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Text File | 1995-01-24 | 65KB | 1,468 lines

======================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 4th January 1995. UNPROFOR spokesperson Michael Williams announced yesterday that on 31st December Serbs opened fire on a UNPROFOR vehicle, injuring two Canadian UN peacekeepers. The incident occurred at Kolarin, in UNPA Sector South. According to official reports, a group of 20 Serbs fired a total of 54 bullets directly at the vehicle. One Canadian was hit by five bullets, of which two injured him in the head, whilst the other was hit by three bullets. Both UN soldiers are currently receiving medical attention at the US military hospital (MASH) at Zagreb airport. General Bertrand de Lapresle, the UNPROFOR Commander-in-Chief, has sent a strong protest to local Serb leader Borislav Mikelic, demanding that the Serbs responsible be identified and face military trial. KNIN, CROATIA UNPROFOR spokesperson Michael Williams announced that the authorities in Knin have not signed and will not sign any cease-fire agreement signed by the warring sides in BosniaHerzegovina. According to Mr Williams, they consider this to be a matter of jurisdiction of Bosnia-Herzegovina. To date there is only a temporary guarantee that Knin will not continue to attack the Bihac pocket and that the Knin Serb forces will pull out of the area. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Talks continue in Bosnia-Herzegovina which should consolidate further a more permanent cease-fire. General Michael Rose, UN Commander for B-H, chaired yesterday's meetings of the south-western and north-eastern district joint commands overseeing the implementation of the agreements. Discussions scheduled for Gornji Vakuf and Tuzla are expected to yield a detailed plan for the separation of the warring forces. The Orasje-Bosanski Samac front was relatively quiet yesterday morning with only short bursts of sporadic gunfire by Serbs on the eastern side of the front reported by HVO sources. Later in the evening the intensity of the attacks increased with Serbs using heavy artillery and gunfire on HVO positions . No casualties were reported. According to UNHCR spokesperson Peter Kessler, a humanitarian road convoy of ten trucks organised by UNHCR set out this morning from Zagreb to the besieged towns of Velika Kladusa and Cazin in the Bihac enclave. Mr Kessler also reported that Bosnian Serbs had refused to allow them to take out 31 wounded people from Gorazde to Sarajevo to receive medical treatment. ============================================================= FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 5th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Talks on the implementation of the economic agreement between Hrvoje Sarinic, the head of the Croatian delegation, and Serb representative Borislav Mikelic ended yesterday at Zagreb airport without an official result. Talks are scheduled to continue on 11th January. Mr Sarinic stated that Croatia is no longer satisfied with agreements that are not implemented on time and that the Croatian delegation requests that time frames be established, otherwise Croatia will not be prepared to sign anything. Mr Sarinic also emphasised that results achieved thus far do not merit an extension of the UNPROFOR mandate. According to Mr Sarinic, the continuing presence of Serb police and road signs along the Zagreb-Lipovac highway is totally unsatisfactory. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA According to UNPROFOR spokesperson Alexander Ivanko, yesterday's talks on promoting the cease-fire in BosniaHerzegovina between Bosnian Army and Serb representatives at Sarajevo airport ended without results. Serbs claim that talks broke down because Bosnian Government troops have still not withdrawn from Mount Igman following the noon deadline yesterday, and that UNPROFOR has done nothing to confirm the withdrawal. Talks are scheduled to continue tomorrow. LIVNO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The general alert was sounded in Livno at about noon. According to details provided by HVO sources, Serb forces opened artillery fire on the entire Livno region. BONN, GERMANY The meeting of the Contact Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina will be held at 3:00 pm today. The Contact Group will meet at the expert level, the first such meeting since the four month cease-fire agreement in Bosnia came into effect. The meeting should consider the possibility of continuing the political process based on last July's peace plan, which was accepted by all parties with the exception of the Bosnian Serbs. WASHINGTON, USA Republicans in the American Congress have proposed that the arms embargo against Bosnia-Herzegovina be unilaterally lifted. Republican Senate leader Senator Robert Dole said that it is tragic that the international community has decided to oppose Bosnia's right to self-defence, thereby appeasing the aggressor in spite of promises to respond to Serb aggression. Mr Dole further added that the embargo should be lifted by 1st May, or even before, if the Bosnian Government should send a formal request. The proposal, however, does not include the deployment of US ground troops, whether in the form of military exercises or support of installing military equipment. The Clinton administration, however, is opposed to a unilateral lifting of the embargo. State Department spokesperson Mike McCurry said that in lifting the embargo, the US would take on the moral responsibility of arming and supplying Bosnia's Muslims, which would also mean deploying massive US ground troops. The spokesperson also confirmed that there is evidence of weapons flowing from Serbia to Bosnian Serbs. There is some proof that Milosevic has fulfilled his promises about closing borders, but that does not mean they are completly closed. ========================================================= FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 9th January, 1995 ZAGREB, CROATIA Representatives of the Federation of B-H, the Herceg-Bosnian community and HVO met yesterday with Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. The solution of the Bosnian crisis was the main item on the agenda as well as the establishment of the Federation of B-H and its Confederation with Croatia. Kresimir Zubak, Jadranko Prlic, Mariofil Ljubic, Ivan Bender and Mijo Brajkovic presented the concrete problems facing Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mostar's Mayor Mijo Brajkovic requested that Croatia continues with its aid for the reconstruction of Mostar. Kresimir Zubak, the President of the Federation of BosniaHerzegovina, described the Croatian-Muslim relations to be in a stalemate position due to the different interpretations of the Washington Agreement. Mr Zubak continued that the Bosnian Croats recognise B-H as their homeland, but at the same time request equality for the Croatian poeple, preservation of their identity and the establishment of firm foundations for a better and more secure future. SLAVONSKI BROD, CROATIA According to official police reports, Serbs from Bosanska Posavina fired gunfire on the Slavonski Brod region during the weekend thus breaking the agreed upon cease-fire. Rifle fire was registered in the areas of Svilaj, Oprisavci, Klakari, Migalovci, Poloj and on the Sava Bridge. Rifle fire also targeted the main street. No reports of casualties or damage have thus far been reported. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The US Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern European Affairs Richard Holbrooke was in Sarajevo on Sunday. During his stay Mr Holbrooke said that the Contact Group for BosniaHerzegovina should recommence their negotiating mission so as to find a global solution for former Yugoslavia. According to Reuters, Mr Holbrooke met with Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic after which he announced that diplomatic talks would begin tomorrow, with a meeting scheduled for Paris which would include Contact Group analysts and experts. Mr Holbrooke once again confirmed that the US fully supported the peace plan for Bosnia. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Serbs continued to breech the four month cease-fire agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Yesterday, the region of Livno being was targeted by long-range missile fire from Serbian positions in Glamoc and Grahovo. No casualties were reported but there was extensive material damage. The entire region was put on general alert at 9.20 this morning due to fresh attacks. This morning HVO forces managed to repel another fierce attack by the Bosnian Serb forces in the Koricina area on the Livno front. No reports of attacks have come from the Kupres front, while on the Orasje-Samac front some shootings were reported. In the Stolac area, some Serb machine-gun fire was reported coming from Hrgud and Ravnica. WASHINGTON, USA Associated Press reports that United States Vice President Al Gore, during an interview on CBS Face the Nation, said that he could see President Bill Clinton putting a veto on legislation to lift the arms embargo for the Bosnian Government. Mr Gore said that this would be possible only if the vote in Congress was unilateral and not multilateral. He continued that the passing of such a legislation could have negative effects on the NATO mission, on United States relations with its allies, and its leading role of responsibility in the world. ======================================================= FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 10th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian President Franjo Tudjman yesterday received the new European Union Monitoring Mission Chief to Croatia, Albert Turot. During the meeting Mr Turot updated the President of the mission's work, its basic principles and his understanding of the situation in Croatia. Mr Turot said that before anything a peaceful solution to the crisis should be sought. President Tudjman in return expressed his support for the mission in executing its duties and the possibility of finding a solution to the problems facing Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mr Tudjman once again stressed the territorial integrity of Croatia in its internationally recognised boarders. During talks with UN Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi in Zagreb, Bosnian Federation Vice President Ejup Ganic gave examples of Serb violations to the agreement on opening blue humanitarian routes and the continuation of Serb attacks on the Bihac region. Following the meeting UNPROFOR announced that one of its high officials will travel to Knin in order to secure a promise that the Serbs from Croatia's UNPAs will withdraw their troops from north-western Bosnia and allow free passage to UN convoys supplying the Bangladeshi contingent in the Bihac pocket. UNPROFOR Sector West spokesperson Susan Manuel confirmed that unarmed Serbs are monitoring exists and other passages along the Zagreb-Lipovac highway and that armed Serbs are supplying them with food. Ms Manuel added that 50 UN police, who will monitor the highway, arrived at the Jordanian contingent base near Novska yesterday and that a further 50 UN police are ready to take their posts at the base near Slavonski Brod. UNPROFOR HQ in Zagreb reported today that a member of the Nepalese UN battalion was wounded on Monday when his vehicle hit a land mine on a road in the vicinity of Okucani. The wounded soldier was transported to the MASH hospital at Zagreb airport. KNIN, CROATIA According to Reuters, UNPROFOR spokesperson Michael Williams announced that UNPROFOR commander for Bosnia-Herzegovina General Michael Rose is expected to meet with Serb representatives in Knin today in order to secure an end to their participation in battles in the Bihac pocket. Mr Williams said that General Rose will attempt to ensure that Serbs from Knin no longer engage in the conflict in the Bihac region as well as to secure a guarantee for the free passage of UN convoys into the region. According to UNPROFOR HQ in Sarajevo, General Rose postponed his visit to Knin today for technical reasons. The nature of these technical difficulties was not disclosed. MOSTAR, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The Carinski Bridge Committee yesterday decided on awarding the contracting of the construction of the historic bridge to the "Vijadukt" company from Zagreb. The final negotiations with "Vijadukt" are due to commence today, while the signing of the contract between the EU Administration of Mostar and "Vijadukt" is expected to take place this week. The construction cost for this project will amount to approximately 5 million German marks and is expected to last fifteen months. Workers from East and West Mostar will equally participate in its construction. The bridge will be constructed to its original form, while the remains of the old Carinski Bridge will be demolished. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The general alert was once again sounded for the Livno district this morning when Bosnian Serb forces targeted Livno and the surrounding area with mortar fire. Casualty and damage reports were not available. Citing an UN official, Reuters reports that the Bosnian Serbs are currently holding 80 Muslim civilians, including children, captive in Rogatica near Sarajevo. Two prisoners, one of whom was a 90 year old man, died. UNHCR spokesperson Kris Janowski announced that Serbs are not only violating the cease-fire agreements in Bosnia but are breaching all the principles of human rights. Serb forces have violated the cease-fire agreement on the Livno front and continue open provocations throughout BosniaHerzegovina, stated Herzeg-Bosnian Community representatives at a meeting in Mostar. The situation of Bosnian Croats in Banja Luka is reported to be very grave, with talks on exchanging prisoners and the dead continuing. The Bosnian Serbs stated today that they will re-open the blue humanitarian routes to Sarajevo by the end of the week even though the Bosnian Army has not withdrawn from Mt. Igman. These include the road south of Sarajevo airport and the road leading to Visoko and Central Bosnia. A UNHCR aid convoy departed from Zagreb today on its way to the besieged town of Cazin. The ten truck convoy is carrying 110 tons of food and medicines. PARIS, FRANCE Senior officials of the Contact Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina are meeting in Paris today. They will attempt to find the means to preserve the agreement on cessation of all hostilities signed on 31st December and to revive the peace negotiations. Contact Group representatives are to travel to Belgrade tomorrow in order to meet with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. On Thursday they are to pay a visit to Sarajevo and Pale. ========================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 11th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Hrvoje Sarinic, the head of the Croatian delegation for negotiations with local Serbs, held talks yesterday in Zagreb with peace mediators Lord David Owen and Thorvald Stoltenberg regarding the implementation of the economic agreement signed on 2nd December. Mr Sarinic said after the meeting that the signed agreement had to be implemented and that Croatia can no longer make concessions, adding that Croatia has been flexible up until now and would not tolerate any further concessions. After the discussions, Lord Owen and Mr Stoltenberg announced that further discussions with local Serb representatives and the Croatian delegation were scheduled at Zagreb airport today. Both peace negotiators left for Belgrade where they were scheduled to continue discussions with Serbian President Slobodan Milosovic. Today talks in Zagreb continued behind closed doors, but to date no real resolutions have been announced. Following Croatia's insistence, UNPROFOR has announced that signs bearing the insignia of the self-proclaimed Serb republic are currently being removed along the section of the Zagreb-Lipovac highway that passes through UN Sector West. UNPROFOR also announced that a military commissioner would travel to Novska to discuss plans to demine the ZagrebSlavonski Brod railway line. Mines were laid on the railway line when hostilities began in the area and currently discussions are in process to open the railway. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA According to HVO sources, Serbs continue to breech the ceasefire agreement on the Orasje-Bosanski Samac front. During the last 24 hours, Serbs fired mortar shells from the direction of Obudovc, Batkusa and Jenjici towards Ostra Luka and the road linking Orasje and Tuzla. Cease-fire violations continue on the Livno front. The general alert was sounded early this morning due to intensive Serb shelling of civilian targets in Livno and the surrounding area. According to UN spokesperson Herve Gourmelon, Serbs fired eight missiles on the Bihac pocket yesterday. No casualties had been reported. The spokesperson also confirmed that fighting continues in Velika Kladusa between Fikret Abdic's forces, Serbs and the Bosnian Army. Serbs are also reported to be attacking the region of Bosanska Krupa and Bosanski Otok. PARIS, FRANCE Croatia's Foreign Minister Mate Granic will be in Paris and Bonn today and tomorrow to hold talks with his French and German counterparts Alain Juppe and Klaus Kinkel, where they will discuss the situation in Croatia's occupied areas and the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia. NEW YORK, USA Mario Nobilo, the Croatian Ambassador to the UN, has sent a letter to Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in the wake of the report by international peace mediators on former Yugoslavia lodged on 5th January. The letter stresses that supplying the Serbs in the UNPAs with fuel in order to buy negotiating power is short-sighted and damaging to the peace process. ========================================================= FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 12th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA The meeting between the Croatian Government, represented by Hrvoje Sarinic, and the Serbs in Croatia's occupied territories, represented by Borislav Mikelic, was held yesterday in the UNPROFOR base at Zagreb airport, with peace envoys Lord David Owen and Thorvald Stoltenberg also present. After the seven hour discussions, a number of agreements were reached. Firstly, the section of the Zagreb-Lipovac highway which runs through UN Sector West will only bear internationally recognised road signs and signals. These will be put into place by UNPROFOR no later than 17th January. Secondly, Croatian authorities are to deliver electric generators to the Serb controlled hydroelectric dam in Obrovac no later than 17th January. Thirdly, the northern section of the oil pipe line, which has been confirmed to have been de-mined, should be reopened no later than 23rd January. Fourthly, details concerning the formation of a joint oil company are to be further examined. Fifthly, mine and railway experts are to inspect the ZagrebSlavonski Brod-Mirkovci-Tovarnik railway line to outline a concrete plan for its reopening. Sixthly, inspections of water supply systems are to begin this week to enable the first phase of repair work to begin by 24th January. Seventhly, further discussions will take place in Zagreb and Knin in regards to refugees and displaced persons. And finally, a new round of talks is scheduled for Knin on 27th January and Split on 24th February. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The commanders of the three warring parties in BosniaHerzegovina signed an agreement yesterday in Sarajevo to solidify the four month cease-fire, which was being jeopardised by the conflict over the Mount Igman demilitarised zone. UN commander for B-H General Michael Rose confirmed that the Bosnian Army had completely withdrawn from the demilitarised zone on Mount Igman, and consequently the Bosnian Serbs had promised to open up land routes to Sarajevo no later than 14th January. The agreement was signed by commanders of the Bosnian Army and its allies the Bosnian Croat HVO, Generals Rasim Delic and Tihomir Blaskic and the opposing Bosnian Serb commander General Ratko Mladic. It was also agreed upon that the three military sides should meet within 48 hours in western Bosnia were the cease-fire agreement is not being respected, in the hope of finding a solution to the crisis. Representatives of the Contact Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina are scheduled to meet today with the Bosnian Government in Sarajevo. Following this, they are due in Pale for further discussions with Bosnian Serbs. The representatives yesterday met with Serb President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade. The German Ambassador Steiner said after yesterday's talks that all discussions are centred on the acceptance of the Peace Plan and are the basis for any future discussions. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA According to UNPROFOR headquarters in Sarajevo, more clashes between the Bosnian Army and Bosnian Serb forces were reported yesterday. According to reports, Serb forces tried to capture more territory in the Srebrenica area. More than a dozen clashes were reported in the region. Reports of casualties are unknown to date. UNPROFOR also reported some 13 shells hitting the Bihac region yesterday. VIENNA, AUSTRIA The CSCE permanent committee, which held its planning session in Vienna today, was briefed by Croatia's CSCE ambassador Darko Bekic in regards to Croatia's views about the current UNPROFOR mandate. NEW YORK, USA The United Nations Security Council has agreed upon a draft resolution which would continue the softening of some sanctions against Serbia for a further 100 days. The resolution is expected to be accepted today. The draft resolution would also confirm that all import, export and transportation by Serbs through the UNPA zones in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina would only be allowed following permission by the legitimate governments of the territories, including those transports crossing the border between B-H and the rump Yugoslavia. ======================================================= FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 13th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian President Franjo Tudjman addressed the nation in a speech broadcast over Croatian television and radio. In his speech, President Tudjman announced that he had made a decision on terminating the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia on 31st March this year. This will be in line with the expiry date of the current mandate. Mr Tudjman added that he had forwarded a letter to UN Secretary General Boutros BoutrosGhali informing him of the decision, while other members of the international community had been informed through his special envoys. Among other things, President Tudjman emphasised that the decision is of crucial significance for a future resolution of Croatia's occupied territories. In his national address, the Croatian President expressed gratitude to all countries that had contributed to the peacekeeping force in Croatia, thanking UNPROFOR members and UN officials who have worked in Croatia under difficult and dangerous conditions, and remembering those who had lost their lives during the course of the peace mission. Addressing the Croatian public, Mr Tudjman stressed that Croatia is not departing from its goal of the peaceful reintegration of occupied regions and that Croatia will continue in its efforts to conduct negotiations, including the normalisation of Croatian-Serbian relations, within the framework of the international community. President Tudjman stated that democratic Croatia is guaranteeing Serbs living in Croatia all human and ethnic rights according to the highest international conventions, while the United Nations and other members of the international community are calling on Serbs in Croatia to respect Croatia's constitutional and legal order. The Croatian President ended his address by saying that the attainment of a lasting peace in Croatia will hasten a resolution to the crisis in BosniaHerzegovina, as well as help establish peace and the new world order in this part of the world. In a letter sent to Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Croatian President Tudjman informed the UN Secretary General that on 23rd September 1994, the Croatian Parliament decided to extend the UNPROFOR mandate for 100 days on condition that concrete measures and goals be realised. Based on Croatia's experience over the last two years, and in spite of UNPROFOR's important role in stopping violence, current UNPROFOR activities have not created conditions for implementing a lasting peace and order in Croatia. For that reason, President Tudjman has decided to cancel the mandate as of 31st March. The letter went on to say that the Croatian Government will immediately contact UN Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi, with whom all questions will be considered regarding the UNPROFOR withdrawal. Mr Tudjman also added that he hopes that the withdrawal will be orderly completed within three months of the mandate's expiry date. Croatia is prepared to enter into an agreement with the UN on the continuation of logistic assistance for UNPROFOR activities in Bosnia, including the continued work of UNPROFOR headquarters in Zagreb, and that the UN can be sure of the support of Croatian officials. President Tudjman's letter also states that the end to the UNPROFOR mandate does not mean an end to talks, but should rather have further impetus for their successful realisation. The Croatian Government, during last night's sitting, accepted the report on the decision to end the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia, which will be put before the House of Representatives. According to Reuters, UN Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi has warned that in case UNPROFOR does withdraw from Croatia's occupied territories, he believes this will lead to an escalation of conflicts in the region. Reuters also reports the US State Department's spokesperson Christine Shelly's announcement that the United States did not agree with Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate as this could result in the renewal of conflicts between Croatia and Serbs from Croatia's occupied territories. RIJEKA, CROATIA A senior United States military delegation, headed by the Deputy Commander for all US sea and land contingents in Europe Admiral Morris, visited today the Rijeka ship building yard "Viktor Lenac", so as to investigate the technical and security conditions for the repair of US navy ships. Admiral Morris and his delegation were accompanied by Croatian Deputy Defence Minister Josip Juras. The US Admiral later announced that he was satisfied with what he had inspected, but that its was too early to make plans for any concrete co-operation. PALE, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Representatives of the Contact Group for B-H arrived in the Serbian stronghold of Pale to discuss the continuation of the peace process. The meeting with the Bosnian Serbs was due to take place yesterday, but was delayed until today because of extended talks with the Bosnian Government in Sarajevo. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA According to HVO sources, Bosnian Serb forces provoked with small arms fire HVO positions on the Orasje-Samac front last night. Serb provocations were also reported on the Tomislavgrad, Mostar and Vitez defence lines, while Serb military convoys were of increased intensity in the Bosanska Posavina corridor around Brcko. UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK The UN Secretary General has responded to President Tudjman's letter, stating that the Croatian President informed him of the decision to end the UNPROFOR mandate which expires on 31st March. Mr Ghali expressed his regret and concern with the decision, adding that UNPROFOR has played an important role in stopping attacks against Croatia three years ago, and since then UNPROFOR has done all in its power to stop the renewal of conflict. The Secretary General added that the international community will continue its negotiations with the Croatian Government on the issues mentioned in President Tudjman's letter and that the request will be put before the UN Security Council. Last night the UN Security Council accepted the resolution which states that the easing of sanctions against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be extended by another 100 days. Fourteen members voted in favour, while the Russian representative sustained. The UN Security Council resolution states that the export and transport of goods through UNPAs in Croatia and Serb controlled areas in Bosnia will be allowed only with the permission of the Croatian and Bosnian Governments. The resolution also applies to all transport vehicles crossing the Yugoslav-Bosnian border. In his speech to the Council, Croatian Ambassador to the United Nations Mario Nobilo stressed that the blockade on the Yugoslav border is not complete. ============================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 16th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the international recognition of Croatia and when an independent and sovereign Croatia entered the world community of states. Croatia was officially recognised on 15th January 1992. President Franjo Tudjman marked the occasion with an official speech. The President declared that the day was an occasion to remember by all generations of Croats who waited patiently for Croatia's independence, as well as those many people who helped Croatia reach its goal. Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic also marked the occasion by referring to President Tudjman's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate as symbolic in that it ends a period of Croatia's efforts to peacefully reintegrate its occupied territories with the aid of UNPROFOR and the international community, and it was now time for Croatia to take responsibility for its own future. The parliamentary delegation of the Council of Europe will visit Croatia on Wednesday as part of Croatia's regular efforts securing membership into the Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the delegation will meet with Croatian representatives of government and constitutional bodies, as well as parliamentary commissions and nongovernment associations. The delegation will also visit the Istra county. The delegation will report to the European Parliamentary body on the results of its visit, where a decision will be made regarding Croatia's acceptance into the Council of Europe. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNPROFOR Commander for Bosnia-Herzegovina General Michael Rose and Chief of UNPROFOR Civilian Affairs Viktor Andreyev returned from Pale with no success in their negotiations with the Bosnian Serbs. Their visit intended to secure Serb acceptance for the re-opening of the blue routes for Sarajevo, which were foreseen as part of the four month cease-fire agreement, but the negotiations concluded with no breakthrough. Mr Andreyev stated that there were differences in the interpretation of the agreement. According to UNPROFOR in Sarajevo, seven persons were killed and one wounded over the weekend in Serb attacks on the centre of Bihac. On Sunday a 82mm mortar shell hit a school building killing a one year old girl, while a 15 year old girl was killed and her mother seriously wounded nearby when another shell hit a residential building. UNPROFOR spokesperson Paul Risley said that it was clear that the shells deliberately targeted the town centre, adding that to attack Bihac currently over-crowded with 60,000 people was nothing short of murder. UNPROFOR spokesperson Koos Sol announced that two French fighter jets mistakenly launched two rockets over Bosnian territory on Sunday. The incident did not result in any casualties. Mr Sol explained that two planes responsible for enforcing the no-fly operation within the Breza-IlijasVisoko sector accidentally launched two rockets which fell in the vicinity of the Canadian UNPROFOR battalion headquarters in Visko. According to Bosnian Government sources, forces loyal to Fikret Abdic are continuing to force civilians to dig trenches. These are mostly men and women who remained in their homes after the Bosnian Army expelled Abdic's supporters from Velika Kladusa and the entire Bihac region last summer. According to UNPROFOR sources, Abdic's military units are now searching the suburbs and rounding up residents. UN military observers have given strong evidence that the detained are forced to dig trenches along lines where they are exposed to military attacks. =========================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 17th January 1995. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The session of the Constitutional Assembly of the Bosnian Federation that was broken off in December continued in Sarajevo today. Twenty six bills were passed, among them the ones regulating the legal and economic system of the Bosnian Federation. The laws on amnesty, the law on supreme court of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the law on foreign investment were also adopted. They are also to discuss key strategic issues. Tomorrow, on the Constitutional Assembly of the B-H Federation, the two sides will deal with the crisis that has arisen following calls that came from the Muslim side for the current Federation President Kresimir Zubak to be replaced by Federation vice-president Ejup Ganic. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Reports of two more people being killed are coming from the Bihac region, where the Serbs from Croatia's UNPAs are continuing to violate the cease-fire. Fierce fighting is also being reported in the Velika Kladusa area. SKOPJE, MACEDONIA The US Army European HQ Chief-of-Staff, General George Joulwan held talks in Skopje today with Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov on the military co-operation between the US and Macedonia. Following the meeting, the US General said he was pleased with the outcome of the talks, adding that no extra US troops are to be sent to Macedonia as a part of a preventive mission. Following his visit to Macedonia, General Joulwan is scheduled to set off for Croatia. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND Experts from the Bosnian Contact Group are to meet in Geneva on Thursday with their counterparts from the Islamic countries to discuss a solution to the Bosnian crisis. This will be the first meeting of the five-nation Contact Group of the USA, Russia, Great Britain, France and Germany with the Islamic Conference Group of seven nations. According to western sources, the five-power Contact Group will be trying to pacify disgruntled Islamic countries, which resent the international community's passiveness towards the fate of the Bosnian Muslims. UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK In a report submitted to the UN Security Council yesterday, UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali expressed concern over the withdrawal of UNPROFOR from Croatia. Mr Ghali believes that this could incite a new outbreak of hostilities and he hopes that Croatia will reconsider its decision. The Secretary General also mentioned the eventual transfer of UNPROFOR troops from Croatia and admitted that no progress was made by UNPROFOR to create conditions for the deployment of monitors on the borders between Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia since the local Serbs in the occupied regions refuse to give permission for this. Mario Nobilo, the Croatian Ambassador to the UN, said last night in an interview for Croatian television that Mr Ghali did not take seriously the Croatian decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. Mr Nobilo added that the Croatian diplomacy must fully support this decision and make this clear to the international community. ========================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 18th January 1995 ZAGREB, CROATIA President Franjo Tudjman yesterday received US ambassador Peter Galbraith in the presidential offices. They discussed the Croatian decision to discontinue the UNPROFOR mandate and the speedy reintegration of the occupied regions of Croatia. Galbraith reiterated his concern over the decision to end the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia, indicating that it might lead to new conflicts. Galbraith stated that US is ready to cooperate with Croatia in finding a political solution to the crisis. Foreign minister Mate Granic met with the delegation of the Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly, led by Pierre Van der Linden. Granic informed the delegation of the situation in Croatia and the decision to end the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia. he stressed that this decision will boost the existing peace talks and that Croatia will do everything in its power to ensure that the reintegration of its occupied regions will be carried out through peaceful, political means. A Croatian government delegation led by Prime Minister Nikica Valentic yesterday returned from its official state visits to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kuwait. At a press conference Valentic stated that the purpose of this trip was to expand economic relations with these countries and open diplomatic missions. Valentic added that Croatia needs to strengthen its position in Asian markets. After a meeting between Croatian and Muslim delegations, the President of the Bosnian Federation, Kresimir Zubak announced that the upcoming session of the Constitutional Assembly of the Federation will not be held. This decision follows after the Muslims specified that they want Ejup Ganic to become the Federation's President. According to Mr Zubak, the Croatian side does not want the rotation of the presidency to be conditioned by sessions of the Bosnian Parliament. The Muslims have insisted on their demands and rejected Croatia's stand on the issue. They have proposed that the Croatians undertake an alteration to the Vienna Agreement which relates to the rotation of the federal presidency every six months. The Croatians have rejected this proposal saying that it would be a violation of the provisions of the Vienna Agreement. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Radio Sarajevo today charged Bosnian Serbs of cutting off gas lines in the centre of Sarajevo, in spite of the guarantee that lines will be opened as part of the four month cease-fire agreement. The temperature in Sarajevo reached a slow as minus 13 yesterday. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Radio Sarajevo also reported continued fighting in the Bihac region, where Bosnian Serbs and Serbs from occupied areas in Croatia last night attacked the enclave in order to recapture the village of Klokot, now controlled by the Bosnian Government Army. LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN An agreement was signed in London yesterday between the European Bank for reconstruction and development and Croatia on a loan for the amount of $US 47 million. This money is earmarked for various transportation projects, such as the completion of several highway routes, repair of bridges and equipment for the maintenance of roads. NEW YORK, USA The United Nations Security Council confirmed that it will not accept the status quo in the occupied territories of Croatia, and it has requested that the Croatian government reconsider its decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia. The Council also expressed its special concern over the deteriorating situation with the peace process in the former Yugoslavia. The Council stressed that it supports the territorial integrity of Croatia in its internationally recognised boarders and that it understands Croatia's disenchantment over the failure of UNPROFOR to implement the main provisions of the peace plan for Croatia. =========================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 19th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Foreign Minister Mate Granic sent a letter yesterday to the UN Security Council chairman Emilio Cardenas. Mr Granic wrote that Croatia carefully considered the statement made by President Tudjman and the Secretary General's report concerning the present UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia. He said he wished to reiterate on this occasion the decision by the Croatian Government regarding the issue as expressed in the President's letter to the Secretary General. Mr Granic stated that Croatia welcomes the Security Council's call for strengthening the present negotiating process and intensifying the implementation of the economic agreement made in December last year. He went on to say that Croatia remains steadfast in its commitment to political dialogue and the existing negotiations sponsored by the International Conference on former Yugoslavia. The economic agreement, discussed in length in the Secretary General's report and endorsed in the presidential statement, reflects precisely the approach that the Croatian Government wishes to continue pursuing. He also added that this approach incorporates an objective to achieve a final political settlement in Croatia through well-directed dialogue in the upcoming months. The Defence and National Security Council met last night in order to discuss the current domestic and foreign affairs issues. Regarding several proposals for Croatia to change its decision, including that of the UN Secretary General, it was concluded that Croatia would stand by its decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. The decision becomes executive at 24:00 hours on 31st March. The Council agreed that steps toward the peaceful reintegration of Croatia's occupied territories should continue even after the withdrawal of UN troops. Prime Minister Nikica SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The cease-fire agreement is now under threat after a 15-year old boy was wounded by sniper fire in Sarajevo yesterday. UNPROFOR described the incident as a serious violation of the cease-fire. The Bosnian Serbs are not keeping to the agreement regarding the opening of the blue humanitarian routes and the gas pipe lines for the Bosnian capital. Severe cold weather has set in and the residents of Sarajevo continue to be without any heating. Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic met last night with US Ambassador to B-H Viktor Jakovich regarding the difficulties in implementing the Constitution of the Federation of BosniaHerzegovina. It was suggested that US Government initiate a meeting between the Bosnian Croats and Muslims. Mr Izetbegovic proposed that the meeting be held by the end of this month. Another meeting between the Bosnian Serbs, Muslims and Croats is to be held in Sarajevo today under the auspices of UNPROFOR regarding the implementation of the cease-fire accord. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The Bosnian Serb forces yesterday continued to violate the cease-fire agreement in B-H. The general alert was put in effect in the Livno area yesterday afternoon after the Bosnian Serb forces initiated assaults on civilian targets in the district. HVO forces repelled an attempted infantry breakthrough. HVO positions on the Livno front came under Serb artillery and infantry fire today. No casualties were reported and the lines of confrontation remain unchanged. The cease-fire agreement is for the most part respected on the Orasje-Bosanski Samac front. Some sporadic small arms fire provocations were reported last night and this morning. A larger number of Serb military vehicles were reconnoitred around midnight en route Brcko-Loncar-Bosanski Samac, indicating that the Serbs continue to dispatch fresh forces to the region. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND Peace mediator Thorvald Stoltenberg announced that he was not surprised by the Croatian decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. Referring to the Z-4 Plan and the reintegration of the UNPAs into Croatia's constitutional and legal system, Mr Stoltenberg said he did not want to approve the proposed plan until it has been studied by the UN Security Council and Secretary General Boutros-Ghali. The international peace mediators continue to insist on the importance of bilateral recognition between the ex-Yugoslav states, although, according to Mr Stoltenberg, Serb President Slobodan Milosevic is not prepared at present to recognise Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina within their internationally recognised borders. Mr Stoltenberg said however, that the course of events in Croatia is encouraging, adding that he was an optimist because there are indications that the peace process is continuing the search for an acceptable political solution. ================================================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 20th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian President Franjo Tudjman met last night with Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs, the current chairman of the Organisation of European Security and Cooperation (OESC). The talks revolved around Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate and this, according to President Tudjman, will accelerate the peace process regarding the reintegration of the occupied territories. Mr Tudjman emphasised Croatia's desire for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Croatia, also stressing the importance of continuing the process of normalising Croatian-Serbian relations and OESC's influence on Belgrade to recognise Croatia. Minister Kovacs expressed the readiness of the OESC to participate in finding a peaceful political solution to the crisis. Foreign Minister Mate Granic yesterday met with representatives of humanitarian organisations operating in Croatia. Mr Granic explained the reasons for the decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate, adding that this will accelerate the process of reintegrating the occupied areas into the constitutional and legal system of Croatia. Mr Granic reasoned that Croatia will intensify peace talks at all levels and would also continue supporting the efforts of international humanitarian organisations helping the displaced persons and refugees in Croatia. Also present at the meeting were Deputy Premier Ivica Kostovic and Adalbert Rebic, the head of the Government Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees. Both stressed that there will be no changes in relations between Croatia and the international humanitarian organisations which are expected to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 970, especially regarding the occupied areas. Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak and Croatian Army Chief-of-Staff General Janko Bobetko met yesterday with John Forvargue, the newly appointed British military attach in Croatia. The improvement of the Croatian-British relations were discussed, as well as Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. According to UNPROFOR spokesperson Michael Williams, UNPROFOR was looking into the possibilities of moving their headquarters to Sarajevo or some other neighbouring country because it would be difficult in a political sense for them to remain in Zagreb after the termination of the mandate on 31st March. Mr Williams expressed hope that Croatia will reconsider its decision, but the final decision regarding the mandate rests with the UN Security Council. Mr Williams said that the possibility of the UN peacekeepers remaining in the UNPAs and not in other parts of Croatia was absolutely out of the question, adding that the UN Security Council resolutions and the UNPROFOR mandate clearly recognise the sovereignty of Croatia within its internationally acknowledged borders. Mr Williams expressed concern that the withdrawal of UN troops from the demarcation zones will incite confrontations between the local Serbs and the Croatian forces. SISAK, CROATIA A refugee settlement in Pisarovina near Sisak was formally opened today. The whole project was financed by the Swedish Government and Christina Magnuson, the president of the Swedish Red Cross, handed over the keys to Ruza PospisBaldani, the president of the Croatian Red Cross. The displaced residents of Lasinja are to now inhabit the 122 prefabricated homes. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Since his mandate ends on 24th January, UNPROFOR Commander for B-H General Sir Michael Rose is to meet with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic in Sarajevo today. An UNPROFOR representative said that General Rose is also scheduled to meet in Pale with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and Bosnian Serb forces commander General Ratko Mladic. General Rose is to be replaced as UN commander by British General Rupert Smith. BIHAC, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNPROFOR Commander for former Yugoslavia General Bertrand de Lapresle is to visit Bihac today in an attempt to strengthen the cease-fire in the region. According to UNPROFOR HQ in Sarajevo, the UN Commander is to meet with Bosnian Army 5th Corps Commander General Atif Dudakovic. According to UNPROFOR HQ in Zagreb, cease-fire violations were registered in the Bihac pocket yesterday. In the Velika Kladusa area alone 436 artillery impacts were recorded yesterday morning by the UN observers. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND The meeting between the Contact Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina and seven member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference ended yesterday in Geneva. Representatives of both contact groups will continue to consolidate the positions of their respective countries regarding the strengthening of the cease-fire in B-H, as well as initiating a new round of peace negotiations. ========================== FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 20th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian President Franjo Tudjman met last night with Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs, the current chairman of the Organisation of European Security and Cooperation (OESC). The talks revolved around Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate and this, according to President Tudjman, will accelerate the peace process regarding the reintegration of the occupied territories. Mr Tudjman emphasised Croatia's desire for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Croatia, also stressing the importance of continuing the process of normalising Croatian-Serbian relations and OESC's influence on Belgrade to recognise Croatia. Minister Kovacs expressed the readiness of the OESC to participate in finding a peaceful political solution to the crisis. Foreign Minister Mate Granic yesterday met with representatives of humanitarian organisations operating in Croatia. Mr Granic explained the reasons for the decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate, adding that this will accelerate the process of reintegrating the occupied areas into the constitutional and legal system of Croatia. Mr Granic reasoned that Croatia will intensify peace talks at all levels and would also continue supporting the efforts of international humanitarian organisations helping the displaced persons and refugees in Croatia. Also present at the meeting were Deputy Premier Ivica Kostovic and Adalbert Rebic, the head of the Government Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees. Both stressed that there will be no changes in relations between Croatia and the international humanitarian organisations which are expected to abide by UN Security Council Resolution 970, especially regarding the occupied areas. Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak and Croatian Army Chief-of-Staff General Janko Bobetko met yesterday with John Forvargue, the newly appointed British military attach in Croatia. The improvement of the Croatian-British relations were discussed, as well as Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. According to UNPROFOR spokesperson Michael Williams, UNPROFOR was looking into the possibilities of moving their headquarters to Sarajevo or some other neighbouring country because it would be difficult in a political sense for them to remain in Zagreb after the termination of the mandate on 31st March. Mr Williams expressed hope that Croatia will reconsider its decision, but the final decision regarding the mandate rests with the UN Security Council. Mr Williams said that the possibility of the UN peacekeepers remaining in the UNPAs and not in other parts of Croatia was absolutely out of the question, adding that the UN Security Council resolutions and the UNPROFOR mandate clearly recognise the sovereignty of Croatia within its internationally acknowledged borders. Mr Williams expressed concern that the withdrawal of UN troops from the demarcation zones will incite confrontations between the local Serbs and the Croatian forces. SISAK, CROATIA A refugee settlement in Pisarovina near Sisak was formally opened today. The whole project was financed by the Swedish Government and Christina Magnuson, the president of the Swedish Red Cross, handed over the keys to Ruza PospisBaldani, the president of the Croatian Red Cross. The displaced residents of Lasinja are to now inhabit the 122 prefabricated homes. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Since his mandate ends on 24th January, UNPROFOR Commander for B-H General Sir Michael Rose is to meet with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic in Sarajevo today. An UNPROFOR representative said that General Rose is also scheduled to meet in Pale with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and Bosnian Serb forces commander General Ratko Mladic. General Rose is to be replaced as UN commander by British General Rupert Smith. BIHAC, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNPROFOR Commander for former Yugoslavia General Bertrand de Lapresle is to visit Bihac today in an attempt to strengthen the cease-fire in the region. According to UNPROFOR HQ in Sarajevo, the UN Commander is to meet with Bosnian Army 5th Corps Commander General Atif Dudakovic. According to UNPROFOR HQ in Zagreb, cease-fire violations were registered in the Bihac pocket yesterday. In the Velika Kladusa area alone 436 artillery impacts were recorded yesterday morning by the UN observers. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND The meeting between the Contact Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina and seven member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference ended yesterday in Geneva. Representatives of both contact groups will continue to consolidate the positions of their respective countries regarding the strengthening of the cease-fire in B-H, as well as initiating a new round of peace negotiations. From news.alpha.net!uwm.edu!news.moneng.mei.com!howland.reston.ans.net!swrinde!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!jobone!lynx.unm.edu!indus.unm.edu!not-for-mail Mon Jan 23 19:10:16 1995 Path: news.alpha.net!uwm.edu!news.moneng.mei.com!howland.reston.ans.net!swrinde!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!jobone!lynx.unm.edu!indus.unm.edu!not-for-mail From: vuksan@unm.edu (Vladimir Vuksan) Newsgroups: soc.culture.croatia,soc.culture.bosna-herzgvna,alt.current-events.bosnia Subject: *** FPB Bulletin 23.1.1995. *** Date: 23 Jan 1995 13:17:11 -0700 Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Lines: 87 Message-ID: <3g12s7$2278@indus.unm.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: indus.unm.edu Xref: news.alpha.net soc.culture.croatia:17267 soc.culture.bosna-herzgvna:20834 alt.current-events.bosnia:4111 FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 23rd January, 1995 ZAGREB, CROATIA US Under Secretary of Defence, Walter B. Slocombe briefly visited Zagreb today while en route to Sarajevo on a fact finding mission to access the military situation in Bosnia- Herzegovina and Croatia. Under Secretary Slocombe met with President Tudjman and Croatian Defence Minister Gojko Susak. Mr Slocombe announced that the US Government was deeply concerned about the Croatian decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. Discussions also concerned the possibility of deploying EU observers who would monitor the process of peaceful re-integration of Croatia's occupied territories. Following his meetings in Zagreb and Sarajevo, Under Secretary Slocombe will visit Skopje, Rome and Bruxelles. KNIN, CROATIA The self-proclaimed government of the so-called Republic of Serb Krajina has sent a letter to the Secretary General to the United Nations Mr Boutros Boutros Ghali regarding the Croatian decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. In the letter, Knin Serb leader Borislav Mikelic states Croatian President Tudjman's decision seriously endangers the realisation of the signed agreements and brings into question whether negotiations will continue. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UN Commander for B-H, General Sir Michael Rose is expected to leave Sarajevo today. He is en route to Zagreb after having completed his one year mandate. General Rose is to be replaced by British General Rupert Smith who is expected to take up his post in Sarajevo on Wednesday after talks with UN Secretary General Boutros Ghali. PALE, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA American Envoy for the international Contact Group, Charles Thomas, expressed confidence after a meeting with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic that talks will bring about a final peace solution. The meeting was the first at the high official level between the United States and Karadzic since Serbs rejected the Contact Group peace plan last summer. The Bosnian Government, however, is unsatisfied as a UN Resolution last summer stressed that only the UN can make contact with the Serbs. As reported by Reuters, Thomas confirmed that he will be joined by the other members of the Contact Group in Sarajevo. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Zegar and Vedro Polje near Bihac were fiercely attacked with tank and mortar fire by Serbs from Croatia's occupied territories, Bosnian Serbs and forces loyal to Fikret Abdic. The general alert was sounded in Livno late on Saturday evening. Serbs launched fresh artillery attacks on the greater Livno area. It was also reported that yesterday Serb forces fired some 40 artillery shells on the region, causing extensive material damage. Bosnian Serb forces also attacked the Teslic-Komusani front on Sunday morning. Small arms and sniper fire were reported by HVO sources. No casualties were reported. The Bosnian Army has closed all routes from the UNPROFOR headquarters in Tuzla due to the presence of a Serb communications officer. Meanwhile, France Presse cites UN sources saying that the officer has left the area. BRUXELLES, BELGIUM Foreign Affairs Ministers from fifteen European Union member countries will meet in Bruxelles today to discuss the peace process in former Yugoslavia, as well as the situation in Chechnya. Diplomatic circles in Bruxelles stress that Croatia has unsettled the West by terminating the UNPROFOR mandate. It is expected that diplomats will most probably request that the European Commission prepare a draft mandate to negotiate a co-operation agreement with Croatia. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND The UN Secretary General, Boutros Ghali is to meet today in Geneva with his Special Envoy for former Yugoslavia, Yasushi Akashi, peace mediator Thorvald Stoltenberg and UNPROFOR commanders. They are to discuss the Croatian issue. ============================================ FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN 24th January 1995. ZAGREB, CROATIA President Franjo Tudjman received today Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic and Bosnian Federation President Kresimir Zubak. The meeting took place behind closed doors and a statement is expected later in the day. A delegation from the Croatian Association of Displaced Persons whose constituencies are partially or entirely occupied met yesterday with members of the Croatian Parliament. They fully supported the establishment of a committee for the peaceful reintegration of Croatia's occupied territories and discussed the problems faced by displaced persons. A proposal for a new bill on displaced persons was welcomed. KARLOVAC, CROATIA Following a press conference in Karlovac yesterday, UNPROFOR officials announced that the Adriatic Oil Pipeline which passes through Sector West could be reopened within six days. They confirmed that the technical preparations have been completed. UN officials also announced that a meeting of experts from both sides in Sisak is scheduled today so that they may agree on a final inspection of the pipeline for the ordering of necessary parts needed for repairs. UNPROFOR confirmed that explosives had not been planted along the pipeline nor had it suffered any major damage. PETRINJA, CROATIA Croatian experts met this morning with local Serb representatives in Petrinja regarding the reopening of the Adriatic Oil Pipeline running through UNPA Sector North. Talks are focusing on the inspection of the pipeline equipment in Hrastovica and Prekopa near Glina, in Satornja near Topusko, in Vrginmost, Vojnic and Krnjak. SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA General Rupert Smith will assume his post today as UNPROFOR commander for Bosnia-Herzegovina, replacing General Michael Rose. Upon departure General Michael Rose spoke with journalists, evaluating the continuation of humanitarian aid for civilians and the creation of conditions for peace talks as the most important success of his mandate. MOSTAR, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The Major of West Mostar, Mijo Brajkovic, has warned that unilateral statements made by European Union officials in Mostar in which they blame the Croatian side exclusively for the deteriorating situation in Mostar could cause dissatisfaction with the EU administration among the civilian population. He added that the diplomatic capabilities of the European Union are in question and that it is not the Croatian side which is halting the peace process. FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UN military observers yesterday reported fresh attacks by Abdic's forces and Serbs from Croatia's UNPAs on Bosnian Army positions south-east of Velika Kladusa. More than 500 impacts were recorded over the past 24 hours in the area. Conflicts were also reported in the Bihac area, with the villages of Vedro Polje, Klokoc and Zegar being the hardest hit. UN observers reported 80 impacts in the area. HVO sources reported cease-fire violations overnight on the Orasje-Bosanski Samac front. Small arms fire from Lepnica and Batkusa targeted the eastern and western sections of the battlefront. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND Croatian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic yesterday addressed senior international officials gathered for a fiveday conference on the protection of war victims. Dr Simonovic pointed out the frequent incidence of human rights violations in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. He added that in addition to the civilian casualties, the detained and missing persons, and the material damage estimated at over 26 million US dollars, the aggression against Croatia and BH is evidence of the most serious refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. Dr Simonovic expressed Croatia's support for the work of the War Crimes Tribunal for former Yugoslavia but also called for the international condemnation of countries not prepared to extradite criminals. BRUXELLES, BELGIUM Following yesterday's meeting of fifteen foreign ministers, the European Union is to begin trade and economic talks with Croatia. Talks are scheduled for March and will depend on Croatia's stance regarding the peace process in former Yugoslavia. In a joint statement, the ministers called on the Croatian Government to reconsider its decision on terminating the UNPROFOR mandate. At the same time, the European Union welcomed the signing of the economic agreement between the Croatian Government and local Serbs on 2nd December. As for Bosnia-Herzegovina, it is hoped that the period designated by the cease-fire agreement signed on 31st December will be used constructively to restart the diplomatic process. Finally, the European Union decided to extend the partial lifting of sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro for another 100 days. UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK The United Nations Security Council has decided to maintain sanctions against Bosnian Serbs which came into effect last September. Following the Council's advisory meeting, its president Argentinean Ambassador Cardenas stated that the conditions were not appropriate for lifting the economic sanctions against the Bosnian Serbs. WASHINGTON, USA According to White House spokesperson Mike McCurry, the United States has not changed its policy on BosniaHerzegovina in spite of engaging in direct talks with Bosnian Serbs. Mr McCurry added that the Contact Group ministers agreed last December to increase diplomatic efforts in order to end the fighting in B-H.