YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS: U.S. OPERATION EXPECTED

BELGRADE, Oct 8 (Hina) - Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic describes the American operation in Afghanistan as an expected move which followed a great diplomatic offensive. Svilanovic was quoted by a local Belgrade television as saying that it would be now interesting to see the reactions of key countries in the Islamic world, and he envisaged that their response "will definitely have an impact on the course of the U.S. operation." Predrag Simic, an advisor to Yugoslav President Vojislav Simic, has said the American operation had great risks for the West, Russia and for the Islamic countries. Simic was quoted by the Beta news agency as saying that Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as Pakistan could expect vindictive actions by the Taliban regime. He pointed to the fact that for the first time since the World War Two the United States had began a military operation in which Washington enjoyed the support from Russia and this could change the relations between these two world powers as well as the overall international relations. Serbian Interior Minister Dusan Mihajlovic said the police were taking all the necessary measures to increase the security in the country, although there were no particular indications that "anything could happen." Serbia should now adjust itself to the latest developments, particularly in the light of complex circumstances in the region, the situation in Kosovo and Macedonia as well as in some parts of southern Serbia, Mihajlovic was quoted by the TV Studio-B as saying. U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade, William Montgomery, said that by its operation in Afghanistan his country had taken the first step against terrorism and those who supported it. He was quoted by the TV BK-Telecom as saying that the United States had a wide support and that it was now waging a long battle. (hina) ms