Belgrade, October 16 (Tanjug) - Representatives of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS), the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) reached the agreement on Monday on calling early parliamentary republic elections on December 23rd and forming a transitional republic government which will operate until that time and which will comprise members of the DOS, SPO and SPS.

The Agreement has also been signed by Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunca and the Serbian President Milan Milutinovic.

On behalf of the DOS the accord was signed by the Democratic Party President Zoran Djindjic, on behalf of the SPO by its President Vuk Draskovic and on behalf of the SPS by its Secretary General Zoran Andjelkovic.

The text of "Agreement on calling early parliamentary elections in the Republic of Serbia" says:

"1. The signatories agreed that the most important thing at the moment was to secure law and order in the Republic of Serbia, to create all the necessary working and living conditions, to resolve all problems within the Constitution and laws, using political means and in a civilized manner, completely to protect institutions of the system and to secure their normal functioning at all levels, undisturbed and free work of all political parties, as well as, a full protection of citizens, state, private and personal property.

The signatories pledged to make joint efforts to create conditions for democratic elections for national deputies in an atmosphere of tolerance and respect for political differences.

The signatories agreed that the criminal and offence trials against the participants in the protests organized after the September elections should be immediately suspended, and that no new trials against such persons should be opened, unless they took advantage of the protests to commit unrelated criminal offences.

The signatories demand that the authorized organs of the Ministry of Interior immediately hand over the persons suspected of the assassination attempt on the SPO President on June 15th in Budva to the High Court in Podgorica.

2. The elections for deputies in the People's Assembly of the Republic of Serbia will be called on December 23rd 2000 under the electoral law. The People's Assembly of the Republic of Serbia will, until October 23rd 2000, adopt acts and choose the organs necessary for holding the elections.

3. Respecting the need for political, economic and social stability and the functioning of all governmental institutions, a new Serbian government would be formed from representatives of the signatories.

Under the accord, the biggest Serbian parliamentary party, the Socialist Party of Serbia, should give the prime minister, while vice president should come each one from the DOS and the SPO. All decisions within the prime minister's competence would be taken by consensus among the prime minister and vice presidents of the government.

A special annex of this agreement would establish further distribution of legal competence in the Government of the Republic of Serbia. The annex would be an integral part of this agreement.

The functions of ministers of interior, information, justice and finance would be filled by bodies composed of the Agreement signatories on a parity basis, elected by the Serbian parliament. All decisions within the competence of these department ministers would be adopted by consensus.

4. For the Serbian Radio Television the Government of the Republic of Serbia would appoint a Board of Managers made of the signatories to the agreement. It would be decided by the consensus about the editorial and management policy.

5. The Government of the Republic of Serbia would form commissions on a parity basis, to reexamine the changes made in companies, republic organs and institutions. If the solutions were opposite to the organization interests, all the necessary changes would be made.

6. The immediate constitution of the local governments that had not yet been constituted according to the results of elections in September and the law, would be insured, without any pressures and obstructions.

7. The Serbian Parliament would be disbanded on calling of the elections.

8. The Agreement signatories agreed that the Federal Parliament constitution should be instantly completed since the issue of the remaining seats had been settled.

9. They reached the agreement to form the Federal Government as soon as possible, which should instantly take its constitutional duties and responsibilities for the situation in the country, respecting the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and federal laws.

10. The guarantees of this Agreement are the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the President of the Republic of Serbia."

In the Agreement annex based on item 3 paragraph 3 of the Agreement, the signatories of the Agreement have agreed that ministries in the Government of the Republic of Serbia be distributed in the following manner:

The SPS will have the Prime Minister and the following departments: local self-government, agriculture, forestry, waterpower engineering, civil engineering, trade, tourism, economic and ownership transformation, family care, science and technology, education, environment, youth and sport.

The SPO has a vice president in the government and the following departments: industry, traffic, culture, religion, connections with Serbs outside Serbia.

The DOS has a vice president in the government and the following departments: mining and energetic, labour, ex-servicemen and social issues, college and university education, health, economic relations with abroad.

The functions of the ministers of interior, finance, justice and information will be exercised in keeping with item 3 paragraph 4 of the Agreement.

The signatories of the Agreement have signed the following statement in order to preserve stability in the country:

"All signatories of the Agreement stress that key interest in Serbia today is peace, personal and property safety of citizens and crime prevention and pledge themselves to give maximum contribution in order to ensure lawful operating of state services, the functioning of economy and institutions for all citizens of our country regardless of their political orientation.

All signatories of the Agreement commit themselves to act within the Constitution and laws and not to obstruct activities of unlike-minded persons and opponents at the forthcoming elections, above all respecting personal integrity of all citizens.

The Agreement signatories call on all citizens of our country to make it possible for everyone in Serbia to express their political opinions and beliefs in a democratic atmosphere in front of citizens and on media."

LAW ON THE ELECTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Statement issued by the Serbian Polling Commission

Submission of the electoral lists by December 7th

Serbian Polling Committee establishes working methods

Serbian parliamentary elections called

DOS, SPO and SPS sign Agreement on the parliamentary elections and transitional Serbian government