Yugoslav Daily Survey, 96-12-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS OSCE DELEGATION

[02] SLOVAK CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ON ETHNIC SLOVAKS IN YUGOSLAVIA

[03] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES U.N. ADMINISTRATOR

[04] GONZALEZ SAYS YUGOSLAVIA BELONGS TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

[05] OSCE DELEGATION AND OPPOSITION TOGETHER TALKS END

[06] OSCE DELEGATION, SERBIAN OPPOSITION COALITION HOLD SECOND MEETING

[07] OSCE DELEGATION MEETS WITH OPPOSITION COALITION LEADERS

[08] SPS SECRETARY GENERAL RECEIVES OSCE DELEGATION

[09] OSCE DELEGATION VISITS SUPREME COURT OF SERBIA

[10] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES OSCE DELEGATION HEAD GONZALEZ

[11] FELIPE GONZALEZ ARRIVES IN BELGRADE

[01] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS OSCE DELEGATION

Open and constructive talks focused on stepping up peace, security and cooperation in Europe on the basis of equality and respect, in the interest of all countries, and on relations between Yugoslavia and the OSCE. The parties agreed that efforts continue, through dialogue, toward Yugoslavia's reincorporation into the activities of OSCE, which is of mutual interest.

It laid stress to Yugoslavia's importance regarding and contribution to the peace process, stability and development in the region and the need for its full and equal participation in all contemporary European processes.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-21

[02] SLOVAK CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ON ETHNIC SLOVAKS IN YUGOSLAVIA

Speaking at an assembly of the Cultural and Literary Society of ethnic Slovaks in Yugoslavia, which was held in the capital of Serbia's northern Province of Vojvodina Novi Sad on Saturday, Mojzita spoke about a number of Yugoslav-Slovak agreements and protocols indifferent fields.

Vojvodina National Minority Rights Secretary Pavel Domonji supported the Society's activities aimed at preserving the identity and culture of the Slovak national minority.

A report on the Society's activities in the past four years was discussed at the assembly. The ancestors of more than 60,000 ethnic Slovaks, who currently live in Vojvodina, settled there two centuries ago.

Priest of the Slovak Evangelistic Church in the small town of Kulpin in northern Vojvodina was elected new President of the Matica Slovacka Cultural and Literary Society of ethnic Slovaks in Yugoslavia.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-22

[03] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES U.N. ADMINISTRATOR

It was said that a consistent implementation of the Erdut/Zagreb Agreement was a basis for the overall normalisation of relations and consolidation of peace and stability.

The implementation of the Agreement includes talks between representatives of the Srem-Baranja region and the Croatian Government on protecting security, freedom and rights of citizens as well as the speeding up of the region's economic recovery, it was said.

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic also participated in the talks.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-20

[04] GONZALEZ SAYS YUGOSLAVIA BELONGS TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

An OSCE statement released at the conclusion of the visit, which began when the delegation arrived on Friday, sets out the same opinion. The statement said the 'aim our this visit, in accordance with the spirit of the OSCE, was to uphold such principles as democratic elections, free political speech and respect for human rights.'

It went on to say that 'to this effect, the delegation offered the OSCE's cooperation in achieving the return of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the international community, to which it belongs by virtue of its geographical position, and its cultural and historical background.'

Gonzalez said he held cordial and substantial talks on numerous specific and general questions with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

I believe the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has to have its role, has to be in the international community, said Gonzalez. He expressed gratitude for being given free access to all organs that could provide information - competent authorities, political parties and media.

He said the aim of the visit was to obtain first-hand information, find out facts and gather relevant information. He said the job had not been an easy one, and added that his report would be submitted to the OSCE Chairman-in- Office before the end of December. The OSCE should then react shortly, in order that the visit be rendered effective, said Gonzalez.

He said he would immediately begin examining the wide range of documentation and information he had obtained. He said the delegation had during numerous talks gathered the impression of a positive stand of the Government, authorities and opposition.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-21

[05] OSCE DELEGATION AND OPPOSITION TOGETHER TALKS END

OSCE delegation head, eminent Spanish politician Felipe Gonzalez, said in a brief statement to the press that the public will be informed about the all the information and facts gathered by the mission.

Serbian Renewal Movement President Vuk Draskovic said he expected that the recommendations and conclusions of the OSCE delegation will be based on facts. 'We have indicated out readiness for dialogue, but on condition that the results of November 17 local elections be verified. Afterthat, all demonstrations would cease and talks would start to discuss other problems, ' Draskovic said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-21

[06] OSCE DELEGATION, SERBIAN OPPOSITION COALITION HOLD SECOND MEETING

After the second talks with Zajedno representatives which lasted for two hours, only the Zajedno representatives addressed reporters and said that they were satisfied with the talks, which they described as very constructive and serious.

The Zajedno representatives said that they had submitted their documents from polling stations in Belgrade, Nis and some other towns and municipalities in Serbia to the OSCE delegation and informed it about their stands on what had been happening during and after the elections.

They said that the second part of the talks had been dedicated to finding a way out from the present situation and that the role of media, financing of political parties and election law had also been discussed.

President of the Civic Alliance of Serbia Vesna Pesic said that the OSCE mission's task was not to mediate but to get an insight into the facts it would receive both from the Coalition and the official authorities, and to communicate its report to the OSCE.

Between the morning meeting and lunch with the Zajedno leaders, the OSCE delegation met at the hotel with representatives of Belgrade Radio B-92, whose reporters said that the position of electronic media in Serbia had been discussed.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-21

[07] OSCE DELEGATION MEETS WITH OPPOSITION COALITION LEADERS

Draskovic, leader of the Serbian Renewal Movement, told reporters that he had delivered to Gonzalez part of the Coalition's documentation on the results of the second round of local elections in Serbia and expressed the Coalition's demand for their full recognition.

Leader of the Civic Alliance of Serbia Pesic said the one-hour talks were purely informative and that the delegation was here on a fact-finding mission and not to mediate politically.

Democratic Party leader Djindjic briefed reporters that talks with the delegation would continue on Saturday.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-20

[08] SPS SECRETARY GENERAL RECEIVES OSCE DELEGATION

The statement said that the OSCE delegation gained knowledge of the election system, and facts were presented to it that clearly show the sweeping victory of the coalition of leftist and democratic forces at the November elections, as well as documented evidence of the full respect of electoral procedure. It was pointed out that the SPS expected that the OSCE report will be objective and impartial and that it will clear the distorted image based on incorrect facts and malicious interpretations created in apart of the world in connection with local elections in Serbia, the statement said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-21

[09] OSCE DELEGATION VISITS SUPREME COURT OF SERBIA

President of the First Municipal Court Dragoljub Jankovic told reporters after the talks that the decisions of the Court were correct from the legal standpoint, as confirmed by higher courts. 'We explained our procedure of work to the delegation, we informed them about our valid regulations and the situation in the register,' Jankovic said.

The representatives of the Supreme Court declined to give a statement to the press, as agreed by both sides, they said.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-21

[10] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES OSCE DELEGATION HEAD GONZALEZ

Both sides expect that the delegation will have the opportunity to find out all relevant facts, it was underlined during the meeting held in an open atmosphere of understanding.

Underlining his expectations that the high-level OSCE delegation will be able through an unbiased report to contribute to removing the deformed picture created in a part of the world public regarding the recent local elections in Serbia, president Milosevic expressed conviction that this would contribute to removing the reservations in the attitude of some countries and international circles towards Yugoslavia stemming from this deformed picture.

The arrival of the OSCE delegation and its interest and commitment should also constitute a step forward towards normalizing the status of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the OSCE, and its relations with that organization of which Yugoslavia is a founder.

The meeting was attended by Yugoslav foreign minister Milan Milutinovic.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-20

[11] FELIPE GONZALEZ ARRIVES IN BELGRADE

Gonzalez was greeted at Belgrade airport by Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, who had invited the delegation at the initiative of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

Milutinovic welcomed Gonzalez and said he expected the delegation would look into the situation pertaining to the local elections.

'It is a known fact, that discontent over election results and protests by part of the opposition have created a distorted picture in the international public over facts pertaining to the elections for local rule in Serbia,' said Milutinovic. Therefore, Milutinovic went on, 'the Federal Government has decided to invite an eminent OSCE delegation to visit our country and find out, directly and truthfully, about the facts concerned, so that all reservations regarding the procedure and results of the elections might be removed in the international public and in view of our relations with the international community.'

Milutinovic thanked the OSCE for 'accepting our invitation and sending a highly representative delegation with personalities whose respect and authority convince us that the procedure and results of the elections will be viewed openly and objectively, especially the part that triggered the undesired reactions and misunderstandings.'

Milutinovic recalled that an OSCE delegation had monitored the general, federal, elections and the first round of local elections, at the invitation of Yugoslavia. 'We assessed the report then submitted as fair and objective, and we have no doubt that it will be so this time, too,' said Milutinovic.

He said the 'upcoming meetings of the delegation with representatives of relevant institutions in charge of the elections will help to create a realistic and objective picture about our electoral system, electoral procedure and the election results.'

'We are prepared fully and openly to do everything so that the visit may be a working and useful one,' said Milutinovic.

He said he was convinced that the 'visit will remove all dilemmas and be conducive to the continuation and successful completion of the normalization process of Yugoslavia's relations and cooperation within the OSCE and other European and world political, economic, financial and other organizations.'

Milutinovic said that 'Yugoslavia's role so far and contribution to the Peace Process, promotion of peace, stability, good-neighbourly relations and progress, demonstrated in practice its democratic commitment and provided enough arguments for the conviction that it is a reliable partner in aspirations toward lasting peace and progress.'

Gonzalez told reporters that the aim of the visit was not to mediate but learn about the facts concerning the elections. He said no conclusions should be expected at the end of the mission, and added that the delegation would acquaint the OSCE Chairman of its findings in a couple of days.

Yugoslav Daily Survey, 1996-12-23 ; Tanjug, 1996-12-20

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