Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-07-03

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] MILOSEVIC RECEIVES CRVENKOVSKI

[02] BOSNIAN SERB ARMY PLEDGES TO RESPECT SUPREME COMMANDER, PRESIDENT

[03] YUGOSLAV PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SWORN INTO OFFICE

[04] DJUNIC HOPEFUL OF AGREEMENT WITH LONDON CLUB BY END OF YEAR

[05] YUGOSLAVIA, RUSSIA RESUME COOPERATION TALKS

[06] MONTENEGRIN PREMIER HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW

[07] MONTENEGRO MOUNTS ECONOMIC PRESENTATION IN MOSCOW

[08] YUGOSLAV, MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN ADVOCATE FREE TRADE

[09] SERBIAN EDUCATION MINISTER TODOROVIC RECEIVES MACEDONIAN COLLEAGUE

[10] YUGOSLAV INFORMATION SECRETARY RECEIVES MACEDONIAN JOURNALISTS

[11] KONTIC RECEIVES CRVENKOVSKI

[12] MACEDONIAN PREMIER SATISFIED WITH TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT

[01] MILOSEVIC RECEIVES CRVENKOVSKI

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic received on Wednesday Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski who is paying an official visit to Yugoslavia together with his aides.

It was stated in the talks that bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries were being successfully developed and that it was in the mutual interest that a legal framework for relations and ties that are to be diversified, primarily in the sphere of economy, be determined immediately.

The two sides are especially interested in stepping up cooperation in the field of agroindustry, agriculture and power industry and will focus on the promotion of cooperation in the field of transport, taking into account favourable aspects of the two countries' geographical position and the development of their transport infrastructure at this point.

The two countries urge joining regional and other integration processes on the footing of equality, using as a starting point primarily their economic openness and lasting commitment to economic ties and participation in the international division of labour on the footing of equality.

The two countries' interest was stressed in the continuation of a political dialogue and the resolution of outstanding issues through agreements. Subsequently, contacts will be intensified on various political levels, including contacts among state officials, inter-parliamentary cooperation and cooperation among other factors.

Also present were Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic, Yugoslav Minister of Development, Science and Environment Jagos Zelenovic, Yugoslav Ambassador in Skopje Zoran Janackovic, Macedonian Ambassador in Belgrade Slavko Milosavlevski and other officials.

[02] BOSNIAN SERB ARMY PLEDGES TO RESPECT SUPREME COMMANDER, PRESIDENT

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

The Army of the Republika Srpska said on Wednesday it would act within the law and the Constitution and maintain its legitimity by recognising the authority of the State President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander. This position was taken in Wednesday's meeting in Banja Luka between the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and President of the Republika Srpska, Biljana Plavsic, and the Army Chief of Staff, Major-General Pero Colic.

The statement said that the Army Command took the view that the current situation in the Republika Srpska was a political crisis of state institutions, which should be dealt with in the institutions in which it had originated.

The Army Command demanded of all army members to respect the principle of rank and take orders from their superiors, which means that they must all come directly from the Army Command.

It was noted that the crisis must be resolved as soon as possible so as to avoid divisions in the people and the army.

It was decided to discontinue all contacts with the SFOR in connection with any guard for the President of the Republika Srpska.

Also, the Army demanded that the Government convene at the earliest possible date to discuss matters that had triggered the crisis.

[03] YUGOSLAV PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SWORN INTO OFFICE

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Vukasin Jokanovic, the new Yugoslav Public Prosecutor, was sworn into office on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by speakers of both Chambers of the Yugoslav Parliament and representatives of organs of the judiciary. Jokanovic was appointed to the post at a second extraordinary Parliament session held on June 26, at an earlier proposal by former Yugoslav President Zoran Lilic.

Jokanovic said he would insist on adherence to constitution and legislation, and put up a strong fight against crime. He said he would work to bring into functional connection the Serbian and Montenegrin public prosecutors' offices. Jokanovic said "our job and aim are the same - to fight against unlawful acts and all crimes, against acts that destroy our constitutional order and undermine the country's constitutional system." In order to carry out these tasks, Jokanovic continued, "strong ties and functional cooperation between the republican and federal prosecutors' offices are imperative."

"Outstanding problems must be overcome soon, while those that try to disturb our unity are I think doomed to failure," Jokanovic said in conclusion.

[04] DJUNIC HOPEFUL OF AGREEMENT WITH LONDON CLUB BY END OF YEAR

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Yugoslav Vice-Premier Danko Djunic has announced that London Club officials will visit Belgrade, expressing hope that an agreement on the regulation of the country's debt to the Club would be reached by the end of the year. Djunic, who headed the country's delegation to recent talks with London Club officials, in London, told reporters that talks had opened and that the Club had not set the regulation of Yugoslavia's status in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a condition of the agreement.

He said it was vital that the London Club had accepted the logic that Yugoslavia should pay as much of its debt as it could, which he said would depend on its cash flow in the next ten years and the fact that the paying of the debt must not jeopardise its economic growth. Yugoslavia submitted to the London Club data on the state of its economy and its potential that are realistic and based on expert economic and financial estimates as well as on modalities of paying the debt that are also applied by the Club, he said.

In this connection, he said it had been offered that 80 percent of Yugoslavia's total debt to world commercial banks, amounting to 2.4 billion dollars, be written off. The remaining 500 million dollars would be paid in a 25-year period and would be turned into the national debt that could be collected through bonds within a certain period of time and under certain conditions, he said.

Djunic said Yugoslavia had proposed that the paying of the debt be postponed for nine years, that the interest rate in the first year amount to 3 percent and that it continue going up so that it amounts to LIBOR plus thirteen eighteenths in the ninth year, which he said was an interest rate model applied throughout the world.

He said the London Club officials had accepted that the capital amount of Yugoslavia's debt amounted to 1.7 billion dollars, saying, however, agreement on the amount of interest was yet to be reached. He said the Yugoslav position on the issue was the result of the country's real ability to service its foreign debts, saying the country would take this stand on the issue in talks with all creditors and not only in talks with the London Club. He said no bargain was possible in the case of the country's position on the issue.

Djunic also said that, considering its economic potential at this point and its expected economic potential, Yugoslavia could pay only a sum of 500 million dollars and interest on the sum, saying models of payment, deadlines by which interest was to be paid and other conditions of payment could be agreed on at a later stage. In this connection, he said to pay 2 billion dollars with an interest rate of one percent in a 30-year period was the same as to pay 500 million dollars in a ten-year period.

He said Yugoslav experts' estimates on the state and prospects of the Yugoslav economy were more realistic than those following the lifting of the U.N. Security Council sanctions when the rate of the country's economic growth had fallen short of expectations.

Djunic said Yugoslavia was ready to agree to other deals that might provide for additional financing as well as to separate talks with its creditors. He also said that the country's stand was that no deal or talks with the London Club could be linked to succession issues.

[05] YUGOSLAVIA, RUSSIA RESUME COOPERATION TALKS

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Yugoslavia's delegation in Moscow had a number of contacts with Russian officials again on Wednesday to discuss ways and means of promoting and expanding the volume of bilateral cooperation. In the contacts to date, the delegation, headed by Minister of Trade Borislav Vukovic, has made several proposals and is now expecting the Russian side to present its positions. Wednesday's talks were therefore turned over to expert groups, and more ministerial-level meetings are expected on Thursday.

Vukovic, in his capacity as co-chairman of the Yugoslav-Russian inter- governmental committee on trade and economic cooperation, met on Tuesday with Russia's First Deputy Finance Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. They discussed ways and means of promoting and diversifying cooperation in finance and banking.

[06] MONTENEGRIN PREMIER HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Montenegrin Premier Milo Djukanovic told a press conference in Moscow on Wednesday that Montenegro urged Yugoslavia's speedy reintegration in international political and economic institutions and expressed belief that Russia, as the country's traditional friend, could help in this process.

Djukanovic is on a two-day visit to Moscow, where a presentation of Montenegro's economic and tourist potentials is being held on Wednesday. The presentation is aimed at restoring and promoting contacts with Russian partners through joint investments in Montenegro's privatisation and development projects, Djukanovic said.

The Montenegrin premier dedicated most of his speech to the situation which had befallen the Yugoslav economy after a long-term crisis in the region. He said that the crisis had especially affected the Montenegrin economy, whose cooperation with foreign countries had been determined by its structure.

Djukanovic said that in view of the great contribution of the Russian Government and especially President Boris Yeltsin to the restoration of peace and the stabilisation of the situation in the former Yugoslavia, the planned diplomatic and political contacts in Moscow would reaffirm the continuity of support to Yugoslavia's efforts for a speedy reintegration in the international community.

The Montenegrin premier also said that calls for Russia's economic cooperation did not imply that Yugoslavia was waiting for its unilateral assistance. He expressed belief that cooperation and relations should be founded on a new basis and market principles.

Responding to questions about relations within Yugoslavia, Djukanovic said that Yugoslavia had taken the road of stability and reforms and that its democratic potentials enabled it to overcome all internal differences and determine the way for future development. History has proven the Serbian and Montenegrin peoples' interest in a life together, but this is not just tradition but also their current interest, Djukanovic said.

He said that the Montenegrin delegation to Moscow would hold a number of meetings with renowned Russian businessmen and politicians in Moscow.

[07] MONTENEGRO MOUNTS ECONOMIC PRESENTATION IN MOSCOW

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Montenegrin Premier Milo Djukanovic opened in Moscow on Wednesday a presentation of that Yugoslav republic's economic and tourist offer.

Opening the two-day event, Djukanovic spoke of historical ties binding Russia and Montenegro together and of the importance of Russia's support and help for Montenegrins and Serbs in recent history, specifically during the crisis in former Yugoslavia. He said Russia had proved to be a pillar of support for Serbia and Montenegro in their decision to live together in a common state and share it with the other nationalities with whom they were linked in history and fate.

He stressed that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the nations' conscious choice, because Montenegrins and Serbs shared a common past and common history, as well as a common future. He added that the two nations wished to build the country on the foundations of equality, an open market economy, a developed democracy, a country integrated in the international community and respected in the world.

He invited Russia to expand bilateral economic, cultural and other ties, for which he said there was a realistic potential, and explained in detail Montenegro's development projects.

[08] YUGOSLAV, MACEDONIAN BUSINESSMEN ADVOCATE FREE TRADE

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Yugoslav and Macedonian businessmen held a meeting on Wednesday at the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce and advocated free bilateral trade and the removal of all obstacles to that goal. A 30-member Macedonian delegation headed by President of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce Dusan Petreski was welcomed by President of the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce Prof. Mihailo Milojevic, who expressed hope that the two Governments would simplify the conditions for economic cooperation.

During the period under sanctions, Macedonia was a good, correct and useful business partner for Yugoslavia, Milojevic said and added that both countries would benefit from the development and expansion of economic cooperation.

Petreski said that Yugoslavia was Macedonia's leading foreign trade partner and that it was therefore essential to remove all obstacles and open fresh prospects. The inter-state agreement on free trade signed by the two Governments last year is not being realized at the desired rate that should have resulted in full liberalization by 1999, Petreski said.

Yugoslav businessmen expressed interest in increasing trade, resuming cooperation in production and establishing other forms of cooperation. Yugoslav companies hope to take part in the reconstruction of the power suply network in Macedonia and in the construction of railway networks and an oil pipeline from Salonika to Yugoslavia via Macedonia.

[09] SERBIAN EDUCATION MINISTER TODOROVIC RECEIVES MACEDONIAN COLLEAGUE

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Serbian Education Minister Jovo Todorovic received in Belgrade on Wednesday Macedonian Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Valentina Todorova. They exchanged views about the functioning of the education systems in their respective countries, reforms in this field and other matters of importance for developing bilateral cooperation.

The signing of the two countries' agreement on cooperation in education, culture and sport was in mutual interest and would enrich cooperation, it was noted.

Todorovic was invited to visit Macedonia in the near future.

[10] YUGOSLAV INFORMATION SECRETARY RECEIVES MACEDONIAN JOURNALISTS

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Yugoslav Information Secretary Goran Matic on Wednesday received Macedonian journalists who had arrived in Belgrade accompanying Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski on a two-day official visit to Yugoslavia.

The Yugoslav Government said in a statement that Matic had informed the journalists, who work at the most important Macedonian newspapers and radio and television, about the expansion of media in Yugoslavia, liberal conditions for the setting up of media and their free work and about media that operate on the languages of national minorities.

The Macedonian journalists were especially interested in the information in Macedonian and import of Macedonian press to Yugoslavia.

The Macedonian reporters were also interested in the Yugoslav information secretary's definition of the term 'Balkan information region' and Matic said that this did not imply institutional linking but cooperation in the field of informing with multilateral interest.

[11] KONTIC RECEIVES CRVENKOVSKI

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Yugoslav Prime Minister Radoje Kontic received on Wednesday his Macedonian counterpart Branko Crvenkovski who arrived on his first official visit to Belgrade.

Kontic and Crvenkovski agreed that the visit reflected good relations between the two countries, saying the resumption of dialogue, whose beginning was marked by Kontic's visit to Skopje and the signing of a series of inter-state agreements, was expected to lead to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, a statement issued by the Yugoslav Information Secretariat said.

They said the stepping up of relations and cooperation between the two countries would help strengthen regional and sub-regional cooperation to which they said both countries were committed.

They stressed the need for completing an inter-state legal framework that is to enable the promotion of economic relations and primarily free traffick of goods and capital. To this end, three other agreements - a consular convention and agreements on cooperation in the field of science and technology, and culture and education - will be signed during Crvenkovski's visit.

Kontic and Crvenkovski discussed basic spheres on which they would continue talks in order to regulate bilateral cooperation through the signing of agreements as well as ways of removing obstacles to the promotion of cooperation in these spheres. The spheres in question include agro and power industries, construction, transport, information, welfare, and joint appearance on third markets, the statement said.

They also discussed the diversification of good political cooperation, primarily on the parliamentary level.

[12] MACEDONIAN PREMIER SATISFIED WITH TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT

Tanjug, 1997-07-02

Macedonian Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski on Wednesday said he was satisfied with nearly one-hour talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Crvenkovski said that they had exchanged opinions about the overall situation in the region and bilateral relations. "I am glad to have had the opportunity to hear from President Milosevic and to see our northern neighbour's good will for the promotion of comprehensive cooperation in all fields," Crvenkovski said. He added that his visit to Belgrade would help in the development and promotion of bilateral relations.

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