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Serbia Today 96-02-09
9 February 1996
In This Edition
THE HAGUE IS THREATENING PEACE
RELATIONS WITH IFOR AND THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT SUSPENDED
A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF "CULTURAL" MADNESS IN CROATIA
CONTENTS
[01] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVED THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
[02] LEONID SINICIN VISITING YUGOSLAVIA
[03] INTERNATIONAL AFFIRMATION
[04] 400 FAMILIES ASKED TO RETURN TO SERBIAN SARAJEVO
[05] DELEGATION OF THE FRENCH POWER COMPANY VISITING SERBIA
[06] A FOREIGN LOAN OF 12 MILLION MARKS
[07] OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL PARK PROTECTION FEDERATION OPENED IN BELGRADE
[08] THE HAGUE IS THREATENING PEACE
[09] RELATIONS WITH IFOR AND THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT SUSPENDED
[10] REVANCHISM IN ACTION
[11] SCANDALOUS ATTITUDE OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT
[12] A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF "CULTURAL" MADNESS IN CROATIA
[01] SERBIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVED THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER
Serbian President Milosevic met yesterday with the Russian
Defense Minister - General Pavel Gratchov - on an official
visit to Yugoslavia. During the meeting, the current military
and political situation in the Balkans was discussed and
particular attention has been dedicated to, the
implementation of the peace agreement for Bosnia. It has been
stressed that the intense efforts and activities both of
Yugoslavia and of the international factors - including the
Russian Federation - yielded good results in realizing the
peace plan which strengthens peace and stability in the
region and reinstates trust among the regional nations and
states. It is particularly important that the actual peace
process be continued through the constructive cooperation
with the peace forces, which must assume an impartial stand
and ensure that all side respect the Agreement. During the
meeting numerous initiatives have been promoted regarding the
development of cooperation between FRY and Russia, especially
in science and technology and the exchange of experiences in
the military-industry sphere. (Politika, February 9, 1996)
[02] LEONID SINICIN VISITING YUGOSLAVIA
Mr. Leonid Sinicin, Deputy premier of Belarussia, visiting
our country, has been received yesterday by Federal President
Zoran Lilic, Federal Premier Radoje Kontic and Serbian Prime
Minister Mirko Marjanovic. Mutual readiness to enhance and
hasten the traditionally good relations between the two
nations has been stressed in all the meetings. It has been
observed that all the necessary preconditions exist for a
broad economic cooperation and an increase of the trade
volume. It is expected that by next year the foreign exchange
between FR Yugoslavia and Belarussia will reach 250 million
dollars. (Borba, February 9, 1996)
[03] INTERNATIONAL AFFIRMATION
Mr. Zivadin Jovanovic - Federal Deputy Foreign Minister -
stated in an interview for Radio Yugoslavia that the
anticipated return to Belgrade of the ambassadors of the most
important European countries is quite welcome since it
signifies that these countries are prepared to endorse the
full membership of FRY in global, European and Balkan
organizations with greater determination. One of the prime
conditions for peace and stability in the Balkans is the
normalization of relations with other former Yugoslav
republics - Mr. Jovanovic remarked. "We believe that the
normalization of the relations with Macedonia will soon take
shape for the benefit of both nations and the overall peace
process in the Balkans. Political dialogue has recently been
renewed with Zagreb and the positions of the two sides in the
settlement of humanitarian and economic issues are similar.
"We attribute particular importance to the right of the
expatriate Serbs to return to Croatia and have a safe life."
- said the Foreign Ministry official. "The recent Slovenian
note suggesting the normalization of relations is a positive
move, although inexplicably delayed. It seems that Ljubljana
needed more than three years to realize that the rejection of
the Yugoslav recognition of Slovenia - actually harmed
Slovenia the most. (Politika, February 9, 1996)
[04] 400 FAMILIES ASKED TO RETURN TO SERBIAN SARAJEVO
Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic received yesterday
the delegation of refugees accommodated in the collective
center in Ivanjica, which arrived in Belgrade with a proposal
for the repatriation of refugees to the Serbian quarters in
Sarajevo. Four hundred families have applied for the
repatriation to Sarajevo. The authorities in these parts of
Sarajevo have already been contacted and asked to ensure
normal living conditions for them. Acknowledging the desire
of the refugees to return to the land where they were born,
Prime Minister Marjanovic stressed that the Dayton and Paris
documents and the overall policy pursued by the Serbian and
Yugoslav leadership warrant that all measures will be taken
to ensure the necessary conditions for the safe return of the
refugees, their accommodation, employment and social and
health care. Mr. Marjanovic stresses that the decision to
return to Sarajevo represents a major contribution to the
realization of the peace agreements and an endorsement of the
policy of the Serbian side. (Politika, February 9, 1996)
[05] DELEGATION OF THE FRENCH POWER COMPANY VISITING SERBIA
A delegation of the French state power company (EDF) arrived
on a three day visit to Yugoslavia hosted by the Serbian
power company (EPS). "The purpose of the visit is to renew
the business cooperation with Yugoslavia and EPS, the
possibility of a joint presence on third markets, and the
involvement of EDF in the investments and revitalization of
Serbian power plants." - said Dr. Dragan Kostic Serbian
Minister of Energy and Mining. "Our guests promised that they
will endorse the Yugoslav demands presented to the IMF and
the World Bank, to receive loans for the revitalization and
construction of power installations. (Politika, February 9,
1996)
[06] A FOREIGN LOAN OF 12 MILLION MARKS
At the session of the Consortium Managing Board - founded to
coordinate the modernization and revitalization of the
Serbian railroads, it has been announced that the
International RR Bank in Basel, authorized a 12 million DEM
loan for the Yugoslav railroads. Mr. Milomir Minic, Chairman
of the Managing Board of the "Belgrade RR", added that
sources in Basel sent assurances that this amount might be
increased several times. During the sanctions, the national
railroad company suffered damages for two billion dollars,
but it still managed to continue the modernization and
revitalization of the railroad network. The national railroad
company has been contacted by numerous representatives of
rail vehicles, expressing readiness to cooperate, but the
only objective of the Serbian railroads is to promote these
projects within the cooperation of Serbian and foreign
firms." - stressed Mr. Minic. (Borba, February 9, 1996)
[07] OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL PARK PROTECTION FEDERATION OPENED IN BELGRADE
Professor Etkin Klark, - President of the European Federation
of the European National and Natural Parks, currently
visiting our country, informed the reporters yesterday that
the Serbian national parks (except for Djerdap NP), namely
"Fruska Gora", "Tara" and "Mt. Kopaonik" have been made
members of this international organization. They have thus
automatically become integral part of the European natural
heritage, which will now be cared for by our international
organization which cooperates with UNESCO, the World
Conservation Organization and the World Fund for the
Protection of Nature". - said Mr. Klark. The seat of the
international federation is in Germany, and it has four
branches (Italy, England, France and Spain), but a fifth one
will imminently be opened in Belgrade - covering Eastern
Europe. (Politika, February 9, 1996)
[08] THE HAGUE IS THREATENING PEACE
The Yugoslav Barristers Association asked the international
sister associations and national barristers federations it
cooperates with, to endorse the international law which has
been breached in Sarajevo with the arrest of General Djordje
Djukic, Col. Aleksa Krsmanovic and other Bosnian Serb Army
(VRS) officers and soldiers. These BSA officers were on a
negotiating mission on IFOR controlled territory, reads the
communiqu=82 issued by the Yugoslav Barristers Association. The
arrest of these persons and the reaction of the Hague
Tribunal - which supports this action - represents another
sign that the Tribunal prosecutors insist that only Serbs be
arrested and tried. The arrest constitutes a breach of
international law and the efforts of the international
community to investigate the crimes of war in accordance with
international conventions, and the action of the Bosnian
Government jeopardizes the initial results in implementing
the peace. - states the communique. (Vecernje Novosti,
February 9, 1996)
[09] RELATIONS WITH IFOR AND THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT SUSPENDED
Due to the arrest of a group of its soldiers and officers,
the Bosnian Serb Army (VRS) Command, decided to suspend the
relations with IFOR and the Sarajevo authorities. Acting in
accordance with a decision of the Government of the Republic
of Srpska, BSA Chief of Staff - General Ratko Mladic issued
the order that "all official and unofficial" contacts be
suspended with representatives of the Bosnian Federation, as
well as the circulation of Republic of Srpska citizens and
BSA members in Moslem-Croatian Federation. Until the release
of BSA members, captured in the disengagement zone in
Sarajevo, all contacts with IFOR representatives will also be
suspended, and previously agreed meetings with civilian and
military Federation officials have also been called off.
(Vecernje Novosti, February 9, 1996)
[10] REVANCHISM IN ACTION
The euphoria which characterized the arrival of American
troops in Bosnia, has been clouded by the bitter awareness
that the field implementation of the peace plan will not go
as smoothly as planned - reads the commentary published
yesterday by the New York Times, dealing with the arrest of
BSA officers in Sarajevo and the tense situation between the
Moslems and the Croats in Mostar. The editorial states that
in view of the explosive climate in Bosnia, authorizing the
local authorities to conduct investigations and the
prosecution of various criminals, inevitably created
problems. "It is both unrealistic and unreasonable to expect
sides that were fighting until recently, not to succumb to
the temptation of revanchism in treating the war crimes of
the other side. The best solution is for the International
Tribunal to verify the validity of the evidence provided by
local authorities, but before and not after the arrest."
concludes The New York Times. (Borba, February 9, 1996)
[11] SCANDALOUS ATTITUDE OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT
Reacting to the violence in Mostar, the Bonn daily - "General
Einzaiger", close to the German Ministry of Foreign affairs,
published an unusually harsh commentary and a direct attack
on Croatian President Tudjman. The very first sentence in the
article states that "the behavior of the Zagreb Government is
scandalous". In spite of all the promises that the gangs in
Mostar will be put placed under control, these groups
attacked the EU representative Hans Koschnik yesterday,
encouraged by the "silent consent" of President Tudjman. The
same newspaper remarks that this same "authoritarian head of
state" who likes to be celebrated as the "Dayton Angel of
Peace", is actually undermining the stabilization process in
Mostar. In a telephone interview for German National
Television, Mr. Hans Koschnik seriously accused the Mayor of
the Croatian part of Mostar - Mr. Brajkovic, affirming that
the crowd that assaulted him was "incited and prompted".
Support for Mr. Koshnik, and the condemnation of the Croatian
violence has been expressed by numerous circles - the Bonn
Government, the President of the EU Commission, the EU
Chairman, and the NATO Secretary General. (Politika, February
9, 1996)
[12] A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF "CULTURAL" MADNESS IN CROATIA
The literary work of Ante Armanini is not greatly appreciated
either in Croatia or abroad, but he is "justified" by the
fact that like him, numerous more important authors also
adopted satanic "Serbophobia". The gloomy quality of such
attitude is best illustrated by the open letter addressed to
actor Rade Serbedzija who strongly criticized the Croatian
Army offensive in an interview for an English TV station.
"Storm - one of the most glorious military operations of the
century - finally settled the problem and swept your trash
all the way to Belgrade." - states Armanini. Unsatisfied with
calling the Serbs "trash" the same author states: "Century
21st will analyze AIDS and the Serbs as similar phenomena
generated by the decaying civilizational and moral organism
of Western civilization." No commentary is needed. One only
has to remark that similar statements are being made not only
by good (and bad) Croatian writers, but also by scholars,
politicians, academicians and numerous "ordinary" citizens.
Obviously, Serbophobia has become a mass phenomenon in
Croatia. (Ekspres, February 9, 1996)
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