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BosNet NEWS / May 27, 1996Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Adnan Smajlovic <asmaj@spectranet.ca>CONTENTS
[01] TUDJMAN ABOUT HIS POLICY TOWARDS BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINAZagreb, May 27, 1996 (Press TWRA)Addressing to the extended Presidential council, Franjo Tudjman also spoke about his policy towards Bosnia, saying: "The objective of our policy in Bosnia was the protection of Croatian national feeling and Croatian strategic interests, having in mind its geo-political form and position. Muslims entertained illusions that YNA (Yugoslav national army) could act as their protection, too. You could see on Your televisions Alija Izetbegovic calling inhabitants of Herzegovina in Siroki Brijeg to pass YNA through their territory on their way to Split, Croatia. By establishing of the Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia, the mentioned Croatian interests have been ensured, Washington agreements took place. And why did the Croat-Muslim war start before ? The reason for this are not the extremists that appeared on both sides, but the presence of the plan according to which the Bosnian crisis should have been solved by the union of three republics. Muslim leadership estimated at that time that the access to the sea must be ensured at any price, for the strategy of all Islamic states, and even of the part of Muslim leadership here, is to ensure the relation by sea, if it is impossible to have a direct relation with a certain Islamic country. So, the aim was to conquer Mostar, extend the territory and even (according to some negotiations with Serbs) dominate the area Eastern of Neretva. The West did not want to allow the creation of an islamic state in the heart of Europe, so Croatia was recommended to make a kind of union with Bosnian Muslims through the Federation. Muslim state could become a support for extreme fundamentalist movements in the Islamic world, so the Federation should be, through Croatia, connected to the Western civilization." Tudjman have already pointed out on several occasions the Izetbegovic call addressed to Croats in Herzegovina, in Siroki Brijeg, to give up from the blockade prepared against YNA unit, moving towards Kupres in 1991. Croatian President does not want to mention that he, himself, also sent the same public appeal to Croats in Western Herzegovina. (end) A.S.[02] TUDJMAN: IT IS JUST ONE AMONG MANY EUROPESZagreb, May 27, 1996 (Press TWRA)The final speech of Franjo Tudjman concluded last night a two-day-lasting session of the extended Presidential Council. Tudjman said: "After the world has failed to maintain Yugoslavia and to prevent the establishing of the independent Croatia, they kept doing everything to undermine the country and to influence its foreign and internal policy. That was the objective of the so-called Krajina and plan Z-4, requests for the transregionality of Istria and efforts to destabilize a democratically elected Croatian authority, which culminated with so-called Zagreb crisis. (...) We do not want to accept nor sign any more condition. We have been and we will remain constructive in resolving the crucial questions for the peace in Europe and worldwide today and in finding the final solution to the crisis in the former-Yugoslavia. We are interested in civilisational integration, in the sense, as I said, to which civilisational and geo-political region we belong to. But, we will refuse each effort, and we will do it decisively, which aims to link us with the Balkans regional integration. (...) The destiny of Croatian people, of Croatia, depends on us. For that reason we have to be self-critical and critical towards Europe. Self-critical in order to be decisive and efficient, fruitful and successful in constructing, on the one hand, democratic society, and, on the other, in economical, cultural and scientific rebuilding of Croat, in each area. (...) We have to be critical and to consider with understanding, not kneeling before that and such Europe, for it is not the first Europe in the history: there was a Secred Roman Empire, there was a long-lasting Habsburg monarchy (to the great extent covering the area of actual European Union) and there were many others, from Napoleonean Europe and not to mention many others. (...) In that and such Europe there is so many disharmony that they could hardly agree upon. They are fighting year after year how to ensure direct political or economical influence for a certain European power." (end) A.S.[03] TUDJMAN/HDZ AND OPPOSITION: DIFFERENT ABOUT THE SAMEZagreb, May 27, 1996 (Press TWRA)"I expected more polemics at this session. There were no differences in speeches of Stipe Mesic, Ivica Racan, Zlatko Canjuga or Jure Radic regarding the international position of Croatia. Croatian personal envy disappears when national interests are in question", Gojko Susak said at the session of the extended Presidential Council. Some observers still claim that all presented representatives did not share Tudjman and HDZ (Croatian democratic union) members' opinion.Tudjman said Croatia belongs to Western and not Eastern Europe which was proven by two desintegrations of Yugoslavia. Croatia is ready to normalize its relations with FRY, but nothing more. Instead of Euroslavia, Croatia wants to integrate with Central Europe, where it had always belonged to, such as Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Czeck, Poland and Slovakia. Evidences about Croatian European identity are law documents from 12th and 13th century, artists from 15th and 17th century and several times made free-elections, in the time of patriotic war. Croatia is criticized by those who accepted to the Council of Europe Albania, Moldavia, Romania and Russia, which they supported when it was fighting with tanks against Parliament or Czeczenia, Tudjman pointed out. Vlado Gotovac pointed out Croatia, as a European country, must be represented within the frames of European ways of thinking and behaving, which should make the country closer to Central Europe for leaving the Balkans understands thigh connection with Central Europe. Stjepan Radic (successful pianist, HSS, the strongest opposition party, Vice- President, established by the beginning of this century by his grand-father, Stjepan Radic, killed by Serb extremists in the Belgrade Parliament in 1928, event considered by someone as the very beginning of the disintegration of Yugoslavia) said he did not agree with the speeches of Zarko Domljan and Janko Dobrinovic Vranitzany), he criticized them for being too general and commented a part of Tudjman's speech in which Croatian President spoke about pressure upon the Zagreb Government and its refuse to accept national degradation . Radic said he was familiar with the pressures and different interests of foreign powers but, he added, four Majors whom Tudjman refused to accept, have no relations with national pride, the same as "Feral Tribune", "Panorama", Ivan Zvornimir Cicak ... Tudjman interrupted him saying that the mentioned persons are not national pride but national shame and smiled. Andro Ozretic, president of the Conservative party from Split (one of marginal and minor non-parliamentarian parties, with very small number of members and voters, called by state media and HDZ to assist important meetings as a counter-part to strong opposition parties and these small parties are the strongest critics of Croatian opposition parties, West, Government in Sarajevo and most sincere supporters of HDZ) fiercely criticized "Europhiles", saying they express nostalgia for Yugoslavia and not for Europe, that they have only changed and modernized their methods but maintained the same ideology. Foreign Minister, M. Granic, expressed his concern caused by the fact that EU does not possess a defined foreign policy and EU and U.S. do not have a common opinion on the peace-process. "We want clearly to say : Yugoslavia never again", Granic said. Prime Minister Matesa said the most important Croatian trade-partner (50% of Croatian export and 63% of import) is EU, "which, however, did nothing to help Croatia move closer towards European integrations". Among the present assistants, were journalists Zivko Kustic, Maja Freundlich, Goran Milic, Nenad Ivankovic, Silvija Luks, Milan Ivkosic, Branko Tudjen, President of the Constitutional Court Jadranko Crnic, Zvonimir Separovic ... Vlatko Pavletic (President of the Croatian Parliament), Croatian Ambassadors to Eu (Zoran Jasic), to OSCE (Darko Bekic), to Netherlands (Branko Salaj), Yugoslavia (Zvonimir Markovic, who said Belgrade is respecting Croatia today), former prime Minister and HDZ official, Franjo Greguric, HDZ representatives, Jure Njavro, Sime Djodan, Ivan Milas, leaders of the opposition parties - Marko Veselica, Ante Vujic, Ante Djapic etc. also addressed to the assembly. Among the others announced speeches, some 10 of them were not presented due to the lack of time and their papers will be included in a joint publication. (end) A.S. ## CrossPoint v3.02 ## [04] TUZLA MAYOR APPEALS FOR HELP TO GORAZDETuzla, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)Mayor of Tuzla, Selim Beslagic, sent urgent appeal to "all towns in the world and all subjects which might help reconstruction of infrastructure of the town of Gorazde", as follows: "The situation in the town is very bad, the rebuilding plans are not realized as planned, and the town is unable to return to normal life by its own capabilities. Every kind of aid is welcome. The priority is cleaning of the town, town's traffic, water-supply, electrical energy supply and phone- links". (end) A.S.[05] HAVEL CRITICIZES ITALY FOR ISOLATION OF SLOVENIAPrague, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)Italy should cease to deny Slovenia's integration with the EU. Bilateral problems should not be involved in multilateral context. If there are some problems between two countries, they should solve it, not at multilateral level. One of the countries which complied with demands for membership of the EU is - Slovenia. It would be a joined member of the EU, if Italy has not resisted it. This was stated by Czech president Havel at his press-conference with his Slovenian counter- part, Milan Kucan.Czech president, writer and ex-dissident, preserved respectfor the human and community rights, also after he came to power, unlike some post-communist statesmen in central, southern and southeastern Europe. Vaclav Havel has often issued statements on the situation in ex-Yugoslavia. So he said he had been told president of Bosnia was an Islamic fundamentalist, but he did not have such impression when he met Izetbegovic and talked with him. (end) A.S. [06] THE BELGRADE RADIO OPPOSED TO REFERENDUM ON KARADZICBelgrade, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)The state radio in Belgrade, expressing views of Milosevic's government, issued a comment, criticizing the idea of Pale on referendum in BH Serb entity about R. Karadzic: "It would be a choice between Karadzic and the Dayton accord. Srpska's leadership should give up the crazy ideas, as our time is not for gamble with destiny of Serb people. The referendum might annul all so far positive results in the Dayton accord implementation, even threat the very existence of Republic of Srpska, as a separate entity, which has already somehow got the international recognition. (end) A.S.[07] BANJALUKA DISSATISFIED BY REPLACEMENT OF KASAGICLondon, Banja Luka, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)British media report that majority of Serb politicians in Banja Luka, who met British prime minister Major two days ago, have expressed their frustration due to replacement of R. Kasagic from the post of Srpska's premier. It is the opinion of the Banjaluka mayor, Predrag Radic, too. Besides with Radic and Kasagic, J. Major talked with Milorad Dodik (president of Social-democratic party), Miodrag Zivanovic (president of Liberal party), Dubravko Prstojevic (president of Radical party - ultra-nationalists), and Zivko Radisic (deputy chairman of Socialist party, close to Milosevic). Some of their questions and ideas Major transferred to Carl Bildt.On the situation in Banja Luka, Major talked with Gen.Michael Jackson, the IFOR British division commander, whose base is in Ramica, outskirts of Banjaluka. In the communist era, political power and prestige were holdby Serbs from the BH western areas (the Banjaluka region), but Karadzic & associates changed it to benefit of Serbs from the B-H eastern areas (Pale, eastern Bosnia, eastern Herzegovinia). (end) AS [08] "IRANGATE TWO" GOES ON, USA PREPARES TO HELP BOSNIA MILITARILYWashington, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)"We expected that Zagreb would properly understand our well-considered answer being actually non-answer, regarding delivery of Iranian arms to B-H via Croatia. Zagreb understood non-answer. Iranian arms helped B-H government to survive," said the US deputy secr. of State, Strobe Talbott in the Senate."When we silently agreed for Croatia to let Iranian arms forBosnia pass, it seemed that Federation would fail, as B-H was under most severe assaults. Federation is the ground of all we had reached and it was important for Bosnia to be able to defend itself. Iranian arms had been provided for B-H before that while later on, we took steps to stop it," said Clinton's advisor for national security Anthony Lake. US ambassador to Zagreb P. Galbraith told the Congresscommission that he had not broken any law or directly suggested Croatia let free passage to Iranian arms. Congress commissions which conducted investigation demandedby Republicans, found out they could not confirm Clinton's administration had violated the US laws. Some commentators (William safire) claimed it was due to exemptions that Clinton, as President used to avoid overall and thorough investigation. At that time, in pre-election campaign, Democrats and Republicans, continued with mutual accusations of hypocrisy in this respect - Republicans are accused of demanding the arming B-H and now criticize Clinton for doing the same, and Democratic Govt. of rejecting unilateral lifting the arms embargo, what Congress demanded, but secretly violated the decision, with Iran's help, bringing US credibility in question among the allies, increasing the impact of Islamists in BH. R. Holbrooke told the Congress that In April 1994, the USAconducted the policy without policy towards Bosnia. The USA tried to decrease the Iranian-arms dependence of B-H, calling indirectly the third states to help the Sarajevo Government, said Holbrooke. He claimed, during his recent visit to Britain, in the interviews for media that the arms provided from Iran for Bosnia helped in obtaining military balance, being a pre-condition for successful political negotiations on equal terms, so he is proud of his recommending it in consultations to Clinton's administration. Holbrooke stressed that the USA alone could not send the arms for the B-H army as it complied with the UN arms embargo, although it did not agree with it and that B-H government needed an urgent help in heavy arms, which enabled its survival, which if had failed, would have increased the impact of Iran and other integrist states and groups among Muslims in Europe and Muslim states. As embargo is meanwhile, lifted, the USA along with S.Arabia, Kuwait and UA Emirates established a fund to raise USD 500 mill. for equipment and training of B-H army. At the meeting with Malasiyan prime minister M. Mahathir in Washington a few days ago, the US president Clinton called the government in Kuala Lumpur to join the fund of the US administration and Arabic Gulf states. Training of B-H soldiers in Turkey is underway for which theUSA previously claimed that would begin only when all Islamic volunteers left B-H. It seems a compromise is reached, according to which some of mujjahids could stay in B-H as civilians and Bosnians who were in Islamic units, if joined in regular B-H army units. Federation will have entirely integrated armed force which, within 3 years, should lose its ideological, party and religious characteristics and become a state, i.e. depoliticized. That was repeated in the statement of the B-H Federation deputy defence minister Hasan Cengic who said that by tomorrow he and defence minister Vlado Soljic should submit final proposal of the Bill on Defence of the B-H Federation, agreed recently in the USA. Military issues might be discussed in Ankara where the hosts will meet B-H and Croatian delegation led by foreign ministers. The crisis in M. Yilmaz's government which "Doruyol" T.Ciller left has no impact on the policy towards the Balkans. (end) A.S. [09] SERBS ANNOUNCE THEIR AUTONOMY, CROATIA DENIES ITZagreb, Belgrade, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)Belgrade daily "Politika" wrote that Serb "Assembly of the Vukovar County" was in session this week and accepted the proposal for a special status of the "Srijem-Baranja region" (occupied eastern part of Croatia - known in the world as "Eastern Slavonia", in Croatia as "Croatian Danube Basin"), on which these days the assemblies of other counties in the region should give their vote (Beli Manastir, Dalj, Tenja, Mirkovci). "That would, in fact, be a state within a state, as the Z-4 plan for the Republic of Srpska Krajina foresaw," said Miroslav Keravica, Serb "mayor of the Vukovar county," explaining it by allegations of K. Kinkel and gen. Klein on likely Serb autonomy. Proposition for a special status includes regional police, courts, official Serb language, regional citizenship confirmed by regional passport whose owners would not serve any military. Representatives of the region would be elected for Croatian Sabor which should prior to that, pass the Law on such autonomy. Croatia's president would appoint an official for that region to defend Croatia' interests. The laws adopted by regional parliament, writes "Politika", would require agreement of Croatia's president (having the right for veto). UNTAES spokesman Ph. Arrnold said: "Announcement of the autonomy issued by Goran Hadzic is only words.Yet, Croatian law on amnesty should specify what is meant by "war crime," the perpetrators of which are exempted from amnesty."At yesterday's extended presidential Council, Croatia'spresident Tudjman said: "We accepted peaceful reintegration of the Danube Basin to prove the world we are for democratic solutions, normalization of relations including all states established on the ex-Yugoslav territory and also Serbia and Yugoslavia, that we do not want all Serbs to leave Craotia, but we will not accept at any cost, what is being reported, not only from Serb but also from some international circles, that Croatian Danube Basin should be given some autonomy, being a variant of the Z-4 plan". (end) A.S. [10] UNTAES ON SITUATION IN EASTERN SLAVONIAZagreb, May 26, 1996 (Press TWRA)UNTAES spokesman Ph. Arnold said the situation in eastern Slavonia, despite some incidents, was relatively stable and satisfactory. Among the actions taken, Arnold mentioned, spraying mosquitoes, which local Serb authorities had not done in the past five years, so it was recently financed from Croatia's government budget and was carried out by Croatian aircraft and Serb co-pilots.Arnold reminds that phone and traffic lines between easternSlavonia and the rest of Croatia were established, the issue of pensions was discussed and UNTAES put the oil wells in Djeletovci under its control. He announced opening of 5 to 6 hundred work posts, and soon (mid-June) restoration of rail link between Sid (Serbia) and Vinkovci (Croatia) after cleaning the mines. All is done to restore normal life in the region, so UNTAES public relation office has recently delivered leaflets to local Serbs explaining the last year accord, its articles on demilitarization, terms for heavy arms withdrawal, security guarantees in the region, states Arnold. UN will not extend one- month term for demilitarization, after which individuals will be allowed to own light arms but must be recorded in local police, but will not be allowed to carry it publicly without a special permit. Heavy arms will be put under UN control and all para- military groups dismissed. It is realistic to expect that deadline of demilitarization will be observed, which is discussed by the UNTAES and Serb generals Joseph Schoups and Dusan Loncar. Part of Serb soldiers will remain in the area within combined police. UNTAES has not got exact data on the arms and soldiers in the region, as substantial movements towards FR Yugoslav border are underway. After most heavy arms were withdrawn in the past 2-3 weeks, it is assumed there are 20pcs more left.The number of soldiers is not known but UN estimates that 9 to 10 thousand of them has already left, says Arnold. (end) A.S. Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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