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EASTWEST INSTITUTE
PRAGUE · KOSICE · NEW YORK · KYIV · BRUSSELS ·
MOSCOW
Rasinovo nabrezi 78, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
Phone:+420 2 21984216 Fax: +420 2 294380 E-mail: alojpur@iews.cz
A NEW INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP:
TASK FORCE ON THE FUTURE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
30 January 2000
Communique
The third meeting of the Task Force on the
Future of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, “Coalition Building for Democratic Change
in Serbia - Precondition for Implementation of the Stability Pact in the Region” was
held on January 29-30, 2000 in Belgrade. This was the first meeting between the Community
for Change, a broad coalition of opposition and democratic forces in Serbia, and the
International Community held inside Serbia.
The meeting focused on two major themes:
necessary steps for achieving free and fair elections in Serbia; and the role of the
International Community in supporting the Community for Change in achieving this goal.
The discussion focused on both internal and
external issues confronting the Community for Change.
Internal Issues:
How to create the broadest possible
coalition of democratic forces in Serbia as a precondition for ensuring free and fair
elections;
How to achieve consensus among the
Community for Change in conveying a common message to the citizens of Serbia;
How to build up a framework for
coordinated action by the Community for Change in preparation for elections as a first
step toward democratic change;
How to utilize democratic change in
Serbia as one of the prerequisites for resolving the crises within the Federation
(relations between Serbia and Montenegro), and the future status of Kosovo.
External Issues:
Participants of the meeting underlined
the fact that development of the Community for Change strongly depends on support from the
International Community and that this support should be demonstrated both internationally
and within the FRY, by further development of partnership, including the organization of
international events within Serbia and Montenegro;
The Community for Change encourages the
International Community to more actively involve its representatives in regional
initiatives and international structures;
The Task Force once again endorsed the
request of the Community for Change that calls for the immediate lifting of sanctions
adversely affecting the Serbian people and the increase of humanitarian aid to the FRY.
Furthermore, the Task Force called for more intensified support for the Community for
Change and the reinforcement of the democratic transformation of Montenegro;
The Task Force expressed hope that there
will be stronger international participation in future meetings held in Serbia and
Montenegro, stressing that this is an impetus for mobilizing support for the Community for
Change.
It was agreed that the next Forum organized
by the Task Force and the EastWest Institute will take place in Budva, Montenegro on
February 28-29, focused on the future of relations between Serbia and Montenegro, and
inclusion of Serbia and Montenegro in regional cooperation and Stability Pact.
Belgrade, January 30, 2000 |
