Yugoslav Daily Survey, 97-11-05

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER BULAJIC RECEIVED CELAK

[02] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: WE HAVE BEGUN OUR FUTURE OF COOPERATION

[03] KRAJISNIK AND WESTENDORP CONFERRED ON BRCKO

[04] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: SUMMIT IS A BIG STEP TOWARD COOPERATION AMONG BALKAN PEOPLES

[05] PRIME MINISTER NANO: COOPERATION WITH YUGOSLAVIA TO BE STEPPED*UP

[06] MARKALE MARKET EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A PLANTED MINE

[07] COOPERATION BETWEEN ROMANIA AND FRY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THE BALKANS

[08] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR RECEIVES U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT DELEGATION

[09] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL ELECTED TO PRESIDENCY OF EUROPEAN BRANCH OF HABITAT

[10] SOLANA CALLS FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA

[11] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MET WITH BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

[12] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ON EXTENSION OF SFOR MANDATE

[13] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ON SECURITY ISSUES IN THE BALKANS

[14] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MET WITH MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT GLIGOROV

[15] COMMISSIONER MORINA RECEIVED MCKINLEY

[16] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED TURKISH PREMIER YILMAZ

[17] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER CIORBEA

[18] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: BALKANS NEED STRENGTHENING OF ALL FORMS OF COOPERATION

[19] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT SUPPORT SECESSION

[20] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER NANO

[21] MINISTER FILIPOVIC RECEIVED PRESIDENTS OF THE DJERDAP COMMISSION

[22] GOVERNMENT PROPOSES RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS

[23] MEETING OF NUCLEAR ASSOCIATIONS OF SOUTHEAST EUROPE

[24] MINISTER IVANISEVIC RECEIVED FAUBERT

[25] COMMISSIONER MORINA RECEIVED FAUBERT

[26] UNITED NATIONS DEMAND A TRIAL FOR SUSPECT KILLERS OF A SERB

[27] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF RECTORS OPENS IN NIS

[28] KRAJISNIK AND KLEIN FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT ON SRPSKA TV

[29] MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT BULATOVIC RECEIVED STATE MINISTER LLOYD

[30] MONTENEGRIN PREMIER DJUKANOVIC RECEIVED STATE MINISTER LLOYD

[01] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER BULAJIC RECEIVED CELAK

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Deputy Foreign Minister Radoslav Bulajic received on Tuesday Serge Celak, Ambassador in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of consultations between the two Foreign Ministries, issues of bilateral relations between FR Yugoslavia and Romania were reviewed, and special attention was devoted to economic cooperation.

During his stay in Belgrade, Ambassador Celak was received by Yugoslav Minister of Economy Rade Filipovic. They reviewed possibilities for the further promotion of economic links between our two countries.

[02] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: WE HAVE BEGUN OUR FUTURE OF COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic said at the close of the Summit of Southeastern European countries that a new era of cooperation had begun.

"This was a very important conference. For the first time after fifty years the heads of Balkan states met and started to build a new future, a future of cooperation," said Milosevic in Crete, where he met with former Greek Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis.

"The Balkan pot has bubbled many times in history. Now we are opening new roads for cooperation and this was a great success. There were many bilateral meetings, too, that were very important for us all," Milosevic said.

Asked to comment the meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Milosevic said, "I consider the meeting as very constructive. We decided to start a process of normalization of relations between Yugoslavia and Albania. It is a huge step forward."

"So, I have a very positive judgement in regard to all our activities in the past few days here in Crete," Milosevic concluded.

Milosevic and Mitsotakis expressed mutual satisfaction over their meeting today, stressing their long-term friendship.

Mitsotakis assessed the conference in Crete as significant for improving the atmosphere among Balkan states.

[03] KRAJISNIK AND WESTENDORP CONFERRED ON BRCKO

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

President from Republika Srpska on the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik conferred in Pale on Tuesday with High Representative of the international community Carlos Westendorp on the implementation of the arbitration decision on Brcko.

After the talks, Krajisnik told reporters that Brcko was a sensitive topic which deserved special attention. He said the Serb side had informed Westendorp that a body had been set up of persons familiar with the problem of Brcko and that this had been coordinated with Srpska President Biljana Plavsic.

The body consists of people who had worked at the time of arbitration - Srpska Vice-President Dragoljub Mirjanic, Deputy Premier in charge of foreign relations Aleksa Buha, Deputy Foreign Minister Radomir Lukic, Arbitration Commission member Vitomir Popovic, and Brcko municipality head Miodrag Pajic, Krajisnik said.

Krajisnik said the body had been set up so that implementation could be more successful and that Brcko could finally, by its own decision, remain within Republika Srpska next year.

Announcing that he had also spoken with Westendorp about Srpska Radio Television (SRT), Krajisnik said the High Representative had shown readiness for his associates to be engaged on finding solutions to overcome this problem with representatives of the Srpska Government and the SRT.

It is our objective to cooperate with the international community and the High Representative, Krajisnik said, pointing out that the vast efforts by the international community to establish and maintain peace, implement the Dayton Accords, and resolve controversial issues in a satisfactory way, must be appreciated.

Krajisnik expressed hope that the Dayton Accords and the results of the elections would be implemented successfully and that the issue of the SRT would be settled because it especially burdened Republika Srpska's relations with the international community.

Assessing that the problem of media in Republika Srpska, actually the SRT, must be settled, Westendorp pointed out that the international community was investing efforts so as to enable people free media.

He expressed hope that the necessary agreement, regarding the SRT, would be reached with Republika Srpska Government representatives.

Noting that the main purpose of his visit to Pale had been the implementation of a multi-ethnic administration of Brcko, Westendorp said he understood this was a very sensitive issue and that he realized the implementation of the arbitration decision on Brcko was important for Republika Srpska.

Underlining that he had come to Pale so as to establish good relations with Republika Srpska representatives on this implementation, Westendorp expressed hope they would work together towards achieving positive results which, he emphasized, everyone wanted.

The Krajisnik-Westendorp meeting was attended also by Republika Srpska Deputy Premier in charge of foreign relations Aleksa Buha, Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic, and Assembly Speaker Dragan Kalinic.

[04] PRESIDENT GLIGOROV: SUMMIT IS A BIG STEP TOWARD COOPERATION AMONG BALKAN PEOPLES

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov said on Tuesday that the just ended Summit of Southeastern European countries on Crete had been successful and presented a big step toward cooperation among the Balkan peoples.

Gligorov told a press conference that the Summit had been in the focus of all international organizations and that its success depended on "all of us" and the readiness of the peoples of all countries to reject everything that had divided them and to set forth on paths of cooperation and that which draws them together.

Commenting the meeting between Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, which attracted great attention at the Crete Summit, Gligorov said this had been a great event since top representatives of the two neighbouring countries had met after more than 50 years.

The problem of Kosovo can be resolved through dialogue within Yugoslavia and Serbia, said Gligorov, adding that there can be no secession or changing of borders since Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia and Yugoslavia. He pointed out the historical importance of Kosovo as a place where the Serb state grew in all its historical, cultural and religious elements.

The Macedonian President gave a positive assessment of the development of Yugoslav-Macedonian relations, underscoring that after the signing of 10 inter-state agreements, including one on free trade, Yugoslavia had become Macedonia's number one foreign trade partner.

[05] PRIME MINISTER NANO: COOPERATION WITH YUGOSLAVIA TO BE STEPPED*UP

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, referring to results of his talks with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, on Tuesday announced a stepped-up bilateral economic and political cooperation and meetings of Albanian and Yugoslav officials.

Nano told a news conference after the Balkan leaders' Summit on the Greek island of Crete that Belgrade and Tirana would soon raise diplomatic representations in both countries to the ambassadorial level.

He qualified as positive the results of the Crete Summit, saying that cooperation and dialogue reduced tension in the Balkans.

To a question on the "autonomy of Kosovo", Nano said that Albania shared the international community's view of autonomy for Kosovo-Metohija and ethnic Albanian representation in institutions of the democratic society in Kosovo-Metohija and Yugoslavia.

As for education problems in Kosovo-Metohija, Nano said that this called for unblocking the implementation of an agreement on education signed by President Slobodan Milosevic and ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova.

[06] MARKALE MARKET EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A PLANTED MINE

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

The explosion in Sarajevo's marketplace Markale in August 1995 was caused by a mine planted so that blame would be laid with the Serbs, it was heard at a Symposium on explosives which opened on Tuesday.

Miroljub Vukasinovic, the author of a paper titled "Application of the method of numerical experiment in ballistic expertise of the Markale 2 event," said he attempted to estimate the destructive power of the 120-mm mortar shell without going into the political aspects of the event.

Vukasinovic employed the method of numerical simulation to determine the effect of the missile on the target, and carried out analyses based on video tapes of the site.

He said it was unmistakable that the mine had been planted, and added that the time, place and method indicated that the operation had been carefully prepared, said Vukasinovic.

The two-day Symposium, titled JKEM '97, will hear about 50 papers submitted by military-technical and scientific institutes, the arms industry, civic institutes and colleges. It was organized by the Yugoslav Army Military- Technical Institute.

[07] COOPERATION BETWEEN ROMANIA AND FRY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THE BALKANS

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

The General Director of the Romanian Electric Power Industry, Dr. Aureliu Leka, said on Tuesday at the end of his official visit to Belgrade, that he "is very satisfied with the Agreement on cooperation signed with the Yugoslav Electric Power Industry on the exploitation of the Djerdap 1 and 2 hydro and navigation systems." The fact that the 56th session of the joint Romanian-Yugoslav Committee for Djerdap has just ended, is a good sign that the two countries have been cooperating well in the production and exploitation of electric power and the navigation system on the Danube river, Leka told Tanjug.

Leka, who is also the President of the Romanian part of the Yugoslav- Romanian Joint Committee for the Electric Power Industry, added that the Djerdap hydro and navigation system was put into operation 25 years ago and that the two neighbouring and friendly countries have demonstrated good cooperation in practice. In that period, the Romanian and Yugoslav parts of the Djerdap hydro-electric power plant have manufactured 300 billion kilo- Watt hours of electricity.

Leka said that in Belgrade and Greece, where the Joint Committee met, the further cooperation between the two Electric Power Industries over the next 25 years was agreed upon. The first and foremost task is the joint revitalization of our electric power plants within the Djerdap 1 hydro- energy system, Leka said.

He set out that the time had come for the two countries and their Electric Power Industries to become part of the power and other economic systems of the European Union. Romania and Yugoslavia are an example of good cooperation in the Balkans and our Electric Power Industries should become members of the European Community of Power Systems, Leka said.

He underscored that the Summit of the heads of state or government of Southeast Europe, held in Crete, Greece, is a sign to the Electric Power Industries of the region to cooperate in the interest of the economies and consumers of the entire Balkans.

Leka said he was specially glad that Yugoslavia and its Electric Power Industry are overcoming faster than expected the effects of the international sanctions.

[08] CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR RECEIVES U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT DELEGATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

National Bank of Yugoslavia Governor Dusan Vlatkovic and associates received on Tuesday a U.S. Treasury Department delegation, headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Medish, at the request of the guests. Representing the Yugoslav side were also Vice-Governor Zarko Trbojevic, and General Directors Gavrilo Djedovic and Dragan Lijesevic.

Attending on behalf of the U.S. side were Treasury Department officials Michael Monderer and Brian Cox, and Economic Adviser of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade Gregory Barton, a National Bank of Yugoslavia statement said.

Governor Vlatkovic informed the U.S. delegation about current economic and financial trends in Yugoslavia, and the importance of Yugoslavia's inclusion in international financial institutions.

He raised a whole range of concrete issues relating to economic and financial cooperation with corresponding U.S. institutions.

Special attention was devoted to the unblocking of Yugoslav assets in U.S. banks and the activating of the work of the Yugoslav "Beogradska Banka" and "Jugobanka" banks in New York.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Medish set out that Yugoslavia's return to international institutions and its integration into world financial and trading processes depended on a number of factors.

Medish welcomed positive trends in Yugoslavia which are to help the country's quick return to the international community, the statement said.

[09] YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL ELECTED TO PRESIDENCY OF EUROPEAN BRANCH OF HABITAT

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Head of a Yugoslav parliamentary delegation Branislav Ivkovic was elected member of the Presidency of the European Council of members of national parliaments to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT).

Ivkovic, a Yugoslav Parliament member and Serbian Minister of Construction, is heading the Yugoslav delegation to the European parliamentarians' First Regional Conference on Housing that opened in Bonn on Tuesday. Comprising the Yugoslav delegation are also MP's Zivadin Mihajlovic and Miroslav Stefanovic and head of HABITAT's Yugoslav Office Marija Sijan-Mitrovic.

Participating in the Conference are representatives of 17 countries. Ivkovic will take part in the work of the newly-elected Presidency on Wednesday.

The Yugoslav delegation also made bilateral contacts with German politicians and other delegations to the Conference.

The successful development of Yugoslavia's relations with HABITAT were now crowned by Ivkovic's election to the Presidency, including also representatives of Germany, France and several other countries. His election was welcomed by representatives of other countries taking part in the Conference. Ivkovic was especially congratulated by the head of the Mexican delegation.

[10] SOLANA CALLS FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana urged in Munich on Tuesday that the consolidation of the peace process in Bosnia be the topic of a new International Conference on the former Yugoslav republic.

Addressing a Symposium on NATO's eastward expansion, Solana devoted special attention to the further development of the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina.

We must not yield now, and must remain on the current course and united, Solana said. He warned that the withdrawal of the multinational force and partitioning of Bosnia-Herzegovina would be "morally, politically and economically disastrous."

The NATO Secretary-General highly commended the contribution of the multinational force SFOR to the calming of the situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina. He, however, said that the goal of getting the peace process on its own feet had not been achieved yet.

Solana set out that a joint conference of representatives of NATO, Russia and the other countries included in the mission could help.

According to NATO Secretary-General, in addition to security issues, the conference should discuss reconstruction and the reconciliation of the three sides in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

[11] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MET WITH BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic met today, before the beginning of the plenary session of the Balkan Summit in Crete, with Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

Expressing satisfaction with the talks he held today with the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Milosevic told reporters that they were very constructive.

"As first neighbours we can develop our cooperation and at the talks we focused on economic development. There is practically no field in the economy where we cannot cooperate," President Milosevic said.

We talked about a number of issues and decided that the Foreign Trade Ministers of the two countries should meet as soon as possible to prepare a draft about mutual cooperation for next year, Milosevic said, assessing in conclusion that the talks with the Bulgarian Prime Minister were constructive and concrete.

Prime Minister Kostov said he was very satisfied with the talks with President Milosevic, assessing that they were very concrete and practical.

There are good prospects for economic cooperation, the Bulgarian Prime Minister assessed, and for specific measures that could expand trade.

Taking part also in the talks were Foreign Ministers of the two countries - Milan Milutinovic and Nadezda Mihajlova.

[12] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY ON EXTENSION OF SFOR MANDATE

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Russia believes the extension of the mandate of the peace force SFOR in Bosnia is necessary to the extent to which these forces contribute to the implementation of the Dayton Accords, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Russia bases its stand on the fact that the Dayton Accords must be realized, Press Department Director Gennady Tarasov told a regular press conference in Moscow.

Tarasov said the extension of the mandate of the international forces was directly linked with the function which the troops were sent to perform in Bosnia.

Tarasov said Russian troops which were now in Bosnia had also been asked there to cooperate in the implementation of the Dayton Accords.

[13] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ON SECURITY ISSUES IN THE BALKANS

Tanjug, 1997-11-04

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has stated that Yugoslavia has an enduring and strategic interest in building a security system that will guarantee security to all countries in the Balkans and Europe and enable their unhindered economic and social development.

Taking part in a debate on security at the Summit of Balkan leaders in Agia Pelagia, the Greek island of Crete, late on Monday, Milosevic said that, on a permanent basis, such a system could neither be secured by powerful armies equipped with sophisticated weaponry nor by military pacts and groupings. Regional security can only be ensured if it is based on the principles and elements that equally take into account interests of all countries and peoples in the region, he said.

Milosevic said a security system should be primarily built by strengthening and developing all-round political, economic, social, scientific and cultural relations among the countries in the region and by using all instruments that could help strengthen peace, stability and confidence. Economic prosperity, social security and commitment to democracy, justice and equality are decisive for ensuring peace and stability, he said adding that creation of barriers, unequal treatment of some countries, pressures and arbitrary actions could not only trigger tensions but also new problems and conflicts. Consequently, an adequate security system can be only built through the equal treatment of all countries and the strengthening of integration processes on the global as well as regional and subregional level, he said.

The Dayton Peace Agreement is vital for establishing relations among the countries in the region on a new basis. It has considerably helped calm the situation and strengthen peace, stability and security. It is therefore of utmost importance that all parties to the Dayton Agreement consistently and fully meet the obligations they have assumed, he said.

The Subregional Arms Control Agreement, reached in Florence, Italy, in June 1996, has played a major role in setting up new relations in the military sphere. Its implementation is crucial to a stable military balance and, subsequently, to the further promotion of all forms of cooperation in the region. We expect all parties to demonstrate a high level of responsibility and fulfil their obligations, he said.

Yugoslavia is strongly committed to the implementation of the Dayton decisions aimed at contributing to the regional balance of power. It is in the interests of all countries in the region that activities to this effect begin immediately, in which way a major step towards creating a stable military balance would be taken on a wider regional level, he said.

Yugoslavia backs all initiatives for strengthening regional and subregional cooperation, aimed at resuming and promoting cooperation in the southeast of Europe which is an integral element of security in Europe in general. Processes of securing these ties should be complementary to overall integration processes in Europe and should not be a substitute for them, he said.

Yugoslavia will continue helping strengthen all-round cooperation and confidence among all European countries through its strategic commitment to peace, equality and development, this being the only way of ensuring a lasting and stable basis for a new security system in the region and Europe in general. I am confident that today's meeting will create new positive prospects for the promotion of relations, all-round cooperation and good- neighbourliness, this being the best way of strengthening security and stability in the region, Milosevic said.

[14] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MET WITH MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT GLIGOROV

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic met Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov on Monday evening, continuing his bilateral contacts at the Crete Balkan Summit.

During an almost one-hour-long talk, Milosevic and Gligorov agreed that the development of Yugoslav-Macedonian relations was evidently successful.

Gligorov said that, over the past year, the two countries had signed ten agreements on economic cooperation and several political agreements. He added that the two sides also had a number of ministerial meetings. He said that the Yugoslav-Macedonian trade was constantly on the rise and that Yugoslavia currently topped Macedonia's list of foreign trade partners.

Milosevic described as positive the successful development of Yugoslav- Macedonian relations and voiced Yugoslavia's readiness to settle all issues through a bilateral agreement. Macedonia's recognizing the continuity of Yugoslavia proved to be one of the moves that had greatly contributed to the development of the successful bilateral cooperation.

Gligorov said the economic cooperation with Greece had improved and added that the latter now ranked third on Macedonia's list of economic partners. He said that Greece had recently issued the millionth visa to Macedonian tourists, adding he was satisfied that Macedonians could now travel to Greece more easily.

Referring to the good climate in the Yugoslav-Macedonian relations, Gligorov especially welcomed Yugoslavia's move to enable a Macedonian delegation to visit the Prohor Pcinjski Monastery and lay wreaths at the memorial. He said he was also satisfied that the two countries' education ministers had discussed education of Serb children in Macedonia and vice versa.

Both Milosevic and Gligorov voiced readiness for a further upgrading of the bilateral cooperation.

[15] COMMISSIONER MORINA RECEIVED MCKINLEY

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Serbian Refugee Commissioner Bratislava Morina on Monday received the coordinator for humanitarian issues for Bosnia-Herzegovina with the United States Government Brunson McKinley and informed him about projects for a lasting solution to the problem of refugees, a Serbian Government statement said. The organized return of refugees who wish to go back to their native towns is the Government's priority, said Morina. Under the Dayton Accords, the international community is obliged to help the permanent settling of the problem of refugees, she said.

The project for the return of 60,000 refugees from the FR of Yugoslavia to Republika Srpska has been waiting for international help and support for much too long without any reason, she said.

Morina spoke about the grave humanitarian situation of refugees in Yugoslavia, saying it could further deteriorate, because a considerable reduction of international aid for next year had already been announced. McKinley voiced full support for the Serbian Commissariat's project. He said the Commission for registering property of refugees from Bosnia- Herzegovina would soon be opened in Serbia.

[16] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED TURKISH PREMIER YILMAZ

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

President of the FR of Yugoslavia Slobodan Milosevic received on Monday evening Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz as part of his bilateral contacts with the other participants of the Balkan Summit in Crete.

Milosevic and Yilmaz expressed readiness to fully normalize bilateral relations and to restore economic cooperation to the level prior to the crisis in the former Yugoslavia.

Referring to the prospects of the two countries' economies, Yilmaz recalled joint investments made by the two countries in the past, and pointed to the prospects of resuming such cooperation.

President Milosevic endorsed the initiative presented at the Summit to reinforce regional economic cooperation by opening a Balkan Center for Trade Promotion in Istanbul, which would also help strengthen economic relations between Yugoslavia and Turkey.

President Milosevic pointed to the importance of Turkey as Yugoslavia's partner in the future, and noted that Yugoslavia was ready to make available to the future Balkan Center its achievements in engineering, trade, consulting, construction, communications and other fields.

There are no obstacles hindering the successful development of relations between Yugoslavia and Turkey in all fields, President Milosevic said and added that an initiative had been undertaken to this effect concerning concrete cooperation projects. An exchange of high-level visits has also been agreed during the meeting.

[17] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED ROMANIAN PRIME MINISTER CIORBEA

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic received on Monday Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea, as part of a series of his bilateral contacts at the Crete Balkan Summit.

President Milosevic underlined that relations between Yugoslavia and Romania were very good and friendly. Emphasis was placed in the talk on the need to intensify economic cooperation between the two countries.

President Milosevic set out that there was no reason at all for Yugoslavia and Romania not to cooperate in all economic sectors, and that relations between them had no limitations, especially not at the economic level. A joint comparative advantage of the two countries is the Danube, as a river of cooperation, and great possibilities for cooperation exist in the petro- chemical industry, joint electrical power production, and the infrastructure, including communications.

President Milosevic set out that the two governments should be supported in launching concrete cooperation programs and projects.

Romanian Prime Minister Ciorbea stressed the historical ties between the two peoples and countries, and agreed with President Milosevic that the bilateral economic relations were open to all-round cooperation.

Ciorbea said that, in view of the two sides' potentials, their economic cooperation could be far greater, and underlined the readiness of the two countries to cooperate in all sectors of economy.

The position of ethnic Serbs in Romania and ethnic Romanians in Yugoslavia was also discussed. President Milosevic stressed that members of all peoples and minorities in Yugoslavia had equal rights.

An initiative for the Prime Ministers of the two countries to exchange visits soon was upheld in the meeting between Yugoslav President Milosevic and Romanian Prime Minister Ciorbea.

[18] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: BALKANS NEED STRENGTHENING OF ALL FORMS OF COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has addressed the first plenary session of the two-day Summit of Countries of Southeast Europe which opened in Agia Pelagia on the Greek island of Crete on Monday morning.

The integral version of President Milosevic's speech is as follows:

"This Summit in Crete should mark a confirmation of the joint orientation towards realizing cooperation between the peoples and states of southeast Europe, and it should be an important step in the direction of the promotion of their bilateral relations.

The Balkans and the Balkan peoples need the strengthening of all forms of cooperation and European institutions should also contribute to this. They should not view our region as the permanent focus of crises which burdens international relations, but rather as an integral part of Europe with significant potentials for building a joint European future.

For the prosperity and stability of our countries and of Europe, of great importance is that the marginalization of certain regions or areas is not allowed. The Europe which was divided into blocs should not be followed by a Europe of new divisions and of discrimination. This is why it is necessary for the determined reducing of the existing economic differences which characterize the European continent, especially the economic rift between its north and south. I believe that the countries of our region should not wait individually in the hall of the European integration processes, but should give their own contribution to this by more successful regional linking. The countries of this region cannot successfully integrate into the European trends if they are mutually disintegrated.

I see the development of regional cooperation also in the preservation and protection of peace, the use of economic and other resources and the overcoming of the causes of divisions and confrontations.

The majority of the countries of our region are going through profound changes whose basic moving force is the more complete social, economic, cultural, democratic and technological prosperity, i.e. a better life of a higher quality. However, all are linked by the joint interest to secure, through deeper ties and cooperation and the better use of joint potentials, an active and equal place within the modern European trends and aspirations. In this increasing of mutual interests and joint ties rests our joint obligation and responsibility to strengthen relations of lasting peace, stability and mutual understanding through strengthening all forms of regional and bilateral cooperation.

The prospects of this part of Europe are in the faster regional linking, which represents an unavoidable part of the process of its inclusion into the overall European integration processes. Autarky is dangerous both from the standpoint of social and economic development, but also from the standpoint of peace and stability, as the joint goals of all of us. This is why we believe that a balanced and comprehensive development of bilateral and regional cooperation, without any barriers, enables the dynamic development of the region as a whole and of all countries individually.

The prospects for regional cooperation are currently very favourable. With this in mind, I believe that the awareness about the need and usefulness of this cooperation is dominant in these countries of the region. On the other hand, the war in the region has been halted and the basis has been created for the current and future peace which are a condition both for regional and for European stability and cooperation. The FR of Yugoslavia, which has made the decisive contribution in this sphere, is active in the preservation and strengthening of the peace process. I believe, however, that all together we must decisively insist on the consistent implementation of the Peace Agreement and prevent all attempts to change it or interpret it one*sidedly. Conditions are ripe for all signatories of the Peace Agreement, especially the sides in Bosnia-Herzegovina, to take over their share of the responsibilities. This is the major condition for the peace and security of our region. The international community should not act in their place, nor should it arbitrate between them on every issue, rather it should create conditions for the democratically elected representatives of the people and the entities in Bosnia- Herzegovina to fully realize the role given them by the Peace Agreement. In this, of special importance is that the international community, by treating both entities equally, secures their balanced economic development.

Our region, although is was the cradle of the European civilization, today lags behind the other parts of Europe. I believe, however, that conditions have been created for the faster lifting of barriers which divide us, especially in the sphere of economic cooperation. With the aim of the faster realization of this goal, we should direct our efforts towards:

1. the strengthening and promotion of political cooperation, with the establishment of the practice of regular contacts and political dialogue at all levels and questions of joint interest. In this respect, specially important are summit meetings and I urge that in the future they are regularly held;

2. the establishing of the free flow of goods, capital and services through the lifting of administrative, customs and other barriers, with plans for their total removal in the future. We specially urge the setting up of free trade zones in our region which is, we believe, the essential interest of all Balkan countries;

3. the promotion of cooperation in the sphere of transport, telecommunications, agreement on joint projects from these fields as well as the power industry, ecology, etc.;

Our joint responsibility is to make use, through joint efforts and in the best way, of the comparative advantages and geostrategic position of the region, as well as its natural, communication, economic and human potentials.

The FR of Yugoslavia will do its very best to contribute to the realization of these aims."

[19] INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT SUPPORT SECESSION

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

The international community does not support secession in the territory of the Republic of Serbia and FR Yugoslavia, including in Kosovo and Metohija, it was stressed in Pristina at the talks between Deputy Chief of the Kosovo District Veljko Odalovic and Provincial Information Secretary Bosko Drobnjak with the French Ambassador to Belgrade Stanislas Filliol.

It is in the joint interest that a political solution be found by peaceful means, which implies that the political leaders of ethnic Albanians renounce their option for an independent Kosovo. A solution for the situation in Kosovo and Metohija should be sought by finding separate solutions for some issues, for what greater cooperation from the Albanian national minority was necessary, or from their legitimate representatives, and which is now missing, the statement from the talks said.

It was said at the talks that the agreement on education should be given concrete form through the work of the Group 3+3, which would help the return of school children of the Albanian national minority into the legal education system, and that it was also a humanitarian issue.

It was stressed that solutions to problems should be sought at the same table and, in that context, both sides were called to demonstrate restraint so as to limit the range of activity of radical elements.

Terrorism was denounced once again, as a growing threat to the peaceful solution of the problem. It was reiterated that a full and clear condemnation of terrorism by ethnic Albanian political leaders was still missing, the statement said.

The French Ambassador was also received by the Mayor of Pristina Dusan Simic, who informed the guest about the development of the city and its cultural, educational and economic potentials, and also about the problems of the utilities services. Simic said that members of the Albanian national minority were still not fulfilling their obligations towards the state from which they are getting everything.

Filliol, who was informed by Simic that Pristina is taking care of around 4, 000 refugees from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, promised that he would do his best with the French authorities for greater equality in the distribution of future humanitarian aid and that it arrives in a greater measure to refugees and expellees in the territory of the FRY.

[20] YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC RECEIVED ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER NANO

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic said on Monday, after talks with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, that the two countries agreed to begin normalizing relations. Milosevic told reporters that "we decided to begin the process of normalizing relations between Yugoslavia and Albania. I consider this a very important step for a beginning."

Replying to a comment that the meeting lasted nearly two hours, Milosevic said "After fifty years of frozen relations between Yugoslavia and Albania, we had the first opportunity for talks. I think the talks were interesting, and, I hope, beneficial to both of us."

Asked about the problem of Serbia's Province Kosovo, Milosevic replied that the "problem of Kosovo and Metohija is an internal affair of Yugoslavia and Serbia, in particular, so that problems that exist will be settled in accordance with our policy, which confirms national equality."

"One of the topics was the position of ethnic minorities, the national minority of Albanians in Yugoslavia and the national minorities of Serbs and Montenegrins in Albania," Milosevic added.

"We would want to take into account all these things and I think we will facilitate the entire process of overall normalization of relations. I think, gentlemen, that this is sufficient for a beginning and I hope that next time we will be able to tell you more," Milosevic concluded.

Nano said the meeting was the "first, very important step for beginning a dialogue and for making decisions on cooperation which will be institutionalized with accords so as to unblock and start cooperation between the two countries."

Nano said Milosevic stressed the European commitment of Yugoslavia and that Albania considered bilateral relations "one of the segments of dialogue of cooperation and complementarity in the region."

"This means inter-ethnic as well as inter-state relations, which should follow the logic of peaceful cooperative European standards, guaranteeing the rights of man and fundamental freedoms in every Balkan state," said Nano.

He said the time was passed to keep "returning to history and to borders as barriers or fortifications where people are shot at without warning. Let us with joint effort make the borders less relevant not only between the Balkan states, but between nations as well."

"This means creating opportunities so that our countries, and our societies and our national communities on one or the other side open up to each other and toward Europe," said Nano.

He said Europe was developing so rapidly so that no one could conceive the final structure or institutionalized form of a united Europe. "We believe there are some values, some civilization that helps us make our contribution to the new Europe, that should include all Balkan states, every Balkan nation," he said. The meeting between the two statesman drew great attention. Its outcome was awaited with much interest among an army of 700 reporters following the Summit.

[21] MINISTER FILIPOVIC RECEIVED PRESIDENTS OF THE DJERDAP COMMISSION

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav Minister of Economy Rade Filipovic received in Belgrade on Monday presidents of the Yugoslav-Romanian Mixed Commission, Aurelio Lecu and Dragan Kostic, and their associates on the occasion of the 56th session of the Commission. The talks were attended also by Romanian Ambassador to Yugoslavia Panait Lefter, a Federal Government statement said.

During the cordial talks, possibilities were exchanged for economic cooperation between Yugoslavia and Romania, especially in the power industry. Within that framework, special emphasis was given to the imminent signing of documents between the Governments of the two countries - a Convention on exploitation and maintenance of the hydro-power and navigation systems Djerdap I and Djerdap II, and an Agreement on increasing the installed power in the Djerdap I system.

This will create institutional preconditions for even richer cooperation in this area, said the statement.

[22] GOVERNMENT PROPOSES RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

The Yugoslav Government submitted to Parliament on Monday Bills on the ratification of an Agreement on the abolishment of visas signed with Macedonia and a Consular Convention signed by the two.

Under the Agreement on the abolishment of visas, signed in July this year, visas will not be required for stays of up to 60 days. Yugoslavia has signed the agreement bearing in mind the numerous family and friendly ties between citizens of the two countries, the interests of the border-region population and the large number of citizens of both countries who have remained to live and work in the other after the break up of the former Yugoslav federation, the Government explained.

It said the signing of the agreement "marked a further step in the implementation of the Federal Government policy on the liberalization of the visa regime" and "an important step in the implementation of the FRY policy in the normalization and promotion of relations" with the Republic of Macedonia.

The Consular Convention signed by Yugoslavia and Macedonia in July this year creates International Law prerequisites for normal consular relations between the two countries and establishes "full cooperation between the consular services" of the two Foreign Ministries, according to the Yugoslav Government.

The convention secures the performance of all consular functions by the diplomatic-consular missions and the providing of consular assistance, services and protection of the interests of Yugoslav citizens and juristic persons in the Republic of Macedonia.

The Yugoslav Government also submitted to Parliament a Bill on the ratification of a Yugoslav-Swiss Agreement on the return and taking over of Yugoslav and Swiss citizens who must leave the territory of the other country, together with a Protocol for the implementation of the agreement.

The agreement and protocol, signed in July this year, have created a legal foundation for the liberalization of the visa regime and for other forms of cooperation in the internal affairs domain, the Yugoslav Government stressed. The agreement includes a clause under which the provisions of the agreement apply also to relations between Yugoslavia and Liechtenstein.

The agreement specifies that persons who have to return and be taken over are citizens of one country found illegally to be staying in the other, and persons who have unlawfully remained in the other country after the expiry of their visas. Another category are persons who have been denied asylum by the other country or proceedings on the basis of whose application for asylum have been discontinued.

[23] MEETING OF NUCLEAR ASSOCIATIONS OF SOUTHEAST EUROPE

Tanjug, 1997-10-03

A three-day meeting of the presidents of nuclear associations of southeast Europe opened at the Institute for Nuclear Sciences "Vinca" in Belgrade on Monday. The meeting, organized by Vinca and the Yugoslav Nuclear Association, will focus on cooperation in the sphere of nuclear research and technologies between the countries of this region.

Serbian Minister for Science and Technology, Academician Dusan Kanazir, said in the opening address that the decision for holding a meeting of the presidents of the nuclear associations of neighbouring countries in Belgrade, can be important for the history of the region.

"We expect your decisions to lead to comprehensive cooperation and ties in the sphere of nuclear sciences and technology, to the unselfish exchange of knowledge and technologies and especially in the training of the young cadre," Kanazir said.

[24] MINISTER IVANISEVIC RECEIVED FAUBERT

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Yugoslav Minister for Work, Health Care and Social Policy Miroslav Ivanisevic talked with UNHCR special envoy for the former Yugoslavia Carrol Faubert about the organized return of refugees to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, the Yugoslav Ministry of Information said.

It was jointly assessed that repatriation, as a priority of the FRY, the international community and the refugees, was not under way for what Yugoslavia is the least to blame.

The Federal Government, Ivanisevic said, insists on repatriation, but conditions have not been fulfilled yet for the return of refugees, primarily because of numerous legal and other limitations in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is not possible to make a realistic estimate of the number of persons for repatriation, or at what pace it would be realized, which is an important pre-condition for working out precise programs for the integration of others into the FRY.

It was mutually assessed that the problem should be solved on a lasting basis, which is in the interest of refugees, the FRY and the international community, all the more as only 2,000 refugees have returned to Croatia so far.

The talks also dealt with preparations for the meeting of the Working Group for humanitarian issues in Geneva in December this year, the statement said.

[25] COMMISSIONER MORINA RECEIVED FAUBERT

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

Serbian Commissioner for Refugees Bratislava Morina received the special envoy of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Carrol Faubert with whom she talked about the position of refugees in the FRY and possibilities for finding better solutions for refugees, the Serbian Ministry of Information said.

The greatest attention was devoted to the return of refugees, and especially to the project of voluntary return of 60,000 refugees from the FRY to Republika Srpska. Morina, who asked for support for the project, said that this first massive return of refugees would be economically and politically more acceptable for all sides as the refugees in question come from RS, have family members there, and many of them own houses and apartments where they can return.

The project, worked out in accord with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Commissioner for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia and the RS leadership, would be, it was jointly assessed, the beginning of the realisation of an important commitment of all the signatories to the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Faubert lent full support of the UNHCR and affirmed readiness to coordinate all the activities which will help refugees practically. He said that he would meet next week with all the relevant factors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that the UNHCR will organize, during this month, in the FRY a regional meeting of all interested parties to determine procedure for a speedier and more organized return of all refugees to their homes.

[26] UNITED NATIONS DEMAND A TRIAL FOR SUSPECT KILLERS OF A SERB

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

The United Nations expressed on Monday deep concern over the failure of the authorities in the Muslim-Croat Federation to try suspects accused of killing an 80-year-old Serb in March this year, said Reuters. "The United Nations are increasingly uneasy with the lack of progress and the tardiness of local authorities in ensuring that justice is done in the savage murder case of Mr Slavko Subotic," Reuters quoted the UN Mission Spokesman Liam McDowall as saying.

Subotic was clubbed to death by a mob of mostly Muslim female refugees who dragged him out of a car and beat him with sticks and stones, said McDowall. Subotic and his wife were attacked when they tried to visit an Orthodox graveyard in a village near the town of Visoko. They were driven to the village by a Muslim friend who pleaded with the mob not to assault the couple, said Reuters.

Only two of the 15 suspects in the case showed up for a court hearing in Visoko last month, said McDowall. He said the Chief Judge of the court refused to cooperate with UN Police monitors who asked for copies of statements made by the two suspects.

"This is a ghastly murder that seriously tarnishes the reputation of Bosnia- Herzegovina and the Muslim-Croat Federation, in particular as a place where people can live without fear of being beaten to death because they are from a different ethnic group," McDowall said.

[27] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF RECTORS OPENS IN NIS

Tanjug, 1997-11-03

At the University in Nis an International Conference of Rectors of the new University Network AIMOS opened today. Attending the Conference are representatives of 17 Universities from nine European countries, members of the Network and five other institutions as observers.

In the capacity of permanent member of the Conference, attending also are representatives of Universities from Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Republika Srpska, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.

[28] KRAJISNIK AND KLEIN FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT ON SRPSKA TV

Tanjug, 1997-10-31

The Republika Srpska member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Momcilo Krajisnik and Deputy High Representative of the international community for Bosnia Jacques Klein failed on Friday evening in Sarajevo to reach agreement on the connecting of the Pale studio with the Srpska Radio - Television network.

Krajisnik said after meeting Klein that they had discussed the possibilities of resuming broadcasts from Pale. They finally resolved to discuss a proposal made by the High Representative to find an acceptable solution, Krajisnik said without explaining whether he was referring to an earlier proposal or a new one made by Carlos Westendorp.

[29] MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT BULATOVIC RECEIVED STATE MINISTER LLOYD

Tanjug, 1997-10-31

Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic received in Podgorica on Friday State Minister at the British Foreign Office Tony Lloyd, who visited this Republic within a tour of Yugoslavia and the region with his associates. The talks focused on the current political situation in Montenegro, said a statement released by Bulatovic's Office.

Bulatovic said the essence of the crisis in Montenegro was in the non- realization of the constitutional and legal role of part of the state organs, which was especially evident at the Presidential elections.

The non-realization of the principles of constitutionality and legality has been the key problem in Montenegro for a long time, and therefore the normalization of the situation in that area is a priority political and state task and the interest of this Republic, Bulatovic said.

Bulatovic also pointed out that a disbalance had occurred objectively in Montenegro between the expressed will of the electorate and the constellation of the ratio of political forces, which came about through the subsequent association and coalition of part of the ruling party and opposition parliamentary parties.

That is why the organizing of early parliamentary elections is the only democratic way for the true stabilization of the political and overall situation in Montenegro, he said. It is also necessary to annul the results of the presidential run*off, which he said was irregular, and to call new presidential elections simultaneously with the early Parliamentary elections.

Thus, with the full participation and cooperation of the authorized international institutions, the actual political will of citizens will be verified and the reasons for the deep crisis and instability - which have seriously been shaking Montenegro for a long time - removed, Bulatovic said.

Lloyd conveyed the wish and urging of Great Britain that the existing problems in Montenegro be settled as soon as possible, using exclusively democratic methods and means. He suggested that the existing tensions are eased and that lasting democratic solutions are sought, said the statement on today's talks.

[30] MONTENEGRIN PREMIER DJUKANOVIC RECEIVED STATE MINISTER LLOYD

Tanjug, 1997-10-31

State Minister at the British Foreign Office Tony Lloyd met Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic on Friday evening and discussed with him the current political situation in the Republic.

Lloyd and Djukanovic made brief statements to the press after the meeting.

Lloyd said that the most important thing now was to reduce to minimum current political tensions in Montenegro.

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