BOSNEWS digest 441 -- 22/10/95

From: Davor <[email protected]>

Bosnia-Herzegovina News Directory

CONTENTS

[01] Implementation of Cease Fire agreement

Oct 21 1995 SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina

UNPROFOR spokesman in Sarajevo Yurij Chizhik said that representatives of Bosnian Government and nationalist Bosnian Serbs agreed to begin to exchange the prisoners. Two Turkish journalists Ali Kocsak and Munira Acsim whom Serbs detained five days ago w ill be exchanged and two parts agreed to exchange the dead bodies also.

The President of Bosnian Government's Commission For Exchange Of War prisoners Amor Masovic said that the representatives of Bosnian Government and representatives of Red Cross from so- called "Yugoslavia" discussed about the destiny of citizens of Zepa who fled infront of Karadjic's forces to Serbia, and Serbian side demanded the exchange of citizens of so called "FRY" who are recently captured in the battles in Western Bosnia.

Representative of B-H Government said that the further implementation of the 5th principle of cease fire agreement will depend on readiness of Bosnian Serbs to liberate several thousands persons captured in Srebrenica and Zepa.

[02] Bosnia Peacekeeping (Russia -- US -- NATO)

Oct 22 1995 UNITED NATIONS, New York

In remarks to the UN 50th anniversary celebrations, Russian President Boris Yeltsin has criticized NATO for by-passing the Security Council in using military force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Speaking through an interpreter to the 50th anniversary celebrations in New York City, President Yeltsin said that "Russia is concerned at the situation whereby as has recently been the case in Bosnia -- the Security Council was relegated to the sidelines of events. It represents an obvious and clear cut violation of the foundations of the world organization."

The Russian leader says it is inadmissible for a regional organization -- like NATO -- to take decisions by-passing the Security Council. He also added that Russia is ready to use its forces to implement a peace agreement in Bosnia, but only under the strict mandate of the Security Council.

US Secretary of State Warren Christopher says it will take some time to resolve the question of Russian participation in a Bosnian peacekeeping operation. He said Russian participation in the Bosnian peacekeeping operation is on the agenda at a meeting b etween President Clinton and Russian President boris Yeltsin Monday near New York City.

"I think it is desirable for Russia to have a dignified substantial role, but not one that would in any way impair the NATO command and control. We have not resolved that problem yet."

Mr. Christopher said a Bosnian peace agreement must first be concluded before disagreements about a peacekeeping operation can be resolved.

In a separate interview US Defense Secretary William Perry said the Bosnian peacekeeping troops must serve under a unitary NATO command in order to be militarily effective.

He also warned that US failure to join the force could unravel the NATO alliance and threaten US security interests in Europe. Mr. Perry said although President Clinton hopes to secure Congressional approval for the peacekeeping operation, he intends to send US troops to Bosnia with or without Congressional assent.

[03] Switzerland Ready To Extradite War Criminals

Oct 21 1995 GENEVA, Switzerland

Swiss Government made a decision to extradite to the International Tribunal in The Hague six persons who are in Swiss prisons and are accused of war crimes. This decision followed after several months of discussion on weather the neutral Switzerland can recognize the jurisdiction of UN's Tribunal. The decision about extradition of six accused for war crimes - five from the territory of former Yugoslavia and one from Rwanda - is eight years valid.

[04] Dole: "Milosevic Should Not Be Allowed Into The US"

Oct 21 1995 WASHINGTON, Unites States

Speaking on the Senate floor Friday, the Republican Leader Bob Dole charged the Administration is making a serious mistake by giving a visa to Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

"Mr. Milosevic should not be issued a visa. If the Administration insists on this, at the very least it should ensure that any visa issued to Milosevic confines him to Wright-Patterson Air Force base. He does not deserve to be treated like other foreign dignitaries," Dole said.

A State Department spokesman Nick Burns defends the decision to include Mr. Milosevic, saying it is sometimes necessary to negotiate with one's enemies.

[05] What About lifting the Sanctions against Serbia?

Oct 22 1995 BELGRADE, Serbia

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel was quoted on Saturday as saying the signing of a Bosnia peace agreement would not automatically lead to the lifting of international sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro. He said that the question of sanctions wou ld be decided in the context of the final peace settlement. Noting that Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic had not yet recognised the former Yugoslav republics of Croatia and Bosnia, he said the lifting of sanctions would also depend on other conditions being met.

"We must be certain that minority rights will be respected... It will also depend on how the implementation of the peace agreement goes, and how the refugee and other issues are solved within the scope of an overall settlement," Kinkel was quoted as saying.