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Serbia Today, 97-03-07
Serbia Today
CONTENTS
[01] THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC RECEIVED MR. JACQUES KLEIN
[02] DANGEROUS THREATS
[03] TERRORISM WAS TOLERATED
[04] LOCAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ON SEPTEMBER 13-14.
[05] STEINER: THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN FRY AND RS IS NOT CONTRARY TO THE
DAYTON ACCORDS
[06] TODAY IN VIENNA - CONFERENCE ON BRCKO
[07] MEETING BETWEEN FOREIGN MINISTERS OF YUGOSLAVIA AND AUSTRIA
[08] WORLD STANDARDS
[09] THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION MET WIT THE ROMANIAN AMBASSADOR
[10] MEASURES FOR COOPERATION IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE
[11] SUPPORT FOR THE ECONOMIC EXPANSION OF FR YUGOSLAVIA AND THE REPUBLIC
OF SRPSKA
[01] THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC RECEIVED MR. JACQUES KLEIN
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic received yesterday Mr. Jacques Klein -
UN Administrator for the Srem-Baranja Region, who came to Belgrade
accompanied by his assistants. The most important aspects of the present
situation in the Srem-Baranja Region and the activities for the
stabilization and peace-building in the area have been discussed. It has
been observed that it indispensable that all citizens living in the Region,
be given the right to take part in the coming elections. In this sense
particular attention has been drawn to the right of the refugees to vote in
the forthcoming elections. Coordinated efforts by all factors involved
should remove the reasons for justified fears and insecurity of the
population regarding their freedom, existence, and equal-righted life in
the area, to prevent emigration and ensure a permanent settlement of the
territory. FRY fully endorses the UNTAES Mission and Administrator Klein's
efforts in favor of the implementation of the Erdut Agreement, which
allowed the peace-building process and created the preconditions for
enhancing the protection of the Serbian population.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Politika, 1997-03-07
[02] DANGEROUS THREATS
In a situation when chaos is spreading throughout Albania, certain figures
have newly been given the task to "open the Kosovo issue". This time, the
job has been assumed by a German reporter and the self-proclaimed president
of one Kosovo "Government in Exile". The Bonn daily "Die Welt" published an
article authored by its Zagreb correspondent. Using statements made by
Bujar Bukosi (defined "President of the parallel government of the Serbian
province of Kosovo inhabited mostly by Albanian population"), originally
published by the Croatian newspaper "Slobodna Dalmacija", the German
journalist formulated a number of dangerous threats about the possibility
of "armed uprising" in Kosovo and Metohija. Bukosi warned the West that
"Albanians can not satisfied with autonomy Belgrade has given them" and
threatened that should peaceful separation from Serbia and Yugoslavia prove
impossible, "a bloody conflict will follow". The war-mongering quotes with
particular enthusiasm the warning made by the president of the phantom
republic that Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija "might quickly draft 200-300
thousand fighters, their number being doubled in the second stage." Bukosi
also concluded that the conflict would be "far worse than the war in
Bosnia". It seems that "Die Welt" has been chosen to launch dangerous
theses, publicly dismissed by German government officials.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Ekspres Politika, 1997-03-07
[03] TERRORISM WAS TOLERATED
All Swiss dailies in French published articles on the latest terrorist
attacks in Kosovo and Metohija, indicating clearly for the first time that
terrorism is involved. "Tribune de Geneve" affirms that the perpetrators of
the terrorist attack in Pristina two days ago belong to the so-called
"Kosovo Liberation Army", which also stood behind the attack on the Rector
of the Pristina University. In reporting about the events in Kosovo and
Metohija, Swiss media stress what most of the other western newspapers
state, namely the mistakes in the policy regarding Albania made by Western
Europe and its political institutions. However, in writing openly about
mistakes, western media primarily intend "the extremely lenient attitude
towards Albania". Still, as certain diplomatic circles in Geneva remark,
errors made by Western Europe are mirrored by Kosovo and Metohija as well.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Borba, 1997-03-07
[04] LOCAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ON SEPTEMBER 13-14.
Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen - Danish Foreign Minister, and Chairman of the
Organization for European Security and Cooperation, confirmed that the
local elections in Bosnia, planned for July, will be postponed for two
months. "As OSCE Chairman, I have decided that local elections in Bosnia
are to be held on September 13-14th", said Mr. Petersen, adding that he
made the decision in accordance with the recommendation of the OSCE Mission
in Bosnia. and with the EU and NATO consent. Local elections were initially
scheduled to take place last September, together with the general elections
in Bosnia, but were subsequently postponed twice. The latest delay is due
to the suggestions put forth by western representatives, unsatisfied with
the existing conditions for elections.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Borba, 1997-03-07
[05] STEINER: THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN FRY AND RS IS NOT CONTRARY TO THE
DAYTON ACCORDS
The Dayton Accords are our Bible, and we will reject all that is not in
accordance with the document. This is the prospective in which we are to
consider the draft agreement on special and parallel ties between FR
Yugoslavia and the Republic of Srpska which has been signed recently. I
personally believe that the document has numerous positive elements." This
was stated by Mr. Michael Steiner - Deputy High Representative for civilian
affairs during his meting in Banjaluka with journalists from the Republic
of Srpska and B&H Federation. "The Agreement is not in contrast with the
Dayton Accords, since the Serbian entity is fully entitled to it. It is
also positive that it will be definitely ratified by the parliaments of
Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and that - most importantly - it
acknowledges the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ideal
scenario would have B&H establish as many such agreements as possible with
the neighboring countries. It would be useful for the Republic of Srpska to
establish economic treaties with Yugoslavia and Croatia", stressed Mr.
Steiner. Endorsing the revision of all agreements and treaties made on
state level - which are not in accordance with the Dayton Accords - Mr.
Steiner mentioned the "Washington Agreement" between Croatia and the Moslem-
Croatian Federation confederate ties, which - as he remarked - "is not
functioning as current events and the relations between federal partners
have shown."
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Vecernje Novosti, 1997-03-07
[06] TODAY IN VIENNA - CONFERENCE ON BRCKO
The conference on the modalities of implementation of the decision passed
by the International Arbitration Committee for Brcko, will take place today
in Vienna. Prime attention will be given to problems concerning the return
of refugees, the economic reconstruction of the region, the deployment of
international police forces and the construction of democratic
institutions. The Conference will be opened by Austrian Foreign Minister
Wolfgang Schissel, and it will be chaired by the International Community
High Representative for Bosnia - Mr. Karl Bildt. The Conference will be
attended by foreign ministers or their deputies from FR Yugoslavia,
Republic of Srpska, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Moslem-Croatian
Federation. Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic will also take part
in the work of the Conference, whilst the Republic of Srpska Delegation is
headed by Ms. Biljana Plavsic.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Borba, 1997-03-07
[07] MEETING BETWEEN FOREIGN MINISTERS OF YUGOSLAVIA AND AUSTRIA
Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schissel received in Vienna his Yugoslav
colleague - Mr. Milan Milutinovic and discussed with him the progress made
in bilateral cooperation, the situation in the region and the relations
between Yugoslavia and the European Union. This was the second meeting of
the two heads of diplomacy. "We have agreed that we still have not reached
the desired level of relations, one that would reflect the potentials and
the mutated international position of FR Yugoslavia and Austria" said the
Yugoslav Foreign Minister. "We have also agreed that mutual relations
should be intensified in all spheres common interest exists in. We expect
above all that already initialized agreements on stimulation and protection
of investments be definitely signed, as well as the documents on regular
road transport lines and social security, and that initiated talks on
future forms of cooperation be continued."
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Borba, 1997-03-07
[08] WORLD STANDARDS
Serbian Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Mr. Ivan Sedlak, stated that
the rights of ethnic minorities in Yugoslavia are well above international
standards both constitutionally and in practice. Rejecting political
manipulations "by certain political parties and their foreign mentors", Mr.
Sedlak remarked: "The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
goes a step further than the international treaty on civil rights, and
defines the special right of ethnic community members to maintain ties and
relations with their mother countries." The legally defined standards are
mostly being implemented in everyday life, and the best illustration can be
found in the overall situation in Vojvodina, as far as minority rights and
human rights in general are concerned. The stands of the mother countries
greatly determine the demands raised by minorities in our country, and the
principle of reciprocity in relations between states can affect the
realization of minority rights, said Mr. Sedlak adding that minorities on
both sides should be the bridge for cooperation between neighboring
countries.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Ekspres Politika, 1997-03-07
[09] THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION MET WIT THE ROMANIAN AMBASSADOR
Serbian Minister of Information - Prof Dr. Radmila Milentijevic, received
the Romanian Ambassador to Yugoslavia - Mr. Panait Lefter. During the
meeting, Minister Milentijevic stressed her conviction that Serbia is
proceeding along the path of democratization, including the public
information sphere. Both sides agreed that Yugoslavia and Romania have a
lot more in common than just the border, and that along with the
traditionally excellent relations, which were always marked by friendship,
understanding and mutual trust, a common desire of the two sides exists to
improve cooperation in all aspects of life, including the media. Ambassador
Lefter underscored that Romania - as a neighboring country - is closely
monitoring the events in FR Yugoslavia and Serbia, and wished Mme.
Milentijevic much success in her work and in her media democratization
efforts.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Politika, 1997-03-07
[10] MEASURES FOR COOPERATION IN ALL SPHERES OF LIFE
Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic with his assistants, received the
delegation of the Republic of Srpska, headed by RS Premier Gojko Klickovic
and the Co-President of the B&H Ministerial Council - Mr. Boro Cosic.
Concrete measures to promote and develop mutual cooperation in all spheres
of social and economic life have been discussed, and the corresponding
continued and systematic joint work in defining and realizing activities
and collaboration in the most important industrial sectors and social
segments. The mutual interest in developing capital infrastructure systems
has been stressed, primarily the construction of major roads, and the
modernization of railroads and telecommunications. The high government
officials from Serbia and RS agreed that joint attention should be
dedicated to future planning and harmonization of economic development. It
was commonly expressed that a rapid economic and trade cooperation requires
the harmonization of customs and fiscal regulations, and that all possible
steps should be taken to allow the unobstructed flow of goods and financial
means.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Politika, 1997-03-07
[11] SUPPORT FOR THE ECONOMIC EXPANSION OF FR YUGOSLAVIA AND THE REPUBLIC
OF SRPSKA
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic received yesterday the delegation of
the Republic of Srpska, including RS cabinet members headed by Prime
Minister Gojko Klickovic and Co-President of the Government of Bosnia and
Herzegovina Bora Cosic, as well as their hosts from the Serbian Government -
led by Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic. They informed President Milosevic
about the intense joint efforts to develop cooperation. The special
obligation of the state bodies on both sides to promote effective measures
and planned activities in order to enhance the economic expansion and
successful business activities of partners from FRY and RS. Particular
importance is given to the duty of both governments and relative ministries
to constantly monitor and promote legality on both sides, involving a
decisive battle against crime, smuggling and all illegal activities.
Consent has been displayed to endorse agreements and coordinated activities
of governments and state bodies on both sides will ensure the realization
of the interests of the citizens and promote progress in FRY and RS.
Yesterday, President Milosevic also received the Speaker of the RS
Parliament - Mr. Dragan Kalinic, accompanied by the heads of the Parliament
party groups of the Serbian Democratic Party, The Peace and Progress League,
and Serbian Radical Party in the RS parliament. During the encounter, also
attended by the President of the Federal Parliament Chamber of Citizens and
Serbian Parliament Speaker - Mr. Dragan Tomic, the role and the importance
of parliamentary cooperation has been particularly stressed, Since it also
represents an important factor for the evolution of political life and
promotes the conditions for realizing and linking the interests of the
people within the democratic institutions system.
Serbia Today, 1997-03-07 ; Politika, 1997-03-07
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