Yugoslav Daily Survey, 98-02-26

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] DUSKO LALICEVIC HAS BEEN APPOINTED NEW FEDERAL MINISTER OF LABOUR

[02] RS PREMIER ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO VISIT MONTENEGRO

[03] RS PRESIDENT AND PREMIER RECEIVED MONTENEGRIN PREMIER

[04] CONTACT GROUP ON RESULTS OF THE MOSCOW SESSION

[05] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS A MODEL FOR A PLURALIST DEMOCRACY

[06] UN REPORTS ON THE HARASSMENT OF SERBS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA

[07] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL ON AN ANNOUNCED NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS WITH THE U.S.

[08] SERBIAN PREMIER: THE RULE OF LAW MUST BE FULLY ENSURED

[09] MINISTER ZELENOVIC CONFERRED WITH THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR

[10] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S MISSION TO BAGHDAD

[11] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT PREPARES A PROGRAMME FOR CURBING THE GREY ECONOMY

[01] DUSKO LALICEVIC HAS BEEN APPOINTED NEW FEDERAL MINISTER OF LABOUR

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic on Wednesday appointed Dusko Lalicevic, former Montenegrin Minister of Trade and Justice, new Minister of Labour, Health and Social Policy, a Federal Government statement said. Kontic informed the government members and the Federal Parliament about his decision. Outgoing Federal Minister for Labour, Health and Social Policy Miroslav Ivanisevic has been appointed Montenegrin Minister of Health.

[02] RS PREMIER ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO VISIT MONTENEGRO

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik accepted on Wednesday an invitation of his Montenegrin counterpart Filip Vujanovic to pay a return visit to Podgorica. The talks initiated in Banja Luka on the establishment of economic relations between Republika Srpska and Montenegro will be continued during Dodik's visit to Podgorica. Vujanovic said that bilateral cooperation would be regulated by an international agreement to be signed shortly.

[03] RS PRESIDENT AND PREMIER RECEIVED MONTENEGRIN PREMIER

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

Republika Srpska President Biljana Plavsic and Premier Milorad Dodik received Montenegrin Premier Filip Vujanovic on Wednesday. The parties to the talk stressed the need for an overall cooperation between the two republics, especially that between Herzegovina and Montenegro, said a statement issued by the Republika Srpska Presidential Office. The meeting focused also on economic cooperation between the Republika Srpska and Montenegro. The parties to the talk voiced readiness to maintain such contacts in the future in order to start implementing specific projects as soon as possible, the statement said.

[04] CONTACT GROUP ON RESULTS OF THE MOSCOW SESSION

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

The Contact Group on Wednesday approved measures taken by the international community's High Representative for Bosnia, but warned the Bosnian sides that these measures did not relieve them of their commitment to make independent decisions. The Contact Group issued a statement on the results of their regular session in Moscow, fully backing the High Representative's steps towards stepping up the Bosnia peace process, which were taken in line with the power vested in him by the Dayton Peace Accords and decisions of the Bosnia Peace Implementation Conference in Bonn. The statement said that the High Representative's steps in no way relieved the Bosnian sides of the responsibility and the need to make their own decisions, as well. It said that joint institutions of Bosnia-Herzegovina must be more efficient and also stressed the need for deciding where these institutions should be permanently based.

The statement said it was necessary also to fully implement the results of the local elections, disband illegal parallel structures of power and secure free movement. The Contact Group called on all countries in the territory of the former Yugoslavia to cooperate in the implementation of the refugee repatriation programme, stressing that it was especially necessary to secure a free return of refugees to the entire territory of Croatia. To that effect, the statement said it was of vital importance to prevent provocation or discrimination of refugees and displaced persons. The statement also said that the Contact Group had borne out its intention to keep closely monitoring the developments in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo-Metohija and urged both the authorities in Belgrade and ethnic Albanian representatives to urgently start dialogue.

[05] REPUBLIKA SRPSKA IS A MODEL FOR A PLURALIST DEMOCRACY

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

The situation in Bosnia is developing satisfactorily in several positive directions, but there are still a series of problems which should be resolved, it was agreed at a regular Contact Group session in Moscow on Wednesday. The meeting, held at the level of political directors, deputy foreign ministers, was attended by representatives of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the United States, France and Russia, as well as High Representative of the international community for Bosnia Carlos Westendorp. Russia was represented by First Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolai Afanasyevsky, who told a press conference that participants had agreed that the realization of the Dayton Accords was on the whole satisfactory and that this was why they had focused attention on problems which remained outstanding and had a negative effect on the entire region. Among these problems, priority was given to the return of refugees and growing inter-ethnic tensions in the Muslim-Croat Federation.

The meeting participants agreed that Republika Srpska was now a model for pluralist democracy and was rapidly approaching that state, to which the Contact Group had been aspiring since the very beginning of the implementation of the Dayton Accords, said Afanasyevsky. The Group assessed as positive also the current situation in Brcko. Westendorp welcomed the increasingly speedy return of refugees, the existence of multi-ethnic organs of authority and joint police. The Contact Group places great importance on the decision on the status of this town which should be made by the international tribunal by March 15. Having in mind the independence of this body, the Contact Group did not wish to give any recommendations, but said it expected the tribunals decision to present a contribution to further cementing of peace and stability in the region, Afanasyevsky said. The Contact Group also considered a series of serious issues which might become a problem for regional stability in general. Among these issues, the group pinpointed the problem of the return of Serb refugee not only to Eastern Slavonia, but in general to Croatia. The Contact Group representatives will carefully follow developments in these areas and help the High Representative settle any problems that might arise. The Group also discussed the situation in Serbia's province of Kosovo and Metohija. They agreed this was an internal affair of Serbia and Yugoslavia and that the Contact Group could only offer assistance toward the earliest possible establishment of dialogue between representatives of the federal and republican authorities and the Albanian minority. Asked by reporters if the fact that the Contact Group was discussing Kosovo meant that one could speak of an internationalization of the Kosovo problem, Afanasyevsky said there could be no such conclusion, and reiterated that this was strictly Yugoslavia's internal affair. The Contact Group does not possess any truth which should be imposed, they only wish to contribute to the earliest possible settling of the problem, but the solution is in Yugoslavia, in Serbia, and in Kosovo, the Russian diplomat said. Afanasyevsky set out that the Contact Group urged the resolving of the Kosovo problem with strict respect of Yugoslavia's territorial integrity and considered unacceptable the aspirations to secession and the use of force in resolving political problems, and, in particular, resorting to terrorist methods.

[06] UN REPORTS ON THE HARASSMENT OF SERBS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

Spokeswoman for the U.N. Office in Belgrade Susan Manuel said on Wednesday that International Police had registered a growing number of cases of terror campaign and harassment of Serbs in Eastern Slavonia last week. Manuel told a news conference in Belgrade that the United Nations condemned the demonstration of anti-Serb feelings and creation of a terrible situation in the region. Manuel said that the United Nations did not have concrete information about the number of people leaving or returning to Eastern Slavonia. According to her, international organisations still demand that Croatian authorities speed up the return of Serb refugees but many Serbs do not wish or cannot return to the places they had departed from. Commenting on the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Manuel spoke about an increasing number of torchings of Serb houses in Drvar, more than 20 since the beginning of the year, which is why the presence of the International Police in the region has been increased. Manuel welcomed the surrender of Simo Zaric of Samac to the Hague-based International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and said she hoped that he would have a fair trial. Manuel said that Zaric, who is charged with the violation of the Geneva Convention, crime against humanity and deportation of Muslims and Croats from Samac, would plead guilty or not guilty as soon as on Thursday.

[07] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL ON AN ANNOUNCED NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS WITH THE U.S.

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

Yugoslav Foreign Trade Minister Borislav Vukovic said on Wednesday that an announced upgrading of relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the United States gave an impetus to establishing new economic ties and reviving and stepping up the old ones. Vukovic told reporters after a Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce Managing Board session that this process should have a positive effect on future cooperation, especially in the economic sector. He said that the coming complete restoration of the Yugoslav - U.S. diplomatic relations was crucial, which should reflect also through economic cooperation. As for the need for boosting the competitiveness of the home economy, Vukovic said that the Yugoslav Government on Wednesday discussed measures aimed at increasing exports in 1998. One of the key goals is to raise exports by more than 30% as against that in 1997, Vukovic said.

Commenting on a European Union Ministerial Meeting scheduled for April, Vukovic said that Yugoslav bodies were exerting efforts towards having E.U. autonomous measures against Yugoslavia reconsidered and returning Yugoslavia on the list of beneficiaries of E.U. trade preferences. He said that the liberalization of the Yugoslav market was not dependent on the E.U. decisions.

[08] SERBIAN PREMIER: THE RULE OF LAW MUST BE FULLY ENSURED

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

By rapidly stabilizing the market situation and resisting inflationary pressures and the growth of the black market exchange rate at the end of 1997 and the beginning of 1998, the Serbian and Yugoslav governments and the Yugoslav National Bank have confirmed their determination to pursue the policy of maintaining the stability of prices and the exchange rate, of ensuring market-based economic growth and accelerating the implementation of reforms, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic said on Wednesday.

Marjanovic was speaking at the assembly of shareholders of Beogradska Banka A.D., which ranks 256th at the list of 500 largest banks in the world. The fundamental goals of the 1998 economic policy will be included in the program of activities of the Serbian Government, Marjanovic said, adding he was referring to a wide range of state, national, economic and social issues on which full agreement has been reached in the consultations Serbian President Milan Milutinovic has held with parliamentary party leaders.

If we have succeeded in the past four years, in the most difficult conditions and without any help, in eliminating hyperinflation, transforming negative economic trends into positive and in initiating reforms, then I am sure that in the much better economic and social conditions prevailing today we shall be able to realize a great progress for the welfare of Serbia and its citizens, Marjanovic said.

[09] MINISTER ZELENOVIC CONFERRED WITH THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

Yugoslav Minister for Development, Science and Environment Jagos Zelenovic on Wednesday conferred with Spanish Ambassador to Yugoslavia Joaquin Perez Gomez on the renewal of scientific-technical cooperation between the two states. The two sides expressed interest in intensifying Yugoslav-Spanish relations through the renewal of cooperation in the areas of science, techniques and technology, said a Federal Government statement. It was agreed the value of trade in the recent year had doubled, but was still twice smaller than at the beginning of the decade, and below the economic and scientific-technical potentials of the two countries. Minister Zelenovic said Yugoslavia was especially interested in comprehensive cooperation with Spain as a Mediterranean country and a European Union member, which has solid relations with Latin-American countries with which Yugoslavia also has traditionally good friendly and business relations. Ambassador Gomez said he was witness to Yugoslavia's great efforts to intensify economic development and become reintegrated into the international community and institutions. He said Yugoslavia would continue to enjoy Spain's full support in this. It was agreed that, until further notice, the Agreement on scientific-technical and technological cooperation signed 20 years ago should remain in effect pending any changes, and that an operative programme of priorities for this year should be made as soon as possible. The Yugoslav side expressed special interest in scientific- technical cooperation in agriculture, environment, telemedicine, biotechnology, natural and technical sciences, said the statement released by the Federal Secretariat of Information.

[10] UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S MISSION TO BAGHDAD

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia received with great pleasure the news of the successful conclusion of the peace mission by the UN Secretary*General Kofi Annan to Baghdad, which crowned the efforts made not only by the United Nations but also by all countries in favour of finding a peaceful diplomatic solution to this extremely serious crisis. True to its peaceful policy, the FR of Yugoslavia believes that such a successful and positive outcome will bring about a rapid and permanent end to tensions in the region, contributing thereby to the further strengthening of the peace role and authority of the United Nations.

[11] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT PREPARES A PROGRAMME FOR CURBING THE GREY ECONOMY

Tanjug, 1998-02-25

At its Wednesday session presided by Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, the Yugoslav Government established a programme of measures aimed at curbing the grey economy, which should direct much of this trade into legal channels under the conditions of the open market economy. The Yugoslav Government said in a statement that the programme was aimed at removing the basic causes of the grey economy primarily through economic and systemic measures. It was said that the grey economy was present in the most modern market economies, especially in the countries in transition. It was also said that economic processes could be stabilised in the long run only after the grey economy is reduced to tolerable proportions. The main features of the proposed measures are the coordination of federal and republican regulations, the functioning of a single Yugoslav market and the balancing of fiscal obligations. The programme also envisages the introduction of the value added tax in keeping with E.U. standards and a significant reduction of the quantity of cash in circulation through the activation of all existing mechanisms of non-cash payments. In order to curb the grey economy, the Government determined measures for a further liberalisation of the foreign trade regime, while coordinating limitations and tariffs with WTO rules in the interest of domestic production. The Government determined a platform for the talks in Belgrade between Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic and his Finnish counterpart Tarja Halonen on March 3-4. The Government also accepted platforms for the conclusion of an Agreement on abolishing visas with Moldova and the Yugoslav draft of this international agreement, the statement said.

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