WATTS: STILL NOT TIME FOR ARBITRATION

( Editorial: --> 3872 ) LJUBLJANA, Sept 29 (Hina) - Talks on the succession of former Yugoslavia over the past two and a half years, have shown certain improvement, said an international mediator on the issue of the succession of former Yugoslavia Arthur Watts, on Monday. Watts asserted that it was still not the time for arbitration. Watts started the latest negotiating round on Monday, in Ljubljana, regarding a succession agreement during which he will be visiting all of the successor States. In his Monday interview for the Slovenian Television, Watts said that the previous outline of an agreement on the succession which was supported by all of the successor states but Yugoslavia was no longer a starting point for the talks. Watts asserted that in order for successor states to adjust stand- points concerning succession, delegations would need two to three weeks of constant work. A plenary meeting is planned for late October, in Brussels. Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina assert that all states established after the break-up of former Yugoslavia are its successors. Current Yugoslavia however thinks that it is the only the successor of the international agreement. Current Yugoslavia also believes that it is the only successor who has the right to membership in international organisations and to the properties of the former mutual country. The former Yugoslavia had been supported by the six member states in line with the national income of each State. Croatia contributed 30 per cent of the finances required by the former Yugoslavia. (hina) it jn/sp 291429 MET sep 98