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FBIS3-49268_7 | Kovac Looks Back on First Independent Year | majority. It would be a very unfortunate situation if the parliamentary parties were based on one person and fell along with that person. Slovakia now needs political stability, conditions for peaceful and productive work, an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding, and goodwill. The key to solving our problems lies in cooperation among our parliamentary political parties and not in confrontation, in stretching our partnership and not in putting some people above others, in intensifying our mutual trust and respect and not in suspecting and accusing others, not in radicalization but in moderation and temperance. Our responsibility for Slovakia's destiny dictates that we should put an end to government-drafted makeshift solutions and improvisations and try, using all democratic and peaceful means, to establish political stability and a stable government that would also be trusted abroad. This is a condition for being able to focus on the uncompromising fight against unemployment and the growing crime rate, disorder, lack of discipline, and injustice. This is the basic prerequisite for improving our trustworthiness abroad and renewing the trust of people in our politics and the correctness of the road upon which we have embarked. Dear fellow citizens, we are entering a year that the United Nations has declared to be the International Year of the Family. Even though our country is in a difficult situation, we must not allow the human, spiritual, and cultural level of families to decline. As head of state, I will demand that state bodies help to create a social climate that stimulates a peaceful and harmonious family life, the protection of children and elderly people, and the sound development of the younger generation. I will require that a state program be established to support young families, which would help satisfy at least their basic needs in housing and starting their new lives. We are obliged to provide young families with a way out of today's unpleasant situation. No one except parents can assume the role of the mother or the father, however. This is why I appeal to you, dear parents: Give more love to your children and be a good example to them. It is in the interests of your sons and daughters, and also in your own. It is very important to ask: What do we still lack for a humane, respectable, and happy life? Material welfare or humanity, mutual trust, love, respect, and other spiritual values? I |
FBIS3-49310_3 | Valentic Views Economic Policy Objectives | have reached 100 percent. [Crnjakovic] In the last three months of this year you have managed to curb inflation. Was it perhaps done in an artificial way? [Valentic] There are no surrogates in economics. We brought inflation down to zero, and it may even become negative in the future. There is no artificial inflation, since we have not frozen anything, either salaries or prices. The only question now is whether we will manage to keep public expenditure in check. Croatia has inherited a huge public debt, from old foreign currency savings accounts to bonds, the losses and the rehabilitation of the electricity generating industry, and the health system. We have managed to reorganize all these sectors to a large extent. The electricity industry is no longer suffering great losses, and we have prevented the health system from collapsing. At present, we are keeping all the important sectors under control. We cannot have another collapse of the electricity system, and we are now considering the means for providing energy for next winter, since we have taken care of this one. [Crnjakovic] What about production, the main precondition for long-term economic stability? [Valentic] We do not expect a drastic drop in production next year. It has dropped by 40 percent in the past three years, but that is because of the war. There Is No Magic Wand [Crnjakovic] Are you expecting a wave of bankruptcies, and, hence, strikes? [Valentic] There will be some bankruptcies, but no major ones. [Crnjakovic] However, many people will lose their jobs. Has the government prepared any preventive measures? [Valentic] Yes, we have secured funds to provide the incentive for creating new jobs, for the reorganization of banks, the shipbuilding industry, and some agricultural estates. My estimate is that there will be more "internal cleanings", reducing capacities, than bankruptcies. However, this is normal in any system. What is important is that the state prepares a social program, which we have done. In any market economy you have certain companies going bankrupt, and new ones opening, so people are on the labor market, and they get new jobs. The structure of the Croatian economy is to a great extent socialist, and changes always bring negative consequences too. However, that is a pattern that one cannot change. [Crnjakovic] There is an impression that the government gives too little incentive to small entrepreneurs, a process which the sluggish bureaucracy ardently helps. |
FBIS3-49317_2 | `Delta' Involvement in Prazina Murder Alleged | of the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as for example the action in the village of Grbavica, close to Kojic, in which 28 Croats were brutally killed. The commander of this action was the notorious Zulfikar Alispaga, called Zuk. Mustafa Topalovic-Caco, the commander of the 10th Mountain Brigade at that time, also participated in the action. Several months later Caco was killed in one of the internal clashes among members of the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo. This was explained to the public as an action organized by the military and civilian authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina against war profiteers, but it was established later on that the persons removed were witnesses of the crimes committed in Grbavica. Nine soldiers of the 10th Mountain Brigade who, together with Caco, participated in the massacre of innocent Croats were killed, too. "Logistics Expert" Fled to Khartoum The information that reached VJESNIK from intelligence services claim that the notorious Hasan Cengic is involved in the murder of Juka Prazina. He is the man whose name was mentioned in connection with the scandal that broke out at Maribor Airport after smuggled weapons had been discovered. There is evidence that he fled from Slovenia via Vienna to Khartoum after large quantities of weapons had been revealed. In the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina Hasan Cengic performs the function of head of logistics for the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Many foreign analysts think that he, together with Rusmir Muhmudcehaic, is the man who has the biggest political influence on Alija Izetbegovic, who was long ago his prison companion in Zenica. The "Jahorina" action was already planned in October 1993, and Juka Prazina's travels around Europe were followed by three "Laste" members and three Palestinians, members of the pro-Syrian Al Saqe group. The cooperation between the "Laste" and this Palestinian group dates back to the time when the unsuccessful "Efendija" action, in which Fikret Abdic was to have been murdered, was carried out. VJESNIK wrote about this action in detail, Abdic also spoke about it in an interview given to a Croatian daily. When the commanders of the "Jahorina" action realized that Juka Prazina would stay in Belgium for a longer period of time, Ismet Bajramovic-Celo gave the sign for the final stage of the plan to start. Bakir Izetbegovic and Hasan Cengic, who arrived in Belgium for this purpose with a Pakistani passport, supplied the five members of the "Delta" unit with weapons, |
FBIS3-49335_1 | Washington Charge d'Affaires on U.S. Ties | treaties and obligations between the former CSFR and the United States," Peter Burian, charge d'affaires in Washington, told a TA SR reporter. In 1994, the work of the ambassador will be to strengthen economic and commercial contacts. The interest of U.S. firms, such as Westinghouse and others, in investing in Slovakia is a positive factor. Moreover, we succeeded in establishing continuous working contracts with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The conclusion of the treaty on avoiding double taxation between the United States and Slovakia was an important factor in the development of our trading contacts. Burian described as a success of our diplomacy the establishment of the conditions for Slovakia's being taken off the list of countries to which the United States does not export advanced technology (COCOM). According to Burian, the final decision is expected in the days to come. "In the political sphere, we are going to invite a high U.S. official to Slovakia. There are many occasions for it, such as the 50th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising," Burian said. He stressed that the basis for active relations was established in 1993 after the visit of the president, the prime minister, the National Council chairman, and other ministers and Slovak officials to the United States. The work of the ambassador and pushing for the Slovak Republic's interests, in general, was complicated, to a certain extent, by the negative publicity about development in the Slovak Republic. Some sectors are underestimating the importance and the tasks of the embassy. They should address the embassy as the primary source of information and consult it about the preparation of any action having an impact on bilateral contacts. Otherwise, the embassy has to act as a fire brigade. Burian sees certain possibilities in cooperation with the community of Slovak countrymen. The activity of the World Congress of Slovaks, headed by a new leadership, is quite a pleasant thing. The premises for the embassy are a problem that still has not been sorted out. "In Washington, there is an unwritten law regarding prestigious matters. One of them is the fact that the flag of a state should be fixed in a certain place on the building. Even this helps build respect for one state or another in the U.S. capital." Burian described as very important the fact that, in January, the Slovak ambassador will arrive in the United States. |
FBIS3-49401_4 | Further on Tudjman-Izetbegovic Talks in Bonn Cease-Fire Reached; Draft Accord | UN convention on transit trade of land-locked countries, i.e. on the principles agreed upon in a draft agreement on Bosnia-Herzegovina on board the Invincible. In case the Union of the Republics of Bosnia-Herzegovina ceases to exist, the Republic of Croatia pledges that it will consider the Bosnian Muslim republic a successor to all rights and obligations stemming from the agreement on the use of free port zones. Article 10 says: Signatories to this agreement guarantee that on the territory of the Croat republic of Herceg-Bosna and the Bosnian Muslim republic voluntary and safe return of all refugees to the place of their previous residence will be secured. They accept control and supervision by international bodies in the implementation of this obligation. Article 15 says: The Republic of Croatia believes that in case the Serbs break up the Bosnia-Herzegovina union, it is possible and necessary in the view of protecting and realizing the interests of the Croat and the Bosnian Muslim nations to set up an alliance between the Republic of Croatia and the Bosnian Muslim republic that will be of an economic and defensive nature. In that case, the Republic of Croatia is ready to set up an alliance of states that will have the following goals: -- securing permanent friendship and cooperation; -- securing economic and social development in the common economic area with the gradual creation of a common market, customs union, and coordination of monetary and financial policy with the final goal of creating a monetary union; and -- securing cooperation in the areas of jurisdiction and internal affairs, coordination of their common foreign policy, creation of a joint defense policy, and conclusion of an agreement on cooperation in the spheres of defense and security. I have read out only a few important articles of the agreement. This would not be just an ordinary agreement. Alija Izetbegovic did not accept it straight away, because he linked it with the realization of some issues relating to the territorial settlement in central Bosnia, Mostar, and access to the sea. We shall see 15 January whether the Muslims will accept President Tudjman's proposal. Let us just repeat at the end of this dispatch that the Croatian demand for the Muslim offensive to stop was replied to by an agreement on an immediate cease-fire in central Bosnia, while Generals Roso, Delic, and Briquemont are to meet immediately and issue adequate orders. |
FBIS3-49407_12 | Police, Safety, Relations With Bosnia Viewed | has to perform. According to the administrative law from 1991 the police forces in these places should be formed according to the national structure of the population. We shall respect this law. [Barisic] Which international organizations was the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Croatia admitted to and what is the cooperation with these organizations like? [Jarnjak] We were only interested in Interpol, which we joined in 1992. Our cooperation with Interpol members is good and useful. Interpol works according to the principle that the member states within an area sign bilateral agreements on cooperation in the prevention of crime in general. We have signed such an agreement with Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Ukraine, and Albania. Apart from that, we have signed a protocol with Slovakia. Now we have to sign such agreements with other close countries, such as Austria, Germany and others. The everyday cooperation with close countries is good, especially in stamping out organized crime. We have already had several successes in actions with the police of the neighboring countries. [Barisic] What is cooperation like with the police of the Muslim part of Bosnia-Herzegovina? Can you comment on the rumors that Zagreb is the largest logistics base for the Army of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is fiercely attacking the Croatian enclaves in Central Bosnia? [Jarnjak] From time to time the Croatian police checks the work of humanitarian organizations as possible logistics centers. The people who work there must have legal status in Croatia, in order to prevent illegal acts or crime that could affect the sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia. There might be various rumors, but these are the facts. [Barisic] What are the priority tasks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the next period? [Jarnjak] We have the necessary personnel and the technical equipment now. We shall now have to solve the problem of our facilities, because our police stations and even department offices do not have appropriate accommodation. As far as other priorities are concerned, we shall especially insist on the high quality of police work. We shall work on the further education of our staff. Further on, we shall have to improve the discipline, there must be no incidents whatsoever. In short, we shall make our police professional; the Croatian policeman must be a correct and kind professional, loyal to his state and his people, regardless of his working conditions and the place in which he works. |
FBIS3-49434_2 | Commentary Examines Increased U.S. Interest | the Nordic Battalion, as has been stated so many times before, has been excluded from any armed intervention, the same is not applied to the Americans either. Therefore, regardless of their symbolic number (approximately 300), the U.S. squadron that is operating under the flag of the United Nations in Macedonia has the right to not only observe and inform about what is happening on the border, but it also disposes of a "somewhat" expanded mandate regarding the mission. This indicator bluntly coincides with the increased interest in Macedonia by the United States, which started in May last year, after Bill Clinton stated that the United States would get involved in military actions in case Macedonia is attacked. In other words, the predictions about a discrete change in the UNPROFOR mandate and the expectations that the size of the U.S. contingent will soon be increased have been actualized. The fact that the Bosnian conflict cannot be hidden by a glass bell and that its expansion cannot be impeded because one of the most natural characteristics of every war is its metastasis is the cause for Macedonia, whether it likes it or not, to be involved in the geographic and strategic maps as a region of high risk, gravitating objectively toward the shaking Bosnian region. In other words, Macedonia is a part of the general situation that is defined as unstable and unpredictable on the global plan and the expanded definition of the total situation in the boiling Balkans. Here we can look for the root of the sudden interest in Macedonia by the Americans, who clearly exposed their intentions in the whole region after entering the game as a military factor for solving the Bosnian conflict. Thus, the United States has, once again, not only demonstrated its resoluteness in realizing its fundamental interest in keeping a strategic stability in these regions, but also, as is usually pointed out by Western Europeans, because of "the fact that history has thrice taught us that the permanent presence of the United States in Europe is essentially desirable and fruitful." On the other hand, it is known that the initial urges of the Americans for a military intervention in the former Yugoslavia were met by strong reaction from the European allies, because the Americans themselves refuse to subordinate any part of their armed forces under the UN command. Here is where the present latent disunity |
FBIS3-49435_1 | Bukoshi Asks NATO To Deploy Peacekeepers | abrogation of all human, civil, and national rights of the Albanians in Kosova, the Balkans will ultimately face the serious possibility of a devastating conflict which would not only obstruct the new NATO Partnership for Peace initiative, but would also affect the present structure of NATO itself," says the letter, asking NATO use its influence to: redeploy international human rights monitors to Kosova; send peacekeeping forces to the region; keep international pressure on Serbia; and bring the perpetrators of crimes against humanity to justice. This letter together with a statement of the Kosova prime minister elaborating the need for action on Kosova were sent to all NATO-member heads of governments in Brussels. Dr. Bujar Bukoshi said in the statement that "without a just solution to the Kosova problem, there can be no comprehensive settlement of the brutally aggressive Balkan conflict," adding that unless it is addressed as an international problem, it will "lead inevitably to an international conflict which will demand international action." Prime minister Bukoshi offers a comprehensive account of the deteriorating situation in Kosova following the expulsion of Serbia of the CSCE mission to Kosova. In face of the alarming situation in Kosova, prime minister Bukoshi urges NATO summit to consider four specific actions to address the problem "realistically and effectively." One is the redeployment of the international human rights monitors to Kosova, in compliance with the UN Security Council's resolution adopted last August. Second, Kosova prime minister asks for UN or NATO peacekeeping forces to be deployed in Kosova in order to avoid a massive bloodshed in face of the heavy Serbian military, paramilitary, and police build-up. Third, Dr. Bukoshi maintains that the "economic sanctions against Serbia must be kept in place," although as he says, "the people of Kosova suffer on two counts" from sanctions imposed on Kosova by Serbia itself and the international sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro. [passage indistinct] the perpetrators of crimes against humanity to justice. "Prompt and decisive action by the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal will do much to teach the criminal aggressors that such gross crimes against humanity will not go unpunished," says Dr. Bukoshi in his today's statement, adding that "failed policies of the past are no excuse for the failure to act in the present. The means to avert a Kosova calamity are clear. All that remains in the will of NATO and the international community to act." |
FBIS3-49453_3 | Geremek Says NATO Membership Not Urgent | that -- is not so dramatically important at all. That is because it is inconceivable to imagine Poland being attacked by a country.... [Woyciechowski, interrupting] And what about Yugoslavia? Could Croats or Bosnians have pictured somebody attacking them? [Geremek, hesitating] I think what you are saying represents the type of thinking used by Americans, but it is false. Poland is in the center of Europe and Europe's fate is inextricably linked with Poland's fate. If an aggression occurred against Poland -- who could make such an aggression? Let us say it is one of the neighbors.... [Woyciechowski, interrupting] Such an aggression would come either from the left or the right. [Geremek] Historically speaking, they used to come from the left or the right -- that is the way it happened to us throughout history. So in case an aggression like this occurs, all of Europe would immediately be involved. The French did not want to die for Gdansk in 1939 and then they died for their own cities -- they lost the war. The necessary political imagination, so to speak, should make us realize that Poland is not in the Balkans and that one cannot make Poland marginal. There cannot be a situation where if there is a conflict occurring right here in Europe's center, NATO would regard it as a marginal conflict because NATO's border is on the Oder and Neisse rivers. That would be impossible. Moreover, if one were to assume that there could be politicians who would think that, then they would be acting to their own detriment. And it is not just a theoretical supposition that such politicians could exist -- they do in fact exist. I have read an interview with a politician from the Western European Union who replied to precisely this kind of question by saying: Well, we will not intervene, but there is no such danger to begin with. Now.... [Woyciechowski, interrupting] In a word, to recap all this -- in your view, NATO's fear of accepting Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary is more linked to the destabilization in the Balkans, to those little, local wars, and to the fact that looking from Washington, one confuses Poland with Yugoslavia -- and it is less linked to Poland's internal situation and also to the Zhirinovskiy factor? [Geremek] The first part is precisely that -- namely that one looks through the perspective of |
FBIS3-49470_3 | Commentary Views Disputes With Slovenia | Kupa, that is Kolpa [in Slovene], and the Sutla, that is Sotla [in Slovene], rivers (these two form the border between these neighboring countries). However, the crew fell apart, and two rowers took separate ways. Such an outcome was largely influenced by the Yugoslav, that is the Serbian, aggression, at first against Slovenia, than against Croatia, and finally against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The war brought about a drastically different situation for the two young states: It disconnected their destinies, showed them the differences in their interests, and introduced more problems and disputes that originate from former Yugoslavia, but the majority of them were still prompted by the new situation, and the historical fact that Croatia and Slovenia had become independent states. That imposed an obligation and responsibility on the newly constituted authorities to settle independently the many difficult problems that are not identical in both states. Those problems are certainly much more difficult in Croatia because of the consequences of the war. Unfortunately, Slovenia failed to show enough understanding, patience, and solidarity with these problems, while Croatia, perhaps unjustifiably, expected too much from its neighbor. So that in the course of 1992 Croato-Slovene relations dramatically cooled and deteriorated. This last year, 1993, in which various negotiations on different levels were held, is also over, but still it did not bring about any more considerable steps forward, although on several occasions it appeared that a dramatic turn toward an improvement of relations in general, as well as on individual points, was almost at hand. This refers to the following event: After the meetings between Slovene President Kucan and his Croatian counterpart Tudjman (on the hill of Brdo kod Kranja in October 1992), between [foreign ministers] Lojze Peterle and Skrabalo (in the town of Otocec na Krki in February 1993), and between Peterle and Mate Granic (in Bizeljsko, October 1993), both sides were issuing quite optimistic statements to the effect that almost all the problems had been solved, and that the signing of a whole series of agreements would follow that were quite important for the establishment of neighborly and friendly relations. However, on each of the three occasions everything stopped. One gets the impression, at least from a brief insight in the development of mutual relations, that in 1993 no considerable progress came about. Does that mean that the past year was yet another lost year? This first impression is deceptive, however. The |
FBIS3-49529_0 | LDK Presidency Protests Serbian Border Tax | Language: Albanian Article Type:BFN [Text] In a public communique, the Kosova Democratic Alliance [LDK] Presidency condemns the application of a tax of 10 German marks [DM] to cross the border. The communique states that, starting 1 January 1994, another extraordinary obstacle was added. For every exit, even to Macedonia, the Serbian authorities want travelers to pay a tax of DM10 per person and DM30 per vehicle. Another measure, completely contrary to the elementary rights of free circulation, was added to the infuriated regime of crossing the border. With this, the communication between Albanians of Kosova and Macedonia and those of diaspora were reduced to a minimum. Thus, a vital interest is infringed and the Albanian population is practically placed under an almost complete isolation in the eyes of the European powers and the international public. The LDK presidency strongly protests all these limitations and asks that such measures be immediately abolished. The presidency hopes that its request will encounter understanding by the international public and will enjoy support in its demand for immediately invalidating all obstacles of free circulation, the communique says. |
FBIS3-49535_0 | Duray Urges `Self-Administration' Over `Autonomy' | Language: Slovak Article Type:BFN [Interview with Miklos Duray, chairman of the Coexistence (Egyutteles) Movement, by Ivan Durcik; place and date not given: "Autonomy Is Parliament's Business"] [Text] [Durcik] The official program of the Komarno rally no longer mentions the possibility of establishing autonomy. If, nonetheless, autonomy got onto the rally's agenda, what would be the response of your movement, which endorsed the convening of this undertaking? [Duray] Should there be discussion about self-administration in Komarno, we can only endorse this view. Reinforcing the role of self-administration bodies is in the interest not only of the people of Zitny Ostrov [Rye Island, Hungarian-populated area in southern Slovakia] but of all residents of the Slovak Republic. This is the only realistic option, because the only democratic way to achieve autonomy is by means of a law. And for such a law to be passed, it is necessary to gain a majority in parliament. [Durcik] Do you want to suggest that the term "autonomy" did not figure even on the original agenda of the Komarno rally? [Duray] No. The Hungarian parties that endorsed this rally (Coexistence and the Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement -- SLOVENSKY DENNIK note) have never spoken about territorial autonomy. What we want is a system of self-administration, in which communities and regions would have the powers that they need to deal independently with the problems of the local population. [Durcik] The Slovak Government is in a difficult situation. The coalition is not working and the results in the economic sector are very weak. Do you not think that, by organizing activities such as the Komarno rally, the Hungarian minority is voluntarily getting into the role of a culprit, whom the government can blame for every failure? [Duray] It is true that Prime Minister Meciar is intensively looking for people whom he could blame for his own failures. By creating the image of an enemy, the present government is trying to lay all the blame on the Hungarian minority, opposition politicians, disloyal journalists, and so forth. It is not our activities that directly help the government, however, but, rather, the stands of some "opposition" politicians. During the vote on the budget, our deputies voted in unison against the government draft, while the chairman of the strongest opposition party and one Christian Democratic Movement deputy supported the government draft. To ascribe their voting to the fact that the Hungarians were organizing a |
FBIS3-49555_0 | _o_Societal Impact of Unemployment | Article Type:CSO [Editorial Report] The 30 December Budapest daily MAGYAR HIRLAP reported that the National Federation of Associations of Job Seekers and Unemployed (MAEOSZ) believes that the unemployment problem is growing despite National Labor Affairs Center (OMK) figures that show the opposite. According to the paper, MAEOSZ executive president Zoltan Zenkovics and associate president Jozsef Simon said in interviews that while OMK data claiming a steady drop in unemployment from 700,000 in February to 635,000 in November are technically correct, they "do not reflect societal developments realistically." Since last spring the "official classification criteria used by the labor affairs centers have changed," the officials asserted. In any case, they said, in 1993 the overall situation of the unemployed "continued to deteriorate" because unemployment benefits have been reduced from two years to one and the actual value of benefits has eroded. "It has therefore become impossible to halt impoverishment, and even on the governmental level they admit that half a million people will never again be able to return to the work force." Long-term unemployment also has an impact on the family, creating "a spiral that may go downward with frightening speed." While unemployment benefits have have helped some people get a new start, in counties such as Nograd, Somogy, and Zala most of the unemployed find themselves "without any options," the officials said. Zenkovics and Simon charged that government agencies have failed to cooperate with MAEOSZ's efforts to improve the employment situation. MAEOSZ and the Ministry of Labor worked out a "cooperation plan" but MAEOSZ "waited in vain" for an actual agreement from that ministry, while the Ministry of Public Welfare "did not respond at all" to MAEOSZ's requests. In the officials' view, as long as they took "a tolerant stance" they could not get the government to "consider them a partner in working out a clearly conceived employment policy." Therefore, according to MAGYAR HIRLAP, the officials expect that MAEOSZ will be "forced" to "resort to other--strictly legal--measures." First it will have lawyers examine the parts of the social welfare law that appear to be "unconstitutional," and then it will express its protests through county meetings and hunger strikes. |
FBIS3-49556_2 | Walesa `Disappointed' With West, Prague | from the summit? [Walesa] Then all the moral, political, and military responsibility will fall on Western Europe and the United States. They used to appeal to us to overthrow communism. We got rid of it, the Soviet Union collapsed, and we dissolved the Warsaw Pact. And what has the West done in the wake of all of this? Central Europe is a vacuum; the only change is the reunification of Germany. Here in the Belvedere Palace in August, we managed to obtain Yeltsin's written agreement that Russia will not object to our joining NATO. This was a unique historical opportunity. A political gesture from the West would have been enough: That Central Europe has some hope of joining the Alliance and that we belong to the West and not the East. The West said nothing, however. A course of action such as this one and an insufficiently active policy lead to phenomena like Zhirinovskiy. The West does not want to provoke the bear; however, the bear perceives this cautiousness as temerity. Zhirinovskiy is not the cause, but the effect. The West is deceiving itself. It talks about partnership, but what kind of partnership can it be if one partner sets the conditions and blackmails the other? [Janyska] What will Poland do if the summit in Brussels really does end ambiguously? [Walesa] We will not ease up on the pressure that we will want to continue to exert within the framework of the Visegrad Group. We are not interested in who is first or second. Today's partners have to understand each other better. Those who do not want to play together will be left out. We will begin to consider other, more realistic forms. These will not be confrontational, because we are concerned about the security of everyone. We want the joint lungs of Europe, western and eastern, as the Holy Father once said, to learn to breath together for the sake of the whole organism. [Janyska] Are we to understand, for example, that you are referring to the Western European Union under the concept of "more realistic forms"? [Walesa] Yes, it too. We will be affiliated to it in February. In short: We will have all our irons in the fire. Western Europe will have to expand toward the East sooner or later; it has no other choice. It will again be faced with the question of what to do |
FBIS3-49572_3 | Army Official Comments on Conflicts With HVO | talks? [Divjak] This is an attempt to forcefully solve the problem of Bosnia-Herzegovina, former Yugoslavia, and the Balkans, and not according to the wishes of citizens and nations that have been living here for centuries, but according to the desire of the old lady Europe. Let me remind you that in February 1993, at the time when he was leaving his "throne," U.S. President Bush talked to Russian President Yeltsin about the division of interest spheres according to the Yalta agreement. Past relations in Europe, in the Balkans, and in former Yugoslavia mirror the relations between the United States and Russia. When Russia pulls, the United States pushes its allies and injects a couple of billion dollars into Russia. Even recently, the United States gave $2 billion to Russia. We know about the historic friendship of Russia and Serbia and that Serbia depends on Russia, and Russia is protecting the "endangered" Orthodox Church from Islam and Catholicism. History accepts the destruction of a nation, ethnic cleansing, and those who want integral Bosnia-Herzegovina -- the Croats and the Muslims -- will suffer. Ethnic cleansing in this war mostly affected the Muslims, but the Croats will not be spared either. [Bosnic] Are you a Serb or an orthodox Bosnian? [Divjak] I have always been a citizen of Bosnia-Herzegovina. I have lived in Sarajevo for 28 years, and all the while, I feel that I am a citizen without losing my national identity. I have never accepted any nationalism and I never will. I am a citizen of Sarajevo, a citizen of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a Bosnian and a Herzegovinian. I feel like most honest people in these parts, if you will. Bosnia is my only country; I have no other. The Croats, the Muslims, loyal Serbs, all those who live in it, have the same right to my country. [Bosnic] Is there anything you would like to say to the Croatian public? [Divjak] Since this interview will reach the public in Croatia and parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina in which there are mostly Croats, I would like to clarify something. The Chetniks -- the Serbian side -- accused me of being a criminal of war and a traitor of the Serbs, while the Croats accused me of being a member of the JNA intelligence service, a communist, and a founding father of the Muslim army. In this war, I am fighting for the equality of the |
FBIS3-49589_11 | Tudjman Discusses Bonn Talks, Boban Role | the consistency of the Croatian policy, the benevolence of the Croatian policy; and that with that Croatia's international position as regards the final phase of the resolution of that crisis on the territory of former Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina has been considerably strengthened. [Correspsondent] Swiss radio. Mr. President, you said that the Muslims had decided in favor of a Muslim state, that the Bosnian government had decided in favor of a Muslim state. Could that in the end provoke Croatia to derecognize Bosnia-Herzegovina? If Croatia makes such a step, would that provoke the Croatian Army to intervene in Bosnia-Herzegovina? [Tudjman] If the Muslim offensive and their efforts to create a Muslim state directly threatened the Croatian territories, including the border territories of Croatia, it is obvious that Croatia would have to protect its borders. It is no secret that in Herceg-Bosna a considerable number of volunteers from Croatia has been involved in fighting. But these are volunteers who were born in Bosnia-Herzegovina, who fought in the homeland war against the Serbian aggression in Croatia, and who went back there as volunteers to defend their homes, their land, first from the Serbian aggression and now from the Muslim aggression. As regards accusations that regular formations of the Croatian Army have been involved in fighting in Bosnia-Herzegovina, I said that there were no regular formations of the Croatian Army there: These are volunteers who were born in Bosnia-Herzegovina and those who are working abroad, in Europe and other countries, who keep contacting us wishing to join their ranks. Consequently, the Croatian people in Bosnia-Herzegovina are interested in protecting their home territory, securing its survival. I told Mr. Izetbegovic that the Croatian policy has been and is going to remain... [pauses] that we have even been ready to influence the Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina to remain within the Bosniak Muslim republic, as a considerable number of Muslims will remain within the Croat republic of Herceg-Bosna, and that their human and national rights must be secured on the basis of reciprocity. These Croats in the Bosnian republic and the Muslims in the Croat republic, can be a bridge for overcoming animosity that has been created in this horrific war, and for restoring permanent cooperation and friendship in the future. [Modric] Modric, YOMIURI SHIMBUN. Mr. President, the map the Croatian press revealed today is not exactly clear. At first glance it appears as if the whole of |
FBIS3-49592_2 | Berisha Greets Envoys, Reviews 1993 | note that we proved to be determined to solve disagreements through tolerance, dialogue and negotiations, avoiding their aggravation to open conflicts. We also proved our resolution to follow a policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all those neighbouring and non-neighbouring countries that are for such a friendship and abide by the same principles as we do. Honourable ambassadors and representatives of international institutions and organizations, I would also like to stress that of extremely importance for our achievements have been the aid of the countries and institutions you represent and your personal commitment to realize this aid and cooperation. Therefore I would like to express our profound and eternal gratitude to the governments, institutions and citizens of the countries you represent for the generous aid they have given and are giving to Albania. Ladies and gentlemen, This year Albania is facing serious challenges and difficulties. We are optimistic because the all-sided progress of the reform during 1993 has restored in the people a great faith in it. It has created conditions for us to solve the problems for 1994 with success. The reform in our country has established closer relations of Albania with the other friendly countries and nations. Cooperation with these countries has been and will be of primary importance for Albania's integration into Europe. Our main objectives for 1994 are related with the privatization of large and medium-scale enterprises, creation of the market of vouchers, encouragement of foreign investment, reduction of unemployment, improvement of infrastructure, greater integration of Albania into Europe and international institutions, prevention of the conflict in the region and a correct solution of the question of the Albanians in Kosova and in all former Yugoslavia. All the above are our objectives which call for great efforts and support. Ladies and gentlemen, Our road and also others' toward progress and stability has become difficult due to Bosnia syndrome. This is the most ominous syndrome that has affected our continent since 1945. On a local plane it was characterized by an devastating war and aggression and an unprecedented genocide. But it is not a local syndrome, that is of a single country or region. This syndrome is also international and precisely on the international plane it may probably have the most catastrophic consequences. In this respect, I would say that Bosnia syndrome is a result of the lack of responsibility and loyalty and courage of international |
FBIS3-49593_0 | `Significant' 1993 Economic Achievements Noted | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Tirana, January 10 (ATA) -- Albanian ministries report that significant achievements have been registered in many sectors of the economy in 1993. A remarkable development was attained in the sector of agriculture. Agricultural and livestock products increased by 15 per cent. For the first time after 50 years the number of livestock per capita was that of 1938, which was considered the highest figure for the number of livestock. At present there are 3.4 million heads. In 1993, private farmers produced 170 thousand tons of wheat more than 1992. Ninety three per cent of the agricultural land has been privatized. For the first time last year, drilling in the sea were made by the oil sector. Horizontal drilling in the land also mark a contemporary achievement. Investments were made to restructure the electric system. About 100 million dollars have been invested during 1993 in the sector of transport and the telecom. Twelve agricultural joint ventures were created mainly with Greek and Italian partners. The area which these joint ventures cover is 10,700 hectares and over 4,600 people have been employed in them. |
FBIS3-49630_8 | Further on `Partnership for Peace' Meetings Havel Assesses Clinton Meetings | Europe. This conceptual tension is rather well known. Did anything change during this visit? I mean, our idea of individual states and some Visegrad cooperation as opposed to the American idea of Visegrad as a relatively well defined region? [Havel] I think that the difference is not as big as it might seem. Individual countries are aware that the era, when it was necessary to demonstrate our inseparable unity in such a manifest way, is over. This was [needed] at a time when we were doing away with the Warsaw treaty, when we tried to free ourselves from under the Soviet hegemony. At that time it was important that the heads of states and premiers of those three countries often came together. It was at the time when we strived to achieve a fast withdrawal of the Russian army and we demonstrated our political unity both eastward and westward. That era is over. The tasks were completed. Now comes the era of a more concrete, regional and permanent cooperation. A cooperation which is not being turned into problem by anybody and whose urgency and necessity is being perceived by all. Everybody knows that the basic principle of a foreign policy is to be in good terms with one's neighbors and to cooperate with them in the best possible way. Hence, from the conceptual point of view, there are no differences and it is not essential whether we use the words Visegrad Group or not. If you wish so, I can use them. By the way, this group was given its name by you journalists. Could you give us a specific proof of cooperation that is requested from Visegrad Group countries? [Havel] As I have already indicated all Visegrad countries realize that cooperation will have to come from both sides and that this means also an involvement from their side and not only involvement on the side of the North Atlantic Alliance. Among others this means, for instance, a possible participation of our units in operation which the Alliance may carry out at the request of the United Nations or the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. This implies a certain investment, both moral and material. None of these countries have any doubt about this since it arises directly from the project. [Correspondent] At a news conference today Slovak Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar voiced the view that cooperation among the |
FBIS3-49654_3 | Silajdzic on `Solid' Support From Pakistan | now, all matters of bilateral and multilateral cooperation will have one basis, namely that a certain ministry in Pakistan or Turkey will have the basis that they could refer to in determining some course of action. They will not need to seek the (?approval) of the president of prime minister. Individual cases will not need new decisions. The decision will already exist and all government organs in Turkey or Pakistan or Bosnia-Herzegovina will be able to refer to this agreement. This will in turn speed up and intensify cooperation. Of course, such agreements are very important for Bosnia-Herzegovina. We are talking about the traditionally friendly countries, the countries with great potentials, the countries that are of great importance in their regions. Moreover, the Pakistani prime minister told me that Pakistan has set aside $1 million for the organization and work of the court for crimes in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We did not know anything about this. Pakistan (?decided on this) a few days ago. I was informed about this in Islamabad. The problem lies in the fact that the war tribunal does not have sufficient funds and that because of that it [words indistinct]. I was surprised by this to a great extent. Some European countries have shown interest in the work of the tribunal for war crimes but the funds were lacking. This is a move by the Pakistani Government that deserves every praise. [passage omitted] [Latinovic] According to our information, Pakistan said that it will do everything in it power and in diplomatic circles to influence, via the Organization of Islamic Countries, the international community to change its stand on Bosnia-Herzegovina. What are in your view the real chances of such [word indistinct] [Silajdzic] The meeting of ministers of the contact group of the Organization of Islamic Countries in Geneva on 17 January is certainly connected with this. The meeting will reexamine the efforts of the Organization of Islamic Countries in this direction. A new (?demand) could be set that direction. In any case, we are talking about a group of countries with exceptionally strong economic potential. It is possible to direct this potential in the direction of [word indistinct] the international community, in the direction of (?increasing) humanitarian aid, in which everyone is interested, when the roads in Bosnia-Herzegovina become free. There is plenty of aid, and aid could be sent if communications are free. [words indistinct] [passage omitted] |
FBIS3-49667_2 | Report Issued on Walesa's Talks in Prague | a paper declaration, the Polish president added. "We are not anti-Russian. It is not Poland, it is Europe that should be afraid of Russia." We merely want Europe to integrate with our area as quickly as possible, Walesa concluded. Walesa invited the president of the United States to pay a visit to our country in May this year. Polish Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak, who took part in the meeting, raised economic problems first and foremost, drawing attention to the need for a "partnership for development", the BPP told PAP. "On the path toward making the Partnership for Peace a reality, we need a partnership for development." The BPP statement reports that this was one of the main arguments in Prime Minister Pawlak's address during the Prague talks between the Polish delegation led by President Lech Walesa and President Clinton. The prime minister noted that he actually interprets the term of "Partnership for Development" as a stimulation of economic development with the United States and Western Europe. He stressed that there are still too many barriers in this respect. "Now that the Uruguay round of GATT talks has been closed, we now have to concentrate on eliminating many restrictions that remain outside the tariff. Their place must be taken by offers of mutually complimentary projects", the prime minister said. He spoke with approval about the statement by President Clinton, who spoke in Brussels about a need for greater openness by the West toward economic cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe. Pawlak stated that economic cooperation constitutes a condition for genuine integration of Europe and for its security. During the meeting, a full unanimity with President Clinton with regard to views on this subject was noted. The U.S. President recalled his speeches calling upon the leaders of Western European countries to eliminate barriers in trade and appeals to businessmen to invest in Central and Eastern European countries. Economic matters were also a subject at Prime Minister Pawlak's meeting with Czech Republic Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus. The Polish prime minister stated that achieving NATO membership must be linked with economic development, and cooperation between the two countries has a significant role to play. Pawlak declared readiness to intensify concrete working contacts that would produce, for instance, the abolition of barriers in trade exchange, would ensure the fluidity of mutual trade clearing, or would bring about the intensification of cross-border cooperation, the BPP reported. |
FBIS3-49676_0 | Health Situation of Albanians `Deteriorating' | Language: Albanian Article Type:BFN [Text] [Announcer] Since the time when health institutions were usurped by the Serbian regime, the health situation of the Albanian population in Kosova has been continuously deteriorating. Regarding the way health protection functions under the conditions of occupation, let us follow the report by correspondent Ramadan Mucolli: [Mucolli] Those few studies that have so far been carried out regarding the health situation in the republic of Kosova have given distressing results. In several areas of the republic, the New Researchers Association has registered a great number of people sick with tuberculosis, jaundice, scabies, and other deficiency diseases. A global reflection of the people's health situation is done even in some other cases, but very little has been done to cure the sick, and even less to eliminate the causes of these diseases. A bit more organized work has been done in schools, where several actions have been undertaken to cure pupils sick with scabies and to eliminate lice. However, the organization of such actions from one case to another does not mean that an independent health system has been created in the republic of Kosova. The establishment of outpatient clinics for the poorest strata of the population presently serves only as a cover for the health organizations and associations. Even today, these associations have no draft program at all for setting up and creating health institutions to cure serious, chronic, and acute diseases. With more consistent work, setting up such institutions is not an unrealizable project. Furnishing them with equipment and supplying with herbs and necessary items can be done with the help of international humanitarian associations and organizations, which are ever more present in Kosova. However, to set up these institutions, it is necessary to manifest a more serious approach and commit oneself right away, without improvisations and baseless justifications. |
FBIS3-49694_0 | Communists Comment on `Unequal Partnership' | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Prague, Jan 13 (CTK) -- The main goal of U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit in Europe is to enhance the United States military and economic penetration into East Europe and to build a "foothold" against Russia, Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) Chairman Miroslav Grebenicek told journalists today. He recalled Clinton's idea, voiced during his visit in Europe, that solving economic and social problems and ensuring prosperity for all was one of the prerequisites for the peace and security of states. Grebenicek said it was necessary that this idea not to remain a mere oratorial [as received] phrase but be implemented in specific deeds. He said American initiatives designed to help reforms in Central and East European countries were not meeting this task. He said the United States had allocated $400 million to support democratic and market reforms in these countries, which amounts to 13 percent of the U.S annual military aid to Israel. The Partnership for Peace plan would be an "unequal partnership" for Central European countries and would deepen the rivalry among the Visegrad Four countries (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland), Grebenicek said. "We are anxious that the Czech political leadership has enthusiastically agreed with it.... A referendum should decide on its acceptance," he added. Vojtech Folip, a KSCM expert on legislation and human rights, said that the agreement crossed the bounds of the Constitution by, for example, the fact that it would station foreign armies on the Czech Republic's territory which, he said, would be limitation of its state sovereignty. The Communists hold the view that cooperation in Europe could be much better secured through the revival of the Helsinki process than through the expansion of NATO, KSCM Deputy Chairman Miloslav Randsdorf said. He pointed to the fact that the Czech Republic would have to "financially participate in North Atlantic Alliance actions." At a time of economic reform this would be an especially sensitive burden for the state budget, he said. The Communists favor a Europe stretching from the Atlantic to the Urals without a privileged position for anyone and the flow of such foreign capital in the Czech Republic which would enhance the economic strength of the country. Grebenicek said that unlike German capital, which could threaten the Czech national identity, the penetration of American capital does not represent such a danger. |
FBIS3-49706_0 | Opposition Parties Assess `Partnership' Project | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Bratislava, Jan 13 (CTK) -- The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) does not consider Partnership for Peace a solution because it does not create any security guarantees for the Visegrad Four countries, KDH Deputy Chairman Frantisek Miklosko told CTK today. Only if the project were joined by Russia, some security zone could be envisaged, Miklosko said. If, however, the situation in Russia radicalizes through an increase in Vladimir Zhirinovskiy's power, the joint security project would be just a formality again, Miklosko stated. The fact that British Prime Minister John Major and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl failed to mention Slovakia among candidates for NATO membership was not accidental, Miklosko said, adding that conflicts with ethnic Hungarians, political instability, some statements by politicians, in particular by Premier Vladimir Meciar, and Slovakia's endangered democracy are the reasons for this. The opposition Alliance of Slovak Democrats (AD SR), however, assesses the Prague meeting of the Visegrad Four with Clinton positively, AD SR Chairman Milan Knazko told journalists today. He said that he did not conceive Partnership for Peace as a final solution, but as a great opportunity for the future, since cooperation by the Visegrad countries could speed up their admission into NATO. Knazko also said that statements such as that by Transport Minister Roman Hofbauer, published in the pro-Meciar daily REPUBLIKA, "the Czech Republic is changing, whether it wants to or not, from the European heart into the final part of the European digestive tract," do not help improve Czech-Slovak relations. Knazko noted that the AD SR would support the effort by the KDH to dismiss Hofbauer. |
FBIS3-49712_0 | Minister Notes `Model Approach' to Minorities | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Bratislava, Jan 13 (CTK) -- "It especially annoys me that no Slovak is spoken in dozens of south Slovak settlements," Slovak Culture Minister Dusan Slobodnik told CTK today. He was referring to the recommendation made by the Council of Europe (CE) that every citizen be obliged to master the language of the country he lives in. Slobodnik said he did not rule out that the Education Ministry would issue a decree stipulating that Slovak could be taught only by Slovak teachers at ethnic Hungarian schools. Only this would guarantee that ethnic Hungarians would master the Slovak language, he added. Slobodnik said that Slovakia "had no reason to feel ashamed of its policy towards ethnic minorities. Quite the opposite." There is a comprehensive network of primary and secondary education with Hungarian as a teaching language, heavily subsidized by the state, Slobodnik stated. The Slovaks and Hungarians living in Slovakia are absolutely equal, he said, pointing to the fact that last year 26 Hungarian periodicals of all sorts, funded by the state, were published in Slovakia. The state also subsidizes two Hungarian regional theaters and 12 publishing houses, he added. The Culture Ministry neither influences the repertory of the theaters, nor does it interfere with the published papers and books, although "it is often not satisfied with them," he said. "The cultural autonomy of the ethnic Hungarians actually exists, although some people do not want to admit it," Slobodnik stated. Slovakia has assumed a model approach towards ethnic minorities, not only with respect to culture, Slobodnik claimed. Many ethnic Hungarians bear this in mind, and do not associate themselves with the demands of their so-called political representatives for a province. "They keep in mind that their economic position in Slovakia is more advantageous than would be possible in Hungary," Slobodnik stated. |
FBIS3-49727_1 | Akashi Hails `Positive Stand' on UNPROFOR | Belgrade. Kontic on his part expressed his satisfaction that a man from Japan, country which has always led a principled policy towards the crisis in former Yugoslavia, had come to head the UNPROFOR. Akashi told Kontic that he was aware that some of the UN Security Council decisions had caused the suffering of the Yugoslav population which was all the more reason why solutions had to be found that would lead to their cancellation. The United Nations had introduced sanctions against Yugoslavia in May 1992 because of its alleged involvement in the civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, even though Yugoslavia has no troops in that republic. Akashi also informed Kontic that the Security Council sanctions committee had simplified the procedure for obtaining authorisations for food and medicine imports and that this procedure now took only a few days instead of weeks or months. The Japanese diplomat also said that NATO had asked UNPROFOR to prepare a feasibility study on carrying out air strikes on Serb positions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. At the beginning of this week, NATO had threatened the Bosnian Serbs with air strikes in order to stop the bombing of Sarajevo, secure the opening of Tuzla airport and the relief of the UN Canadian contingent in Srebrenica, a Moslem enclave in east Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, it is the Moslems who are responsible for the clashes in Sarajevo. According to the UNPROFOR commander in Bosnia-Herzegovina General Francis Briquemont, they launched unprovoked attacks on Serb suburbs in Sarajevo on Tuesday. The Bosnian Serbs think that the opening of the Tuzla airport is not possible before the Moslem side signs a peace plan for Bosnia-Herzegovina because they fear that the Moslems would use the Tuzla airport, just like they did the Sarajevo airport, for the contraband of arms for their army. Bosnian Serb leaders also said that their forces were not besieging the UNPROFOR Canadian battalion in Srebrenica and that their request to be freed is unfounded. Akashi said that UNPROFOR had still not completed the feasibility study on the air strikes, adding that he was leaving for Geneva on Sunday to meet the UN Secretary-General Butrus Butrus-Ghali. Akashi said that he was responsible for the territory of the former Yugoslav republics and that he would help the negotiators as much as he could because they would rely on on-ground information. He expressed hope that this information would help and contribute to reaching positive results. |
FBIS3-49753_0 | Minister Protests Shelling of Sarajevo Hospital | Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Text] Sarajevo's state hospital was today hit by three 120-mm artillery projectiles for the fourth time this year. A letter from Bosnia-Herzegovina Defense Minister Hamdija Hadzihasanovic to General Briquemont, commander in chief of the UN Protection Forces [UNPROFOR] for Bosnia-Herzegovina, says five people staying in the hospital were seriously wounded and one was killed in the immediate vicinity of the hospital. Given the 500 direct artillery hits in 1992 and the 15 in 1993, it seems, if the current rate of shelling is anything to go by, that this year's shelling will exceed the level achieved in the first year of war. Mr. General, you know well that the state hospital in Sarajevo is a civilian facility and you are also aware of its importance. This is why we lodge once again our sharpest protest over this crime by the Serbian aggressor, which you are quietly observing and logging. The Bosnia-Herzegovina defense minister ends his letter by saying: I call on you to react to such attacks in an adequate manner. |
FBIS3-49760_1 | Iranian Paper Interviews Foreign Minister | rebels. This is an act of treason to the motherland and he is a traitor in our eyes. The Bosnian army is successfully defending Western Bosnia against the Serbs and the forces of the traitor Edic in most difficult conditions and we are trying to approach Edic's command base in Valica Klarosa [name as transliterated]. [ETTELA'AT] What is your assessment of the future of Bosnia- Herzegovina in the event of the division of the country into three ethnic parts? Will peace return to Bosnia-Herzegovina if such a partition takes place? [Ljubljankic] Bosnia-Herzegovina has always been considered a culturally diverse society with much variety among the various minorities. Then, a century ago we saw the end of five centuries of Ottoman rule, which had been able to insure tolerance and coexistence among the religions. At present we are in a situation in which we are forced to be realistic. There may be ethnic divisions, but that concept will not bring peace. The basic condition of peace -- that is, justice -- has not been taken into consideration. [ETTELA'AT] What is the best way of providing assistance to Bosnia-Herzegovina in view of the arms embargo against your country? [Ljubljankic] There is no other way to assist Bosnia-Herzegovina at this moment. The best way would be to provide financial assistance so that the country can strengthen its economy and purchase weapons. [ETTELA'AT] What effect do the practical and theoretical stances of the Islamic countries, including that of the Islamic Republic of Iran, have on the enemies' aggression? What are Bosnia-Herzegovina's expectations of the world's countries and how do you feel these are being met? [Ljubljankic] The Islamic countries are all endowed with growing economic power. We expect them to use this economic power to exert pressure on the Western countries so that the arms embargo imposed on us will be lifted. In every city of Bosnia-Herzegovina, there are churches alongside the mosques. Unfortunately because of the fascist ideas of ethnic cleansing, all the mosques in the cities under Serb and Croat occupation have been destroyed. The idea of dividing the country into ethnic regions is a new concept that never existed before in our country. We would prefer that Bosnia-Herzegovina retain its unique heritage in the world; this is quite a practical concept. [passage omitted] If the arms embargo is lifted, we can solve our problems quickly. Even if this does not happen, |
FBIS3-49790_7 | Prime Minister Interviewed on Current Issues | far more sensitive way, mainly because his moves are directed at breaking up the movement. But the movement has been built to provide defenses against any external attack and, as such, it is defending itself. I think it is a legitimate defense. Given this situation, just consider the action taken against [Ivan] Lexa [whose ministerial appointment was blocked by President Kovac]. He is threatened with the possibility that criminal prosecution could be relaunched against him for an offense which was not used even under Husak -- nothing happened to Bilak [former member of CPCZ Central Committee], Colotka [former Slovak prime minister] -- who were in this situation. But here, when a person says publicly what he [Lexa] said at a HZDS meeting, criminal proceedings are launched against this person and a punishment of deprivation of freedom is looming over him and he is being threatened with the confiscation of his passport. This does not create a good atmosphere, because Lexa enjoyed the trust of the same (?representation) whose trust the president sought. [passage omitted] [Toman] The latest opinion polls once again signal the deepening political apathy of the population. The fact which is not too flattering is that in the assessment of trustworthiness of eight frontranking institutions in the state, the government found itself in last place. What, in your opinion, is the reason for this and how would you like achieve a reversal of things in the year that has just began? [Meciar] We were aware of this threat before and that is why our last three cabinet sessions in 1993 considered this development, and the fact that the government could actually drop to the last place. After all, a citizen is continually being fed with the information that the government can be blamed for everything. The government can be blamed for any silly action of any official in Slovakia, it is blamed for each businessman who is out of work, is responsible for a hole in the road roadworkers failed to mend and so on. What this amounts to is that the government is identified with all the bad things in Slovakia. This has been achieved by influencing people's reasoning and thinking. We are facing a task of exposing what (?the practical) responsibility of each official is and, on the other hand, to demonstrate the work of the government. I am confident that this relationship will be reversed. |
FBIS3-49823_0 | Deputy Prime Minister Cited on Bosnian Conflict | Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Pool" item] [Text] Belgrade, Jan 14 (TANJUG) - Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Zeljko Simic on Friday [14 January] pointed at the decisive role played by, as he said, `the hasty and rashly' policy of the European Union in the eruption of the conflict in the former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. During talks with a Spanish parliamentary delegation, Simic underscored there would have been no war in Bosnia-Herzegovina if the right to self-determination of peoples was `applied universally and not selectivelly.' He said it was the legitimate right of the Serbian people to fight for its rigth to self-determination. The Spanish delegation was recieved by the Chairman of the Yugoslav Parliament's Board for Foreign and Economic Relations, Borisav Jovic, who assessed that the war of the territory of the former Yugoslavia could end soon if Europe and the United States exerted uniform pressure on the three warring sides -- Moslems, Serbs and Croats -- in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Jovic called for the soonest possible lifting of the international sanctions imposed against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and assessed that without any valid historical explaination Yugoslavia was being converted into `a concentration camp in which people are starting to die of hunger' at the threshold of the twenty first century. He recalled that Yugoslavia had maximumly contributed to the peaceful solution to the conflict on the territory of the former Yugoslavia and that at the same time it was subject to sanctions which have destroyed it economically, although it is not at war nor has it provoked the war in any way. Jovic said the basic aims of Yugoslavia's foreign policy were the restoration of peace on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, the lifting of the sanctions and the reintegration of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the international community. The Spanish delegation, headed by Ernest Luch, assessed that the international community hastly recognized the separatist Yugoslav republics. The speaker of the Yugoslav parliament's chamber of republics, Milos Radulovic, underscored during his meeting with the Spanish delegation that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has since the very beginning been urging through its parliament the search for a solution in Bosnia by peaceful means and on an equal basis for all the three sides in conflict. |
FBIS3-49833_0 | Ethnic Hungarians Demand Political Autonomy | Language: Hungarian Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] According to Andras Agoston, chairman of the Democratic Community of Hungarians in Vojvodina [VMDK], a new wave of migration may begin, because the Hungarians in Vojvodina feel that their suffering will not end in the near future. Judit Laszlo reports. [Laszlo] [passage omitted] Andras Agoston called it a rumor that the VMDK will be the socialists' coalition partner. The Hungarians of Vojvodina wish to ask the English, French, and Russian leaders of the peace process for advice on the formation of an internationally legitimate government, without the intervention of foreign countries in rump Yugoslavia's domestic issues. According to Deputy Chairman Janos Vekas, Hungary's help is also needed in settling the issue. Therefore, the VMDK has launched an initiative for the parties of the Hungarian parliament and the political forces of the Hungarians beyond the borders to issue a joint declaration to the effect that they wish to realize their national policy interests jointly. In this declaration, the VMDK demands every form of political autonomy, said Deputy Chairman Janos Vekas. |
FBIS3-49892_0 | Polls: Hungarian Support for Autonomy Growing | Language: Slovak Article Type:BFN [Unattributed report in the "From Yesterday's Briefings" column: "Christian Democratic Movement: Nagorno Karabakh in Slovakia?"] [Text] According to Frantisek Miklosko, deputy chairman of the Christian Democratic Movement, the course of the Hungarian ethnic minority's rally in Komarno [on 8 January] was controlled by the Coexistence Movement. He also said that the Hungarian language enclave to the south of Nitra was reminiscent of Nagorno Karabakh. Whereas in 1990 7 percent of Hungarians in southern Slovakia advocated political autonomy, in September 1993 this had increased to 45 percent, and the latest polls indicate that this percentage is growing. "If the Government of the Slovak Republic acts without a concept in its ethnic policy, without talks, and irrationally, a political ghetto and a scarcely controllable situation will arise in southern Slovakia, which will ultimately evolve into an irredentist movement. The borders of this irredentist movement were mapped out in Komarno on 8 January," Frantisek Miklosko declared. |
FBIS3-49901_0 | Serbian Priests Expelled for `Religious Hatred' | Language: Macedonian Article Type:BFN [Report by B. Burnazovski: "Serbian Priests Expelled From Macedonia"] [Text] Kumanovo, 17 January -- The Democratic Party of Serbs and the Association of Serbs and Montenegrins in Macedonia are persistently calling upon the Serbian Orthodox Church [SOC] to send Serbian priests to Macedonia for religious ceremonies in villages inhabited by Serbs and in Macedonian Orthodox churches. They are doing this illegally and persistently for almost any important religious holiday, or when there is a festival in which God's blessing is needed. Thus, recently, at the New Year, there were two priests of the SOC in the Kumanovo villages of Umin Dol, Novo Selo, Staro Nagoricane, Cetirce, Dolno Konjare, Matejce, and Tromegja. They were Nenad Tasic, a SOC priest from Bosilegrad and a FRY citizen, and Srecko Cvetkovic, a priest from Suva Reka, who was also a FRY citizen staying temporarily in Tetovo. After their activities had been discovered, both were taken before the district magistrate, who pronounced the appropriate sentences. Tasic, for promoting national and religious hatred and intolerance among the citizens of miscellaneous nationalities, was expelled from Macedonia. Cvetkovic, for abusing his profession and for being an illegal alien, was banned from any activities in Macedonia for a year. Moreover, they both had to pay fines of 1,156 denars. It was not the first time that Tasic had been to Macedonia, because "at the request of the Serbian people and believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church" he had been in these Kumanovo villages in December "to serve his people with the religious ceremonies for St. Nicholas's Day and Christmas," as was noted in a public information release by the "Regional Church Board of the SOC in Kumanovo." He was also expelled from Macedonia for being there illegally. Before that, last October, the Vranje Bishop Pahomie was refused entry at the Macedonian-Serbian border, after he had wanted to attend the celebrations of the Battle of Kumanovo of 1913 without the knowledge of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. However, there have been a number of indications that not only the religious rights of the Serbs in Macedonia are involved. The release in which the believers reacted to the first expulsion of Tasic was signed by the Regional Board of the SOC in Kumanovo, which shows that it [the board] had been established, and it was signed by Nenad Domovic, president of the Regional Board of the Democratic Party |
FBIS3-49956_0 | Peace Agreement Signed With Yugoslavia Security Council Issues Statement | Language: Serbo-Croatian Article Type:BFN [Text] The Croatian Defense and National Security Council held its 35th session in the Presidential Palace today with Franjo Tudjman, president of the Republic of Croatia, in the chair. The Council was briefed on the results of the latest round of Geneva talks on the former Yugoslavia and on the declaration on the normalization of relations between the Republic of Croatia and the FRY, i.e. Serbia and Montenegro. The Council supported the declaration, and assessed the normalization of Croatian and Serbian relations as in the strategic interest of the Republic of Croatia and a prerequisite for the establishment of a new international order in the former Yugoslav territory and in this part of Europe and the Balkans. The signing of the declaration based on the UN Charter and the main CSCE documents is of great political importance, and at the same time confirms the readiness of both sides' signatories of the declaration that the problem of Serbs in Croatia will be resolved in a peaceful way, by reintegrating UN Protected Areas in the constitutional and legal system of the Republic of Croatia. International factors supported the declaration, and assessed it as an important step in the process of finding a permanent political solution in this region. The government of the Republic of Croatia will do everything in its power to ensure that the provision on the establishment of official representative offices is implemented as of 15 February this year. As for the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina -- despite all peace proposals on the part of the Republic of Croatia and the European initiative -- the conference failed to reach a permanent solution because of the Muslim side, but the talks will continue and the next conference has been scheduled for 10 February this year. Having given full support to the Croatian delegation's consistent stands, the Council expressed hope that the resumption of such policy on Croatia's part would bring about a permanent and just solution to the crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina. |
FBIS3-49964_0 | EU Mission Head for Reexamination of Sanctions | Language: English Article Type:BFN ["Pool" item] [Text] Zagreb, Jan 21 (TANJUG) -- The new head of the European Union's (EU) monitoring mission for the former Yugoslavia, Greek Ambassador Konstandinos Yarokostopoulos, said he was in favor of reexamining the further implementation of the U.N. sanctions against Yugoslavia and assessed that it was counterproductive when only one side was exposed to international pressure. It is necessary to exert equal pressure on all sides in order to have affect on the negotiations, Yarokostopoulos said in an interview to the Zagreb weekly GLOBUS. He pointed out that the United Nations wished to exert political pressure on Serbia with the sanctions and that their effect on the overall economy in this Yugoslav republic was obvious. However, the question is whether the political goal because of which the sanctions were introduced has been achieved or have the sanctions proved to be useless in this respect, he added. The U.N. Security Council introduced comprehensive and mandatory sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) at the end of May 1992 accusing Yugoslavia of aggression against the former Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The U.N. Security Council did this ignoring the fact that a civil war among local Moslems, Serbs and Croats has been underway since April 1992 and that there are no Yugoslav Army troops there. The head of the EU monitoring mission for the former Yugoslavia said it was wrong to think that the sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia should remain in force until the problems in areas under U.N. Protection (UNPA) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Croatia are solved. The republic of Serb Krajina (RSK) is a UNPA. The RSK was proclaimed on predominantly Serb populated areas in former Croatia in response to Croatia's forcible secession from the former Yugoslavia and its attempt to limit civil and national rights of the Serbian people. Although the RSK has been under U.N. protection since spring 1992, the Croatian Army launched three aggressions on it since then in an attempt to forcibly establish its authority there. The sanctions are linked to a concrete political problem and that is Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yarokostopoulos said and assessed the sanctions would be lifted once the war there was stopped. |
FBIS3-49965_3 | Zhelev Interviewed on Bosnia, Macedonia, NATO | aspect of the problem. The act of recognition, on the other hand, represented the acceptance of this state with its full sovereignty and its borders. [Semo] Do you believe there is now a need -- in order to exert pressure on Belgrade -- to further tighten the embargo or consider air strikes? [Zhelev] This embargo, which seriously penalizes our economy, is already very severe. The real problem is how to ensure that these sanctions are respected, also by neighboring countries. Any decision to undertake air strikes or any form of military intervention must be taken by the United Nations, NATO, or the WEU [Western European Union]. But if the international community were to choose to use force, it is vitally important that neighboring countries should not be involved in these operations. That would risk sparking off a new Balkan war. [Semo] Bulgaria -- along with other countries in Central and Eastern Europe -- has asked to join NATO, which it sees as a guarantee for its security. How do you judge the offer by President Clinton for a form of "Partnership for Peace" while awaiting possible integration? [Zhelev] It remains the best proposal made to date. But this initiative perhaps remains insufficient in security terms, as what we are being offered is not the same as that which Alliance members are guaranteed. I nevertheless feel it is particularly significant as it offers an equal chance to all Central and Eastern Europe's new democracies, without categorizing or differentiating, which is always a source of tension. [Semo] Since you became president, you have managed to defuse the problem of the Turkish minority -- one-tenth of the population -- which was the most explosive legacy of Communism. Is there a Bulgarian model for the ethnic question? [Zhelev] I based my action on the old tradition of tolerance of the Bulgarian people. Even after five centuries of Ottoman domination, relations between the Bulgarians and the Turks were good. The tensions of recent years had been deliberately created by the former regime which -- seeking a demagogic excuse for its failures -- opted for an absurd policy which violated the fundamental rights of this minority group. We felt bound to immediately restore these rights, and, in addition, we guaranteed active participation in governmental bodies for the Turkish minority. One-tenth of the elected representatives are Turks and their party plays a key role in the Parliament. |
FBIS3-49998_0 | Berisha Supports `Partnership,' Membership | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Excerpts] Tirana, January 15 (ATA) -- On January 14 before noon, Albanian President Sali Berisha received the special envoy of the U.S. President Clinton, Madeleine Albright, U.S. ambassador in the UN Security Council and member of the cabinet of President Clinton, the Albanian President's Press and Information Office reports. Ms. Albright was accompanied by high ranking officials of the National Security Council of the State and Defence Departments. [passage omitted] President Berisha stressed that Albania is grateful to the U.S. for the support that the U.S. Government, institutions and citizens have given to Albania during this period of time. "We consider the cooperation with the U.S.A. as very important not only for the historic relations and the fact that this country is a main pillar of the freedom and democracy in the world, but also because we consider the U.S. presence as vital for peace and stability in our continent, that is not only for the Albanians but for all the others." President Berisha expressed his approval to sign the Partnership For Peace, stressing that he considered it as a stage of active integration of Albania into the Atlantic Alliance. "But we shall insist on becoming a NATO member," he said. "The creation of the enterprise fund in Albania is a very good news for the Albanians and it will be a powerful support for the reform in our country," Mr. Berisha said. He called for acceleration of procedures for the approval of the bilateral investments treaty. Mr. Berisha expressed Albanian's resolution to observe sanctions against Serbia despite the damage it causes to the Albanian economy. "Any toleration in the embargo would be a support for the militarist policy of Milosevic," he said. Mr. Berisha demanded on the basis of the UN Charter compensation for the losses caused to the Albanian economy by the embargo regime. President Berisha pointed out as of great importance for peace the definition by President Bush and President Clinton in regard to Kosova, as a red line for the Serbian aggression. A special role in this direction has been played by the U.S. troops in Macedonia and the U.S. insistence in the observation of the UN sanctions against Serbia. Expressing his thanks to Ms. Albright for her role in the Security Council, for the resolution which imposed the embargo against Serbia and the call for the return of the CSCE observers |
FBIS3-50018_1 | Foreign Minister Urges European Cooperation | democracies, the very objectives of the new practical programme will lead them in this direction. Likewise, to earlier NATO membership. "Both the spirit and the letter of the declaration adopted by the NATO summit do strongly reconfirm this valuable outlook. Its first paragraph underlines that the alliance 'is reaching out to establish new patterns of cooperation throughout Europe'. The West and the Russian Federation could decisively help the alliance in fulfilling this task. Inclusively by overcoming the parochial attitudes that have traditionally governed their mutual behavior. "This is exactly why, we in Romania find it important -- at this historical juncture -- to suggest to our peers in Central Europe not to ignore a precious security resource which is within our grasp: the establishment and consolidation, throughout our area, of good neighborly relations. "I hope the constructive thrust of this proposal will be correctly understood by all the countries in our area. The more so, because Romania does not embark herself barehanded on the historical Euro-Atlantic journey to strengthened European stability and security opened by the partnership for peace. Our country disposes of certain -- even unique -- geostrategic and geopolitical assets. Properly used, they could help the alliance in fulfilling its new role of projecting stability and democracy beyond its current area, thereby increasing Romania's direct contribution to 'lasting peace, stability and well-being in Europe'. The significance of those assets is substantially enhanced by Romania's belonging to the group of like-minded countries which enjoy closer relations with the main Western European structures. "In connection with this, I would like to remind to all those who still think that 'Visegrad membership' is a sine qua non for closer relations with the West, that Romania's status with the cardinal Western European structures -- the European Union, the Western European Union and the Council of Europe -- is identical with that enjoyed by the countries in that sub-regional grouping. "This is a most convincing recognition of the fact that, in spite of the heavier communist legacy Romania has had to get rid of, our political will to irreversibly enshrine the Western values and practices in our society, and to solidly anchor the country in the Western structures is as genuine as the one expressed by 'the Visegrad four'. At the same time, this situation clearly indicates that the Western European institutions' attitude towards our respective countries is not biased by parochial considerations." |
FBIS3-50052_6 | Defense Minister Discusses `Partnership' Plan What is the meaning of the partnership for peace and what does it offer us? What Would the Selective Access to the Structures of the Alliance Mean? "One or two years ago, the countries in the Visegrad group generated a competition as far as access to NATO is concerned. In this respect, there are two things we consider important: the first is that access of the countries in the region to the security structures, including NATO, should be carried out in such a way as to ensure equal security for all, without discrimination and without new frontiers. Thus, different levels of acceptance and discriminatory treatment would avoid new feelings of isolation, marginalization, distrust, and suspicion in this region. Second: any discrimination would belittle the standard required by this partnership for peace, even if this does not pleases the countries included in the Visegrad group. The partnership for peace is above any discrimination. In addition, it is important that access to security structures should not appear as an action aimed against Russia. It is important that Russia should not be pushed aside from these structures and that it should be assisted in this process of democratization of political life as well as in the military area. The NATO in which we wish to be integrated is not the same NATO that existed at the time of the cold war but an organization that has proved its ability to develop a new aspect of its activities, namely to support democratic processes and the democratic transition of military bodies" said General Spiroiu. | are the preparations carried out by the Romanian Army to respond to the requirements of partnership, the way they have been presented by the minister of national defense. What Would the Selective Access to the Structures of the Alliance Mean? "One or two years ago, the countries in the Visegrad group generated a competition as far as access to NATO is concerned. In this respect, there are two things we consider important: the first is that access of the countries in the region to the security structures, including NATO, should be carried out in such a way as to ensure equal security for all, without discrimination and without new frontiers. Thus, different levels of acceptance and discriminatory treatment would avoid new feelings of isolation, marginalization, distrust, and suspicion in this region. Second: any discrimination would belittle the standard required by this partnership for peace, even if this does not pleases the countries included in the Visegrad group. The partnership for peace is above any discrimination. In addition, it is important that access to security structures should not appear as an action aimed against Russia. It is important that Russia should not be pushed aside from these structures and that it should be assisted in this process of democratization of political life as well as in the military area. The NATO in which we wish to be integrated is not the same NATO that existed at the time of the cold war but an organization that has proved its ability to develop a new aspect of its activities, namely to support democratic processes and the democratic transition of military bodies" said General Spiroiu. If the Alliance offered guarantees of security to the four countries that belong to the Visegrad group, it would put Romania in a position not to be able to plead its cause directly within this structure. For the time being, however, it appears that no decision has been taken regarding access -- selective or not -- to NATO structures. Romania's geostrategic position, its demographic and economic potential, its control over the mouth of the Danube, and thus over a waterway that will become extremely important in the future, that is, the Rhine-Main-Danube canal, the connection that it can ensure Romania with the Southeast "region" of NATO [Greece and Turkey) and with the Middle East, all these elements make our country interesting and important. But not only for NATO. |
FBIS3-50086_0 | Entry Visas for Serbian Writer, Choir Approved | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Ljubljana, January 22 (TANJUG)--The authorities of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Slovenia have refused to issue entry visas to world renowned Serbian writer Milorad Pavic and the well-known academic choir "Branko Krsmanovic" of Belgrade, who were to take part in a religious ceremony officiated by the local Serbian Orthodox community. The Slovenian Foreign Ministry has assessed, in agreement with the Ministry for Culture, that the arrival of Pavic and the "Branko Krsmanovic" choir in Ljubljana are "not in the interest of the Slovenian state," TANJUG learned. The ministry did not specify in what way the artists were a threat to the state of Slovenia. Pavic and the "Branko Krsmanovic" choir were to take part in an academy marking the day of St. Sava in Ljubljana, which is organized by the Serbian Orthodox community. The action by the Slovenian authorities has in fact indirectly prevented this ceremony from taking place. St. Sava day has been celebrated by Serbian Orthodox Christians on January 27 since the early thirteenth century when Rastko Nemanjic, a Serbian medieval ruler, monk and educator was proclaimed Saint Sava after his death. Peran Boskovic, a priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Ljubljana, recently sent a letter to Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek, urging him to help enable the holding of Orthodox religious ceremonies. There has been no reply yet. This indirect assault on religious ceremonies of non-Slovenes by the Slovenian authorities, which took place despite promises by certain Catholic Church dignitaries that other religions would not be discriminated against in Slovenia, might provoke an embittered protest by tens of thousands of Serbs who live in Slovenia. Slovenia recently twice in two weeks banned entry into Slovenia to well-known Serbian pop singer Mocilo Bajagic Bajaga, although his concerts in Ljubljana and Maribor had been sold out. |
FBIS3-50098_1 | Ministry Denies Decision on T-72 Modernization | decided. The optimum alternatives -- with respect to the future orientation of the transforming Czech Army and, above all, the limited financial resources -- are to be selected by the end of the year 1994. Regarding the new technical concept of the army, the principal document apparently is the "Concept of the Building of the Army of the Czech Republic to 1996," which was discussed by the government last June. It was decided that in the realization of the intended goals, the same system of planning, programming and budgeting (SPPR) will be used, as is commonly used and accepted in the armies of the North Atlantic Alliance. This system, which, according to Zdenek Borkovec, makes the processes taking place in the army transparent, and facilitates easier monitoring of the army by the parliament, will be applied as early as this year. The financing of the armed forces is covered by the Defense Ministry chapter of the state budget, which assumes total expenditures of 26.792 billion korunas and total revenues of 2.3 billion korunas. Of the total expenditures, 8.88 billion korunas is intended for technical material, of which, 278 million is earmarked for the purchase of new arms, technology, and other material as per the "Concept." The new tank, which should be manufactured in coordination with the RDP Group consortium, will allegedly meet the requirements of the NATO organization concerning of its member states' arms. According to the director general of the consortium, Jan Vlcek, a number of the elements -- the communication system, for instance -- are compatible with the Alliance systems. According to Zdenek Borkovec, however, "the notion of compatibility with NATO armies cannot be identified with compatibility of arms. It is a logical sequence of certain activities in which the compatibility of the equipment has its place but it is not a primary one. First, the linguistic, planning, communication, and other problems must be overcome. Therefore, it is expected that approximately during the period until 1996, only a part of the armed forces will be equipped, above all, with the modern means of communication, command, and reconnaissance." Jan Vlcek claims in the RDP Group statement that one of the alternatives of the modernization of the existing tank is prepared for the Czech Army as the most important customer. The army, according to the aforementioned information, adopted a substantially more cautious stand. Exports will apparently be necessary for RDP. |
FBIS3-50127_0 | Jeszenszky Analyzes `Partnership' Prospects | Language: Hungarian Article Type:BFN [Article by Foreign Minister Geza Jeszenszky: "Partnership for Peace -- Slow Return to the West"] [Text] In the period of the cold war, most Hungarians -- including me -- saw NATO as the symbol of hope that communism would not prevail in the West and, as a result, we would also one day regain our freedom. For 45 years, NATO has successfully preserved peace and the Euro-Atlantic system of values, and it introduced the spirit of cooperation in a Western Europe torn apart by war. These achievements should also spread to the eastern part of Europe. Hungary and other Central European countries would like to see guarantees that the changes of 1989-1990 are irreversible and that their return to the western world is taking place in an institutional framework, and not only through momentary, economic and political relations. Given the fact that there are no chances of gaining full membership in the European Union before the end of this decade, NATO is the only organization that can facilitate a rapid and secure implementation of our goals. Today, Central Europe can be compared to some kind of no-man's-land where, in addition to the threat of neo-imperialism, which cannot be totally excluded, economic and environmental security are not guaranteed either. Hungary must join the well-functioning Western structures to encourage foreign investments and an increase in the number of tourists, and to strengthen confidence in Hungary. We are at most halfway through the implementation of these goals. At the Copenhagen summit held in June 1993, the Council of Europe set out the goal of opening up toward the East. Six Central and Eastern European countries signed partnership treaties with the European Union; two of them, the treaties signed with Hungary and Poland, will come into force as from 1 February 1994, and the ratification of the other treaties is currently under way. A similar decision emerged at the NATO summit in Brussels on 10 January 1994: The "Partnership for Peace" program makes it clear that the countries that are successful in this cooperation could hope for NATO membership. At his meeting with the Visegrad four on 12 January 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton confirmed that the security of Central Europe is also vital for the security of the United States. I think this view is not completely in harmony with the spirit of the Partnership for Peace program. Although |
FBIS3-50129_2 | Article Views Consequences of Clinton Tour | plans together, then we will have relations with them in which their security will become very important for us. If someone turns back, we can again drop the security barrier used in the past, although we would definitely not like to draw a separation line in Europe again. The Russian leader who claims that we promised Moscow not to allow anyone into NATO is making a big mistake, Christopher said. Christopher's deputy Talbott places emphasis on a slightly different thing: "The real integration of Western, Central, and Eastern Europe is a very long process. Just like the Russians, we also fear that Moscow could again become isolated from the outside world. This does not mean that Yeltsin gets a veto right in the possible extension of NATO, but we will definitely take the viewpoints of the Russian reform into consideration," Talbott said. Behind the Visegrad goup, there are the other Eastern European countries. Most of them have not yet fulfilled the preliminary conditions of the peace partnership. (Civil and parliamentary control over the army is not firm enough, the military budget is not completely public and regulated, unsolved territorial issues might emerge, and the civil democracy is not stable enough). Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Macedonia are in this drawer; in addition, these countries are important for the foreign policy makers in Washington not because of themselves but because of the Yugoslav crisis. Given certain U.S. global strategic considerations, the same makes Albania slightly special. NATO could get access to an important port at Durres. Besides, Albania is an excellent place for "keeping an eye" on the Balkans. The third exception is the most developed country in the region, namely Slovenia, which, to its misfortune, is still regarded as a former member of Yugoslavia by the the United States and it is not part of the Visegrad group. (In addition, Slovenia could have a border debate with Croatia.) Small Yugoslavia is last on the list and, together with Bosnia, they are treated in a global policy connection rather than an Eastern European connection. In Brussels, NATO presented three conditions for the Serbs to avoid possible air strikes: 1. The aid convoys must be allowed to enter Srebrenica. 2. The Tuzla airport must be opened. 3. The "strangling" of Sarajevo should end. These are the most clearly formulated conditions, but who would be certain that the threat is more serious this time. |
FBIS3-50129_3 | Article Views Consequences of Clinton Tour | Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Macedonia are in this drawer; in addition, these countries are important for the foreign policy makers in Washington not because of themselves but because of the Yugoslav crisis. Given certain U.S. global strategic considerations, the same makes Albania slightly special. NATO could get access to an important port at Durres. Besides, Albania is an excellent place for "keeping an eye" on the Balkans. The third exception is the most developed country in the region, namely Slovenia, which, to its misfortune, is still regarded as a former member of Yugoslavia by the the United States and it is not part of the Visegrad group. (In addition, Slovenia could have a border debate with Croatia.) Small Yugoslavia is last on the list and, together with Bosnia, they are treated in a global policy connection rather than an Eastern European connection. In Brussels, NATO presented three conditions for the Serbs to avoid possible air strikes: 1. The aid convoys must be allowed to enter Srebrenica. 2. The Tuzla airport must be opened. 3. The "strangling" of Sarajevo should end. These are the most clearly formulated conditions, but who would be certain that the threat is more serious this time. Besides, it is questionable whether a Western military intervention is effective at all now that the Serbs have practically won the war. The United States' real dilemma now is which bad thing to choose. If it accepts the international recognition of most of the violent Serbian territorial gains, the moral and legal basis of the new world order will suffer an almost irremediable damage. In addition, this would lead to a long Muslim guerrilla war, which would reopen the conflicts in Croatia as well. If the United States wants to force the Serbs to come up with serious territorial compromises, then it must send troops to Bosnia and get involved in a serious war. It seems that the slogan in Washington today is "No solution is the best solution," and it continues to hope that the impoverished Serbia would be forced to retreat sooner or later. In conclusion, we must return to a factor that also received some new color before and during Clinton's trip. The United States has always regarded the situation of national and ethnic minorities as a security factor in words. However, it drew the conclusion that the more quiet the minorities stay, the better. Washington never |
FBIS3-50135_0 | Finance Minister Explains Economic Program | Language: Albanian Article Type:BFN [Article by Finance Minister Piro Dishnica: "The Introduction of Foreign Capital -- an Important Aspect of Reviving the Economy"] [Text] For Albania and its totally centralized economy, the emergence from the autarkic system was accompanied by very severe economic upheavals and disruptions. The admission and recognition of the extremely complicated effects of the crisis that started in the middle of the 1970's, the efforts to ensure the survival of an additional 60,000 mouths to feed each year, and administrative efforts to implement "new economic mechanisms" further exacerbated economic difficulties and brought them to the surface. The wages paid under conditions of very low production levels and the granting of some limited freedoms to state enterprises increased imports and caused a significant increase in the budget deficit (15 percent of the gross domestic product in 1990 and 25 percent in 1991). Albania's involvement in currency transactions also led to the creation of a foreign debt of $500 million, adding to the country's isolation by cutting it off from the world's financial institutions. After 1991, all means of obtaining foreign credit were in practice closed. When the democratic government came to power in April 1992, it immediately undertook a comprehensive program guided by the policy of moving to a market economy. In implementing this program, the government used all its intellectual energies to stabilize all the necessary macroeconomic indicators with its privatization and its legal recognition of new allies in economic life: the struggle against inflation, the control of the budget deficit, and the establishment of a tax system based on the market economy. To enforce this program, considerable help was secured from abroad in many different ways, from the European Community and the "Stand-By" agreement with the IMF, whose success made possible in July 1993 the signing of an agreement in support of the medium-term economic reform program, as well as a World Bank loan. Besides this help, many other states also gave free help with food, development plans, and technical assistance. Italy, Greece, the United States, Germany, Turkey, and the other G-24 countries carried the main burden of this. At first, the government concentrated on its policy of gradual macroeconomic stabilization and of establishing control of the main financial indicators as the sole way of promoting economic growth. Now that the main part of the program has been implemented, visible progress is evident in reaching its |
FBIS3-50157_2 | Klaus on Friction Between Government, ODS | the world. It is perfectly logical, and it must be so, that the government and parliament are struggling with each other over their powers. It is a normal phenomenon. This week, I spent an entire day in the ODS Deputies' Club, and I have not noticed any adverse relations there. It is not true, and I believe that it is all being unnecessarily blown out of proportion. The problem lies elsewhere. It is, as is common, that there are individuals with a very definite one-dimensional orientation who contemplate their problem from morning till night. They link many other things to settling or not settling this problem according to their ideas. This was the case with the "cartographer," a technocratic expert on the constitutional arrangement, Deputy Jezek, and it is the case with this or that deputy, who is mainly concerned with the settlement of the issue of the military zones here or there. I could go on listing certain monothematic affairs that frustrate individuals. I believe that this does not involve any fundamental conflict in the overall philosophy, ideology, or political stand, and therefore I do not see any reason to make it more dramatic than it is. [Zieleniec] I think that we would be making a bad job of defending our interests if our security interests were exactly the same as the security interests of all of the countries in the region. Incidentally, U.S. Secretary of State Christopher left his colleagues from the Visegrad countries in no doubt about the importance of regional cooperation, but cooperation in the security sphere must consist, first and foremost, of bilateral ties between these states and NATO. This point of view was also expressed in the speech delivered in Prague by President Clinton. It is essential within the framework of Visegrad to execute regional cooperation by carrying out specific deeds, for example, in the trade and economic spheres, and not just hold ostentatious summit meetings at which the perfidy of the West is cursed. This is not our policy. We are transforming our state so that it becomes a typical element of the West. This cannot be replaced by the "banging on the doors" kind of behavior. It is not true that if four fists bang on NATO's doors together it is more effective than one fist. We are not banging on doors; we are orienting ourselves toward the West definitively and straightforwardly. |
FBIS3-50252_0 | `Expert' Views CIA, KGB Information Gathering | Language: Hungarian Article Type:BFN [Interview with unnamed intelligence "expert" by Attila Schmidt; place and date not given: "The KGB Is Strong and the CIA Is Rich -- There Were No Star Wars in Hungary"] [Text] Irrespective of their social order, it is extremely important for every country to have a firm economic background, and this can also be seen from their military potential. However, well- founded political, and mainly economic, decisions require the knowledge of at least the plans, concepts, and expected decisions of partner countries. This information can be obtained openly through the press and foreign representations; however, the intelligence services have to be activated for the secret information; the intelligence services will uncover the plans of the other side with the help of agents and other secret means. No country can avoid the struggle of intelligence services, including Hungary. We spoke about this secret struggle with an expert who does not wish to be named. [Expert] Intelligence is divided into civil and military sectors. Most medium-sized and smaller countries only have military intelligence services. Of course, this does not mean that these countries would give up the possibility to obtain political, economic, and other information. They put the military intelligence in charge of obtaining such information. The intelligence services of the former Eastern Bloc were organized according to the Soviet KGB model and, thus, a military intelligence was also in operation in addition to a civilian intelligence service. [Schmidt] Does that mean that this duality stopped after the change in the regime? [Expert] No; only their names changed: They are active as military and civilian information offices. The same applies to the former partner countries. [Schmidt] In the past decades, the CIA and the KGB became known as the big "warriors." What was the difference between the two organizations? [Expert] The essential difference was that while the CIA is an intelligence agency, only Group III/I in the KGB dealt with intelligence gathering, Group III/II dealt with counterespionage, and Group III/III (also famous in Hungary) dealt with domestic surveillance. In the United States, counterespionage belongs to the FBI. [Schmidt] Which organization was "better," the CIA or the KGB? [Expert] It is impossible to give a clear answer to this question because, while there was no internal competition within the KGB because the entire organization was directed by a single boss, there is constant rivalry between the CIA and the |
FBIS3-50264_2 | Walesa Discusses European Integration | controlled command system, we might have compelled something. In the system based on economic freedom, however, it is difficult to force the bankers or private businessmen to cooperate. I am convinced that we will show each other what is attractive in our respective countries, and this will be a stimulus for the people who intend to realize our hopes. [Fridner] Do you think that these questions will play a significant role in your upcoming talks with President Kovac? [Walesa] I know from our previous meetings with President Kovac that we think alike. I hope that he will bring along people who deal with specific problems, people from enterprises, financiers, and managers. We will get them together with such people from our side, and instruct them to scrutinize our economic possibilities in an expert, technical manner. [Fridner] Both our countries belong to the Central European region. The guarantee of the security of this region is among its main problems, and that particularly after the reinforcement of the nationalist tendencies in Russia. How do you feel about the situation after the Brussels NATO Summit and the trip of the U.S. President to Europe? My premise is that, in Prague, you had a chance to meet with President Clinton and the presidents of the countries of the Visegrad Group. [Walesa] We have attained that for which we hoped. Unfortunately, the dearth of solidarity and teamwork on our part has become obvious. Therefore, certain problems have been solved for us by others. I am not denigrating the significance of the Partnership for Peace idea. If we deal jointly with some problems, we can benefit from this initiative in the future. As I say, however, there must be solidarity among us. There must be solidarity in dealing with our common problems. The question of security is one of them. I can tell you that, with President Kovac, we understand each other very well regarding this issue. There is a certain difference of opinion between us and the Czechs, but if we act together, the Czechs will also support us. The U.S. Partnership proposal may be a good idea. Nevertheless, its effect on us will depend on our application. [Fridner] After the Prague meeting, several commentaries proclaimed that the Visegrad Group was buried there, that it is dead. Do you share this view? [Walesa] If that were true, it would be against the logic of the |
FBIS3-50264_5 | Walesa Discusses European Integration | left-wing forces in the Polish Government, moreover, forces that are to a great degree rooted in the communist camp? [Walesa] I have spoken about it a lot, and I have not changed my opinion. After 50 years of the one-party system, people are divided into the active and the passive. The active people are further divided into those prepared and those unprepared. The best prepared people come from the power circles. The less prepared are the ones who did not have the power, for instance the members of the Solidarity movement in Poland. Now, as the better prepared rejected all the elements that used to instill society with anxiety, as they promise to build a free social order, a market economy, their superior preparation gives them a better chance of success. Peoples do not wish to fight all the time. They fight when they do not like something, and then they return to work. Those, who offer better solutions, win elections. After some time, five-ten years, when we look at the programs again, we will redistribute ourselves politically. There will be an opportunity to prepare oneself for the government and fulfillment of the program. Actually, nothing happened in Poland, it is a certain law of nature, and similar occurrences can be expected in all other countries. [Fridner] Do you believe that the left wing will continue with the reform process initiated by the Solidarity governments? [Walesa] I, as president, and all the other active people, even if less prepared for government, will be on guard regarding our orientation. We will not allow a change of what we have achieved. We will intervene at the slightest deviation. The system, which has been established now, is a good one. The parliament is not as divided as it used to be. We "won in quarrels" various things, but the issues in question were in fact legal solutions. The current parliament is almost unanimous and has a good chance of collecting everything that the previous period indicated and turn it into laws very rapidly. It is a very interesting situation from the vantage point of Polish history. [Fridner] The Slovak public is quite interested in the fate of their countrymen, the Slovaks living in the most southern part of Poland. To what degree does the Polish state help to implement the rights of this minority, particularly in the spheres of education, culture, and religious |
FBIS3-50280_4 | Daily Publishes Komarno Assembly Documents The Possibilities for the Economic Development of the Self-Administrative Regions | the territories where it has lived for thousands of years as an autochthonous community and, in most cases, has also formed the majority of the local population. Proceeding from this, the Hungarian population in Slovakia defines itself as a national community resolved to struggle to ensure that, apart from the individual rights that should pertain to everyone, its community rights are recognized and that its status as a community is enshrined in the Constitution. At the same time, they proceed from the UN resolution according to which the right of individuals and collectives to preserve their own identity is one of the basic human rights. Their conviction that political and cultural self-identification and self-determination within the framework of the state is a basic right of the Hungarian national community is inherent in this. The participants in the assembly proclaim the following: For the development of the ethnic Hungarian community in Slovakia, it is essential that: --In places where Hungarians account for at least 10 percent of the population, they can use their mother tongue, orally and in writing, in contacts with state bodies or, as the case may be, in public administration and have a right to the designation of public areas and to public information in Hungarian. --In places where Hungarians make up the majority of the population, Hungarian is the official language alongside Slovak. --The Slovak Republic signs and ratifies the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages. --The representation of Hungarians in state bodies and public institutions corresponds to their number. --The Hungarian community receives a fair allocation from the state budget or, alternatively, from the budget for self-administrations in accordance with its size. The participants in the assembly proclaim that Hungarians in Slovakia, proceeding from the principle of civic equality: --Want to establish the Slovak Republic along with the Slovak people as an equal community. --Want, in accordance with the draft constitutional law prepared by deputies from the Hungarian coalition, to express their political subjectivity via their own representative bodies that will evolve from democratic elections. --Demand, in the interest of maintaining their own identity, the recognition of a special legal status for the territory where a considerable number of Hungarians live. The participants in the assembly express their conviction that one of the fundamental elements of equality is thorough adherence to the principle of mutuality. This means that, in regions, towns, or communities in which |
FBIS3-50281_0 | Foreign Ministry Statement on Minority Policy | Language: Slovak Article Type:BFN [Article by editor Agata Stanekova on the regular briefing at the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Text] Mrs. Daniela Rozgonova briefed us today on the following statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers it natural and understandable that Hungarian political circles and the general public follow with interest political and social developments in the neighboring Slovak Republic. It has, however, met with less understanding when the information of the governmental Office for the Hungarian National Minorities Abroad misinterprets a resolution of the Slovak parliament--the parliament of a neighboring country--on the basis of which doubts could be cast about whether the Slovak Republic really wants to observe the pledges it adopted when joining the Council of Europe. In this statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again informs its partners, including the government bodies of the Hungarian Republic, that the Slovak Republic will gradually fulfill all of the pledges it took in connection with joining the Council of Europe. As is known, the implementation of these pledges is being assessed by the Council of Europe. At the same time, the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects any general and unsubstantiated accusations that the Slovak Republic is not observing the obligations following from the CSCE documents. Journalists also wanted to know why Minister Moravcik did not take part in the Slovak delegation's visit to Poland. This was agreed with the Polish partner due to the fact that the Polish foreign minister was on a visit to the United States. The two foreign ministers are to meet at a different date. In connection with the alleged letter from [former FRY Prime Minister] Milan Panic to Prime Minister Meciar, the representatives of the Foreign Ministry confirmed the statement by Jozef Moravcik yesterday. They said that, in connection with the possible export of weapons, the ministry is publishing its view on the aspects of this with regard to international law and that no export can take place without a decision by the ministry. |
FBIS3-50300_4 | Ambassador Views Czech-U.S. Relations | the other postcommunist countries? [Zantovsky] It would certainly be naive to think that Mrs. Albright is our man in the U.S. Administration, even though, during Clinton's visit, commentaries were published joking that now, with Karel Kovanda presiding over the Security Council, the Czech Republic is the only country in the world with two representatives on this body. Mrs. Albright is, first of all, a U.S. politician, someone who very assiduously defends White House policy and U.S. interests in general. It is invaluable for us that, in view of her origins, she is acquainted in detail and professionally with the political trends and situation not only in our country, but also throughout postcommunist Europe. Her views may be an asset to the U.S. President and Administration and, thus, also to us. It is not by chance that President Clinton sent her on a trip to all of the posttotalitarian countries before his visit, although, from a purely bureaucratic point of view, this was not her task. This was an expression of his faith in her knowledge of the region. [Smidova] In connection with asserting Czech interests in the United States, it is said that the Czech lobby is weak and that it does not have the same influence as the Polish or Hungarian special-interest groups.... [Zantovsky] Reference is often made to this. The situation is, after all, somewhat different from the Polish exiles because the Czechs arrived in several distinct waves. These are people who brought with them an image of their homeland belonging to their own time. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult for them to share the same views on an issue. Despite this, a number of expatriates are very actively helping the Czech Republic, among other things, by supporting its interests in political circles. Above all, I would mention Charles Vanik, the coauthor of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Moreover, the national lobby is not the only or necessarily the most effective force that could act on our behalf in U.S. politics. It is equally important for us that, owing to the influx of U.S. investment in the Czech Republic, there are now a number of businessmen in the United States interested in ensuring that we are successful, that they are successful with us, and that relations between the two countries are the best they can be. These people appeal actively to their congressmen. This is another force on which we |
FBIS3-50320_0 | Embargo Losses Set at $7 Billion | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] Bucharest ROMPRES, 26/1/1994 -- Admitted four months ago to the Council of Europe, Romania started its activity as full member of the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, where it has 10 votes, on January 24. The head of the Romanian delegation, Florin Radulescu-Botica, was elected one of the Assembly's vice-presidents on the first day of the session. Radulescu-Botica speaks in an interview with the daily DREPTATEA about the willingness of the Romanian Parliament members to be active in the Council of Europe. He specifies that Romania is no exception in being applied Directive 488 (for control of the fulfillment of the commitments assumed when it was given the status of Council of Europe full member). It shares this with other newly received members, such as Lithuania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the procedure is going to be used also for the countries to be admitted from now on. Radulescu-Botica announced that Mr. Koenig, Council of Europe rapporteur for Romania was going to arrive in Bucharest at the end of March. The Romanian vice president of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly said he hoped that Romania would be able to present positive data on its efforts at all levels, made in order to meet the commitments it made when it entered the European body. During the debates on the situation in former Yugoslavia, Romanian parliamentarians in the Council of Europe Assembly pointed to the difficulties encountered by Romania in order to enforce the embargo imposed to rump Yugoslavia. They opined that the sanctions would not trigger a solution of the crisis in the area. Deputy Dumitru Buzatu showed on that occasion that the figures on Romania's losses in consequence of the enforcement of the embargo are higher than those in the report presented to the Assembly, they amount not to three but to $7,000,000,000. "The sum results from both direct and indirect losses in import-export activities and are based on data on the evolution of the economic relations between Romania and Yugoslavia over 1989-1992," he said. For his part Senator Adrian Paunescu opined that a solution has to be sought for the crisis in Yugoslavia not by enforcing embargoes and restrictions as "this affects nations and not governments." He has underlined that no foreign intervention can lead to a viable solution, adding that "all foreign interventions, irrespective of when and where they are made, have |
FBIS3-50352_7 | Granic Reports to Chamber of Deputies | on former Yugoslavia. This declaration contains several elements that could be relevant to UN Security Council Resolution 871 -- in case a real peace is achieved -- inter-state relations were mentioned, offices are being opened. It was said that the two sides should be guided by the principles of the UN Charter and the basic tenets of the CSCE in the establishment of goodneighborly relations. Moreover, an official statement from Belgrade calls on the Serbs in Croatia to regulate their relations with the Croatian authorities in the Republic of Croatia. This represents the first, and very important, step in the normalization of relations between Zagreb and Belgrade and it should lead to the establishment of full diplomatic relations. This is also an important step towards the peaceful reintegration of the UN Protected Areas into the constitutional, legal, political, and economic system of our country which would effectively finalize the integrity of the sovereign Republic of Croatia. This once again reiterates Croatia's determination to establish peace in these areas and to restore and consolidate stability and security, primarily through political means, in other words through dialogue and negotiations in an atmosphere of goodwill and respect for the individual interests of the two sides and for the efforts outlined in the documents of the international community such as the European Union's action plan and relevant documents of the UN Security Council and General Assembly. The international community has already expressed and will continue to give us support for this policy. If we continue to pursue this policy, we will move closer not only to finding genuine and lasting solutions but also to the political, European milieu to which we belong historically. It is important to stress that both the comprehensive offer made in Bonn to the Muslim side and the joint declaration consistently reflect the basic idea and the logical theme of President Tudjman's peace initiative and to a large extent represent a concrete step toward implementing it. As a vital step toward the day when the two sovereign states are eventually recognized within their international borders the declaration is seen as being of crucial importance for contributing to and enhancing the effectiveness of the international conference and for helping to implement all the points in the European Union's action plan on the so-called modus vivendi, or rather of Resolution 871 which is so crucial to us. Any delay in normalizing Croat-Serb |
FBIS3-50352_8 | Granic Reports to Chamber of Deputies | two sides and for the efforts outlined in the documents of the international community such as the European Union's action plan and relevant documents of the UN Security Council and General Assembly. The international community has already expressed and will continue to give us support for this policy. If we continue to pursue this policy, we will move closer not only to finding genuine and lasting solutions but also to the political, European milieu to which we belong historically. It is important to stress that both the comprehensive offer made in Bonn to the Muslim side and the joint declaration consistently reflect the basic idea and the logical theme of President Tudjman's peace initiative and to a large extent represent a concrete step toward implementing it. As a vital step toward the day when the two sovereign states are eventually recognized within their international borders the declaration is seen as being of crucial importance for contributing to and enhancing the effectiveness of the international conference and for helping to implement all the points in the European Union's action plan on the so-called modus vivendi, or rather of Resolution 871 which is so crucial to us. Any delay in normalizing Croat-Serb relations, or rather the absence of any shifts in them hamper the efforts to normalize the situation in this part of Europe. Accordingly, any shift in this sphere must be welcomed and supported. However, while on the one hand we will continue to normalize relations with the Serb side in order to accomplish our own objectives as soon as possible -- in particular those concerning the temproarily occupied territories -- on the other, we will again try to restore dialogue with the Muslims to tackle all vital issues, including the territorial integrity of the two entities in a future state, releasing prisoners, normalizing the humanitarian situation, in particular, providing gurantees for the free passage of humanitarian convoys, and the general state of relations -- in other words, harmonizing our Bonn proposal with their reply to us in Geneva recently. The Bonn proposal for negotiations and agreements to benefit both peoples and peace in this part of Europe will remain on long-term offer. However, the Muslim side's current behavior demonstrates a lack of genuine desire to find a lasting and systematic solution to Croat-Muslim relations and to establishing appropriate relations with the Croatian state. There are very clear indications that the |
FBIS3-50359_2 | Walesa Interviewed on Europe Without Borders | visit by President Kovac is the first significant visit in our mutual relations. Will that be amended? [Walesa] Yes, of course. I have said many times that both you and we have numerous domestic problems now and are engrossed in them. It has to be kept in mind, however, that we are building an economic and legal structure, and the presidents and the other officials have so many worries that they do not have time for anything else. We will try to rectify this, but we can manage only if we succeed in solving our problems. We will then have time also for "external" issues. [Huebel] Mr. President, would it not be possible to use precisely the Polish-Slovak cooperation as an example to the West that something exists here and that the Visegrad Group has good prospects because of this cooperation? [Walesa] Of course, I take it! The situation calls for this. It calls for our initiating something. It calls for our relations to be the best, better than between other nations. Again, however, it must be done. There is no doubt that the politicians and the leaders understand each other. We really get along well and speak as in a single voice. On the other hand, we have no idea of technical, ministerial, and directorial solutions--i.e., of a technical concept how to do all of this. Unfortunately, so far we have not found a method to accelerate it all. There are no contradictions; we just do not know. [Huebel] The stability of our region and the success of the cooperation of the Visegrad Four depends to a great degree on Hungarian-Slovak relations. How do you feel about the problem of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia and the "Gabcikovo" issue? [Walesa] This problem is here to stay. If the process of European integration were faster, this problem would not exist. That is because the European principles and various treaties state that everyone has the right to freedom and his characteristic features--but within the borders of integral Europe. Under such circumstances, no one would attempt a division, even if certain groups wanted to preserve their specific features, but, as I say, in a single house! Because these attempts at agglomeration are not very successful, new attempts at division ensue. Therefore, I believe that we will be able to enter Europe together, rather than go on subdividing. These partitions are not necessary. |
FBIS3-50383_0 | Perils of `Unclear' Position on Bosnia Analyzed | Language: Bulgarian Article Type:BFN [Plamen Kulinski commentary: "Policy of Noninterference"] [Text] The disintegration of Yugoslavia, predetermined by its very creation, has tangled the Balkans in a knot that even the most skillful fingers cannot untie. However, there are many people willing to do this. They know what benefits they might reap. However, those who are most interested in the success of the experiment prefer to keep a low profile. There is a real danger of the conflict spreading to other Balkan territories. The Americans comfortably deployed their units in Macedonia in an attempt to prevent this. However, they did not dare send their boys to Bosnia-Herzegovina. They do, however, have ideas about how to resolve the situation there -- the airplanes will come and everything will be all right. The Islamic states also know precisely what they want -- a new Muslim state in the heart of Europe that could become a new Mecca. Against this background one fails to comprehend the passivity of some neighbors of the former Yugoslavia, who should have perhaps the clearest position on resolving the conflict. Those who engage in concocting futile plans should take into consideration the opinion of those neighbors, because it is their house that will be on the line if the situation eventually explodes. Perhaps Sofia is the best example in this respect. Somehow its position remains unclear. Why? Perhaps because Sofia is concerned that its opinion might affect other countries involved in the Balkan crisis. Noninterference is a comfortable policy in such cases. While waiting for the storm to pass however, Sofia has lost millions of green banknotes. Nevertheless, in the long run this could be the least of our losses. |
FBIS3-50417_4 | Olechowski Reviews Foreign Policy Concerns | beside us spoke about those points in which the final version of Partnership for Peace differs from the original draft. Nevertheless, it was certainly we who raised the level of the public debate as high as it was as we articulated clearly what we were striving for. Those negotiations, in any case, should have been held out in the open, because they touch on issues that are of principal importance for the state. Therefore it would be most important for politicians to get to know the public's opinions and reactions. Of course, such a manner of conducting negotiations involves its own price. It is a method similar to the manner of our negotiations concerning debt reduction, which we also held out in the open. The point of departure for those was a targeted 80-percent reduction; in the end, we obtained 50 percent, and that was a great success. Even so, some people still considered it a failure. This time also a part of the population might regard the outcome of our negotiations over Partnership for Peace as a failure. We consider the absence of a precise timetable of events designed to bring us closer to NATO a highly disappointing and frustrating circumstance. However, we should view it from a more general perspective of transformations in the global politics and from the viewpoint of the other side, which has no precisely defined vision. That is why it is difficult for us to obtain such concrete details. [Urbanski] What allies do we have in our attempts to secure these details? [Olechowski] All the countries of the Visegrad group which have identical chances of entering NATO. The Baltic states, on the other hand, are less well prepared for such a move, and for them the absence of such a prospect is at present a more advantageous solution. We have allies in Germany, and I also sense that there is a compatibility with our interests on the part of the United States. We have heard a most categorical assurance that the security of the United States as well as European NATO members depends directly on our own security. Anyone who views the issue of security in global terms will also think about Poland's security, whereas those who think of it as a regional concern will tend to forget about us. [Urbanski] In recent weeks we witnessed a diplomatic offensive on the part of our |
FBIS3-50431_0 | Deputy Decries U.S. Position | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From the "Morning Paper" newscast] [Text] Carlos Sosa Cuello, PINU [Innovation and Unity Party] deputy has charged that the U.S. position of supporting the clearing up of missing persons cases in Honduras is hypocritical because the people in Washington originally promoted and fostered this type of criminal action. Meanwhile, Sosa fears that actions may be taken against witnesses in these cases after the release of the preliminary report by Human Rights Ombudsman Leo Valladares. The report could revive the memories of the violent actions that led to more than 100 missing persons. This morning, Deputy Sosa levied serious allegations against the U.S. Government, saying it is greatly responsible for the more than 100 disappearances during the 1980's. Likewise, he insinuated that a controversy could arise between the relatives of the missing persons and those accused of being responsible for the disappearances. Here is what Deputy Sosa Cuello said: [Begin recording] [Sosa] I think the United States, specifically the Reagan administration, had a leading role in this matter. They trained our forces; they armed the Honduran forces; and they trained them in torture, interrogation techniques, and methods that led to the disappearance of people. Now, from Washington, they have the gall to cry out, as if horror-stricken, in favor of human rights. Only a decade ago, these very rights were violated under U.S. instructions, encouragement, and support. The United States almost demanded this. This is typically hypocritical of the empires that preach one set of morals and practice another. This is very characteristic of the Calvinist moral system: It upholds success as the only human goal, regardless of the means or mechanisms used in achieving this success. It has a philosophical antecedent in Machiavellianism; it is typically Calvinistic and Protestant; it is very characteristic of this empire's moral values. [Reporter] What they applauded before, they now reject, right? [Sosa] Concerning what they fostered and demanded before, they are now horror-sticken. On certain occasions it is the very same actors who participated. [Reporter] [words indistinct] in this case the U.S. empire. [Sosa] This is what they call political pragmatism. It is the securing of results as the primary goal of men of state. This is not true. The means should be in keeping with the ends to allow our actions to ethically respond to the goals for which we are fighting. One cannot champion democracy and liberty by |
FBIS3-50449_1 | Aylwin Addresses Nation With Year-End Message | must be careful. These achievements which fill us with pride and hope must not make us complacent. Although we have reasons to be optimistic, nothing justifies any sort of vanity or arrogance. We are neither tigers nor jaguars. We are one of the many developing countries in the world greatly limited by the poverty that affects a great part of our population and by our economy's dependency on fully developed countries. A single example is enough to show what I mean. During the year that is ending, the drop experienced by our main exportable goods, as a result of the recession affecting most of the rich countries, has reduced Chile's income from exports by 8 percent regardless of the fact that the volume of our exports has continued to grow. This fact requires that we continue with our policy for growth with equity with each and every one of us cooperating, according to our own possibilities, with the clear understading that work, perseverance, and time are necessary to be able to reap the desired results. As we tackle this challenge we must bear in mind that we belong to an increasingly interdependent world. This is why we must persevere in the effort made during these past years in order to increase and strengthen our relationship with the other countries of the world and cooperate with them in the task of consolidating peace, of increasing and liberalizing world commerce, and building a more fair international order. The steps we have taken to solve problems and increase cooperation with neighboring countries and other Latin American sister republics, and our recent acceptance as an APEC [Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation] member country represent valuable contributions in that regard, that open new possibilities for the future of our country. Likewise, the recent agreement reached at the GATT Uruguay Round and the approval of the North America Free Trade Agreement represent legitimate reasons for optimism for our future. In September 1990, before the UN General Assembly, I had the honor to urge jointly tackling the poverty problem which is one of the main threats to world peace. Accepting this suggestion, the United Nations has summoned a world summit on social development that will be held in March 1995 and will be organized by a committee headed by the Chilean ambassador. Therefore, we must, as a country, contribute with constructive ideas and promote efficient international agreements so |
FBIS3-50466_0 | Radio Reports Situation | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] The most important event featured today in Mexico City's newspapers is the following: An armed group, mostly Indians, the self-styled Zapata National Liberation Army [EZLN] -- linked with the Procup [Revolutionary Workers Clandestine People's Union Party] and the Poor People's Party, according to state officials -- violently seized on the morning of 1 January the municipal offices in San Cristobal de las Casas, Ocosingo, Altamirano, Chanal, and Las Margaritas, with a toll of at least 11 dead and dozens of injured -- three in clashes sustained with public forces -- according to unofficial sources. According reports from state officials, the Indians -- according to witnesses, there were about 2,200 of them -- were armed with AR-15 rifles, .22 caliber rifles, and shotguns, and they simultaneously stormed the five municipalities. Given the situation, the government secretariat warned it cannot justify the fact that fair social demands, for which there exists a willingness to provide a solution, be used as a pretext to violate legal order. A Government Ministry communique said the government is urging these groups to act wisely, recant, and establish negotiations within a legal framework. Meanwhile, state officials called these actions a violent provocation. They also ordered public security forces to dissuade the armed groups, making it possible to seek a solution to their demands, which have yet to be stated, through dialogue and legal means. Given the situation, the bishops of Chiapas State issued an appeal to the EZLN forces to accept the bishops' mediation in an effort to restore harmony and social tranquility in the municipalities involved in the conflict. Furthermore, it is appropriate to mention that contacts are being maintained between federal government officials and state officials in an effort to quickly resolve the situation. The declaration of war issued by the Sandinist National Liberation Army, excuse me, the EZLN, to the Mexican Federal Army asks the nation's legislative and judicial branches to strive to restore the nation's legality and stability. The EZLN is asking international organizations and the International Red Cross to supervise and regulate the clashes that its forces are waging to protect the civilian population. The declaration of war rejects any links to drug traffickers, narcoguerrillas, or any other groups when referring to the struggle waged by the EZLN, which has ordered its military forces to advance toward the country's capital, defeat the Mexican Federal Army, and allow |
FBIS3-50469_2 | Leave San Cristobal | to broadcast their ideas. It was reported in Ocosingo that the peasants have withdrawn from the square but still remain at some radio station. Eyewitnesses mentioned that the runway was set on fire to prevent airplanes from landing. Early this morning some shops in San Cristobal were robbed. The situation in the municipal county seats of Margaritas and Trinitarias remains unchanged: EZLN members are still in the area. We talked to some people in the cities of San Cristobal and Ocosingo, where we have only been able to get through by telephone because the roads were blocked until the early hours of the morning. People are very afraid, and they are desperately asking for the government's intervention. According to an official communique, the government is trying to prevent a bloodshed in those municipalities. Do you have any doubts, questions? [Alejo] Is there any information on the identity of the EZLN leaders? [Camacho] We have not been able to identify any of the faces that were shown on television. However, it is obvious that the group includes Guatemalans. Precisely yesterday, we were able to watch some recordings from Ocosingo, where they were talking on the radio, and it is obvious that the leaders are not peasants, but rather well-educated people. Their speeches are too well-written. Many people believe there are Guatemalans among the leaders because of the accent among other things. Some of them have tried to cover their faces with stockings to remain anonymous. The bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas also has been accused of being involved in these incidents, but so far there is no evidence of this. What is true and evident is that there are Guatemalans involved. It is evident because of the accent; we are very familiar with the accents, and we know how the Indians speak. People I have talked to in Ocosingo have said that there are people with features different from ours. [Alejo] Maricarmen, it has also been said that most members of the armed group are Indians and peasants? [Camacho] There are peasants from Chiapas, but not Indians, because EZLN members do not speak any dialects. EZLN members include mestizos rather than Indians. There are even youths between the ages of 13 and 18 who are armed, as well as women. Some of the women have been identified as being from the Lacandon area, but they are not necessarily Indians. |
FBIS3-50473_0 | Bulletin No. 2 | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Bulletin No. 2 issued by the Defense Secretariat in Mexico City on 2 January; from an XEW "Special Report" -- read by announcer] [Text] Regarding Bulletin No. 1 issued on this date by this section of the executive branch, and as shooting continues in the vicinity of the military camp housing the headquarters of the 31st Military Zone, the personnel stationed there repelled the attacks successfully. The military is taking into account the possibility of renewed attacks against this military installation during the night or predawn hours of tomorrow [3 January]. As of 1800 [0000 GMT], the results of the attack on the aforementioned military installation are as follows: five soldiers dead and six wounded. So far the bodies of 24 attackers have been found. It is thought that the aggressors managed to evacuate their wounded. Additional results indicate that government troops found 41 backpacks containing materiel and the personal belongings of an equal number of attackers. Included in these items were 17 military backpacks, 30 firearms, two two-way radios, several knives, and two smoke grenades. Reinforcement troops moving in from Palenque were attacked in Ocosingo, where fighting continues. It is not known if there are any casualties among the attackers. One soldier was killed and five are wounded. The military are still waiting for the competent civilian authorities to arrive and officially record these events. |
FBIS3-50474_0 | Government Bulletin on Crisis | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Bulletin issued by the Government Secretariat in Mexico City on 2 January; from an XEW "Special Report" -- read by announcer] [Text] Today the armed group that had occupied various municipalities in the region of Ocosingo in Chiapas abandoned the city of San Cristobal de las Casas. The situation is returning to normal in that city under the protection of the Army. Meanwhile, during its withdrawal, the attacking group has clashed with soldiers and harassed other towns, causing loss of human life and diverse damage. As of this afternoon, the attitude of the federal government and a balance of the events that have taken place in the first two days of the year in the Ocosingo region, Chiapas, can be summarized as follows: On 1 January the federal government decided to place priority on the protection of human lives. That is why the Army did not act when the attacking armed group occupied the city of San Cristobal de las Casas. Not only did the security forces refrain from acting, but the government made numerous calls for dialogue and a search for peaceful solutions to the situation created by the armed group. Both the federal government and Chiapas regional and municipal authorities have reiterated their willingness to hold a political dialogue with all organizations and representations of civilian society to normalize the situation in the region. During the second day of disturbances today, after the attackers left San Cristobal de las Casas, the federal government ordered, on the one hand, that the National Defense Secretariat take measures to defend its installations, and on the other hand, at the request of social groups of the different municipalities of the region and municipal and state authorities, that the National Defense Secretariat itself reinforce protection and security of towns in the area to prevent possible new attacks by the armed group. In the takeover of the cities of Ocosingo, Altamirano, Abasolo, Chanal del Carmen, Las Margaritas, and San Cristobal de las Casas, the attackers killed 27 people, 24 of whom were local policemen, and three civilians. Meanwhile, during clashes between the armed group and the Army, six soldiers and 24 attackers were killed. |
FBIS3-50487_7 | President Wasmosy Interviewed | or you do not. I cannot decide if a person is involved in drug trafficking or money laundering if I do not have evidence. If you tell me who is guilty of these crimes and bring the evidence against the person then it is my responsibility to follow it up, but in the meantime I cannot prejudge. [Ruffinellii] Engineer, please allow me to mention some figures that are of concern to the U.S. Embassy which, as you known, is a landmark in international affairs. They say that during the past years we have only managed to seize a few kilos of cocaine, I think it was 48 kg or a similarly small figure: meanwhile neighboring countries talk about tonnes. More than 30 Paraguayan citizens charged with drug trafficking or consumption have been arrested abroad, but this has not happened here. This is out of proportion. [Wasmosy] There are two alternatives. Either drug trafficking has dropped here or the entire government is involved in this trade. Therefore, to uncover the government officials involved in this trade I need the necessary means. I have asked them to install radar units in Mariscal Estigarribia, Ciudad del Este, Concepcion, and Ayolas and to provide two helicopter-gunships operated by U.S. Marines. What better proof is there than that to show I want to fight this scourge openly. [Ruffinelli] However, they maintain that when you list the aid received you do not mention the DEA agents who use the infrastructure exclusively designed to fight drug trafficking. [Wasmosy] That is right but the U.S. Embassy has also included in the global aid granted us the cost of bringing an aircraft with radar [AWACS] to our country. I am grateful to them for this aircraft but the decision to send it here was theirs. They cannot charge the cost of sending an aircraft equipped with radar to the aid granted to Paraguay. They are trying to determine the origin of this nefarious merchandise which is consumed in their country. They cannot charge this cost to the aid granted to us. That is a U.S. expenditure or investment, not a Paraguayan expenditure. No. If they were to really grant us support and we did not fight drug trafficking, then we would be guilty. But with what budget can I fight these people who are much better equipped with more sophisticated weapons than what our Army has. They have money |
FBIS3-50502_2 | Santiago Trustee Schiaretti Promises Justice | cannot speak about anybody overlooking anything. The province had a balanced situation before. [Espeche] But it has been badly administered for the past 10 years? Was that not known at a national level? [Schiaretti] Yes, but we have a representative, republican, and federal system. The people in the provinces elect their own authorities and our Constitution establishes how the federal government should act. The Constitution establishes federal and provincial government attributions. The people in each province must elect their governments and then decide with their votes if that government was good or bad. [Espeche] Do you think the situation in Santiago and other provinces has nothing to do with the adjustment proposed by the federal government? [Schiaretti] You cannot speak about adjustment when the amount of federal coparticipation has doubled. Besides, the situation was provoked by mismanagement. The province had a balance financial situation just a year ago, but then legislators were granted monthly salaries of 17,000 pesos, judges and employees received 15,000 pesos, advisers earned 8,000 pesos; public servants were selected for their political affiliation; councilmen received salaries of 6,000 pesos; and new municipal councils were created at the same time health centers were being closed. The population saw that many people were doing well while the mismanagement was bringing misery to the population. These were the reasons behind the people's indignation. The usual agitators and subversives took advantage of the situation to loot and destroy. [Espeche] The people demand justice in Santiago, that is, the punishment of those involved in corruption. Will the intervention answer this popular petition? [Schiaretti] The justice department will investigate all reports. No one will be excluded. The state attorney general was instructed to report on all cases of corruption in the province. The court will act from there. We are already working on some cases and we will report what we find as soon as we have something. [Espeche] It is obvious that Cavallo's plan is going through a trial by fire considering what is happening in the provinces. Do you think President Carlos Menem might stop supporting Cavallo if his reelection is in danger? [Schiaretti] I do not think so because the economic plan is President Menem's plan. Minister Cavallo is carrying out the economic policy that the president chose for Argentina. Besides, the social outburst in Santiago has never been against the national government but against the administration of local leaders. |
FBIS3-50507_1 | Vice President on Relations With United States | in Fidel Castro's government, observed. Carlos Rafael Rodriguez noted that Bill Clinton's administration "has taken a stand based on the notion that Cuba could collapse in the immediate future. Additionally, it is under pressure from the most recalcitrant sectors of the Cuban-American community and its allies, and it is not pressed to make decisions." He pointed out that it is necessary "to show firmness and for our economic policies to be successful. Both concerns guide Cuba's thoughts currently. The U.S. policy on Cuba has had a weak international response as was demonstrated with the UN approval of the resolution condemning the blockade against Cuba." Rodriguez also revealed that during the U.S. Democrat President James Carter's administration, Cuba and the United States had held high level contacts to initiate negotiations. However, he explained, the possible solution of the U.S.-Cuban crisis was interrupted at that time due to Carter's decision to accuse Cuba of being responsible for the internal conflict in Zaire between armed organizations which had retreated to the area bordering with Angola. Rodriguez recalled that on the same day that hostilities started in the African country, he was to hold a secret meeting with the then Secretary of State Cyrus Vance in New York. Prior to the meeting, Carlos Rafael Rodriguez listened to Carter's speech and his charges against Cuba. Vance was meeting with former USSR Foreign Minister Andrey Gromyko at the time, thus, when they met "it was I who informed (Vance) of Carter's statements." This is how the attempt to initiate negotiations ended. Evidently, Vance did not know that Carter had decided to make such an announcement and, embarrassed, he ended the meeting. The controversy ended when the truth emerged: Cuba had not participated in that adventure. However, the opportunity to initiate negotiations had passed," he said. In his opinion, however, it was during the Reagan and Bush administrations "when we felt -- after the difficult days of the U.S. aggression during the Kennedy era -- the possible effects of a direct U.S. aggression against Cuba. We went through 12 years of continuous hostility with badly feigned or direct threats," he explained. It is said that Republican governments threaten and Democratic governments act against Cuba. This was not the case with the Reagan and Bush administrations because only Cuba's firmness and international solidarity impeded a direct attack against our country during those 12 years," Carlos Rafael Rodriguez asserted. |
FBIS3-50509_9 | ANPP Morning 28 Dec Highlights | a social justice incompatible with forms that go against social ownership. Commander, as you mentioned in the Union of Cuban Journalists Congress: Our socialism has to be more efficient with state ownership as the base, linking responsibility and capability, linking the economic sense of control with costs, production, and services; all this without rejecting other concepts of social ownership, such as the cooperatives in certain sectors and as it is being done in certain areas of agriculture." He adds that certain points of decree 141 somehow raise doubts on ethical questions. Barredo warns that there is a pattern of inappropriate profiteering and illegal resources in projects such as this. Barredo stresses that self-employment is a vital need, but that in its implementation, there is gray area between self- employment and profiteering [meroliquismo]. He adds that turning those jobs into cooperatives might have been more appropriate, thereby avoiding competition between self-employment and state services. Barredo denounces the theft of spare parts for use in self-employment repairs. Barredo stresses that cooperatives might not make more money, but are a good tool to prevent negative trends. Castro asks Barredo what the moral of the story is: "Should we approve it or not, reject it or not?" Barredo answers that he is not against the decree, that it is important for Cuba, but that these issues must be pondered independent of its approval. At this point, Castro addresses the plenary for 90 minutes. This material is covered by Fl2912195592 and adds. Following this address, Fidel and Raul discuss removing the "etc." from the decree law. Raul asks: "Can this be done? I do not believe so. This has to be approved by the assembly. If we do not take out the `etc.,' we can agree to take out the `etc.' and that is it. Can this be done or not? If it cannot be done, do not even invite me to another assembly." Raul says this as he abruptly pushes the microphone away. This is followed by applause. Alarcon states that it is possible to do so because the "etc." only makes things more confusing. Fidel Castro, chuckling, states: "Approved the removal of the `etc.' This is not a solution, but it should help." Alarcon agrees and takes a vote on all decrees by show of hands. The video cuts to closing applause. No figures are given on pro or con votes, or abstentions. |
FBIS3-50510_23 | Evening Highlights | "This has to do with international ways of doing things. Many pay every three months or every six months. We have to check and see what has been paid and what has not been paid." Rodriguez states: "That is correct. But that is money the country has to recover. We do not know how much it is, but what we are sure of is that we cannot continue to live like this. We must be able to use that money. We must get them to pay what they owe." Castro: "We also owe, do we not? Rodriguez: "Yes we do, but we have to pay. If we do not pay we cannot buy, and our meager imports will drop. "In other words, at this very moment, we are working on a mechanism, a sole mechanism, to determine where all this money is, and why it is not where it should be. This mechanism will help the state do what it must do." Castro asks: "Let us go back to the excess of currency in the country." Rodriguez: "We are talking about the deficit, and all those factors I mentioned contribute to increasing the deficit. The deficit is covered by issuing money, and this measure puts a certain amount of money into circulation each year. If we can reduce the deficit by tackling the problem that increases it, then we do not have to issue that much money next year. This would contribute to strengthening the country's economic policy. If this is possible, we would avoid issuing a large amount of money." Castro comments: "It looks as if the greatest amount of money goes into subsidies." Rodriguez: "And there is a good possibility we can lower those subsidies." Castro: "Continue." Rodriguez adds: "Commander, in addition to this. I must say that solving these problems alone will not help us gradually reduce the amount of excess money on the streets. You asked about taxes. We responsibly tell you that we are proposing a tax system for the country. We have already talked about the need to create an awareness among the people, an awareness that we have lost...." Castro interrupts: "No, no, no. We never had that awareness. The other tax system was a bourgeois tax system." Rodriguez: "We did have a sort of tax system. That is why I mentioned it." Castro: "We paid a direct tax on income?" Rodriguez: "We |
FBIS3-50510_30 | Evening Highlights | usual coach. There are comrades from the provinces who have more up-to-date information on that." Castro: "Great, they will have paid it off in three months. But there are others who do not have stands or coaches and have many ways of making much money." Rodriguez: "We are working on another idea, commander." Castro: "What are you going to seize from a messenger? His feet?" Rodriguez: "We will have to think of other types of punishment." Castro: "What?" Rodriguez: "We must think of other types of punishment." Castro: "Seizing property may be of some value, but I do not think it will work. If you are going to implement a progressive income tax system for the self-employed, and want the system respected and the tax paid, you need to do more than just file an income tax return. You need strict punishment for evasion. There are laws for this in the United States and in Europe. If they did not have them, people would not pay their taxes. These mechanisms must be accompanied by others." Rodriguez: "We are studying those proposals. We are being careful to ensure that the control system will not be more expensive than what we are going to control." Castro: "You have just proven that no matter how much you do, you will only collect some 200 million in taxes [words indistinct]. Now if we were to implement a general income tax, like the 11- percent you were talking about, the state would receive much more, right?" Rodriguez: "Yes." Castro: "It is a lot easier to collect that tax." Rodriguez: "All you have to do is deduct the tax from the workers' pay." Castro: "And that represents approximately 800 or 900 million. That is something. So what other taxes are we talking about?" Rodriguez: "Of those that directly affect the people, the ones we have mentioned are the most important at this time. We are studying taxing other areas, but they do not affect the people, at least not directly. We are studying the possibility of taxing several products, especially cigarettes and alcoholic beverages." Castro: "Since this has been brought up here, I want all of you to know that in 1970, we established a tax on nonessential products. We solved that famous budget deficit and the excess of money on the streets. It was that tax that did it. However, there is something different that |
FBIS3-50510_32 | Evening Highlights | has not been mentioned here. "Back then, we had an excess of money on the streets, but we did not have that scarcity of merchandise we are experiencing today. Today we have both things: excess money and a tremendous scarcity of merchandise. [Words indistinct] deficit, but we had things to buy. We had more than enough money, but we had things we could purchase." Rodriguez: "And we could import goods." Castro: "The tax on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages basically solved the deficit." Rodriguez: "This year we should be able to collect some 3.300 billion in taxes on those products. However, we need 600 million more to cover the deficit. This is basically due to the problems that we have had with production." Castro: "We do not have cigarettes, rum, beer. This effects us. Back in 1970, we had enough beer and cigarettes to satisfy the demand. There is a strong demand for those items. I recall that in 1970, a spontaneous sort of dry law was established. This was because some factories stopped producing. Today we do not have cigarettes. We do not have the raw materials or electricity to produce cigarettes. All that. Continue." Rodriguez continues: "That is all for taxes. In this initial phase, aimed at removing the excess money from the streets, we do not believe that the tax system would be a significant means of removing that excess money. It would be helpful to the economy. The tax is not only for people, but for the enterprises, including the mixed enterprises. We have other sources, but these are not directly related to the excess money in the hands of the people. "Now, about the excess money: You asked a question about measures that should be implemented in regard to seizure or exchange of money. I will now tell you what I know about this. I believe we...." Castro: "Let us take a break here." Rodriguez: "What?" Castro: "Let us take a break." Rodriguez: "If you want to." Castro: "Let us ask the deputies what they think. Let them tell us their views before you give us yours." Rodriguez: "About what?" Castro: "Seizure of money; we want to hear some ideas without putting this matter to a vote. Also ideas about the exchange of money. Ideas as to whether we should give up some of these ideas if your mechanisms do not solve the problem." At 0250 |
FBIS3-50510_46 | Evening Highlights | impractical or too costly. We are discussing this matter from the political viewpoint. We are trying to establish whether or not it is an appropriate move, whether or not it would be a savings. We are discussing the measures' advantages and disadvantages. We are discussing them to get all the information we need, not because it is impossible for us to do. It will also be up to us whether we seize part of the money and leave the rest. "There are many solutions. What we need is awareness and knowledge. One of the reasons we are discussing all this is because there are many people who want the problem confronted and solved but do not agree with the measures that would solve the problem. As I said earlier, it is very necessary that we have the people's understanding of the measures to be adopted. There is no doubt that the measures adopted must be intelligent measures. We are discussing and questioning because we hope to find the best solution to this delicate problem. This problem is the result of the situation we are experiencing. You must realize that we are looking for solutions to the problem of excess currency under abnormal conditions. The other countries are experiencing normal conditions, yet they are devaluating their currency. Mexico did it. When Mexico devaluated its currency, it was exporting in large quantities, had a lot of oil, and was not experiencing a blockade. Devaluation is the same as seizing currency. The Mexican peso was 12.5 to a dollar, and from one day to another, it went to 250 pesos to a dollar. Devaluation and seizing currency are the same things. Devaluation is a systematic seizure of money and workers everywhere fight for raises. If there is 10-percent inflation, they ask for at least a 9-percent, even 8-percent, raise. As inflation goes up, the workers continue to ask for raises. They get raises, but their wages are really getting cut by 50 percent. "We do not know what an inflation phenomenon is all about. We have been lucky to have the sacred ration book, the blessed ration book. Perhaps one day, someone will explain how it has been possible for the Revolution to do all that it has done. All that was done has not been based on foreign cooperation alone. Simply put, the people in this country have been the ones who |
FBIS3-50510_52 | Evening Highlights | to increase the price of cigarettes. We had a standing quota and it was not appropriate. The Executive Council had reached specific conclusions, but when we broached this issue with the commission responsible for organizing the last congress, we could not reach an agreement; we could not get a consensus. It was then that we decided to consult other people, including the people's councils, but no agreement was reached. The truth, the big truth, is that another cigarette quota was implemented. That crazy quota of providing cigarettes to everyone who was 18 years of age and above. But it is impossible to keep an inventory of who smokes and who does not smoke; everyone 18 years of age or older got cigarettes. Since many of those people do not smoke, they would sell their cigarettes. The black market now has more sources. Today we have more sources. Anyone who can get his hands on a pack of U.S.-made cigarettes is a source for the black market. People receive new or worn clothes and sell them here at outrageous prices. Anyone traveling today and bringing back 10 kg of medicine -- something we authorized to help those who needed medicine that the State could not provide because it did not have the money to buy it -- becomes a source for the black market. All the money that comes into the country today, every single dollar that finds its way to a store, becomes a source for the black market. Anyone receiving $100 can purchase products at the foreign exchange stores and sell those products for thousands of dollars. There are many factors that promote a black market. Excess currency is not the only factor, even though it worsens the problem. There are many factors that promote this situation [words indistinct] evil, a sickness that we have to live with [words indistinct] finding solutions under the most difficult conditions. I believe that what we are doing is the most appropriate, honest, and loyal thing we can do for the people. "We are only interested in the people knowing what we are doing. Whose understanding do we need? The people's. Those who have illegal money do not know what to do with it. They are being creative with their money. If they get nervous, that is their problem. It is their problem if they do not have a clear conscience. However, the |
FBIS3-50511_0 | Armed Forces Demand `Total Control' Over U.S. Aid Funds | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] La Paz, 15 Dec (ANF) -- Defense Minister Antonio Cespedes and General Moises Schirique, joint chief of staff, have demanded "total control" over the U.S. funds that come to the country as military assistance and within the framework of bilateral agreements to fight drug trafficking. The two high-ranking officials told this newspaper that "the U.S. military assistance is not in cash, and they administer the funds themselves. For instance, $1 million is promised, but 50 percent or more is used to cover the movement and stay in Bolivia of their own personnel. They even import their own water with those funds." The sources explained that if the United States delivered the funds assigned to military assistance in cash, no U.S. advisers would need to come to Bolivia, and "Bolivian professional soldiers would take over the jobs they fulfill in the midst of continuous controversies." The defense minister said it would be very good if the Armed Forces were allowed to directly administer the U.S. military assistance. Gen. Moises Schirique told local media that "we would like the United States to give us the money to carry out the tasks they perform." "It is undoubtedly something we must achieve gradually. The participation of our local contribution must increase and then take over altogether," Minister Cespedes Toro said, during the Engineering Military School 1993 graduation ceremony. The Defense Ministry official contradicted the general in that Cespedes said the Armed Forces do not depend in any way on the U.S. Embassy, while Schirique said the U.S. technical cooperation "generates a certain dependence of the institution." "What happens is not dependence, it is a plan for U.S. military assistance and support for the fight against drug trafficking," the minister said. The U.S. assistance has been dropping in the continent for some time. Bolivia, due to the satisfactory level of its fight against drug trafficking, will apparently be affected by a smaller drop as compared to other countries in the region, the minister said. "We still need to conduct bilateral negotiations on the matter," Defense Minister Antonio Cespedes Toro said. |
FBIS3-50519_0 | Rival Gangs Clash in Sabaneta Jail; 100 Killed | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From "The News" newscast] [Text] One hundred people were killed at the Sabaneta Jail in Maracaibo as a result of a shooting inside the prison on 2 January; in addition, the inmates torched two cell blocks this afternoon, and shots were heard during the confusion. [Begin recording] [Defense Minister Radames Munoz] According to the latest conversation I had with General Rojas, who is handling the situation, the National Guard has the prison under control. He also informed me that there are approximately 100 deaths, and the search is continuing under the rubble, as the inmates burned two cell blocks. The search continues for more dead bodies. [Unidentified reporter] Did fire cause the deaths? [Munoz] Some inmates died in the fire; others were stabbed or died in the shooting, and some drowned. Rival gangs clashed and some drowned in the water tanks, while others were burned or stabbed to death. [end recording] |
FBIS3-50524_0 | Menem Rules Out Justicialist, Radical Coalition in 1995 | Language: English Article Type:BFN [Text] (DYN-NA) -- President Carlos Menem yesterday [1 January] denied the possibility that a coalition government could be formed in 1995 by factions of the ruling Justicialist Party and the opposition Radicals, despite the fact that they have reached a deal on constitutional reform because the differences between the two remained too great. "We can agree on political issues but the lack of similarities in the economic field will make that kind of government impossible," Menem said in his native La Rioja. The president's comments were prompted by an interview with Radical Party (UCR) Chairman Raul Alfonsin published by the Buenos Aires newspaper LA NACION on Friday [31 December]. In the article, Alfonsin suggested that "all those who want to defend the overall plan that will be an alternative to the neoconservative model" followed by the Menem administration join together to form a coalition government when the next presidential and congressional elections are held. Among potential members of his group, Alfonsin said, was "the large portion of the Justicialist Party that is opposed to the policies that (the government) is carrying out." Alfonsin also spoke out in favour of the idea of continuing in favour of the idea of continuing the dialogue begun between the UCR and the government on constitutional reform to address issues such as education and foreign policy, "where we will also debate quite a bit." "This moment in Argentina should by symbolized by the word dialogue," said Alfonsin. However, Menem appeared unwavering in his attempt to stress the differences between his party and the UCR. Agreement on economic matters, said the head of state was impossible because "the Radicals continue to support an economic system like that which led to the situation we experienced in July 1989, which was uncontrollable." Menem stressed that his administration would not stray from the economic course it had charted. "While my government lasts a devaluation of the peso is impossible; thus the exchange parity (between the peso and the United States dollar) will remain unchanged." The President also lauded the successes his government had logged last year. "Nineteen ninety-three has been one of the most brilliant years for the Argentine Republic with the consolidation of the democratic process beginning with the accord" on constitutional reform signed last month by Menem and former president Alfonsin. In addition Menem noted, "The country grew at a rate of nearly |
FBIS3-50527_12 | * Head of New Secretariat Discusses Goals | is also responsible for relations with peasant organizations. Is it carrying out that activity? [Martha Garcia] I can say that relations with the peasants and Indians will be much more efficient. Until now, there have been only political relations, which have ignored the peasant and Indian bases. Our proposal is to develop relations with the structured bases in the sector with respect to the subcentrals and centrals. The activities will be more direct in the areas where they are located: there will be a more concrete relationship that will resolve all claims that previously were normally handled by hierarchical petitions through the peasant structures. Areas of Extreme Poverty [PRESENCIA] The plan submitted by your Secretariat proposes to serve 60 provinces.... [Martha Garcia] In principle that would be the number, but now we intend to cover 80, because the President requested that we serve all rural provinces, except for the department capitals and the 12 that are under the attention of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock--which reports to the Ministry of Finance--which intends to convert them to intermediate cities. Thus, we will serve 80 of the 108 provinces throughout the country, and approximately 300 sections. [PRESENCIA] What time frames have been defined? [Martha Garcia] Based on different studies, we have determined that approximately 35 provinces already have development proposals. Of the 35, 14 already have organized activities and their proposals for provincial development are already advanced. First, we will attend to those 14, and in 1994, to 24. These provinces are in every department except Pando, which has none at that level of organization. [PRESENCIA] Where are the most depressed areas of the country? [Martha Garcia] Several studies of the poverty levels in the provinces show that most provinces are at a level of poverty or extreme poverty. [PRESENCIA] There is the impression that the standards of living are higher in the east. [Martha Garcia] Yes, but there are exceptions. For example, on a scale of 1 to 100, the Ichilo region rates 77; Sandoval, 60; but Abuna is at 1 and is one of the poorest in the country. Elsewhere, Tapacari has 3; Chayanta 8, and so on. Inefficiency of Contacts Only at Government Headquarters Among its mandates, the Secretariat for Provincial and Rural Development has that of "expanding the relationship between rural inhabitants and the authorities at all levels." That means, among other activities, communicating with the peasant |
FBIS3-50533_8 | Fidel Castro Gives 35th Anniversary Speech | well as regular schools; schools for the handicapped; and art, music, dancing, painting schools. I was saying that these have been 35 years of preparing medical doctors. In fact, we were left with only 3,000 doctors 35 years ago, and now have more than 50,000. We are probably also one of the countries and, perhaps, the sole country with the largest number of medical doctors per capita in the world. It has been 35 years working to encourage education and culture -- education which was able to multiply several times the number of universities in the country, as well as multiply the number of technical schools several hundred times. We have been able to turn out thousands of university professionals. We have been able to reach educational levels unsurpassed by very few countries in the world. In addition, we have been able to establish health standards unsurpassed by very few countries worldwide. It is enough to say that during 1993, even while we going through the harshest moment of the special period, we were able to lower the infant mortality rate to below 10 [for every 1,000 live births]. What will the world say about this? What will the world say about a country which, despite being ruthlessly blockaded, and at the same time undergoing very special conditions, has been able to lower infant mortality below 10? An infant mortality rate which just a few days ago was 9.4. The infant mortality rate in the city of Santiago de Cuba was at a level of 8 for every 1,000 live births. This was just a few days ago! What will the world say when not one single woman died during delivery in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba? [applause]. It has been 35 years of building dams, canals, highways, roads, all sorts of agricultural installations, diary farms, chicken farms, and livestock fattening farms. It has been 35 years of establishing farms, agricultural cooperatives, and credit and service cooperatives. It has been 35 years of mechanizing the country to allow sugar cane, which at one time was cut by thousands of starving workers, to now be cut with machines. It has been 35 years of mechanizing agriculture to carry out field work in a more humane manner. It has been 35 years of mechanizing construction activity, expanding ports, and building wharfs and terminals to handle sugar in bulk. We have also |
FBIS3-50537_0 | Economic Affairs Commission Chairman Interviewed | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Interview with Osvaldo Martinez, director of the Cuban World Economy Research Center and chairman of the Permanent Commission of Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly, by Barbara Betancourt; date, place not given; from the "Evening Information Review" newscast--recorded] [Text] [Betancourt] At the end of the ordinary winter session of the Cuban parliament, during which important economic topics were discussed, I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Osvaldo Martinez, director of the World Economy Research Center and chairman of the Permanent Commission of Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly. Visibly satisfied, Martinez evaluated the parliamentary meeting. [Martinez] I believe I can tell you with conviction that the expectations of the session were met. I believe we produced what we wanted and what is fundamental: a collective reflection of all deputies regarding important and difficult issues. Given the level of the deputies' participation, obviously the speeches by the commander in chief, the amount of information and ideas expressed during the meeting--and even the agreement to hold a special period of sessions to continue the discussion--I believe that the Cuban parliament has demonstrated a formidable lesson of democracy. This stems from the fact that generally these kinds of measures are taken suddenly, clandestinely in some countries, and are not discussed in parliament or later returned to parliament for further discussion, as it will take place. [Betancourt] I asked prominent economist Osvaldo Martinez what he thinks of the statements by many deputies who are not economists. [Martinez] I think that this reveals our progression regarding what we could call our people's economic culture. It is a difficult and complicated matter that obviously has many technical components. I believe, however, that our deputies, as part of our people, have such a keen political sense and a sense of defense of the revolution and its most vital interest that this helps them extraordinarily; in addition, I believe the deputies have seriously prepared for this period of sessions and studied the state of the country's internal finances. I also believe that I was pleasantly surprised by the level of understanding and manipulation of the issues broached during the debates. [Betancourt] When certain deputies mentioned the implementation of such measures as price increases, policies of gradual taxation, the elimination or reduction of subsidies to companies that do not yield profits as ways to resolve this internal financial imbalance, may someone think these measures |
FBIS3-50539_0 | `Alarming Official Figures' on State of Economy | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] Havana, 30 Dec (AFP) -- The state-run television system on 29 December broadcast extensive excerpts of the People's Government National Assembly two-day sessions, which closed on 28 December. As a result, the public learned about alarming official figures on the local economic situation. These are some of those figures: Annual salaries paid: 8.8 billion pesos. Surplus currency in circulation: 12.3 billion pesos, or the equivalent of 14 months of salary. State corporations' outstanding debts with other state corporations: 2 billion pesos. State budget deficit: 4.2 billion pesos. Subsidies to cover losses: 4.6 billion pesos. Subsidies to the agricultural sugar industry: nearly 7.238 billion pesos from 1990 to 1993. Percentage of subsidized state corporations: 69. Percentage of profitable state corporations: 31. The most recent state budget made known to the public was that of 1990, which forecast a 12.463 billion pesos revenue, a 14.448 billion pesos disbursement, and a 1.985 billion pesos deficit. In the official books, the Cuba peso is equivalent to the U.S. dollar. In the black market, the exchange rate is between 70 and 80 pesos to the U.S. dollar. |
FBIS3-50544_1 | Envoy in Nicaragua on Reforms, U.S. Blockade | goals does the country plan to achieve with them? [Lovaina] All of the measures uphold our socialist principles without giving up a planned economy. Although there will be increased participation of foreign capital, state ownership will prevail. Cuba is looking for structures that will allow a better integration into the world economy, particularly with our Latin American brothers. [Malespin] Some people think Cuba is implementing a Chinese-style communism. Would you place your country in that category? [Lovaina] We have taken other experiences into consideration, but, above all else, it is essentially a matter of implementing an efficient, mature socialism that solves national problems and allows us to efficiently achieve development without abandoning the concept of social justice, essentially taking into consideration maritime ideas, too [as published]. [Malespin] Different experts have warned that these measures involve too many risks. What is the evaluation as we start 1994? [Lovaina] No human project is free of risk -- nor is it free of mistakes -- but it is important to face these risks and protect the homeland, the revolution, and socialism, as Fidel has stated many times. [Malespin] [Ernesto] Che [Guevara] warned against making the mistake of giving imperialism even a foothold. Has not Cuba done this with these measures? [Lovaina] He said this within a certain context, and what he meant was that no concessions should be made to the principles of imperialism. The measures adopted today by Cuba are revolutionary measures to defeat the blockade, to save the revolution's essential achievements, and to protect our sovereignty and national independence. These policies are outlined by the Communist Party of Cuba and by Fidel Castro, and they are fully supported by our people. [Malespin] The international community has supported Cuba by condemning the U.S. blockade, but it also has asked President Fidel Castro's Government to make in-depth changes. Will there be any in 1994? [Lovaina] The blockade is aimed at isolating Cuba politically and economically, at undermining the Cuban people's determination to resist, and at creating the image that Cuba is hell. It does this in an effort to discourage solidarity with Cuba and to impose an even more abhorrent political system than the one that existed before 1959. While a wall has been built to prevent illegal immigrants from other countries from entering the United States, in Cuba's case millions of dollars are spent to encourage illegal immigrants and people without documents |
FBIS3-50544_2 | Envoy in Nicaragua on Reforms, U.S. Blockade | protect the homeland, the revolution, and socialism, as Fidel has stated many times. [Malespin] [Ernesto] Che [Guevara] warned against making the mistake of giving imperialism even a foothold. Has not Cuba done this with these measures? [Lovaina] He said this within a certain context, and what he meant was that no concessions should be made to the principles of imperialism. The measures adopted today by Cuba are revolutionary measures to defeat the blockade, to save the revolution's essential achievements, and to protect our sovereignty and national independence. These policies are outlined by the Communist Party of Cuba and by Fidel Castro, and they are fully supported by our people. [Malespin] The international community has supported Cuba by condemning the U.S. blockade, but it also has asked President Fidel Castro's Government to make in-depth changes. Will there be any in 1994? [Lovaina] The blockade is aimed at isolating Cuba politically and economically, at undermining the Cuban people's determination to resist, and at creating the image that Cuba is hell. It does this in an effort to discourage solidarity with Cuba and to impose an even more abhorrent political system than the one that existed before 1959. While a wall has been built to prevent illegal immigrants from other countries from entering the United States, in Cuba's case millions of dollars are spent to encourage illegal immigrants and people without documents to risk their lives to reach U.S. territory. There are no limitations whatsoever on any Cuban citizens of legal age to travel to the United States -- or to any other country -- just as there are no limitations on any Cubans living in the United States, or other U.S. residents, from travelling to Cuba. The United States, however, denies visas to 60 percent of the Cuban citizens who request them at the U.S. interests office in Cuba. Also, the U.S. authorities have strict penal sanctions for North American citizens who visit Cuba. [Malespin] Referring to official relations with Nicaragua, what is their current status. [Lovaina] Official relations between Cuba and Nicaragua are good, respectful, and friendly. Until this year, Cuba has maintained free medical assistance in Nicaragua, and a Cuban medical brigade will end its mission in Nicaragua this year. A new medical assistance agreement has been signed. It will be paid for with financial aid from international organizations. Also, some 900 Nicaraguan students will receive free scholarships in Cuba. |
FBIS3-50545_0 | `Tense' Situation in San Cristobal Reported | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Report by Juan Carlos Santoyos from San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas State, for the "Panorama Newscast" -- live] [Excerpts] The situtation here in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas State, remains tense even though soldiers have been deployed here in the main square. This is the situation: There are problems getting food. Stores are closed in some areas. Hotels are serving food only to their guests, and it is just one kind of meal, nothing else. Local drugstores are finding it difficult to obtain medical supplies as members of the Zapata National Liberation Army [EZLN] looted the stores when they arrived. Thus there are no medical supplies for a medical emergency. It is also worth noting that the Mexican Army has resumed reconnaissance and surveillance flights all over the city. Starting at approximately 0700 when the weather allowed because the fog lifted a little, Mexican Army helicopters have been flying over San Cristobal de las Casas and the area 7 km away, where the 31st Military Zone is stationed. I must also state that local residents are afraid the EZLN members will resume their activities near the city. Up until 0200 we could hear heavy caliber weapons, chiefly howitzers and cannons, firing at rebel objectives. Early this morning I had the opportunity to inspect the city. It was almost deserted. Fear prevails as the ringing of heavy caliber weapons has been heard since early in the morning from both far and near. Many tourists have been stranded here because gas stations are not observing regular business hours as they fear gasoline may be rationed. Why is that? Because so far, Pemex [Mexican Petroleum] trucks have not come to supply the city's three gas stations. [passage omitted] Stores and schools are closed in this city. The only thing we see is that a few people are coming down from the mountain range to try to sell their products here. In Ocosingo and mainly on the San Cristobal de las Casas - Ocosingo Highway, a distance of approximately 117 kilometers, military roadblocks are still up to keep people from entering due to the fierce clashes taking place in the mountain range, as we were told. Stores, public offices, and houses were looted in Ocosingo as well. A report states that 15 policemen were killed in a clash with the EZLN members. Four members of the Solorzano family |
FBIS3-50546_0 | Vatican Offers To Mediate | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [From the "Panorama" newscast] [Text] We have received a news dispatch that reads as follows: After strongly condemning the violent events in Chiapas State, the Holy See has expressed its willingness to mediate so the activists will lay down their weapons and present their demands through legal means. The Holy See advised that the Catholic Church cannot and should not be involved in acts of bloodshed, which the Gospel rejects, nor can it support violence. Therefore, if some lay person or clergyman is involved in these events, it is on a personal basis, as the church -- as an institution - distances itself from all of this. This was stated by (Girolamo Priggiani), the Pope's representative in Mexico, after saying that the developments in Chiapas State are painful, regrettable, and dramatic. He said the Church shrinks from acts of violence and is not nor can it be involved in this delicate matter in which lives have been lost. |
FBIS3-50563_5 | Article Views President's `Rebelliousness' | a crisis. During the electoral campaign, he threatened to leave Collor's electoral ticket three times. During the presidency he talked about it when he completed one year in office. In an interview, he admitted he was thinking of resigning. Doubting that it was possible, leading politicians checked the Constitution to find the legal alternatives to a presidential resignation. Deputy Nelson Jobim (PMDB-RS) [Brazilian Democratic Movement Party--Rio Grande do Sul] was asked by military advisers about this possibility. The Constitution establishes that Congress must indirectly choose a name to complete the Collor/Franco presidential term. In the Chamber of Deputies, some deputies already have their candidates, among them, Senator Jarbas Passarinho (PPR-PA) [Progressive Renewal Party--Parana Sate]. This is not the first time -- and will not be the last -- that the president has shown his lack of patience with the job and his inability to move the pieces of the political game at a time when Congress is weak. Two months ago when deputies and senators installed the budget CPI, Franco told them he would not oppose an agreement to hold early elections. The governor of Ceara, surprised by the president's remarks, returned early from Washington -- where he signed agreements with the Inter-American Development Bank -- to meet Franco. The governor suggested that Franco should fill the political vacuum created by the accusations against congressmen. "Better not," said Franco, "it may seem opportunistic." For a group of the president's direct advisers, his apathy has become an undeniable element. For example, the week the budget scandal emerged, Franco prepared a 12-page speech that was to have been delivered on radio and television network for 18 minutes. One individual involved in this project said: "It was a speech to fill the institutional vacuum." The president would have said: "The people have ethical values," unlike some deputies and senators involved in the accusations. Franco also was to have talked about education and other projects. One adviser said: "He cancelled the speech because he was afraid of touching members of the government." Two of his ministers were on the list to be investigated. Following this first cancellation, the president cancelled two other speeches. In a week characterized by Franco's outspoken behavior, the government also revealed its lack of political course because of what the president did not say. In Rio, for example, Franco canceled his participation in the ceremony to award swords to the |
FBIS3-50564_13 | Castro Addresses Sixth UPEC Congress | has always been absenteeism. Today we have more of it. However, the objective truth is that there are millions of men and women in this country who are working and fulfilling their duties out of a sense of honor and patriotism. That is why I keep telling myself: The issue is not giving the workers moral and material encouragement, but rather, keeping their morale very high. If we do not keep the people's morale very high, we will not win this battle. I would say that at this moment the battle is at its worst moment. We can say we are facing a situation similar to the one we faced when the enemy soldiers were marching on Radio Rebelde and our territory was getting smaller. We are truly engulfed in a desperate struggle for survival, but we have an army, because the revolutionaries represent a real army. When I speak of the army, I am not speaking of the Armed Forces; I am speaking of the revolutionary people who represent a real army, capable of winning this battle if we know how to lead them. How do I see you, the journalists? I see you as commissars of the people in this battle. [applause] Yes, we must reverse trends, we must reverse currents. We have not reversed currents yet. We must all struggle: party, government, organizations, and Armed Forces. Not a military Armed Forces, but an armed forces helping in the field of agriculture, as it is doing, and by cutting back on expenses. The Armed Forces has reduced its budget by 50 percent. Tens of thousands of soldiers are helping produce food, and we are not talking about self-sufficiency, which is one of the tasks we have been talking about. The Interior Ministry forces are working with the people to fight the big battle against crime. That was also a dangerous trend that was making progress. Now we are seeing changes in this area. Lack of discipline is another dangerous trend we must reverse. Discouragement and doubt are two dangerous feelings that must be changed. We must win this battle with ideas. We must win this battle with the ideas of socialism, with the ideas of our socialism. Someone said that our socialism is ours. We could also say, as Marti said about wine: This wine may be sour, but it is our wine. If we want to be |
FBIS3-50564_18 | Castro Addresses Sixth UPEC Congress | the world would have approved of a war breaking out over a naval base in Guantanamo, an economic blockade, or pirate actions. We could have stopped the economic blockade and closed Guantanamo Base back in 1962, but they did not act and we are still facing those problems. A little bit of equanimity on their part would have achieved this. The papers still exist. Those papers prove the degree of independence and freedom we had in our discussions with the Soviets. Despite all this, it was impossible for us not to be influenced. I remember back in the days of the Playa Giron incident; when we were being threatened back then, we printed hundreds of thousands of books of a heroic nature. In those books we narrated the main feats and prowesses of the Soviet people during World War II. This was done to lift the morale of the people. We were influenced, but I do believe our revolutionary process has been the most fitting revolutionary process. We did this despite our enormous dependence. We had to depend on them because of the blockade. We needed supplies, raw material, and food from the Soviet Union, and we needed their markets. However, I reiterate that our socialism is very much ours. Our freedom is the greatest a people has ever attained. We were constantly being referred to as a Soviet satellite. There is no longer a USSR and we continue to exist. This is why I used the metaphor: They said we were a satellite when we were really a star that shined with our own light. I truly believe that this has amazed the world. We dreamed of a better and more perfect socialism. To a certain extent, that enormous aid and help we received was bad for us. We became spenders and squanderers. We were receiving unlimited amounts of fuel. I want you to know that for years all we had to do was send a telegram saying that we were running out of fuel oil, that the gasoline was not enough, that we needed more diesel, and then ships were immediately sent with fuel oil, diesel, or gasoline. It reached such a point that our fuel consumption, which was 4 million tons in 1960 -- that was when the blockade was imposed and we were left without fuel -- was approximately 14 million tons 30 years later. We |
FBIS3-50572_1 | Foreign Minister Analyzes U.S. Relations | with in absolute openness. Profound structural reforms translated into liberation of the economy and privatizations have replaced old protectionist practices. Brazil's firm commitment to disarmament and nonproliferation has become the central issue of our foreign policy. This was shown by the government's decision to sign several international agreements on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Despite all these changes, which actually make Brazil further approach values supported by the United States, one seems to strongly perceive that the two countries' bilateral relations have become worse. There is a widespread feeling in Brazil that Americans see our country more as a "problem" than as an important partner that deserves to be trusted. Great emphasis is placed on trade conflicts and on certain specific aspects of the human rights and environmental issues, although no similar measures are adopted by the United States. In the economic field, we have received a clear message that all the efforts already made are not enough. Instead of concentrating their attention on the 90 percent of the results already obtained, Americans seem to prefer to point out the remaining 10 percent that still must be done. A typical example of this attitude refers to the intellectual property issue. Apparently, our achievements in those areas are neither understood nor reflected in concrete and positive attitudes. We have opened our economy, but we were not granted -- except for a token offer -- better access to the U.S. market for our leading export products (contrary to one of the key promises made by President Bush in his Initiative for the Americas). Despite the strengthening of the democratic system in our country and the efforts made by the government to come down heavily on those who violate human rights, we continue to be the target of unprecedented scrutiny and oversimplified criticism by the U.S. press and public opinion. Our resolute adherence to nonproliferation and disarmament has not facilitated our access to advanced technology. Some specific and transient aspects of our situation are brought into focus with great interest, but they seem to miss the essential aspects. The most significant event in recent Brazilian history is the struggle for the consolidation of democracy, a process that, under the leadership of President Itamar Franco, has been underpinned by a strong moral component. The series of events that led to the impeachment voted through by |
FBIS3-50577_2 | `Exclusive' Interview With Castro | not do. [Gawronski] What are the current consequences of all this for Cuba? [Castro] The disappearance of the socialist bloc has been a hard blow to us. Against the U.S. blockade we had been able to benefit from trade with socialist countries, which served as the basis for the development of our economy. The blockade is still in effect today but the basis has vanished, and we are being put to one of the toughest tests ever known in the modern era. However, our decision to keep our ideals has not weakened. Everything shows that it was an insult to Cuba to say that we were a satellite of the Soviet Union. We have demonstrated that we were not a satellite but a star shining in its own light. Moreover, although it is true that the Soviet Union has destroyed itself, that did not happen with China nor with Vietnam. Much has been said on the disappearance of socialism in the Soviet Union, but why does no one say anything about Chinese socialism? [Gawronski] Do you think China is an example that must be followed? [Castro] It is an experiment that must be studied. The Chinese themselves say that no one should automatically imitate what others are doing. They criticize themselves for mechanically applying the Soviet experience during its first years. But if you want to talk about socialism, let us not forget what socialism achieved in China. At one time it was the land of hunger, poverty, disasters. Today there is none of that. Today China can feed, dress, educate, and care for the health of 1.2 billion people. [Gawronski] But although China has maintained a socialist political system, it is trying to modify its economy. On the other hand, Cuba seems to be still solidly socialist. Isn't it difficult to keep being the only socialist nation when everything else is changing? [Castro] I think China is a socialist country, and Vietnam is a socialist nation as well. And they insist that they have introduced all the necessary reforms in order to motivate national development and to continue seeking the objectives of socialism. There are no fully pure regimes or systems. In Cuba, for instance, we have many forms of private property. We have hundreds of thousands of farm owners. In some cases they own up to 110 acres (some 150 hectares). In Europe they would be considered large |
FBIS3-50578_0 | Article Explains `Logic' Behind Socialist Change | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN ["Exclusive" article by contributing writer Clemente Nicado: "The Logic Behind Change to More Efficient Socialism"] [Text] The year 1993 has entered history as the most difficult year for revolutionary Cuba, but also as the year of significant economic changes promoted by the government to reactivate the economy and lead the country back into the world market. President Fidel Castro himself on 26 July announced the need to make changes on the island, which has been seriously battered by the tightening of the U.S. embargo and the crumbling of socialism in the former USSR and Eastern Europe. Cuba maintained 85 percent of its trade with this region. The Caribbean country's purchasing power fell from $8 billion in 1989 to 1.7 billion in 1993, for which the search and development of new revenue sources has become one of the main objectives in the struggle for national survival. Political analysts agree in stating that opening the economy to foreign capital was the measure with the most significant impact on the local and international scene. It was also the most realistic in a country that must now purchase everything its needs with freely exchangeable currency. The government also deregulated the holding of foreign currency to improve the government's income by way of the growing segment of the population that receives U.S. dollars from tourism or from relatives living abroad. Some experts affirm that one decision the community pleasantly welcomed was the creation of the Basic Production Cooperative Units (UBPC) in the agriculture sector. This, in fact, constitutes a new concept in land exploitation methods. By virtue of a government mandate, state-owned lands were ceded for an indefinite period of time to groups of Cubans interested in cultivating them. These groups, in the end, will share the product of the sales of their harvest to the state. Fidel Castro said that this new policy improves the application of the socialist principle of pay according to work and allows better economic control of resources. Up to now, the weight of agricultural production was primarily on the shoulders of state farms. The extreme shortage of oil the island has experienced this year, the lack of manpower, and the inefficient production levels threaten the ability to produce sufficient food through intensive agricultural activity. According to local sources, the UBPC's offer greater control over production levels. It is expected the over 1 million Cubans will |
FBIS3-50578_1 | Article Explains `Logic' Behind Socialist Change | holding of foreign currency to improve the government's income by way of the growing segment of the population that receives U.S. dollars from tourism or from relatives living abroad. Some experts affirm that one decision the community pleasantly welcomed was the creation of the Basic Production Cooperative Units (UBPC) in the agriculture sector. This, in fact, constitutes a new concept in land exploitation methods. By virtue of a government mandate, state-owned lands were ceded for an indefinite period of time to groups of Cubans interested in cultivating them. These groups, in the end, will share the product of the sales of their harvest to the state. Fidel Castro said that this new policy improves the application of the socialist principle of pay according to work and allows better economic control of resources. Up to now, the weight of agricultural production was primarily on the shoulders of state farms. The extreme shortage of oil the island has experienced this year, the lack of manpower, and the inefficient production levels threaten the ability to produce sufficient food through intensive agricultural activity. According to local sources, the UBPC's offer greater control over production levels. It is expected the over 1 million Cubans will join these units, lured also by the possibility of cultivating food to supply their own family as well as increase their income. Local media reports point out that the next 365 days will be another period of significant changes in Cuba, to include an in-depth reorganization of the state apparatus. This issue will be one of the topics of debate at the Cuban parliamentary sessions on 27 and 28 December. The assembly is seeking ways to revive the country's domestic finances, which have deteriorated due to the excess amount of money in circulation -- calculated at approximately 10 billion pesos (equal to the same amount in U.S. dollars at the official exchange rate). Government officials say that the assembly will analyze the application of a tax system and other measures, pursuant to the labor and salary reorganization measures directed at achieving greater economic efficiency and encouraging production. The TRABAJADORES weekly recently reported that personnel rosters were to be reorganized, in light of the lack of jobs for the number of people in the work force. The publication, mouthpiece for the Cuban Workers Federation, says that this labor reorganization would be a gradual process, to prevent any major impact on household |
FBIS3-50580_0 | Pharmaceutical Industry Props Up Economy | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Article by Maritza Barranco Rodriguez: "A Trademark Pharmaceutical Industry"] [Text] [No dateline as received] At a moment when the U.S. blockade aimed at making the Cubans surrender out of hunger is being intensified, Cuba's pharmaceutical industry has risen to cover the back of the national economy and is now expecting high profits as a result of its output of products that right now are unique in the world. In 1993, the controversy over the effectiveness of Cuban vaccines took new heights as a result of epidemics in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil and although there are reservations in purchasing the vaccine, threats of epidemics must be taken into consideration. By exporting the vaccine against the meningococcic meningitis, interferon, the anticholestorelomic PPG, and the recombining streptokinase, Cuba can secure a new market that will be backed by the research, raw materials, and laboratories that have the Made in Cuba label. This has come as a big surprise for transnational firms that unlock trade ambitions while in poor countries many people die for lack of vaccines that Cuba is already producing. In Cuba, as in the rest of the world, the pharmaceutical industry is the main beneficiary of advanced technology, over which the highly industrialized nations almost have a monopoly. This is the context into which the Cubans broke some years ago when the island produced a vaccine against the Type B Meningococcic Meningitis (the serotype that produces the most deaths among the infant population) and Type B Hepatitis, which also affects millions of Latin Americans. These two vaccines are already being marketed in other countries. In some countries of the area, where different meningococcic serotypes exist, groups of experts are thinking about acquiring these vaccines. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the United States, and WHO have issued a positive assessment, the obstacles against the marketing of the vaccines are huge. This marketing has become a strategic field of the Cuban economy. At the National Forum of Science and Technology recently held in Havana, Cuban President Fidel Castro described the war that has been launched from the United States against Cuban pharmaceutical products as terrible. No one could imagine how far the Cubans would go when they took, in the 1980's, the short cut that biotechnology and genetic engineering opened to the developing countries. The Cubans began producing interferon and now have a series |
FBIS3-50580_1 | Pharmaceutical Industry Props Up Economy | technology, over which the highly industrialized nations almost have a monopoly. This is the context into which the Cubans broke some years ago when the island produced a vaccine against the Type B Meningococcic Meningitis (the serotype that produces the most deaths among the infant population) and Type B Hepatitis, which also affects millions of Latin Americans. These two vaccines are already being marketed in other countries. In some countries of the area, where different meningococcic serotypes exist, groups of experts are thinking about acquiring these vaccines. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the United States, and WHO have issued a positive assessment, the obstacles against the marketing of the vaccines are huge. This marketing has become a strategic field of the Cuban economy. At the National Forum of Science and Technology recently held in Havana, Cuban President Fidel Castro described the war that has been launched from the United States against Cuban pharmaceutical products as terrible. No one could imagine how far the Cubans would go when they took, in the 1980's, the short cut that biotechnology and genetic engineering opened to the developing countries. The Cubans began producing interferon and now have a series of products to treat cancer, to fight infections resulting from the human papiloma virus, and to delay AIDS manifestations in persons with the HIV virus. These products are marketed by Heberbiotec S.A. and their effectiveness has been demonstrated. More than 160 products have been obtained through genetic engineering, including eight medications that come as injections, creams, and eye-wash. Although the main results derive from genetic engineering and biotechnology, progress is also being made in chemical and pharmaceutical products such as the anti-ulcer Qulcer, antibiotics, and biological remedies. In 1993, the main objective of Cuba's pharmaceutical sector was to launch a commercial struggle in the face of a powerful market where 10 of the largest and most notable pharmacological enterprises sold more than $170-billion-worth [of products] in 1992. New formulas are presented at the island's medicine registration offices, thus strengthening the arsenal of medicines with high international demand. Some formulas are streptokinase (used to dissolve cardiac thrombosis) and several others developed from human placenta and melanin (used to cure vitiligo). The more complex field of biotherapy has contributed with monoclonal antibodies. IOR-T3 was the first product to be registered at the state pharmaceutical control office. Dr. Agustin Lage, the director of |
FBIS3-50580_2 | Pharmaceutical Industry Props Up Economy | of products to treat cancer, to fight infections resulting from the human papiloma virus, and to delay AIDS manifestations in persons with the HIV virus. These products are marketed by Heberbiotec S.A. and their effectiveness has been demonstrated. More than 160 products have been obtained through genetic engineering, including eight medications that come as injections, creams, and eye-wash. Although the main results derive from genetic engineering and biotechnology, progress is also being made in chemical and pharmaceutical products such as the anti-ulcer Qulcer, antibiotics, and biological remedies. In 1993, the main objective of Cuba's pharmaceutical sector was to launch a commercial struggle in the face of a powerful market where 10 of the largest and most notable pharmacological enterprises sold more than $170-billion-worth [of products] in 1992. New formulas are presented at the island's medicine registration offices, thus strengthening the arsenal of medicines with high international demand. Some formulas are streptokinase (used to dissolve cardiac thrombosis) and several others developed from human placenta and melanin (used to cure vitiligo). The more complex field of biotherapy has contributed with monoclonal antibodies. IOR-T3 was the first product to be registered at the state pharmaceutical control office. Dr. Agustin Lage, the director of the National Molecular Immunology Center, told PRENSA LATINA that the center is currently performing clinical tests using several lymphoma treatments. An anti-cholesterol agent, known as PPG or Ateromyxol, was developed with the aid of molecular biology. It is currently riding the crest of an advertising and sales wave among tourists, who come to the island looking for the "sexuality formula", as some have come to call these pills. PPG was conceived to treat high cholesterol levels and presently enjoys wide acceptance for its lack of unwanted side effects. Patients report a general improvement of their circulation process and, especially, their sexual functions. This effective weapon against cardiovascular disease was introduced to the local therapeutical scene in 1991 and in a 1993 report issued by the University of Geneva it was recognized to be the best anticholesterol drug available. Producing pharmaceutical products nowadays means plenty of scientific research. This was evident at the Fifth Cuban Pharmaceutical Science Congress, the National Pharmaceutical Technology Development Workshop, and the International Antibiotics Workshop, all of which were held in Havana during 1993. These events assessed the Caribbean nation's research potential. The island's scientists are preparing to begin the production of antibiotics using the method of |
FBIS3-50606_1 | * UIA Demands Postponement of Mercosur Until June 1994 | enormous difference in the cost of electric power, which the UIA believes has resulted from the failure to amortize government investments in the hydroelectric plants that generate over 90 percent of all electricity used in Brazil; 2) the extremely high rate of tax evasion, which Brazilian authorities put at a minimum of 55 percent; 3) competition between Brazil's states to attract investments by granting high tax exemptions to investment and production projects; 4) the lag in real wages; 5) financial benefits for exporters that charge the daily exchange rate while paying for consumable expenditures, services, raw materials, and personnel at the old rate; 6) the existence of subsidies in certain cases where raw materials are supplied by government-owned enterprises; and 7) long-term financing for sales of capital goods at very low interest rates. For the first time, the association of Argentine businessmen has demanded officially that the government temporarily suspend all of the central issues of the integration treaty with Brazil. The drastic and unusual request is included in a document in which the Argentine Industrial Union warns of a grave danger to the entire Argentine economy. It emphasizes that if special safeguards are not put in place, "productive activity will be totally replaced by Brazilian imports" in many manufacturing sectors. Brandishing these dramatic arguments based on the manifest economic imbalances of Brazil and the productive disadvantages of our own national industry, the manufacturers are urgently demanding drastic measures to check the wave of Brazilian imports. In other words, they are asking for time and do so in the following terms: "It is imperative that we draft necessary amendments or extend the transitional period provided for in the treaty, which essentially grants sufficient time so that our main Mercosur partner may make indispensable adjustments in order to coordinate its macroeconomic policies with the remaining countries." The demands are included in a letter which the Argentine Industrial Union has sent to the head of the Ministry of Economy. The five-page letter is dated 18 November and spells out the negative effects suffered by Argentine business. Jorge Blanco Villegas delivered the letter to Minister Domingo Cavallo in person. It states textually that: "It is our view that the deep-rooted asymmetries currently existing between Argentina and Brazil and which are commercially favorable to the latter will increase immediately, aggravating the problems and harm suffered by many Argentine industries." The manufacturers therefore ask that |
FBIS3-50607_0 | Castro Interviewed in Santiago de Cuba | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN ["Excerpt" of interview with President Fidel Castro by unidentified reporters in Santiago de Cuba on 1 January -- recorded] [Text] [Reporter] I am from Santiago de Cuba and I, like my people, recently experienced the same difficult times other eastern provinces experienced. Have you been able to learn what is being done? What aid has the country received from the international community? [Castro] Not much here in Santiago de Cuba. The country provided the money needed, especially to rebuild homes, repair mattresses, to give the people back what they lost, to purchase cement. Almost all has been done with money provided by the country. Much has been done in Guantanamo, the most affected province, Sagua, and Santiago. Guantanamo was strongly affected by the rains. Just imagine what it was like to have 700 millimeters of rain fall on the area in 36 hours. This happened in one municipality. It was tremendous. If affected the coffee, tuber, and orchard crops. However, the storm of the century caused more damage than these rains. The storm of the century affected many provinces. However, this recent storm caused much damage in Guantanamo. It destroyed thousands of homes. [Reporter] Years ago you made a speech at Cespedes Park. You said that there was much for the Revolution to do in the future. At that time, you said that the people had all their hopes set on the rebel army and on you. However, you told them you did not want to be a demagogue and admitted that difficult times lay ahead. A few minutes ago you repeated those words. [Castro] When I entered Havana on 8 January, I stressed that even more. I warned the people that even more difficult times lay ahead. I told the people that. [Reporter] And you have repeated those same words today. [Castro] I did. Being a demagogue would be lying to the people. It would be a lie to tell the people that the problems are small and that the path ahead is an easy one to travel. [Reporter] Comparing.... [Castro, interrupts] We are enduring a test no other country has ever endured. We are the only country to endure it; it is a tremendous test. [Reporter] In your opinion, [words indistinct] the Revolution? [Castro] As if we were starting all over again. The struggle is much harder, but we have more people who are |
FBIS3-50609_0 | Commentary Reviews Year, Predicts New Challenges | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN ["Our Opinion" commentary by Ariel Larramendi] [Text] The year is coming to a close and according to political and government leaders: This has been the most dangerous and difficult year we have ever faced in the history of the Revolution. I think, and this is my personal opinion, that the new year will not fail to be tense, dangerous at times, and full of difficulties. However, we observe its arrival, having gained something like a special-period culture. We sense or know what are the traumatic aspects of the complex picture ahead and, above all, see our goal more clearly. However, we still have to more clearly define the paths to reach that goal. The deadlines set by the power centers of the empire for the collapse of the Cuban project have passed. Here we are. The country has not become an anarchy, nor have centrifugal forces prevailed. What prevailed is political tradition in the face of so many highly diverse factors of disintegration; those having to do with our economic ties abroad are already known, and those generated by the domestic economic crisis we had to face. However, here we are. One of the challenges that I see in the new year is that of participation, either that of labor groups in the management of enterprises or that of citizens in general in the People's Government bodies. Anyway, what is taking place in Cuba is a participatory democracy. I believe that previously, the participation of diverse sectors of the population in the decision-making process was somewhat detached due to the state's basically paternalistic, vertical relationship, which limited the participation of the people in the process of defining and solving problems. What is being advocated now is basically a different participation. The Cuban people need a readjustment of the so-called pattern of accumulation, based on higher levels of efficiency and the intensive use of our human and material resources. In order to achieve this qualitative leap, the Cuban people must increase their participation in a more conflicting stage, and free of the state's paternalism. The state itself is relinquishing its role as regulator in certain economic fields and at the same time, the people's autonomy is increasing while becoming more complex as the result of new ideas and performers in the life of the country. This process, which is already taking place and will continue to develop |
FBIS3-50612_0 | Economic Activity Reported 24 Dec-4 Jan | Article Type:BFN [Editorial Report] The following is a compilation of fileworthy reports on economic developments in Cuba carried on Havana radio and television in Spanish between 24 December and 4 January. Radio Reloj at 2045 GMT on 24 December reports that Granma Province met its coffee production goal for the present campaign, representing a 15-percent increase over the same period, 1992. Radio Reloj at 2050 GMT on 24 December reports that the Austrian "Sun Over Cuba" solidarity group sent a donation consisting of a computer, school materials, and medicine. The donations will be distributed to the Camilo Cienfuegos School and the Rafael Freire Hospital in Holguin. The computer will be sent to the Institute of Solar Energy. Radio Rebelde at 1255 GMT on 27 December reports that Royal, a Canadian company, has joined the airlines that bring tourists from Toronto, Canada, to Ciego de Avila, Royal is scheduled to fly to Ciego de Avila and Camaguey on a weekly basis. Radio Rebelde at 1800 GMT on 3 January reports that Villa Clara Province has attained an infant morality rate for 1993 of 6.6 per 1,000 live births. Radio Reloj at 2043 GMT on 3 January reports that Maria Lucia Ruiz, Havana tour manager in Colombia, last night greeted the first charter flight of Colombian tourists to Varadero. On 9 January, a charter flight from Colombia is to arrive in Cuba. Radio Rebelde at 1000 GMT on 4 January reports that railway service between Guantanamo Province and the rest of the nation has been restored. Eighty percent of the merchandise going to Guantanamo Province is moved by rail. The same newscast reports that the Caribe Navigation Enterprise on the Isle of Youth has announced that the number of passenger trips by motorboat between Nueva Gerona and Batabano will be reduced this month because of a lack of spare parts: As of 10 January, there will be two rather than three departures. In order to make up for this reduction in the current transportation program, ships will also depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and return on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. "In order to achieve this increase, the ferry Isla de la Juventude, which can carry more than 500 passengers, will be rendered operative." Radio Rebelde further announces that Matanzas oil workers extracted 814,000 tons of oil in 1993, "which was 81 percent of the program for the period, at the same |
FBIS3-50612_2 | Economic Activity Reported 24 Dec-4 Jan | time setting a national record for crude oil production." Officials of the oil extraction enterprise of Central Cuba said that of a potential 21 million cubic meters of natural gas, just over 15.5 million cubic meters were used, "which shows that the demand for this fuel is still low. Despite failure to fulfill the investment programs, difficulties with the system for moving crude oil along the coast by ship, and scarce resources, this enterprise -- which produced the greatest amount of oil in Cuba -- showed an increase in drilling last year, with 15,500 meters. There are currently 180 wells in the largest oil deposit yet discovered in Cuba. Exploration continues in that zone with a view to increasing its potential and extracting higher- quality oil. Radio Progreso at 1200 GMT on 4 January reports that Cuban oil workers hope to extract 1.2 million tons of crude in 1994. There are also plans to increase seismic research in 1994 with a view to improving exploration; Cuba hopes to have a much stronger investments program and to begin drilling all over the country. "Four new sites, located in the traditional petroleum areas, also will be opened." In the same newscast, Progreso's Sanciti Spiritus correspondent reports that the industrial gases factory in Sancti Spiritus has begun making chalk for use in Cuba's schools. The plant engineer notes that most of the chalk in Cuba used to be imported from China and that the chalk being produced in Cuba now is "almost of better quality than the Chinese chalk." Radio Rebelde Network at 1255 GMT on 4 January reports that Granma Province sugar sector workers have fulfilled the cold-season cane planting plan. They planted almost 437 caballerias; and 10 of the 11 sugar industry complexes met their commitments. Also, "Havana farmers made a big effort in December to catch up as regards the cold-season planting, and they began 1994 with close to 1,500 caballerias planted in tubers and vegetables, which will guarantee the program for February." Radio Rebelde Network at 1800 GMT on 4 January reports that the "La Victoria de Giron" citrus-producing complex, the largest in the nation, managed to stop the decline in its plantations by the end of 1993 by establishing cooperation in production that facilitated credits for buying fuel and agricultural inputs. This allowed the recovery of approximately 20,000 hectares, which constitute over 50 percent of the complex's lands. |
FBIS3-50613_0 | TRABAJADORES Editorial on Economic Issues | Language: Spanish Article Type:BFN [Text] The 3 January editorial of the newspaper TRABAJADORES points out that the currency excess, caused mainly by the continuous, growing budget deficit, is today the Cuban family's main worry. The article adds that the sudden weakening of the Cuban economy from external factors has been reflected in a drop in individual consumption and the loss of the purchasing power of salaries which, in many cases, are partially alloted to buying on the black market, where they are also losing value due to an increase in prices. Upon the collapse of our import capability, production dropped in a descending spiral while the peoples' salaries and state expenses remain more or less stable, thus weakening financial balance and the motivational aspect of salaries. The time has come to begin putting order into domestic finances and directing the people's efforts toward a harmony between state expenses and income, while implementing actions to reduce the excess currency in circulation. As always in our society, the workers are the ones who can contribute most to solving these urgent problems because no measure or series of measures could hope to succeed unless it has the workers' support. We are convinced that the measures should be taken slowly, not only because of their technical complexity and the need to understand the problems more deeply, but also because they should be the future basis of a true national consensus without losing track of the Cuban nation's foundation of social justice. The TRABAJADORES editorial stresses that while we are grateful for the serene, democratic speed of the decision-taking process, we are calling all workers and union movements to action because much can already be done to promote financial balance and to fight the causes and consequences of imbalance. First of all, we have to preserve the value of work. The editorial adds that as Commander in Chief Fidel Castro has repeated, Cuban workers are demonstrating the value of honor and revolutionary and patriotic awareness as they challenge, day to day, all kinds of difficulties in fulfilling their labor tasks. It is unquestionable that the immense majority of Cuban workers have placed their commitment and honor above the material factors that affect work motivation under the present circumstances. Let us maintain and improve discipline and the commitment to do more with the available resources in every work center. This will be an immense contribution to |
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