGRADE

[03] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC MEETS UDOVENKO

[04] YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO INDIAN PRESIDENT

[05] SERBIAN MINISTER SAYS ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS MISLED AGAIN

[06] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER RECEIVES FRENCH AMBASSADOR

[07] MORE THAN 450,000 VOTERS REGISTERED IN MONTENEGRO

[08] BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL RELIEVES MAYOR DJINDJIC OF OFFICE

[09] KRAJISNIK MEETS WITH ELESFAN

[10] OSCE : PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

[11] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MEETS BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER KRAJISNIK

[12] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL

[13] YUGOSLAV PREMIER SAYS TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IS A PRIORITY

[14] US AND EU DIPLOMATS AGAINST DEMONSTRATIONS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS

[15] ODALOVIC: ALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED WITHIN SERBIA AND YUGOSLAVIA

[16] YUGOSLAVIA ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ARCHIVES

[17] UN OFFICIAL: BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES MAKE CRUCIAL STEP TOWARDS PEACE

[18] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA PRESIDENT ON RESOLVING POLITICAL CRISIS

[19] FRY DELEGATE ADDRESSED THE CONFERENCE OF MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES

[20] OSCE WILL MONITOR ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

[21] FOREIGN MINISTER MILUTINOVIC: WE HAVE REACHED SERIES OF CONCRETE ACCORDS

[22] KRAJISNIK EXPRESSES BELIEF THAT AGREEMENT WILL BE RESPECTED

[23] PRESIDENTS OF RUSSIA AND FRANCE ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON BOSNIA

[24] YUGOSLAVIA URGES PEACE, STABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD-NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS

[25] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER'S BILATERAL CONTACTS IN NEW YORK

[26] YUGOSLAVIA WANTS FRIENDSHIP WITH ARAB COUNTRIES

[27] KRAJISNIK AND KLEIN DISCUSS DAYTON AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

[01] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC RESUMES SERIES OF MEETINGS IN NEW YORK

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic met on Monday with the U.S. Special Envoy in charge of the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Robert Gelbard. Milutinovic and Gelbard discussed the ongoing implementation of the civilian aspect of the agreement as well as security and peace in the region. On Monday afternoon, Milutinovic met with the Egyptian and Belarus foreign ministers, Amr Moussa and Ivan Antonovich respectively.

Milutinovic and Moussa discussed the promotion of the two countries' relations, saying both countries wanted to continue cooperation, especially in the field of economy. They also discussed the implementation of the Dayton agreement and the Non-Aligned Movement, with Moussa stressing that Yugoslavia should join the Movement's activities as soon as possible. In the meeting with Antonovich, both countries' wish was stressed to promote cooperation. Milutinovic met also with representatives of the U.S.-Jewish Committee, focusing on the promotion of cooperation and the role of the Jewish community in Yugoslavia.

[02] BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBERS INVITED TO VISIT BELGRADE

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency member from Republika Srpska Momcilo Krajisnik said on Tuesday that he had conveyed to the other Presidency members an invitation from Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to visit Belgrade together. Alija Izetbegovic and Kresimir Zubak took note of the invitation and said they would respond at a later time, Krajisnik said following a Presidency session in Sarajevo. The Presidency session focused on the establishment of diplomatic representations abroad, Krajisnik said, and added that the issues of three embassies had been settled while consultations on others have yet to be completed prior to appointing ambassadors. The Presidency was informed about the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, Krajisnik said, and added that Republika Srpska wished to have good relations with that country. A candidate for the post of ambassador to Israel is Dragan Jovanovic. The Presidency also discussed some issues regarding the Central Bank, whose Governor Serge Robert from France is due to leave. Presidency member Zubak raised the issue of unresolved status of Bosnian Television, Krajisnik said, and added that Republika Srpska was not interested in it as the entities are allowed to have their own media. Republika Srpska will, however, request a settling of Bosnian TV succession, as Serbs had invested money and work in it, Krajisnik noted.

[03] MINISTER MILUTINOVIC MEETS UDOVENKO

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic met in New York on Tuesday with U.N. General Assembly President and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Gennady Udovenko. Opinions were exchanged about a number of topics which are on the agenda of the 52nd regular fall session of the General Assembly, including reforms of the United Nations. Within international relations, they talked about the Dayton Peace Agreement and the implementation of the civilian part of the agreement. Milutinovic and Udovenko discussed bilateral Yugoslav*Ukrainian relations. They assessed that cooperation between the two friendly countries was constantly promoted and interest was expressed to further develop economic relations between the FRY and Ukraine.

Milutinovic, who had meetings with the foreign ministers of over 30 countries, also met on Tuesday with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ataf. Opinions were exchanged on that occasion about current international issues, especially the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, and the Non*Aligned Movement. Mutual interest was expressed to further promote traditionally good Yugoslav-Algerian relations.

[04] YUGOSLAV AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO INDIAN PRESIDENT

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to New Delhi Prof. Cedomir Strbac presented on Tuesday his credentials to Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan. President Narayanan said India hoped to develop the widest possible cooperation with Yugoslavia. Ambassador Strbac said Yugoslavia was determined to pursue the development of traditionally good bilateral relations and informed President Narayanan of the current situation in Yugoslavia and the fundamental goals of its foreign policy. Both cou= ntries are determined to cooperate as regards international relations, it was underlined during the meeting. Recallin= g India's experience in parliamentary life and economic reforms, President Narayanan hailed the democratization process and economic reforms under way in Yugoslavia and pointed to the commitment of both countries to same values.

[05] SERBIAN MINISTER SAYS ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS MISLED AGAIN

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Serbian Minister Ratomir Vico, commenting on an announced protest of ethnic Albanian students, told Tanjug on Tuesday that ethnic "Albanian students have been misguided again."

Vico, who heads part of the Working Group 3+3 in charge of implementing the education agreement, said that ever since the Group 3+3 was set up, Serbian Government officials had been urging that the agreement on normalizing the education system be implemented. He said, however, that the solution to the issue had not been found due to Albanian representatives' resistance alone. It is our mistake to have accepted their request that the activities of the Group be closed to the public. Otherwise, ethnic Albanian students, themselves, would have known the truth. Therefore, we shall insist that the following meeting, scheduled to be held at the Pristina University, be open to the public. This way, no one would be able to deceive the students, said Vico. Vico said that problems could not be solved through protests, but through respecting the law and institutions, which equally protect all people. He also said he was convinced that the students would not let themselves be manipulated.

[06] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER RECEIVES FRENCH AMBASSADOR

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

Yugoslav Deputy Premier Danko Djunic received on Tuesday French Ambassador to Yugoslavia Stanislas Filliol, at the latter's request. The talks were attended by French Embassy Trade Adviser Andre Lambert and the Deputy Premier's Chief of Staff Dragisa Dabetic, a Federal Government statement said.

In lengthy hearty and open talks which passed in a friendly atmosphere, Ambassador Filliol informed Djunic about the contents of a press statement by the French Foreign Ministry released on the occasion of the Serbian parliamentary and presidential elections held on September 21. The statement said, among other things, that it had been noted with satisfaction that the elections had gone well in the first round, under OSCE supervision. Elections had proceeded peacefully and more than 62 percent of the electorate went to the polls. In spite of certain faults, it was estimated that developments have been positive since the recognition of the opposition's victory at the local elections last winter.

It is assessed that these are encouraging signs which should, in the opinion of the French Foreign Ministry, stimulate, in the end, the full integration of the FR of Yugoslavia into the international community, as well as its return to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Ambassador Filliol said the French Government was interested in the full normalization of relations with the FR of Yugoslavia and that it expected concrete moves by the Yugoslav side in the sense of removing the obstacles so far. The French side is already taking certain steps toward the improvement, primarily, of economic cooperation, he said, and spoke about the autonomous measures of the European Union (E.U.) toward Yugoslavia of April this year. Along these lines, the ambassador informed Deputy Premier Djunic that a meeting on economic cooperation with Yugoslavia will be held in Paris on October 9, organized by the French Centre for Foreign Trade (CFCE).

The objective of the meeting of French economists and businessmen, which will be attended by over 50 managers of major French firms and financial experts, is to provide a cross-section of the current situation and possibilities, as well as the positive experience already acquired by certain French banks and firms, such as the Societe General and Alcatel. Assessing that there were real possibilities and interest in stepping up economic cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador especially underscored the interest of the renowned French firm La Farge to invest in the Beocin Cement Factory, pointing out that, in his opinion, the French firm was very attractive and complex, and would contribute toward higher production, and resolve also the social components of the factory employees.

Should La Farge obtain the right to enter into the privatization process, this would be assessed by the French side as a concrete and significant contribution to improving cooperation between the two countries and opening prospects for further investments, which is of strategic interest. Djunic said Yugoslavia was on the road to reintegration into the international community and assessed there were conditions for the development of comprehensive bilateral relations between the two countries which have had good relations and common interests in their histories. Djunic said the entry of foreign capital was necessary for the successful realization of economic reforms in Yugoslavia, as well as the providing of technical assistance. Yugoslavia is open to cooperation with all international partners and has opted for an open market economy, he said.

Speaking about the possibility of investments in the Beocin Cement Factory, Djunic emphasised that the Yugoslav side would accept with sympathies the possibility that the French firm La Farge be an investor, provided its offer was acceptable to the Yugoslav side. Deputy Premier Djunic said such deals presented the country's strategic interest and that Yugoslavia accepted with pleasure the numerous contacts with renowned French firms aimed at expanding overall cooperation between the two countries, said the statement released by the Federal Secretariat of Information.

[07] MORE THAN 450,000 VOTERS REGISTERED IN MONTENEGRO

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

About 458,000 Montenegrin citizens will vote on Sunday to elect a President from eight candidates. This will be the third presidential elections since the introduction of the multi-party system in Montenegro.

The first and second presidential elections were held parallel with the parliamentary elections in early November 1990 and mid-December 1992. Both times, run-off's had to be held. At the first presidential elections in 1990, Momir Bulatovic of the then League of Communists of Montenegro defeated Ljubisa Stankovic of the Alliance of Reformist Forces. At the second presidential elections, Bulatovic and Branko Kostic participated in the second round on January 10, 1993, when Bulatovic won with 158,000 votes. The electorate consisted of 403,000 voters at the first parliamentary elections, 429,000 at the second and 448,000 at the third.

On Sunday voters will be able to cast their ballots at 878 polling stations between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. If none of the candidates wins the necessary majority, the second election round will be held on October 19.

[08] BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL RELIEVES MAYOR DJINDJIC OF OFFICE

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The Belgrade City Council relieved Mayor Zoran Djindjic of office on Tuesday. The motion for the move was raised by the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), and 67 of the 68 attending Councilmen cast ballots in the secret vote. The session was chaired by Deputy Mayor Milan Bozic and attended by Councilmen of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), the Yugoslav Left (JUL), the SPO, and the Serbian Radical Party (SRS). The Democratic Party (DS) and Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Councilmen did not attend. The City Council comprises 110 members.

Head of the Zajedno coalition grouping Borivoje Borovic said he was speaking in that capacity for the last time and emphasised that Djindjic had used the office to campaign for his party, the DS, and had turned his premises at the City Council first into the election and then anti-election headquarters which he used to break up the Zajedno coalition and insult citizens who wanted to cast ballots in the September 21 elections in Serbia. Borovic said Djindjic had taken scores of trips without consulting the City Government, and obstructed the work of the City Government by discontinuing contacts with head of the City Government Spasoje Krunic, in which way he stressed Djindjic had done great harm to Belgrade and its residents. Borovic accused Djindjic of directing city funds to enterprises whose directors were appointed by the DS and said that, as a result, the city lacked 500 million dinars.

At the proposal of Spasoje Krunic, the City Council included in the session agenda the dismissal of three DS members of the City Government, Deputy Head of the City Government Ljuba Andjelkovic and City Government members Goran Vesic and Mihail Golicin.

[09] KRAJISNIK MEETS WITH ELESFAN

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The Republika Srpska (RS) representative in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik, met on Tuesday with the Deputy Head of the mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for Bosnia, Ricardo Elesfan, to discuss this organization's role in the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in RS.

Afterwards, Krajisnik told journalists that the date of the parliamentary elections in RS would remain as set in the Belgrade Agreement.

Krajisnik said that the OSCE mission can only supervise the RS elections which must be conducted in keeping with our laws. We favour talks on possible technical problems, but solutions can not be imposed upon us without our agreement, he said. Commenting Monday's talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, Krajisnik said that Milosevic was informed about the agreement reached in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency regarding dual citizenship for RS citizens. According to Krajisnik, Milosevic expressed satisfaction that RS citizens will have the opportunity to also become the citizens of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

[10] OSCE : PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Tanjug, 1997-09-30

The OSCE estimates that 12 million dollars will be sufficient for preparations and monitoring of the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Republika Srpska, OSCE spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told Tanjug in Vienna on Tuesday. The OSCE will secure half of the sum through its own budget savings and hopes that the rest will be provided by the states which will participate in the observer mission.

Fleming said there were no estimates for the cost of the scheduled presidential election in the Bosnian Serb entity, but noted that it would be cheaper for the OSCE if the elections were held immediately after the balloting for Parliament.

[11] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MEETS BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER KRAJISNIK

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic received on Monday the Republika Srpska member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik.

Great progress has been achieved in resolving the crisis in Republika Srpska and an important agreement has been reached within Bosnian Presidency to enable Bosnian citizens to obtain dual (Bosnian and Yugoslav) citizenship, which is a great step forward, it was noted during the meeting.

The document on dual citizenship, signed by all three members of the Bosnian Presidency - Alija Izetbegovic, Momcilo Krajisnik and Kresimir Zubak - is based on the General Agreement on peace in Bosnia and confirms the importance of the Dayton Agreement for peace and stability in the region, it was underlined during the meeting.

[12] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic met with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan at U.N. Headquarters in New York on Monday.

During an exhaustive and friendly talk, Milutinovic and Annan exchanged views on topical international issues, specifically those on the agenda of the 52nd regular autumn session of the U.N. General Assembly. They discussed also the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord in Bosnia- Herzegovina, as well as peace, security and stability in the Balkan region.

Annan paid tribute to the active and positive role played by the FR of Yugoslavia in the Balkans.

Milutinovic presented to Annan a cheque to the amount of Yugoslavia's contribution to the United Nations for 1997, and invited him to visit Yugoslavia, which Annan accepted.

During the morning, Milutinovic met also with foreign ministers of Iraq and Jordan, Mohamed Sayed Al-Sahaf and Fayez Tarawneh, respectively.

The talk with the Iraqi minister related to the promotion of bilateral cooperation and, in this context, an exchange of ambassadors, as well as to the international situation and the implementation of the Dayton Accord. The talk also touched on the Non-alignment movement , with the Iraqi minister reiterating his country's support for Yugoslavia's fully inclusion in the movement as soon as possible.

The talk with the Jordanian minister brought to light a shared interest towards constant promotion of traditionally friendly bilateral relations in all fields, specifically in economy where there is great scope for cooperation.

It was also agreed that the two countries should exchange ambassadors.

The Jordanian minister stressed that Jordan fully supported the efforts of the FR of Yugoslavia for peace, security and cooperation in the region.

[13] YUGOSLAV PREMIER SAYS TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IS A PRIORITY

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Yugoslavia's Prime Minister said on Monday that scientific, technical and technological development was a priority for the national economy in the aftermath of the world's anti-Yugoslav sanctions and on the threshold of the 21st century.

Opening the 8th Congress of the Yugoslav Engineering Society, Prime Minister Radoje Kontic said that the present moment was characterised by greatly changed conditions in the FR of Yugoslavia and its neighbourhood. This state of affairs necessitated that "an adequate place be given to technical and technological progress in the new ambience," Kontic added.

"The development of an open market economy is our country's strategic commitment, whence the need for appraising current international trends," he said. Technical and technological inventions and innovations had become decisive factors in achieving production results, he added.

He said that current international trends were especially characterised by regional and sub-regional integration processes. Here he stressed that Yugoslavia had a positive attitude to all integrations that were based on the equality of the members and openness to cooperation with third countries. It was Yugoslavia's strategic orientation to be a full member of the European Union, which presupposed harmonising Yugoslav regulations with those of the E.U. states, he said.

It was important that the national economy should no longer lag behind the world in technical and technological terms, and the greatest efforts must be invested into putting a stop to this and then closing the gap, he said.

He said that some serious problems still persisted, such as the tenacity of the so-called outer wall of sanctions with a resultant shortage of domestic and foreign capital, as well as difficulties associated with the gray market and public spending.

[14] US AND EU DIPLOMATS AGAINST DEMONSTRATIONS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Chief of the US mission in Belgrade Richard Miles expressed on Monday in Pristina his concern with the announcement of demonstrations of ethnic Albanian students in Serbia's southern Province of Kosovo-Metohija scheduled for October 1.

At a press conference at the US Information Center in Pristina following meetings held by a joint 13-member delegation of the US, the European Union and representatives of embassies of European countries in Belgrade with Government representatives and with ethnic Albanian political and student leaders, Miles said he felt the greatest concern regarding the timing of the planned demonstrations - between the first and second rounds of elections in Serbia.

Underlining the serious approach of the delegation members' governments to the situation in Kosovo and especially the planned demonstrations, Miles said endeavours were being intensified to implement the agreement on education signed by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, then President of Serbia, and ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova.

Of course the people have the right to assemble and protest peacefully and to let the authorities know their views, Miles said, but added that the timing of the protest was ill-chosen and that he had conveyed this view to Rugova and student leaders.

The situation in Kosovo is explosive, Dutch Ambassador and member of EU Presidency Johannes Sizoo said, expressing the Union's concern with the situation in Kosovo. The EU believes that the situation in Kosovo must be resolved by peaceful means, Sizoo said and added that the stance of the entire international community was that a dialogue must be initiated as soon as possible between the authorities and the leaders of the Albanian population.

Referring to the meeting with Government representatives, Sizoo said he was assured by the authorities that force would not be used except in case of violation of the law. He also urged ethnic Albanian political leaders to refrain from violence, and said he had been assured by student leaders that the demonstrators would not resort to violence.

The Ambassador added that the delegation had told the students they had a tremendous responsibility regarding the forthcoming demonstrations and that the timing for the protest was bad.

Miles and Sizoo said the talks had helped the delegation understand the stances of both the authorities and Albanian political parties and students, and provided an opportunity to convey to them the stance of the international community.

Underlining that EU representatives will be present in Kosovo in the next few days, the diplomats expressed hope that the demonstrations would be postponed and that they would be peaceful.

[15] ODALOVIC: ALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE SOLVED WITHIN SERBIA AND YUGOSLAVIA

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

Ethnic Albanian political party leaders must give up the idea of an independent Kosovo and find solutions to all problems within Serbia and Yugoslavia, Deputy Head of the Kosovo District Veljko Odalovic said on Monday.

Odalovic and Provincial Information Secretary Bosko Drobnjak met with a 13- member delegation of the United States, the European Union and representatives of European countries' embassies in Belgrade, including U.S. Charge d'Affaires Richard Miles, Dutch Ambassador and E.U. representative Johannes Sizoo and Ambassadors Ivor Roberts of Great Britain, Raphael Gerard of Canada and Slawomir Dabrowa of Poland. A statement released after the meeting said that Sizoo had reiterated the E.U., U.S. and 'Contact Group' stand that Kosovo and Metohija was an integral part of Serbia and Yugoslavia and that the idea of an independent republic of Kosovo enjoyed no support in the world. He condemned terrorist attacks which had intensified of late.

Both sides expressed concern over the announced demonstrations of ethnic Albanian students. Odalovic said that the organisers of the rallies were responsible for all possible consequences and that the security and other state organs would act in keeping with the law and intervene only in case of violent provocations or direct breach of the law. He said that a large number of those who strolled the streets of Pristina were neither students nor inhabitants of Pristina.

The statement said that it had been concluded that the solution lay in the implementation of the education agreement, signed by Slobodan Milosevic and Ibrahim Rugova, solely through the legal institutions of the system.

[16] YUGOSLAVIA ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ARCHIVES

Tanjug, 1997-09-29

A Yugoslav delegation headed by Director of Yugoslav Archives Jovan Popovic attended the International Conference of Archives in Edinburgh.

The Conference, which focused on the legal aspects regarding archives, was attended by 200 delegates from around the world.

Yugoslavia attended the Conference as a permanent member and founder of the International Council of Archives, and had taken part in its activities even during the period under international sanctions.

[17] UN OFFICIAL: BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES MAKE CRUCIAL STEP TOWARDS PEACE

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

Republika Srpska authorities have reached an agreement with the UN mission to Bosnia on an urgent restructuring of the Bosnian Serb police, UN Secretary-General's special envoy Ambassador Kai Aide said on Friday. In a statement communicated to Tanjug, Aide said that the agreement was reached after the UN mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina had forwarded documents containing principles and guidelines of restructuring the Republika Srpska police force.

Aide said that Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic and Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic had given their unconditional consent to the UN mission. He also said that the agreement was seen as an important step ahead in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords, following several- month talks. Once the reform agreement is implemented, the Republika Srpska police will represent a major contribution to a greater stability in the territory that had been dominated by tension over the past few months, said Aide.

According to the statement, both Aide and the International Police Task Force Commissioner Manfred Seitner praised the Republika Srpska authorities' decision to take this crucial step towards securing peace and democracy in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Under the reconstruction programme, the Republika Srpska should have a 8, 500-strong police force, which is in line with Article 1. Annex 11 of the General Framework Agreement, urging UN assistance in setting up police forces that will operate in keeping with the internationally-recognized standards, said Aide.

Aide also said that the reconstruction aimed to coordinate activities of the Republika Srpska police with democratic principles of police work, which the Bosnian Serb state accepted. He said that the UN mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina would provide training and step up its support for the reconstruction of the Republika Srpska police.

[18] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA PRESIDENT ON RESOLVING POLITICAL CRISIS

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

The people are happy with the manner in which the internal crisis in Republika Srpska is being resolved, and this is why it was worth it to go to Belgrade, to talk for five hours and to reach a good agreement enabling things to move in the right direction, Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic said on Saturday evening. In an interview to the Srpska TV from the Banja Luka studio, Plavsic said that the Serb people deserved to watch the same TV programs throughout Republika Srpska, in line with the Belgrade agreement. Plavsic urged the people to wait peacefully for the parliamentary elections, adding she saw the future Parliament as a body in which no party would have absolute majority and which will act under the rule of law. A division of Republika Srpska is out of the question, Plavsic said. The Dayton Agreement provides international guarantees for the continuous existence of Republika Srpska, Plavsic said.

[19] FRY DELEGATE ADDRESSED THE CONFERENCE OF MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

Addressing the the 2nd International Conference on economic cooperation and development of Mediterranean countries which was held in Kozani, Greece, Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Vojin Djukanovic said it was of vital importance to Yugoslavia to be taking part in the Conference on equal footing, saying this had enabled the country to contribute to the promotion of cooperation in the region of the Mediterranean Sea, the Balkans and the Black Sea. Djukanovic, who headed the Yugoslav delegation to the Conference, said that, in keeping with its commitment to a speedy reintegration into the world economy, Yugoslavia had begun implementing radical reforms and had undertaken ownership transformation. He said bringing into accord the country's regulations with those of the European Union, had made the country an attractive partner for foreign investment, joint ventures and joint appearance on third markets. Calling on foreign partners and investors to visit Yugoslavia and find about its business and investment potential, Djunic said 200 lucrative projects were waiting for prospective foreign investors to be carried out.

[20] OSCE WILL MONITOR ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) decided on Friday after two days of deliberations to monitor the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Republika Srpska. The OSCE Standing Council agreed to monitor the parliamentary elections in Republika Srpska and any subsequent elections, a statement issued in Vienna says. Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic and Srpska member of the Bosnian Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik reached on Wednesday in Belgrade an agreement on resolving the crisis in Republika Srpska, with the mediation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. In line with the agreement, parliamentary elections in Republika Srpska are scheduled for November 15 and the presidential election for December 7. The foreign ministers of the member- states of the Contact Group (US, Russia, France, Britain and Germany) recommended a few days ago in New York that elections in Republika Srpska should be monitored by the OSCE.

[21] FOREIGN MINISTER MILUTINOVIC: WE HAVE REACHED SERIES OF CONCRETE ACCORDS

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic told Tanjug in New York Friday evening that he was very pleased with a series of bilateral contacts he had with quite a number of his counterparts, who are also in New York for the U.N. General Assembly session. "They were very intensive contacts and were held in a very good atmosphere. We found quite a few common points and reached quite a few political accords, very concrete ones," Minister Milutinovic said.

"The U.N. are not a place for in-depth talks, but for political talks," Milutinovic set out. He said the contacts were used to define the directions of further bilateral cooperation, especially with countries with which Yugoslavia would not be able to have top-level contacts this year. The Yugoslav chief diplomat described as very important his meetings with the Contact Group ministers. "I have had meetings with representatives of all Contact Group members and of the European Union, and I have met also with ministers of far-away countries with which we are to achieve closer cooperation this year. We are discussing it now," Minister Milutinovic said. Milutinovic also singled out his meeting with the Albanian Foreign Minister, and noted that it was only natural that the meeting, the first of its kind after several decades, had taken place at the U.N. He stressed that his talks in New York had been focused on the situation in the Balkans, especially the implementation of the Dayton Agreement in Bosnia- Herzegovina. "A good part of the talks was devoted to that too, Yugoslavia being a co-author and guarantor of the Dayton Agreement," the Yugoslav Minister said. Milutinovic set out that, as opposed to the previous General Assembly session, at which the sanctions against Yugoslavia were also formally lifted, matters of cooperation were in the forefront now.

[22] KRAJISNIK EXPRESSES BELIEF THAT AGREEMENT WILL BE RESPECTED

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

Guarantees that the Belgrade agreement will succeed are the signatures of Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and my own, RS representative in the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, Momcilo Krajisnik has said. He told the Serbian Television's political program Vidik that he would inform the RS Government and National Assembly about the details of the agreement. If the agreement is not respected, this would be a catastrophe, Krajisnik said and expressed readiness to do everything possible to secure its success. He expressed belief that Plavsic would also do the same and that the Contact Group would respect the agreement and dates of the elections to enable the people to decide on the overcoming of the crisis in RS.

The agreement has been signed, the dates of the elections have been set and if one of the sides decided not to agree to the holding of the elections, that person would lose his credibility with the people, Krajisnik said. He said that for him there is the National Assembly and that this is where the decision of self-dissolution should be made in order to enable the holding of the parliamentary elections.

"Whether the presidential elections are held, depends on Plavsic, while the elections for the RS President within the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency depends on me, because if we want these elections, then both of us have to resign," Krajisnik said. According to him, the new elections will resolve the issues of the police, Government and the current controversies, since it cannot be allowed for this situation to last as it leads to the division of RS."

"If there are problems with the elections, Plavsic and I agreed to contact each other and not to allow problems to escalate. The elections will result in a clear cut situation and bring a better future to RS and its people," Krajisnik said.

[23] PRESIDENTS OF RUSSIA AND FRANCE ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON BOSNIA

Tanjug, 1997-09-26

President Boris Yeltsin of Russia and President Jacques Chirac of France on Friday expressed concern about the latest developments in Bosnia, saying the crisis in the Republika Srpska must be defused in a democratic manner. In a joint statement on Bosnia, issued after a meeting at Moscow's Kremlin, Yeltsin and Chirac said their states were ready to continue cooperation in the region within the Bosnia multinational force. They stressed that their countries would make a joint effort on the bilateral level as well as within the five-nation 'Contact Group' for Bosnia and other international bodies to help fully implement an agreement signed in Paris on December 14, 1995. The statement said Moscow and Paris treated all parties in Bosnia equally. It called on them to fulfil their obligations, especially as regards the functioning of common bodies of power, and to form local councils once returns of local elections held on September 13-14 were released. The statement said the crisis in the Republika Srpska must be resolved through elections, calling on Republika Srpska authorities to implement an agreement to this effect reached on September 24.

[24] YUGOSLAVIA URGES PEACE, STABLE DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD-NEIGHBOURLY RELATIONS

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

Peace, stable development, good-neighbourly relations and all-round cooperation in the region are Yugoslavia's strategic commitments, Speaker of the Yugoslav Parliament's Chamber of Republics Srdja Bozovic said on Saturday at a ceremony at the Army of Yugoslavia Centre of Military Academies.

All well-meaning people at home and abroad know well that the FRY never proclaims any country or people beforehand as hostile or a potential aggressor, Bozovic said at the commencement of the senior classes of the Army of Yugoslavia's military academies.

"Peace, stable development, good-neighbourly relations and all-round cooperation in the region are our strategic commitments. That is why we rightly expect to have a more secure and better future. I sincerely hope that equality-based political, economic and cultural ties will at last be restored in the region in the interest of all peoples and states in the Balkans," the Yugoslav official stressed.

"The normalization of relations with old and new neighbours is the best guarantee of peace, progress and the Yugoslavia's faster inclusion in regional, European and world integration processes," Bozovic said and emphasised that was one of Yugoslavia's basic foreign-policy goals. Bozovic set out that Yugoslavia had renewed and intensified relations and cooperation with a large number of countries and international organizations thanks to its consistent policy aimed at achieving and maintaining peace. He emphasised that alongside of working for peace and cooperation among all nations, Yugoslavia must bear in mind that the "rivalry of European and world centres of power for the preservation of the existing and winning of new spheres of influence poses an objective threat to security and peace."

Bozovic said Yugoslavia insisted that the right to freedom be universal, that it be equal for all citizens and all peoples. "We highly appreciate the efforts and determination of the international community to back with its influence the hither to signed peace agreements, but we must always remember that the attitude of political centres of power and of the immediate and wider military environment toward our country primarily depends on our internal stability," Speaker Bozovic stressed.

"Consistent efforts for a peaceful resolution of all conflicts and constructive and mutually useful cooperation with all important international subjects do not eliminate the need for our state to develop and strengthen its own armed forces," Bozovic said.

"With its strength and the unity of its senior commanding personnel, our Army has helped prevent the war from spilling over onto the territory of the FR of Yugoslavia and has been an important factor of the country's overall stability. The success is all the greater since the tasks were performed with very limited material and financial resources," Speaker of the Yugoslav Parliament's Chamber of Republics Bozovic set out.

[25] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER'S BILATERAL CONTACTS IN NEW YORK

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

Continuing a series of meetings with foreign ministers participating in the U.N. General Assembly session in New York, Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic on Thursday met with his Greek, Spanish, Iranian and Turkish counterparts. In all meetings, interest was expressed in the promotion and upgrading of bilateral relations. The ministers discussed the international situation, primarily the implementation of the civilian aspect of the Dayton Peace Accords for Bosnia-Herzegovina. In a cordial and open meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Greece's support was confirmed to Yugoslavia's activities aimed at strengthening peace, security and cooperation in the region. The ministers also discussed concrete issues in the field of bilateral cooperation, placing special stress on economic issues.

The Milutinovic-Pangalos meeting was part of a continual dialogue on all levels, aimed at a further promotion of cooperation between the two traditionally friendly countries. Spanish Foreign Minister Abel Matutes stressed Yugoslavia's positive role in the recent holding of local elections in Bosnia and the importance of its role in the reaching of an agreement on settling the crisis in the Republika Srpska. In addition to the implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia-Herzegovina, the two ministers also discussed the promotion of the Spanish-Yugoslav cooperation. Bilateral cooperation and possibilities for its promotion were also a topic of a meeting between Milutinovic and Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Harazi, who also discussed topical international issues. In a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, both sides showed their interest in peace, security and stability in the Balkans. They also discussed regional activities and stressed the importance of cooperation among Balkan countries.

Milutinovic on Thursday also met with Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov. Primakov welcomed the agreement on settling the crisis in the Republika Srpska, signed in Belgrade on Wednesday and praised Yugoslavia's role in its reaching. The agreement represents a significant step towards a positive development of the situation in the region, Primakov said. Milutinovic also met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs. Promotion of overall relations was emphasised, especially those in the sphere of economy and the two ministers also reviewed plans for the conclusion of a number of bilateral agreements. The Yugoslav foreign minister on Thursday also met with Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic and UN Security Council President Bill Richardson have discussed implementation of the civilian aspects of the Dayton Accord, security, stability and peace in the Balkans. As part of his encounters with a number of foreign ministers at the United Nations, Milutinovic met late on Friday with his Guinean counterpart Lamnin Kamara. The two ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, with special attention on science and technology, and agreed on joint preparation of a concrete program for boosting ties. Talks included the Non-aligned Movement, and the reactivating of Yugoslavia, a founding member, in its activities. Guinea supports Yugoslavia's full engagement in the activities of the Non-aligned Movement, said Kamara. Milutinovic engaged in a friendly conversation with New York rabbi Arthur Sneider, and met with other notable personalities.

[26] YUGOSLAVIA WANTS FRIENDSHIP WITH ARAB COUNTRIES

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

"Yugoslavia is open to cooperation with the rest of the world and is committed to resuming the good and friendly relations it has had in the past with Jordan and other Arab countries," Yugoslav Information Secretary Goran Matic said in an interview published in the Jordanian daily "Al Aswaq".

In the interview given to the prestigious daily's special reporter in Belgrade, Minister Matic set out that Yugoslavia and Jordan were linked by traditionally friendly ties developed over decades.

Commenting the media coverage in Yugoslavia of the recent elections in Serbia, Matic said some newspapers had violated the profession's ethics, and underscored that the elections had shown that a political program implemented by a party was that party's best propaganda. The Jordanian daily gave prominence also to Secretary Matic's idea about an international code for the protection of journalists.

[27] KRAJISNIK AND KLEIN DISCUSS DAYTON AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Tanjug, 1997-09-27

The Republika Srpska member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik and Assistant High Representative of the international community Jacques Klein discussed on Saturday in Pale the progress of the implementation of the Dayton Agreement. The three-hour meeting focused on several issues regarding the Agreement, including the laws on citizenship and travel documents, the design of banknotes and clarifying the position of Republika Srpska and its representatives in joint Bosnian institutions, Krajisnik said. Many of those issues can be resolved by holding similar meetings, Krajisnik said, and added that Republika Srpska wished to implement the Dayton Agreement. Krajisnik noted that he and Klein had resolved together the problem in Banja Luka and that such good cooperation was in the interest of peace and of the implementation of the Dayton Agreement. Klein described his meeting with Krajisnik as constructive and said that the latter had informed him of the Serb stances on several issues that should be resolved shortly. Joint endeavours will be pursued, Klein said and expressed hope that views on various issues would be coordinated, leading to definite solutions by next week.

The international community is determined to ensure the successful implementation of the Dayton Agreement, Klein said.

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