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Serbia Today 96-03-15
15 March 1996
In This Edition
LIBERALIZATION OF TRANSIT ACROSS THE YUGOSLAV BORDER
DRAMATIC SITUATION IN ILIDZA AND GRBAVICA
FINAL PARTING BETWEEN BOSNIAN NATIONS
CONTENTS
[01] LIBERALIZATION OF TRANSIT ACROSS THE YUGOSLAV BORDER
[02] BEGINNING OF A PERIOD OF COOPERATION
[03] DRAMATIC SITUATION IN ILIDZA AND GRBAVICA
[04] FINAL PARTING BETWEEN BOSNIAN NATIONS
[05] THE US SENATE STOPPED THE CIVILIAN AID TO BOSNIA
[06] "THE LAST THING WE NEED"
[01] LIBERALIZATION OF TRANSIT ACROSS THE YUGOSLAV BORDER
Yesterday's session of the Federal Government was dedicated to
the liberalization of the visa regime for transiting across the
Yugoslav state border. In case of mutual interest, the countries
that have a reciprocal visa regime with Yugoslavia will be
offered to abolish the visas for all types of travel documents,
and those that do not wish to abolish visas will be offered the
possibility to do so for diplomatic and official passports and
for regular passports used for business trips. In case of direct
Yugoslav interests, our country plans to unilaterally abolish
visas for specific countries. The Federal Cabinet decided that
the talks on the overall normalization of relations with former
Yugoslav republics should directly include negotiations on the
introduction of the visa regime. In order to enhance the
relations in the Balkans, as well as peace and cooperation in
the region, the Federal Government decided to abolish the exit
visa for Yugoslav citizens traveling to Albania. (Politika,
March 15, 1996)
[02] BEGINNING OF A PERIOD OF COOPERATION
Mr. Graham Bluitt - Deputy Prosecutor of the International
tribunal for Crimes of War in Former Yugoslavia, stated
yesterday in Belgrade that indictments will soon be raised
against those that committed crimes against Serbs and the
opening of the Tribunal Bureau in Belgrade. Mr. Bluitt, heading
a delegation of the Hague Tribunal which is currently visiting
our country, stated at a press conference that numerous crimes
against Serbs have been committed and that "... the Tribunal was
yet unable to gather evidence in this regard." He also judged
positively the talks he had with Yugoslav officials during the
visit, remarking that the period of cooperation has now begun.
Reacting to criticism that the Hague Tribunal is a political
court set up against the Serbs, Mr. Bluitt rejected such
allegations and added that very soon it will become evident that
the Tribunal treats equally all culprits. (Ekspres Politika,
March 15, 1996)
[03] DRAMATIC SITUATION IN ILIDZA AND GRBAVICA
The statement issued by the UN Geneva Bureau, indicates amongst
other things that Moslems that entered the quarter of Ilidza
from the surrounding parts of Sarajevo, are now burning
plundering and harassing the remaining Serbs that still have not
left this part of town. The UN Civilian Police, deployed in
Ilidza, receives calls for help every five minutes from the
Serbs that stayed there - reads the statement without specifying
how do the police forces react to such calls, though it is more
than evident that these officers are helpless. The situation in
Grbavica - another quarter that should pass under the
jurisdiction of the Moslem-Croatian Federation on March 19th,
also seems to be dramatic. According to evaluations given by the
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, there are some 2000-3000
Serbs left in the Grbavica quarter, but they are now without any
protection. Diplomatic circles in Geneva remark that the
situation in Ilidza and Grbavica stems from the latest
controversies between the confederate partners in Bosnia -
Moslems and Croats. The same officials indicate that in their
effort to dominate, the Moslems struck a major blow to the
Croats in Sarajevo and that they have practically established a
mono-national canton, undermining both the peace process and the
twin federation. (Politika, March 15, 1996)
[04] FINAL PARTING BETWEEN BOSNIAN NATIONS
The latest events in Sarajevo are being given major coverage by
French media, that are trying to depict the chaos in the
quarters which are being abandoned by the Serbian population.
"Le Figaro" concludes that this embodies the defeat of those
that wanted to preserve the multi-ethnic Bosnia and quotes the
statement made by the spokesman of the French Foreign Ministry
about the "...definite ethnic division." "Le Mond" reports that
local Mafia from the old part of Sarajevo is seizing apartments
and shops, and that the mobsters already robbed all that was
worth stealing. The same newspaper specifies that these
crime-lords belong to the ruling party (SDA), the Moslem
Government and the management of large Sarajevan companies. The
case of Sarajevo demonstrates that "ethnic separation" marks the
failure of the Dayton Agreement. "United" Sarajevo practically
marks the final parting between the Bosnian nations - affirms
"Le Liberation". (Borba, March 15, 1996)
[05] THE US SENATE STOPPED THE CIVILIAN AID TO BOSNIA
The US Senate approved the temporary suspension of civilian aid
to Bosnia (some 200 million dollars), which will last until
President Clinton offers proof that Iranian military and
intelligence experts left this former Yugoslav republic -
Reuters reports. Republican Senate Leader - Mr. Robert Dole that
submitted the proposal, stated that further presence of Iranians
in Bosnia, constitutes a "potential threat" for American troops.
He also added that the Sarajevo Government must decide whether
or not it will be part of the western world. (Politika, March
15, 1996)
[06] "THE LAST THING WE NEED"
The international conference of "donating countries" that are
willing to provide military aid to Bosnia started today in
Ankara (Turkey). The meeting organized by Washington and Ankara,
will include all countries prepared to donate funds for the
purchase of arms and equipment and the training of the Bosnian
Moslem army. Forty countries have been invited but only half of
them will attend the conference, whilst Moscow openly refused to
take part in the meeting. The Ankara conference provoked strong
reactions among western allies and partners that believe that
the American initiative is a paradox and a threat to peace.
Spanish Foreign Minister Carlos Westendorp stated that this
is"...the last thing we need now", whilst Claus Kinkel - head of
German diplomacy remarked that "...it is amazing that the US has
money for arms but not for the reconstruction of the country
destroyed by the war." The French also believe that priority
should be given to reconstruction and not to rearming. Official
circles in London, Rome, Brussels and other European cities
reacted adversely to the absurd conference called in Ankara
whilst negotiations on disarmament and reduction of military
potentials are being conducted in Vienna. (Borba, March 15,
1996)
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