Australia's new ambassador in Serbia gets mixed response ABC Radio AM - Friday, April 14, 2000 8:12 COMPERE: Just a few hours ago, Australia snubbed its nose at our western allies and presented a new Ambassador to the Serbian President and indicted war criminal, Slobodan Milosevic. The move comes despite strong opposition and diplomatic pressure from the US and the European Union who have urged countries not to maintain top level diplomatic relations with the Milosevic regime. But as Michael Brissenden reports, the move has been met with a mixed reaction among Mr Milosevic's political opponents in Belgrade. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: Charles Stewart, Australia's new man in Belgrade, was seen only a few hours ago at the top of the news on the Serbian state TV bulletin shaking hands with one of the western world's most reviled political leaders. The two men were also shown sitting comfortably chatting in the faux Regency chairs that Milosevic favours for such occasions, as rare as they are these days. Since the start of the NATO campaign last year, every western nation has carefully avoided any high level diplomatic dealings with the Belgrade regime. EU and NATO countries are simply not replacing ambassadors whose term expires. Canada has only appointed a charge d'affaire. The British, Germans and French have down-graded their diplomatic missions to so-called interest sections with no ambassador, and the US has closed its mission altogether. Alexandra Yetsimovic from the opposition Serbian Democratic Party says Australia's move will be a political fillip for Slobodan Milosevic. ALEXANDRA YETSIMOVIC: Absolutely, I think that is something which is most agreeable that he can find some kind of support in the world. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: But as always, the Serbian political opposition is divided. Ogian Provicovic [phonetic], a spokesman for the Serbian Renewal Party, says Australia's move is a welcome step forward. OGIAN PROVICOVIC: I think this is very good because we are in a position very much for anything before [phonetic] sanctions which are against the Serbian people. So we are much salute this move and very much welcome it. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: Do you think it will also provide a political boost for Mr Milosevic domestically? OGIAN PROVICOVIC: No, no, no, no we don't think it. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: So he won't be able to use this and say, 'Well look, things are back to normal. People respect my position.' OGIAN PROVICOVIC: No, he wants, we want things back to be normal because we are absolutely sure that we are going to win the next elections, and we want to do this to the elections, include a peaceful way and I think the normal situation is best for everybody here in Serbia. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: So you think Australia is pointing a way and that other countries should follow suit? OGIAN PROVICOVIC: Absolutely, absolutely. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: Our embassy in Belgrade couldn't be contacted for comment this morning but, according to Serbian state media, Mr Stewart told Slobodan Milosevic that Australia wanted to develop successful bilateral co-operation with Yugoslavia and pointed out that many Australian citizens of Yugoslav origin represented a lasting and stable bridge linking the two countries, and reaffirming mutual interests. Michael Brissenden, Brussels. © 2000 Australian Broadcasting Corporation -- _________________________________ Truth is a pathless land. --- Krishnamurti ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
