The Politika, March 23
Belgrade - On his return from Washington, Serbian Prime Minister Dr. Zoran Djindjic expressed hope that American Congress would, on March 31, make a decision, which would not slow down our return to the international organizations and left us without financial help.

His visit, as he said at the press conference, planed to explain difficulties of the new government in Serbia, since he heard, during all talks, that Washington was not pleased with former satisfaction of the requirements which it has set to the Yugoslav government until this date, in other words, our cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, carrying out the Dayton accord and amnesty of ethnic Albanian prisoners.

Serbian Prime Minister met with the Secretary of State Colin Powell in the USA (who, expressed sympathies towards Serbia today), and conducted conversations in the Foreign Policy Council of the Senate, Committee for Foreign Policy, Committee for Foreign Relations of the Congress, National Security Council, then with the USA President's Security Adviser, Vice-President's Security Adviser, representatives of the Institute of Republican and Democratic Party, and had work supper with journalists of the New Atlantic Initiative and with editors of the "Washington post" and the "Financial Times".

Djindjic considers the talks with the MMF director to be very important, after which he sees our "approaching to reprogramming of debts" and hope that we will not be left without financial help and that "started democratic reforms in Serbia will continue from March 31".

"It was hard to explain that our government existed seven weeks and that it well sowed the seed of changes, because the situation in the federal government was not clear to the American officials. I explained them that the Law on cooperation with the Hague Tribunal could not be passed if there was no majority in the parliament and that insisting on that before elections in Montenegro would provoke instability in the country and the region. We do not want that, by no means, which I consider my collocutors have realized that. Regarding the Dayton accord and ethnic Albanian prisoners, I promised, on the basis of government's position, the General Staff and Justice Ministry, that until March 31, we would have an official position on the cessation of financing of 1730 officers of the Republika Srpska from the budget of Yugoslav Army, and that the Justice Ministry would make decision on release of all persons convicted of verbal political offences. Report on that will be sent to the Congress until that date", Prime Minister Djindjic said.

"We hope that Washington at least be neutral when our membership in the international organizations is put to the vote. Because, without that, and reprogramming of the debts, we go into crisis budget. I demanded from them to extend deadline of "trust" for another two months, for the reasons I had quoted. I hope that the paradox will not happen to us, that first democratic government of the FRY do not get support from the largest country in democratic world. That would not be good neither for us nor for them and I hope that pragmatism will win", Serbian Prime Minister stated.

Answering to our question if the shift in the talks on ethnic Albanian terrorism has been made, he stated that he considered the discussion of that subject during the visit to Washington very important and serious, although he did not get any clear assurances. He explained that America had to take different attitude towards ethnic Albanians who were radical and those moderates who joined radicals. Only with condemnation of political radicalism and settling accounts with terrorism, moderate ethnic Albanians can be encouraged and the crisis can be solved.

"I said that we were open for all dialogs quoting extreme sensitivity of the Serbian government towards minority's issue and the fact that one number of leaders of parties were minorities in its leadership. I explained them that, first of all, stability of the region was primary issue for us", Serbian prime Minister stated.

Answering to the question if dissatisfaction of American officials due to "nonfeasance" of set requirements means that Milosevic can be extradited to the Hague until March 31, Djindjic made it clear: "No", and explained: "It would be the easiest thing. Responsibility of former president is legal, not political issue, because of what I think that neither in Washington nor here I am the proper person to answer the questions. Our government, which I explained in Washington, cooperated with The Hague within the limits of possibilities to which I had pointed out".

Mirjana Nikic