GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS A PRIORITY - YUGO OFFICIALS SAY IN ZG

ZAGREB, Oct 12 (Hina) - Relations with neighbouring countries are of key importance for the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) and this visit to Zagreb proves it, two Yugoslav officials said on Thursday. They arrived in the Croatian capital yesterday at the invitation of the Serb People's Council, and met First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic and Foreign Minister Tonino Picula. "Our first trip abroad has been to Croatia, and we believe that relations among the countries of the former Yugoslavia and in the region are the key to stability, and that we all qualify as democracies through relations with neighbours," said Zarko Korac, president of the Social Democratic Union. "It's easy to make friends that are far away but a little harder with those in the neighbourhood, especially considering what happened in the past," he said. He believes Croatia-Yugoslavia relations need improving, and reminded that some relations already existed - both state recognised each other - albeit with scarce cooperation. "We would like to take the first steps and create a better atmosphere," he said, adding the Zagreb visit was not one of courtesy but of "essential political significance." New Democracy vice president Svetozar Krstic said both Zagreb and Belgrade wished to improve relations, and that DOS's representatives wanted to use the Zagreb visit to "mend mutual relations and restore confidence." He said it had been agreed during talks with Croatian officials that easier issues should be tackled first and economic cooperation advanced. Both Serb officials pointed out the return of Serb refugees to Croatia played an important part in Zagreb-Belgrade relations, and that they were supported in this by the Croatian officials. Korac said the solving of the border issue would be part of the process of normalisation of relations, and that it was in DOS's interest that these issues, especially that of the southern-most bordering tip of Prevlaka, be settled as soon as possible. Korac said the succession to the former Yugoslav federation had to be solved fast, with all the successor states. The DOS will not give up on the political continuity to the former federation which, he said, makes the succession issue "a technical and legal, not a political one." Among the DOS parties, there is no political idea to create some new Yugoslavia, Korac stressed. The DOS wants good relations with all neighbours and hopes to soon visit Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said, adding there were "no hurdles for relations among former Yugoslavia countries." The DOS representatives also pointed to the big economic and political problems Yugoslavia's new authorities had to deal with, as well as the issue of more than 700,000 refugees. Asked if new Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica would meet the West's demands, Korac said "he will always do that if it is in the interests of Serbia and Montenegro." Kostunica needs time to prove himself, but what is important is that the DOS enjoys huge support among the population, he added. Korac and Krstic said Kosovo was another major issue, adding the DOS and the international community believed it should stay within Yugoslavia. Speaking about Milosevic, Korac said it was difficult to predict what would happen to him, but added he might be prosecuted in Serbia regardless of the demands of the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. "There is great bitterness towards Milosevic in Serbia," he said. Korac believes all crimes committed during last decade's conflicts should be openly addressed, and that individual guilt is important. "Wounds will start healing once the culprits start answering for the crimes," he said. (hina) ha