OSCE Mission issues assessment of situation in Yugoslavia

VIENNA, 23 July 1998 - An OSCE Technical Assessment Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) presented its findings today to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna. The Mission, headed by Ambassador Hansjörg Eiff (Germany), just returned from a week-long visit to the FRY, from 14-22 July.

The members of the Mission included representatives of the OSCE Troika (Poland, Denmark and Norway), the Contact Group, the Austrian Chairmanship of the EU, and a representative of Mr. Felipe Gonzalez.

On Kosovo, the Mission concluded that "committed, high-level international involvement in the negotiation process" was essential given the "total lack of trust between the two communities in Kosovo, against the background of increasing violence, and the distance between the political positions as to how the conflict could be resolved." The most pressing need, the report said, was for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The Mission also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation.

The report affirmed the need for the rapid reestablishment of the OSCE Missions to Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvodina as well as the mission of Mr. Felipe Gonzalez, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the Representative of the European Union. The reported cited the "deteriorating situation in Kosovo, together with the relative lack of progress on the issues identified by Mr. Gonzalez in his December 1996 report" as reasons for the need for OSCE involvement.

In this context, the Mission noted that the situation regarding the media, judiciary, legal, and electoral systems "did not appear to have improved significantly" (since 1996). While the situation of the print media had improved, and a network of independent radio and TV stations had been set up outside Belgrade, "serious concern still remained in respect of the State media, the overall legislative framework governing the information sector and the Government's implementation of that legislation." The Mission also cited a continuing lack of confidence in non-official circles in the legal system, including the legislation relating to the election process. The report also said the Law on the University also "gave great cause for concern as it provided for Government control over the administration and teaching staff and limited the possibility of political expression by students."

However, the Mission regretted that while the FRY indicated its readiness to accept the return of the OSCE Mission to Kosovo, it was only prepared to do so in return for the simultaneous participation of the FRY in the OSCE. The FRY was suspended from the Organization in 1992.

The Mission recommended, and OSCE participating States supported, the continuation of OSCE - FRY talks.