YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT, GOVT. OFFER MONTENEGRO "ANOTHER CHANCE"

BELGRADE, Dec 7 (Hina) - Yugoslavia's President Vojislav Kostunica and government on Friday issued a statement to Montenegrin officials saying they were "willing to give them another chance" to resume dialogue on the future of the federation. The statement from Kostunica's office and the office of Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus in harsh terms says the dialogue "cannot (focus) on the creation of two independent states" and their possible alliance as "that was not the subject of the talks" with the European Union's high representative for external policy and security, Javier Solana. The statement reminds it was suggested during the talks with Solana on Monday to make the dialogue tackle "the reorganisation of the federation and the consequences of the possible break-up of the state, and the advancement of Serbia-Montenegro cooperation." On Wednesday, following Solana's visit to Podgorica, the Montenegrin government endorsed the possibility of reforming the federation, but stressed this envisaged constituting an alliance of independent states or considering relations between two independent states. Montenegro has also accepted talks in which Solana would take part and "facilitate dialogue by extending good services." Solana has suggested the talks commence by the end of December at the latest and wrap up by the end of February. (hina) ha sb