INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Feb 7 (Hina) - 'Strengthening Democracy in Countries of the former Yugoslavia' is the title of an international conference to be held in Zagreb, February 11 and 12. The conference was announced at a press conference today by members of the Zagreb-based 'Erasmus Guild'. It was convened by the Guild in conjunction with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and is to include 20 American and west European foundations active in former Yugoslavia, as well as representatives of about fifty citizens' groups, non-government organisations, independent trade unions and media from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia, including Kosovo and Vojvodina, the Guild's director, Vesna Pusic, said. The aim of the conference is to improve communication and coordination in the foundations' efforts as well as to facilitate the exchange of experiences in countries emerging from the former Yugoslavia. Pusic and Slavko Goldstein attempted to quell suspicions arising from the rejection yesterday of the Croatian Helsinki Committee to take part in such a conference. The Committee suspected the Guild of intending to take control of their domain. Pusic denied that the Guild's use of the joint name of "former Yugoslav countries" for all the states emerging from former Yugoslavia was a front for hidden political agendas. The Soros Open Society Foundation has also thumbed its nose at an invitation to participate. (hina) jn sd as 071733 MET feb 95