DATE=2/28/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N BALKANS SUMMARY (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259644
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Special Representative for
the Balkans, Carl Bildt, said today (Monday) that the
search for peace and stability in the region is
complicated by the fact that the leaders of Serbia are
indicted war criminals. VOA Correspondent Breck
Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Mr. Bildt says the major issue in the Balkans
is the conflict between those who favor ethnic and
religious integration within their societies, and
within the region, and those who favor disintegration.
He observed that every step toward disintegration has
been associated with violence and massive violations
of human rights.
But, in a formal report to the U-N Security Council,
Mr. Bildt says it is highly unlikely that a regional
settlement - based on integration - can occur without
the participation of the leaders of the former
Yugoslavia. That, he notes, poses a major dilemma for
the international community.
/// BILDT ACT ///
The fact that the key political and military
leaders of what is left of Yugoslavia have been
indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal
for Yugoslavia for crimes against humanity means
they are de facto excommunicated from any sort
of dialogue or diplomatic contact.
/// END ACT ///
While a comprehensive regional settlement may have to
await a change of leadership in Belgrade, Mr. Bildt
says the United Nations is acting now to defuse
tensions. Even with the recent ethnic violence in
Kosovo, Mr. Bildt says there are some positive signs
in the Balkans including political changes in Croatia
and, despite difficulties, evidence of progress in
Bosnia.
/// REST OPT ///
The U-N Special Representative drew attention to the
dispute between Serbia and Montenegro, the last two
remaining components of the Yugoslav Federation. Mr.
Bildt charged that Serbia's President Slobodan
Milosevic has grossly violated Montenegro's rights
within the federation and that Montenegro is now
suffering from double sanctions.
/// BILDT ACT ///
From one side they suffer by the sanctions
against all of Yugoslavia, blocking their access
to the international financial institutions.
From the other side they face the de facto
sanctions against them from Serbia, forcing
them, just to give one example, to rely on
expensive food imports from abroad.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Bildt urged the international community to
accelerate efforts to help the people of Montenegro.
Mr. Bildt urged an ongoing discussion within the U-N
Security Council on the search for a regional
settlement in the Balkans. He said that only a solid
consensus among key nations with interests in the
Balkans -- the European countries, Russia and the
United States - is likely to bring about a lasting
political settlement. (Signed)
NEB/BA/LSF/TVM
28-Feb-2000 17:23 PM EDT (28-Feb-2000 2223 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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