🚀 go-pugleaf

PRESS CUT - Croatian Press News in English	

October 9, 1998


* TOP STORY

1. TALKING TIME TICKING AWAY!

* CROATIA

2. TENDERS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
3. HEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE, SARINIC, RESIGNS & LEAVES HDZ!
4. HISTORIC DAY FOR CROATIAN RELATIONS WITH VATICAN
5. EXCLUSIVE: OHR PROPOSAL FOR SPECIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN FB&H AND CROATIA
6. SOTIN EXHUMATION CONTINUES
7. UN ON DONATORS CONFERENCE FOR CROATIA
8. AMERICANS IN ZAGREB WARNED TO BE CAREFUL
9. MONTENEGRO TO TALK WITH CROATIA INDEPENDENTLY
10. VJESNIK IS ONLINE
11. UEFA AXES CUP WINNERS CUP - CROATIA WITH 4 TEAMS IN EUROPEAN SOCCER
12. PANATHINAIKOS TOO STRONG FOR CIBONA
13. HELLO MALTA, CROATIA CALLING!

* BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

14. HIGH REPRESENTATIVE REMOVES SDS VICE-CHAIRMAN CAVIC FROM OFFICE
15. SOPTA INVITED TO CROATIAS TOP MILITARY ACADEMY
16. DUBRAVE AIRPORT TO REOPEN
17. JUDICIAL LENIENCY GRANTED TO 49 PEOPLE
18. IPTF COMMISSIONER WANTS BUNTIC REMOVED
* YUGOSLAVIA

19. RE-BROADCASTING BANNED IN SERBIA
20. SERBS FIRE AT ALBANIAN TROOPS



Todays Exchange Rates: http://www.hic.hr/turizam/tecaj/
Todays Weather Report: http://www.hic.hr/turizam/prognoza/
HELP BUILD THE CHURCH IN TIVAT! Visit: http://www.hic.hr/tivat
Everything you want to know
about Papal visit to Croatia: http://www.papa.hr (Croatian)
			      http://www.pope.hr (English)	

***


* TOP STORY

1. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
TALKING TIME TICKING AWAY!

WASHINGTON, BRUSSELS - U.S. President Bill Clinton said in Washington on 7
October that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic runs the risk of NATO
air strikes against Serbia unless he fully meets the demands of the UN
Security Council. The president added: "I believe it is absolutely
imperative that there be a cease-fire, a withdrawal of troops, that the
humanitarian groups get access to these hundreds of thousands of people who
have been displaced, and that negotiations resume.... The most important
thing we can do is work with the Russians to try to actually avoid military
strikes by securing Milosevic's compliance. If he does that, if he
completely complies, he doesn't have to worry about military force.... I do
not believe the United States can be in a position and I do not believe
NATO can be in a position, of letting tens of thousands of people starve or
freeze to death this winter because Milosevic didn't keep his word."

On the other hand, U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke arrived in Brussels
on Wednesday to brief Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and NATO
leaders on his talks with Serbian and Kosovo leaders during the previous
two days. He met with Milosevic three times but did not secure an agreement
to end the crisis in Kosovo. Albright made a statement yesterday, which can
be considered the strongest one so far. "Milosevic did not grasp the
severity of the situation
 Therefore the only remaining option are air
strikes," stated the American secretary of state. Holbrooke will be in
Belgrade again today in a last ditch effort to get Milosevic to comply with
UN Security Council Resolution 1199, or else NATO will truly take to the
skies. The Yugoslav leader's office issued a statement saying that
threats against Serbia only make the crisis worse. American officials in
Washington noted that Serbian forces are "digging in for the winter" in
Kosovo, despite Milosevic's repeated assertions that they have withdrawn.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov is scheduled to meet with Milosevic in
Belgrade on Wednesday before the Russian diplomat travels to London for
talks with the other foreign ministers of the international Contact Group
countries.

NATO Secretary General Javier Solana told CNN on Wednesday that air strikes
could be only "days" away. In fact, on Thursday NATO Council ratified
operational plans for air strikes, which are more detailed and extensive
than last weeks limited action plans. At the same time, plans for
introducing ground forces to keep the peace have entered the drawing board,
which would put both the Milosevic regime and ht international community
at ease. A high ranking NATO official stated that the alliance is going
ahead with preparations for an activation order, which is the final step
before actual military action is taken. This activation order means the
SACEUR takes over commend of the multinational forces and then only the
fire order has to be issued before air strikes can begin. In any case,
very little time has been left for diplomatic activity, as the big guns are
ready and waiting to start attacking Serbian military targets.

***


* CROATIA

2. Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
TENDERS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS


FOUNDATION OF THE CROATIAN STATE VOW
Gunduliceva 21A,
10000 Zagreb
Republic of Croatia
Tel.: +385-1-485-4555
Fax.: +385-1-485-4266
Email: zaklada@alf.tel.hr

Tenders for student scholarships for the academic year of 1998/99.

The Foundation of the Croatian State Vow (henceforth: Foundation) wishes to
announce tenders for 16 scholarships according to the following:


1.  Eight scholarships for IV year studies in the field of social -
humanistic and information sciences;
2.  Two scholarships for final year undergraduate and postgraduate studies
for Croatian students abroad from the fields of Croatian language or history;
3.  Five scholarships for master degrees in the field of social -
humanistic and information sciences;
4.  One doctorate degree in the field of social - humanistic sciences.


1.  The Foundation will offer a final contract to each candidate who has
been chosen based on this tender for scholarships, according to which the
Foundation will award him/her a scholarship of 1,000.00 kunas per month for
undergraduate studies, 1,500.00 kunas per month for masters degree studies
and studies abroad and 2,000.00 kunas per month for doctorate studies.
2.  Any person who submits an application for this tender by October 23,
1998, may become a chosen candidate, if he/she can prove the following:

a) He/she is a citizen of the Republic of Croatia or of Croatian ethnicity,
for undergraduate studies younger than 25 years, and for a masters or
doctorate degree younger than 32 years;
b) That he/she has completed the previous year of undergraduate studies in
the above mentioned fields with an average of 3.5 or higher (70% or higher);
c) That he/she is able to communicate in at least one international language;
d) That he/she has had experience with any charity or social activities
(association of citizens, students or any other non-government organisation);
e) That he/she has some sort of practical experience in his/her field
(desirable);

3.  The Foundation will offer a Scholarship Contract, no later than
November 31, 1998, to candidates who have been invited to an interview
concerning their study interests.

Applications and proof of fulfilling the set requirements should be
forwarded, no later than October 23, 1998, to: Foundation of the Croatian
State Vow, Gunduliceva 21A, 10000 Zagreb, Republic of Croatia.



In accordance with Article 10 of the Statute of the Foundation of the
Croatian State Vow, the FOUNDATION ADMINISTRATION, at its September 29,
1998, session passed the following DECISION ON SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TALENTED
STUDENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AS WELL AS DOCTORATES


Article 1.

The Foundation will take on all the current recipients of scholarships for
undergraduate and postgraduate studies, except for scholarship students of
year IV and scholarship students who have received a scholarship from
another institution in the meantime. Scholarship students for undergraduate
studies will be offered an extension of their contracts for scholarships in
the academic year of 1998/99 if they enrol into the next year of studies by
October 15.


Article 2.

The Foundation announces tenders for 16 scholarships:

1.  Eight scholarships for IV year studies in the field of social -
humanistic and information sciences;
2.  Two scholarships for final years of undergraduate and postgraduate
studies from the fields of Croatian language or history, for Croatian
students abroad;
3.  Five scholarships for master degrees in the field of social -
humanistic and information sciences;
4.  One doctorate degree in the field of social - humanistic sciences.


Article 3.

Scholarships will be paid monthly, seven times for the academic year of
1998/99, beginning November 1, 1998, until June 30, 1999. Scholarships will
not be paid for February 1999. Scholarships for undergraduate studies
amounts to 1,000.00 kunas; 1,500.00 kunas masters degree studies and
studies abroad and 2,000.00 kunas for doctorate studies.


Article 4.

A committee for scholarships is appointed, comprising:

President:	
========
Prof. Dr. Smiljko Sokol (also for the field of law, history and political
sciences).

Members:
========	
Ass. Prof. Dr. Djuro Njavro (field of economic sciences);
Ass. Prof. Dr. Marko Sapunar (field of journalist and information sciences);
Ante Beljo (studies abroad: Croatian language or Croatian history).

Zdeslav Milas has been appointed as the Committee Secretary.


Article 5.

The task of the committee is to carry out interviews with all registered
candidates and to prepare notes on each candidate and to verify the truth
of their references. In principle, candidates will be interviewed by the
member of the committee who is from their particular field as stated in
Article 4.

The committee establishes the proposal for granting scholarships to the
Foundation Administration.


Article 6.

This Decision is immediately valid.



Zagreb, September 29, 1998.

Dr. Ivic Pasalic
Director of the Foundation

***

3. Hina, Hrvoje Sarinic dao ostavku na sve funkcije i izisao iz HDZ-a,
Vecernji list, October 9, 1998, p. 3.
HEAD OF PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE, SARINIC, RESIGNS & LEAVES HDZ!

ZAGREB - Hrvoje Sarinic made a public statement yesterday that he has
unconditionally resigned on from all state and party functions on October 1.

"Yesterday, on October 7, I spoke with the President (Franjo Tudjman) and
convinced him that the political decision to remove me was made without the
investigation results linked to my public statements September 25 and 26.
Hence, there are no more obstacles in the way of informing the public of my
decision," says Sarinics press release.

The resignation Sarinic submitted to President Tudjman on October 1 reads

"Very honoured Mister President, My latest public political appearances
have agitated the HDZ, which initiated its repressive party machinery to
decide on my political future. I cannot and will not allow this. I agreed
to colleague to colleague talks and discussions, but I resolutely refused
to attend any of the proposed hearings. This is all reminiscent some
distant times and methods I believed were forever behind us.

"Regardless of all events and controversies caused by my public statements,
I wish to state the arguments and information that caused me to make such
statements at the next session of the Party Presidency and National Council.

"In the aim of preserving my human and political dignity, as well as my
wish to make everybodys work easier - especially your own, Mr. President -
and because I have dependable information that the decision to remove me
from the party and all the functions I hold has already been made, I feel
at liberty to submit an unconditional resignation of my memberships and
functions. These are: membership to the HDZ; membership to the National
Defence and Security Council; function of being the head of your office;
membership to the Executive Board of INA; membership in the Administrative
Committee of the Croatian Information and Cultural Institute.

"I am leaving our nine-year journey together enriched with an exceptional
life experience and enormous pride for my small part in the achievement of
the largest project in the history of the Croatian people: a
self-sufficient, independent, whole and internationally recognised state of
Croatia.

Please, Mr. President, accept my profound personal respects."

***

4. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
HISTORIC DAY FOR CROATIAN RELATIONS WITH VATICAN

ZAGREB - Today is a historic day in relations between Croatia and the
Vatican. It is expected that a special agreement on economic relations will
be signed by Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Jure Radic and the Apostolic
Nuncio to Croatia Giulio Einaudi.

This agreement will be the fourth and final one solving all important
questions between Croatia and the Vatican. After the agreement is signed a
joint Croatian and church committee will list all church properties in
Croatia confiscated after WW II and then work out the questions of return
or compensation to the Vatican.

Croatia is one of the few countries in the world and the only transitional
country to sign such an agreement with the Vatican.

***

5. Jozo Pavkovic, Posebni odnosi bez carinske i monetarne unije, Vecernji
list, October 9, 1998, p. 2.
EXCLUSIVE: OHR PROPOSAL FOR SPECIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN FB&H AND CROATIA

SARAJEVO - The Office of the High Representative has completed an agreement
proposal concerning special relations between the B&H Federation entity and
Croatia.

The newest proposal results from consultations with ambassadors Sclar and
Klein, as well as the entitys leaders. Thus far, there has been nothing -
beginning with the Washington Agreement in 1994, which presumed a
confederation of Croatia and the B&H Federation, to the Dayton accords in
1995, which presumed special relations, through to this latest proposal by
High Representative Carlos Westendorp - that would make Croatian-Federation
relations more special than any others between neighbouring countries.

The first agreement on special relations included a customs and monetary
union, military co-operation
 The Bosniak-Muslim side systematically got
rid of and toned down certain provisions from the drafts. In the end, only
the form which satisfies the Dayton Accord obligations remains. The
document we managed to get a hold of only mentions in principle
co-operation in ten points.

The Westendorp draft of the document does not have to be signed anyway, as
it contains what is in the Constitution of the B&H Federation.
Izetbegovics advisor Mirza Hajric said this for Vecernji list: "Special
relations can only exist if the B&H Federations Constitution is followed."

"This is a compromise, but much closer to what the Muslim side wanted to
achieve," said Federation Vice-president Vladimir Soljic. He added that the
Croatian and Bosniak-Muslim sides have differing approaches to the
relations. Croatians insist on economic, defence and cultural co-operation,
while the Bosniaks are more interested in simply signing a document rather
than making a substantial special agreement. That is, they want actual
relations with Croatia to be as normal as with, for example, Malaysia. Even
if there was no Croatian corpus in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said Soljic, the
two countries are directed toward one another. Further, Westendorps
compromises have a major flaw: there is no joint property usage in his
proposal. There is also no defence co-operation, which would lower the
costs, as Croatia and B&H have complimentary military facilities left over
from Yugoslavian era. Finally, The relations between Croatians in B&H with
Croatia are not defined.

While Hajric sees no reason to sign a special relations agreement in
concert with the agreements on Ploce and Neum, the Croatia feels this is
important. In any case, drafts will be introduced for debate in the
parliaments of Croatia and the B&HF.

***

6. M.F., Nastavljena ekshumacija u Sotinu, October 9, 1998, p. 6.
SOTIN EXHUMATION CONTINUES

VUKOVAR - The exhumation of the mass grave in Sotin continued yesterday,
after 12 bodies were exhumed the first day.

"We exhumed the remains of eight people from the mass grave near Sotin, in
the Vucedol vineyards. The rest were individual cases," said First
Lieutenant Marko Milos.

Milos is the trustee for the Government Commission for Detained and Missing
Persons, which is heading the exhumation. Digging continues in the centre
of Sotin, at a Catholic cemetery, where eight individual graves were
discovered.

***

7. Hina, U UN-u o donatorskoj konferenciji, Vjesnik, October 9, 1998,
Front Page.
UN ON DONATORS CONFERENCE FOR CROATIA

NEW YORK - Overall social development in Croatia could be substantially
assisted by the planned international donators conference for renewal and
development, said Croatian UN representative Ivan Simonovic.

In his address on Wednesday to the UN General Assembly, Simonovic spoke
about the consequences the aggression had on social development in Croatia.
"As a Central European and Mediterranean country, Croatia could be in that
group of states which offer their assistance. However, the price of
aggression is such that we still cannot take on such a role,"

Simonovic also spoke about the national employment program, welfare for the
young and socially threatened people, as well as the position of women and
children.

***

8. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
AMERICANS IN ZAGREB WARNED TO BE CAREFUL

ZAGREB - The US embassy in Zagreb warned American citizens in Croatia to be
cautious because of  possible reactions from FR Yugoslavia and Republika
Srpska to potential NATO military action. "It is recommended that citizens
of the United States in Croatia closely monitor the developments and pay
special attention to their own personal safety
 As the reactions of
Belgrade authorities and Serbian citizens, Montenegro and Republika Srpska
are quite unpredictable
 In the case of a possible NATO military
intervention against FR Yugoslavia," says the statement.

Personnel employed in the US embassy in Zagreb are taking extra precautions
before business trips to Croatian regions bordering with Serbia, especially
in the Danube Region or the northern part of Republika Srpska. The State
Department has already issued warnings to Americans to carefully consider
going to FR Yugoslavia, Montenegro or Republika Srpska in B&H, and has
called on its citizens to leave these areas.

***

9. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
MONTENEGRO TO TALK WITH CROATIA INDEPENDENTLY

PODGORICA - Delegations of FR Yugoslavia and the Republic of Croatia will
meet in Belgrade today to continue bilateral talks on the Prevlaka dispute.
However, there will be no Montenegrins present in the FRY delegation.
Montenegrin Foreign Affairs Minister Branko Perovic announced that
Montenegro intends to contact Croatia independently to talk about opening
the Debeli Brijeg border crossing.

***

10. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
VJESNIK IS ONLINE

ZAGREB - The presidents of the administrative boards of Vjesnik and
Hrvatske tiskare (Croatian press), Ivan Bozicevic and Goran Maric, signed
a merger agreement yesterday.

According to Bozicevic, this was done at the initiative of the majority
shareholders of both companies, that is, the state funds of Vjesnik and
Hrvatske tiskare. The two have merged into one corporation called
Vjesnik d.d.. There will be a meeting of the shareholders from both
corporations within 40 days to choose a supervisory board of the new
corporation, as well as a new administration.

Bozicevic and the editor-in-chief of Vjesnik, Nenad Ivankovic, also
presented the new web pages of the Vjesnik daily. The web pages have
already had over 10,000 visitors since opening October 2. The address for
Vjesnik online is http://www.vjesnik.com.

***

11. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
UEFA AXES CUP WINNERS CUP - CROATIA WITH 4 TEAMS IN EUROPEAN SOCCER

LISBON - There will be radical changes to European soccer action as of next
season. UEFA has decided to make the competition more interesting and has
will merge the UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup competitions. Furthermore, the
Champions League will expand from 24 to 32 teams.

What this means for Croatian soccer, according to the current UEFA ratings,
is that it could have two teams in the Champions League, plus another two
in the alternate merged league (UEFA + Cup Winners Cup). The system to be
used to qualify for Champions league play is the reason for this. This is
how it will work:

The defending champion plus nine champions of the top nine countries
according UEFA rankings and six second place teams from the top six
countries according to the UEFA ranking will automatically qualify for the
Champions League (16 teams). The other 16 teams would be determined through
three qualifying rounds, where the first round would have 22 champions from
the countries ranked 27 to 48 according to UEFA. Those 11 winners would
play the second qualifier against six second place teams from countries
ranked 10 to 15 place and another 11 champions from countries ranked 16 to
26 according to UEFA. The winners of those games would enter the third
round of qualifications, where they will have to face the 6 third place
teams from UEFAs 1 to 6 ranked countries; 3 fourth place teams from UEFA 1
to 3 ranked countries; 3 second placed teams from countries UEFA ranked 7
to 9; and 6 champions from countries UEFA ranked 10 to 15. The results of
these games would provide the other 16 teams for the Champions League,
which then will be divided into eight groups of 4 teams. The first 2 teams
from each group would be divided into four groups of four. The top two
teams from these groups would become quarterfinalists, followed by
semi-finals and the final game in May.

All of the above information is very good for Croatia, as UEFA has it
ranked 13th, meaning that the second place team begins its European
competition in the second qualifying round and the champion then joins the
action in the third and final qualifying round. This means that Croatia
could potentially have two teams in the Champions League.

***

12. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
PANATHINAIKOS TOO STRONG FOR CIBONA

ZAGREB - Last night, the Drazen Petrovic Basketball Hall saw the game of
the season for Cibona, as the most expensive (20 million DM) European
basketball team came to town to play the their third round Group B game in
the Euroleague. Though Cibona stormed onto the floor and had a 10:0 lead by
the sixth minute, Panathinaikos got its bearings and finished the first
half +10. The game continued with the Greeks, lead by Croatian national
team member Dino Radja (21 points), continued to dominate and thus the game
ended 61:69 (39:29) for the visitors. The top scorer for Cibona was Kenneth
Atkins with 14 points. Here are the Group B standings after three rounds of
play:

Panathinaikos		+36	6
EFES Pilsen		+16	6
TDK Manresa		+13	5
Cibona			-12	4
Crvena Zvezda		-22	3
Maccabi		-31	3

***

13. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
HELLO MALTA, CROATIA CALLING!

ZAGREB, LA VALLETTA - Tonight and tomorrow Croatian soccer will visit
Malta, as they will be battling for valuable points to qualify for the 2000
European Championship. The juniors will kick off at 19:00 (CET). Coach Ivo
Susak is confident his boys will be better than the Maltese juniors.
However, he said, "the ball is round, so better team does not necessarily
always win
 Just look at what happened to Hajduk in the UEFA Cup against
Fiorentina
"

Coach Blazevic of the senior Croatian Selects is a little worried, but
believes the best of the Croatian best will shine in Malta. Croatian goalie
Drazen Ladic will be celebrating a record in Malta, as the game will be his
fiftieth in net for Croatia, which is a record broken by only the coach
himself. Blazevic celebrated his fiftieth game at the head of the Croatian
selects in the 3:0 win over Germany at the World Cup in France. Here is the
expected line-up of the Croatian Selects in Malta: Ladic, Stimac, Tudor,
Simic, Saric, Soldo, Asanovic, Maric, Jarni, Boban and Suker.

***


* BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

14. J.C., Croatian Information Centre - Sarajevo, October 9, 1998.
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE REMOVES SDS VICE-CHAIRMAN CAVIC FROM OFFICE

SARAJEVO - The High Representative has removed Dragan Cavic, Vice-Chairman
of the SDS, from his newly elected office in the Republika Srpska Assembly
and has barred him indefinitely from further official positions in B&H.

The decision follows statements Cavic made on Monday regarding Kosovo and
the outcome of the recent elections. Among other things, Cavic said NATO
bombing of Kosovo would mean the end of Daytons implementation.

In a letter to Cavic notifying him of the decision, Westendorp expressed
his extreme displeasure at Cavics statements, interpreting them as an
incitement to violence and a deliberate threat to the security of the
international community, not to mention the Dayton peace process.

In an official statement released yesterday, as well, it says, "The High
Representative will not tolerate the any official remaining in office who
seeks to provoke violent behaviour or exacerbate political tensions."

Westendorp also reminds all public officials that they must refrain from
publicly taking sides in the Kosovo situation, should the international
community take action there. Similarly, the media must offer balanced and
non-inflammatory coverage of the situation. This applies to re-transmission
of broadcasting from neighbouring countries.

Here, Westendorp is referring to inflammatory programming from Serbian
state television broadcasts from transmitters on B&H territory said Deputy
High Representative Simon Haselock today.

Westendorp is in a position to remove officials from office because of the
Bonn Peace Implementation Agreement.

***

15. J.C., Croatian Information Centre - Sarajevo, October 9, 1998.
SOPTA INVITED TO CROATIAS TOP MILITARY ACADEMY

MOSTAR, ZAGREB - B&H Gen. Stanko Sopta has been invited to study at
Croatias military warfare academy Ban Josip Jelacic according to a
report in the B&H daily Oslobodjenje.

This invitation follows SFOR commander Eric Shinsekis demand that Sopta be
dismissed from the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) for conduct unbecoming by
October 1. This has yet to happen though. Furthermore, Sopta is currently
under suspension for activities related to the summers forest fires on the
Croatian coast.

Warfare academies throughout the world are the highest military training an
officer can receive. Only high ranking officers ever attend them and in
this case, Croatia has invited 12. Among those are Sopta and another HVO
officer, which is not unusual. HVO officers have attended Croatias
military schools since the beginning of the war. When the HVO officially
partnered with the Republic of B&H Army to become the B&H Army, Croatia
said it was willing to accept Bosniak officers as well. This has yet to
happen though.

Meanwhile, Miroslav Prce, the interim Federation Defence Minister, has said
that the ministry will do all it can to hold on to Sopta. Sopta has shown
himself to be an excellent officer. However, the decision to discharge him
is now a civil matter.

Today, SFOR Spokesperson Lieutenant Glenn Chamberlain said that SFOR
officials have met with Ante Jelavic, the newly elected B&H Presidency
member, about Soptas discharge. They have made their opinions clearly
known and are now waiting for Jelavics response.

As for out-going Presidency member Kresimir Zubaks claim that he is unsure
if he has the power to discharge Sopta, Chaimberlain said Shinseki
addressed the demand to Zubak and it should have been done.

Chamberlain refused to speculate on whether Jelavic could change SFORs
mind on Sopta.

***

16. J.C., Croatian Information Centre - Sarajevo, October 9, 1998.
DUBRAVE AIRPORT TO REOPEN

TUZLA - The Dubrave International Airport near Tuzla will re-open tomorrow.
This is the largest airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina and will be able to
accommodate jumbo jets.

SFORs multinational division North helped in preparing the airport by
repairing the runway.

B&H Presidency chairperson Alija Izetbegovic will preside over the opening.

***

17. J.C., Croatian Information Centre - Sarajevo, October 9, 1998.
JUDICIAL LENIENCY GRANTED TO 49 PEOPLE

SARAJEVO - B&H Federation President Ejup Ganic and Vice-president Vladimir
Soljic have granted leniency to 49 people serving jail terms, according to
a release from their offices.

Of that number, 11 are being set free, 16 will have a reduced sentence and
17 will be given conditional sentences. Most of the cases are veterans who
committed their crimes during the war.

Meanwhile, 32 cases have been denied leniency.

***

18. J.C., Croatian Information Centre - Sarajevo, October 9, 1998.
IPTF COMMISSIONER WANTS BUNTIC REMOVED

MOSTAR - The IPTF Commissioner has demanded that Valentin Coric dismiss
Capljina police Chief Buntic immediately according to UN spokesperson Kelly
Moore.

"The Commissioner has also demanded that a criminal investigation be
started," said Moore.

The demand follows the mistreatment and unlawful detention of a Bosniak
elected official and two police officers all in the presence of Buntic.
During the events, Moore said, Buntic grabbed an IPTF officer and threw him
out of the police building.

The IPTF says this was grave misconduct and must be dealt with accordingly.

***


* YUGOSLAVIA

19. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
RE-BROADCASTING BANNED IN SERBIA

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Milovan Bojic and Information
Minister Aleksandar Vucic told the editors-in-chief of independent radio
and television stations in Belgrade that "public information services in
conditions of immediate war must adapt their behaviour" accordingly and not
spread "fear, panic and defeatism." Bojic added that "this is not an
appeal, this is an order." He said that the authorities will soon issue a
formal ban on the re-broadcasting of programs of Radio Free Europe, Radio
Liberty, Voice of America, the BBC and Deutsche Welle.

This cause great anger among the press in Belgrade. After a meeting in
Belgrade on Wednesday, the Association of Independent Electronic Media
(ANEM) issued a statement, in which it said that "such orders represent the
most dramatic form of state censorship in Serbia and direct intolerable
interference into editorial policy of the media. Therefore, they should be
considered unconstitutional and illegal." In a second statement, ANEM
charged that the police have recently harassed independent journalists.
Meanwhile in the Vojvodina town of Velika Kikinda, Interior Ministry troops
arrested Zoran Milesevic, the editor-in-chief of independent Radio Velika
Kikinda, on the grounds that he is a reservist and that the army "needs
somebody to drive ammunition trucks" to Kosovo, according to Radio B-92
reports.

***

20. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, October 9, 1998.
SERBS FIRE AT ALBANIAN TROOPS

TIRANA, PRISTINA -  An Albanian Interior Ministry spokesman told the ATA
news agency on October 7,  that federal Yugoslav soldiers fired at an
Albanian border patrol on Albanian territory on Tuesday. The Albanian
forces did not return fire and no one was injured in the incident, which
took place in the village of Borje, near Kukes. Albania called a meeting of
the joint Yugoslav-Albanian border commission to investigate the shooting.

Yugoslav military and police forces continue to shell ethnic Kosovo
Albanian villages and to employ the well known Serbian barbarian tactic of
scorched earth after entering a village, by burning down all non-Serb
property.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Croatian Information Centre      Tel:   385 1 / 611 5116
Trg Stjepana Radica 3            Fax:   385 1 / 455 0700
10,000 Zagreb                 E-Mail:   hicnews@hic.hr
REPUBLIC OF CROATIA              Web:   http://www.hic.hr/news

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~