BOSNEWS digest 443 -- 24/20/95

From: Nermin Zukic <[email protected]>

Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory

CONTENTS

[01] Bosnian President In UN

Oct 24 1995 UNITED NATIONS, New York

Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic has "lectured" the UN during its 50th anniversary celebrations about unfullfilled resolutions regarding Bosnia.

The UN is the source of hope for the Bosnian people, the president told the General Assembly, but it also a constant disappointment. He cited the number of unfulfilled Security Council resolutions as the proof of his statement.

Mr Izetbegovic said he approaches the American-mediated peace talks next week in Dayton, Ohio, with the best of faith and plenty of hope. The Bosnian Serbs have called for the right of secession from Bosnia. President Izetbegovic says, that is impossible.

"The Bosnian Government and Army will not accept the division and disintegration of our country, no matter in what packaging it may be served. The division of Bosnia will lead to continuation of war, immediately or later."

He warned against making concesssions to the Serbs on democratic elections in Bosnia, calling for war criminals to be isolated.

The U.S. President, Bill Clinton, is to meet today with Bosnian President, Alija Izetbegovic and the Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman.

[02] Nationalist Serbs demand right to break away

Oct 24 1995 SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Nationalis Serb "assembly," preparing for U.S.-sponsored peace talks, voted Monday to demand the right to secede from Bosnia. The demand will require approval by President Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia.

Serb leaders want to hold a referendum on independence a year after peace has been achieved. Bosnia's Muslim-led government doesn't want that because it could lead to the breakup of Bosnia.

"Assembly" speaker Momcilo Krajisnik said after the meeting in the northeastern town of Bijeljina. "In the future process of separation between the Muslims and ourselves we will try to keep traditional, historic Serb territories as much as possible," he said.

Serb leaders also are insisting on a "compact and viable" territory, a northern border along the Sava River, a 20-kilometer-wide corridor connecting territory they hold in eastern and western Bosnia, and part of Sarajevo. Both the Bosnian government and the United States say they won't accept a "Berlin Wall" dividing Sarajevo.

[03] Bosnia -- Warcrimes

Oct 24 1995 THE HAGUE, Netherlands

The International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has delayed the beginning of its first trial. The case against Dusan Tadic, a former Serb prison guard at a camp in northwestern Bosnia, was postponed until May. The court announced its de cision after a lawyer for the defense argued he could not prepare an adequate case before then.

Tadic is accused of beating to death four prisoners at the Omarska camp in northwestern Bosnia and the killing of nine others in the forced evacuation of a Muslim village. His trial was scheduled to begin next month. Observers say its delay is a considerable blow to the International War Crimes Tribunal since mr. Tadic is the only suspect the Tribunal has in custody, although 43 other suspected war criminals have been charged.

Mr. Tadic's defense lawyer, Mischa Wladimiroff, argued it would be impossible for his client to have a fair trial if proceedings started in November. He said although many people who are expected to testify for the prosecution now live outside Bosnia, most defense witnesses remain in the region and would be difficult to contact by November.

Mr. Tadic is now also facing new charges of crimes against humanity -- alleged to have been carried out between May and December of 1992 in two other prison camps.

[04] Germany To Offer Troops For Bosnia

Oct 24 1995 BONN, Germany

The German Government has announced it will offer 4000 troops to the multi-national force that is being put together to police an eventual peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The decision came at a cabinet meeting attended by Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who decided earlier this month that Germany should contribute to the international force.

Although the decision must still be approved by Parliament, most analysts expect the Chancellor to get the votes he needs because of the humanitarian nature of the deployment.

Defense Ministry Officials say the troops will be able to operate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but most will be based in nearby Croatia to avoid any possible conflict with the Bosnian Serbs.

[05] Operation Return

October 23,1995 ZAGREB, Croatia

The Foreign Ministers of Croatia, Bosnia and Turkey, Mate Granic, Muhamed Sacirbey and Onur Ojmen, have signed an agreement on a good will mission that would employ a joint police force, called operation "Return". This police force would assist refugees from Velika Kladusa and Cazin to return safely to their homes from Croatia where they are temporarily housed.

The refugees would be able to return voluntarily, while the police would keep the peace and assist in implementing emergency measures for returning living conditions to normal, and building trust amongst the local population. Croatia and Turkey would participate with 50 police officers each, while Bosnia would provide 100 officers.

[06] Meeting Of "Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Friends"

October 23,1995 MADRID, Spain

Tomorrow in Madrid starts the meeting of 22 countries gathered as the group of " Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Friends". The meeting is organized by Spanish Foreign Minister Javier Solana, whose country at present Chairs EC. The purpose of this meeting is the improving of relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation and reinforcement of Federation as a part of complete peace process. The discussion on the economical help and rebuilding of Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation and about the future relations with Croatia and EU has been scheduled. Hans Koschnik, EC Administration over Mostar will also be present at the meeting to,as it is expected, openly talk about the current problems in the Mostar area.

[07] Negotiations About The Status Of Eastern Croatia

Oct 23, 1995 OSIJEK, Croatia

Today's five-hour-talks at Osijek, eastern Croatia, between delegations of Croatia's govt. and Serbs from occupied part of the region, ended after 3 pm.

"The third round of negotiations was successful. Local Serbs accepted reintegration of the area to the constitutional and judiciary system of the Republic of Croatia. As the problem is settled, we should agree on the interim period on which the views of the two sides are still different", said the head of Croatian delegation Hrvoje Sarinic. Head of the Serb delegation Milan Milanovic also expressed satisfaction over today's agreement and called for negotiations in Erdut.

The occupied part of Croatia extends from the town of Ilok to Baranja. In Baranja, once a part of Hungaria, large Hungarian community lived till this war as majority population along with Croats, being expelled together in 1991. Remaining occupied area is among the richest and most productive parts of the country specially in agriculture including some oil fields (Djeletovci). Between Ilok and Baranja on the River Danube is situated the town of Vukovar near the archeological find of Vucedol.

Montenegrian weekly "Monitor", writing about the situation in Vukovar says:

"People in comouflage uniforms armed with light machine guns are moving around Vukovar. Two of them in a "Mitsubishi" jeep are calling a civilian selling cigarettes to approach them. He is threatened with fierce curses. Cold dark is falling. Terror is felt in the street. The civilian is beaten up. He is stuttering. The assistant driver cocks the machine gun pushing its barrel into the civilian's mouth. Then follows laughter. Civilians spitts blood. Other street salesmen are gazing. The town has no electricity. A drunk soldier curses God vomiting on himself. Smell of human blood seems to be dispensing from ghostly ruins. The hell's bottom. Torment in the head. A touch of death. Evil and apocalypse. Vukovar in 1995."