Datasets:

jhu-clsp

/

robust04-instructions

like 0

FBIS3-7463_0

Government Supports East ASEAN Growth Area

Language: Indonesian Article Type:BFN [Text] The Indonesian Government supports the East ASEAN Growth Area because its development coincides with Indonesia's asecond long-term development master plan which seeks to spur the development of eastern Indonesia. Kosim Gandataruna, fourth assistant to the coordinating minister for industry and trade, expressed the Indonesian Government's policy when he opened the fourth meeting of the East ASEAN Business Meeting Organizing Committee in Ujungpandang yesterday. The two-day meeting attended by 190 businessmen from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia is in preparation for an East ASEAN business meeting in Davao City, the Philippines, by the end of May. Philippine chief delegate Vicente Paterno said South Sulawesi Province occupies a strategic position in cooperation among the four countries in the East ASEAN region.

FBIS3-7471_1

Further on Party Secretary's Visit to Malaysia NHAN DAN Publishes Editorial

economic development and belief that Vietnam will develop and prosper like other nations in Southeast Asia. General Secretary Do Muoi's visit has enhanced the mutual understanding and trust between the leaders and peoples of the two countries. Vietnam's important achievements in the renovation and its open-door foreign policy to diversify and multiply party and state ties, together with the Malaysian Government's policy of improving relations with Vietnam are very important elements for both countries in developing their potential and accelerating friendship and cooperation for their peoples. Among new developments in Southeast Asia and in the Asia Pacific, Comrade General Secretary Do Muoi's visit is a new and vivid manifestation of Vietnam's policy of wanting to befriend all nations to strive for peace, independence, and development. Vietnam has joined the Bali Agreement, become an ASEAN observer, and participated in some ASEAN activities in preparation of its joining ASEAN at an appropriate time. Persisting on the four-point policy announced by General Secretary Do Muoi in Bangkok in his October 1993 Thailand visit, Vietnam supports initiatives for increased cooperation. This includes Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed's initiative on the East-Asia Economic Caucus. Vietnam is also ready for joint cooperative institutions in the Asia Pacific such as the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council [PECC], the Pacific Basin Economic Council, and so forth. At the 10th PECC General Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 25 March, our general secretary emphasized Vietnam's consistent policy in maintaining good ties with nations in the Pacific. Vietnam places on priority the duty of broadening cooperation with nations in the Pacific and the development of ties with all nations in the world for the acceleration of better and broader friendship and cooperation with neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. At the same, it advocates negotiations to settle all things left over by history or newly arising problems. We ensure that all nations in the Asia Pacific will find in Vietnam a positive counterpart and a reliable customer. Our open-door foreign policy, independence, and sovereignty has been welcomed by friends. Malaysia highly evaluates the positive developments in bilateral ties. The SRV-ASEAN ties has opened many potential areas for long-term cooperation. It also emphasizes the need for a common voice on issues of mutual concern. Our people welcomes the success of General Secretary Do Muoi's visit to Malaysia. We are happy at the new developments in SRV-Malaysian friendship and cooperation, which meet the aspiration and benefit

FBIS3-7473_0

Radio Denounces Exiled Monk in Australia, Part 2

Language: English Article Type:BFN [From the "Talk of the Week" feature] [Text] Dear listeners: In our program Talk of the Week last Friday, we told you about the character of Nguyen Xuan Chu, who is now in the Van Hanh Monastery in Australia. This time we would like to talk about his sabotage activities while he was in Vietnam as well as what he is doing now in a foreign country, and the real objectives of these activities. When he was in Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Chu told the police of the former southern province of Nghia Binh during an interrogation: I was born and grew up under the U.S. puppet regime, the political system full of dark [word indistinct]. As a result, I was influenced by the U.S. puppet's [word indistinct] allegations against the revolution. After the liberation of southern Vietnam in 1975, a number of people in the name of the leaders of the United Vietnam Buddhist Church; the An Quang faction; and a number of bad friends, including Huyen Quang in the Dharma Institute, who had hostile ideas and activities against the revolution, directly incited and guided me to act against the state and people. Huyen Quang, at his own free will, made use of his position at the time of the liberation, to initiate a policy with political undertones, not corresponding to the nature of a traditional appeal [words indistinct]. He compiled a document entitled: BUDDHISM IN THE NEW SITUATION, in which he advocated non-cooperation with the revolutionary administration. Huyen Quang made use of his prestige to cheat people and abuse the trust and enthusiasm of Buddhist followers as well as the obedience of the local Buddhist churches and followers to stir up hostile activities, pushing them onto a sinful road against the administration. I am one of these victims. However, since he arrived in Australia, particularly over the last few years, Nguyen Xuan Chu has acted against the Vietnamese people's revolutionary cause and the national renovation process. He has incited some MPs to use their influence on their government as well as on the governments of other countries to maintain the embargo against Vietnam and restrict their cooperative relations with Vietnam. He collected signatures of Vietnamese Buddhist followers and residents of Australia for a letter sent to the Australian Parliament, supporting hostile and opposition activities. He has coordinated with Vo Dai Ton,and reactionary groups in carrying

FBIS3-7474_6

Catholic Paper Interviews Prime Minister

or people's council elections. It also prohibited them from setting up or participating in any associations, as this may cause division in the church. Elder Archbishop Nguyen Van Binh and some other bishops convinced the Vatican that in Vietnam joining the National Assembly or people's councils is just for the purpose of performing one own's duty as a citizen and not for engaging in a power struggle as in other countries. VCU committees are only popular political organizations designed to promote patriotism among Catholic compatriots. The Vatican seems to have been aware of this fact and most of the Vietnamese bishops have let their subordinate Catholic priests and other clergymen join Fatherland Front committees, elected organs, and VCU committees. Nevertheless, I was advised in 1992 that due to unknown reasons, the Vatican issued another circular, urging Vietnamese bishops to prohibit their priests and other clergymen from joining elected organs or VCU committees. It took 10 years, from 1982-92, for Catholic bishops, fathers, and clergymen and all other Catholic compatriots in Vietnam to have become clearly aware that far from doing any harm to Catholicism, those Catholic clergymen serving elected organs or VCU committees have done good services to the region and the country. Fully aware of this fact, why is it that certain bishops have continued to cite the Vatican order as an excuse to prohibit their subordinate clergy from joining elected organs or VCU committees? I think that by taking part in national construction activities, Catholic compatriots are exercising their rights and duties as citizens. [Truong Ba Can] This issue has been raised partly because the religious policy has failed to appease people's worries about various issues such as the seminarian issue, the operations and education of various religious orders, the repair and construction of churches, and so forth. [Vo Van Kiet] The reason why our government continues to remain strict in certain areas is that we want to ensure stability for social and religious activities. If everyone is aware of this, the resolution of various matters would become easier. Therefore, we must give specific consideration to each particular issue. We must listen to public opinion and join hands in resolving it. All for common stability. [Truong Ba Can] You, the prime minister, just stated that the lines to be followed are the ones advocated and practiced by Arbishop Nguyen Van Binh in Ho Chi Minh City over the

FBIS3-7512_0

Russia Reportedly To Support UNSC Resolution

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, March 29 (YONHAP) -- Russia would support a United Nations Security Council resolution calling on North Korea to accept nuclear inspections, while seeking an international meeting to discuss the issue attended by South and North Korea, the United States, Japan, Russia, China, the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA], Radio Moscow reported Monday. According to NAEWOE PRESS, Seoul's official monitor of communist countries' news media, the radio said, "Moscow would support a UN Security Council resolution calling for North Korea to observe its obligations to the IAEA under the framework of the nuclear non- proliferation treaty." Moreover, Russia thinks that neighboring countries' efforts to solve the problem are not enough so it will try to hold an international meeting of delegates from South and North Korea, Japan, Russia, China, the United States, the UN secretary-general and the IAEA director-general, the radio said. Radio Moscow, citing the scheduled deployment of Patriot missiles in South Korea and Pyongyang's objections to the move, said, "the tension on the Korean peninsula is worsening and under thses circumstances, Russia's idea on holding an international meeting is useful and pressing."

FBIS3-7516_0

`Voices of Caution' on DPRK Said Decreasing

Language: English Article Type:BFN [By staff reporter Yi Song-yul] [Text] Following North Korea's repeated intimidation of going to war against the South and the United States, the pro-con debates on the resumption of Team Spirit military exercise and deployment of Patriot anti-air missiles in the South seem to have almost ended. During the months leading to an inter-Korea contact last week when a North Korea official said that "Seoul would turn into a sea of flames," not a few South Koreans had opposed or sounded notes of caution about any military approach toward the issue surrounding North Korea's nuclear issue. But now, such voices of caution or opposition have nearly disappeared in the South. Those who had called for "prudence" are now silent to the argument that "North Koreans already possess Scud and Nodong missiles, some of which can even hit Japan and Taiwan, so we should not oppose deployment of the defensive Patriot antimissile missiles to U.S. Forces Korea." They previously suggested that the deployment may "unnecessarily irritate" North Koreans, calling for continued dialogue with North Koreans in settling the North Korean nuclear issue. The opposition Democratic Party also called for prudence on the part of Seoul and Washington in deciding deployment of Patriots and resumption of Team Spirit, the annual joint military exercise. Others who welcome Patriot missiles say that deployment of the anti-air missiles to the U.S. forces in South Korea "is the minimum defensive gesture Seoul and Washington can and should take at this moment." "Patriots are a purely defensive weapon, and what's wrong with the defending forces having them?" said a Defense Ministry official. "And is it okay that jingoistic and bellicose North Koreans develop and possess offensive Scud and Nodong missiles?" Regarding resumption of Team Spirit '94, "we have crossed the Rubicon," as a Defense Ministry official puts it. Six Patriot batteries and 850 U.S. Army soldiers have already been shipped from Fort Bliss, Tex., most probably to take part in Team Spirit, which, previously scheduled for late March, should be rescheduled. Shortly after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided that its recent inspections of nuclear sites in the North had been unsatisfactory, U.S. President Bill Clinton announced he had approved shipping the Patriot batteries to South Korea. Before that, President Kim Yong-sam in Seoul announced agreement to the Patriots deployment and resumption of Team Spirit. But the military move will be slow--the

FBIS3-7520_0

Editorial Cautions Against U.S. Trade Pressure

Language: Korean Article Type:BFN [Editorial: "The Super 301 Provision and the Uruguay Round"] [Text] The U.S. Government is likely to make strong demands on our country's opening of its auto market in the 16th ROK-U.S. working-level trade talks to be held 4-5 April in Washington. This demand is not new. In previous working-level talks held in Seoul in early March, the United States also demanded that the ROK call off its differential tariff and tax rate system as well as lower tariff rates to promote imports of large U.S. cars. However, we are particularly concerned with the upcoming talks because the United States has implicitly warned that "it may invoke the Super 301 provision unless the ROK opens its auto market." The U.S. Government announced in March that it will revive the Super 301 provision in two years. It intends to spot by 30 September "countries that are unfairly controlling imports of U.S. goods" as "target countries for priority negotiations" and demand that they call off or adjust their "unfair import controls." The United States also intends to take retaliatory procedures against them unless these countries meet demands. U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor insists that the revival of the Super 301 provision coincides with the principle of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade [GATT] and it is not aimed at a specific country. Countries interpret his insistence differently. Japan, is particularly opposed to this, saying that it will file a lawsuit to the GATT if the United States imposes trade retaliation according to the Super 301 clause. Our government also criticized the clause for clearly contradicting the spirit of the Uruguay Round [UR] negotiations. In the GATT Board of Governors meeting held last week, major member nations of the Board of Governors denounced the Super 301 provision as a means for unilateral trade retaliation and criticized it for threatening the inauguration of the multilateral UR trade system. The United States is searching for excuses in saying that it intends not to close U.S. markets, but to expand free trade by opening other countries' markets wider. The U.S. intends to remove trade barriers to open the market of each of its trade partners, through multilateral agreements whenever possible, and through bilateral negotiations, when neccessary. The United States sees the Super 301 clause as coinciding with UR principles since it considers the conclusion of UR negotiations a step towards market opening.

FBIS3-7527_0

Meetings, Comments of Mikhail Gorbachev Noted Meets National Assembly Speaker

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, March 28 (YONHAP) -- Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev predicted Monday that North Korea would have to change amid the current of reform that is sweeping the world. "All kinds of reform that are taking place internationally will ultimately affect North Korea," Gorbachev told the speaker of the National Assembly, Yi Man-sop. "When we reflect on the experience of German unification, we cannot doubt that Korea will eventually be unified one day," said Gorbachev during a courtesy call on Yi. Gorbachev, accompanied by his wife, arrived in Seoul last Friday to attend the second world peace conference, which is sponsored by the Washington-based World Peace Federation, an affiliate of the Rev. Mun Son-myong's Unification Church. "Germany is experiencing difficulties because it has achieved unification in a hurry," Gorbachev said. "Korea should proceed with its unification projects, taking its time so that there would not be such adverse side-effects." Earlier Sunday evening, Former President No Tae-u hosted a dinner for Gorbachev. No and Gorbachev agreed that although they have both retired from active politics, they will work to promote friendly ties between South Korea and Russia. Gorbachev is scheduled to attend the world peace conference until Tuesday and meet with South Korean Prime Minister Yi Hoe-chang before leaving Seoul Thursday.

FBIS3-7536_0

International Role of Nonaligned Nations Upheld Urged To `Reform' UN

Language: English Article Type:BFN ["NODONG SINMUN Calls for Reform and Democratization of UN" -- KCNA headline] [Text] Pyongyang, March 29 (KCNA) -- NODONG SINMUN today calls on the non-aligned countries to invigorate the efforts for the reform and democratization of the United Nations. In a by-lined article calling for further increasing the might of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the paper says: This movement must fully play the role of a leading force in building a new world where all the countries and nations would exercise independent rights in the international arena on an equal footing. What is important in this is to activate the work for the reform and democratization of the United Nations so that the non-aligned nations can take part in the solution of international issues with equal responsibility and rights. Only when the United Nations is democratized is it possible to do away with arbitrariness and privilege in the United Nations and ensure equality, allow its member nations to lift up their voices of justice and solve international issues in a fair way. The non-aligned nations must work out a common strategy for the reform of the United Nations, take a joint action and make concerted efforts to put an end to pressure, sanctions and interference in other's internal affairs based on the abuse of the authority of the United Nations. If the NAM is to be kept pure, any attempt to open its door without consideration must never be allowed, the paper says, and goes on: Whether a country can be a member nation of the NAM or join it with any other qualification depends on whether it pursues a policy according with the basic idea and principle of the NAM or aspires after and sympathizes with it. The non-aligned nations must take a joint action for a total elimination of the nuclear weapons in the world and the removal of the inequality of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

FBIS3-7549_3

Governor Ota Discusses Okinawa Issues

There seem to be few Okinawans who have really mastered English. Here there seems to be a more open culture in which speaking English does not necessarily mean that one has become internationalized. [Ota] There are many U.S. military personnel stationed on Okinawa, but exchanges cannot be conducted easily because they are confined inside chain-link fences. Moreover, the Americans ruled the Okinawans after the end of World War II. Therefore, even though Americans and Okinawans live in the same land, exchanges between the peoples have been impossible because of their relationship as rulers and the ruled. Exchanges truly can be carried out only on the basis of a relationship between equal partners. [Tsukushi] When discussing the English language, there is the argument that English-language imperialism invades other cultures. Great Britain, which indirectly controlled India, trained a handful of local rulers who could speak English exactly like Englishmen. Although the United States came into Okinawa bringing all its military, political, economic, and cultural power, Okinawa did not turn out to be like India. When we think of the reasons for this, I believe that it was the power of Okinawan culture that helped it withstand the circumstances. [Ota] The museum built in Shuri by the U.S. military symbolizes a U.S. policy which was aimed at alienating Okinawa from Japan. The United States asserted that "because the Okinawans developed such a fine culture in the days of the Ryukyuan Kingdom, they do not have to rely on the Japanese." At the time, there was a deep-rooted reaction among the Okinawans against such a U.S. policy, even though they were burdened with the problem of not being able to become economically self-sufficient. [Tsukushi] The United States poured funds, called the high commissioner's funds -- which can be likened to funds set up by Mito Komon [popular name for Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandson and the second daimyo (1661-90) of the Mito domain, Tokugawa Mitsukuni, who invited Japanese and Chinese scholars to compile the History of Great Japan] -- into local districts to send over 1,000 Ryukyuan exchange students to the United States. However, they did not necessarily all end up having pro-American sentiments. [Ota] The United States did intend to foster pro-American local nationals via the exchange student system. However, the pursuit of knowledge is immeasurably deep. The more a student devotes himself to it, the more he learns what human beings are all about.

FBIS3-7559_2

Article Proposes Solution to Spratlys Dispute

areas, it might consider settling for less shares in the Spratly area. Since Brunei claims only a tiny portion of the core area, its share would be very small. The remaining shares would be allocated among Vietnam, the Philippines and Malavsia. Although China and Taiwan might argue that their 51 percent share in the Spratly Development Authority constitutes tacit recognition by the other claimants of the validity of China's sovereignty claims, the other could rightly counter that, far from relinquishing their claims, all they did was agree to shelve them. Indeed, under this cooperative regime the area would be demilitarised, sovereignty claims would be frozen and the Authority would resolve user conflicts, facilitate exploration and development of resources, manage fisheries and maintain environmental quality. The legitimate transit of vessels would be allowed. The authority might also promote international cooperation in scientific research and in protecting vulnerable ecosystems. Since the core area would be removed from contention, and China and Taiwan would have set aside their historic line claim, the relevant countries could then focus their efforts on those areas outside the core area claimed by only two or three governments, e.g., the southwestern margin claimed by Indonesia and Vietnam; the southern margin claimed by Brunei and Malaysia; and the northern portion claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Eventually, sovereignty over the islands and rocks themselves might either pass to the occupants or be allocated among the different countries on an equitable basis. Either way, the involved countries would be entitled only to narrow territorial seas, could not use their respective areas for military purposes and would have to grant access for scientific research and -- more important -- any resources the areas might harbour. Certainly this solution is not perfect. It is complicated, and the claimants would doubtless have various objections. But it deserves some consideration, especially given the general recognition that conflict would have far-reaching negative implications for regional and great-power relations. Indeed, already the governments involved continue to talk both informally (the Indonesia-sponsored meetings), bilaterally (China and Vietnam) and regionally (e.g., the Manila Asean Post-Ministerial Conference and probably in the Asean Regional Forum). In principle they all have agreed to a peaceful settlement. There is, moreover, wide support for the concept of joint development. Malaysia and. the Philippines, for example, have agreed to cooperate in fisheries in their area of overlap. But the window of opportunity

FBIS3-7562_2

Editorial Sees Flaws in Market-Opening Package

spread the trend of protectionist trade and managed trade all around the world. Japan's external imbalance is not confined to the bilateral issue between Japan and the United States, but is becoming a factor of instability in the world economic system. In other words, Japan can no longer continue its external imbalance. Hence, achieving good trade results has become a priority task for Japan itself. It is important for Japan to map out a package of concrete measures to correct its external imbalance from this point of view. If Japan maps out a package simply as a concessionary response to external pressure, it may be the wrong policy, causing a delay in the correction of Japan's external imbalance. In the course of looking for a way to correct Japan's external imbalance, the Japanese market will be disrupted, the yen will appreciate further beyond Japan's industrial capabilities, and Japanese enterprises will move more of their production overseas. If Japan's economic and industrial structures remain unchanged, this would hollow out Japan's economy. What the government must do when it announces specific policies is to have an awareness of those issues and shape a reasonable strategy on the basis of its awareness. What is important is the compatibility of Japanese and U.S. macroeconomic policies. As the United States has recognized for a long time, the current account imbalance between the two countries has come from macroeconomic factors. A reversal in the growth rate between Japan and the United States will impede the correction of the imbalance for the time being. The lack of savings in the United States is a serious issue. U.S. measures to reduce the federal budget deficit are certainly generating the desired effect, and the ratio of the federal budget deficit to the GNP has begun to fall. Nonetheless, the savings rate in the U.S. private sector has continued to drop. It would be meaningless if financial revenue and expenditure are not assessed in relation to domestic savings. No individual microeconomic measure is found in the package. What we can find in connection with microeconomic measures is the expression "attempts will be made to further improve" and "plans will be drawn up." As for deregulation, the government has left it to a report to be compiled by the Administrative Reform Promotion Headquarters in late June. No alternative proposal is found anywhere in the package to "no" to the U.S. demand.

FBIS3-7567_16

Impact of Tax Reform Assessed

similar to that of Japan. Otherwise, it is evident that the direct taxes to be borne by the workers will become heavier. The ratio of tax burden and social security burden against national income is called the national burden rate. In 1992, this rate was 38.1 percent in Japan, 51.3 percent in Germany, 62.1 percent in France, and 52.2 percent in England. An excessively high national burden rate is supposed to spoil the will to work. In Sweden, a state with high-level welfare and high-level burden, the national burden rate is as high as 77.4 percent, which means the largest portion of salaries is being taken away as tax. It is doubtful such a social system taking the form of high-level welfare and high-level burden is welcome to the people. In 1981, immediately after the Doko-rincho [provisional administrative research council headed by Doko] made its start, a study was made "seeking an ideal form of tax burden." A study group was also sent to Europe. A tacit conclusion reached at that time was that "society becomes sick if the national burden rate exceeds 50 percent." The loss of the people's will to work, which used to be called the English disease or the West German disease in those days, is supposed to become apparent about the time the national burden rate exceeds 50 percent. Based on this supposition, the rincho proposed that Japan should keep its national burden rate "within 40 percent for the time being." Following the rincho, the Provisional Council for the Promotion of Administrative Reform also proposed that "the national burden rate should be below 50 percent" even in 2020 when the aging society reaches its peak (18 April 1990). Are Pensioners Weak People? In order to maintain balance with the international community, to reflect the maturity of the aging society [to the social welfare system], and to maintain social energy, it is indispensable to correct the ratio between direct and indirect taxes. For this reason, Prime Minister Hosokawa expressed his straightforward policy "to correct the ratio between direct and indirect taxes" which had been regarded as a taboo by the LDP government. Originally, to reduce the tax by 6 trillion yen, it was thought to be enough to raise the consumption tax by about 3 percent, making the total 6 percent. However, it became necessary to take into account the problem of countercyclical measures. An ideal

FBIS3-7567_20

Impact of Tax Reform Assessed

pension paid to pensioners (a couple) is Y195,492, which is equivalent to 80 percent of the wages earned by the working generations (source: "Suggestions on the Pension System Reform" by the Ministry of Health and Welfare). According to a survey of the actual situation of aged people conducted in 1973 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as many as 55.3 percent of people over 65 answered a question about their "real feeling of life," that "I cannot make a living." However, the ratio dropped to 14.5 percent in 1986. According to a life-consciousness survey by age group (in 1991 on householders), 7.9 percent of the aged people in their sixties answered, "It is very hard to make a living," and the ratio was 8.9 percent for people in their seventies. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the situation of these groups when the consumption tax rate is raised. The SDPJ argues that the consumption tax should be made an objective tax, and Chairman Hashimoto of the Policy Research Commission says that "we should hold overall discussions including the problem of social welfare and all other problems." However, neither of the arguments appeals to me. If the consumption tax is made a tax to cover the pension, there will be no way to check the expansion of welfare, and Japan might become a high-welfare and high-burden type state just like Sweden. I wonder whether or not the people really want Japan to become such a state. The problem with the existing pension system is that the amount of pension is raised automatically in proportion to the rise of commodity prices. In the 1960's, Italy introduced, based on the Socialist Party's proposal, an automatic pension slide system called "Acala mobile." However, this system, which proved to be merely an inflation accelerator, accelerated inflation and completely destroyed the Italian financial system, and the country had to suspend the automatic slide system when the Socialist Party took power in the latter half of the 1980's. Presently, pensions in Japan are financed in an undesirable form with pensioners receiving their pension from the fund paid by the generations in active service, and not from the fund they themselves accumulated for their old days. They do not withdraw money from their own deposits, but are receiving money from their children. It is for this reason that the government is planning to change the

FBIS3-7567_23

Impact of Tax Reform Assessed

affluent life. According to the result of a commodity price survey announced in 1993 by the Economic Planning Agency, price index in Tokyo was 131 (New York = 100). According to a survey conducted around the same period by "International Economic Forum," a private organization in Switzerland, the price index at major Japanese cities averaged 159 (excluding house rent) (New York = 100). In other words, commodity prices in Japan were 30-60 percent higher than the international level. If commodity prices are as high as 160 percent in Japan, goods and money are supposed to rush into Japan from all over the world. While it is the principle of economy that if supply increases prices decline, it is strange that prices do not decline in Japan. Why? In the first place, because of the regulations, it is difficult [for goods and money] to come into Japan. Also, if goods and money come into Japan, the price does not decline because of the disturbing factors involved in the distribution system. In Japan, the industrial fields which produce 40.8 percent of the gross domestic product are being placed under the regulations, whereas the ratio is only seven percent in the United States. In the United States and Europe, the market is free in principle, with regulations placed as exceptions. In Japan, however, a net of regulations is being stretched over a huge area. There are 42 laws and 68 systems providing for exemption of application of the Antitrust Law. The U.S. and European markets are being operated based on the philosophy that economic activities shall be free and, if evil influences take place such as monopoly, collusion, and price cartel and others, then such actions shall be severely punished by the Antitrust Law. In the case of Japan, on the other hand, it is hard to say that free competition is taking place in the market in view of the scandals involving the general contractors, the large banks' collusion in setting interest rates, and the practice of price cartel often exposed in the field of the sealing material industry and paint industry. The Antitrust Law should be applied more strictly. The distribution market in Japan remains undeveloped because of the law called Large Retail Store Law. While distribution revolution took place in Europe and the United States 50-60 years ago, the revolution is about to take place in Japan. In short, Japan

FBIS3-7654_0

PRC, Indonesia, Thailand, EU in Exchange Rates

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Seoul, March 29 (YONHAP) -- The currencies of China, Indonesia, Thailand and the European Union will be included in daily foreign exchange rates posted by the Korea Financial Telecommunication and Clearings Institute starting April 11, the Bank of Korea announced Tuesday. The money units are the Chinese Yuan, the Indonesian Rupiah, the Thai Baht and the ECU (European Currency Unit) of the European Union. Beginning April 11, local banks will provide money exchange services for these currencies. China, Indonesia and Thailand are among Korea's 20 largest trading partners and more Korean tourists are visiting these countries, increasing the need to change the Won into their legal tenders, the announcement said. The need for an ECU exchange is also rising as the European Union transforms into a single monetary area, it added. The number of currencies whose exchange values against the Won are included in the daily foreign exchange rates posted by the Korea financial telecommunication and clearings institute will increase from the current 25 to 29. The 25 present currencies are the U.S. dollar, the Japanese Yen, the British Pound sterling, the German Mark, the Australian Dollar, the French Franc, the Italian Lira, the Canadian Dollar, the Swiss Franc, the Hong Kong Dollar, the Swedish Krona, the Dutch Krona, the Belgian Franc, the Austrian Schilling, the Norwegian Krone, the Dutch Guilder, the Saudi Arabian Riyal, the Kuwaiti Dinar, the Bahrainian Dinar, the United Arab Emirates' Dirham, the Singaporean Dollar, the Malaysian Ringgit, the New Zealand Dollar, the Spanish Peseta and the Finnish Markka.

FBIS3-7676_1

Philippine President Continues Visit Discusses Cooperation With Le Duc Anh

president will be crowned with success, thus opening up a new chapter in the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two nations for the interests of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the world. President Le Duc Anh proposed a toast for the development of the relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, for the happiness and prosperity of the Vietnamese and Philippine peoples, for peace and progress in Southeast Asia, and for the good health of the Philippine President and the distinguished guests. In the reply speech, President Fidel Ramos sincerely thanked President Le Duc Anh for his kind words and hospitality extended to the Philippine delegation. President Fidel Ramos stressed that this is the first visit by a Philippine President to Vietnam. As a result, the visit is a significant event in the history of the two nations. He said: The purpose of my visit is to restore our relations, which were interposed by history. The president further said: The foundation of friendship between the two nations has been strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations after the reunification of Vietnam. Our relations were further consolidated when we reached agreements in 1978 and 1992 to respect each other's national dependence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. After asserting the Philippines' commitment to these agreements, President Fidel Ramos stressed: Manila was proud to host a forum two years ago at which Vietnam gained access to the Southeast Asia Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and became an observer to ASEAN. On that occasion ASEAN approved the Manila Declaration on the Eastern Sea and Vietnam promptly welcomed the declaration. The Philippine president contends that the sooner Vietnam joins ASEAN the better for ASEAN and Southeast Asia. Dealing with the conflict in the Eastern Sea, the Philippine President said: We should not focus on suspicion among countries in the region but should concentrate on promoting cooperation to achieve mutual trust among countries concerned. After reviewing the similarities between the two countries and their common wish to expand bilateral relations in the economic, cultural, social, investment, and tourism domains, the Philippine President recalled that, in a famous message to the Philippine people, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: Only when the root is firm can the tree live longer. President Fidel Ramos expressed the wish to promote and strengthen the relations of friendship

FBIS3-7679_0

Philippine President Continues Visit Visit Called `Most Significant'

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Filipino President Fidel Ramos has described his tour of Vietnam as one of the most significant visits he has ever made. He told the media on Tuesday before leaving Hanoi that the Philippines, together with Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia, wish to share a common destiny and there is no other alternatives than promotion of economic cooperation and construction of peace among them. The president supported Vietnam's succession to ASEAN. He expressed readiness to share his country's experience to build infrastructure and a legal system in Vietnam. He maintained that the two countries have large opportunities in scientific, technological, educational, and health cooperation. Before leaving Hanoi, President Fidel Ramos held a press conference. [Begin Ramos recording in English] I have, like other heads of government in other parts of the world, been covering [words indistinct]. In an effort to develop [word indistinct] activities in our foreign relations, [word indistinct] the Philippines cannot [word indistinct] with the vigorous economies of Southeast Asia. I regard this trip to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as a one of the most significant I have made. With Vietnam and the other Southeast Asian states, the Philippines has a shared destiny. There is no alternative for peace than economic cooperation among us in this region that we are inhabit. In Manila in 1992, Vietnam acceded to the Bali Treaty of the ASEAN nations which binds signatories to settle regional disputes peaceably. Vietnam's full membership in ASEAN is now a matter [words indistinct] in principle but mainly of time and procedure. I reiterated to Vietnam's leaders the consistent support of the Philippines to help facilitate Vietnam's entry into ASEAN. They in turn informed me of their intensive preparations for full participation in ASEAN activities. Philippine-Vietnamese relations are a critical factor for the solidarity of Southeast Asia and consequently for the peace and progress of the region. I believe my visit greatly enhances these relations. I had friendly and fruitful meetings with President Le Duc Anh, General Secretary Do Muoi of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh; and I look forward to our meeting with Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet later today. Like our own leadership, Vietnam's leaders are all acutely aware of their country's need for regional stability so that they can have the breathing spell after four generations of almost continuous conflict to shape

FBIS3-7689_0

Trade Minister Discusses ASEAN, APEC

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Australia's new trade minister, Bob McMullen, reaffirmed yesterday his country's desire to see the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group start moving towards a free trade agreement, perhaps in the next two years. Because of the sensitivity of the idea, he was careful not to set out a specific timetable. But "this year and next year could be crunch years for APEC" to show some concrete results, he said. Trade liberalisation is an issue that is "coming to the fore" in 1994, and Australia wants to see trade liberalisation within the group "when people are ready for it" he said. APEC should liberalise at a pace that its 17 members find "comfortable", but not "proceeding at the pace of the slowest country". Mr McMullen's comments come at a time when Thai officials are talking about a rethink of the country's policy towards APEC and other regional economic groupings. The officials identify the United States and Australia as the two APEC members pressing hardest for economic integration within the group. They are particularly concerned about the failure of Thailand and other ASEAN countries to influence APEC's agenda and to resist what they see as less desirable developments in the group. Thailand and ASEAN fear that the larger nations will use APEC as a forum for exerting pressure on the smaller countries, for example to obtain lower trade barriers, tighter protection for intellectual property rights and market-opening in service industries. APEC would be used, Thai officials fear, to make commitments that go beyond what has been agreed globally in the Uruguay Round of trade talks. Some Thai officials say the government needs a clearer assessment of where APEC is heading so that Thai and ASEAN responses can be prepared ahead of time. So far, they say, the steady insertion of new items on the five-year-old group's agenda -- by Australia and the United States in particular -- has subtly but swiftly shifted APEC away from the loose grouping that ASEAN initially accepted. At each stage, they conclude, ASEAN was caught unprepared. The Australians have always argued openly that if APEC is to be meaningful it should work for trade liberalisation. The Americans, on the other hand, have repeatedly stated that they have an open mind about APEC's development. The Thai officials take a different view, citing in particular a draft investment code that US officials are circulating

FBIS3-7692_1

Commentator Views Post-Cold War Security Issues

With the end of the Cold War, the structure of conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union collapsed, and the threat of nuclear war faded. However, the forces that moved the world became dispersed, creating a complicated structure and making it difficult to grasp the situation in terms of figures. In Bosnia, tribal, ethnic, and religious strife as well as distrust and hatred have accumulated over hundreds of years and have now risen to nearly uncontrollable levels. Bosnia is just one example; there exists many similar situations throughout the world. Looking at the situation in Bosnia, it can be acknowledged that the people there are hardly capable of restoring order. Therefore, the United Nations and regional organizations such as NATO have been asked to deploy military forces. However, as exemplified in Somalia and Bosnia, the "superhero" capabilities of the United Nations and other organizations are very limited. In these cases, nuclear weapons are worthless; it may be like trying to use oversized spears in a confined fighting space. To restore order in bogged down regional conflicts, it would be necessary to deploy massive conventional forces and policemen. However, there is hardly any country that can get its people's consent to bear such risks and costs. Although this situation must be rectified, enormous effort and considerable time will be required to carry it out. It must be acknowledged that, for the time being, the international community lacks effective means of dealing with Bosnia-type conflicts. In that case, what will follow an era of "chilly peace" is probably an era of "dubious peace." In such an era, what can be considered vitally important as security measures will be: first, to try to detect sparks of war well in advance, and second, to do all that can be done to prevent conflicts from spreading to surrounding areas. Looking at the regions surrounding Japan, it goes without saying that the most dubious area is the Korean peninsula. The following possibilities can be considered in regards to the danger on the Korean peninsula: 1) use of nuclear weapons by North Korea; 2) North Korea's invasion of the ROK via conventional forces; and 3) abrupt internal collapse in North Korea. As for the first two possibilities, it would be an act of suicide for North Korea as long as the United States is firmly determined to retaliate. In this regard, it is hoped the

FBIS3-7705_1

Former Ambassador Discusses Information Analysis

I had dinner with the foreign minister of Thailand. If Washington had known about the possibility of war, there was a possibility that it would have already discusses it only with the top leaders of the world. So I briefed Mr. Nakayama on the subject, just in case, but it was not brought up during the dinner. Later we learned that the United States had not imagined that the war would break out. So, Thailand did not know about it as a matter of course. When Mr. Nakayama returned to Bangkok after the incident had occurred while he had been staying for a night in Laos, he immediately came to my residence, (the official residence of the ambassador) and asked my opinion. I said at that time, the point was, first, to what extent Saudi Arabia would cooperate [with the United States], and whether Egypt was going to support [the United States]. If Saudi Arabia and Egypt supported the United States, it would be all right. Also, [we thought] the first thing the United States would do was to block Iraqi economy, and it was better for Japan to join the United States immediately. In fact, Japan supported imposing economic sanctions at once, and that was before the UN resolution on sanctions. Up to that point, I was very satisfied with Japan's judgment and actions. However, they were not good thereafter. What happened after that is as you know. Stubbornly adhering to the postwar pacifism without regard to its practicality, Japanese assessments and policies were terrible. I was in Japan from the beginning to the end of September on annual leave. Japan's views on the situation while I was there were so terrible. I learned how bad the Japanese are in assessing the situation. The president of a top leading company asked me what would happen next. And I answered that the United States would of course intervene and a war would break out. Then he said, "the dispute should be solved by peaceful means." Also, a prime minister-level politician said, "If there is going to be a war, oil prices will skyrocket, and [the economy] will get mixed up. War should be avoided because the world economy will be thrown into great disorder." I thought this opinion was wrong in terms of not only its economic outlook but also its view in which war could not be started because

FBIS3-7705_11

Former Ambassador Discusses Information Analysis

concessions. Instead, they are playing "a game of chicken," in which two cars run at each other on course for a head-on collision, and the one who turns the steering wheel first is the "chicken." February will be like that. One way Japan can avoid such a situation is to persuade U.S. economists and open-minded legislators one by one, by mobilizing many people, including scholars, and anyone else in a position of influence. If Japan can relax feelings in the United States it may be able to reach a compromise at some point. Such diplomacy would succeed now if it could be carried out, but I do not think it can be done. Let me explain why. Basically, diplomacy is passive administration. In other words, a problem occurs first and then diplomacy comes in to solve it. The best example of passive administration is policing. You arrest a thief if there is one. You do not set a target, for example, to catch 2,000 thieves next year because 1,000 were arrested this year. Traditional ministries such as foreign and home affairs are passive administrations. They do not think it is their job to carry swords and make raids on enemies. You may have an ambassador, with the knowledge and eloquence of a first-rate economist, who is able to persuade his opponents, but that is not always the case. In the past, both the Foreign and Home Affairs Ministries had the means of positive administration. That is, secret funds. Nowadays, there are no such funds. For instance, suppose you hire economists, and ask each of them to win at least three people over to your side, by giving them 10 million yen each. If you use 10 economists, the you will need to pay out 100 million yen. It is difficult today to freely spend an amount like 100 million yen. So, the two countries will be moving fast on a collision course before anything serious can be done. [GAIKO FORUM] Is not strategic thinking a positive means? [Okazaki] Yes, it is. And if you had a strategic mind and secret funds, you could carry out positive diplomacy. Developments in the Crisis-Ridden Korean Peninsula [GAIKO FORUM] You have written a book called Tonari no kuni de kangaeta koto [My Thoughts on a Neighboring Country], and you are familiar with the situation in the Korean peninsula. What are the important developments in

FBIS3-7711_0

Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Visits Meets SLORC's Khin Nyunt

Language: Burmese Article Type:BFN [Text] Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council [SLORC] of the Union of Myanmar [Burma], paid a courtesy call on Mr. Goh Chok Tong, prime minister of Singapore who is currently on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, at the Seinlekantha state guest house at 1430 this afternoon. The visiting Singaporean labor minister and deputy defense minister, Dr. Lee Boon Yang, and delegation called on Lt. Gen. Aye Thaung, SLORC member and labor minister, at the latter's office at 1530. An 18-member Singaporean business delegation led by Mr. Alan Yeo, Singapore Trade Development Board chairman, called on Lt. Gen. Kyaw Ba, SLORC member and hotels and tourism minister, at the latter's office at 1530. At the meeting, Mr. Alan Yeo and Singaporean businessmen noted that Myanmar's richness in cultural heritage and natural beauty shows great prospects for the development of the hotel and tourism industry, and suggested related travel and tour services could be simultaneously implemented while engaging in hotel operations. Minister Kyaw Ba explained the development activities related to infrastructure and noted respective ministries are trying to improve inland water transport and upgrade rail services. He also noted opportunities for the participation of the private sector in the hotel and tourism industry and remarked broad advertising campaigns have been launched locally and overseas with foreign companies to promote the tourism industry. He hoped to expand to the Singapore market in the future with the help of the Singapore Tourism Board. The minister later held cordial and frank talks with the businessmen. A 20-member Singaporean business delegation led by STDB Chairman Mr. Alan Yeo called on Finance and Revenue Minister Brigadier General Win Tin at the Central Bank Building at 1430 and held cordial and frank discussions on investment and economic cooperation matters. The Singaporean business delegation also paid a courtesy call on Industry-2 Minister U Than Shwe at the latter's office. Minister U Than Shwe noted Myanmar is rich in natural resources and possesses skilled workers, technicians, and technocrats. He explained product sharing activities in cooperation with developed countries could gain mutual benefit. He said the Ministry of Industry-2 is capable of producing industrial activities utilizing Myanmar's resources and welcomes the Singaporean businessmen (?to invest) in product sharing activities. The Singaporean business delegation made inquiries on bilateral cooperation matters and responsible personnel provided relevant answers. They later held cordial and

FBIS3-7713_0

Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Visits Gives News Conference in Rangoon

Language: Burmese Article Type:BFN [Text] Mr. Goh Chok Tong, prime minister of the Republic of Singapore, who is currently on a goodwill visit to Myanmar [Burma], held a news conference with local and foreign journalists at 1115 today at Seinle Kantha Guest House. The news conference was attended by responsible officials; local and foreign journalists; journalists from REUTER TV, NHK TV, KYODO, and NIHON KEIZAI SHIMBUN; and freelance journalist Dominique Faulder. Singapore Prime Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong said his trip to Myanmar is part of current efforts to assess economic opportunities for Singapore companies. He explained that Singapore is encouraging entrepreneurs and investors to invest in neighboring countries and that he had also visited the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Indonesia in order to assess for himself the economic opportunities in those countries. He said he was also able to familiarize himself with political developments in those countries and that he came to Burma with similar objectives. Mr. Goh explained that the objective is to cooperate with the Government of the Union of Myanmar for investment in Myanmar and to study how to persuade Singapore investors. He said economics and politics are inseparable, and investors would like to know about developments in Myanmar before building hotels, offices, and factories. This is why he came -- to enable investors to discover for themselves, and for himself to assess developments in Myanmar. The Singapore prime minister said he did not discuss the issue of Myanmar's entry into ASEAN during his visit and he believes it is still premature to discuss the issue. He said Thailand, as host of the ASEAN meeting in July, can invite Myanmar if it wishes and there is an identity of views on this matter among the ASEAN nations. He said Myanmar has some delicate problems regarding economic and political affairs. He said that economically Myanmar authorities want to practice a market economy and attract more tourists and foreign investment. He said the Government of Myanmar fully understands the need for foreign investment and is aware of the impact of economic development on politics. He said that politically the Myanmar Government is striving to obtain unity with ethnic organizations. He cited the holding of the National Convention as a government undertaking. He said he discussed this matter at considerable length. In his view, the Myanmar Government has considerable problems in this regard. He said

FBIS3-7715_0

Agriculture Delegates Visit Thailand, Malaysia

Language: Burmese Article Type:BFN [Text] A Myanmar [Burma] delegation led by Deputy Agriculture Minister U Tin Hlaing and five others left Yangon [Rangoon] for Thailand by air at 1640. They will study agricultural activities under the Thai-Myanmar bilateral technical cooperation program at the invitation of the Thai Government. Then they will travel to Malaysia to study agriculture, rubber, palm oil, tropical fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural activities. The delegation was seen off at the airport by Agriculture Minister Lieutenant General Myint Aung, Deputy Agriculture Minister U Kyaw Tin, and responsible personnel.

FBIS3-7724_0

U.S. Policy Objectives in Balkans Examined

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Mate Piskor commentary: "Peace Without the 6th Fleet?"] [Text] "When will the 6th Fleet arrive?" many wondered at the beginning of the aggression on Croatia. What is the United States waiting for, why do they allow the destruction of the Yalta system, others wondered, marveling at messages totally different from what they hoped for, primarily from Baker, Zimmermann, Eagleberger, and other officials of the Bush administration. A third group thought that the United States only needed time to wake up and that it would intervene in favor of the just cause sooner or later. Much water has passed under the bridge since then, as it was three years ago, but those who claimed the United States needed time to realize, or better yet, find its interest in the matter seem to have been right. Our country did not get help from the 6th Fleet, but something else -- with far-reaching consequences for Croatia -- has begun to happen, both regarding the involvement of the United States in solving the Balkan crisis, understanding the real situation, and making moves that could produce results. Mr. Charles Redman, President Clinton's special envoy, who has visited Zagreb twice in the last week, has made it clear that the Clinton administration is very seriously involved in trying to find the solution for reaching an agreement on Bosnia-Herzegovina, and has pointed out that "the present involvement could lay the foundations for the future of both Bosnia and Croatia, a future in which the two countries would be closely connected with the mainstream of Europe." What is Redman trying to say? What does the United States want from Croatia and what is it offering in return, pointing out that Croatia could play a pivotal role in helping (the United States) to reach a peaceful solution in Bosnia? First of all, they want Croatia to cooperate and attempt to find a peaceful solution, and they want the Bosnian Croats to do the same, in addition to being prepared to make compromises. The United States is simply insisting on the immediate cessation of hostilities between the Croats and the Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina and on a new alliance of the two former allies, currently bitter enemies; they want a clear situation so as to be able to put more pressure on the Serbs. What are they trying to accomplish by that? Their primary concern is to

FBIS3-7732_2

Rugova Hails Clinton Statement on Kosovo

appeal, President Rugova said, for preventive measures against repression in Kosova. Talking about the recent initiatives for a settlement to the problems of the former Yugoslavia, Ibrahim Rugova said that Yeltsin's initiative should not supplant a comprehensive settlement, or replace a conference for the overall solution of these problems which all sides would attend. We do not want the logic of Yalta to repeat itself and prevail again in the Balkans, especially in the former Yugoslavia. We do not want the reappearance of various spheres of interest, which would hamper tendencies both toward fragmentation and integration, or, we would rather say, the process of reorganizing the Balkans. I think that the Russian role in the Balkans should not be biased, but should be on the basis of the international standards and principles of the United Nations and European institutions. Ibrahim Rugova went on to welcome Sali Berisha's visit to Brussels and his signature of the Partnership for Peace agreement, which is a very important step for Albania's integration in Europe and the protection of her security. I also appreciate highly and welcome the report of UN special envoy Tadeusz Mazowiecki, who devoted an entire chapter to the general situation and the discrimination in Kosova. The Political Parties Are Not Closed to Any Class Ibrahim Rugova went on to reply to various questions from journalists. Asked what he thought of Albania's participation in NATO's peacekeeping work, Ibrahim Rugova replied that this would be a positive development, because Albania is a geopolitically interesting country, not only for the Balkans and the Mediterranean, but for Europe. Besides having a positive effect on the Albanians, this would also help to balance forces in the Balkans. Asked what he thought of the proposal to create a Muslim-Croatian confederation in Bosnia and how this would affect Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova said that Christopher had proposed this, although it was present as a suggestion even before, when unavailing efforts were being made to create a Croatian-Muslim coalition. If Bosnia is divided on ethnic lines, then confederations of various kinds will be possible. Meanwhile, drawing parallels with Kosova, he said that the Albanian political parties possess documents about the three well-known options on the status of Kosova. Of course, confederations of various kinds would be open to the Albanians too. Asked about the role of the Coordinating Council of Albanian Political Parties and his own personal role in surmounting

FBIS3-7797_3

Milosevic `Associate' Views B-H Conflict

the military. The greatest danger is that in defending themselves, the Serbs may shoot down U.S. aircraft. Then no one will be able to stop the war -- the United States will have a reason to seek vengeance, and Russia will have to intervene as well. If world public opinion is really interested in ending this war, why does it not simply apply pressure to the Muslims to make them sign the treaty proposed by the peace mediators. Under this treaty, the Muslims will get much more territory than they are entitled to, based on the size of their population. [Shkodrova] What position do you expect Bulgaria to adopt in this situation? [Mitevic] The position of nonintervention by the Balkan countries in the conflict that President Zhelev has been defending for a long time is in my view a very good one. Everyone should refrain from using weapons, because when two people are fighting, one should see who they are and separate them instead of everyone joining in the fight so that it is not clear who is hitting whom. I hope the Bulgarians will realize this, because what is at issue is a historical conflict on a world scale. What is happening in Yugoslavia is merely a training exercise. It is part of the attempt to break up Russia. It is clear to the Western world that the Russian giant is dozing at the moment. Accordingly, they are trying to destroy him, to prevent him from ever rising to his feet again. [Shkodrova] Do you consider that some EU countries are more guilty than others? [Mitevic] Of course. In my opinion, everything that is happening in the former Yugoslavia is a result of Germany beginning to implement its policy in the Balkans. As far as they are concerned, the existence of our federation was always a barrier for them. The present war is really a religious one. According to the Germans' plans, then want to separate off the Catholics -- the Croats and Slovenes, while Bosnia is supposed to become Muslim. This is a war against the Orthodox Christians. [Shkodrova] When the war finally ends, do you think the Serbs will still face any charges of being the aggressor? [Mitevic] So far the Serbs have been continuously condemned, including being blamed for things that have not been proved. For example, regarding the latest incident in Sarajevo not only is

FBIS3-7814_1

Official Discusses Changes in Security

I speak of cleansing, I certainly do not mean the former communists. They represented 90 percent of the Army. [Adamickova] So, whom do you have in mind? [Fejfar] If I am interested in anyone at all, they are two categories: There are the former members of military counterespionage, several hundred of whom have remained in the Army, which certainly is not right, and the other category is the political instructors, albeit not all of them, but, above all, the chief indoctrinators, the entire apparatus of the Main Political Administration. After all, these people are still hiding in the Army, where, I believe, they have no place. They are very experienced and able and have their own information channels, and that is extremely dangerous. [Adamickova] It seems, however, that Minister Baudys does not share your concern when he says that, under his charge, the process in the Army started to move and that a lot has changed in the command ranks.... [Fejfar] That is a very optimistic view. Of course, it happened partially, and there is a certain success in the extraordinary assessment of the professional soldiers. Nevertheless, some damage caused by this assessment, which unnecessarily disgusted normal soldiers, is greater than the resulting effect. I believe that it could have been done otherwise, but it is done. [Adamickova] How otherwise? [Fejfar] For example, the Army could have parted with these people in some way other than by screening. On the other hand, I must concede, in defense of the minister, that it is easy to talk when we do not bear any responsibility. We are only deputies and do not have any powers in this respect. [Adamickova] You have repeatedly voiced a suspicion publicly that KGB agents operate within the Czech Army.... [Fejfar] There are some facts, to which I have access, but of which I cannot speak. It is a combination of factual knowledge combined with a certain suspicion. [Adamickova] It has not been long since Minister Ruml reached an agreement with Russian Intelligence Chief Primakov that the intelligence services would not work against each other. After all, a similar "gentlemen's agreement" was signed once by [then] Minister Langos. However, real life demonstrates that, in this sphere, it rather is just wishful thinking. What do you think? [Fejfar] It would be naive to believe that foreign intelligence services, including the Russian one, do not operate here. The question is

FBIS3-7817_4

Gligorov Views Relations With Greece, Serbia

are quite independent and have been deployed in compliance with a special agreement. The deeper and more profound reason for their presence here, even if it involves only a symbolic 300 troops, is undoubtedly an expression of the U.S. desire to prevent the spreading of the Balkan conflict further south. From their point of view, the involvement of Macedonia in the conflict would mean a war on the borders of a NATO member country, namely Greece. That would entail the danger of involving all Macedonia's neighbors in the conflict, that is, other NATO member countries. That would have far-reaching consequences for the United States, even for its strategic interests. It would be far more dangerous than the war in Bosnia, which is still a confined war, although it has shaken Europe and influenced many events in the world. At least for the time being, provided that the war does not spread south, the war in Bosnia has not yet brought about the consequences that a conflict on the southern wing of the NATO Alliance might cause. The second reason for such a dedicated U.S. engagement lies, I think, in the fact that Macedonia shows by its own example that it is possible to solve inter-ethnic problems without arms. I am not idealizing anything, but we are living proof that inter-ethnic tolerance and cooperation is possible. To cut a long story short, I think that, although the number of troops stationed here is relatively small, their presence carries a clear message to anybody that it may concern should the conflict spread to Macedonia. It is much more a political than a military warning. [Correspondent] At the beginning, the demilitarization of Macedonia was quite frequently considered. Why was it abandoned? [Gligorov] Yes, this idea was present, but in the meantime we had to do what is necessary, that is, to place our army on the borders. After that, it was logical that we demanded assistance from the international community, particularly since at the time Macedonia was not internationally recognized to the extent that it is now. [Correspondent] International observers have been deployed along Macedonia's northern and western borders. Recently you have stated that one should base one's judgment about Belgrade's intentions toward Macedonia on whether Macedonia is recognized or not. In that context, how do you view various scenarios for the future of Macedonia? [Gligorov] The fact is that war is being

FBIS3-7817_13

Gligorov Views Relations With Greece, Serbia

its main principles, and what we can expect from it. Which is to say, it was a meeting of the representatives of two friendly countries, and it was a good opportunity for both delegations to become better informed and to make agreements on more dynamic cooperation, particularly in the field of economics. The arrival of the U.S. Army delegation had to do primarily with a visit to the U.S. contingent. There were absolutely no pressures or demands to increase the number of their soldiers here, which is the subject of a lot of public speculation. It is always forgotten that the U.S. troops are part of UNPROFOR, while neither earlier nor now have there been bilateral demands that their troops be stationed in Macedonia. The story about Macedonia being a U.S. aircraft carrier on the ground is not realistic for serious reasons and also for banal ones, since our airport is hardly able to respond to the needs of civilian air traffic. Still, in view of the times that we are living in, I can understand all sorts of exaggerations and combinations, although they have nothing to do with reality; I understand all those who are constantly discovering what lies behind this or that. [Correspondent] The reason for such calculations is that the retailoring of the political map of the Balkans is in progress. [Gligorov] Macedonia has undoubtedly chosen the European option, but at the same time the presence of Russia is quite legitimate in the region. That is the reality, but in my opinion, the reality is also the ever greater interest of Russia in cooperation with Europe, the United States, and the entire world. There is no reason for such a partnership not to be present in the Balkans. There is no justification for sticking to the old formula that it is either Russia or the United States that dominates the region. All countries are interested in their own presence in the Balkans, and you can see that Japan is also setting its foot here -- not only because it wants to confirm its economic power in global diplomacy as well, but also because there are increasingly fewer regions in the world that are attractive for international capital. In that respect the Balkans is attractive for anybody. I think that the time of looking at the Balkans through the prism of the Cold War and the division of

FBIS3-7820_0

Official Views Border Disputes With Slovenia

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Hrvoje Kacic, head of the State Commission for Borders, by Vado Rajic; place and date not given: "The Sovereignty of Croatia Must Not Be Jeopardized"] [Text] Just a couple of days after Croatia and Slovenia signed a package of intergovernmental agreements, a mixed commission for borders met in Bled. Is there any symbolism in that, considering the complexity of Croat-Slovene relations? For, until now, those border conflicts were presented as the cause of strained or tense relations between the two countries. The new head of the Croatian delegation in that intergovernmental body, Hrvoje Kacic, talked to VJESNIK about the reverberations and effects of the Bled meeting. [Kacic] First of all, one can get the impression that we are starting from zero in state-border matters as well. That is only partly true. Indeed, the work of the commission was interrupted and the break was unnecessarily long. The Croatian side of that body has, in the meantime, changed quite a lot. I succeeded Davorin Rudolf almost three months after he stopped leading the Croatian delegation, because of other obligations. There are other new members of the delegation. Introducing new participants to the achieved level of the negotiations took time. Expert groups did much to help that introduction and, relying upon cartographic data, they did much of the work. Out of 252 cartographic charts, the data were precisely determined in 206 of those zones, so as not to open any other additional questions that would have to be discussed at a political level. Even in the remaining 46 cartographic zones, it is possible to determine the mutual border without difficulty in most cases. However, in some areas, experts will not be able to solve all the open questions alone. Diplomatic commissions will take up the work that the experts are not able to. Facts and Consequences [Rajic] The impression that you are starting from zero was also supported by the content of the Bled meeting, where rules of procedure of the mixed commission was the only item on the agenda. [Kacic] Rules of procedure are a technical aid in our work. The effectiveness of our future work depends on determined rules of procedure. Your remark is correct in that the basic principle of rules of procedure is consensus, that is, the agreement of both delegations on every question. Consequently, we will have to invest a lot of

FBIS3-7821_3

Serbian Intelligence Services Join Forces

of the aggression against Croatia he participated in numerous negotiations with Croatian authorities. Together with the majority of the commanders in the Fifth Military Region he moved with his family from Zagreb to Slunj in May 1991. His boss, General Zivota Avramovic, joined him there somewhat later. He performed the same tasks in Slunj. In October 1991 he moved to Mrakovica, on the Kozara Mountain, and then to Sarajevo at the end of 1991. In Sarajevo he joined the Second Military Region led by the notorious General Kukanjac. At the time when the army of Bosnian Serbs was being formed, in April and May of 1992, he was appointed chief of staff of the First Krajina Corps, which was led by Momir Talic. The corps was situated in Banja Luka. He was promoted to the general rank. Boss -- A Typical Noncommissioned Officer Those who met Bosko Kelecevic during his service in Zagreb say that he is a typical noncommissioned officer, a man thoroughly loyal to and indoctrinated by the ideas of his superiors. The word of his superiors has the power of law for him. His activities in the war against Croatia are vague. He did not distinguish himself anywhere except in the region of Bosanska Posavina, where he fought for the preservation of the corridor there under the command of Talic and Lisica. People who know him well say that he is a better artillery man than an intelligence officer. They claim that he substitutes a lack of intelligence skills by his excellent feeling for organization and exceptional energy. His greatest success in the intelligence war in Croatia is considered the development of a widely spread network of intelligence officers. He infiltrated them by issuing journalists' cards for them, a well-known method. Although he has not gone through all necessary stages in the training of intelligence officers, his promotion was very quick. This is explained by his good connections to the former first man of KOS, Mr. Aleksandar Vasiljevic. The information from the meeting in Plitvice is opening a new chapter of questions about the intelligence war waged in occupied Croatian territories. Three intelligence organizations from Belgrade are active in the occupied Croatian territories: The Intelligence Service of the Army of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia General Staff, the Department of the State Security of the Army, and the Department of State Security of the Ministry of Internal

FBIS3-7837_0

Daily Comments on Downing of Bosnian Aircraft

Language: Polish Article Type:BFN [Commentary by Maria Wagrowska: "Why Now?"] [Text] The shooting down of the aircraft over northern Bosnia has been the first military intervention in the Yugoslav conflict as well as the first combat action in the 45-year-long history of NATO. The possibility of an operation by the Western air forces should have been taken into account. Since April 1993 there has been a UN resolution which envisions the possibility of such a reaction to the violation of the air space over Bosnia. Since the spring of 1993 NATO has allowed the possibility of taking military action whose purpose goes beyond the defense of the territories of the "16." However, in the past as many as 500 cases of violating the no-fly zone were noted. Why, then, has NATO decided to shoot down the aircraft now? The information coming from the NATO headquarters suggests that the organization's strategists did that for military reasons. Their arguments boil down to the statement that there had never before been such a significant violation of the no-fly zone and that there had never been a need for an unambiguous reaction. Despite that, one can suppose that NATO undertook the operation for political reasons as well. Acting with the authorization of the greatest international organization--the United Nations--it decided to underscore that it is the only political-military grouping in the world which is able to take an effective military action, an action that corresponds to the challenges, threats, and needs of the present day. The NATO operation in Bosnia has no characteristic features of an offensive action (the organization excluded such a character of military operations also in the era of confrontation with the East) or of a revenge action. It is an action aimed at restoring peace in a regional conflict. It offers the Western alliance a chance to regain its credibility, which has been eroded by a lack of action since the beginning of the Yugoslav tragedy. NATO's action shows that this organization feels responsible for the security of the regions located outside of the traditional area of NATO operation. However, it may also show that the West does not want to leave such regions in the zone of Russia's influence.

FBIS3-7847_0

Fate of Bosnian Serb Pilots Described

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Belgrade, March 1 (AFP) -- A pilot who flew one of the four Serb planes shot down by NATO warplanes over Bosnia ejected from his aircraft before it was hit and is safe, the Belgrade daily POLITIKA said Tuesday [1 March]. His plane crashed in territory controlled by Bosnian Serbs between Kljuc and Sanski Most, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) west of Banja Luka, from where the Serb planes had flown out, according to the paper. It gave no other details on the pilot's whereabouts or condition. The pilots of the three other craft are believed to have been killed when their planes were shot down early Monday during missions to attack Moslem positions, one crashing near Bosanski Petrovac and the other two near Mrkonjic Grad, both about 60 kilometers south and southwest of Banja Luka. The paper said the plane that went down near Bosanski Petrovac had carried out its bombing mission over Bihac, a Moslem enclave in western Bosnia under siege by Bosnian Serbs, since it had no bombs on board when it crashed. POLITIKA, which gave no sources for its information, said eight Bosnian Serb planes in all had taken off Monday morning but only five continued on with their bombing mission. The flights were in violation of a ban on military flights over Bosnia decreed by the United Nations in April 1993. Bosnian Serb forces have denied that the planes shot down by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization were part of their air force or that they had taken off from Banja Luka airport, where UN observers are posted. The Belgrade-based TANJUG news agency meanwhile said the four UN observers assigned to monitoring Banja Luka airport were staying some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the site and said their vehicles had recently been stolen.

FBIS3-7884_0

UN Representative Reports on Serbian `Abuses'

Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Report of Mr. Mazowiecki for Kosova" -- ATA headline] [Text] Prishtina, February 25 (ATA) -- "The situation on the human rights in Kosova is going worse as a result of the discriminating acts of the Serbian authorities," stressed Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the special reporter of the United Nations Commission for the Human Rights, in a report given to the fifteenth session of this commission. The report says that the continuous lack of the dialogue between the Serbian and Yugoslav authorities on one side and the leadership of the Albanians of Kosova on the other side, has hindered the improvement of the situation in defined fields such as the parallel system of the education of the ethnic Albanians. Considering this question, the situation in the University of Prishtina remains a source of tension. This is the third school year during which the registration of the students, the lectures, the exercises, the examinations and other activities of more then twenty two thousand students and nine hundred teachers of university are going on in private houses and buildings. The continuous reports inform about the discriminating acts of the Serbian police against ethnic Albanians. The beatings and the tortures against them are common. The report mentions the declaration of the head of the Prishtina Regional Court, who has supported the ill-treatment of the prisoners from the police saying that "even if their guiltiness is not shown by facts, they are implicated in the crimes against the state." Considering the use of the brutal force by the Serbian police, the report show the case of January 13, when the Serbian police confiscated gold and silver from the shops of the Albanian owners in Prizren without giving any explanation. On further more, as it is reported, the police confiscated facilities and even passports of the ethnic Albanians in the cross border between Serbia and FYROM [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]. On further more, the report writes about the illegal expel of the Albanian families from their houses. In most of the cases, this is carried out without any previous procedural law and on further more, their houses are given generally to the Serbian families, underlines the report, which adds that during January 1994 alone, the urban office of Prishtina has given seventeen decisions to the Albanians' families, who had absolute property and all the legal documents which proved that they had

FBIS3-7886_0

Ministry Cites `Defamatory' Yugoslav Memorandum

Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Statement by spokesman of Albanian Foreign Ministry"--quotation marks as received] [Text] Tirana, February 23 (ATA) -- The spokesman of the Albanian Foreign Ministry issued today a statement concerning a memorandum recently published by the Federative Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro): "The Foreign Ministry of Federative Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) recently published the so-called memorandum on the bordering incidents with Albania making deliberate endeavour to formulate absurd charges against Albania. Based on a typical chauvinistic Serbian logic, a very known one, without respecting the most natural principles, it says Albania is deliberately contributing in the rise of the incidents' number at the Albanian- Yugoslav border, seeking to make tensions in the relations with Yugoslavia and in order to find the time for taking Kosova, thus realizing the idea of the Greater Albania. After detailing the Serbian charges, the memorandum offers dialogue which is not anything else but a show for political consumption. The charges are similar with the dictators' speeches which aim to revive the blind belief of the people and not the truth. The so-called "bordering incidents and provocations by the Albanian side" are known very well inside and outside Albania through the denunciations made by the Albanian state. According to the Albanian competent organs and the monitoring missions of European Union, the main cause of the bordering incidents have been the firing by the Yugoslav border guards toward the Albanian citizens which have not been dangerous at all having no arm with them. The 21 killed and wounded in the Albanian border, since the beginning of 1993, have been all Albanians and no one of has been Serbian. Naturally such acts as deliberate provocations and a part of the Milosevic's tension and war strategy will bring about unforeseen consequences. The Republic of Albania has stated more than once that it is not for changing the borders by force and Albanian bordering organs has been trying and are trying to respecting and well keeping the borders. Albania has been always preoccupied to have a quiet situation at the borders, to cooperate with its neighbours including the Yugoslav competent organs. Thus the charges made to Albania are intentional defamations which we reject as false ones. They do not speak of the Belgrade's preoccupation and a constructive approach in the relations with Albania but they seem to be the Serbia

FBIS3-7888_0

Foreign Ministry Statement on B-H Air Clash

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Sofia, February 28 (BTA) -- In connection with the incident which led to the shooting down of warplanes near Banja Luka, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry states the following: The Foreign Ministry is deeply concerned over the violation of the United Nations "no-fly" zone declared under UN Security Council Resolution No. 781 (1992), No. 786 (1992) and No. 816 (1993). The ban on military flights was part of the international community's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Foreign Ministry therefore once again calls on for a strict implementation of the UN security sanctions resolutions on this matter. At the same time the Foreign Ministry hopes that this incident will not stand in the way of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

FBIS3-7889_1

FRY Envoy Supports `Peaceful Co-existence'

constitute a free, democratic and developed part of Europe or will not exist at all," he said. In his opinion, the sanctions against Yugoslavia have long become unwarranted, as Serbs are no longer involved in the war in Bosnia; the war is now between Croats and Muslims and among Muslims themselves. Besides, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia have yet another thing in common: They both suffer from the embargo. Yugoslavia's neighbours which are most affected by the embargo should insist that the United Nations lift the sanctions, he said. Yugoslavia assigns top priority to its relations with Bulgaria, he said. "Our relations are good, but are not up to the inner needs and the potential of two neighbour nations." In his opinion, the Bulgarian minority in Yugoslavia suffers relatively less from the sanctions owing to the humanitarian aid it receives regularly from Bulgaria and to some unspecified "other benefits" from life along the border. According to Mr. Smilkovic, there is no reason to worry about the preservation of the national identity of Bulgarians in Yugoslavia. "I have never read in the Bulgarian press that Bulgarian minorities anywhere enjoy more rights and are more satisfied with their lives," he said. In an interview for STANDART NEWS in January Mr. Smilkovic said that Bulgarians in Yugoslavia were not many at the time the federation was formed and that they were embarrassed by the fact that they were receiving aid from Bulgaria on an ethnic basis. "We are sorry that we have to deny the words of the ambassador of the country whose citizens we happen to be," Mr. Dimitur Dimitrov, member of the Democratic Union of Bulgarians in Yugoslavia in Bosilegrad, writes in a letter to the same daily. Another member of that organization, Mr. Marko Shukarev from Tsaribrod, also denies statements of Ambassador Smilkovic in his interview in January. He disagrees with Mr. Smilkovic's assertion that the problems of the Bulgarian minority in Yugoslavia are needlessly politicized by the Bulgarian mass media. Mr. Shukarev also denies that the newspaper of the Bulgarian minority is no longer published because of the UN sanctions. Neither the Democratic Union of Bulgarians in Yugoslavia nor the Bulgarian newspapers are raising nonexistent problems, he said. Not a single problem has been settled so far, be it educational or religious. "Do not blame Bulgarians, they know what they lack!" reads the headline in STANDARD NEWS which carries both letters.

FBIS3-7894_0

Air Strike in B-H Seen as `Important Step'

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Prague, March 1 (CTK) -- Czech Foreign Ministry said Tuesday [1 March] it considers the radical and effective strike of NATO air force against Galeb combat aircraft in Bosnia to be an important step in the direction of respecting the decision of the U.N. Security Council on no-fly zone in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The statement, handed to CTK, says that after the recent NATO ultimatum which contributed to the removal of heavy weaponry from Sarajevo and its surroundings, the alliance has again shown a determination to create conditions necessary for political talks on resolving the crisis. The ministry holds the view that those forces who sent the combat aircraft, thus trying to expand the warfare from ground to air, are responsible for the use of military power in Bosnia and Herzegovina, says the statement. The ministry voiced the hope that the shooting down of the Galeb aircraft will not provoke attempts to retaliate against the UNPROFOR [UN Protection Froces] troops. Should this development occur, a previous decision of the U.N. Security Council on the protection of the UNPROFOR troops, including the possible use of the air force, should be implemented, the statement says.

FBIS3-7919_1

BSP Official Views FRY Visit, U.S. Policy

I will not succumb to this temptation and will only say that it is the constant position of the Bulgarian Socialist Party [BSP] the dialogue between all forces should never stop, and that this especially applies to crisis situations, when specific decision related to national interests are required. In all my public appearances I expressed the official Bulgarian position regarding the observance of the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council. However, this position does not contradict the doubt whether the pressure applied in this manner on the rulers of any state could justify, for such a long period, the suffering and deprivation of such broad circles of the population in so many countries, including Bulgaria. This is especially true against the background of the voices that were heard recently regarding the need to review the instrument of sanctions. People ever more frequently ask the question of whether the sanctions achieve the anticipated effect and of who is actually paying the price? In other words, who is actually the one who is being punished? On the other hand, the basic goals we pursued in our talks were related to the more active and broad participation of our country and companies in the humanitarian relief, resolving the transportation corridor issue, and preparing the ground for active economic relations after the embargo. Which of those goals do you think could jeopardize Bulgaria's national interests? According to Borislav Jovic, chairman of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Commission of the Council of the Republics, the peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the lifting of the sanctions represent the backbone of Yugoslav foreign policy. However, he does not think that the war was the reason for imposing the sanctions. [Chichkova] What was the real reason? [Ananieva] The reason is, on the one hand, in the neo- imperialist interests of the United States in the Balkans within the framework of the international competition for influence, and, on the other hand, in the difficulties the United States encounters in implementing those goals when governments with leftist orientations are involved. The United States utilizes the sanctions in order to change the government and the people who rule Serbia. However, according to Mr. Jovic, this script is failing and only strengthens the anti-American moods. During our talk he expressed the opinion that no parties or persons should impose themselves in the Balkans. The people in this region have enough historical experience to

FBIS3-7933_2

Ganic Sees Military Pressure as Turning Point

note). But I am satisfied with the official Russian statements. "We could have refused the Russian soldiers access for the same reason that the United Nations rejected offers from Turkey, Pakistan, and Iran, because those countries would have taken sides in the war. But we accept the Russian soldiers who will perhaps support that element in Russian diplomacy which is trying to wrest the initiative away from Vladimir Zhirnovskiy's wing in Russia," Ejup Ganic said. Ejup Ganic is happy about the past week's cease-fire in Sarajevo, but gave me constant reminders that the capital is still besieged and divided militarily. "The killing of civilians has been drastically reduced because the artillery and the tanks in the mountains were used primarily to kill civilians. Our fronts are only 50 meters from each other and therefore the Serbs' artillery has not been particularly effective against our infantry, but it has been effective against the civilian population. That is why we are now seeing a clear reduction in the bombardment. But the city is still under siege and all the other conditions are still the same. In the next few days we will see what further steps we can take to break the siege and turn Sarajevo into an open city." Vice President Ganic, who earlier in the war was viewed as one of the most pessimistic and uncompromising figures in the Bosnian Muslim leadership, views the events of recent weeks in Sarajevo as a turning point in the war. "This has had a decisive psychological effect on the Serbian regime. They hade become absolutely certain that concrete steps would not be taken against them by the international community. They were 100 percent sure that the jets flying over them were only a show. For eight days they ignored NATO's ultimatum. But now I believe that they know that they have to negotiate. They are still trying to create confusion, but they did nevertheless move out of the mountains," Ejup Ganic said. However, the Bosnian Muslims' optimism is still guarded and contains a large portion of bitterness toward the international community. When Ganic, as NATO's jets thunder through the air above Sarajevo's presidential palace, began to discuss the background, he tried to overcome the noise with his own thunderous words: "NATO only needed to produce a single piece of paper which contained an ultimatum to the besieging Serbs to withdraw their heavy arms

FBIS3-7943_1

Official Views Constitutional Dispute

object to this idea, but he did suggest a different solution whereby any organized group of citizens may submit its own draft Constitution to the National Assembly Constitutional Commission. The idea of dissolving parliament should parliament's own draft Constitution be rejected in a referendum has nothing to do with undermining parliament's legitimacy, either. Parliament itself has decided on direct democracy, and all we wanted to do was expand this democracy. However, it turns out that the deputies cannot even be bothered to consider the president's's draft Constitution. [Grochowski] Various explanations are being given for the present situation. The most frequent explanation is that the president has already started his election campaign. [Falandysz] This conflict would never have come about if the Sejm had displayed at least a tiny bit of courtesy and conveyed the draft Constitutions to the Commission. How can one suspect the president of starting his election campaign if it is not his fault that the dispute started in the first place? [Grochowski] There is talk of another "war at the top" designed to break up the present government coalition. [Falandysz] In politics, one ought to avoid mistakes, and once a mistake has been made, one ought to admit it. The Sejm cannot reject an initiative from the head of state without any more ado. It can criticize such an initiative, as it has already done, but it should also accord it proper treatment and let standing committees hold discussions on it. Yet in the meantime, the doors of parliament have been slammed in the president's face. But there is no war at the top. After all, President Walesa is not under parliament's authority. [Grochowski] Then why is the Belvedere mainly attacking the Democratic Left Alliance [SLD], even though a part of the Polish Peasant Party and Union of Labor also voted against the president's draft Constitution? [Falandysz] Prominent SLD politicians have also defended parliament's decision to throw out Walesa's draft Constitution. The Peasant Party kept silent. All this can be taken to mean that the SLD is at war with the president. [Grochowski] The president has the right to withdraw any legislative initiative of his, including his draft Constitution. Anyone who submits a legislative initiative has a similar right. But I am not sure if the president's representative can cease taking part in the work of the Constitutional Commission. [Falandysz] One can apply various interpretations, including one

FBIS3-7965_0

Minister on `Devastating' Effects of Sanctions

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Belgrade, March 1 (TANJUG) -- The international economic sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia have had the most devastating effects in the area of transport and communications, where direct losses have reached the figure of nearly ten billion dollars over the past 21 months, Federal Minister of Transport and Communications Zarko Katic said in an interview to TANJUG. The figure does not include the losses incurred to the neighbouring and other European countries, which had to by-pass Yugoslavia's shortest and cheapest roads and railway lines leading to western Europe and the Middle East. "By sealing the Yugoslav borders, the architects of the (U.N.) resolutions have also sealed Europe," said Katic. A series of unilateral traffic suspensions was initiated by Germany in December 1991, when it discontinued its air traffic with Yugoslavia, disregarding all international norms. Yugoslavia has been placed under a total traffic isolation on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions in May 1992 and April 1993. Yugoslavia was forced to compensate a part of the losses through road and navigation tolls, said Katic. Most branches of transport and communications faced a total collapse. Vessels of the shipping companies Jugooceanija and Prekookeanska Plovidba - which, in cooperation with the port of Bar, had secured one fourth of the foreign currency earnings of the Republic of Montenegro before the sanctions - are currently blocked in ports throughout the world. Another example is the Yugoslav railways, which in 1993 cancelled 46 passenger and 30 cargo trains daily at the average. The restrictions were ofter caused by problems in obtaining fuel and spare parts, whose imports are banned.

FBIS3-7969_0

LDK Condemns Killing, Warns of `State Terror'

Language: Albanian Article Type:BFN [Text] A public communique issued by the Kosova Democratic Alliance [LDK] Presidency condemns the murder of Selman Daci by the Serbian Army at Hani i Elezit and considers it as an organized state crime of Serbia against Albanians. The communique states that whenever the international community undertakes concrete steps against the Serbian policy and Serbia, such as the case of downing of four Serbian aircraft in the war in Bosnia, the Belgrade regime increases the police and military repression against the Albanians in Kosova. Alongside the repression, raids, imprisonments, and daily harassments by the Serbian police, yesterday's murder in Hani i Elezit seems to warn the escalation of organized state terror with unprecedented consequences for Kosova and the Balkan region. The LDK Presidency warns the international public that, besides the increase of police forces, movements of considerable military forces that check the unarmed population have recently been observed in Kosova.

FBIS3-7980_5

Article Outlines Trade With Russia

[of commerce]. A View From the Other Side Alexander Safonov, chief of the Economic Department at the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation, explains in good Czech that the Czech-Russian trade has gotten over the "shocks" already. In 1991, this trade survived the transition to convertible currencies, in 1992, the breakup of the Soviet Union, and in 1993, the establishment of the Czech Republic. Nevertheless, Safonov stresses that the Russian market is far from "easy," since the Russian industrial lobby is fighting for the protection of the Russian market against "foreign intruders." According to Safonov, Russian foreign trade is liberal, and its legal and legislative basis is basically a standard one. Nevertheless, while the list of products for which import licenses are required is being reduced, the control of the export of strategic materials is being intensified, and so is the control of the quality of imported goods. Licenses for the export of strategic materials are issued only within the quotas fixed by the state (crude oil, gas, electricity, nonferrous metals, corn, certain fish products, uncut diamonds, etc.). By a decree of the Russian president last year, Russian enterprises that are conducting trade with former COMECON [CEMA] countries have been exempted from the obligation to sell half of their foreign currency income to the state. However, this applies only to the trade that is conducted in national currencies, which, on the other hand, is not the case when strategic materials are exported from Russia. Safonov believes that the "trend to use national currencies in mutual trade between the Russian Federation and the Czech Republic is a sound trend, the development of which can contribute to the smoothness of accounting." The Russian representative draws the attention of the Czech manufacturers to the fact that the Czech products will have to compete with Asian and Western products on the Russian markets. The export of these products is often subsidized. According to him, Asian and Western firms deliver goods while using state-subsidized credits, and enjoy state-provided support when establishing and operating information services, etc. The Czech Government Is Also Doing Its Best Jan Hronik, chief of the department in charge of countries with transition economies at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, points to the fact that we have succeeded in stopping the decline in Czech exports into the countries of the former USSR, while imports have declined, which means that the trade

FBIS3-7981_0

Iliescu Discusses European Integration

Language: Romanian Article Type:BFN ["Interview granted by President Ion Iliescu for the magazine FORUM published under the aegis of the Council of Europe"; place and date not given: "Back to Our Natural Political Habitat"] [Text] [FORUM] Mr. President, what does Romania's admission to the Council of Europe represent? [Iliescu] Romania's integration in European democratic structures was a priority objective of our foreign policy, which was actually affirmed right at the beginning of the December 1989 revolution. This is in keeping with our fundamental interests, a fact that has been attested to by the interest shown by the entire Romanian political spectrum in our country's admission to the Council of Europe. From an historical point of view, this event marks Romania's ultimate release from the ideological prison, which placed it in "Eastern Europe," and its natural reintegration in the area of European civilization and political beliefs to which it always used to belong. The political changes that have occurred in Romania since 1989 -- complex and difficult changes that, from many points of view, were more radical than in the other Central and East European countries, ranging from the adoption of the new Constitution to the operation of the new institutional system of our political, economic, and social activity -- have been recognized as contributing directly to the general process of change in Europe, in full accordance with the fundamental democratic norms and beliefs that have been preserved and promoted by this institution -- the Council of Europe -- that is a symbol of the renewal of the old continent . [FORUM] As a full member of the Council of Europe, what are your priorities within this organization? [Iliescu] Our priorities are the priorities of Europe. The creation of a new system of relations on the continent, both political and economic, and removing the consequences of past barriers do not take place on their own. There is, however, a tendency to preserve former gaps and to create new barriers to European reintegration. The Council of Europe is the institution that is able to play an essential role in overcoming outdated mentalities and promoting fundamental human values that, at this point, are more necessary than ever before. It can make a decisive contribution toward identifying new ways and means of communication and cooperation. It can create a new basis for broaching our common problems, ranging from economic ones to those concerning our

FBIS3-7989_3

Fur Interviewed on MDF Ideological Issues

or we can switch over to a democracy in a constitutional and legal framework in a disciplined manner. Today, although the situation is not as keen, the question is what will happen to the country. Knowing society's sober attitude, I hope that anarchy is not threatening the country, but the danger of a left-wing change can certainly be felt. It is my firm view, that the question continues to be whether a constitutional, legal, calm, balanced, and secure democracy will continue to exist in Hungary. Although, this means hardship for many people and social groups. A left-wing change could mean an unpredictable and incalculable direction for democracy and everything that goes with it, namely the economy, and the change and transformation of society. The reflexes, thinking, and the political goals of the left wing are completely different from ours who are the sober political forces that honestly insist on democracy. [Rozgics] The MDF announced the triple road of national liberalism, Christianity, and popular-national ideology. How are we to interpret these? [Fur] This is not a road because it only leads to problems if a road goes in three directions. It is more appropriate to say that these are the ideological and political source of the MDF. The term tendency is too strong because tendencies can easily turn into independent political movements and divisions which have actually happened. This ideological and political source whose roots go back to the popular and national traditions that did not only represent the political activities of the populist writers of between the two world wars, but it could actually be taken back to Rakoczi and Bocskai [historical figures in 17-18th century]. Christian democracy is our other source which, in addition to modern Christian democracy, also means the values that Europe accumulated throughout the 2,000 years of Christianity. This is a way of looking at and understanding the world, and it is not a world view. Naturally, it also includes the political thinking of the modern Christian democracy. The third part of our source is national liberalism that flourished in the 19th century, and since then, it has been a determining factor of Hungarian history. However, here, I am talking about nationally committed liberalism, rather than the supra-national liberalism that reflects a different attitude. We have been able to see these principles as important components of the MDF and still see them this way. [passage omitted]

FBIS3-8026_0

Politicians View Walesa's Political Moves

Language: Polish Article Type:BFN [Article by Eliza Olczyk: "Aim--Second Term of Office; President in Action"] [Text] "I wanted to, but they would not let me"--this is one of Lech Walesa's favorite sayings. He wanted to give each citizen 100 million zlotys, but nothing happened. He wanted to leave only socks on affair mongers, but he did not manage to do that, either. Recently, he has wanted to give people the right to submit their own draft constitutions, but the Sejm rejected his initiative in the first reading. It is also not clear how the issue of the recall of Marek Markiewicz will end up. Movement in the Business Lech Walesa feels bad when nothing is happening in politics. He likes to see some movement in the business. However, since the dissolution of the parliament last year, he has not had many occasions to really act. He kept the government coalition in suspense for a while, wondering whether he should appoint Waldemar Pawlak to the post of prime minister. He teased the politicians for a little while by demanding three candidates, but that was all. Only the National Council of Radio and Television [KRRiT] gave him more reasons to act: It appointed Wieslaw Walendziak to the position of president of the Polish Television. Following the decision, the president withdrew political support for the members of the council whom he had himself appointed; he waited for them to submit their resignations, which did not happen. He provoked the next confrontation himself by submitting the bill of the so-called people's initiative; because of that, the Sejm divided into supporters and opponents of the president, which livened up the usually boring plenary debates. The rejection of the bill was instantly taken advantage of by the president, who withdrew from the work on the Constitution. Before the public opinion forgot the issue of the Constitution, the president recalled Marek Markiewicz from the post of KRRiT chairman and queried the decision granting a nationwide television license to Zygmunt Solorz. What Does the President Want To Achieve? The politicians whom we asked about it unanimously answered that he wants to gain the post of president for another five years. The thing is, he is doing it rather unskillfully. "It is clear to me that the president is making uncoordinated movements. By withdrawing from the work on the Constitution, he wanted to make a political gain; however, there

FBIS3-8031_2

FRY Envoy on FYROM, Other Issues

by air strikes. Those who speak on behalf of the old Europe should know that "blood is the wrong food for men." [passage omitted] [Kulinski] Is the idea still alive that the Macedonians are "southern Serbs?" [Smilkovic] Ideas do not die; they are realized, disappear into history, or are forgotten. As regards the expression "southern Serbs," it was not invented. From the time of their arrival in the Balkan peninsula, most of the Serbs lived in compact groups in the southern part of the peninsula. Their centuries-long sense of statehood and spirituality are tied up with these territories, monasteries, schools, hospitals, and graveyards. Although they are now destroyed and neglected, they continue to serve as a living proof, Apart from this, it is well-known that, in medieval times, Skopje was the capital of the most powerful Serbian rulers. As regards the Macedonians, in the Serbian perception, they are a separate fraternal Slavonic nation that lives in Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -- FYROM], where Serbs, Bulgarians, and other nationalities also live. In former Yugoslavia, this fact was suppressed and never mentioned. The Serbs also disregarded it in the socialist period, so as to demonstrate greater broad- mindedness toward the other peoples, especially the Macedonians. Unfortunately, some questions relating to the position of the Serbs in Macedonia are still not resolved, and for this reason various sides are misusing them in their everyday politics. What is worst of all, the same thing is also being done by those who are working from outside to poison the relations between the peoples in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [passage omitted] [Kulinski] The Bulgarians in Serbia are also suffering privations at the present. There is apprehension that political pressure is being applied to them to make the Bulgarian population forget their national identity. How well-founded are these claims? [Smilkovic] The population is finding it difficult to live in Montenegro as well as Serbia. All share this same fate, including the Bulgarian national minority. The sanctions were imposed against the citizens of Yugoslavia, irrespective of their national affiliation. The Bulgarian minority is finding it a little easier to bear the sanctions than the others, partly because of the humanitarian aid that is sent directly from Bulgaria, and partly due to the other benefits that living close to the border in such circumstances provides. There are no grounds for concern whether the Bulgarians in the FRY can preserve

FBIS3-8043_1

Role of State Intelligence Service Questioned

And -- who are the ShIK's informers? Has a new network been created from scratch, or have old connections been partially maintained? We have reason to believe that the latter is true, when we see today, as in days of yore, certain "curious" individuals at whom people point their fingers as "provocateurs." This intertwining of two networks, this interference of old connections with new, could be very dangerous for Albanian politics, and even for the country's security. The indecisive attitude of parliamentary deputies to the question of the files of former Sigurimi collaborators further muddies the issue. They all say they favor opening the files, especially when they relate to people involved in politics and holding important state offices. However, when the time comes for a decision, such a decision is always postponed for no convincing reasons. There has not even been the kind of broad discussion and debate as took place in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, and elsewhere. It seems that the files will be a blackmail weapon for a long time, and that politicians will unhesitatingly use them against each other. Opening the files would eliminate suspicious, yet there are certain persons who have decided to keep suspicions alive. They need these suspicions in order to attack each other, to denigrate whoever is next in line, to eliminate those who are no longer useful, etc. The latest example has been the fragment of some kind of file that RILINDJA DEMOKRATIKE winkled out from who knows where, concerning the deputy Petrit Kalakula, the most recent rebel within the ranks of the Democratic Party. How quietly the Pobrati affair blew over. The ShIK chairman was called to an interpellation in parliament, was asked questions, and that was the end of it. Information on well-known intellectuals had been sought, but the intellectuals made no murmur. Information had been sought on deputies, but they, even ministers, forgot everything after a verbal protest in parliament.... It seems that everything is just a simple show, an ordinary game in which everybody has his own role and is conscious of the roles of the others. Students of political history consider the involvement of secret services in political power games to make the most interesting and mysterious chapters in history books. Such a thing is credible, because there is a moral to it. How moral is the role of the ShIK in Albanian politics?

FBIS3-8066_0

Karadzic Assesses Confederation, Moscow Visit

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Report by Jelena Vidic -- recorded] [Text] [Vidic] President [of the Srpska republic] Karadzic assessed that the visit to Moscow was very significant and that the resolution of the Bosnian crisis will take a new direction. He assessed that Russia's involvement in the search for a peaceful solution is of crucial importance and that the balance of powers has now been restored on the international scene. Russia is not returning to the international scene in the sense of confrontation with the West, but in the sense of a very active role in the process of searching for a solution to the crisis, Karadzic said and assessed that the Serbian side, as he said, has finally found somebody through whom it can articulate its views and point to what is totally unacceptable for it. When we asked him whether we can now expect a concrete new Russian initiative regarding the conflict in Bosnia, Karadzic replied: [Karadzic] I think that the Russians will work in sync with others. It seems to me that at least two moves so far -- Yeltsin's letter regarding heavy arms to [Serbian] President Milosevic and via him to me, and now this about the Tuzla airport -- have surprised western circles. It seems to me that Russia has accomplished a considerable advantage here, on the basis of which it can now take part in the resolution of the crisis on an equal footing. I expect and assume that meetings similar to those in Washington will also happen in Moscow. [Vidic] Karadzic then commented the Washington agreement on the Muslim-Croatian confederation: [Karadzic] We are still studying this agreement and we are not sure yet whether it has been struck at the expense of the Serbs or as a partial step toward peace. We fear any sort of Croatian-Muslim coalition, we remember them from World War II and from the beginning of this war, and for this reason we are very cautious. If they form a joint state then we must also take care of our territories and borders. They must be easily defendable in case this country, this neighbor, starts displaying hostile feelings toward us. In principle, we think that it is not good that the United States has assumed the role of the United Nations, and has taken the place of the international institutions, so to speak, with the great ambition of helping

FBIS3-8071_0

Commentary on `Russian Factor'

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Commentary by Mirko Sagolj: "Russians Did Not Come by Chance"] [Text] The decision of Milosevic's and Karadzic's (general staff) to withdraw their heavy artillery placed around Sarajevo before the ultimatum expires, and the way in which Russia is (again) getting involved in solving the Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict, is a shock to many. What is especially confusing is the Russian initiative that actually boils down to protecting the Serbs in the Balkans, thus securing an indispensable role for Moscow in solving Balkan conflicts. It seems that fate would have it that the Russians on one side, and the United States and Great Britain on the other meet exactly 49 years after the Yalta Conference, where former Yugoslavia was divided into two interest spheres precisely on the slopes of Trebevic above Sarajevo. Yalta was betrayed only in that the demarcation line was moved from the Drina River to the Miljacka River, hoping that this is only temporary. The appearance and role of Russian soldiers around Sarajevo could confuse and shock only those who are not well acquainted with Russia and its inner regularities and do not know what is now happening in this country. Every realistic and proper analysis would, however, show that events around Sarajevo, as the key military and political point of Serbian aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the presence of Russia in these parts are evolving according to all rules of logic. The Russian initiative could have come as a surprise, first of all, to those who think that the Russian factor became extremely weak and negligible in December, 1991, when Boris Yeltsin disbanded the omnipotent Communist Party of the Soviet Union with two presidential decrees, eliminated communists from power, and then disbanded the great "socialist empire" -- the Soviet Union. The former Soviet Federation had 15 federal republics, spread over 22.4 million square kilometers, had 290 million inhabitants, a mighty army, and ruled over a good part of Europe. According to all formal indicators, it was a superpower that both the United States and China feared. However, it is fortunate for such a superpower that its strength in the past 50 years was tested in peace, and it was lucky not to have engaged in military conflicts against the West. If it had been put on the battlefield against the West, it would have become obvious that it was a colossus with feet of clay; with

FBIS3-8087_2

Tudjman Address on Croat-Muslim Agreement

Serb and the Muslim sides until the agreement was signed in Washington. The implementation of the agreement signed in Washington by Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mate Granic, Prime Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina Haris Silajdzic, and Kresimir Zubak, president of the presidential council of the Croat Republic of Herceg-Bosna, is in the interest of the Croatian and Bosnian Muslim nations, as well as the international community. An end to the war between the Muslim and Croat nations in Bosnia is of paramount importance for us. That conflict has caused great loss in human life and material destruction to the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and brings the threat of international sanctions upon Croatia because of the assistance lent to them [Bosnian Croats], first in the defense against the Serb aggression, and then in their struggle against the threat of the Muslim extremist forces. The agreement between the Croatian and Muslim sides also sets conditions for reaching an agreement with the Serb side and for defining borders acceptable to all three nations within Bosnia- Herzegovina. However, international factors must persist in seeking a sensible overall solution in order to create preconditions for normal neighborly relations between the new Croatian-Bosnian confederal union on the one side and Serbia, that is, Yugoslavia on the other side; all the more so because this [agreement] determines a new long-term fault-line between international powers which have for centuries been opposing and fighting each other in this critical region of different civilizations. All national and political entities which are in any way participating in solving the extremely complex Bosnian problem should -- in the interests of European and global peace -- do everything they can in order to reach an accord between the three warring nations and their mother-countries, but also with the main world factors -- the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and the Russian Federation, in order to create preconditions for the stability of a new international order in this part of Europe, precisely because its birth has caused unimaginable war atrocities and threats of conflict between civilizations. The implementation of the Washington agreement will secure the survival and future of the Croat people not only within the borders of the Croat Republic of Herceg-Bosna, established in the war of defense, but throughout the territory of Bosnia, which will not be allocated to the separate Serb Republic. Furthermore, the agreement guarantees Croats full

FBIS3-8101_2

Article Views Advantages of EC Association

issues, expressed his "deepest regrets" for the terms imposed on Romania in the agricultural chapter. Being more confident in their own forces, the Trilaterale countries had put up a fierce fight to protect their interests. Dissatisfied with the EC terms, Poland and Hungary in 1991 left the negotiating table, although, as a matter of fact, the offers made to them by the European Community had been much more generous than the ones made to our country. The favorite countries of the West assessed that they could afford to gamble -- and they won. Surprisingly enough, shortly before the accord on Romania's association with the European Union [EU] is to become effective, the latter radically changed its stance, offering our country an unhoped-for present. During the Athens conference of the EU member states' ministers of commerce, EU High Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan said that the agricultural terms imposed on Romania have to be adjusted to those offered to Hungary, Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia. Furthermore, Romania should benefit from an even more rapid access to EU markets in order to compensate for its one-year delay compared to "the four." This is a remarkable change in the EU's stance with respect to Romania. This gesture indicates the fact that the West is not prepared to divide East Europe into "first class" and "second class" countries. However, pragmatism should prevail over euphoria in the way Bucharest views this unexpected offer made by the European Union. In other words, it will be easier for us to export agricultural products to EU countries, but the problem is whether Romanian agriculture has sufficient quantities of such products. For the time being, owing to the "priceless" contribution of the Ministry of Agriculture, our country has gained the status of one of the major importers of basic agricultural products (wheat, edible oil, and sugar.) The unexpected chance given to us by the European Union should not be missed because that would cause delays in the transition process, as the country would be deprived of one of its major sources of hard currency. It would be a pity if those general terms offered by the European Union would end up the same way the most-favored-nation status did, namely that we chased that status over almost four years just to realize, after we received it, that Romania's economy is not sufficiently ripe to make any substantial bids on the U.S. market.

FBIS3-8102_3

Jovanovic on Muslim-Croat Federation Agreement

three sides. And the third side, which was probably the most significant in this situation, was not included in the process of agreeing and decision making, so that it remains completely unclear as to what further attitude the authors of the agreement and the people interested in its implementation are going to have toward the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [Colovic] Mr. Jovanovic, how could all that reflect on the current state of Serbian-Croatian relations? What I have in mind is what has been reached in Geneva in the agreement on the beginning of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Zagreb? [Jovanovic] The decision of the two sides, Serb and Croatian, to make the first step in the process of normalization represents the result of awareness that without settling Serbo-Croatian relations on the whole, there can be no mention of any permanent settlement of the situation and stability in the Balkans. This awareness is not only this on the Croatian and Serbian sides, but also on the side of all other factors who are involved in solving the Yugoslav crisis. Therefore, logically, this Washington agreement should not suspend the agreement between the governments of the FRY and the Republic of Croatia on opening offices on both sides, nor should its provisions, and particularly its unexpressed aims, confront the aims that the opened process of normalization of relations between FRY and Croatia wants to reach. However, many unclear points in the Washington agreement, above all the unclear point on the question of the further treatment of the Serbian side in Bosnia and also the ambiguity regarding the attraction [privlacnost] that made Croatia accept something it has always categorically rejected so far, commands caution as well as an increased carefulness. For any attempt to put this agreement into practice or to interpret it as an agreement against overall Serbian interests may not only aggravate the crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also call into question the very process of normalization between the FRY and the Republic of Croatia. [Colovic] Some people fear that the former Bosnia-Herzegovina could soon become -- if it is not exactly that already -- an arena of competition between the United States and Russia for the division of spheres of interest, not only in Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia, but, also, starting from the war in Bosnia, the competition would spread to the entire Balkans. How would you comment on that? [Jovanovic]

FBIS3-8106_2

Commentary Assesses Russian Action in Bosnia

the battlefields after the heavy weapons have been withdrawn. Russia had also brought the necessary balance into the peace process and had reestablished the confidence of the Bosnian Serbs in the UN and the international community in general. The view was also expressed that future relations between Russia and the United States might be defined in Bosnia. There is no doubt that Russia succeeded in reducing the pressure that had built up all over the world as the deadline for the ultimatum drew near. Russia opposed the ultimatum and announced a great diplomatic initiative aimed at securing permanent peace in Bosnia. Taking into account that Russia has not formulated its own concept for resolving the Bosnian crisis since the outbreak of the civil war two years ago and that it has only followed the proposals of the Geneva peace conference and the UN Security Council, the announcement of a diplomatic initiative is already a sign that Russia is ready to participate actively in the peace process in former Yugoslavia. It is immaterial whether this more active role on the part of Russia is a consequence of internal pressure or stems from the view that ultimatums must not become a normal solution to complex international problems. The initial reactions indicate that Russia has showed that it has the status of a super power again, at least in the Balkans. In addition, it is stated that Russia has always been powerful when it has been a force in the Balkans. The Russians have shown the West, primarily the Americans, that they will not accept the status of an unequal or simply obedient partner and that their cooperative attitude has perhaps been interpreted in the wrong way. They does not want their good relations with the West, primarily with the United States, to deteriorate, but they indicate that disagreements could serve as a warning to both countries that the balance in international relations must be reestablished, especially between "influential partners," as this is euphemistically expressed by Russian diplomacy. It seems that the new Russian initiative, which was announced by Kozyrev, and which was probably discussed during the meeting in Bonn, is a part of Yeltsin's proposal to discuss the future of Bosnia at a summit involving the "big five": the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. Most of these countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council; China's place was

FBIS3-8112_1

Unemployment Trends for 1994 Examined

the total population of registered unemployed. The only optimistic accent in this situation is that there are a few more job vacancies on the labor market (in January there were 41,171 vacancies, compared to 28,000 in December). At the same time, there is still a tremendous differentiation in this index between different regions of the country. For example, the largest number of unemployed per job vacancy was recorded in the following voivodships: Ostroleka (953), Biala Podlaska (914), and Kielce (814). The best situation in the local labor market was reported in Warsaw (16 applicants per vacancy), Gdansk (37 applicants per vacancy), and Krakow Voivodships. More than 53,000 jobless were employed in various emergency operations and more than 15,600 in a range of public works. In addition, more than 13,600 people were being trained or retrained for new jobs. Close observation of the changes that took place in the labor market last year could lead us to expect that a further increase in unemployment figures is again possible in February, while March should see a stemming of the tide, and April should bring a stop to the seasonal surge in unemployment. However, all of these estimates are still based on speculation. The official announcement of a proposed introduction of a number of new legislative moves brought further confusion into the scene. For example, the announcement that the period of eligibility for unemployment benefits will be extended for people with dependent children in full-time education. A surge in unemployment registrations for a certain social group--namely, sole family breadwinners--has already been noted in employment offices in Lodz. What are the needs of the national labor market? To begin with, several hundred billion zlotys [Z] for regions under particular threat of unemployment, Z800 billion to finance restructuring projects for the regions of Lodz and Walbrzych, and Z2 trillion for intensification of projects promoting active forms of combating unemployment. "There is enough money in the kitty for unemployment benefits now, and there will be enough for the future," Minister Szreter assures us. "There is no direct danger that we will run out of funds. Even so, should the situation on the labor market continue to deteriorate sharply and result in an unexpectedly large increase in unemployment figures, we will have one other solution left: simply to curtail expenditure on schemes promoting active forms of combating unemployment (we are not, in any case, statutorily obliged to

FBIS3-8150_0

Ministry Condemns `Irresponsible Acts'

Language: Albanian Article Type:BFN [Statement issued by the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry on 6 March; place not given -- read by announcer] [Text] As reported, on 5 March 1994 in Pogaj village in Has District, near border marker D-7, 100 meters into Albanian territory, 20-year-old soldier Saimir Pal Zefi from Mirdite District was wounded by fire from the Yugoslav border post of Goruzhup. The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Albania strongly protests this act by Yugoslav border forces, which is another flagrant and revolting act with open anti-Albanian aims. This act refutes the demagogy of statements and memorandums of the Yugoslav side, which blame Albania for the incidents on the border between both countries as well as for the so-called lack of alertness of the Albanian side to resolve problems between them. The wounding of the Albanian soldier yesterday increased the number of the Albanians killed or wounded on the northern border to 22 people, when no Serb has been wounded or killed by Albanian border forces. Such criminal acts, both in the past and now, are premeditated and are committed at a time when the international community is engaged in resolving, peacefully and through dialogue, the conflicts that have broken out in the former Yugoslavia and preventing them from expanding to other areas. These acts are committed to increase tension on the border between both countries, to consequently increase the level of insecurity and tension in the Balkans by instigating situations with unprecedented consequences, and to accompany the intensified movements of the Serbian Army on the border with Albania and within Kosova. Such acts, along with the murder of an Albanian by Serbian soldiers on the Kosovar-Macedonian border, the trial fabrications against Albanians, and the closure of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Kosova, complete the tableau of the Serbian policy of genocide and oppression against the Albanian population in Kosova and the methods of pressure and political and military blackmail by Milosevic against the Albanian state. Albania protests such irresponsible acts and, before the world public, again denounces the provokers of such dangerous situations, who are the same authors of the bloodshed in the former Yugoslavia, the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the ethnic cleansing, and the massacres against the simple people.

FBIS3-8166_3

Woerner Views Russians' Role in Balkan Crisis

that they do not understand themselves as the Serbs' protective power but as a power that is trying to tackle the problem impartially. [Bertram] Do you welcome the presence of Russian troops in Bosnia? [Woerner] When some people complain today that Russia is becoming active there, I do not share this view at all. First, I think it is unavoidable. Second, I even think it is helpful since it has been done with the intention of making the Serbs give in. I believe that we have to include the Russians in such a way that they continue to use their influence in the spirit of a solution that is acceptable for all parties. [Bertram] And what if they do not let themselves be included? Does Moscow then have a veto right? [Woerner] It is out of the question that Russia is going to gain a certain influence on the actions of NATO. We have done what we considered appropriate and correct, following a decision by all our member states, and we will continue to do so. We are ready and interested in cooperating with the Russians and also in consulting them. However, the Russians are not a member of NATO. And just as Russia has interests, this also applies to NATO. One must not confuse Russia's welcome role as a participating big power with a right to veto NATO actions. [Bertram] The West has for a long time hesitated about getting militarily involved in the Balkans. Is NATO now irrevocably involved -- after the ultimatum and after the enforcement of the flight ban? [Woerner] I think so. This was unavoidable anyway; this just had to come. This is also part of NATO's tasks in our time. We are the only functioning collective defense alliance in the world. We are the central factor of stability for all of Europe. One cannot just claim this role, but one must make a specific contribution in situations of crisis. We have done this and we will continue to do so. [Bertram] Do you sometimes ask -- perhaps with a bit of bitterness -- why action was taken only now? What could have been avoided if action had been taken earlier? [Woerner] Here I once again answer as Manfred Woerner and not as secretary general. I do indeed ask myself this question -- more and more every day. My own conviction was and is: Timely

FBIS3-8171_1

Rugova Endorses NATO Action, Croat-Muslim Pact

that the border with Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -- FYROM], "which is illegal for us," began a toll of its first victim. The week behind us was characterized by heavy movements of Serbian army and their build up in different areas such as in the bordering stripe Gjakova-Prizren, in the vicinity of Kacanik, around Podujeva, Kamaran, and other places, Dr. Rugova said. "Taking into account what happened in Bosnia we consider this as a new threat. We have warned that such Serbian military movements represent further provocation toward the Kosovo people," President Rugova said. "Following the Serbian takeover of the building of the Kosova's Academy of Arts and Sciences, the building of the Institute of Albanian Studies is threatened with a similar takeover. This is the only and last institution bearing the symbolic relevance for the Albanians," President Rugova told journalists adding that "once again we warn the Serbian regime, the local Serbian-installed authorities in Kosova to seriously think on what they have been doing." Commenting on the NATO actions in Bosnia, Dr. Rugova hailed the NATO intervention in compliance with the UN Security Council resolution on the non-flying zone over Bosnia. He also hailed the Croat-Muslim agreement signed in Washington hoping for its implementation. "We hail the statement of the U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher who said that all the problems in former Yugoslavia will be solved by the United States in cooperation with the European Union, and Russia. We think that such an approach is very encouraging for Kosova, too," he said. Asked whether Albania and the international community would intervene in order to stop Serbian violence in Kosova, President Rugova said: "We have been calling for preventive steps toward Kosova. Albania is interested to prevent any conflict. The awareness that if something happens in Kosova would be catastrophe for the entire region is very intense in the international fora. Therefore, everybody is interested to prevent such developments, and I hope that our demand for placing Kosova under a UN protectorate will be accepted." Asked to comment on the threats of his arrest issued in the Serbian press recently, Dr. Rugova said he had no wish to comment on them. Instead, he commented on the total unwillingness of the Serbian side to accept dialogue with the Albanians, stressing that the Albanian side is open and ready to engage in a serious dialogue over Kosova.

FBIS3-8181_2

Union of Labor's Bugaj on Sociopolitical Scene

in that area is not deteriorating. [Onichimowski] The second sphere of concern is our internal security. [Bugaj] Here a very considerable deterioration took place over the past years. Some people believe that this should be counteracted primarily by building up the numeric strength of our police force. Unfortunately, this will require substantial funds, but we should shape our policies so as to restrict and eradicate the root causes of social pathology. After all, we do not have enough resources to provide three policemen to patrol every street corner and enough police presence to watch every house in every area. The causes of the mounting incidence of crime are to be found in the widening gap between different groups' financial circumstances, and also in the growing unemployment.... It is no accident that people can walk everywhere in perfect safety in the streets of Scandinavian cities. [Onichimowski] The rising incidence of tuberculosis in our society is not a favorable reflection on our successive governments' record in the area of health protection, is it? [Bugaj] In this respect, we are, in my opinion, on the eve of the introduction of a substantial and much-needed reform, which, however, is still waiting to be put into practice. [Onichimowski] Instead, there has been much discussion about it for many years now.... [Bugaj] I agree with you: Much is said, and nothing happens. All that is happening at present is that the health service's budget is being reduced, money is being taken away from vital health services, and there are no visible signs of progress in organizational actions or the construction of a rational financial system for the sector. I find the present situation deplorable. It is most probably being continuously compounded by the repeated changes of health ministers and by the fact that we still have no public-service system, which would go on working and discharging its duties regardless of the constantly changing political configurations. [Onichimowski] And, finally, the fourth sector. It is paradoxical that the standards of education, the unrestricted availability of cultural goods, and the general level of civilizational development attained under the Polish People's Republic was instrumental in overthrowing that regime, whereas our new sociopolitical system has brought a pronounced regression in all of these areas. [Bujak] If we are to discuss the realm of culture, we must admit that in certain areas state patronage was far from rational: It was geared a

FBIS3-8200_0

`Full Control' of Borders Sought

Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Pool" item] [Text] Zagreb, March 5 (TANJUG) -- Croatia will seek from the U.N. Security Council before the expiration of the U.N. peace-keepers' mandate on March 31 to restore full control of its borders, the Croatian Defence and National Security Council ruled on Saturday. "We have received firm guarantees for the security of the Croatian state, a speedier reintegration of the U.N.-protected areas into Croatia's constitutional and legal system and the earliest possible repatriation of all refugees," said the council at a session chaired by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. Croatia considers as its territory the Republic of Serb Krajina (RSK), which was proclaimed by Serbs in their ethnic and historical territories in Croatia in 1991. The RSK, which was placed under U.N. protection in the spring of 1992, energetically opposes any idea of Croatia controlling its territory. Commenting on the Moslem-Croat agreement reached in Washington on Tuesday on creating a federation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Croatian Defence and National Security Council said it was a historic event which further consolidated the independent and sovereign Croatian state and ensured the survival of the Croatian people in Bosnia. The agreement also fully protects the strategic interests of the Croatian state, the council said in a statement. "The agreement is not directed against the interests of the Serb side in Bosnia...and it will enable the finding of a solution acceptable to all three nations in Bosnia together with the Serb side," it added. The preliminary agreement on forming a Moslem-Croat federation in the war-torn former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, signed under strong pressure from Washington, envisages that the federation subsequently form confederate ties with neighbouring Croatia.

FBIS3-8213_2

Karadzic on Federation, NATO `Interference'

[DER SPIEGEL] Is it not becoming increasingly likely that there will be a new Yalta in the Balkans, with Serbia falling into the Russians' sphere of interests? [Karadzic] The Russian culture, the Russian people and its religion are very close to us. However, when we are pushed under the Russian wing in political terms, this is just the fault of the West. It has proved to be merciless and aggressive toward our people. We are in a situation where one cannot choose one's friends. If Russia offers to protect our rights, we cannot refuse this. [DER SPIEGEL] You have just been to Moscow. Did President Yeltsin promise you any specific help if there was a further escalation between Serbs and NATO? [Karadzic] Of course, Russia will not permit NATO to dominate the Balkans. Nor can Moscow have any interest in letting the conflict spread to Greece, Turkey, or Albania. By the way -- we can defend ourselves. [DER SPIEGEL] President Yeltsin has suggested a peace conference with the big five: the United States, Russia, France, Britain, and Germany. Would you participate in such a conference and sign a peace plan worked out there? [Karadzic] This conference would have to be prepared well. All three sides would have to make sacrifices. The final outcome should be an international peace treaty similar to the one of Versailles in 1919 that sets down the new borders. [DER SPIEGEL] And what should these borders be like? [Karadzic] Our idea was the formation of a Muslim state in Bosnia with 33.3 percent of the territory. This is enough to survive. There are smaller states. We wanted to exchange territories with Croatia. As a result, the Serbs would not have gotten everything and the Croats would not have lost everything. [DER SPIEGEL] In the meantime, an agreement between Bosnian Muslims and Croats has been achieved, who want to form a joint federation and then plan to establish a confederation with Croatia. Will the Bosnian Serbs join this model? [Karadzic] Only political illiterates could expect us to do that. We lived in the so-called Croatian-Muslim state in World War II. At that time hundreds of thousands of Serbs were killed under German protection under German protection. For us there can only be an independent Serbian state in Bosnia or the unification of the Bosnian Serbs with all other Serbs in one state. Anything else would be unnatural.

FBIS3-8244_1

U.S. Interests in B-H Air Incident Examined

envisages a "clear sky" over Bosnia, i.e. a ban on military flights that have not been authorized by the United Nations Protection Forces [UNPROFOR], has been violated. The truth is yet to be established, but a fact is well-known. The three fighting sides have violated the ban on flights since the day the resolution was adopted. Periodically one of the sides accuses the others of utilizing helicopters or combat aircraft. Nevertheless, NATO's "AWACS" intelligence aircraft have not accused any of the sides of violating the resolution, nor has UNPROFOR publicly warned any of the fighting sides. Without justifying the actions of those who violated the resolution, and regardless of whether the airplanes were Serbian or not, it is obvious that NATO's operation comes at a very inappropriate moment -- precisely when the world public sighed with relief that the ultimatum did not prompt a bombardment and even directed the developments toward peace. The air operation contradicted the conclusion of the "Blue Helmets" commanders, who said that the cease-fire was generally observed, and the opinion of the political figures that the Sarajevo model of peacemaking must gradually be expanded to include all of Bosnia. The first military intervention of NATO in Europe must evoke great concern. It demonstrated that contrary to Butrus-Ghali's assurance, the commanding center of the military operations in Bosnia is not in the UN glass skyscraper in New York, but in the Pentagon, and that Washington deliberately seeks an escalation in the conflict to prompt a new division of Bosnia's territory. It is not very hard to establish that the attack against the four airplanes in the Banja Luka sky, which was peaceful since the beginning of the war, was directly related to the tripartite talks in Washington on establishing the Croatian-Muslim federation. The U.S. plan practically eliminates the EC plan on dividing Bosnia into three parts. On the other hand, it envisages a much greater territory for the future federation than the Bosnia Serbs would be willing to concede. Consequently, NATO's air fist had the important goal of demonstrating power to force the Serbs to make territorial concessions under the threat of military intervention. An unidentified Russian diplomat demanded an explanation from NATO regarding the air operation and said: "What happened is what we feared most and warned against frequently." If one adds to this alarming sensation the intention of UNPROFOR to allow the "Blue Helmets" who

FBIS3-8244_2

U.S. Interests in B-H Air Incident Examined

of the sides of violating the resolution, nor has UNPROFOR publicly warned any of the fighting sides. Without justifying the actions of those who violated the resolution, and regardless of whether the airplanes were Serbian or not, it is obvious that NATO's operation comes at a very inappropriate moment -- precisely when the world public sighed with relief that the ultimatum did not prompt a bombardment and even directed the developments toward peace. The air operation contradicted the conclusion of the "Blue Helmets" commanders, who said that the cease-fire was generally observed, and the opinion of the political figures that the Sarajevo model of peacemaking must gradually be expanded to include all of Bosnia. The first military intervention of NATO in Europe must evoke great concern. It demonstrated that contrary to Butrus-Ghali's assurance, the commanding center of the military operations in Bosnia is not in the UN glass skyscraper in New York, but in the Pentagon, and that Washington deliberately seeks an escalation in the conflict to prompt a new division of Bosnia's territory. It is not very hard to establish that the attack against the four airplanes in the Banja Luka sky, which was peaceful since the beginning of the war, was directly related to the tripartite talks in Washington on establishing the Croatian-Muslim federation. The U.S. plan practically eliminates the EC plan on dividing Bosnia into three parts. On the other hand, it envisages a much greater territory for the future federation than the Bosnia Serbs would be willing to concede. Consequently, NATO's air fist had the important goal of demonstrating power to force the Serbs to make territorial concessions under the threat of military intervention. An unidentified Russian diplomat demanded an explanation from NATO regarding the air operation and said: "What happened is what we feared most and warned against frequently." If one adds to this alarming sensation the intention of UNPROFOR to allow the "Blue Helmets" who accompany the humanitarian relief convoys, to open fire in order to clear the way, even without informing the fighting sides about this, it becomes clear that Bosnia is heading toward a new military escalation. They say that this corresponds to the interests of the Muslims and their protectors, the Americans. This could be so. However, it does not correspond to the desire of Bosnia's population for peace and the efforts of the world community to stop this shameful butchery.

FBIS3-8249_9

Socialist Party Issues Election Program A Proper Human Environment! Help for Backward Areas To Catch Up! A Just Distribution of Public Burdens and A More Thrifty State Budget! Rapprochement With Our Neighbors and Living As Hungarians in Europe

avoid taxes. We will considerably increase the corporate tax, and we will make the invested incomes free of tax; however, we will tax the accumulation of property. We will eliminate the tax on the interest on forint and hard currency saving accounts and the minimum tax, and we will restore the tax exemptions encouraging the foreign investors. We will reduce the exceptions and benefits. Along with reducing the central taxes, we will increase the right of local government bodies to levy taxes. Today two-thirds of the income is taken by the budget. This is an unbearably high percentage, but it can only be reduced gradually. We want to pay particular attention to the reform of state administration and to the reduction of expenses, deficit, and income withdrawal. We will primarily save on wasteful and inefficient political, state power and administrative expenses. We want to stabilize the tax system in order to create a predictable economic environment. It will be impossible to carry out a considerable tax reduction in the next four years, but it is possible to avoid the increase in taxes. The social security payments that seriously burden wages can only be reduced gradually, along with the reorganization of the welfare system and the development of supplementary insurance. A Stronger Social Security! The source of the most severe tensions in the coming years is that welfare expenses can only increase slightly. However, the burdens of the most helpless strata of the society cannot be increased any more. Therefore, we need a reorganization of the welfare system in which help really reaches those eligible to get such help. Instead of the humiliating eligibility investigations, the conditions of social welfare must be regulated by laws and local rules. By modifying the welfare law, we want to increase the basic social rights and expand the circle of recipients. Within the welfare expenses, we will curb the bureaucratic administrative and supervision expenses. We want to encourage the welfare activity of various civil organizations (associations, foundations, church services, and so on) by tax exemptions. We want to preserve the real value of family allowances among the low and middle strata of the population. We will make the child- care benefits a citizen right, and an active grandparent who accepts the rearing of a child will also be able to get such benefits. We think that it is correct for the families to receive support,

FBIS3-8249_10

Socialist Party Issues Election Program A Proper Human Environment! Help for Backward Areas To Catch Up! A Just Distribution of Public Burdens and A More Thrifty State Budget! Rapprochement With Our Neighbors and Living As Hungarians in Europe

the welfare system and the development of supplementary insurance. A Stronger Social Security! The source of the most severe tensions in the coming years is that welfare expenses can only increase slightly. However, the burdens of the most helpless strata of the society cannot be increased any more. Therefore, we need a reorganization of the welfare system in which help really reaches those eligible to get such help. Instead of the humiliating eligibility investigations, the conditions of social welfare must be regulated by laws and local rules. By modifying the welfare law, we want to increase the basic social rights and expand the circle of recipients. Within the welfare expenses, we will curb the bureaucratic administrative and supervision expenses. We want to encourage the welfare activity of various civil organizations (associations, foundations, church services, and so on) by tax exemptions. We want to preserve the real value of family allowances among the low and middle strata of the population. We will make the child- care benefits a citizen right, and an active grandparent who accepts the rearing of a child will also be able to get such benefits. We think that it is correct for the families to receive support, rather than the institutions, if these families enroll their children in nurseries and kindergartens. We intend to take preventive measures for the benefit of children and youngsters living in an endangered environment. We will strengthen both the legal and institutional background of the bodies in charge of this and of the follow-up care. The social security self-governing bodies are the independent and responsible organizations of social security. We will strengthen their role by providing them property and broadening their rights. We want to make sure that pensions at least increase simultaneously with the net average salaries. We will guarantee income supplements as citizens' rights to people over 70 years of age who totally or partially lack any care. We will gradually introduce a widows pension supplement. We will introduce delaying measures for the benefit of women most affected by the increased retirement age. We will work out a flexible system of retirement, so that the people in question can choose the most favorable of the given alternatives. We are fighting against poverty, not against prosperity. However, the process of pauperization can be halted at the end of the next government period at the earliest. Poverty that humiliates human dignity is

FBIS3-8251_0

UDMR Declaration on Ethnic Rights Summarized

Language: Romanian Article Type:BFN [Unattributed article: "The UDMR Offensive"] [Text] The 26-27 February meeting of the Council of Representatives of the UDMR [Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania], which was held in Miercurea Ciuc, adopted a declaration regarding the way in which Romania's obligations stipulated by the amendments of the Council of Europe with respect to the status of ethnic minorities should be complied with. Assessing that "Romania's authorities are not observing these amendments and are not displaying the political will to accept and implement them," the signatories of the declaration reassert the ethnic minorities' right to have their own local self-administration bodies and a special status in the areas where they represent the majority of the population, and recommend that local administration bodies should be summoned within two months to decide upon the forms of autonomy that should be applied, as formulated in the UDMR program and in its draft bill on the status of the ethnic minorities and autonomous communities. The declaration also protests the draft bill on education, which has already been accepted by the Education Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, as well as the measures taken by certain county prefects annulling the decisions of local bodies regarding bilingual inscriptions, and requests that in the areas preponderantly inhabited by ethnic minorities they should be allowed to use their mother tongue in justice and administration. In that context the declaration asks Romania's Parliament to sign the European Charter on Local Self-Administration, accept the UDMR amendments to the education bill, and put on the agenda the draft bill on the status of ethnic minorities and autonomous communities.

FBIS3-8272_15

News Conference by President Tudjman

the Yugoslav army, held the whole of Croatia. They were holding one third, and then we liberated a part of it -- there is still a quarter of our territory under the protection of the peace-keeping forces, or under Serb occupation. It is also a fact that they are holding two thirds of Bosnia- Herzegovina under their authority, and -- clearly, it can be said -- under their occupation. But it is also a fact that the Serbs are one of the three constituent peoples there and that the international community accepts this fact and has negotiated with representatives of the Bosnian Serbs so far, as well as with Belgrade. In conducting our policy we have to take this reality into consideration, and we have to adjust our policy to the real state of affairs and to the facts of international politics. [Paradzic] Zeljko Paradzic, GLAS SLAVONIJE. Mr. President, can you comment on statements by Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mr. Djukic, that the Serbs will never accede to being a national minority in Croatia; also, which guarantee is the world community offering to ensure that the occupied Croatian areas -- that Belgrade will give them up? Thank you. [Tudjman] The position of Serbs in Croatia is set out in the Croatian constitution and in a special constitutional law which we adopted in agreement with the EC arbitration commission and the European conference on the former Yugoslavia, so statements by individuals along these lines cannot change anything. Your other question -- on guarantees. The statements by the most responsible world factors, the heads of almost all main states, not only foreign ministers but also state statesmen, and the most important European states and the United States [words indistinct]. However, the guarantee of the world organization of the United Nations -- which in all its resolutions, especially resolution 871, confirms and guarantees the territorial integrity of independent Croatia -- is more important. In these circumstances Croatia has demonstrated that it is an effective factor in precisely these international attempts to resolve all sober questions in the modern world in a peaceful way and in not allowing individual national minorities to cause the destruction of sovereign states and the provocation of general war chaos. In these circumstances when Croatia has on its side both the EU and the main world great power of the United Nations, when our agreement is also being welcomed by

FBIS3-8272_16

News Conference by President Tudjman

of Serbs in Croatia is set out in the Croatian constitution and in a special constitutional law which we adopted in agreement with the EC arbitration commission and the European conference on the former Yugoslavia, so statements by individuals along these lines cannot change anything. Your other question -- on guarantees. The statements by the most responsible world factors, the heads of almost all main states, not only foreign ministers but also state statesmen, and the most important European states and the United States [words indistinct]. However, the guarantee of the world organization of the United Nations -- which in all its resolutions, especially resolution 871, confirms and guarantees the territorial integrity of independent Croatia -- is more important. In these circumstances Croatia has demonstrated that it is an effective factor in precisely these international attempts to resolve all sober questions in the modern world in a peaceful way and in not allowing individual national minorities to cause the destruction of sovereign states and the provocation of general war chaos. In these circumstances when Croatia has on its side both the EU and the main world great power of the United Nations, when our agreement is also being welcomed by the Islamic countries, in these circumstances we can really be sure that we will have the support of all these international factors and that we will realize the incorporation of these Croatian territories under UN protection into the constitutional and legal system of Croatia in a peaceful way. If this is not successful, then we would have the political support for those steps which we would have to take -- and it is in this that the success of Croatian state policy and the far-reaching nature of the agreement which we have signed is reflected. [Skugor] Milana Skugor, HINA. Mr. President, how far has the process of dividing [former] Yugoslavia's assets gone, and can we see what Croatia will get? My second question is about preparations for the tourist season. What is the Croatian government doing to bring back tourists who used to come before the war? [Tudjman] Okay, please, can you ask just one question at a time from now on? I cannot remember two. Tourism. The Croatian Government is already taking steps. You could have read that there have been echoes of this [Washington] agreement at the Berlin tourist congress, whatever that gathering is called. It is certain

FBIS3-8272_18

News Conference by President Tudjman

that the agreement in itself, and especially its implementation, will have a considerable impact not only on the revival but also on the development of tourism in Croatia at a level higher than before. Your first question referred to the succession. Concerning the Croatian delegation and the delegations of the other countries -- from Slovenia to Macedonia -- they have made quite a good progress in solving all those problems with the help of the EU negotiators taking part in negotiations on the division of assets. However, the Serb -- that is Yugoslav -- delegation obstructed the negotiations and prevented them from reaching an agreement. This step in the search for peace, in forcing all those -- and primarily Belgrade -- who are in one way or another involved in the overall crisis, and consequently in the problem of the succession will be forced to solve that problem [as heard]. Both we and the world understand that the solving of the problem of the succession -- as well as the occupation of the Croatian areas -- cannot be postponed for a long time, because that means that Belgrade has the assets which belonged to the former Yugoslavia. That problem needs to be put on the agenda to be solved as soon as possible. Besides, in connection with this, there is a question of a practical nature. The UN Protection Forces [UNPROFOR] in Bosnia-Herzegovina is now placing part of the heavy weaponry under its control. It would probably be very useful if those weapons did not come again -- for any purpose -- into the hands of the aggressor and the Serbian army, the Serbian side in whose possession they have been until now, but were instead destroyed or put at the disposal of the others. Personally, I prefer the destruction and a financial deal to solve that part of the succession, which to a large extent involves weaponry. [Ggorgyi] Orban Gyorgyi, Hungarian Radio. Mr. President, is there a certain fear that a confederal resolution of state relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Republic of Croatia could serve the Serbs in the so-called Krajina in their demand for a confederation with Serbia, and unfortunately also statements by Mr. Churkin indicate the complexity of possible parallels [as heard]. What do you think about this? [Tudjman] First of all, one cannot compare the problem of Bosnia-Herzegovina - the Serbs, Croats, and Muslims in Bosnia-

FBIS3-8290_2

Cimoszewicz on Coalition, Constitution, Law

but the day that happens is a very long way off. This involves not so much legislation as social consciousness and the attitudes of politicians. The law is still regarded as a means to an end. Even in recent years, violations of the law have been excused on grounds of so-called necessity. The civic ombudsman says that, in 1993, there were more violations of civic rights than before. [passage omitted] [WPROST] Do you agree that the establishment of a law-governed state will be very difficult without a new constitution? [Cimoszewicz] Unfortunately, even the present parliament might have problems with it, and even if it satisfies the formal requirements. If Lech Walesa were to put into practice some of the things members of the Presidential Chancellery have been saying, he would be playing a destructive role. Nothing can justify using the Constitution for the purpose of pursuing a political contest. I would be happier if the government concentrated on social and economic policy this year because that is the main source of conflict. [passage omitted] [WPROST] Either we have a law-governed country or one ruled by the fist of stronger groups who win privileges for themselves at society's expense. [Cimoszewicz] I am very upset about what I would describe as an anarchistic, unimaginative approach toward the affairs of one's own country. We are observing increasing egoism among professional groups that are convinced that they have to reap maximum benefits for the state. Frequently, we encounter the snowball effect--one group stages a demonstration for the sake of some benefit or concession and another sees this demonstration and follows suit. At the same time, we as a society fail to see that actions like this are suicidal for the state. We should consider which is better--a disintegration of what little resources we have, or the creation of a chance for the future. [WPROST] How about a few examples? [Cimoszewicz] Several years ago, a law on compensation for Stalinist persecution was passed. The lawmakers assumed that all affected persons would behave honorably and not make undue demands on the state's finances. But this year alone, 1.5 trillion zlotys has had to be allocated for compensation. It is the same with reprivatization. It costs trillions of zlotys just to restore property that was misappropriated in pursuance of the previous legislation. Every single claim involves material or legal interests. But the sum total of these interests

FBIS3-8293_18

Jaruzelski on Reforms, 1981 Martial Law, SLD

economy. It is worth recalling how many apartments were built in the martial law period: in 1982, approximately 185,000; in 1983, over 195,000; in the years that followed, until 1989, the numbers were similar. At the same time, I still remember the charge that was leveled at me: One has to wait for an apartment as long as 30 years. Now that we build fewer apartments, such complaints have become less audible. However, I think that the people still remember various social solutions. In the last elections, the Polish people showed that certain achievements, which martial law also protected, are very close to them. I am not saying this from the position of "Now, what did I tell you?," but I am rather encouraging a quiet, sine ira et studio reflection on the entire complexity of the past road. [Lukasiewicz] However, despite the fact that the governing administration has changed, the responsibility for imposing martial law is still a subject of constitutional proceedings. Do you not think that the so-called Suslov documents played a role here? I mean the documents that suggest that you did not rule out the possibility of requesting help from the "Soviet comrades". [Jaruzelski] I already discussed this topic in RZECZPOSPOLITA twice (25-26 September and 6-7 November 1993). No one has refuted the substance of those explanations. How many times must we recall the desperate efforts we made so that our Polish problems would remain ours? This is what happened. This is concrete and palpable proof; it is more important than any sensational news that is contrary to it. It is worth noting that the order for them came from Poland. This was proved by its evident selectiveness and by taking advantage of it in the preelection period. The way the previous management of television used this topic was very significant; it allowed me to present my explanations only two weeks after the elections. The following fact is very important here: Unlike the case of many other documents from the already mentioned Archives, protocols signed by a secretary of the Central Committee [KC], the only pretext for this "sensation" was not a protocol, but an unsigned working note. The fact that the list of people participating in that session did not include the name of Mikhail Gorbachev is characteristic. In several interviews he stated that the Politburo of KC of the Communist Party of the Soviet

FBIS3-8300_0

Request for More UN Troops in Bosnia Assessed

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Commentary by Slavoljub Susic] [Text] The latest request for additional UN troops in the former Bosnia-Herzegovina could be understood more as the confirmation of the assessment of the better informed analysts that the Balkans is a special experimental arena of the creators of the new world order than an indication that this hotbed of crisis would soon be mollified. Here is a military-political commentary by Slavoljub Susic: [Susic] It is indicative that almost all new peace proposals for the former Bosnia-Herzegovina are followed by requests to increase the UN military contingent to supervise the implementation of these proposals. Does this mean that there is an a priori doubt about the effectiveness of the offered solutions that are drafted most frequently according to the interests of foreign factors? Let us recall that the failure of Cutiliero's plan in Lisbon in 1991 was followed by the dispatch of the first battalion of the UN Blue Helmets to Sarajevo -- consisting of soldiers from France, Ukraine, and Egypt -- with the task of securing the airport for the delivery of humanitarian aid. After the London conference on the former Yugoslavia in August of the same year, NATO's offer to protect relief convoys in Bosnia under the UN mandate was accepted. By the end of 1992, there were about 7,000 UNPROFOR [UN Protection Forces] troops in the former Bosnia-Herzegovina from 10 member countries of the Western military alliance. After Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zepa, Gorazde, Bihac, and Srebrenica were declared protected zones in May 1993, the Security Council decided to increase the existing contingent with an additional 7,600 troops. This was not fully realized. After the well-known Geneva plans for the settlement of the crisis in Bosnia, offered during 1993, there were about 12,000 Blue Helmets in Bosnia and more than 26,000 troops on the territory of the entire former Yugoslavia. That year, more than $1 billion was spent on their mission. In order to ensure the implementation of the Security Council resolutions adopted so far and the agreements reached by the warring parties, including the agreement reached on the creation of the Muslim-Croat federation in the former Bosnia-Herzegovina in Washington this week, with a possibility of including it in a confederation with Croatia, Mr. Akashi, special envoy of the UN secretary general, and General Cot, the chief commander of the peace forces, are asking for an additional 10,650 troops. If this

FBIS3-8304_0

Leader of Banned Party on Interethnic Struggles

Language: Bulgarian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Ilija Ilijevski, chairman of the Human Rights Party of FYROM, by Galya Nikolova; place and date not given: "Our Party Was Banned Because of Its Good Relations With Bulgaria"] [Text] [Nikolova] Mr. Ilijevski, when and why was your party banned? [Ilijevski] It was banned a month and a half ago. The decision of the Okrug Court in Stip became binding over a week ago. Its sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Macedonia [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia -- FYROM]. It is interesting to note that the court in Stip banned us because we were described as a threat to the country's constitutional order. However, we think that the old constitution is not binding any longer, because there is a new Constitution. It bans violent anticonstitutional actions, but our party has not been accused of any such actions. When Macedonia's Supreme Court discovered this paradox it amended the legal basis of the ban. We were accused of fanning international and interethnic hatred. We cannot even utilize our constitutional right to appeal against this judgment any longer because the reason for it has been changed, and our appeal was based on the previous reason. We sought the protection of Macedonia's chief prosecutor and demanded that the Constitutional Court cancel the ban because it violates the Constitution. We have informed international legal organizations and the governments of many countries. We most fervently appeal to official Bulgaria, because we think that it has the greatest reason to help us. Our party was banned because of its good relations with Bulgaria. [Nikolova] How did the Bulgarian authorities react to this? [Ilijevski] Unfortunately, before and after 10 November 1989 Sofia's policy toward the Bulgarians in Macedonia did not change. We were left in the hands of the Serbian state and Serbian denationalization. After 50 years of oppression we hoped that under the new conditions of pluralism we would have the opportunity to state our rights clearly. However, this did not happen. We think that it is high time that Bulgaria took care of its children outside her borders. There will be nothing unusual in this, because all the countries in the world do it. [Nikolova] Have you met any official Bulgarian representatives to discuss this issue? [Ilijevski] Over the last six months I have had many useful contacts in Sofia. I have had talks with [National Assembly

FBIS3-8307_0

Central European Initiative Adopts Statement

Language: Czech Article Type:BFN [Text] A two-day meeting of the foreign ministers of the 10 countries of the Central European Initiative [CEI] ended in Trieste in northern Italy today with the adoption of the document on political and economic issues. In the document the ministers welcomed the recent Washington agreement between the Croats and Muslims as a positive step toward achieving a global solution in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The ministers also welcomed the latest developments around Sarajevo and confirmed their support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the economic document, the ministers expressed satisfaction at the implementation of some approved projects but at the same time stressed that the CEI's economic consolidation needed more effective work by the individual working groups.

FBIS3-8309_0

`Bosnian Federation' Supported

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Trieste, March 5 (TANJUG) -- A two-day session of the foreign ministers of the countries of the so-called Central European Initiative ended on Saturday evening, after lending all-out support to the Washington agreement between the Bosnian Croats and Muslims and expressing hope that the Bosnian Serbs would join the "Bosnian Federation." Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and his Bosnian Muslim counterpart Irfan Ljubijankic informed the chief diplomats of Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) that the Croat-Muslim agreement was "open to the Serbs, too." Representatives of the Bosnian Croats, Muslims and the Republic of Croatia signed in Washington on Tuesday, under strong pressure from the U.S. Administration, a preliminary agreement on a federation of the two peoples in the former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and a subsequent confederation with neighbouring Croatia. The U.S. peace negotiator for the former Yugoslavia Thorvald Stoltenberg, who attended the session of the Central European Initiative, set out that there was no reason to believe that the Serbs were not ready for a peaceful solution, and underscored that no lasting solution was possible without the Serb side.

FBIS3-8313_2

Vacaroiu on Ties With Slovakia, Foreign Policy

especially concerned about harmonizing certain steps of common interest. Dealing with the issue of the Hungarian minority in Romania, however, is our internal affair. We are merely interested in ensuring that all the citizens of our states have the same rights and responsibilities, but not privileges. Our laws guarantee them rights. Certain circles in Hungary and in our country are coming up with demands that are unacceptable to us as a sovereign state. For example, we will not discuss borders; otherwise, this could lead to destabilization. The ethnic minorities -- and not only the Hungarians -- enjoy the same rights as other citizens, and they are not discriminated against thanks to the principles by which we are governed. In any case, in resolving these issues, it is essential to follow a correct path. [Skoda] In essence, our two countries are pursuing the same aims in foreign policy -- to join the North Atlantic pact and to become integrated as fast as possible into West European economic structures. How is Romania approaching the Partnership for Peace? Have you already drafted a specific program for Romania's involvement in NATO's military maneuvers and in the UN "peace-keeping" operations in Europe? [Vacaroiu] At the moment, we are going through the first, transition stage of the economy's radical transformation and of establishing a law-governed state. Therefore, in foreign policy we are striving to secure stability and peace in our region. For this reason, we have signed the Partnership for Peace, and were the first country to do so. Adapting to the structures of the NATO armies is proceeding concurrently with the reform of the Romanian Army. Of course, we envisage that we will also take part in some NATO exercises and UN peace-keeping operations. However, this will also depend a great deal on the financial resources.... [Skoda] In connection with recent developments in the Balkans and the increased diplomatic activity by Moscow to bring about peace in Bosnia, what is your assessment of the signing of an agreement on the creation of a Muslim-Croatian Confederation? [Vacaroiu] Romania has good relations with all the republics of the former Yugoslavia. We believe, however, that the involvement of all three sides in the Bosnian conflict is necessary to bring about a lasting peace. Greater involvement by the international community is essential in order for it to supervise for a certain period the outcome of the peace process .

FBIS3-8326_2

Boross Discusses Regional Security Concerns

has no place in Hungarian history." Recently, a man returned to Hungary from abroad and formed a group with a good 30 members. "Currently, the prosecution service is dealing with them; they are more of an irritation than a danger. There is nothing to indicate that they are spreading to the provinces." This kind of extremism has no support in Hungary and there is also no real left-wing danger. Is Hungary, disappointed about the distance that the West is maintaining -- the "Partnership for Peace" instead of membership of MATO, associate membership of the European Union rather than full membership? "Hungary has really been regularly disappointed by the West since 1526. This stems from its difficult position and in part from its realistic and in part unrealistic expectations," conceded Boross. In 1989, in view of the opening up of borders and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact (which Hungary initiated), Hungary had great expectations, but two years later, one had to recognize reality "especially, that moving closer to the economic and security alliances, to that which offers real security, requires time." The Hungarian head of government attracted international attention when, shortly after the announcement of the NATO ultimatum to end the siege of Sarajevo, he said that should the sanction be applied, then Hungarian airspace would not be available for AWACs flights. The background to that statement, which could be viewed as a political mistake and as indicating a new direction in Hungarian security in view of NATO's disappointing overall conduct and Russia's involvement in the former Yugoslavia, was explained by Boross as follows: "Hungary is a neighbor of Yugoslavia (he constantly used that term for the Belgrade republic) and one can expect to remain so for hundreds of years. There are 500,000 Hungarians living on the territory of Yugoslavia and they live in a region where there is no international control. In addition, Hungary is interested in the Danube shipping route, the 'Adria' oil pipeline, and, not least, in putting at ease the Hungarians in Vojvodina, of whom 100,000 have already left their homes." He added that Hungary was not a member of NATO "and thus had no clear guarantees for its security, even if it were to receive such guarantees under certain circumstances in a conflict situation." The government is seeking to ensure its security and the interests of the Hungarian minority by maintaining good-neighborly relations, including contacts

FBIS3-8342_1

Koljevic: Bosnian Serbs Should Join Talks

be working with all sides to reach something that will be accepted and not refused." Although the Serbs were not involved in the first stage of negotiations on the plan, they nevertheless, in Redman's words, "received some information and were given some documents. We hope that in the second phase we will maintain close contacts with the Serbs in the same way we have done with the Bosnian Government and the Croats," Redman said. In this context he noted that the aim of the first phase was to secure an agreement between the Muslims and the Croats, whereas in the second phase all three sides must be brought together. "What we have done so far was focused on speeding up the process leading to a global agreement. It seems to me that now we are in a better position to do so. We will continue to be actively involved; the United States the European Union, the Russian Federation, all three sides in Bosnia, and all countries in the region. This will require huge efforts on the part of all of us," the special U.S. envoy said. Redman stressed that the peace process must not drag on for months. "We are trying to do something within the next few weeks," he said. The Bosnian Serb vice president said that the first phase of the Washington agreement was about eliminating flash points of fighting and establishing a lasting peace. "If you ask yourself what is the essence of the Washington agreement between the Muslims and the Croats, the answer is that it is the elimination of the flash points of fighting. Sarajevo has been eliminated as a flash point of fighting between the Serbs and the Muslims. Neum, as a contentious issue between the Muslims and Croats, has been removed. Central Bosnia, as a fighting flash point, has been eliminated or is in the process of being eliminated," Koljevic said. "All moves that are being made are aimed more at achieving peace than imposing a solution. We will have to find a political solution ourselves," he explained and added that the right of a people to participate in this process and to make decisions about itself cannot be denied by anyone. Asked if the issue of the Bosnian Serbs joining the Bosnian Federation, agreed on by the Croats and Muslims, was discussed, Koljevic said that this, as well as the maps and

FBIS3-8372_0

Government `Diplomatic Offensive' Against RSK

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Belgrade, March 8 (TANJUG) -- Croatia will intensify its activities and initiate "a diplomatic offensive" in an effort to re-integrate the Republic of Serb Krajina (R.S.K.) into Croatia, TANJUG learned on Tuesday from well-informed Croatian sources. The R.S.K. is now one of the U.N. Protected Areas (UNPA) in Croatia. Croatia will focus its activities on negotiations with the R.S.K. local and military authorities about the return of Croats who have fled these lands. The negotiations will be brokered by the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR). The same sources maintain that Serb representatives will be offered a possibility of re-integrating the R.S.K. territories into Croatian districts, as well as cultural and administrative autonomy in the lands where they constituted a majority population according to the 1991 census, and the right to take part in district assemblies. The R.S.K. was proclaimed in 1991 in predominantly Serb-populated parts of the former Yugoslav Republic of Croatia in response to Croatia's forcible secession from former Yugoslavia and its attempt to reduce the Serbs' status as a constituent nation to that of a national minority. The R.S.K. has been the UNPA since 1992, but Croatia has launched three large offensives against Krajina's territories since then, while uninterrupted Croatian Army attacks on Serb positions along the demarcation lines ceased after a ceasefire had been signed last December. However, all efforts to reach a lasting agreement on a cessation of hostilities have been unsuccessful so far. The sources estimate that the main purpose of Monday's visit of Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic to the Senj-Lika District, bordering on the R.S.K. in western Croatia, was a preparation of a new "diplomatic offensive" against the R.S.K. Jure Radic, head of the presidential office and secretary-general of Croatia's ruling party the Croatian Democratic Union, confirmed on Saturday in Osijek that Croatia intended to initiate "a diplomatic offensive" backed by "a variety of political skills." The Osijek District borders on the R.S.K in eastern Croatia. The sources estimate that Croatia's officials will primarily undertake these activities to "collect evidence" that it is necessary for the United Nations to prolong its mandate in the R.S.K., i.e. to convince the international community that the re-integration of the R.S.K. into Croatia is impossible unless pressure is put on Krajina. The current UNPROFOR mandate in the R.S.K. is due to expire on March 31, and it is to be renewed by the

FBIS3-8377_0

Minister on CSCE Intervention, Minority Issues

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Belgrade, March 8 (TANJUG) -- The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will not allow the arrival of permanent missions of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in its territory until it is readmitted as a full member of this organization because this country refuses to be an object which will only carry out decisions which it has not made, the Yugoslav Minister for Human Rights and Rights of Minorities, Margit Savovic, said on Tuesday. She, however, underscored that this stand does not mean that certain missions will not be allowed to come, but only on condition that they announce they are arriving in Yugoslavia, and not in Kosovo (Serbia's southern province), Vojvodina (Serbia's northern province) or the Raska region (southeast region in Serbia, Turkish name Sandzak). Savovic said that there had been attempts that the activities of permanent missions be carried out by the representatives of several embassies in Yugoslavia, who had even submitted reports about their findings. They were, however, warned that this is out of the question. Yugoslavia also cannot accept the proposal by a Swedish independent foundation that U.N. civilian rule be imposed in Kosovo due to the alleged human rights violations in this Serbian province, because this represents an attempt to internationalize the situation in Kosovo and impose a U.N. protectorate in Yugoslavia, the minister said. The same or similar reasons exist for refusing a permanent UNESCO representative in Kosovo to help organize the situation in the province's education system, because this is an internal affair which should be resolved through talks rather than internationalization, Savovic said. For decades the Albanian separatists in Kosovo have been trying to secede this province from Serbia, i.e. Yugoslavia, and annex it to neighbouring Albania. The Albanian separatists are also using classical terrorist tactics of attacking the police and army. A letter by the Islamic Organization Conference to the U.N. Security Council about the violation of the human rights of the allegedly indigenous 'Bosnian Moslem' population in Raska (Sandzak), also represents interference in Yugoslavia's internal affairs together with a statement by Moslem leader Alija Izetbegovic that the so-called 'Moslem national council of Sandzak' should be included in the talks on the resolution of the crisis in the former Yugoslavia, Savovic said. Raska is a region divided between Montenegro, Serbia and the ex- Yugoslav republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is mainly populated by Moslems. Extremist

FBIS3-8433_0

`Certain Countries' Backsliding on Minority Rights

Language: Hungarian Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] Istvan Kulcsar reports on the foreign affairs spokesman's regular press briefing today. [Kulcsar] [Passage omitted] At the news conference Foreign Affairs Spokesman Janos Herman took several questions regarding the foreign ministers' meeting of the Central European Initiative in Trieste last weekend. He replied: [Begin Herman recording] At the foreign ministers' consultation, it could be detected that certain countries were backing out from handling the national minority issue. A proposal had been made earlier -- and every country of the organization agreed with this proposal in the initial stages -- to work out a document about the protection of national minority rights. The original idea was to ratify the document at a special foreign ministerial conference to be convened in Hungary. The attitude of Slovakia and the Czech Republic is currently less favorable than that of the former Czechoslovakia had been. Nevertheless, preparations of the document on the protection of national minority rights are continuing. The national coordinators will meet again in the near future, and we hope that this new consultation will produce progress in the formulation of the document. [end recording]

FBIS3-8488_10

Kovac Gives `State of Republic' Speech

discredit the political opponent. Our internal political scene ceases to be a place where there is a constructive exchange of views, a search for common ways out of a complicated situation. It is changing into an arena with a number of duels leading nowhere, in which many lose their judgment, their own face and character. Zealous fighters for their own truth often put their own interests above the needs of the state. They do not see or do not want to see the difficulties to which Slovakia is being led by the confrontational line they nurture. Unfortunately, we are witnessing how the nervousness of the political parties is increasingly being transferred to the citizens. On the other hand, it causes apathy toward internal political events, disenchantment, and mistrust of politicians. [passage omitted] Today we are not only facing the task of definitively breaking away from the practices of the pre-November regimes, but we must also carry out the vitally important maneuver of dissociating our country from postcommunism. This objective can be achieved only if we rely on the broadest basis of social change, newly awakened citizenship. [passage omitted] I propose that the National Council, the government, and the president's office nominate their own specialists to a group of responsible people who would set up a committee for dealing with questions of the strategic development of Slovakia [vybor pre otazky strategickeho rozvoja Slovenska]. The committee's task would be to ensure, in the organizational and conceptual sense and on the principles of the [word indistinct] system, the preparation of the necessary concept of modernization. At the same time, I appeal to banking circles and nonstate organizations to support this entire project as much as they can. I am turning to you, deputies of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, chairmen of committees and groups of deputies, leading officials of political parties and movements, representatives of the state authorities, leading officials of the state administration, and elected representatives of towns and village governments; I am turning to all of the citizens of the Slovak Republic who have the fate of their homeland at heart: Let us stop seeing one another as enemies only because we have different views. Let us not seek only mistakes in one another. Let us not argue about trifles that are being uselessly blown up by some politicians at speakers' tribunes. This is a path that leads us

FBIS3-8489_1

Granic Calls Washington Agreement `Historic'

of a decentralized Bosnia-Herzegovina and the proposed peace plans since the beginning -- from Cutiliero's to Vance-Owen's to Owen-Stoltenberg's -- which offered various degrees of decentralization. The Croat-Muslim talks on a confederation started as early as last fall, when several models of the organization of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its relations with Croatia were discussed. "However, there was no realistic force from the outside that would support one of the peace plans and become involved in their implementation, until, after the stagnation in the Geneva talks, the United States signaled that it would implement the agreement in consultation with Russia and the European Union," said Dr. Granic, adding that, following the U.S. decision to become actively involved in the peace process, U.S. Vice President Al Gore talked to President Tudjman on the phone, telling him about the U.S. initiative, which was accepted immediately, while, in the final stage of the Washington negotiations, President Clinton talked to the Croatian president. During the Washington negotiations, the consultations between Washington and Moscow, Washington and the European allies, and Granic and Tudjman were practically constant. "The reaching of the agreement was welcomed by practically all the important countries. Many European countries congratulated President Tudjman. The only country in which the agreement has been received with some anxiety is Serbia," said Minister Granic, adding that the Bosniak side also accepted the agreement very well, that all the members of its delegation involved in the negotiations were interested in the confederation between the Bosnia-Herzegovina federation and Croatia, and that the results on the ground, primarily those related to the ending of the conflict between the HVO [Croatian Defense Council] and the Bosnia-Herzegovina Army, were beyond expectations. As far as the special solutions are concerned, Granic said that western Bosnia would be a canton with the Muslim majority and one Croat municipality, while its demarcation with the Serbs is left to be negotiated. Posavina will be a canton with a Croat majority, considerably extended in relation to the present territory held by the Croats and Muslims, and will contain a corridor for the Serbs, but just a corridor. Talking about the pressures on the Croats regarding the reaching of an agreement, Minister Granic said that the Croat delegation entered the negotiations with thoroughly worked-out models that also contained the proposal of the Bosnia-Herzegovina federation and its confederation with Croatia, as the United States had the information that most Bosniaks

FBIS3-8492_0

President, NATO Official on Affiliation

Language: Albanian Article Type:BFN [Text] President Sali Berisha this afternoon received Loic Bouvard, president of the North Atlantic Assembly, and Peter Corterier, secretary general of the alliance. I would first like to express my deep gratitude for the contribution made to Albania's associate membership in the North Atlantic Assembly through an accelerated process, President Berisha said. I also have the pleasure of ascertaining that this visit of yours came after Albania clearly and finally demonstrated its Western pertinence. During the days of the ultimatum, Albania offered the alliance its ports and airports. We did so, first of all, to respect our Western roots, but to also defend those prominent values and principles that the North Atlantic Alliance has decided to defend in Bosnia. We also signed the Partnership for Peace plan with pleasure because we consider it an active and dynamic process in Albania's full and dignified membership in the pact. We hail the achievements that are being observed toward a solution to the extremely complicated crisis in Bosnia, Berisha continued. However, we observe with concern that this facilitation in the north is also accompanied by an increase in tension toward the south. There is an undeniable escalation of violence and terror in Kosova today. Out of revenge for the defeats suffered in the north, Milosevic is closing the last remaining legal institutions in Kosova one after another, such as the recent closure of the Albanological Institute and the harassment of its Albanian scientists. This is being carried out in full conformity with the memorandum of the Academy of Serbia, which anticipates the extermination and ethnic cleansing of the non-Slavic peoples in the territories included in Greater Serbia. We welcome and support the contribution made by the European Union, the United States, and Russia in resolving the Balkan crisis, but we ask for determination so that no one's presence can serve as an encouragement for the Serbs, who are the only aggressors, or serve their certain imperial aims. This would have had very serious consequences in the region's stability. I am happy to be in Albania, Mr. Bouvard said, and I am very enthusiastic about Albania's associate membership through an accelerated process, because Albania has showed itself worthy of this membership. We applaud your achievements in the determined and difficult reform that you have undertaken in the army. We consider Albania a country that belongs to Western Europe and a

FBIS3-8499_1

Andrejcak Discusses Defense, Military Issues

adopting specific technical and organizational measures and by creating the financial and material resources necessary for peace time and a possible conflict. [Hric] The fact of the matter is, we are drafting a defense doctrine in Slovakia for the first time. Until now, we have always accepted them from our powerful patrons--the French, the Germans, and the Soviets. [Andrejcak] Such a comprehensively formulated military doctrine is unique in the postcommunist states and is also rare in the rest of the world. As a rule, to me, this doctrine outlines the ideas, views, and activities--their declarations--of the state's political and military representatives. [Hric] Is it at all practical to devise a military doctrine without formulating the possible risks and dangers? Although we can imagine the diplomatic fireworks, what would happen then? [Andrejcak] We have defined precisely the internal and external risks in the Principles for the Slovak Republic's National Security. However, no states are mentioned there because we declare our interest in friendship with all states on the basis of equality. For this reason, I do not think it is necessary, even in this document, to identify the cardinal points. Soldiers have to be able to react to any potential threat to the state, regardless of the direction from which it comes. However, this is a question of military strategy and of military craft, which is not promulgated in public documents. [Hric] A too strong army, as well as a weak one, is also a source of instability. The former arouses anxiety, while the latter arouses the ambitions of neighbors. Do you think our Army has reached the exact level of so-called reasonable sufficiency? [Andrejcak] The concept of "reasonable sufficiency" evolved during the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact when the treaty on conventional armed forces was being drafted. A means of reducing the disproportionally high number of weapons in Europe and of maintaining the certitude of equal security for states was being sought. The number of troops and weapon systems proceeds from the extent of the territory and size of the population of this or that state. This principle and term were also used during the division of the former Czechoslovak Army. The 2:1 ratio corresponds to the size of our population and the extent of our territory. However, the treaty allows us to have slightly higher numbers than a proportional NATO member would have. We have a permitted ceiling of

FBIS3-8499_5

Andrejcak Discusses Defense, Military Issues

renamed. The aims are the same, regardless of the name. However, it would make no sense at all to form such units in peace time, within the framework of the permitted numbers, to the detriment of the units that have far more complex equipment and training. [Hric] Did Mr. Klepac not have something else in mind when he made this demand? [Andrejcak] Certainly not. He made it at the time of the joint Federal Army so that the units on our territory would have a Slovak command. There is no reason now to create a new ministry or other command for the "home guard." Two systems cannot protect the same territory without cooperating with each other; that would be nonsense. [Hric] Although Prime Minister Meciar repeatedly emphasized his satisfaction with the division of the Federal Army (as opposed to the division of the fleet, the airline, CEDOK, and so on), Mr. Slota has publicly aired his misgivings that you have filled Slovakia with military scrap. [Andrejcak] I suggested to the two prime ministers before the division of the Army that they appoint commissioners. The governments then appointed commissioners for individual sectors. They supervised the calculations of the group attached to the General Staff, for which I was responsible. The commissioners approved the fundamental principle of division and the correctness of the calculations. This is a matter of the level of information. I warned the commissioners in advance that they will sign documents on the division, and, in the event that doubts are expressed, they have to be prepared to thoroughly defend them. I am convinced that these hundreds of people did a perfect job. It is necessary to identify a problem and then express an opinion on it. [Hric] The Association of Slovak Soldiers repeatedly reproaches you for making alleged cuts of 400 million korunas, despite the shortage of apartments or resources for training. [Andrejcak] This is another old wives' tale that I have to keep on explaining ad infinitum: We adhered to the rules set by the government; we did not keep even a heller for ourselves. The accounting term leaked out and was misinterpreted. After all, we could not keep any money in our account because, on the contrary, we had to borrow for the apartments. [Hric] And, finally, according to opinion polls, as far as Slovakia's defense is concerned, 31 percent of the citizens trust the president,

FBIS3-8504_0

Holds News Conference

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Text] Belgrade, 11 Mar (TANJUG)--The European Union (EU) remains active in the peace process in the former Yugoslavia, Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias stressed upon his arrival in Belgrade today. In his statement to reporters at Surcin airport, Papoulias said the Bosnian crisis would be the first problem to be discussed at an informal EU meeting on 26 and 27 March. He did not specify whether he brought any proposals to Belgrade, but said: "I am here to make a contribution to the peace process in the capacity of the chairman of the European Council, but also as foreign minister of Greece, which is directly interested in the Balkan problem." Asked what was happening with the EU proposal after the Washington agreement had been signed, Papoulias did not give a direct answer, but replied that the latest EU activities had been discussed at the latest session of the EU Council of Ministers. "I would like to convince you that the EU will be actively present in the upcoming developments," he said. Asked whether the EU was upset about the United States having monopolized the issue, Papoulias said "we are not upset, but in any case, we want to remain present at the scene, together with powers such as the United States and Russia." According to him, nobody "must forget the EU's contribution so far and the ideas of the EU's program of activities, which remain the most significant ideas at present," he stressed. Asked about possible deployment of Turkish troops in Bosnia, Papoulias said that all Balkan countries were interested in the problem, since they had said in the past that no forces from any of the Balkan countries must be sent into former Yugoslavia. Papoulias said if Turkey sends its units, Greece would also consider sending its forces.

FBIS3-8558_0

NATO Official Addresses Parliament

Language: English Article Type:BFN ["We Are Looking Forward to Albania's Participation in NATO -- the Speech of Louis Bouvard, chairman of the North Atlantic Assembly to the Albanian Parliament" -- ATA headline] [Text] Tirana, March 10 (ATA) -- "The chairman of the North Atlantic Assembly has the honour of addressing one the oldest and bravest peoples in Europe. The wars waged by your country through centuries and the oppression exerted by one of the severest communist dictatorships in the world didn't subdue the legendary resistance of 'The eagle's sons.' You have been looked down upon until recently, but now you are manifesting an unprecedented zeal to integrate into Europe and Western democracies. "Showing our affection towards your country, I decided to accept your invitation and visit your country. "According to my proposal in Berlin a year ago, and with the unanimous approval of all our delegations, Albania became an associate member of our Assembly. In this context I have come to strengthen our relations. We are proud that you are among us. Your so fraternal and warm welcome you are extending to us, confirms once again that there is no doubt that you are part of Europe and you will be fully committed to your so important role. "You showed your loyalty to the international community by giving the warships of NATO and the Western European Union fully access to your waters to supervise the embargo against former Yugoslavia, thus placing the interest of regional stability above your personal interest. We are so indebted to you in this regard. "You showed your solidarity with NATO last month by proposing them to use your air bases in order to apply the measures envisaged by the ultimatum addressed to those who were attacking Sarajevo. You knew well the danger that was threatening you, anyhow you accepted to undertake this act being convinced that only this decision would help accelerate the re establishment of peace in Bosnia. "You offered your cooperation to some of our Alliance members for the realisation of a number of initiatives they had undertaken. Thus, by allowing U.S. aircrafts to come to your country to survey the movements of the military troops in former Yugoslavia, you once more placed the interest of the regional security above the personal interests. I assure you that these acts have been welcome by the governments and parliaments of the NATO member countries. "Your

FBIS3-8568_0

Fur Presses for Autonomy for National Minorities

Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Budapest, 9 March (MTI) -- The ethnic Hungarian minorities living outside of Hungary would gain the best chance for survival by being granted autonomy, Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) Chairman Lajos Fur told a rally at Salgotarjan, northern Hungary, tonight. "Hungary's internal stability and international relations, drawing a protective net around the country, are insufficient for the security of the country. Nor is it sufficient to keep the Army on a level enabling it to defend the country. For the security of Hungary, appropriate conditions should be guaranteed for the survival of ethnic Hungarian communities abroad," Fur said. The rally was attended by members of the MDF National Presidium and the cabinet.

FBIS3-8634_0

Ambassador to Croatia Views Federation

Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Interview with Bisera Turkovic, the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina's ambassador to Croatia, by Milan Jelovac; place and date not given: "The Serbs Will Also Accept the Federation"] [Text] Mrs. Bisera Turkovic is the ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina to Croatia, a country which, according to the Washington agreement, could soon form a confederation with the Republic of Croatia. On this occasion, we asked her to comment on the documents signed in Washington. [Turkovic] They were preliminary agreements on forming a federal Bosnia-Herzegovina and a confederal union of the two sovereign states, the Republic of Croatia and the federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The agreement involves calming down the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina and not only that: It might eliminate the danger of the definitive collapse of the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina and of creating a precedent that would then definitely also be applied to the Republic of Croatia. [Jelovac] You, therefore, think that signatures of the Croatian and Muslim representatives in Washington saved the state of Bosnia-Herzegovina? [Turkovic] They saved Bosnia-Herzegovina for sure, but partly also Croatia, considering what could happen after a possible division of Bosnia-Herzegovina. [Jelovac] What kind of state will it be? What about the Serbs, who are a constituent nation in Bosnia-Herzegovina? [Turkovic] Bosnia-Herzegovina should be organized as a federation, composed of cantons that would be constituted according to the majority nation, whether Croatian or Bosniak. Naturally, the concept of federation, i.e., of cantonization, is open and offered to the Serbs as well. [Jelovac] With regard to the great interest in central Bosnia, can you tell us which central Bosnian towns will be included in the Croatian canton? [Turkovic] Details of that agreement, primarily the borders, the exact areas of demarcation, will be determined on the basis of an appendix to the agreement. Working groups are supposed to determine that in Vienna in 11 days. We will then know the answer to many questions, all the details on the demarcation of the cantons and their number. After that, on 15 March, President Tudjman and President Izetbegovic are to sign the final agreement on the federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the agreement on the confederation of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. [Jelovac] The possible confederation foresees a common currency and borders, and the free flow of people and capital. Will there be a border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and will there be customs? [Turkovic] As this will be a customs union,

FBIS3-8634_4

Ambassador to Croatia Views Federation

peace, normalize relations, and save human lives, which should be our first goal. The U.S. formula is ideal: It enables the preservation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, very substantial rights, and the national identities in this case of two nations, and it also gives a chance to the third one within the framework of the proposed federation. [Jelovac] How do you interpret the return of Russia to the Balkans, and especially to Bosnia-Herzegovina, in view of the open support that it is giving to the Bosnian Serbs? [Turkovic] It is no secret, it is quite clear and quite logical. However, the support can be interpreted in different ways. Someone's patronage can be directed in a positive sense, toward bringing people to their senses. It can also be in a negative context, in the sense of creating irrational illusions about domination and power. At this moment, we see the role of Russia as positive. Russia is obviously having a realistic and rational influence on the Serbs, who probably had illusions about much greater protection, which would unquestioningly protect everything Serbian regardless of reality and the irrationality of the demands. The latest meeting between Karadzic and Kosyrev, which resulted in the Serbs agreeing to reopen Tuzla airport, proves that. So does Karadzic's acceptance of the federation between the Bosniaks and the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and also his openness to finding ways for the Serbs to accept the Bosnia-Herzegovina federation as well. That will not be easy but we must begin somewhere. [Jelovac] The first reactions of the Bosnian Serbs to the Washington agreement called it "an internal matter between the Croats and the Muslims." Judging from the statements of Western officials who do not directly mention the Serbs, the third constituent nation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, one gets the impression that the Serbs are even being given the possibility to leave Bosnia- Herzegovina and join the FRY [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]. Anyway, Karadzic's main political goal is the unification "of all Serbian lands." What will happen to the Serbs, will they stay in Bosnia-Herzegovina or will they leave? [Turkovic] At this moment, there are different interpretations of the situation. There are external elements that must not be neglected, for they can be crucial. It would be naive to believe that the destiny of the Balkans and Bosnia-Herzegovina exclusively depends upon their inhabitants. There are, of course, much wider strategic interests that have always determined the outcome of

FBIS3-8667_0

Papoulias Comments

Language: Greek Article Type:BFN [Text] Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias concluded his talks in Belgrade with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic on the Bosnian issue. After their meeting, Mr. Papoulias described the talks as successful and expressed the hope that the crisis will be overcome. He further noted that his meeting with Mr. Milosevic was very useful and announced that the European Union's [EU] plan for the settlement of the Bosnian crisis remains the nucleus of talks. Responding to a question if Greece would change its stance and become involved in the Balkan crisis if Turkey became involved in the crisis, Mr. Papoulias said: Greece's position remains that the Balkan peoples should not be involved in this crisis. However, if this principle is violated then a new state of affairs is created and our country should make new decisions in accordance with its own interests as well as the region's interests. The foreign minister also added that in our capacity as EU presidency, we should convince, as he put it, others on the examination and decision, in principle, on lifting the trade embargo against Yugoslavia. If the lifting of the embargo will contribute toward a peaceful process then these questions must certainly be addressed. Mr. Papoulias further noted that he discussed with Slobodan Milosevic the situation in Skopje [The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia--FYROM] and the intervention in the Balkan crisis by forces that are not related to the region. Mr. Papoulias made it clear that the moves by other, non-Balkan countries for a peaceful solution of the problem are welcome, without this meaning involvement in the problem. Mr. Papoulias is now attending a working luncheon being hosted in his honor by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. The two-day visit to Russia, which Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias was to begin today, has been postponed because of his Russian counterpart's departure for Israel.

FBIS3-8668_1

Criticism of Foreign Involvement in Bosnia

reexamine the relations between the Unites States and Western Europe and the United States and Russia. These relations are also being mutually reexamined and reshaped precisely on the issue of the war in the former Bosnia-Herzegovina. It has transpired that Western Europe--that is, the European Union--for a long time failed to contribute toward a solution for the Balkan war zone. Therefore, the United States has taken the initiative, more to demonstrate to the European Union that it is not capable of resolving such a problem than to actually solve the problem, and even less to solve it justly. The political message is clear. Europe is not capable of resolving such conflicts by itself and the presence of the United States is inevitable. [passage omitted] Speaking about the sanctions, let us recall that Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in a meeting with Greek diplomacy chief Karolos Papoulias actually sent a message to the European Union saying that it has a great political obligation to abolish the sanctions against FRY [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia], keeping in mind that the Serbian side had accepted its peace plan, a component of which is also an abolition of the embargo. Prolongation of the sanctions against our country encourages precisely those forces that aspire to accomplish their goals by war, the Serbian president emphasized. As the time is advancing, there is less belief in the Muslim-Croatian federation in Bosnia, as well as a confederation of this federation and Croatia. Does this not mean that instead of a practical step toward peace, an illusion has been created among the international public that the United States is trying to do something--that is, paving the way to force the Serbian side, primarily politically but if possible also militarily, into new territorial concessions. There are increasingly more facts that suggest that this is the true aim of this agreement. Izetbegovic says he would need 60 percent of the territory. The international media assess that the Muslim side would be satisfied with 50 percent or even less territory of the former Bosnia-Herzegovina. In any case, Izetbegovic has doubled his tactics to accomplish this goal. He is faking political cooperativeness in front of the world, as instructed by his tutors, but simultaneously does not hide new military offensive actions against the Serbian positions. On the other hand, Croatian President Tudjman in his apparent cooperativeness wants to take advantage of the expiry of yet

FBIS3-8668_2

Criticism of Foreign Involvement in Bosnia

Union--for a long time failed to contribute toward a solution for the Balkan war zone. Therefore, the United States has taken the initiative, more to demonstrate to the European Union that it is not capable of resolving such a problem than to actually solve the problem, and even less to solve it justly. The political message is clear. Europe is not capable of resolving such conflicts by itself and the presence of the United States is inevitable. [passage omitted] Speaking about the sanctions, let us recall that Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in a meeting with Greek diplomacy chief Karolos Papoulias actually sent a message to the European Union saying that it has a great political obligation to abolish the sanctions against FRY [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia], keeping in mind that the Serbian side had accepted its peace plan, a component of which is also an abolition of the embargo. Prolongation of the sanctions against our country encourages precisely those forces that aspire to accomplish their goals by war, the Serbian president emphasized. As the time is advancing, there is less belief in the Muslim-Croatian federation in Bosnia, as well as a confederation of this federation and Croatia. Does this not mean that instead of a practical step toward peace, an illusion has been created among the international public that the United States is trying to do something--that is, paving the way to force the Serbian side, primarily politically but if possible also militarily, into new territorial concessions. There are increasingly more facts that suggest that this is the true aim of this agreement. Izetbegovic says he would need 60 percent of the territory. The international media assess that the Muslim side would be satisfied with 50 percent or even less territory of the former Bosnia-Herzegovina. In any case, Izetbegovic has doubled his tactics to accomplish this goal. He is faking political cooperativeness in front of the world, as instructed by his tutors, but simultaneously does not hide new military offensive actions against the Serbian positions. On the other hand, Croatian President Tudjman in his apparent cooperativeness wants to take advantage of the expiry of yet another United Nations Protection Force mandate for new threats and not only that to the republic of Serbian Krajina. Regardless of everything, it is increasingly more difficult for the international public to invent endless lies about what is happening in the former Yugoslavia. [passage omitted]

FBIS3-8673_32

Text of Address

only a few weeks ago called for a strong action in Komarno [where Hungarians called for autonomy] saying that there was a need to use force. If this does not serve as a reminder it does not matter. But do not regret it afterwards. As regard to matters connected with the further development of our political system, at issue is not merely the purity of our society but a climate must inevitably be created, or rather the current climate must be changed in regard to the attitude parties take toward the state and the citizen. The fact that so many people have at present turned indifferently to politics, this my esteemed fellow deputies, represents a common failure of ours, both yours and mine, even if we come out of this best in this respect. Nonetheless, this is a failure. A citizen who is indifferent to public affairs poses the biggest threat to the state. You also have such people among your own voters. This is not merely our own disease. This poses a risk to the state and it cannot go on. To build on the collapse of our society's subconsciousness, the collapse of the interest in politics is not a policy for the future. This is a defeat for the state. Whoever builds on such a premise is himself a loser. Such a person will no longer be able to govern in any other way but with the help of the police. Up to now we did not need to do anything of this kind for we have been enjoying enough of the people's trust. When making up your minds today, think well of what will happen after the elections. Do not create a state of affairs that would make cooperation difficult or even impossible after the elections have taken place. Those of you who are even a bit realistic know that we will win the elections. It does not matter when they take place. Do not draw a conclusion that would create a situation in which today's success paves way to a subsequent failure. I warn you and beg you to heed this advice. Allow me now to express my own personal attitude. Along with my friends and colleagues--whether they are in the government or in our movement--I have achieved what no Slovak has succeeded in achieving in several decades or even centuries. I know none of the

FBIS3-8721_0

Official Accuses Muslims of Provoking Conflict

Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Pool" item] [Text] New York, March 14 (TANJUG) -- Islamic countries are trying, in cooperation with the Bosnian Muslims, to provoke a conflict in Raska, a region stretching across both the Yugoslav Republics of Serbia and Montenegro, and are, thereby, endangering the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Yugoslav Ambassador to the U.N. Dragomir Djokic has said. In a letter sent to the U.N. Security Council on Monday, Djokic set out that the Muslims in Raska had the same rights as all other citizens of the F.R.Y. The Yugoslav ambassador said the accusations presented by the member-countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in the letter to the U.N. Security Council of March 3, according to which the Muslims in Raska were victims of repressive measures and persecution, were false and unfounded. Djokic said the OIC was not only falsifying history with the presented accusations, but also instigating the spreading of the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which its member-countries allegedly wanted to prevent. Djokic said that what was involved was dangerous interference in the internal affairs of the F.R.Y. and undermining of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He specified that the alleged territorial and historical individuality of the so-called Sandzak (Turkish name for Raska), on which Islamic countries insisted, reflected the territorial claims of extremist Muslim forces, that is, their wish to include Raska into Bosnia- Herzegovina. The Yugoslav ambassador said the chief goal was to internationalize the case of "Sandzak" and have the region break away from the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro. Djokic said individual incidents in Raska were strictly the doing of terrorist groups, involved in illicit arms trade, which he said instigated rebellion for the sake of creating an independent state of "Sandzak." The Yugoslav ambassador said the F.R.Y. would not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect its constitution, territorial integrity, and legal order. The leaders of the Sarajevo-based extremist Muslim Democratic Action Party (SDA) for Raska call for the secession of the region, where Muslims account for a half of the population, and its merger with a Bosnian Muslim state advocated by Bosnian Muslim fundamentalist leader Alija Izetbegovic. Authorities in Serbia and Montenegro recently arrested members of a Muslim terrorist group who were plotting an armed rebellion in Raska. The group leader Sulejman Ugljanin is on the run.

FBIS3-8730_1

Stoltenberg Interviewed on Bosniak-Croat Accord

in the efforts at putting an end to the war in former Yugoslavia. Stoltenberg gave an interview to MLADA FRONTA DNES on this subject. [Palata] Mr. Stoltenberg, how do you evaluate the most recent peace agreement concluded between Zagreb and the Bosnian Muslims and Croats in Washington? [Stoltenberg] The Washington treaty is an interesting and important step in the right direction. I believe that the Muslims and Croats have embarked on the right road. They selected the correct time for this, and the document they signed is a very good basis for the peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. [Palata] Has the end of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina come any closer after the signing of the treaty? [Stoltenberg] I hope so. It seems to me that a new situation has arisen. Lord Owen and I have worked long and hard toward our goal, toward which the peace efforts must be aimed. Now, this may have succeeded, let us hope. The European Union took the initiative before Christmas. Now, the United States and Russia have also joined in. I do not believe that it would be possible to arrive at the final goal without the European Union, Washington, and Moscow cooperating together. [Palata] Does the treaty between the Croats and Muslims mean the end of Bosnia-Herzegovina as a state? [Stoltenberg] No, certainly not. [Palata] Do you still believe that it would be possible to reestablish the country within its former borders? [Stoltenberg] Yes. No peace efforts can solve everything, however. For a long time we have been failing to find a solution without imposing an ultimatum. We have nine theoretical models here, which look different in the field and different when you view them from a negotiating table. They cannot be implemented without an agreement between the parties at war. We cannot force people to live together. Look at the Middle East. Despite the treaties that have been concluded, the situation still depends on whether certain people are able to live together. [Stoltenberg] Does the Geneva Peace Plan of the European Union have any importance after the agreement has been signed in Washington? [Palata] The Washington agreement is a basis for fulfilling the action plan. When you look simultaneously at the plan and at the agreement concluded in the U.S. capital you will see that they are based on the same principle. Moreover, the European Union has participated actively in drafting the Muslim-Croatian treaty.