SCHWIMMER ON PREPARATIONS FOR YU'S ADMISSION TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE

STRASBOURG, Jan 23 (Hina/Beta) - Council of Europe Secretary- General Walter Schwimmer said on Wednesday the issues hampering Yugoslavia's admission to this pan-European organisation were unresolved relations in the federation, democratisation, the situation in the judiciary, the media, and cooperation with the Hague-based war crimes tribunal. One should not lose time, transition from the previous undemocratic regime to democracy is necessary, Schwimmer said in Strasbourg, where the Council's Parliamentary Assembly is holding a session. Attending the sitting, as a special guest, is a Yugoslav delegation. According to Schwimmer, Yugoslavia should make progress in the judiciary, education, media, and cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Relations in the federation, however, remain the decisive factor, he stressed. Schwimmer welcomed the success of the Kosovo parliamentary election, adding credit for that should also go to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly's Monitoring Mission. Nevertheless, he warned that the situation in Kosovo was still difficult. (hina) rml