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Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-07-28Yugoslav Daily Survey Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Yugoslavia <http://www.yugoslavia.com>Yugoslav Daily SurveyCONTENTS
[01] MILOSEVIC RECEIVES FELICITATIONS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIESTanjug, 1997-07-24The presidents of a number of countries on Thursday felicitated Slobodan Milosevic on the election for Yugoslav President. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma expressed hope that in his new office, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic would continue to be guided by the principles of friendship and partnership in relations with Ukraine, like he did while he was Serbian President. Kuchma said he was certain that Milosevic's activities would contribute to a further promotion of understanding and comprehensive cooperation between Ukraine and Yugoslavia. Palestinian President Yasser Arafat also sent a message of felicitations to President Milosevic. Arafat expressed satisfaction with the existing relations of cooperation and friendship between Palestine and Yugoslavia and their friendly peoples and great appreciation of the consistent stands of support to the Palestinian people's just fight for their national, legitimate goals and aspirations, which the friendly Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, its President, Government and peoples take at all international gatherings and panels. Turkish President Suleyman Demirel stressed his "conviction that the relations between the Republic of Turkey and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will develop to the benefit of our two peoples." Israeli President Ezer Weizman also sent a message of felicitations to President Milosevic. "I wish to convey to Your Excellency on behalf of the people of Israel and myself our sincere wishes for peace, prosperity and the continued development of your country and people under your distinguished leadership, " the message said. Nigerian President Gen. Sanni Abacha and Myanmar Union President Gen. Than Swe also sent messages of felicitation to President Milosevic. [02] MILOSEVIC RECEIVES FEDERAL PARLIAMENT WHIPSTanjug, 1997-07-24Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received separately the federal parliament whips in Belgrade on Thursday. Milosevic received Milutin Stojkovic (Socialist Party of Serbia), Zeljko Sturanovic (Democratic Party of Socialists), Vojislav Seselj (Serbian Radical Party), Zivko Sokolovacki (Yugoslav Left), Jordan Aleksic (New Democracy), Joze Laslo (Vojvodina Hungarians, Vojvodina coalition, Social Democrat Party of Montenegro), and Vuk Draskovic (Serbian Renewal Movement). The talks focused on major federal issues and the promotion of the work of federal institutions. Stepped up economic recovery and the successful realization of economic reforms are the priority interests of the country and all its citizens, with the further affirmation of the equal position and role of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a factor of peace and stability in the Balkans. Serbian Renewal Movement President Draskovic also spoke about three essential preconditions for the holding of the upcoming elections in Serbia: multi-party control of elections and presence of observers, openness of all media to political parties and candidates equally in keeping with their size and importance, and enabling that all local media affected by the new telecommunications regulations work unhindered by the elections, and that the existing problems be settled and coordinated with regulations after the elections. Milosevic expressed a positive stand on these preconditions. He said no-one was denying this, either in the Government or in the ruling party, and that they will be included in the Serbian election regulations, with the exception of the third point. The issue of certain local radio and TV stations coordinating their work with regulations can be put off until after the elections, however, if this will help create good will, he said. These preconditions are doubtless important for the holding of democratic and fair elections in Serbia, so that no-one will be privileged or handicapped. President Milosevic said he would personally work on the realization of these preconditions. [03] HUMANITARIAN AID TO BELARUS, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLICTanjug, 1997-07-24At its Thursday session, chaired by Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, the Yugoslav Government decided to send humanitarian aid to Belarus, Poland and the Czech Republic, which have been hit by hurricane and foods. Goods worth 200,000 dinars will be sent to each country through the Yugoslav Red Cross, the Government said in a statement. [04] SENATE PROPOSES MEASURES FOR ENDING CRISISTanjug, 1997-07-24The Republika Srpska Senate proposed in a session on Thursday measures for ending the "difficult and dangerous" political crisis. The session was attended by President Biljana Plavsic, Bosnian Presidency member Momcilo Krajisnik, Parliament Speaker Dragan Kalinic and other high- ranking officials. It was agreed that mutual accusations and verbal attacks cease immediately, that pending rulings of the Constitutional Court be respected, and that the Government must work, which is vital now that local elections are forthcoming, said a statement released after the session. If Court rules that dissolution of Parliament is constitutional, then parliamentary elections must be held separately, after the local elections. If not, Parliament will continue to work as it is. President Biljana Plavsic is urged to repeal her decision to dissolve Parliament. Because of rising crime, especially in the economy, the Senate proposes a Government reshuffle and the formation of a state commission, directly answerable to the President, to determine irregularities, one month after the elections at the latest. If consensus of all forces and institutions in Republika Srpska is not achieved, and if the Government does not function, the negative consequences will be far reaching, the Senate said. [05] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES KONTIC, BULATOVIC, AND TOMICTanjug, 1997-07-23Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received federal Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic, and acting Serbian President and Serbian parliament Speaker Dragan Tomic in Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon. On the occasion of Milosevic's swearing-in as Yugoslav President, the officials expressed their best wishes for his continued successful work. They said they were certain joint actions and future cooperation on the successful realization of speedy economic recovery, the country's comprehensive material and cultural development, and the interests of its citizens would secure the strengthening of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, its further international affirmation and active participation in linking processes in the world, as a basis for cementing peace and stability in the region and building equal relations and cooperation with other countries. [06] YUGOSLAV COMPANIES WILL BUILD DAM IN JORDANTanjug, 1997-07-24The Jordanian Government has decided to entrust the construction of the Mujib dam on the Jordan, a project worth around 55 million dollars, to Yugoslav builders. The dam will be located near the town of Madaba, about 50 kilometers south- east of the Jordanian capital. It will be 50 meters high and will have a capacity of 35 million cubic meters of water. The project is expected to take three years. Reporting the Government decision, the Jordanian press singled out the great prestige Yugoslav builders have in the Middle East and the fact that they have built similar projects in nearly all Arab countries. The highest-circulation daily Al-Rai reported that the Jordanian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation would visit Yugoslavia soon for concrete agreements on the construction of the Mujib dam. The Jordanian news agency Petra said the Mujib project would partly be financed by the Jordanian Government and partly through the repayment of a Yugoslav debt. [07] CROATIA REFUSES TO GIVE HAGUE PAPERS ON IMPRISONED SERBSTanjug, 1997-07-23Croatia has refused to present to The Hague Tribunal on war crimes in former Yugoslavia documents on about 100 Serbs still incarcerated in its prisons, and data on 150 Serbs accused of war crimes in the territory of Eastern Slavonija, "Veritas" documentation centre head Savo Strbac told Tanjug on Wednesday. "We presented to Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Luisa Arbour in January a list with the names of 130 Serbs who have been exempt from amnesty by the Croatian authorities although they are not on the list of war criminals released by the Croatian Ministry of Justice," Strbac said. At that time, we asked the Tribunal to take over these cases because it was justly believed the processes against these persons were not fair and that people were being sentenced to long-term sentences unjustly. The Hague Tribunal office in Belgrade recently informed "Veritas" that Deputy Chief Prosecutor Greem Bluit had on June 12 proposed to Croatia to examine the evidence against the persons on the list for Eastern Slavonija and other lists of persons accused or already sentenced. On June 26, Croatian authorities replied that there was no need, no reason, and no legal basis for accepting the services of the Tribunal. According to "Veritas" figures, there are currently 106 Serbs in Croatian prisons, captured or arrested during and after Operation Storm in August 1995, including 75 sentenced for war crimes and 22 persons sentenced for conventional crimes. Trials of Serbs for conventional crimes are just a way to find loopholes in the law, in fact to sentence these persons for conventional crimes (attempted murder, grand larceny) in the absence of proof of war crimes. "It is especially disturbing that the Tribunal has decided not to take over from Croatia cases in which verdicts have been carried. It was explained to us that the Tribunal does not have sufficient funds or personnel, and that there is not sufficient legal basis for this either," Strbac said. Strbac said the efforts of the Tribunal to acquire documents on imprisoned Serbs was a positive step, but said "Veritas" could not accept the stand that the court would not do anything further about those persons already sentenced to 10 or 20 years in prison. "We believe that the United Nations Security Council should be informed about Croatia's refusal to present documentation on imprisoned and sentenced Serbs or about 150 accused Serbs in the region of Eastern Slavonija, and that concrete sanctions should be applied against it for refusing to coordinate with the Hague Tribunal," Strbac said. "This is especially important and the world must react, because Croatia has announced that, in addition to the 106 imprisoned and 150 accused Serbs from Eastern Slavonija, there is also a third list of 2,000 Serbs alleged war criminals from the territories of Banija, Lika, Kordun, and Western Slavonija," Strbac said. [08] MILUTINOVIC RECEIVES OYMENTanjug, 1997-07-23Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic received Turkish Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Onur Oyman, who is in Belgrade for political consultations between the two foreign ministries. During the talks with Oyman, mutual pleasure was expressed with the visit which is aimed at giving an impetus to further contacts and political dialogue between the two countries at all levels, a ministry statement said. The sides confirmed the joint interest and readiness to promote relations and comprehensive cooperation between Yugoslavia and Turkey, taking advantage of past experience when that cooperation had been developed, especially in the area of the economy. In this respect, it was heard that it was necessary as soon as possible for Turkey to resolve certain outstanding issues, so as to clear the path toward the speedy development of mutual cooperation. It was assessed that the good relations between the two countries presented an important factor of stability and confidence in the region. In the exchange of views on the situation in the region, it was underlined that peace, stability and good-neighbour relations had no alternative. Common interest was expressed in the due implementation of the Dayton accords and it was indicated that an equal stand toward all sides in Bosnia- Herzegovina presented an essential precondition for the further progress and success of the peace process. Views were exchanged on current developments in the region of the Balkans, especially following the recent Salonika meeting of Balkan foreign ministers, to whose positive outcome Yugoslavia and Turkey had made constructive contributions. The two sides confirmed the common interest further to develop all forms of regional cooperation which should facilitate the inclusion of this region into modern European processes, the statement said. [09] MILOSEVIC'S WORDS INCENTIVE TO YUGOSLAVIA'S DEVELOPMENTTanjug, 1997-07-23Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic told Tanjug on Wednesday that the inauguration speech of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was an incentive for all those who wanted our country's progress and bright future. "It was a true pleasure to attend this official act of the swearing-in of the Yugoslav President. His words were really an incentive to all those who believe Yugoslavia has a bright future and who wish to make a contribution to the realization of these clear goals and visions," Bulatovic said. [10] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVES KONTIC, BULATOVIC, AND TOMICTanjug, 1997-07-23Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received federal Prime Minister Radoje Kontic, Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic, and acting Serbian President and Serbian parliament Speaker Dragan Tomic in Belgrade on Wednesday afternoon. On the occasion of Milosevic's swearing-in as Yugoslav President, the officials expressed their best wishes for his continued successful work. They said they were certain joint actions and future cooperation on the successful realization of speedy economic recovery, the country's comprehensive material and cultural development, and the interests of its citizens would secure the strengthening of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, its further international affirmation and active participation in linking processes in the world, as a basis for cementing peace and stability in the region and building equal relations and cooperation with other countries. [11] CROATIA REFUSES TO GIVE HAGUE PAPERS ON IMPRISONED SERBSTanjug, 1997-07-23Croatia has refused to present to The Hague Tribunal on war crimes in former Yugoslavia documents on about 100 Serbs still incarcerated in its prisons, and data on 150 Serbs accused of war crimes in the territory of Eastern Slavonija, "Veritas" documentation centre head Savo Strbac told Tanjug on Wednesday. "We presented to Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Luisa Arbour in January a list with the names of 130 Serbs who have been exempt from amnesty by the Croatian authorities although they are not on the list of war criminals released by the Croatian Ministry of Justice," Strbac said. At that time, we asked the Tribunal to take over these cases because it was justly believed the processes against these persons were not fair and that people were being sentenced to long-term sentences unjustly. The Hague Tribunal office in Belgrade recently informed "Veritas" that Deputy Chief Prosecutor Greem Bluit had on June 12 proposed to Croatia to examine the evidence against the persons on the list for Eastern Slavonija and other lists of persons accused or already sentenced. On June 26, Croatian authorities replied that there was no need, no reason, and no legal basis for accepting the services of the Tribunal. According to "Veritas" figures, there are currently 106 Serbs in Croatian prisons, captured or arrested during and after Operation Storm in August 1995, including 75 sentenced for war crimes and 22 persons sentenced for conventional crimes. Trials of Serbs for conventional crimes are just a way to find loopholes in the law, in fact to sentence these persons for conventional crimes (attempted murder, grand larceny) in the absence of proof of war crimes. "It is especially disturbing that the Tribunal has decided not to take over from Croatia cases in which verdicts have been carried. It was explained to us that the Tribunal does not have sufficient funds or personnel, and that there is not sufficient legal basis for this either," Strbac said. Strbac said the efforts of the Tribunal to acquire documents on imprisoned Serbs was a positive step, but said "Veritas" could not accept the stand that the court would not do anything further about those persons already sentenced to 10 or 20 years in prison. "We believe that the United Nations Security Council should be informed about Croatia's refusal to present documentation on imprisoned and sentenced Serbs or about 150 accused Serbs in the region of Eastern Slavonija, and that concrete sanctions should be applied against it for refusing to coordinate with the Hague Tribunal," Strbac said. "This is especially important and the world must react, because Croatia has announced that, in addition to the 106 imprisoned and 150 accused Serbs from Eastern Slavonija, there is also a third list of 2,000 Serbs alleged war criminals from the territories of Banija, Lika, Kordun, and Western Slavonija," Strbac said. [12] MILOSEVIC'S WORDS INCENTIVE TO YUGOSLAVIA'S DEVELOPMENTTanjug, 1997-07-23Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic told Tanjug on Wednesday that the inauguration speech of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic was an incentive for all those who wanted our country's progress and bright future. "It was a true pleasure to attend this official act of the swearing-in of the Yugoslav President. His words were really an incentive to all those who believe Yugoslavia has a bright future and who wish to make a contribution to the realization of these clear goals and visions," Bulatovic said. [13] MILUTINOVIC RECEIVES OYMENTanjug, 1997-07-23Yugoslav Foreign Minister Milan Milutinovic received Turkish Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary Onur Oyman, who is in Belgrade for political consultations between the two foreign ministries. During the talks with Oyman, mutual pleasure was expressed with the visit which is aimed at giving an impetus to further contacts and political dialogue between the two countries at all levels, a ministry statement said. The sides confirmed the joint interest and readiness to promote relations and comprehensive cooperation between Yugoslavia and Turkey, taking advantage of past experience when that cooperation had been developed, especially in the area of the economy. In this respect, it was heard that it was necessary as soon as possible for Turkey to resolve certain outstanding issues, so as to clear the path toward the speedy development of mutual cooperation. It was assessed that the good relations between the two countries presented an important factor of stability and confidence in the region. In the exchange of views on the situation in the region, it was underlined that peace, stability and good-neighbour relations had no alternative. Common interest was expressed in the due implementation of the Dayton accords and it was indicated that an equal stand toward all sides in Bosnia- Herzegovina presented an essential precondition for the further progress and success of the peace process. Views were exchanged on current developments in the region of the Balkans, especially following the recent Salonika meeting of Balkan foreign ministers, to whose positive outcome Yugoslavia and Turkey had made constructive contributions. The two sides confirmed the common interest further to develop all forms of regional cooperation which should facilitate the inclusion of this region into modern European processes, the statement said. 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