BOSNEWS digest 478 - 24/11/95

From: Nermin Zukic <n6zukic@sms.business.uwo.ca>

Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory

From: Nermin Zukic <n6zukic@sms.business.uwo.ca>

BOSNEWS Digest 478

CONTENTS

[01] RIFKIND STOPPED CROATIAN-BOSNIAN OFFENSIVE

Zagreb, London, Nov 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - In the interview for Croatian magazine for culture and social issues, "Vijenac", British historian and political commentator Noel Malcolm says about the cessation of recent successful Croatian-Bosnian offensive in western Bosnia being an introduction to the truce followed by peace: "One of the last shameful deeds was arrival of Malcolm Rifkind to Zagreb to make Croatian government stop the action in northwestern Bosnia. He claimed that the action was extremely dangerous as Serb military might get involved in it. As the statement followed the talks he had with Milosevic, you expected some strong Milosevic's announcement to back such a threat but he made none about Milosevic's real threat of any sort. He could only report the statement of Serb leader saying that he had agreed with Malcolm Rifkind's statement that sending Serb troops to Bosnian would be a great threat to the peace process. So, the only person threatening with sending Serb military to Bosnia was Mr Rifkind. If Milosevic had actually planned to save Banjaluka, regarding the speed at which the things were going on, he would have mobilized his forces, but no sign indicated that. Moreover, he would mobilize media in Serbia and made another turn of 18O degrees. So, you can conclude that Mr Rifkind lied and certainly not for the first time." /end/A.S.

[02] BOSNIAN MINISTER CONDUCTS POLICY OF CROATIA

Zagreb nov 23, 11, 1995 (Press TWRA) - "I will say frankly and publicly here that - I, although being in B-H, conduct the single state policy of Croatia," said deputy prime minister of B-H, Jadranko Prlic on Croatian TV program discussing the Dayton talks last evening. B-H ambassador to Croatia Kasim Trnka said that such a view could not be adjusted to the post of minister in B-H. To the question of Croatian defence minister Gojko Susak "Do you think that Prlic should not conduct Croatian policy ?", Trnka replied: "He can and should represent Croats in B-H but cannot conduct policy of some other state regardless of the relationship between the governments of the two states. /end/ A.S.

[03] THREE UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

New York, Nov 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - UN Security Council has adopted three resolutions on ex-Yugoslavia. Resolution 1O21 entirely lifts arms embargo enforced on all states of the former Yugoslavia referring to all types of arms and comes into force 18O days later. Resolution 1O22 permanently and instantly suspends UN sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro ("FR Yugoslavia"). Resolution 1O23 refers to Croatian-Serbian agreement of Nov 12, this year on the interim period for Serb held eastern Croatia. Security council repeats that the mentioned area is the territory of Croatia calling both sides to be restrained and to cooperate with the international officials on the ground. /end/ A.S.

[04] CONCESSION TO WAR CRIMINALS IN DAYTON

Washington, Nov 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - US branch of the Amnesty International released that the Dayton agreement gives some concessions to heavy violators of human rights in ex-Yugoslavia. The signatory countries have taken responsibility to permit the investigation of the International Tribunal, including access to mass graves but extradition of the indicted with crimes committed against humanity was not explicitly stated. /end/ A.S.

[05] IFOR LIKE UNPROFOR IN THE B-H FEDERATION

Sarajevo Nov 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - B-H public is dissatisfied by the announcement that the international forces for the agreement implementation (Implementation Forces, IFOR) will be deployed, apart from separation lines, mostly around three main bases - Sarajevo, Gornji Vakuf and Tuzla, our correspondent said. All the bases are on the BH army held territory in the Federation what means that IFOR, like UNPROFOR, will not be predominantly deployed in "Serb entity" decreasing so, control of human rights observance and implementation of the agreement at that areas. UNPROFOR could act in that manner due to fear for their personnel of being captured or taken hostages, but IFOR are given mandate & arms to prevent any such attempt of Serb extremists. /end/ A.S.

[06] THE DAYTON AGREEMENT - GAINS AND LOSSES

Sarajevo, Nov 23, 1995 (Press TWRA) - Sarajevo interprets in different ways good and bad points of the Dayton agreement. A. Izetbegovic, who signed the agreement, said that Bosnians would comply with the agreement, both its good and bad points. Generally, Izetbegovic says, the agreement, although not entirely just, is satisfactory, regarding the circumstances in Bosnia alone, its surrounding and the situation in the world. The most difficult issue of Bosanska posavina, particularly the town of Brcko, for which Bosnian government was ready to give up the agreement but solution to the problem was postponed to the international arbitration. The agreement advantages are integral Sarajevo within the Federation and deblockade of Gorazde, says Izetbegovic, along with great authority of central government of the B-H Union, including some till recently regraded out of the Union's competence, e.g. central bank and unique currency. Sarajevo has achieved 8O-9O% of what was demanded while Gorazde will be linked by a 15 km wide corridor to central Bosnia and Sarajevo, says Bosnian president. Withdrawal of Serbs from Mt. Velez near Mostar and from the mountains southeastern of Konjic (still occupied parts of Mt Prenj and Visocica and the saddle of Borak) will secure a part of B-H army held part of Herzegovina (the Neretva river valley). Serbs must withdraw from Odzak, north B-H. HVO is withdrawing from some areas (Mrkonjic Grad and Sipovo) and the only armed force not withdrawing from any of the areas keeping under its control is B-H army. /end/ A.S.

[07] SERBS ACCEPTED DAYTON'S AGREEMENT

Belgrade, November 24,1995 (Press TWRA) - As Tanjug reported on the meeting convened by Serbian President Milosevic near Belgrade, Bosnian Serbs accepted Dayton peace agreement. "Inspite of some painful solutions the leaders of republic srpska accept the agreement. Republic srpska will implement it in full and accept all obligations which come out of the agreement", reported Tanjug. War criminals Radovan Karadjic and Momcilo Krajisnik were also present at the meeting. (end) S.K.

[08] ON DECEMBER 4TH ON NATO GENERAL SECRETARY WILL BE ELECTED

Skopje, November 24,1995 (Press TWRA) - The Defence Secretary W. Perry during his visit to Macedonia stated last night in Skopje that NATO will send 6O OOO soldiers from 25 different countries to B-H. The smaller contingent of troops will be send in a weeks time so as to observe the situation. All the remaining troops would arrive after the signing the peace treaty in Paris. Minister Perry also announced that Foreign Ministers of NATO Alliance will meet on the 4th of December to decide on the new NATO General Secretary. He said that there are several candidates for the position including Spaniard Javier Solana and Dane Uffe Elleman Jensen, but he did not want to say the names of other candidates. The Spanish Government rejected the news that it proposed its Foreign minister Javier Solana for the NATO General Secretary. However, former Danish Foreign Minister has the full support of German Foreign Minister K. Kinkel while Greece totally rejects its nomination. Two years ago Jensen stated that "he would be ashamed if he was a Greek" expressing his strong disagreement for Greece policy to Macedonia.

[09] RUSSIA DEMANDS ADMITTANCE OF "FRY" TO CSCE

Vienna, November 24,1995 (Press TWRA) - On the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) meeting in Vienna Russia has brought up the issue of readmitting of the so called "FRY" (Serbia and Monte Negro) back into the CSCE. The ambassadors of Albania and Slovenia reacted negatively against the proposal.In accordance with the laws regulations of CSCE the so called Yugoslavia could only be readmitted with the consensus of 53 member countries. (end) S.K.

[10] UNUSAN - ALISPAHIC - JARNJAK

Vienna, November 24,1995 (Press TWRA) - Internal Ministers of Turkey, B-H and Croatia. T.Unusan, B. Alispahic and I.Jarnjak met in Zagreb in order to agree establishing of joint police forces for Velika Kladusa. As Presidents of the three countries agreed earlier the police forces should secure the safe return and peaceful life for 2O OOO Muslims from Velika Kladusa which are in Kuplensko near Vojnic at present. It is expected that three ministers will sign the protocol on this question today. They will visit Velika Kladusa together tomorrow.(end) S.K.

[11] NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE TO MILOSEVIC?!

Belgrade, November 24,1995 (Press TWRA) - Nis's branch of ruling Socialist Party of Serbia proposed to nominate Serbian President Milosevic for the "Nobel Peace Prize ". This proposal was supported by Zlatibor's SPS branch and workers of several factories, claim Belgrade's media.