Military

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KOSTUNICA/MONTENEGRO-BOSNIA (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=STEFAN BOS

DATELINE=BUDAPEST

INTERNET=

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Yugoslavia's new President, Vojislav Kostunica, has visited the independence-minded republic of Montenegro, in an attempt to keep the Yugoslav federation united. Stefan Bos reports from Budapest, that Mr. Kostunica arrived in Montenegro, after a historic visit to the nearby former Yugoslav republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is still

recovering from years of war.

TEXT: Shortly before he began his talks with Montenegrin officials, new Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica urged Montenegro's leadership not to rush into decisions on the republic's status. Mr. Kostunica said he hoped that Montenegro would show, what he called, "good will" and await the outcome of the formation of a new Government and Parliament of Yugoslavia's main republic, Serbia.

President Kostunica stressed that once these institutions are set up, it will be possible to begin what he described as "a democratic dialogue on relations between Montenegro and Serbia." The new Yugoslav leader

earlier proposed to change the name Yugoslavia into the "Union of Serbia

and Montenegro," in a sign of possible compromise.

Mr. Kostunica made it clear in his talks with Montenegrin officials that he hoped that Montenegro could remain part of a democratic Yugoslavia that is at peace with its neighbors. Mr. Kostunica made the comments following his milestone visit earlier in the day to nearby Bosnia, as the first Yugoslav President to do so since that country became independent in 1992.

He even held talks with Bosnia's three member inter ethnic presidency in

the capital Sarajevo, which became a symbol of resistance during what has been called Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War Two. Mr.

Kostunica refused to specifically apologize for the deeds of his ousted

predecessor Slobodan Milosevic, who is widely blamed for igniting the 1992 to 1995 war which divided Bosnia into a Serb Republic and

Moslem-Croat federation.

He stressed that the region's recent history was too complex for what he

termed "empty words." He added that there were victims on all sides. Mr. Kostunica did, however, indicate he would cooperate with the United Nations Tribunal in The Hague, which has indicted ousted leader Milosevic and four aides for alleged war crimes.

The new Yugoslav President said that his visit marked the beginning of a new relationship with Bosnia's leadership. Bosnian officials say they were partly satisfied with Mr. Kostunica's trip which they saw as an prelude to future talks on the re-establishment of diplomatic ties.

But Mr. Kostunica's visit was not without controversy. Bosnian officials were furious that he first went to the Serb part of the

country to attend a reburial ceremony of Serbian poet (Jovan Ducic), whose remains were brought back from the United States to the Southern town of Trebinje.

The Yugoslav President, who said it was a private journey, was introduced to a gathering outside the town's Orthodox church

as "Doctor Kostunica", but the republic's leaders made clear they viewed it as an official visit, by welcoming him with an honor guard. Despite the controversy, the head of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia, Jacques Klein, said that Mr. Kostunica's visit to Bosnia showed that the "Milosevic era is over." (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/FC