DUBROVNIK, July 11 (Hina) - The development of the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and possible implications for the region were the main topics of a meeting the presidents of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and
Montenegro held in the southern Croatian seaside resort of Dubrovnik on Tuesday.
DUBROVNIK, July 11 (Hina) - The development of the situation in the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and possible implications for the
region were the main topics of a meeting the presidents of Croatia,
the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Montenegro held in the southern
Croatian seaside resort of Dubrovnik on Tuesday.#L#
In a joint statement released after the meeting, Croatia's
President Stipe Mesic, the Czech Republic's Vaclav Havel, and
Slovenia's Milan Kucan point to their concern over the latest
developments in FRY, primarily in the wake of constitutional
changes adopted by the FRY parliament last week. The three
presidents say the international community must do everything to
prevent a new outbreak of violence.
According to Mesic, Havel, and Kucan, the latest amendments to
FRY's constitution jeopardise democracy, bring the federation's
subjects in an unequal position, and are an arrogant negation of
internationally recognised principles.
The participants in the Dubrovnik meeting believe the Belgrade
constitutional changes could actually lead to the disappearance of
FRY, despite their objective having been to abolish Montenegro's
statehood.
The three heads of state were later joined by Montenegro's
President Milo Djukanovic who acquainted them with his view of the
current situation. They voiced full understanding for a
declaration by which Montenegro's parliament rejected the
amendments to FRY's constitution.
Mesic, Havel, and Kucan assessed the declaration as an expression
of responsible reaction to a situation imposed on Montenegro by a
one-sided document, without participation from Montenegro's
legitimate representatives.
The three presidents supported the policy Montenegro's government
and president had pursued thus far, especially their latest, brave
steps which, the statement said, would lead to further advancement
of relations with democratic states on the territory of the former
Yugoslav federation and the entire region.
Presidents Havel, Kucan, and Mesic believe the international
community must, without delay, do everything to protect the human,
civil, and constitutional rights of FRY's citizens, including
Montenegro's, as well as to prevent the current situation from
leading to a new wave of violence. They believe any use of force on
the part of Belgrade's regime is impermissible, especially since it
could destabilise the whole region.
Only the residents of Serbia and Montenegro have the right to
decide, by democratic route, on FRY's fate, and also have the right
to become part of democratic Europe which is uniting, says the
statement. The turn of events in FRY can no longer be the will of a
man accused of war crimes, the Mesic-Havel-Kucan statement
concluded.
(hina) ha jn