[ALST-L] News Summary-11 October

[info at balkan-info.net]

Milosevic Allies Suspend Talks with Kostunica Team 
Belgrade - Allies of Slobodan Milosevic walked out of talks with the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS), saying they would not resume discussions on forming a new government until “violence and anarchy ended,” Reuters reported.  Kostunica supporters have threatened to renew mass protests if the delay continues. (Reuters – 11/10/00)


France, Yugoslavia will Resume Diplomatic Relations 
Belgrade - France will restore diplomatic ties with Belgrade soon, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine announced following a meeting with Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, AFP reported.  “That could go very quickly, all the Yugoslav authorities have to do is give the signal,” Vedrine said, according to AFP.  (AFP – 10/10/00)


Romania Lifts Oil Embargo on Yugoslavia 
Belgrade - Romania lifted an oil embargo on Yugoslavia as part of an effort to renew and strengthen economic ties between the two states. Earlier, Romania had offered to contribute to the reconstruction of Yugoslavia by supplying oil and electricity to its Balkan neighbour, Reuters reported. “We still have to discuss quantities and, last but not least, the way such supplies will be paid for. I was told by Zoran Djindjic that they have the necessary money,” Berceanu added.  (Reuters, DPA, Rompres – 11/10/00)


Kostunica’s Reformers Control Currency Operations
Belgrade - Monetary reformers assumed total control of Yugoslavia’s central bank currency operations as a measure to guard state assets from cronies of Slobodan Milosevic, Mladjan Dinkic, economist and close advisor to Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica said, according to Reuters 
(Reuters – 10/10/00)


U.S. Embassy in Belgrade will Reopen
Washington - The U.S. Department of State announced plans to reopen the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, AP reported.  The State Department also said that James O’Brien, the senior U.S. official for Balkans developments, is scheduled to meet with Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade to further ease relations between the two countries, according to AP.  (AP – 10/10/00)


Kostunica, Djukanovic Meeting Postponed 
Belgrade - The first meeting between Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic was postponed, AFP reported, citing Beta.  The meeting was rescheduled to allow Djukanovic more time to recover from injuries suffered in a car accident.  The two leaders are to discuss changes in the military leadership following the ouster of Slobodan Milosevic, Zoran Djindjic told Vijesti.  (AFP, Beta, Vijesti – 11/10/00)


Police in Serbia Continue Surveillance
Belgrade - Zoran Djindjic, advisor to Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica, warned that the new Belgrade leadership was not in full control of the police, Reuters reported.  “What we know informally is that high level surveillance is again under way.  A week ago it was cut off but then they activated some other sources of monitoring,” Djindjic said, according to Reuters.  (Reuters – 10/10/00)


Djindjic Says Yugoslav Forces will  Return to Kosovo
Belgrade - “Between now and the end of the year we will return 1,200 of our (Serb) police and our Yugoslav soldiers to the (Kosovo) border with Albania,” Zoran Djindjic said, according to AFP.  (AFP – 10/10/00)


Hungary will Help Rebuild Yugoslavia
Budapest - “After a dictatorship, a new state has to be set up in Yugoslavia.  We are ready to share our experiences on building democracy after a dictatorship collapses,” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, according to AP.  Orban said the Hungarian government would boost commerce with Yugoslavia.  (AP – 10/10/00)


IMF Offers Renewal of Yugoslavia’s Membership
Belgrade - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has offered Yugoslavia the opportunity to rejoin the financial institution if it is successful in forming a government quickly, Reuters reported.   (Reuters – 10/10/00)


Belgrade Must Comply with The Hague
Zagreb - Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula said Belgrade’s new leadership must co-operate with The Hague if they want to reintegrate with the rest of Europe, Reuters reported.  “Yugoslavia’s failure to co-operate would undermine the credibility of the tribunal and of the United Nations.  It is probably a matter of choosing the right time when the new authorities will define new relations with The Hague,” Picula said, according to Reuters.  (Reuters – 10/10/00)