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PRESS CUT - Croatian Press News in English	

November 19, 1998


* TOP STORY

1. SKABRNJA MASSACRED FINALLY LAID TO REST

* CROATIA

2. SHORT WAVE FREQUENCY CHANGE FOR NORTH AMERICA
3. VUKOVAR VETERANS IN FREE VUKOVAR
4. IMAGES FROM VUKOVAR
 Dok mu mrtve grobak krije, Dok mu zivo srce bije
5. ECMM SCANDAL IN BELI MANASTIR
6. CATHOLIC & ORTHODOX CLERGY MEET IN ZAGREB
7. MISSING STJEPAN RADIC MONUMENT FOUND AFTER THREE YEARS
8. CROATIAN PARLIAMENT IN SESSION
9. TUDJMAN MEETS YOUNG CROATIAN INVENTORS
10. PORT OF PLOCE FUTURE?
11. CROATIAN COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SPONSORED FORUM
12. CROATIA ONE STEP CLOSER TO FIRST UEFA INDOOR SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
13. HAJDUK IN CROATIA CUP SEMI-FINALS
14. CROATIA STILL THIRD

* ICTY

15. SECOND BRITISH DEFENCE WITNESS

* BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

16. CROATS WOULD HAVE FLED B&H HAD IT NOT HAVE BEEN FOR CROATIAN COMMUNITY
HERZEG-BOSNA 
17. DEBATE CONTINUES ON BOSNIAK REFUSAL TO SIGN AGREEMENT
18. B&H PARLIAMENT FAILS TO RATIFY SPECIAL RELATIONS AGREEMENT

* NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

19. CZECH REPUBLIC TO JOIN WEU NEXT YEAR?



Todays Exchange Rates: http://www.hic.hr/turizam/tecaj/
Todays Weather Report: http://www.hic.hr/turizam/prognoza/

***


* TOP STORY

1. E.R.T., Oprosti, ali nikada zaboraviti, Vecernji list, November 19,
1998, p. 2.
SKABRNJA MASSACRED FINALLY LAID TO REST

SKABRNJA - Along with the highest civilian and military honours, thousands
of Ravni Kotor and Zadar residents gathered at the local cemetery of St
Luke in Skabrnja to say their farewells to 49 victims who were massacred
and killed seven years ago yesterday in that town. Their remains were
exhumed over the last few days in the Zadar area, where they were
temporarily buried. The fiftieth victim, Zeljko Curkovic, was buried in
neighbouring Zemunik.

It was a Monday, on that fatal November 18th morning, when, after many days
of extremely violent battles close to Zadar, hordes of local Chetniks and
armoured unites of the criminal Yugoslav Peoples Army stormed into
Skabrnja from Zemunik Gornji, with their criminal commander - Mladic - who
gave them orders to kill anything that moved. Dozens of innocent Skabrnja
residents found themselves under the caterpillar wheels of tanks or were
slaughtered. That horrific day was remembered by all those who gathered in
Skabrnja yesterday.

In front of the local school, mass was served by Zadar Archbishop Msgr Ivan
Prendja, who called on Skabrnja residents to forgive, but never forget. The
head of the Skabrnja Municipality, Ante Milkovic, stated that there was not
a family in this Ravno Kotar town that did not suffer pain for the freedom
of the homeland. The deceased were then given final farewell speeches from
Zadar City Hall President Davor Aras, prefect Sime Prtenjaca, deputy
interior minister Zlatko Gledec, Lieutenant General Ante Gotovina, labour
and welfare minister Joso Skara and member of parliament Drago Krpina.

The funeral parade then left toward the St Luke Cemetery, where the coffins
of the Skabrnja victims were laid finally to rest in their graves. The
families in mourning were presented with the Croatian flags that were
draped over the coffins of their loved ones.

***


* CROATIA

2. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
SHORT WAVE FREQUENCY CHANGE FOR NORTH AMERICA

ZAGREB - Due to difficulties caused by cold winter temperatures, as of
Monday November 23, 1998, short wave radio programming of the Croatian
Information Centre will be broadcast for North America at:

6130 kHz, i.e. on the 49 metre band

This is a temporary measure and will be valid until Sunday, February 14,
1999. As of Monday November 15, 1999, Croatian Radio short wave programming
will return to its regular frequency of 9925 kHz.

***

3. M. Flego, Vukovarski branitelji u slobodnom Vukovaru, Vecernji list,
November 19, 1998, p.2.
VUKOVAR VETERANS IN FREE VUKOVAR

VUKOVAR - Yesterday in Vukovar the seventh anniversary of the fall of this
heroic city was marked by the gathering of the surviving defenders and
families of those who lost their lives, detained and missing defenders. At
the execution grounds at the pig farm - Ovcara - where more than 200
wounded and hospital staff removed from the Vukovar Hospital were killed in
the most vicious possible fashion, wreaths were laid and candles lit.
Wreaths were laid to the sounds of the bugle peace call and an honour guard
of the Croatian Army by the envoy of the president, Vesna Skare-Ozbolt,
vice-president of the Croatian National Parliament, Jadranka Kosor,
vice-president of the National Board for the Establishment of Trust, Josko
Moric, presidential advisor for humanitarian issues, Slobodan Lang, and the
three commanders of Vukovars defence, Tomislav Mercep, Mile Dedakovic
Jastreb, and Branko  Borkovic Mladi Jastreb, as well as representatives
of the army, police and Union of Associations from the Homeland War.

Many people left flowers and candles at the Ovcara memorial, as well as at
the New Dubrava Cemetery, at the central crucifix in the Alley of Defenders.

After the commemorative mass, which was served by Military Ordinarius Juraj
Jezerinac, on the plateau in front of the Danube Hotel, a commemoration was
held for all those who fell in the defence of Vukovar. Following the
rendering of the Croatian national anthem and a minute of silence, Vukovar
Mayor Vladimir Stengl addressed all those present. The three commanders of
the defence of Vukovar also made short speeches.

"Many mothers and sons still are not able to visit the graves of their
loved ones... We have not come here to celebrate. We are here to remember
the day when the humanity of the international community failed and when
the Serbs began to kill all those who were not Serbian. On account of the
fallen victims we demand the state forms the ranks with all those surviving
defenders of Vukovar," stated Branko Borkovic Mladi Jastreb.

An behalf of the defence ministry, Gen. Mirko Norac greeted those present
and the same was done by deputy minister of defenders, Pero Kovacevic, who
announced President Tudjman is planning to call into ranks all those
surviving defenders of Vukovar in the centre of the city and decorate all
of them. These words were welcomed with applause and cheering.

"In the memory of Vukovar 1991, we all have to stand in silence out of
respect for this heroic city," stated parliamentary vice-president Jadranka
Kosor. Vesna Skare-Ozbolt relayed the greetings of President Tudjman to the
defenders of Vukovar and Vukovar residents in free Vukovar. She stated that
this day is to remember the Vukovar and Croatian tragedy and all of the
victims who fell in defence of Vukovar, "which did not fall because we are
in free Vukovar today."

After that, all the surviving defenders of Vukovar moved along the
Calvary in the centre of town to the Velepromet warehouses, the site
where defenders were tortured and killed or taken prisoner after the city
fell. Many have never returned. Today they will also walk along the
Calvary to the Trpinjska Road (sight of many fierce battles).

***

4. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
IMAGES FROM VUKOVAR
Dok mu mrtve grobak krije, Dok mu zivo srce bije

VUKOVAR - Yesterday in Vukovar, on the occasion of the seventh anniversary
of the greatest tragedy of modern Croatia, veterans and families of the
fallen, detained and missing defenders and civilians gathered to solemnly
mark this sad but glorious day. Many pointed out that Vukovar is like the
Catholic faith, as Jesus was tortured, mocked and killed, as was the city,
but gloriously rose from the dead to offer mankind everlasting life.
Vukovar also has to come back to life and strive toward the future, leaving
hatred behind and looking toward becoming a role model city for Croatia and
the world.

Among those who were in Vukovar yesterday was the wife of US Ambassador to
Croatia, Mrs Lynn Montgomery, who lit a candle at Ovcara, where the savage
occupiers tortured and killed some 300 wounded and hospital personnel. Mrs
Montgomery stated that she has never lost a loved one in the manner in
which the Croats lost their dearest, but "as a woman, mother and daughter I
can imagine the pain and I feel for these people. I came to Ovcara to pay
my respects to the victims." She was accompanied by 50 representatives of
the Union of Vukovar Mothers and Widows and the Association of Unions of
Detained and Missing Persons.

Another highlight from yesterdays commemoration were the comments of
Dragutin Berhofer, a defender who survived Ovcara. With tears in his eyes
he told his friends and compatriots about how he was taken to the Vukovar
Yugoslav Army barracks, where his fellow Vukovar residents, local Serbs,
beat him brutally with their boots and rifle butts. After being badly
beaten he was taken to Ovcara where he continued to be beaten and tortured.
He said only God could be thanked he was alive today. His fellow patients
were not lucky to escape and he witnessed their brutal murders.

Perhaps the most illustrative image was made by Branko Borkovic Mladi
Jastreb. He stated he was sorry that the last verse of the Croatian
National Anthem still cannot be applied to Vukovar, as many children are
still not able to visit the graves of their most dearest. "
 We will not
rest until we fulfil the last words of the Croatian National Anthem and we
demand the Croatian state to form the ranks of the surviving Croatian
defenders of Vukovar in Vukovar
" In Croatian, the last verse of the anthem
reads Dok mu mrtve grobak krije, Dok mu zivo srce bije.

The Serbs living in Vukovar and the vicinity also gathered at their
cemetery at the market. Approximately 100 individuals gathered for a
parastos service. Among those present were members of parliament,
including  Vojislav Stanimirovic, and the president of the Joint Council of
Municipalities, Milos Vojnovic. Vojnovic was asked why Serbs held their
parastos yesterday, when the anniversary of the fall of Vukovar was being
marked. He replied that the Serbs were marking the day that the fighting
stopped in the city. Croatian residents in Vukovar feel such a move should
be viewed as insulting and in extremely poor taste.

***

5. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
ECMM SCANDAL IN BELI MANASTIR

BELI MANASTIR - It is a well known fact that international organisations
are touring the Croatian Danube region and that many of their personnel
are very uninformed or seems to be biased against Croatia. it is not
necessary to report the usual concern for Serbian rights, not worrying
about Croats, but one incident must be mentioned.

Two members of the ECMM Monitor Mission decided to pay a visit to the mayor
of Beli Manastir. Due to the fact that the mayor was on a business trip,
the deputy Mayor, Josip Kompanovic, welcomed the guests who represent an
organisation that came to Croatia to monitor and offer its assistance to
Croatia (as they did seven years ago when they, together with UNPROFOR and
the International Red Cross assisted in the ethnic cleansing of Vukovar by
escorting Croats out of the fallen city). After a short conversation
about general topics, the two white garbed visitors asked the deputy
mayor "how is Beli Manastir preparing for Vukovar Liberation Day?"

Secretary Anita Tkalcevic was surprised by the question and replied that
such a day could only be marked by commemorating the victims of the Chetnik
occupation of Vukovar. After that question, of course, the meeting was cut
short and the monitors left. Deputy Mayor Kompanovic is now trying to find
out who these uninformed monitors were.

***

6. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
CATHOLIC & ORTHODOX CLERGY MEET IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB - Yesterday, in the offices of the Croatian Bishops Conference,
Croatian Catholic bishops and Orthodox Episcopes met to discuss the
improvement of relations between the two churches. The meeting, open to the
public, began with a joint prayer and then greeting speeches were read. The
discussion centred around practical ecumenical matters and the return of
the Serbian Orthodox  priests to Croatia.

***

7. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
MISSING STJEPAN RADIC MONUMENT FOUND AFTER THREE YEARS

PETRINJA - After three years of searching, the monument to Stjepan Radic,
which was once a symbol of the city of Petrinja, was found in Srpski
Cuntic, a well known Chetnik stronghold. The monument was unveiled in
Petrinja in 1936 on the square bearing the name of this Croatian martyr and
politician. In 1991 the statue was damaged when mined by a vandal and then
disappeared during the Homeland War.

The monument was discovered by the head of the Petrinja Mayors Office,
Vladimir Demetrovic, in the Markovici hamlet, in an orchard. Despite being
badly damaged, the Stjepan Radic monument will be displayed in Petrinja,
after which it will be restored and returned to its original location in
the centre of the city.

***

8. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
CROATIAN PARLIAMENT IN SESSION

ZAGREB - The 35th session of the Croatian National Parliament began
yesterday with a minute of silence for all the victims of the Yugoslav
Peoples Army and local rebel Serbs: November 18, 1991, is one of the most
tragic days in Croatian history - the city of Vukovar fell and residents of
Skabrnja were senselessly slaughtered. The president of the parliament,
Vlatko Pavletic, stated that the fall of Vukovar and the slaughter in
Skabrnja is built into the very fibre of Croatian statehood and should
never be forgotten.

The House of Representatives have a number of items on its agenda to
discuss, but the Law on Banks, Added Value Tax and the 1999 stated budget
are among the most important topics.

***

9. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
TUDJMAN MEETS YOUNG CROATIAN INVENTORS

ZAGREB - Croatian president Franjo Tudjman met with a delegation of young
Croatian inventors who participated at the exhibition of inventions in
Nuremberg IENA 98. In spite of serious competition, the delegation won
the most awards. Tudjman stated that this was the first time since the
establishment of an independent Croatian state that the fruits of Croatian
minds and hands served for the good of the homeland. He offered his support
and stimulation for the creativity of young Croats, once again
congratulating the young inventors for their international success and
recognition.

***

10. Badurina & Associates, Port of Ploce Future? - Modern Inter-modal
Site, http:// www.dalmatia.net/croatia/badurina, November 18, 1998.
PORT OF PLOCE FUTURE?

WASHINGTON - Over the past few months there has been increased US pressure
on the Croatian government to sign a Ploce - Neum agreement with Bosnia &
Herzegovina regarding B&H use of the Croatian Port of Ploce and Croatian
transit through Neum. Croatia's response has been that this was contingent
upon the agreement of special relations between the Croat - Muslim
Federation and Croatia as foreseen and expected by the Washington Agreement
and the Dayton Accord. Both the special relations and the Ploce - Neum
agreements had been initialled and were scheduled to be signed on November
16, but were postponed indefinitely because of the Bosniak officials'
refusal to go ahead with the already assented to agreements.

The United States expressed its deep disappointment regarding this turn of
events and the Bosniaks' failure to honour their commitments. However, the
United States continues to block Croatia's ongoing bid to enter the
Partnership for Peace and its rightful place in the Euro - Atlantic
community. Croatia's need for reconstruction funds and the reason for the
upcoming donors conference received no appropriate US response, including
no allocation from this year's already approved fiscal spending. Why then
is the United States so interested in having the Ploce - Neum agreement
signed? Badurina & Associates believes the main reason has to do with US
plans for the use of the Port of Ploce.

Feasibility studies, development analysis and preparations have been ready
and waiting for final approval for construction to begin on a major world
class inter-modal facility to service the entire region. Based on studies
and recommendations done by the US Trade & Development Agency (TDA) in
Central & Eastern Europe, Ploce is the key to economic revitalisation in
Bosnia & Herzegovina. Due to the fact that since 1995, TDA has been
operating with financing obtained under a special infrastructure and
industrial development program and is rumoured to currently have financial
commitments of over 20,000,000 USD ready to be applied to the Ploce
inter-modal project. Here in the United States the studies and plans,
although scheduled for public release in September, still remain under
wraps. Some sources suggest that should Croatia realise the full economic
impact on the region it may not finalise the agreement. These sources are
concerned that Croatia instead might seek to continue unilateral control of
its Ploce port resulting in trade restraints on B&H and making Croatia the
prime recipient of the economic benefits and jobs creation that an
inter-modal facility can provide. How much impact will an inter-modal
facility in Ploce have? The answer is not publicly available and would
require more time and analysis. However, a look at the impact of new
inter-modal facilities elsewhere in Europe might give some idea.

The Port of Moerdijk in 1997 alone signed 27 new companies and increased
its work force by more than 500 people. The older Port of Antwerp is
reported to have handled 182 million metric tonnes of cargo and had over
15,800 ship dockings in 1997. Badurina & Associates assumes the Croatian
government is fully aware of the US plans for Ploce and has carefully
reviewed and assessed the significant impact those plans could have on
Croatia and the region. We also believe that should the Ploce - Neum
agreement go forward, the US should provide comparable assistance for other
Croatian maritime and port facility projects.

BADURINA & ASSOCIATES
P.O. Box 5447
Falmouth, Virginia  22403
Internet URL: http://www.dalmatia.net/croatia/badurina
E-mail: badurinapr@aol.com

***

11. Badurina & Associates, Croatian Companies Participate in US Chamber of
Commerce Sponsored Forum, http://www.dalmatia.net/croatia/badurina,
November 17, 1998.
CROATIAN COMPANIES PARTICIPATE IN U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SPONSORED FORUM

The 1998 Trade and Investment Forum for Central & Eastern Europe was held
in Washington, DC, on November 16 at the national headquarters of the
United States Chamber of Commerce. Participants included delegations from
Croatia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Finland,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Ukraine and Slovenia.

Participating Croatian companies and their representatives were: Zdravko
Bubalo of Dalmatinska Banka, d.d., Giannina Riesek and Nino Malinaric of
Elektromaterijal, d.d., Dragomir Prekalj of ENA Consulting, d.o.o. The
embassies of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Poland, Romania, and the
Czech Republic were also represented at this forum.

There was a variety of presentations dealing with the current climate for
investment in the region, and possible methodologies for attracting US
interest in the region, in participants' countries and particular projects.
Rodney Azama, regional director for the US Trade and Development Agency
(TDA), spoke about project analysis done with the assistance of TDA and the
need for encouraging private initiatives in those areas most in need of
economic revitalisation.

Peter Urban, a Senior Industrial Specialist at the International Finance
Corporation / World Bank Group, gave his views of high quality investments
and what it means to be a "World Class" company. Birgit Braunwiesser, also
of IFC/WBG, presented the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
along with an introduction to both IPAnet and PrivatizationLink. Both are
web based, easily accessible web sites designed to promote and encourage
investments in emerging markets. Attendees also heard from representatives
of the Export-Import Bank, Riggs Bank and PRI Financial Engineers.

Victor Politis of PRI moderated the balance of the forum, which included
discussions and individual country presentations. Most were designed to
explain the current financial environment in the emerging market and to
focus attention on specific projects that require funding. In remarks about
Croatia, Drago Prekalj spoke about the natural beauty of Croatia, its 1,778
kilometres of sea coast and the more than 1,100 islands. His talk focused
on the need to improve tourism facilities, to create family owned and
operated businesses, and to revitalise the shipbuilding industry.

During closing remarks, Shawn O'Donnell of Badurina & Associates said that
the conference confirmed his observations that as the economic transition
in Central and Eastern Europe began to take place, governments, banks and
private investors took a "macro approach" to the situation. Large amounts
of non-specific high risk monies flowed into the region with little or no
thought to the economic viability of the projects. Now, in an era of a much
tighter money supply, the focus is changing to a "micro approach" where
governments, owners, and managers will be faced with having to provide
potential investors with well documented and transparent plans before any
monies will be provided.

The United States Chamber of Commerce and Gary Litman, its Eurasia manager,
provided an excellent venue and program for participants to meet and share
important trade and investment information. The forum offered active
participants an opportunity to increase their knowledge and contacts. More
Croatian companies, if they consider themselves an integral part of
Croatia's ongoing economic transition and are interested in attracting US
investment dollars, would be well served to be represented at such future
events.

BADURINA & ASSOCIATES
P.O. Box 5447
Falmouth, Virginia 22403
Internet URL: http://www.dalmatia.net/croatia/badurina
E-mail: badurinapr@aol.com

***

12. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
CROATIA ONE STEP CLOSER TO FIRST UEFA INDOOR SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

DUBROVNIK - Croatia has been asked to organise one of the qualifying
tournaments for the first ever UEFA European Indoor Soccer Championship to
be held next year in Spain. Croatia played its first game yesterday against
Andorra and managed a slim victory of 2:1 (0:1). La Rosa opened the scoring
in the 15th minute, while Croatia caught up and won with Martic and Delpont
scoring in the 29th and 30th minutes. The other game was between Poland and
Slovakia, with the Poles winning 13:5 (5:3). Tonights match-ups are:
Croatia - Poland and Andorra - Slovakia.

***

13. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
HAJDUK IN CROATIA CUP SEMI-FINALS

SPLIT - Yesterday Hajduk played its second leg of the quarterfinals of the
Croatian Cup against Cakovec. The masters of the sea defeated their
guests 2:0 (1:0) and as the first leg ended without any goals, Hajduk is in
the semi-finals. Hajduks goals were scored by Racunica when he took a
penalty kick in the 30th minute. The second goal for the Split team was
scored by Leko in the 77th minute.

***

14. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
CROATIA STILL THIRD

BELGRADE, LA VALLETTA - Two games were games were played last night in
Group VIII for the 2000 European Soccer Championship. FR Yugoslavia
defeated the Republic of Ireland in their postponed game 1:0. The other
game in this group was played in Malta, with Macedonia winning their away
game 2:1. Here are the Group VIII standings after last nights games:

Rep. Ireland	+6	6
Macedonia	+4	6
Croatia	+2	6
FR Yugoslavia +1	3
Malta		-13	0

***


* ICTY

15. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
SECOND BRITISH DEFENCE WITNESS

THE HAGUE - The trial against Croatian Defence Council (HVO) General
Tihomir Blaskic continued yesterday at The Hague war crimes tribunal. The
Blaskic defence called to the stand a former British officer of the United
Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), Chris Leyschon. Based on his
experience in Central Bosnia, Leyschon testified that the HVO was not a
professional and organised army, nor was it well equipped. The British
officer also stated that the chain of command did not function in the HVO,
in support of the defence contention that Blaskic, though commander, could
not be in control or responsible for the actions of individual HVO
personnel on the field.

***



* BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

16. Croatian Radio Herceg-Bosna, News at 21.00, November 18, 1998
CROATS WOULD HAVE FLED B&H HAD IT NOT HAVE BEEN FOR CROATIAN COMMUNITY
HERZEG-BOSNA 

GRUDE - Croatian officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in Grude
today, to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the proclamation of the
Croatian Community Herzeg-Bosna (HZ HB). This morning wreaths were laid in
front of the memorial cross in Grude and afterwards on the grave of the
late Mate Boban, the founding president of the HZ HB and the Croatian
Republic HB (HR HB). Guests at the official ceremony were addressed by the
governor of the Western-Herzegovinian county and one of the founders of HZ
HB, Jozo Maric, who took the opportunity to stress the importance of
founding HZ HB:

"The Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosna united the B&H Croats, established
and organised the Croatian Defence Council (HVO) and hence secured a future
for Croats in B&H. Had it not been for HZ HB and HR HB, Croats would have
had to flee from B&H were they to rely on the assistance and co-operation
of Muslims during the period of Serbian aggression," said Maric.

***

17. Croatian Radio Herceg-Bosna, News at 21.00, November 18, 1998
DEBATE CONTINUES ON BOSNIAK REFUSAL TO SIGN AGREEMENT

MOSTAR - The premier of the B&H Federation, Edhem Bicakcic, and the justice
minister, Mato Tadic, commented on the non-signing of the Special Relations
Agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the B&H Federation in
separate statements in Mostar today, where a session of the federal
government had been convened.

Small changes are necessary if the Special Relations Agreement is to be
signed, Bicakcic said, not specifying what these changes should be.
According to him, members of the federal government were included in the
final negotiations on the Special Relations Agreement and hence it was
unnecessary to discuss the issue at the meeting. He also commented that
there was no reason to link the Agreement on Ploce and Neum with the
Special Relations Agreement.

The Justice minister, Mato Tadic, assessed that the Special Relations
Agreement in no way violates the sovereignty and integrity of B&H. This
agreement is in accordance with positions that were adopted by the federal
government at one of its previous sessions. The B&H Constitution
specifically envisages the establishing of special relations between the
B&H entities and neighbouring countries, Tadic stressed. He added that,
since it is an issue of establishing special relations, it is questionable
whether the Federal Parliament has to ratify the agreement at all, as it is
not a classic form of adopting international agreements and treaties. The
establishment of relations and the adoption of international agreements
must be legally differentiated, minister Tadic explained.

Due to the events surrounding the signing of the Special Relations
Agreement, Croats in the B&H Federation are very dubious of the sincerity
of the Bosniak-Muslim side in the implementation of the Dayton Peace
Accords, minister Tadic believes.

***

18. Croatian Radio Herceg-Bosna, News at 21.00, November 18, 1998
B&H PARLIAMENT FAILS TO RATIFY SPECIAL RELATIONS AGREEMENT

SARAJEVO - The House of Representatives of the B&H Parliament discussed the
Special Relations Agreement at its extraordinary meeting, which was
convened today.

The B&H federal president, Ejup Ganic, in his introductory address, said
that he had consulted the majority of the representative clubs in the
federal parliament, of which, he claims, the majority supported his
proposal that the issue should be extensively discussed at todays
extraordinary session.

According to Ganic, the Special Relations Agreement represents a form of
implementing the Dayton Peace Accords and only establishes a legal
framework for all forms of co-operation between the B&H Federation and its
neighbour. I assure you that the Agreement is in accordance with the Dayton
Peace Accords for B&H, the B&H Constitution and the Constitution of the B&H
Federation, Ganic stressed. The adoption of the agenda was preceded by a
heated debate amongst the representatives of the Federal parliament, which
lasted for an hour.

The president of the Bosnian Party, Mirnes Ajanovic, requested that
proceedings for the removal of the president of the B&H Federation, Ejup
Ganic, from office be initiated, blaming him for the diplomatic incident
which developed on account of the Special Relations Agreement. Ajanovic
accused Ganic of damaging and injuring B&Hs reputation, adding that they
should only resolve whether he should be removed from office at this
meeting, and that a session of parliament need not have been called on
account of the non-signing of the Special Relations Agreement. According to
him, the burden of responsibility for the current situation should also be
placed on the B&H Presidency member, Alija Izetbegovic.

The Representative club of the B&H Social-Democrats also assessed todays
session as being unnecessary as, it was stressed, procedure has been abided
by in accordance with the B&H and Federal B&H Constitutions.

By a show of hands the majority of representatives voted against including
the removal of Ganic in the agenda for todays meeting.

The federal parliament will also adopt a special resolution proposed by the
HDZ B&H representative club on the recent arrest of representative Pavo
Sljivic at the border crossing at Izacici near Bihac, where his
parliamentary immunity was violated.

The comments put forward by the representatives from the Coalition for a
united B&H were basically linked to the language in which the Special
Relations Agreement was written.

Since the discussion in Parliament continues, no resolution has been
adopted as of yet on the Special Relations Agreement.

***


* NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS

19. T.P., Croatian Information Centre - Zagreb, November 19, 1998.
CZECH REPUBLIC TO JOIN WEU NEXT YEAR?

ROME - Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kavan Stated that the Czech Republic
wants to join the Western European Union (WEU) by mid-1999. Kavan, in Rome
for a two day meeting of the WEU council, pointed out that he received
support from German Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping. Germany will hold
the rotating WEU presidency for six months as of January 1, 1999. Czech
Defence Minister Vladimir Vetchy, in relation to the Czech Republics bid
to join the WEU, said that investment in defence must be increased by as
much as 70 percent in order to bring Czech military forces up to WEU
standards.





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