Software Vault: The Diamond Collection/The Diamond Collection (Software Vault)(Digital Impact).ISO/cdr14/yugo0295.zip/CROA9502.TXT

Text File | 1995-03-02 | 60KB | 1,367 lines

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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN

25th January 1995.



ZAGREB, CROATIA A meeting of the Croatian National Security and
Defence Council was held last night in Zagreb, in which members
of the Council deliberated on the statements of concern and
requests from the European Union and the United States that
Croatia reconsiders its decision to terminate the UNPROFOR
mandate. The Council unanimously upheld the decision, but is
willing to consider international monitoring of Croatia's
reintegration of the occupied areas.

The statement in regards to the termination of the UNPROFOR
mandate in Croatia will be one of the first discussion points in
today's session of the House of Representatives of the Croatian
Parliament. In yesterday's session of Parliament the statement
was given overall support, with Croatian Foreign Minister Mate
Granic stating that the decision would not be reversed.



UNPA SECTOR WEST, CROATIA According to UNPROFOR spokesperson for
Sector West, Serbs from Croatia's occupied territories have
refused to begin the de-mining of the railroad tracks and the
pipeline of the Sumetlica water works which supplies the town of
Pakrac. The project to repair the railroad track and the
pipeline was scheduled to begin last week and is part of the
economic agreement signed by the Serbs and Croatian authorities.



SLAVONSKI BROD, CROATIA Serb forces in occupied parts of
Bosanska Posavina last night opened fire on Slavonski Brod.
According to local police, Serbs opened machine gun fire from
the direction of the demolished bridge over River Sava and
Brodsko Polje near Bosanski Brod. Croatian boarder police near
Poloj and Zbjeg were also fired upon. No casualties were
reported.



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The member states of the Contact
Group have not changed their stance for the resolution of the
crisis in BosniaHerzegovina. Ambassador Charles Thomas, the US
representative for the Contact Group, announced in Sarajevo that
the member states firmly uphold the proposed peace plan for B-H.
In a short statement made after a meeting with Ejup Ganic, the
Vice President of the Bosnian Federation, Mr Thomas stressed
that it is necessary to uphold the current cease-fire if the
peace process is to continue. Mr Thomas did not respond when
asked how long the Contact Group was willing to wait for the
Bosnian Serbs to accept the proposed peace plan.



TUZLA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The United Nations has decided to open
the Tuzla airport for UNPROFOR humanitarian purposes as of 1st
February. The decision follows the Bosnian Government's request
of 17th of this month that UNPROFOR re-open the airport by 1st
February or unconditionally evacuate the airport by 1st March.
The Tuzla airport, officially opened by the UN in March 1994 to
bring in humanitarian aid for the region, was immediately closed
due to Serb bombing. Bosnian Serb forces are positioned only a
few kilometres from the runway.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA According to HVO sources, it was
relatively peaceful on the Orasje-Bosanski Samac front. Serbs
opened sporadic light arms fire on the eastern section of the
front. Last night Serb forces targeted defence positions to the
east from the direction of Lepnica and to the west from Batkusa.



GENEVA, SWITZERLAND The conclusion of yesterday's meeting in
Geneva between UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali and UN
Special Envoys Yasushi Akashi, Thorvald Stoltenberg and Kofi
Anan are expected later today. Statements are expected on the
continuation of the peace talks in Bosnia-Herzegovina under the
patronage of the Contact Group, the situation in Croatia in
light of the termination of the UNPROFOR mandate, and the
possible effects of the Croatian decision on UN forces in
Bosnia-Herzegovina.



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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN

26th January 1995.



ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian President Franjo Tudjman yesterday
received peace mediator Lord David Owen. Prior to this Lord Owen
held talks with the Croatian President's Chief-of-Staff and
Croatian Government negotiator with local Serbs, Mr Hrvoje
Sarinic. After their meeting Mr Sarinic announced that the
Adriatic pipeline running through UNPA Sector North would be
opened today. The pipeline extends from the Omisalj refinery
towards Sisak and then onwards to Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and
the Czech Republic.

The statement in regards to the UNPROFOR termination will once
again take front seat at discussions of today's session of the
Croatian House of Representatives. The session will continue
until tomorrow with various new legislations expected to be
passed.

A meeting to discuss some of the new initiatives proposed by the
Contact Group for Bosnia-Herzegovina was held in Zagreb
yesterday between Croatian Government officials Miomir Zuzul and
Bosiljko Misetic and Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic.
During their discussions it was concluded that the Contact
Group's new initiatives were unacceptable to both the Croatian
and Bosnian side. It was proposed that a trilateral meeting be
organised between Croatia, the United States and the Bosnian
Federation.



KNIN, CROATIA According to UNPROFOR spokesperson for UNPA Sector
South Alun Roberts, ongoing meetings between Croatian Government
representatives and Serbs from Croatia's UNPAs are scheduled to
resume tomorrow in Knin. Mr Roberts stated that the talks would
focus on the opening of the railway lines from Zagreb through
occupied Okucani, Slavonski Brod, Tovarnik and Mirkovac, and
from Zagreb to Split via occupied Knin.



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The newly appointed UNPROFOR
commander for B-H General Rupert Smith arrived in Sarajevo this
morning. Upon his arrival General Smith said that the main task
of the peacekeepers in the coming months was the delivery of
humanitarian aid to the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He
stressed that the UN troops will continue working on their task
of achieving a lasting peace, based on the current four month
cease-fire agreement. Later today General Smith is to be
received by Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Bosnian Serbs once again breached
the cessation of hostilities agreement on the Orasje-Bosanski
Samac front yesterday. Reports confirm sporadic firing of heavy
artillery on HVO defence lines. There were no reports of
casualties.

Forces loyal to Fikret Abdic and Serbs from Croatia's occupied
areas have again attacked the Bosnian Army defence lines from
the directions of Zeljava-Bihac and from Velika Kladusa towards
Pecigrad and Vrnograc. Radio Sarajevo reports that the Bosnian
Army is resisting the onslaught.



THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS The 16 ambassadors of the NATO Council
met yesterday and called on the organisation's military leaders
to modify the existing plan for the UNPROFOR withdrawal from
BosniaHerzegovina. They specified that the plan is to include
the withdrawal of UNPROFOR personnel from Croatia. The Council
also agreed on initiating contact with Croatian authorities in
order to receive permission for the use of Croatian harbours and
airports with regards to the withdrawal of UNPROFOR.



AVIANO, ITALY According to the Italian coastguard reports, a US
F-16 fighter jet plunged into the Adriatic sea this morning. The
jet, accompanied by another two jets, took off from the Aviano
airbase and did not return from the mission. It is still
uncertain whether the pilot ejected from the aircraft.



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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN

27th January 1995.



ZAGREB, CROATIA A new Croatian ministry was officially
inaugurated yesterday. The Ministry of Development and
Reconstruction and its new minister, Mr Jure Radic will be
responsible for the development of national and strategic
programmes for Croatia.

The Croatian Parliament's House of Representatives today
officially adopted the declaration on ending the UNPROFOR
mandate in Croatia on March 31st.

Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic today at a press
conference proposed five new ministers and a Deputy Culture
Minister for his cabinet. Zagreb County Prefect Ivica Gazi is
the new Agriculture and Forestry Minister, while Deputy Labour
and Social Welfare Minister Joso Skara now becomes Labour and
Social Welfare Minister. Deputy Mayor of Zagreb Marina
Matulovic-Dropulic now has the portfolio for Building, Housing
and Environment. President of the Privatisation Fund Ivan Penic
moves on to the portfolio of Privatisation Minister. The head of
the Government Office for Displaced People and Refugees,
Adalbert Rebic, now becomes a Minister without a portfolio, and
Zagreb Attorney Miro Crnja is the new Deputy Culture Minister.
The new portfolios are expected to be approved henceforth by the
Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and by members of parliament.

The European Commissioner for Humanitarian and Social Affairs,
Mrs Ema Bonino today arrived for a tour of Croatia and
Bosnia-Herzegovina. To date, the European Commission has given
the largest amount of humanitarian aid to Croatia and
Bosnia-Herzegovina. In total 1 billion 250 million US dollars of
aid has been donated.



SISAK, CROATIA The first quantities of oil have arrived at the
Sisak terminal via the Adriatic oil pipeline. According to head
expert at the Sisak terminal, Antun Bobetko, all is going
according to plan.



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA A three day commemoration for the
defence of Sarajevo began today. Today marks the 1000th  day
since the tragedy of war engulfed Sarajevo. Guests are expected
to arrive by UN planes from all corners of the world to pay
homage to the citizens of Sarajevo for their determination and
suffering. In a special statement to commemorate the day, UN
Secretary General Boutros Boutros- Ghali expressed his
solidarity with and sympathy for the people of Sarajevo. Mr
Ghali reasserted his commitment and that of the United Nations
to continue in all efforts to alleviate the plight of those
affected by war and to bring a peaceful

settlement to the conflict.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA In a joint counter offensive, the
Bosnian Army and HVO forces liberated the village of Bugar in
the Bihac enclave, 20 kilometres north-east of Bihac town.





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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN

30th January 1995.



ZAGREB, CROATIA President Tudjman received yesterday a
delegation of the Croatian International Youth Congress led by
their President Pavo Gagulic. The delegation, comprised of
second generation Croatians living in Europe and overseas,
briefed the President on the Congress projects in Croatian
communities abroad. One of the main goals is to stimulate young
Croatians to return to their homeland and bring with them their
knowledge and skills. The delegation welcomed the proposal to
form a Ministry of Immigration and gave their support to the
President's decision  to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate. The
President emphasised the importance of Croatia's demographic
recovery, pointing out that the return of young people to the
homeland is of high strategic significance for Croatia.

German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel arrives in Zagreb today and
then heads for Sarajevo. Mr Kinkel announced that he is against
Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic's proposal for an ultimatum
for the Bosnian Serbs. The Minister rejects any talks of
differences within the Contact Group, and announced that any
such proposal would halt the continuing work in trying to find a
peaceful agreement for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

President Tudjman this morning received the Z-4 Ambassadors,
Leonid Kerestedijanc of the Russian Federation, Peter Galbraith
of the United States, ICFY Ambassadors Geert Ahrens and Alfredo
Matacotta Cordella, joined by the French Ambassador Jean-Jacques
Gaillarde representing the EU Presidency. Commenting on the Z-4
draft plan, the Croatian President said that Croatia would
consider the positive elements that it contains regarding the
re-establishment of Croatia's sovereignty in the whole of its
territory, the return of refugees and local autonomy for the
ethnic Serb minority. Talking to the Z-4 ambassadors, the
Croatian President stressed Croatia's full support for a
peaceful resolution based on the Croatian constitution and laws,
the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions
regarding Croatia's occupied territories, as well as the
normalisation of Croatian-Serb relations. President Tudjman
added that Croatia will not accept anything not in line with its
constitution and international conventions on the rights of
ethnic communities or minorities.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Cease-fire violations continue in
West Bosnia. Fierce clashes between the Bosnian Army, Fikret
Abdic's forces and Serbs from Croatia's occupied territories
have been reported in the vicinity of Velika Kladusa overnight
and yesterday. At least 1 000 impacts were reported in the area,
with the hardest hit being Mala Kladusa and Velika Kladusa.
According to UNPROFOR, the frontline seems to be moving to the
west. UNPROFOR spokesperson Jerry Coward stated that there were
some indications pointing to the possible evacuation of some 25
000 to 30 000 civilians from Velika Kladusa, most of whom had
already spent some time at the refugee camps in Batnoga and
Turanj. The situation in Bihac was somewhat calmer, but
cease-fire violations were reported.



UNPROFOR sources also reported three detonations in the Sarajevo
area on Sunday although they were unable to confirm who was
responsible.





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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN

31st January 1995.



ZAGREB, CROATIA President Tudjman yesterday received the Z-4
ambassadors. The Z-4 draft plan for Croatia was presented to the
Croatian President by the French Ambassador in Zagreb
Jean-Jacques Gaillarde. President Tudjman said that Croatia
received the draft plan and will take it into consideration,
especially the positive parts it contains. These are thought to
be the establishment of Croatian sovereignty over its whole
territory, the return of the displaced persons and the local
self-government for the Serb ethnic community or minority.

Ambassador Geert Ahrens stated on behalf of the Z-4 group of
ambassadors that the Serb representatives in Knin rejected the
draft plan for the reintegration of the occupied Croatian
territories. Mr Ahrens added that the Serb representatives
believed that their acceptance of the proposed text would at the
same time represent the acceptance of negotiations on its
improvement and implementation.

Emma Bonino, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian and
Social Affairs, speaking at a press conference at Zagreb airport
yesterday, expressed her satisfaction with the results of her
visit to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Mrs Bonino explained
the purpose of her visit was to give encouragement and support
to humanitarian workers, to evaluate their effectiveness, their
limitations and further possibilities in the deployment of aid.
The European Commission's Office for Humanitarian Affairs has
donated 330 million US dollars aid to former Yugoslavia in the
past year. In addition, a further 193 million US dollars has
been approved for the first six months of this year.

The European Bank for Renewal and Reconstruction has approved a
10 year loan of 228,700,000 Croatian kunas for the
reconstruction of the Croatian electrical network. The loan will
be used to repair electricity networks in waraffected areas,
stabilise financial management and to introduce institutional
reforms in the energetics field.

The Minister of Development and Reconstruction Jure Radic
received yesterday the newly appointed head of the EU Observers
in Zagreb, Albert Turot. Minister Radic informed Ambassador
Turot of the views of the Croatian authorities on the
indivisibility of Croatia. Mr Radic also spoke of plans for
reconstruction and development of areas under Croatian control
as well as those currently occupied by the Serbs.

Croatian President Franjo Tudjman today received the German
Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel. The two discussed the UNPROFOR
mandate in Croatia and the present situation in the federation
of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the city of Mostar. Mr Kinkel also met
with UN Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi and then left for Sarajevo
for meetings with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic and
Bosnian Federation President Kresimir Zubak.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The general alert was put into
effect early yesterday evening following fierce Serb artillery
attacks on the Livno region. Reports on casualties and material
damage were as yet not available.

Bosnian Serb forces initiated fierce attacks against HVO
positions and civilian targets on the Orasje-Bosanski Samac
front in the past 24 hours. No casualties were reported.

The Dutch Defence Minister announced yesterday that Muslim
soldiers have detained some 100 Dutch UNPROFOR troops in the
south-west of the Srebrenica enclave. The Dutch UN battalion
commander Lt. Colonel Karemans, who is responsible for the
security of Srebrenica, is currently negotiating with the
Muslims to release the UNPROFOR soldiers and thus enable them to
continue their work in the area.



GENEVA, SWITZERLAND The annual conference of the Commission for
Human Rights will today continue its session, which began
yesterday in Geneva. The conference will last six weeks with 50
fully pledged members and 90 observer nations participating,
including Croatia. Croatian Foreign  Minister Mate Granic is
expected to present Croatian points of view in regards to human
rights, while a general resolution in regards to the abuse of
human rights in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is also expected
to be accepted by the Commission.



WASHINGTON, USA US Vice President Al Gore yesterday meet with
Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic in Washington. Mr Gore
once again confirmed American support for the territorial
integrity of the Bosnian state and the Contact Group peace plan.
Both statesmen meanwhile expressed their deep dissatisfaction
with the constant refusals of the Bosnian Serbs to accept the
initiatives of the Contact Group. Mr Silajdzic sought a three
month ultimatum for the Bosnian Serbs to accept the peace plan,
in which case a refusal would would bring about the lifting of
the arms embargo for the Bosnian Government.

Talking about the Z-4 peace plan, the US State Department
spokesperson Christine Shelly said that the aim of the peace
plan was to re-establish Croatia's sovereignty over the whole of
its territory with significant autonomy for areas with a Serb
majority. Ms Shelly added that full Croatian authority would be
re-established in Sectors East and West, while Sectors North and
South would become self-governing regions.



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6th February, 1995

FOREIGN PRESS ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN



ZAGREB, CROATIA Expert groups for mine clearance from both the
Croatian and Serbian side have agreed to begin mine clearing
operations along the occupied section of the Zagreb-Vinkovci
railroad in UN Sector West. According to UNPROFOR spokesperson
Susan Manuel, the works are to be carried out by a joint team of
experts and have already commenced in the Novska and Nova
Gradiska areas and are to continue for some 8 to 10 days. After
this is completed other repair works are to commence and are
expected to be finalised by the end of the month.



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA According to the Department of
Civilian Affairs in BosniaHerzegovina, the blue routes  along
the Sarajevo airport runway were re-opened for civilian traffic
at 8.00am this morning. The Bosnian Minister Hasan Muratovi},
announced that an agreement was reached during yesterday's
meeting with Bosnian Serb representatives. At least 700 vehicles
utilised the newly-opened blue routes during the morning hours,
while some 40 crossed over to Ilidza and Lukavica, the sections
of the city under Serb control. according to reports traffic
along the blue routes is flowing smoothly and both sides are
fully co-operating.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The Bihac area was fiercely
attacked on Sunday by the joint forces of the Bosnian Serbs,
Serbs from Croatia's occupied territories and Fikret Abdic's
troops. Six tank shells were fired on the town itself. The
Bosnian Army defence positions remained intact. According to
UNPROFOR headquarters in Sarajevo, fierce fighting has not eased
in western Bosnia. Some 580 impacts were recorded near Velika
Kladu{a overnight and during the day.

Several shells were fired towards the eastern sections of the
Ora{je and [amac front last night with small arms and
anti-aircraft fire recorded overnight along HVO defence lines in
the area.



MUNICH, GERMANY Croatian Defence Minister, Gojko [u{ak, met in
Munich yesterday with a US delegation, comprising of his
American counterpart, William Perry, US Assistant Secretary of
State, Richard Holbrook and the Joint Commander of the US Armed
Forces  John Shalikashivill. After the meeting, Mr [u{ak
announced that plans had been analysed for joint and
co-ordinated steps to be taken before the departure of UNPROFOR
from Croatia. He expressed his satisfaction with the talks,
despite the US expressing a different point of view in regards
to the termination of the UNPROFOR mandate. In an interview on
Croatian television last night Mr [u{ak said that the US looked
upon Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate as too
early. He continued to say that it was now a question of how
NATO and the US could be involved in the secure withdrawal of
UNPROFOR.

Meanwhile, talks in Munich continued on the situation in
Bosnia-Herzegovina. Talks chaired by State Department Aide
Richard Holbrook, focused on the implementation of the
Washington Accord on the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Federation and
the resolution of associated problems with the accord within the
next two months. Present at the talks were Bosnian Federation
leaders, including President Kre{imir Zubak, Vice President Ejup
Gani} and Prime Minister Haris Silajdzi} and Croatian
representatives, Foreign Minister Mate Grani}, Defence Minister
Gojko [u{ak and ambassadors Miomir @u`ul and Ivan Ili}, as well
as Contact Group members. They agreed on a nine-point plan of
support for BosniaHerzegovina. The plan will attempt to solve
the many key questions which have emerged during the practical
implementation of the Bosnian Federation Agreement. The plan
foresees the appointment of an representative arbitrator who
would bring decisions in disputes in accordance with the
Washington Accord and the Vienna Agreement; decisions that would
bind both sides. It also foresees the establishment of a
permanent commission in Sarajevo which would monitor the
progress of the Bosnian Federation.



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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB  DAILY BULLETIN

8th February, 1995



ZAGREB, CROATIA  Croatian Defence Minister, Gojko Susak has sent
a letter to  UNPROFOR commander General Bertrand de Lapresle in
which he calls  for firmer and more co-ordinated cooperations in
the realisation  of the termination of the UNPROFOR mandate,
especially on the  field. Susak is requesting that all contacts
with the defence  ministry and the chiefs of staff of the
Croatian army be made  directly through the defence ministry's
office. Susak believes  that the office will be of great help to
UNPROFOR in the planning  and implementation of their withdrawal
from Croatia.  From the 1st of April Germany will begin
returning Croatian  refugees back to Croatia. Deputy Prime
Minister Ivica Kostovic  has expressed concern over this
decision. Kostovic will travel to  Germany on the 23rd of this
month to discuss this matter with the  parliamentary leaders of
the three German states which are  housing most of the Croatian
refugees. Germany's decision however  is conditional on the
situation in the UNPAs improving.



BIHAC, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA  According to the Chairman of the
Bosnian Town Council, Mr  Kabiljagic, the humanitarian situation
in the Bihac pocket is on  the verge of a catastrophe. According
to the latest statistics  from Bihac hospital, 47 people have
died in the last two months,  most of these being children. The
hospital is currently  accommodating around 2,000 wounded and
sick patients, with  shortages of food and medicine. A UNHCR
spokesperson in Sarajevo  confirmed the grim situation in Bihac,
adding that the town needs  approximately two thousand tons of
food per month.



  WASHINGTON, USA  The US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard
Holbrook has  announced that the US is not prepared to continue
negotiations  with Bosnian Serbs unless they accept the Contact
Groups peace  plan. he added that Bosnian Serb leader Radovan
Karadzic will not  be invited to the proposed highlevel meeting,
as was proposed by  France and supported by EU monitors.



PARIS, FRANCE  French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe announced in
Paris that a  meeting should be held between Bosnian President
Alija  Izetbegovic, Croatian President Franjo Tudman and Serbian
 President Slobodan Milosevic. France has offered to host the
meeting but as yet no decison has been made as to where it will
be held.



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FPB Bulletin

 9th February, 1995



ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic and his
Bosnian counterpart Irfan Ljubijankic met in Zagreb yesterday.
Granic stated that the meeting was a continuation of the recent
Munich talks which he described as a great step towards
establishing the Bosnian Federation, the implementation of the
Washington Accords and the forging of firm lines between the
federation and Croatia. Mr Granic described yesterday's talks as
covering concrete solutions and future steps to be taken in the
implementation of the accords. New rounds of talks are to be
held in Zagreb next week.

A delegation of the Hungarian Commission for Foreign Policy,
headed by its President Matiash Ershi, met with Croatian speaker
of parliament Nedjeljko Mihanovic. During talks it was concluded
that political, economic and cultural relations between Croatia
and Hungary are favourable and improving. The Hungarian
delegation promised aid for development and official talks
continued with the Croatian Lower House's commission for
economics, development and renewal. Plans were also discussed on
the reconstruction of the Rijeka-Budapest railway.



KARLOVAC, CROATIA Representatives from UNPROFOR, UN civilian
police (UNCIVPOL), the Croatian Army and Karlovac County
officials yesterday paid a visit to the Karlovac suburb of
Turanj in order to reach an agreement on sanitation measures for
the area, where western Bosnian refugees had been accomodated
for the last four months. After the return of the refugees to
Velika Kladusa, houses in Turanj were left in conditions which
pose a serious threat in terms of a spread of infectious
diseases to other residential areas.



KNIN, CROATIA In Knin local serbs have passed a decision on the
cessation of all economic and political talks with Croatia until
Zagreb reverses its decision to terminate the UNPROFOR manadate,
or until the UN Security Council does not extend the mandate
after March the 31st, stated a Belgrade news agency.



MOSTAR, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA In Mostar yesterday evening,
President of the Bosnian Federation, Kresimir Zubak met with UN
Special Envoy Yashusi Akashi, on his official visit to the city.
Both described the meeting as productive and successful. Mr
Akashi earlier in the day had meetings with representatives of
all three sides in the conflict and with Mostar's UN
Administrator Hans Koschnik. Akashi announced that all agreed
that Mostar's problems cannot be solved outside the Bosnian
Federation but only within the federation framework. Speaking of
his visits to Gornji Vakuf, Zenica and Vitez, Akashi explained
that he had noticed improved co-operation between Croats and
Muslims and stated that it was imperative to keep improving
relations between the two.



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA French Ambassador to
Bosnia-Herzegovina Henri Zakolin in an interview for the
Sarajevo newspaper Oslobodenje that the newest political
initiative of the west is for Croatian, Bosnian and Serbian
presidents to meet in Paris this month. Zakolin stressed that
the situation on the ground is completely blocked, adding that
the Contact Group received nothing from Pale and that it does
not see a way out following the end of the cease-fire agreement
at the end of April. The French Ambassador said that the
international community requested of Milosovic that he recognise
Croatia and Bosnia, which should be confirmed by the proposed
meeting between the three presidents. He refused Radovan
Karadzic's request to take part in the meeting.



PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA Croatian Foreign Affairs Minister Mate
Granic has left for an official visit to the Czech republic.
Minister Granic and the Croatian delegation will hold talks with
the Czech Foreign Minister Jozef Zieleniec and his coworkers. A
joint press conference is scheduled after the meeting.



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FOREIGN PRESS BUREAU ZAGREB DAILY BULLETIN

10th February, 1995



ZAGREB, CROATIA Lieutenant Volt Natincik from Zagreb UNPROFOR
headquarters stated after being questioned by news reporters
that the western sector of the Zagreb-Vinkovci railway is still
in the process of being cleared of mines. Reporters also
questioned the lieutenant concerning yesterday's meeting in Knin
where the Serbs announced a possible risk of war. Lieutenant
Volt Natincik had no comment on such a possibility but mentioned
that on Tuesday and Wednesday in Sector South of the UNPA, HVO
and Serbs from the UNPA's had opened fire on one another.

At a press conference today, Croatian President Franjo Tudman
stated that the Z-4 Plan is acceptable in so far as it seeks a
peaceful solution within the confines of Croatia's borders. But
references to federal-confederal rights for Serbs living in
Croatia is completely unacceptable, stated the President. as for
the termination of the UNPROFOR mandate, Tudman said that the
decision was made independently and with full responsibility.
The Croatian president finally expressed confidence that
Croatia's allies and the international community will
acknowledge the decision as correct, and will help to hasten the
peace process not only for Croatia but for all of the former
Yugoslavia.



ZADAR, CROATIA An agreement was signed today between the Swiss
government and Zadar County representatives for the renewal of
homes in Crno, near the city. This is the third and final phase
of repairs to 52 homes damaged in the war.



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNPROFOR sources in Sarajevo have
confirmed that Serbs are responsible for the cease-fire
violations which occurred at 5.25pm yesterday afternoon in the
Bosnian capital. The UNPROFOR spokesperson for the Sarajevo
sector informed the Hina news agency that UNPROFOR troops have
been deployed around the Jewish cemetery where the violations
took place. reports confirm that eight unidentified projectiles
were fired from Serb positions and exploded in the vicinity of
Bosnian army positions. No information on casualties has yet
been released.



FRONTLINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA A UNHCR convoy which left Zagreb
yesterday morning has arrived in Cazin, confirmed UNHCR
spokesperson Alemka Lisinski. The ten truck convoy is carrying
72 tons of food and medicines, one part going to Velika Kladusa
while the majority is intended for the southern sector of the
Bihac pocket.

The Bihac pocket is again under attack from Bosnian Serbs and
Serbs from Croatia's occupied territories. The villages of Vedro
Polje and Klokot were attacked by heavy gun fire, according to
UNPROFOR spokesperson Paul Risley. He also confirmed that Serbs
once again attempted to take the Bihac water supply area.



BELGRADE, SERBIA According to Belgrade Radio, Yugoslavian
Foreign Affairs Minister Vladislav Jovanovic announced that
proposed talks between the three presidents, Tudman, Izetbegovic
and Milosevic, scheduled for Paris, would only come about if
current sanctions imposed on rump Yugoslavia were lifted.

UN spokesperson in Belgrade, Jurij Cizik has confirmed that the
60 helicopters detected in Bosnian air space last week came from
Serbia. He explained that UN observers were unable to precisely
identify the helicopters as Serb authorities prevented the use
of radars. The flights, for which authorities in Belgrade have
denied having any knowledge, have increased fears that the
Bosnian Serbs are re-supplying during the cease-fire.



PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC A meeting between Croatian and Czech
Foreign ministry delegations began this morning in Prague. On
the second day of their visit, Croatian Foreign Minister Affairs
Minister Mate Granic stated that the main issues for talks will
be the situation in former Yugoslavia, European integration and
bilateral relations.



============================================

FPB Bulletin

20th February 1995



BELGRADE, SERBIA   Belgrade would like to see  the lifting of
sanctions and  Moscow wholeheartedly supports this move. This
was concluded  after two days of talks between Serbian president
Slobodan  Milosevic and Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev,
who  visited Belgrade on behalf of the Contact group. Kozyrev
did  not hesitated to compliment Serbian leaders on their peace
efforts, adding that he supported the French proposal for
mutual recognition between the states which have emerged  from
the former Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, reports from Belgrade
following the talks between Milosevic and Kozyrev confirm  that
Milosevic is not changing any aspects of his policy and  that he
does not intend to recognise Croatia, Bosnia and  Hercegovina or
any of the other ex Yugoslav states.  Milosevic and Kozyrev
described the lifting of international  sanctions against the
"Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" as  the first and most
important step toward a final solution to  the crisis in the
former Yugoslavia. Yugoslav Foreign  minister Vladislav
Jovanovic announced that the Russians and  Serbs agreed that
sanctions were slowing down the peace  process because, he
claimed, peace depended on the lifting  of sanctions. Jovanovic
reiterated the Belgrade view that  the disintegration of the
former Yugoslavia involved an  "illegal secession" by the former
republics, adding that  these republics now needed Belgrade's
recognition while  Belgrade had no need for their recognition.
He stressed that  they must however recognise Yugoslavia as a
continuous  state.



 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, FRONTLINES   The situation in Western
Bosnia is calmer than in the past  few days. However, UNPROFOR
spokesperson Jerry Coward  announced yesterday that the
humanitarian situation remains  serious. The UNHCR received a
green light from Serb  authorities for two convoys to proceed
toward Bihac through  Licko Petrovo Selo. Also, the forces of
Fikret Abdic are  continuing to block passage to another
humanitarian convoy  headed toward Cazin.



NATO   NATO is analysing the best means for the possible
evacuation  of UN troops from Bosnia, said US Airforce high
command  spokesman Wolfgang Hoffman. Possible evacuation
techniques  are  currently being simulated by computers in a US
base in  Germany, in which the commander of NATO forces in
Europe, US  General George Joulwan, US Admiral Leighton Smith
and  UNPROFOR commander for Bosnia and Hercegovina Gen. Rupert
Smith are taking part.



=====================================

21st February 1995



SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA The representatives of UNPROFOR
and the UNHCR in Sarajevo have accused forces loyal to Fikret
Abdic as well as Serbian forces from the occupied sections of
Croatia of deliberately stalling the deliveries of humanitarian
aid to the civilians of Bihac. The UNHCR spokesman in Sarajevo
Kris Janowski stated that despite being given clearances by the
Knin Serbs to use the Licko Petrovo Selo route to get aid to the
Bihac pocket, rebel Serbs in Croatia have re-directed the convoy
to the Maljevac border crossing where it was stopped by the
Abdic forces this morning. The UNPROFOR spokesman in Sarajevo,
Alexander Ivanko explained today's visit by UN envoy Yasushi
Akashi and Gen. De Lapresle to Knin as a fresh effort to reopen
the routes used for delivering aid to Bihac via the UNPA. The
UNHCR is also planning to deliver a certain quantity of aid
through air- drops, but the operation may run into trouble due
to possible Serb anti-aircraft fire. This morning at 10:30 hrs,
Lieutenant Gen. Rupert Smith Commander of UNPROFOR troops in BH
accompanied by Mr. Enrique Aguilar, Civil Affairs Co-ordinator
for BH met with Bosnian president Alija Izetbegovic. They
discussed progress with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement
and the Central Joint Commission. According to UNPROFOR
spokesman Alexander Ivanko, an expert level meeting chaired by
Sector Sarajevo Civil Affairs was held this morning at the
airport. They dealt with the issue of the freedom of choice
concerning the place of living which was point 2 of the Protocol
signed on 23 January. Mr. Ivanko added that UNPROFOR was
planning a high-ranking meeting at the airport to discus a
number of issues, among them the opening of the routes across
the airport for the five local NGOs.



UNPA SECTOR WEST UN Sector West spokesperson, Susan Manuel,
speaking at a press conference yesterday, said that all repair
works on the Sumletica waterworks and the section of railway
running through the occupied parts of Western Slavonia have been
halted, in line with the decision by the Serb authorities in
Knin to stop implementing the points of the economic agreements.
She added that the railway lines running through the UNPAs and
through the zones of separation towards Gradiska and Novska have
been cleared of mines and that the UN troops are monitoring the
railway in a bid to stop any activity aimed at planting more
mines.



CONTACT GROUP The members of the five nation Contact Group are
sticking to their proposal of a joint meeting of the presidents
of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the "Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia", though the Serb president Milosevic is still
rejecting such a proposal. According to official French Foreign
Ministry sources, the whole initiative has not been brought into
question, rather, that the preparations for such an eventual
meeting have been put on hold for a few weeks.



VATICAN The Bosnian Archbishop Cardinal Vinko Puljic was
received by Pope John Paul II yesterday. Quoting Italian
newspapers "Avvenire", Cardinal Puljic spoke to the Pope about
the problems faced by Catholics in Bosnia and Hercegovina adding
that the people were not only expecting humanitarian aid, but
were also looking for their human rights to be protected as well
as their rights to life, work, home and personal identity to be
observed.

===================================================

FOREIGN PRESS BULLETIN

22nd February 1995



ZAGREB, CROATIA President Tudman yesterday received the
Vice-President of the European Commission, Hans Van den Broek.
They discussed several of the more pressing local political
issues, such as the end of the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia,
Croatian support for the Bosnian Federation and greater
co-operation between Croatia and the European Union. Mr Van den
Broek stated that the decision on a trade agreement between
Croatia and the EU, as well as including Croatia in the PHARE
program is still under consideration. This decision will depend
on the situation in Croatia after the departure of UNPROFOR. Mr
Tudman stressed that Croatia has proposed that international
monitors supervise the peaceful reintegration of the occupied
regions of Croatia, as well as having them placed on the
international borders between Serbia, Bosnia and Hercegovina and
Croatia.

Head of the President's office and chief negotiator with Serbs
from occupied territories, Hrvoje Sarinic met with departing
UNPROFOR commander Gen. Bertrand de Lapresle and his replacement
Gen. Bernard Janiver. Following the talks, Mr Sarinic stated
that he had explained once again the reasons for the termination
of the UNPROFOR mandate, stressing that it was most important to
continue the process of normalising relations. Croatia will
co-operate with Gen. Janiver while UNPROFOR are in Croatia and
seek the possibility so that talks on political issues begin as
soon as possible. Gen. De Lapresle expressed his satisfaction at
the way in which UNPROFOR monitored the cease-fire in Croatia,
as well as its support for the economic agreement.

Croatian Foreign Affairs minister Mate Granic met with the
American Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith. The talks
revolved around the situation in occupied parts of Croatia, its
decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate, as well as the
possible unfolding of events in Bosnia following the Serb
rejection of the last international diplomatic initiative. The
common position of Croatia and America is that firm co-operation
continue in order that a solution be found which would enable
the continuation of talks, including  peaceful reintegration and
 establishment of a just peace in Bosnia and the strengthening
of the Bosnian Federation

Prime minister Nikica Valentic yesterday received a delegation
from the Iranian parliament led by  Mohavedi Savoji. During the
meeting, the Iranian delegates stressed that relations between
Croatia and Iran were quite good in both  political and economic
fields.



UN, NEW YORK UN ambassadors Danilo Turk from Slovenia, Mario
Nobilo from Croatia and Muhamed Sacirbej from Bosnia and
Hercegovina, sent a letter to the UN General Assembly and the
Security Council in which they warn that the Belgrade
authorities are ignoring the valid UN resolutions in which it is
stated that the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has
ceased to exist. The three ambassadors wrote the letter in
response to statements made by the rump Yugoslav representative
to the UN, Dragomir Dokic who claims that the so called Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia is the legal successor to the former
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in that country's
former territory. Nobilo, Sacirbej and Turk refuted this
statement by noting that the new so-called Yugoslavia is only
one of the five equal successors to the former Yugoslavia and
does not have the right to all of the property of the former
state. The three ambassadors also noted that UN Security Council
resolution 777 confirmed that Yugoslavia had ceased to exist and
that Serbia and Montenegro had to submit a request for
admittance into the UN. They also asked for the Yugoslav name
plate and flag to be removed in front of the UN.



WASHINGTON, USA The US administration does not agree with
Serbian president Milosevic's recommendation that the economic
and trade embargo be lifted as a prerequisite for talks to begin
for the recognition of the international borders of Bosnia
Hercegovina and Croatia, said the US State Department
spokesperson Christine Shelly. She continued that Milosevic had
made clear his wishful thinking so as to try and soften the
sanctions, but the US would stick to what it had said last week
and possibly soften sanctions only after the Belgrade regime had
recognised its neighbours. Ms Shelly did not believe that
Milosevic's rejection  would be final, while adding that the US
was still in full support of the peace proposals of the Contact
group. The UN General Secretary Boutros Ghali has said that the
international community should consider a new initiative after
Serbian president Milosevic rejected to immediately recognise
the international borders of Croatia and Bosnia. Ghali was also
asked whether a decision had been made to shift the main HQ of
UNPROFOR from Zagreb to Brindisi in Italy, to which he replied
that a decision had not as yet been made.



BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA, FRONTLINES A UNHCR humanitarian convoy
which left Zagreb the day before yesterday was allowed entry
this morning into the Bihac pocket and is continuing its journey
to Cazin. It is expected that 99 tons of food will be
distributed today in Cazin. A second UNHCR convoy that left
Zagreb this morning will today move onto Kladusa from Maljevac,
where it will await approval from Abdic's authorities to enter
Cazin at the base of the Bangladeshi UNPROFOR battalion, said
the UNHCR spokesperson Alemka Lisinski.

Serb forces continue to violate the cease-fire on the
Orasje-Samac frontline with light arms fire on the eastern part
of the front and with anti-aircraft fire to the west. Serb
snipers also opened fire along the entire front, while the
movements of Serb scouts were seen last night. The movement of
Serb military vehicles along the so-called corridor is sill
strengthening, especially last night from the direction of
Brcko-Loncari-Bosanski Samac. The regrouping of Serb forces and
hardware was seen around Obudovac and Batkusa.



====================================

23rd February 1995



BELGRADE, SERBIA

German, French and British representatives of the Contact group
are to meet with Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade today. They will
speak with the Serbian president about their proposal on easing
sanctions against Serbia in exchange for the recognition of
former Yugoslav republics.



JABLANICA, BOSNIA HERCEGOVINA

Representatives of Bosnian Croats and Muslims held a meeting led
by the president and the vice-president of the Bosnian
Federation, Kresimir Zubak and Ejup Ganic and generals Tihomir
Blaskic and Rasim Delic in Jablanica yesterday. They agreed,
amongst other things, to shift the joint Bosnian Federation Army
HQ to central Bosnia. Meanwhile, it was stated that the Muslim
side had not kept its part of the agreement in the free movement
of goods and people between the two central Bosnian towns of
Vares and Kiseljak, with the Muslim representatives giving firm
guarantees that this would soon be ratified. The two sides also
agreed that political and military cooperation was satisfactory.



TUZLA, BOSNIA HERCEGOVINA

Bosnian Federation Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic together with
his associates began a three day visit to Tuzla region yesterday
. Work meetings are scheduled as part of the visit. A series of
meetings are planned today with the first corps of the Bosnian
Government Army, and Prime Minister Silajdzic will speak at a
public meeting this evening on the establishment of the Bosnian
Federation and problems related to it.





========================================

DAILY BULLETIN

24th February 1995



ZAGREB, CROATIA  President Tudman received US Ambassador Peter
Galbraith yesterday. The top issue discussed was the situation
regarding Croatia's decision to eject the UN forces, the steps
to be undertaken in connection with the Contact Group's peace
plan for Bosnia-Herzegovina and the possible summit in Paris.
The two US diplomats were also received by the head of the
President's Office Hrvoje Sarinic.



SISAK, CROATIA Local Serbian authorities from the occupied town
of Petrinja have ceased the negotiations on opening the
waterworks in Novo Seliste near Petrinja, as well as the
pipe-line from Petrinja towards Sisak. According to the head of
the Regional Public Waterworks Sisak-Petrinja, the Serbs have
rejected all further talks on implementing the economic
agreement signed in December last year, particularly the part
regarding the opening of the water supply system in the
Sisak-Petrinja region.



MOSTAR, BOSNIA HERCEGOVINA Talks between the leaders of the
Bosnian Croatian Democratic Party (HDZ) and the Party of
Democratic Action (SDA) on the future political status of Mostar
will begin on the 6th and 7th of March, stated the European
Union Administration in Mostar at a press conference. Klaus
Koschnik's assistant stated that these talks are of crucial
importance for Mostar, adding that the EU Administration has
received financial aid to the value of 1 600 000 German marks
for Mostar to be distributed to both sides of the city. It is
expected that 300 to 500 new jobs will be created in Mostar.



FRONT LINES, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA The general alert was sounded
last night in Tuzla, three months after the establishment of the
cease-fire agreement. Five mortar shells fell on the suburbs,
but no casualties were reported.

During the last 24 hours, Bosnian Serbs have constantly violated
the cease-fire agreement along the Orasje-Samac front. Defence
positions were attacked with light arms, machine-gun and mortar
fire.

Serb transport helicopters were spotted flying en route from
Brcko to Bosanski Samac, while traffic along the so-called
corridor in northern Bosnia was also intense. Furthermore, a
large group of trucks and tankers were seen last night coming
from the direction of Brcko.



UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK Addressing the UN Security Council, UN
peace mediator Thorvald Stoltenberg stated among other things
that he was not responsible for the lack of information on
repeated violations of the "no-fly zone" over Bosnia-Herzegovina
and that details on the issue should be given by NATO, as it is
in charge of monitoring the air-space over Bosnia-Herzegovina.



==========================================

DAILY BULLETIN

28th February 1995



ZAGREB, CROATIA Croatian president Franjo Tudman last night
received Turkish president  Sulejman Demirel who is on a working
visit to Croatia. They discussed  the ways of resolving the
crisis in Bosnia and Croatia, as well as  looking at future
bilateral co-operation between Turkey and Croatia.  After their
meeting, in statements given to the press, the Turkish
president said that Turkey wanted to actively participate in the
search   for a lasting peace in Bosnia and the peaceful
reintegration of the  Croatian occupied areas  back into the
Croatian state. Meanwhile  president Tudman explained the
importance of Croatia's decision to  end  the current UNPROFOR
mandate, adding that UN troops would most probably  be replaced
by some other international force that would monitor Croatia's
borders with Serbia and Bosnia.

Members of the European Parliament Subcommittee for Human Rights
will  today end their two-day visit to Zagreb. Their task is to
determine the  real situation regarding human rights in Croatia.
According to Croatian  officials, the European parliamentarians
are interested in the specifics  of Croatian policy, the legal
system and existing problems.

French General Bernard Janier today officially accepted the duty
of  UNPROFOR commander for the former Yugoslavia at UNPROFOR HQ
in Zagreb.  Former commander Gen. Bertrand De Lapresle and UN
special envoy Yasushi  Akashi were present at the ceremony.



FRONT LINES, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA The Pakistani defence minister
Aftad Shabant Merant is visiting Bosnia  in order to celebrate
the Islamic Holy Day of Bayram with Pakistani  UNPROFOR troops.
A defence ministry spokesperson in Islamabad stated  that the
minister will also visit Croatia and Albania during his 10 days
tour.

Serb forces today engaged in provocations along the Orasje and
Samac  fronts, especially from their strongholds in Covic Polje,
Lepnica and  Novo Selo. Two Serb transport helicopters again
violated the no-fly ban  from Brcko. There was also sporadic
Serb light arms fire in the Usora area. Elsewhere, Serb forces
regrouped along the Kupres front and the movement  of tanks were
seen last night, stated Croatian military officials in Bosnia.
Serb infantry yesterday twice attempted to break defence lines
on the  Livno front, but Croatian Defence Council troops
repelled the attacks.  There were no casualties. UN military
monitors have reported that it has  been relatively peaceful on
the Western Bosnian front during the past 24  hours but that
there were more minor detonations than the previous day.  A
serious incident occurred at Mala Kladusa in which a UNHCR
convoy came  under fire.



ANKARA, TURKEY Turkey has accused the UN of not providing
security for Turkish   president Sulejman Demirel's planned
flight to Sarajevo yesterday  morning which he was subsequently
forced to postpone, revealed a  presidential statement from
Ankara. The statement goes on to say that UN officials refused
to book a plane for the Turkish  president's visit due to
security reasons even though Demirel did not  seek such
guarantees. UN officials also refused to allow the president's
personal plane to fly in to Sarajevo as Bosnian air space is
closed to  all but UNPROFOR aircraft.



WASHINGTON DC, USA Although no decisions have been made to
withdraw UNPROFOR from Croatia,  the UN and the USA are
preparing contingency plans to support the  withdrawal of UN
peacekeepers from both Bosnia and Croatia, should it  become
necessary, said the US state department spokesperson Christine
Shelly on Monday. She continued that the extent of NATO and US
support  for those operations depends partly on exactly what the
UN authorities  request. In regards to the possible pull out of
UNPROFOR from Croatia,  Ms Shelley said that the US was still
trying to convince Croatian  president Tudman to rethink
Croatia's decision, as the consequences  could mean a new war.
She continued that she believed that UNPROFOR had  played a
positive role in Croatia as it had halted the conflict to a
great extent, and eased the way for humanitarian help.



VIENNA, AUSTRIA According to the British Foreign Secretary
Douglas Hurd who attended   the CSCE meeting in Vienna, the big
powers have still not given up on  persuading the Serbian
president Slobodan Milosevic to give his support  to the latest
Bosnia peace-plan. The contact group representatives are  to
hold a fresh meeting with the Serbian leader tomorrow.



==============================================

1st March 1995



BELGRADE, SERBIA Members of the international Contact group for
Bosnia will meet with Slobodan Milosevic today in Belgrade. They
have no new recommendations for the crisis in the regions, but
are rather visiting Milosevic to see whether he has made a final
decision on the proposals that they put forward last week.



ZAGREB, CROATIA The Croatian Army Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Janko
Bobetko has received French Gen. Bertrand De Lapresle in a
farewell visit,  and has also met the new UNPROFOR commander
Gen. Bernard Janvier. Gen. Bobetko stressed that the war could
be averted if Croatia's borders with Serbia and Bosnia were to
be effectively monitored with the help of  new forces and also
if the international community were to put pressure on Serbia to
recognise Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to accept the
Croatian proposal of Human Rights for the Serb minority living
in Croatia.



The Croatian Interior Ministry has informed the public of their
success in halting the violation of UN resolution 942, which
bans the selling of fuel to Bosnian Serbs. This transgression of
the resolution was occurring in Lipovljani South and Lipovljani
North, where the company "GT Invest" was illegally selling
containers full of diesel oil to Bosnian Serbs. Two transport
shipments had taken place, while Croatian police caught the
offenders in the act on the third occasion.



President Tudman received  the Bosnian archbishop, Cardinal
Vinko Puljic yesterday. They discussed the peace process and the
ways of resolving the crisis in Bosnia and Hercegovina.



Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granic has received the
delegation of the European Christian Democratic Union, led by
European Parliament member Wim van Velzen. They discussed
Croatia's decision to terminate the UNPROFOR mandate in Croatia
and the way this decision should be implemented. This delegation
was also received by Cardinal Franjo Kuharic yesterday, who
informed them of the relations between the representatives of
the Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Croatia.



The members of the Council of Europe's Parliament Subcommittee
for Human Rights met yesterday with the president of Croatia's
Supreme Court, Milan Vukovic and the State Attorney Marijan
Hranjski. The House of Representatives' committee in charge of
the constitution and the political system agreed that the draft
proposal of the Z-4 plan was unacceptable to Croatia. It was
stated that the plan treated a non-existent entity as an equal
partner to the Croatian state and that there were demands for
changes to be made to the Croatian Constitution and Croatia's
whole legal system making the proposal even more unacceptable.



FRONT LINES, BOSNIA HERCEGOVINA Serb forces opened light arms
and anti aircraft fire from the direction of Batkusa and Jenjic
along the Orasje - Tuzla road last night .  Serb scouts were
also seen along the middle section of the front. No casualties
were reported. Bosnian Serbs have been continuing the offensive
on the Bihac area. According to unofficial sources, five persons
have been killed. Following several peaceful days, Serb forces
have violated the cease-fire agreement on the Usora front. Serb
forces opened anti aircraft fire on defence positions from their
strongholds. As for the Livno and Kupres fronts, Serb forces
frequently opened mortar, antiaircraft, artillery and light arms
fire yesterday.



BERLIN, GERMANY The member states of the European Union should
take on a greater military responsibility for international
security, in and out of the borders of Europe and independently
of the NATO alliance. This was said by the British Foreign
Minister Douglas Hurd while visiting Berlin, who added that if
such forces had existed in 1991 they could of halted the crisis
in Croatia and therefore the whole region by acting as buffer
troops.



WASHINGTON, USA The US is doing all it can to retain the
UNPROFOR mission in Croatia, though it recognises that it may
not be able to convince Croatian President Tudman and his
government to change its position. This was stated by US
president Bill Clinton at press conference after talks with  the
Dutch Prime Minister in Washington on Tuesday. Mr Clinton said
that the US had not yet taken a definite stance regarding how it
would help UNPROFOR's possible withdrawal, though he did state
that the US would help the UN peace keepers not only in Bosnia
but also in Croatia.



ILLINOIS, USA By an act of the Governor of the US state of
Illinois, the 4th of March has been declared Croatian American
Day. Over 400 000 Americans of Croatian descent live in the
state of Illinois, who have helped the development of the state
and of the whole of the US. They also lobbied for peace and sent
humanitarian aid to both Croatia and Bosnia.