Yugoslav Daily Survey, 98-05-15

Yugoslav Daily Survey Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] ONE POLICEMAN INJURED IN TERRORIST ATTACK

[02] COOPERATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES OF BELGRADE AND BORDEAUX PRIME MINISTER DODIK'S REPORT APPROVED

[03] DIRECTORS OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN RAILWAYS MEET IN BELGRADE

[04] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER RULES OUT TALKS ON "KOSOVO REPUBLIC"

[05] SERBIAN AND POLISH ACADEMIES RENEW COOPERATION

[06] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER HAD CONSTRUCTIVE AND USEFUL TALKS IN THE HAGUE

[07] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER: ARMY CONTROLS BORDER ZONE

[08] FEDERAL VICE PRIME MINISTERS VISIT BORDER WITH ALBANIA

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER JOVANOVIC HAILS HIS VISIT TO THE NETHERLANDS

[10] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT DELEGATION ENDS ITS VISIT TO SWITZERLAND

[01] ONE POLICEMAN INJURED IN TERRORIST ATTACK

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

One policeman was lightly injured in a terrorist attack on a police patrol on Thursday morning around 08:30, near Zrze, municipality of Orahovac, Media Center in Pristina has reported. Automatic gun-fire was opened on the police from the village of Bela Crkva. Police returned fire, and there is an on-going search for the attackers. In this area in the past two days, several attacks have been registered on the police.

[02] COOPERATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES OF BELGRADE AND BORDEAUX PRIME MINISTER DODIK'S REPORT APPROVED

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

The Republika Srpska National Assembly approved on Thursday the report submitted by Prime Minister Milorad Dodik about the work of the government in the last 100 days, after what the deputy clubs of the Serb National Alliance and the RS Socialist party asked for a recess. Tanjug has learnt that in the continuation of the session deputies of the Serb National Alliance will initiate the process for the dismissal of National Assembly President Dragan Kalinic.

Forty-five deputies voted for the approval of Dodik's report, while 34 were against. In favour of the report voted deputies of parliamentarian parties which took part in the election of the government - the Serb National Alliance, the Socialist Party, the Independent Social-Democratic Party and deputies from the Federation. Against the report were deputies of the Serb Democratic Party and the Serbian Radical Party.

[03] DIRECTORS OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN RAILWAYS MEET IN BELGRADE

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

A two-day meeting of directors of the Southeastern European Railways Group (SERG) began in Belgrade on Thursday. The SERG directors will consider ways for strengthening mutual cooperation and coordinating developmental plans for railway traffic in Balkan countries and southeastern Europe. The most pressing task of the SERG is to improve the quality of transport of passengers and goods and increase competitiveness of railway traffic, Yugoslav Railways (JZ) Director General Svetolik Kostadinovic said in an introductory speech. The modernization of railway traffic, as a contribution to the better linking of our countries and their inclusion in international integration traffic routes is the only way to realize joint comparative advantages in the future, he said. Absolute priority should be given to the modernization of sections of Pan-European traffic corridors IV, VIII, IX and X, which are within the network of the SERG, said Kostadinovic. The participants in the meeting then adopted a document on strategic directions of the development of railways of Balkan countries and a map of the railways network of southeastern Europe with existing lines and traced future routes which will be built, with a recommendation that they be regularly updated.

All SERG members are taking part, directors general of the railways of Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Greece and Yugoslavia, with the exception of the director of the sixth member, the Albanian railways, who informed the Chairman that he regretted being unable to attend. The SERG meets three times annually and the meetings are organized by the railways Chairman, who is elected for a period of two years. The Yugoslav Railways has chaired the SERG since February this year and it has organized this first meeting during its mandate. Representatives of the Moldavian railways are attending as observers, and a representative of railways of the East-West Department UIC Marek Ronchkevich has been invited as guest.

[04] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER RULES OUT TALKS ON "KOSOVO REPUBLIC"

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

Yugoslav Deputy Prime Ministers Zoran Lilic and Nikola Sainovic visited on Thursday Djakovica, Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and Metohija, and promised Serb and Montenegrin citizens they met there that state institutions would fight ethnic Albanian terrorism with determination. "We have the legitimate right to counter terrorism the way it is done throughout the world. You can be sure that we shall do so and that you will remain here, as the state exists precisely in order to alleviate the fears of the citizens", Lilic said. The state institutions will take all measures to ensure the safety of the citizens, as "we all have the sacred duty to make sure that Serbs and Montenegrins do not become a minority in their ancestral lands", Lilic said. Lilic urged the citizens to back the endeavours for dialogue aimed at preventing a wide-scale conflict that the terrorists want. "We can discuss all possible degrees of autonomy with ethnic Albanian leaders, but there will be no talks on the so-called "Kosovo republic", Lilic said.

Lilic also advocated an assessment of true conditions in Kosovo and Metohija through a census of population and real estate in the province, in order to identify those who have citizenship and those who do not. "Those who are not our citizens can seek their "Kosovo republic" elsewhere, not here", Lilic said. Sainovic paid homage to the inhabitants of the Djakovica area for their determination, courage and faith in Serbia, and recalled that the results of the referendum held recently despite foreign pressure had clearly demonstrated the overwhelming unity in the country. "This unity has given great strength to the state institutions, the Government and the President of the Republic to firmly say "No" to any interference in Serbia's internal affairs, which also means "No" to any redrawing of the borders", Sainovic said.

The forthcoming negotiations with the ethnic Albanian side should demonstrate that no world power would endorse any more any violation of Serbia's and Yugoslavia's sovereignty or support terrorism, Sainovic said.

The authorities will focus their activities in three directions: open and clear talks with the world community and the European Union based on the principle of equality, talks within the country with all who wish to discuss civil rights, and fighting terrorism with determination, Sainovic said. Serbia's and Yugoslavia's policy is based on equal rights for all, but no one has the right to jeopardize another's freedom. The state will consistently follow this policy, despite any pressures, he underlined. "The three elements of this policy must be implemented simultaneously in order to ensure their efficacity, which is why we need unity in Serbia and in all its communities, as no community is too small or unimportant", Sainovic said. Lilic and Sainovic were informed of the political and security situation in the Djakovica area by the head of the Pec District Jovo Popovic, President of Djakovica Municipality Momcilo Stanojevic, and President of the Provincial Committee of the Socialist Party of Serbia Vojislav Zivkovic, who said the situation was alarming to a considerable extent due to the escalation of terrorist attacks by ethnic Albanian separatists.

[05] SERBIAN AND POLISH ACADEMIES RENEW COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

An Agreement and Protocol on Scientific Cooperation between the Serbian Academy of Sciences (SANU) and the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) was signed on Thursday and subject plans were determined for joint projects by the year 2000. The agreement was signed by SANU President Aleksandar Despic and PAN President Leshek Kusznitski.

The subject plans include cooperation between the two academies on seven joint projects in the sphere of natural sciences, mathematics, humanistic sciences, languages and literature, and agriculture. Despic expressed satisfaction with the resumption of cooperation between the two academies and said he believed that this cooperation would extend to other fields not included in the agreement. He underscored SANU's interest for cooperation in the sphere of chemistry, in which Poland is very successful, and in other scientific branches. He stressed the importance of SANU's and PAN's publishing activities, recalling that SANU is preparing a Polish-Serbian dictionary. The PAN President said the agreement provided a chance for good cooperation which was cut off out of political reasons. He said that politics should not be the reason for breaking off scientific cooperation. The PAN President expressed hope that after three years, cooperation between the two academies would be expanded by new joint projects.

[06] YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER HAD CONSTRUCTIVE AND USEFUL TALKS IN THE HAGUE

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic met in the Hague on Thursday with his Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo. Jovanovic arrived in the Netherlands on Wednesday on an official visit, the first high-level bilateral contact since 1991. hursday's constructive and useful talks, held in a climate of complete openness, brought to light an overall interest in promoting bilateral cooperation and intensifying political contacts at all levels. The importance was especially stressed on the orientation to modern forms of economic cooperation, such as joint ventures, greater trade, industrial cooperation and stimulation of direct links between businessmen in Yugoslavia and the Netherlands. To this end, it was necessary to resume cooperation between the Dutch Phillips and the Yugoslav Nis Electronic Equipment Factory, between the national air carriers JAT and KLM, and between Yugoslavia's Sartid and the Dutch Hecket Steel Mills, it was said.

The possibility of cooperation in agriculture was also discussed, where Yugoslavia was said to have extensive potential and the Netherlands was said to be one of the world's top agricultural producers. It was important to regulate as soon as possible the matters of double taxation, guarantees for investments and others that would stimulate and facilitate the development of bilateral relations, especially economic, it was noted. It was agreed to maintain regular contacts between the two countries' foreign ministries, and to intensify contacts between other relevant departments.

The two sides exchanged views also on topical international questions, in which Yugoslavia's contribution to the implementation of the Dayton Accord, the Serb-Croatian Erdut Accord and the Sub-regional Armament Control was praised. Its efforts in the consolidation of peace and stability and of regional cooperation in southeast Europe were also praised. Both sides stressed the need for keeping up these positive changes in the region, and it was noted that Yugoslavia's incorporation on an equal footing in all European integration processes could make a valuable contribution to this end. The Netherlands, as a member of the European Union, was expected to show understanding for this Yugoslav orientation and efforts, it was said. The Netherlands was also expected, it was noted, to support the FR Yugoslavia's applications for integration into the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and all other international organisations and institutions. Also, it was expected to join those countries that support a speedy integration of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the Council of Europe as a fully fledged member, it was said.

In the context of the situation in the Yugoslav republic of Serbia's province of Kosovo and Metohija, the Yugoslav side communicated to the hosts its principled position that this was Serbia's internal affair. Also, the Yugoslav side said, this matter could be settled only by dialogue, without interference or imposition of a solution from outside, and by applying universally accepted principles and standards prevalent for ethnic minorities the world over. The international community was expected unequivocally to condemn separatism and terrorism and every support for separatism and terrorism, either overt or covert, it was noted. The invitation by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to Kosovo and Metohija's ethnic Albanian separatist leader Ibrahim Rugova to come to Belgrade for talks, and Milosevic's offer of an unconditional dialogue, were welcomed. Foreign Minister Jovanovic met also with Parliament Upper House Speaker Korthals Altes, and the meeting was dominated by questions of how to promote Yugoslav-Dutch cooperation, a matter to which contacts between the two countries' parliamentarians could make a valuable contribution. At the Yugoslav Embassy in the Hague, minister Jovanovic received representatives of the Yugoslav colony and clubs in the Netherlands, and with them discussed how Yugoslavia could help along their closer ties with the homeland.

[07] YUGOSLAV DEPUTY PREMIER: ARMY CONTROLS BORDER ZONE

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Lilic said after inspecting a section of the Yugoslav-Albanian border on Thursday that the Yugoslav Army had fully implemented the government decision on border zone control. "Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic and I have thoroughly inspected some border posts and the border zone in depth and noted that the Yugoslav Army had carried its task in the best possible manner", Lilic told Tanjug. The Army has demonstrated its readiness to continue carrying out its tasks and duties in preventing illegal border crossings and the smuggling of arms for ethnic Albanian terrorists, Lilic said. Lilic described his meeting with Djakovica leadership and citizens as useful, as the citizens were thus directly informed of the measures taken by the authorities for initiating dialogue as the best means of resolving all problems. "The citizens rightly demand firm actions in curbing terrorism and safety for themselves and their children, and our answer is that fighting this evil is a universal and sovereign right of all states in the world and that we shall counter terrorism by firm actions as terrorists do not mean well even to their own people", Lilic underlined.

[08] FEDERAL VICE PRIME MINISTERS VISIT BORDER WITH ALBANIA

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

Federal vice prime ministers Zoran Lilic and Nikola Sainovic visited on Thursday the border units of the Pristina corps stationed along the border with Albania. Lilic and Sainovic were accompanied by the commander of the Third Yugoslav Army, General Dusan Samardzic. Gen. Samardzic and the most senior officers of the Pristina corps informed Lilic and Sainovic about the situation on the 111-km Yugoslav-Albanian border and the incidents which took place when Albanian terrorists attempted to illegally enter this country. They underscored that the border is still solely secured by the army - conscripts and that there had been no mobilization. Lilic and Sainovic praised the border units for successfully guarding the state border and preventing the Albanian terrorists from infiltrating manpower and weapons from Albania into Yugoslavia. After visiting the border watchtower "Mitar Vojinovic", Lilic and Sainovic toured some border units and groups stationed on the border with Albania and were informed about the situation in certain sectors.

[09] FOREIGN MINISTER JOVANOVIC HAILS HIS VISIT TO THE NETHERLANDS

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin Jovanovic has hailed his visit to The Netherlands and expressed conviction that it would strengthen political dialogue and bilateral economic ties. Jovanovic said the visit would bring about a better understanding between Yugoslavia and its position in the region and Europe. He said talks focused on economic cooperation, as both countries were interested in promoting ties. The two parties discussed concrete projects, such as renewing cooperation between Phillips and the Serbian Electronic Industry, Sartid and Dutch metal companies, and cooperation in food production and technology transfer. Jovanovic said it was agreed that obstacles in building cooperation, which are often contrived, should be removed. He said there were signs in the European Union towards restoring Yugoslavia to the regime of autonomous positive measures. Special attention was dedicated to the full inclusion of Yugoslavia into international organizations and institutions. Jovanovic said that The Netherlands, like most other European nations, supported Yugoslavia's return to all European bodies. Jovanovic said his hosts had shown much interest in Yugoslavia's role in regional integration processes in southeastern Europe. He added that he had acquainted them with Yugoslavia's constructive and active role in promoting integration trends in Southeastern Europe, in particular Yugoslavia's concept of the formation of a free trade zone in the region.

[10] YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT DELEGATION ENDS ITS VISIT TO SWITZERLAND

Tanjug, 1998-05-14

A Yugoslav Government delegation, headed by Attorney General Milos Bojovic, ended on Thursday its several-day working visit to Switzerland. The delegation, including also Zarko Trbojevic, the first Vice-Governor of the National Bank of Yugoslavia, met in Zurich and Basel with officials of the Swiss bankers' Association and the country's leading banking institutions. The delegation's visit was aimed at dealing with outstanding issues in bilateral financial relations and the resumption of cooperation between the two countries' financial institutions.

Yugoslav Daily Survey Directory - Previous Article - Next Article