Protests and political crisis in Serbia
(italiano / english / french / deutsch )
1. L'unica cosa disponibile in lingua italiana... Perche' della Serbia
oggi si vergognano (giustamente) di scrivere
2. Les métallos serbes en grève contre US Steel
(Le Marxiste-Léniniste Quotidien)
3. 100 mal betrogen
Straßenkampf in Belgrad. Die serbische Arbeiterbewegung fordert den
Rücktritt der Regierung (von J. Elsaesser)
4. Belgrade: Serbian workers clash with police
5. More agencies:
SPS: Law on discontinuation of cooperation with Hague should be passed
/ Government crisis reaches climax / British firm buys into fourth
Serbian dairy / Elections to be called when premier returns from China
-> Vedi anche / See also:
Interview with Branko V., a Union Activist (by Jared Israel)
http://emperors-clothes.com/news/workers.htm
I lavoratori in piazza a Smederevo e Belgrado (30/10/2003)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2907
Strike At (Now) US-Owned Serbian Steel Plants (16/10/2003)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2869
US Steel to buy Serbia's Sartid steel plant (31/7/2003)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2680
*** LE DONAZIONI PER GLI OPERAI DELLE ACCIAIERIE DI SMEDEREVO IN
SCIOPERO VANNO VERSATE SUL CONTO DEI SINDACATI DI AMBURGO:
Kragujevac/J. Bergmann,
Hamburger Sparkasse (BLZ 200 505 50)
Konto-Nummer 1230 499 335
CAUSALE: Smederevo ***
=== 1 ===
http://www.ansa.it/balcani/serbiamontenegro/serbiamontenegro.shtml
SERBIA: MANIFESTAZIONE SINDACATI, SCONTRI CON POLIZIA
(ANSA) - BELGRADO, 30 OTT - Un migliaio di manifestanti dell'Alleanza
dei sindacati serbi ha tentato stamane, durante un corteo, di entrare
nel palazzo del parlamento repubblicano, provocando l'intervento della
polizia. Gli agenti hanno usato scudi e manganelli, con un bilancio
di alcuni contusi medicati in un vicino ospedale. I deputati -
riuniti in sessione per un dibattito sulla fiducia al governo - hanno
promesso di incontrare i dimostranti al termine dei lavori della
mattinata. L'Alleanza dei sindacati - un tempo vicina al regime di
Slobodan Milosevic, e oggi su posizioni nostalgiche - manifesta da
ieri per elezioni politiche anticipate e il congelamento delle
privatizzazioni. In parlamento, e' in discussione per la seconda
settimana consecutiva una mozione di sfiducia nei confronti del
governo presentatata dalle opposizioni democratiche con il sostegno
dei partiti nostalgici. Gli osservatori serbi non si attendono
comunque un voto sulla fiducia al governo prima delle elezioni
presidenziali del 16 novembre: fra le richieste della mozione c'e'
anche il siluramento della presidente del parlamento e presidente ad
interim del paese Natasa Micic, che se approvato potrebbe lasciare la
presidenza ad interim della Serbia a un socialista del partito di
Milosevic, Ljubisa Maravic, in quanto deputato piu' anziano.
(ANSA). OT
30/10/2003 14:31
=== 2 ===
Les métallos serbes en grève contre US Steel
Neuf mille métallos d'un énorme complexe sidérurgique de Smederevo, en
Serbie, près de Belgrade, sont en grève contre les nouveaux
propriétaires américains. US Steel de Pittsburg, en Pennsylvanie, a
acquis les ateliers de sidérurgie yougoslaves en faillite le 12
septembre. La saisie de l'aciérie par le monopole américain fait partie
du partage du butin de la guerre, les impérialistes américains ayant
réussi, à la tête des troupes de l'OTAN, à démembrer l'ex-Yougoslavie
Les métallos serbes veulent être payés 55 dinars l'heure (moins que
1$US), la réintégration de 450 camarades et le renvoi du directeur
américain Thomas Kelly, qu'ils accusent d'arrogance et d'inflexibilité.
Kelly s'est contenté de dire que la grève est "illégale" et a demandé
au ministère du Travail de Serbie d'imposer un retour au travail et de
lui permettre de congédier les 450 travailleurs et de maintenir les
salaires.
La saisie des ateliers de sidérurgie serbes est le deuxième coup de US
Steel dans l'ex-Yougoslavie. Il y a trois ans, après que les forces de
l'OTAN, incluant des soldats canadiens, aient capturé l'ex-république
yougoslave de Slovénie pour le compte des capitalistes monopolistes, US
Steel s'est vu remettre les aciéries nationales de la Slovénie et en a
depuis tiré des profits faramineux. Le vol d'avoirs nationaux comme les
aciéries et les gisements pétrolifères au terme d'une conquête
militaire outre-mer est la méthode préférée des monopoles américains,
européens et japonais pour maintenir leurs profits élevés et se faire
concurrence l'un l'autre sur le marché mondial.
US Steel espère répéter le même scénario en s'emparant de l'énorme
complexe sidérurgique de la Serbie. Il aurait obtenu le produit social
fixe des aciéries serbes et le droit d'exploiter les 9 000 métallos
pour la somme risible de 23 millions $. L'étroite collaboration entre
l'armée américaine et US Steel outre-mer est évidente dans la grande
considération accordée aux dirigeants de US Steel par l'ex-commandant
militaire et maintenant secrétaire d'État Colin Powell. Ce dernier a
récemment remis au président de US Steel, Thomas J. Usher, le Prix de
l'excellence en affaires du département d'État américain, citant "ses
pratiques exemplaires d'entreprise citoyenne" en épublique de Slovénie.
La saisie de propriété outre-mer
Les monopoles américains et canadiens de l'acier se plaignent des bas
prix de l'acier étranger et pourtant un des plus grands monopoles
américains est fortement impliqué dans l'exploitation et la production
d'acier à bon marché en Europe. L'acier bon marché produite en Slovénie
sous contrôle américain se retrouve- t-il sur les marchés canadiens et
américains? Cette campagne pour des tarifs sur l'acier que mènent les
monopoles américains est- elle une manoeuvre pour détourner les
métallos de la riposte à la défense de leurs intérêts vitaux face à la
restructuration et au chantage à propos de la faillite?
Les métallos américains et canadiens doivent bien réfléchir à la
signification de la saisie d'aciéries outre-mer par des monopoles
américains au terme de la conquête militaire. L'armée canadienne est
très impliquée dans des aventures outre-mer. Elle joue un rôle
significatif au sein de l'OTAN, elle a joué un rôle dans le
démembrement de la Yougoslavie et elle est maintenant participante à la
guerre internationale sans limite des États- Unis pour s'emparer de
territoires.
Les mêmes vautours capitalistes détruisent la production de l'acier au
Canada et aux États-Unis et restructurent tout en s'emparant de la
production de l'acier et en exploitant les travailleurs étrangers. Un
changement de direction et de pensée s'impose pour les travailleurs et
leurs syndicats. Les propriétaires du capital n'ont qu'un intérêt
étroit dans leurs propres monopoles et il tient uniquement au taux de
profit. Ils s'intéressent à l'existence d'une industrie nationale de
l'acier uniquement dans la mesure où cela sert leur monopole
particulier. Ils déménagent allègrement leurs capitaux ailleurs si le
taux de profit est plus élevé. Les métallos doivent saisir ce fait de
la vie économique: les détenteurs du capital n'ont qu'un intérêt
étroit, momentané, dans la propriété industrielle et encore plus étroit
et momentané dans l'existence d'une industrie nationale.
(....) US Steel a été impitoyable envers ses travailleurs américains
dans sa campagne de restructuration antiouvrière. Une enquête devrait
être établie pour déterminer si l'acier bon marché provenant des
aciéries contrôlées par US Steel en Slovénie est en partie responsable
de l'effondrement des prix de l'acier au Canada et aux États-Unis. Les
monopoles américains ont réussi à saper la riposte des métallos à la
restructuration en utilisant une partie considérable des ressources et
des énergies des syndicats pour une campagne en faveur de tarifs pour
contrer l'importation de l'acier bon marché. Bon nombre d'observateurs
prétendent que la campagne pour les tarifs est une manoeuvre pour saper
la riposte des métallos à la défense de leurs intérêts vitaux et d'une
véritable industrie nationale de l'acier au service de l'économie
nationale.
Source : Le Marxiste-Léniniste Quotidien
http://www.anti-imperialism.net/lai/
article_lai.phtml?section=A1ABBBACBA&object_id=21653
or
http://www.cpcml.ca/francais/lmlq/Q33119.htm#4
=== 3 ===
http://www.artel.co.yu/de/izbor/jugoslavija/2003-11-04_1.html
Junge Welt - BU: 30. Oktober: Gewerkschafter durchbrechen den
Polizeikordon vor dem Parlamentsgebäude in Belgrad.
Jürgen Elsässer
100 mal betrogen
"Wir haben hundert mal mit der Regierung zu verhandeln versucht, und
wir wurden hundert mal betrogen. Deswegen sind die Arbeiter auf der
Straße." Mit diesen Worten begründete Milenko Smiljanic, Führer der
Unabhängigen Serbischen Gewerkschaften, warum es letzte Woche zu den
größten Protesten seit dem Sturz von Slobodan Milosevic im Herbst 2000
gekommen ist. Das Besondere an den Demonstrationen war der
Schulterschluß zwischen Smiljanics Syndikat, das ursprünglich dem heute
in Serbien regierenden DOS-Parteienbündnis nahestand, mit den alten
Links-Gewerkschaften. "Als wir die Herren an der Macht damals gewählt
und unterstützt haben, haben wir nicht geglaubt, daß die ihre
Gerechtigkeit und ihre Demokratie auf dem Rücken der Arbeiter errichten
würden", entrüsteten sich die Kohle-Kumpel der Kolubara-Mine in einer
Presseerklärung. Spätestens bei diesem Statement muß im Büro von
Premier Zoran Zivkovic die Alarmstufe rot ausgerufen worden sein: Der
Streik in Kolubara Ende September 2000 war das unmittelbare Vorspiel
zum Marsch auf Belgrad gewesen, der dem am 5. Oktober die
sozialistische Regierung hinweggefegt hatte.
Damit der DOS-Herrschaft nicht ähnliches widerfuhr, versetzte
Polizeiminister Dusan Mihajlovic seine Truppen in Alarmbereitschaft.
Als am vergangenen Mittwoch Gewerkschafter aus dem ganzen Land nach
Belgrad aufbrachen, war die Hauptstadt bereits weiträumig abgesperrt.
Viele wurden an den Checkpoints gestoppt und mußten umkehren. Trotzdem
versammelten sich schließlich 10 - 12.000 Kolleginnen und Kollegen vor
der Skupstina, dem serbischen Parlament. Die Fraktionen der
Sozialistischen und der Radikalen Partei sowie Abgeordnete der
Demokratischen Partei Serbiens (DSS) des letzten jugoslawischen
Präsidenten Vojislav Kostunica verließen den Plenarsaal und schlossen
sich den Arbeitern an.
Bei der Fortsetzung der Proteste am nächsten Tag forderten 3 - 5000
Menschen Zugang zum Parlament. Dabei kam es zum bisher schwersten
Polizeieinsatz seit der sogenannten Oktoberrevolution 2000. In
Tränengasausrüstung, mit Schilden und Knüppeln trieben die
Ordnungshüter die Menge auseinander. Mindestens sieben Gewerkschafter,
darunter drei Frauen, wurden verletzt. "Es gab keinen exzessiven
Einsatz von Gewalt, und es wird auch keinen geben, solange diese
Regierung im Amt ist, und das heißt für die nächsten Jahrzehnte",
rechtfertigte sich Zivkovic später. Die Kohlekumpel in Kolubara sahen
das ganz anders und verlangten eine persönliche Entschuldigung des
Regierungschefs. "Wir dachten, daß der Polizeiknüppel ein Instrument
der Vergangenheit sei", heißt es in ihrer Presseklärung.
Am Freitag gingen die Demonstrationen am dritten Tag in Folge weiter.
Zwar waren in Belgrad nur noch einige hundert auf der Straße, dafür
aber in Krusevac über 3000. Drei der am Vortag Verletzten waren aus
dieser mittelserbischen Stadt gekommen. Parallel wurde der Streik im
größten serbischen Stahlwerk in Smederevo fortgesetzt, wo die 10.000
Beschäftigten seit über zwei Wochen eine Lohnerhöhung von 33 auf 55
Dinar (knapp ein Euro) fordern (vgl. jW, 28. Oktober). Von der passiven
Arbeitsniederlegung gingen die Kollegen zu aktiven Kampfmaßnahmen über
und blockierten den Abtransport von Halbfertigprodukten.
Ziel der landesweiten Proteste ist nicht nur der Rücktritt der
Regierung, sondern auch der Stopp der Privatisierung. Der Hintergrund
der zweiten Forderung ist die Verschleuderung des Staats- und
Gesellschaftseigentums, was sich am Beispiel von Smederevo gut
illustrieren läßt: In den Aufbau und die Modernisierung des Stahlwerkes
hat Jugoslawien in den letzten Jahrzehnten umgerechnet über 20
Milliarden US-Dollar investiert. Die gesamte Anlage inclusive
Zweigwerken und einem angeschlossenen Donauhafen ging im Sommer für
ungefähr ein Prozent dieses Wertes, nämlich für 23 Millionen US-Dollar,
in den Besitz von U.S. Steel über.
Die Gewerkschaften haben für diese Woche eine Fortsetzung der
Kampfmaßnahmen angekündigt. Parallel sieht sich die Regierung mit einer
Vertrauensabstimmung im Parlament konfrontiert. Nach dem die
DOS-Koalition schon den Abfall der Kostunica-Partei DSS und der
neoliberalen, aber mafiakritischen G-17 verkraften mußte, besitzt sie
nur noch eine hauchdünne Mehrheit. Zum Zünglein an der Waage könnten
die Stimmen der bisher DOS-loyalen Sozialdemokraten werden, die eine
Unterstützung des Mißtrauensvotums angekündigt haben. Es wird wieder
spannend in Serbien.
* Spenden für die streikenden Stahlarbeiter in Serbien sind auf
folgendes Konto Hamburger Gewerkschafter zu überweisen:
Zahlungsempfänger: Kragujevac/J. Bergmann, Hamburger Sparkasse (BLZ 200
505 50), Konto-Nummer 1230 499 335, Kennwort Smederevo.
=== 4 ===
http://www.b92.net/english/news/index.php?nav_id=25277&style=headlines
Beta, October 29, 2003
Union protests to resume tomorrow
BELGRADE -- Wednesday – The Alliance of Independent
Serbian Unions will resume its street protests in
Belgrade tomorrow.
The Alliance is calling for early parliamentary
elections and a moratorium on the privatisation of
state companies.
Union representatives told media this evening that
they will assemble in central Belgrade tomorrow at
noon.
Union leader Milenko Smiljanic said that the
government’s deadline to meet union demands had passed
and that if no results were achieved from protests in
Belgrade, the unions will take more radical measures.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25286&order=priority&style=headlines
Beta, October 30, 2003
Workers breach police cordon around parliament
BELGRADE -- Thursday – Thousands of angry workers have
broken through a heavily armed police cordon
surrounding the Serbian parliament building in
Belgrade.
The cordon had been holding the crowds back some 50
metres from the building, where a no confidence debate
in the government is currently underway.
Studio B reports that the situation is calm, and that
the police have managed to clear the workers from in
front of the building.
The workers are members of the Alliance of Independent
Serbian Unions. 10,000 attended a rally yesterday in
downtown Belgrade, calling for the dismissal of the
government and a moratorium on the process of
privatisation.
http://www.tanjug.co.yu/
Tanjug, October 30, 2003
Union protest participants clashed with police
15:07 BELGRADE , Oct 30 (Tanjug) - Several hundred
members of the Alliance of Independent Trade Unions of
Serbia (SSSS) and the police guarding the Serbian
Assembly clashed on Thursday when union members tried
to come closer to the Assembly building, where debates
about confidence to the Government are underway.
Several protest participants were injured, according
to the first, unconfirmed information, but the
severity of their injuries is not yet known.
http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/bx/Qserbia-politics-demo.RtGb_DOU.html
Agence France-Presse, October 30, 2003
Protesters, police clash as Serbian government battles
in parliament - Katarina Subasic
BELGRADE, Oct 30 (AFP) - Three protesters were injured
Thursday in clashes with Serbian police on the second
day of demonstrations against the government, which is
battling to survive a no-confidence debate in
parliament.
Scuffles broke out as scores of armed riot police
marched on trade unionists who were threatening to
break into the parliament and interrupt the debate, an
AFP reporter at the scene said.
The incident was immediately seized upon by opposition
politicians inside the assembly, where the government
is struggling to avoid early elections amid confusion
about whether it has a majority or not.
Bojan Pajtic, a member of the ruling coalition,
confirmed that three protesters had been hospitalised
in a "minor" scuffle with police.
The workers are demanding early elections and the
resignation of the government in response to sweeping
economic reforms [sic] introduced after the ouster of
former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic three years
ago.
"Our request is for early elections and the fall of
the government. A government which is not creating an
environment in which you can work and live normally is
no good," union leader Milenko Smiljanic told AFP.
"That's why the workers are on the streets. We've
tried to negotiate with the government 100 times and
we've been tricked 100 times."
Several thousand workers earlier marched to the
parliament in downtown Belgrade to the strains of a
dulcet satirical song condemning the government's
failures.
By late afternoon their numbers had dwindled but their
threats to invade the building apparently prompted the
police action.
Inside the building MPs were debating a no-confidence
motion which could precipitate early elections in what
is seen as the worst political crisis in Serbia since
Milosevic's ouster.
Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic said economic hardship
was "normal" in a country making the transition from
communism and autocracy, and accused his opponents of
creating the mess in the first place.
"If you thought that we were going to defend ourselves
today and in the days ahead then you were wrong,
because we are honoured to have been part of the
project called the normalisation of the Serbian
state," Zivkovic said.
"If we do not have majority in the parliament, we will
call for elections."
Disunity is rife within the group of 17 parties which
form the ruling DOS coalition and the popular
enthusiasm for change which swept the country as
Milosevic was toppled in October 2000 has all but
evaporated.
The government suffered a heavy blow in March this
year when former prime minister Zoran Djindjic, an
unpopular but highly motivated leader, was
assassinated by a mafia sniper.
It has been beset by corruption scandals as well as
increasingly effective attacks from opposition groups
ranging from radical nationalists to liberal
reformers.
Unemployment stands at around 30 percent and many
workers are concerned that they will lose their jobs
as the government sells off thousands of communist-era
businesses to private investors.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25292&order=priority&style=headlines
Beta, October 30, 2003
Police sweep demonstrators from Parliament forecourt
BELGRADE -- Thursday – Three demonstrators were taken
to hospital this afternoon after armed police troops
today drove back protesting workers from the front of
the Serbian Parliament building.
The protesters were injured as they were forced a
hundred metres away the building, where they were held
in place by a cordon of police in full riot gear.
Today’s protest began in nearby Nikola Pasic Square
where about two thousand members of the Alliance of
Independent Serbian Unions began a march on the
parliament.
In a scene reminiscent of protests against the
Milosevic regime, riot police used their shields to
force the marchers off their course.
The Otpor people’s movement told media after today’s
clash that their members had seen a protester being
beaten with a wooden baton by plainclothes police.
Union leader Vlada Andric said this afternoon that the
demonstrators, who had earlier broken through a police
cordon, only wanted to meet political leaders and were
not insisting on entering the parliament.
He added that the breach of the cordon had happened
spontaneously.
Alliance president Milenko Smiljanic told media that
he had asked the parliament to take a short recess in
order to allow marchers to pass the building without
violating a law which bans protests outside the
parliament when it is in session.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/index.php?nav_id=25299&style=headlines
Beta, October 31, 2003
Seven injured in protests
BELGRADE -- Thursday – Seven protesters were admitted
to the Belgrade Emergency Centre with injuries
suffered in today’s clash between union demonstrators
and special police squads.
One woman has been kept in hospital under observation
because of possible complications arriving from her
injuries.
Riot police intervened twice during today’s
demonstrations: first pushing workers back from the
parliament building at about 1.00 p.m. then three
hours later when protesters attempted to break through
a cordon in Kralj Milan Street.
http://www.tanjug.co.yu/
Tanjug - October 30, 2003
Another five injured protesters examined at Emergency Clinic
19:02 BELGRADE - Five people, who were injured in clashes with police
outside the Serbian parliament on Thursday afternoon, were examined at
the Emergency Clinic, head of the Emergency Clinic team on duty Dr
Djordje Bajec told Tanjug.
He said that seven citizens who had taken part in the Independent Trade
Union strike had been admitted in this institution - two of them were
admitted by 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) and the other five later.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25298&order=priority&style=headlines
Beta, October 30, 2003
Union lashes out at “undemocratic behaviour”
BELGRADE -- Thursday – The Alliance of Independent
Serbian Unions has accused the Serbian authorities of
displaying a lack of democracy in today’s violent
clash between union members and police in front of the
Serbian Parliament building.
Union leader Milenko Smiljanic told journalists that
all parliamentary caucuses had condemned the police
reaction and protested against the brutal break-up of
a peaceful demonstration.
He said that the protest would resume tomorrow, but
would not give details except to say that it would
“extended to the whole of Serbia”.
Smiljanic accused the head of the parliament’s
Security Committee, Dragan Sutanovac, of misleading
MPs about the number of injured protesters and denied
his claim that the workers were drunk and drugged.
http://www.tanjug.co.yu/
EEconomy.htm#Trade%20union%20protests%20would%20stop%20only%20if%20early
%20parliamentary%20elections%20were%20called
Tanjug, November 5, 2003
Trade union protests would stop only if early
parliamentary elections were called
20:12 BELGRADE , Nov 4 (Tanjug) - President of the
Association of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia
Milenko Smiljanic said on Tuesday that this trade
union would stop protesting if early parliamentary
elections were called.
This would fulfil the demands of the Association,
Smiljanic said and added that if the Serbian
parliament decided that the Serbian government remain
in office, the Association would continue protests
throughout Serbia, with the final rally in Belgrade,
probably with the participation of the trade union
members of the Kolubara coal mine and Electric Power
Industry of Serbia.
=== 5 ===
LAW ON DISCONTINUATION OF COOPERATION
WITH HAGUE TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE PASSED – BAJATOVIC
Tanjug - October 29, 2003 - NOVI SAD, Oct 29 (Tanjug) - Socialist Party
of Serbia (SPS) Main Board Vice-President Dusan Bajatovic on Wednesday
called on the authorities in Serbia to pass a law on a discontinuation
of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.
After the statements made by top state officials on the latest
indictments issued by the Hague Tribunal, the authorities in Serbia
should, if they are really concerned with the country's dignity, draft
a law on a discontinuation of cooperation with the Tribunal, Bajatovic
told a news conference. "This is something we would all understand," he
said.
GOVERNMENT CRISIS REACHES CLIMAX
Beta - October 30, 2003 - BELGRADE - Thursday - Parliament begins
discussing an opposition motion of no confidence in the Serbian
government today.
The debate was scheduled to begin this morning, and could last several
days.
MPs yesterday completed a no confidence debate in Parliament Speaker
Natasa Micic. A vote on whether to dismiss Micic will be held after the
debate on the government.
Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic is expected to attend today's
sitting, where he will submit a report the first 1,000 days of the
government.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25285&order=priority&style=headlines
B92, October 30, 2003
British firm buys into fourth Serbian dairy
NOVI SAD -- Thursday – British firm Salford is to buy
a controlling stake in Serbian dairy Novosadska
Mlekara for nine million euros, Novi Sad daily Dnevnik
reports.
The dairy’s financial manager, Vladimir Hromis, said
the purchase of a 50.5 per cent share in the company
would have to be approved by the Serbian Securities
Commission. Salford has already bought three larger
dairies in Serbia and has shown interest in Suboticka
Mlekara.
Dnevnik reports that the money from the sale will be
spent on new equipment and on boosting production.
Hromis said the move would help create a system of
local dairies in preparation for increased competition
when Serbia finally joins the European Union.
Salford has its headquarters in the Virgin Islands,
and offices in London, Moscow, Amsterdam and Belgrade.
Elections to be called when premier returns from China - Serbian deputy
premier
Tanjug - November 5, 2003 - 17:51 BELGRADE - The date for calling early
parliamentary elections has not been set yet, but they will certainly
be held, Serbian Deputy Premier Zarko Korac said Wednesday.
The elections will be called when Premier Zoran Zivkovic returns from
his visit to China, Korac said, adding that he cannot say whether they
will be scheduled by the end of this year or later.
(italiano / english / french / deutsch )
1. L'unica cosa disponibile in lingua italiana... Perche' della Serbia
oggi si vergognano (giustamente) di scrivere
2. Les métallos serbes en grève contre US Steel
(Le Marxiste-Léniniste Quotidien)
3. 100 mal betrogen
Straßenkampf in Belgrad. Die serbische Arbeiterbewegung fordert den
Rücktritt der Regierung (von J. Elsaesser)
4. Belgrade: Serbian workers clash with police
5. More agencies:
SPS: Law on discontinuation of cooperation with Hague should be passed
/ Government crisis reaches climax / British firm buys into fourth
Serbian dairy / Elections to be called when premier returns from China
-> Vedi anche / See also:
Interview with Branko V., a Union Activist (by Jared Israel)
http://emperors-clothes.com/news/workers.htm
I lavoratori in piazza a Smederevo e Belgrado (30/10/2003)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2907
Strike At (Now) US-Owned Serbian Steel Plants (16/10/2003)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2869
US Steel to buy Serbia's Sartid steel plant (31/7/2003)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2680
*** LE DONAZIONI PER GLI OPERAI DELLE ACCIAIERIE DI SMEDEREVO IN
SCIOPERO VANNO VERSATE SUL CONTO DEI SINDACATI DI AMBURGO:
Kragujevac/J. Bergmann,
Hamburger Sparkasse (BLZ 200 505 50)
Konto-Nummer 1230 499 335
CAUSALE: Smederevo ***
=== 1 ===
http://www.ansa.it/balcani/serbiamontenegro/serbiamontenegro.shtml
SERBIA: MANIFESTAZIONE SINDACATI, SCONTRI CON POLIZIA
(ANSA) - BELGRADO, 30 OTT - Un migliaio di manifestanti dell'Alleanza
dei sindacati serbi ha tentato stamane, durante un corteo, di entrare
nel palazzo del parlamento repubblicano, provocando l'intervento della
polizia. Gli agenti hanno usato scudi e manganelli, con un bilancio
di alcuni contusi medicati in un vicino ospedale. I deputati -
riuniti in sessione per un dibattito sulla fiducia al governo - hanno
promesso di incontrare i dimostranti al termine dei lavori della
mattinata. L'Alleanza dei sindacati - un tempo vicina al regime di
Slobodan Milosevic, e oggi su posizioni nostalgiche - manifesta da
ieri per elezioni politiche anticipate e il congelamento delle
privatizzazioni. In parlamento, e' in discussione per la seconda
settimana consecutiva una mozione di sfiducia nei confronti del
governo presentatata dalle opposizioni democratiche con il sostegno
dei partiti nostalgici. Gli osservatori serbi non si attendono
comunque un voto sulla fiducia al governo prima delle elezioni
presidenziali del 16 novembre: fra le richieste della mozione c'e'
anche il siluramento della presidente del parlamento e presidente ad
interim del paese Natasa Micic, che se approvato potrebbe lasciare la
presidenza ad interim della Serbia a un socialista del partito di
Milosevic, Ljubisa Maravic, in quanto deputato piu' anziano.
(ANSA). OT
30/10/2003 14:31
=== 2 ===
Les métallos serbes en grève contre US Steel
Neuf mille métallos d'un énorme complexe sidérurgique de Smederevo, en
Serbie, près de Belgrade, sont en grève contre les nouveaux
propriétaires américains. US Steel de Pittsburg, en Pennsylvanie, a
acquis les ateliers de sidérurgie yougoslaves en faillite le 12
septembre. La saisie de l'aciérie par le monopole américain fait partie
du partage du butin de la guerre, les impérialistes américains ayant
réussi, à la tête des troupes de l'OTAN, à démembrer l'ex-Yougoslavie
Les métallos serbes veulent être payés 55 dinars l'heure (moins que
1$US), la réintégration de 450 camarades et le renvoi du directeur
américain Thomas Kelly, qu'ils accusent d'arrogance et d'inflexibilité.
Kelly s'est contenté de dire que la grève est "illégale" et a demandé
au ministère du Travail de Serbie d'imposer un retour au travail et de
lui permettre de congédier les 450 travailleurs et de maintenir les
salaires.
La saisie des ateliers de sidérurgie serbes est le deuxième coup de US
Steel dans l'ex-Yougoslavie. Il y a trois ans, après que les forces de
l'OTAN, incluant des soldats canadiens, aient capturé l'ex-république
yougoslave de Slovénie pour le compte des capitalistes monopolistes, US
Steel s'est vu remettre les aciéries nationales de la Slovénie et en a
depuis tiré des profits faramineux. Le vol d'avoirs nationaux comme les
aciéries et les gisements pétrolifères au terme d'une conquête
militaire outre-mer est la méthode préférée des monopoles américains,
européens et japonais pour maintenir leurs profits élevés et se faire
concurrence l'un l'autre sur le marché mondial.
US Steel espère répéter le même scénario en s'emparant de l'énorme
complexe sidérurgique de la Serbie. Il aurait obtenu le produit social
fixe des aciéries serbes et le droit d'exploiter les 9 000 métallos
pour la somme risible de 23 millions $. L'étroite collaboration entre
l'armée américaine et US Steel outre-mer est évidente dans la grande
considération accordée aux dirigeants de US Steel par l'ex-commandant
militaire et maintenant secrétaire d'État Colin Powell. Ce dernier a
récemment remis au président de US Steel, Thomas J. Usher, le Prix de
l'excellence en affaires du département d'État américain, citant "ses
pratiques exemplaires d'entreprise citoyenne" en épublique de Slovénie.
La saisie de propriété outre-mer
Les monopoles américains et canadiens de l'acier se plaignent des bas
prix de l'acier étranger et pourtant un des plus grands monopoles
américains est fortement impliqué dans l'exploitation et la production
d'acier à bon marché en Europe. L'acier bon marché produite en Slovénie
sous contrôle américain se retrouve- t-il sur les marchés canadiens et
américains? Cette campagne pour des tarifs sur l'acier que mènent les
monopoles américains est- elle une manoeuvre pour détourner les
métallos de la riposte à la défense de leurs intérêts vitaux face à la
restructuration et au chantage à propos de la faillite?
Les métallos américains et canadiens doivent bien réfléchir à la
signification de la saisie d'aciéries outre-mer par des monopoles
américains au terme de la conquête militaire. L'armée canadienne est
très impliquée dans des aventures outre-mer. Elle joue un rôle
significatif au sein de l'OTAN, elle a joué un rôle dans le
démembrement de la Yougoslavie et elle est maintenant participante à la
guerre internationale sans limite des États- Unis pour s'emparer de
territoires.
Les mêmes vautours capitalistes détruisent la production de l'acier au
Canada et aux États-Unis et restructurent tout en s'emparant de la
production de l'acier et en exploitant les travailleurs étrangers. Un
changement de direction et de pensée s'impose pour les travailleurs et
leurs syndicats. Les propriétaires du capital n'ont qu'un intérêt
étroit dans leurs propres monopoles et il tient uniquement au taux de
profit. Ils s'intéressent à l'existence d'une industrie nationale de
l'acier uniquement dans la mesure où cela sert leur monopole
particulier. Ils déménagent allègrement leurs capitaux ailleurs si le
taux de profit est plus élevé. Les métallos doivent saisir ce fait de
la vie économique: les détenteurs du capital n'ont qu'un intérêt
étroit, momentané, dans la propriété industrielle et encore plus étroit
et momentané dans l'existence d'une industrie nationale.
(....) US Steel a été impitoyable envers ses travailleurs américains
dans sa campagne de restructuration antiouvrière. Une enquête devrait
être établie pour déterminer si l'acier bon marché provenant des
aciéries contrôlées par US Steel en Slovénie est en partie responsable
de l'effondrement des prix de l'acier au Canada et aux États-Unis. Les
monopoles américains ont réussi à saper la riposte des métallos à la
restructuration en utilisant une partie considérable des ressources et
des énergies des syndicats pour une campagne en faveur de tarifs pour
contrer l'importation de l'acier bon marché. Bon nombre d'observateurs
prétendent que la campagne pour les tarifs est une manoeuvre pour saper
la riposte des métallos à la défense de leurs intérêts vitaux et d'une
véritable industrie nationale de l'acier au service de l'économie
nationale.
Source : Le Marxiste-Léniniste Quotidien
http://www.anti-imperialism.net/lai/
article_lai.phtml?section=A1ABBBACBA&object_id=21653
or
http://www.cpcml.ca/francais/lmlq/Q33119.htm#4
=== 3 ===
http://www.artel.co.yu/de/izbor/jugoslavija/2003-11-04_1.html
Junge Welt - BU: 30. Oktober: Gewerkschafter durchbrechen den
Polizeikordon vor dem Parlamentsgebäude in Belgrad.
Jürgen Elsässer
100 mal betrogen
"Wir haben hundert mal mit der Regierung zu verhandeln versucht, und
wir wurden hundert mal betrogen. Deswegen sind die Arbeiter auf der
Straße." Mit diesen Worten begründete Milenko Smiljanic, Führer der
Unabhängigen Serbischen Gewerkschaften, warum es letzte Woche zu den
größten Protesten seit dem Sturz von Slobodan Milosevic im Herbst 2000
gekommen ist. Das Besondere an den Demonstrationen war der
Schulterschluß zwischen Smiljanics Syndikat, das ursprünglich dem heute
in Serbien regierenden DOS-Parteienbündnis nahestand, mit den alten
Links-Gewerkschaften. "Als wir die Herren an der Macht damals gewählt
und unterstützt haben, haben wir nicht geglaubt, daß die ihre
Gerechtigkeit und ihre Demokratie auf dem Rücken der Arbeiter errichten
würden", entrüsteten sich die Kohle-Kumpel der Kolubara-Mine in einer
Presseerklärung. Spätestens bei diesem Statement muß im Büro von
Premier Zoran Zivkovic die Alarmstufe rot ausgerufen worden sein: Der
Streik in Kolubara Ende September 2000 war das unmittelbare Vorspiel
zum Marsch auf Belgrad gewesen, der dem am 5. Oktober die
sozialistische Regierung hinweggefegt hatte.
Damit der DOS-Herrschaft nicht ähnliches widerfuhr, versetzte
Polizeiminister Dusan Mihajlovic seine Truppen in Alarmbereitschaft.
Als am vergangenen Mittwoch Gewerkschafter aus dem ganzen Land nach
Belgrad aufbrachen, war die Hauptstadt bereits weiträumig abgesperrt.
Viele wurden an den Checkpoints gestoppt und mußten umkehren. Trotzdem
versammelten sich schließlich 10 - 12.000 Kolleginnen und Kollegen vor
der Skupstina, dem serbischen Parlament. Die Fraktionen der
Sozialistischen und der Radikalen Partei sowie Abgeordnete der
Demokratischen Partei Serbiens (DSS) des letzten jugoslawischen
Präsidenten Vojislav Kostunica verließen den Plenarsaal und schlossen
sich den Arbeitern an.
Bei der Fortsetzung der Proteste am nächsten Tag forderten 3 - 5000
Menschen Zugang zum Parlament. Dabei kam es zum bisher schwersten
Polizeieinsatz seit der sogenannten Oktoberrevolution 2000. In
Tränengasausrüstung, mit Schilden und Knüppeln trieben die
Ordnungshüter die Menge auseinander. Mindestens sieben Gewerkschafter,
darunter drei Frauen, wurden verletzt. "Es gab keinen exzessiven
Einsatz von Gewalt, und es wird auch keinen geben, solange diese
Regierung im Amt ist, und das heißt für die nächsten Jahrzehnte",
rechtfertigte sich Zivkovic später. Die Kohlekumpel in Kolubara sahen
das ganz anders und verlangten eine persönliche Entschuldigung des
Regierungschefs. "Wir dachten, daß der Polizeiknüppel ein Instrument
der Vergangenheit sei", heißt es in ihrer Presseklärung.
Am Freitag gingen die Demonstrationen am dritten Tag in Folge weiter.
Zwar waren in Belgrad nur noch einige hundert auf der Straße, dafür
aber in Krusevac über 3000. Drei der am Vortag Verletzten waren aus
dieser mittelserbischen Stadt gekommen. Parallel wurde der Streik im
größten serbischen Stahlwerk in Smederevo fortgesetzt, wo die 10.000
Beschäftigten seit über zwei Wochen eine Lohnerhöhung von 33 auf 55
Dinar (knapp ein Euro) fordern (vgl. jW, 28. Oktober). Von der passiven
Arbeitsniederlegung gingen die Kollegen zu aktiven Kampfmaßnahmen über
und blockierten den Abtransport von Halbfertigprodukten.
Ziel der landesweiten Proteste ist nicht nur der Rücktritt der
Regierung, sondern auch der Stopp der Privatisierung. Der Hintergrund
der zweiten Forderung ist die Verschleuderung des Staats- und
Gesellschaftseigentums, was sich am Beispiel von Smederevo gut
illustrieren läßt: In den Aufbau und die Modernisierung des Stahlwerkes
hat Jugoslawien in den letzten Jahrzehnten umgerechnet über 20
Milliarden US-Dollar investiert. Die gesamte Anlage inclusive
Zweigwerken und einem angeschlossenen Donauhafen ging im Sommer für
ungefähr ein Prozent dieses Wertes, nämlich für 23 Millionen US-Dollar,
in den Besitz von U.S. Steel über.
Die Gewerkschaften haben für diese Woche eine Fortsetzung der
Kampfmaßnahmen angekündigt. Parallel sieht sich die Regierung mit einer
Vertrauensabstimmung im Parlament konfrontiert. Nach dem die
DOS-Koalition schon den Abfall der Kostunica-Partei DSS und der
neoliberalen, aber mafiakritischen G-17 verkraften mußte, besitzt sie
nur noch eine hauchdünne Mehrheit. Zum Zünglein an der Waage könnten
die Stimmen der bisher DOS-loyalen Sozialdemokraten werden, die eine
Unterstützung des Mißtrauensvotums angekündigt haben. Es wird wieder
spannend in Serbien.
* Spenden für die streikenden Stahlarbeiter in Serbien sind auf
folgendes Konto Hamburger Gewerkschafter zu überweisen:
Zahlungsempfänger: Kragujevac/J. Bergmann, Hamburger Sparkasse (BLZ 200
505 50), Konto-Nummer 1230 499 335, Kennwort Smederevo.
=== 4 ===
http://www.b92.net/english/news/index.php?nav_id=25277&style=headlines
Beta, October 29, 2003
Union protests to resume tomorrow
BELGRADE -- Wednesday – The Alliance of Independent
Serbian Unions will resume its street protests in
Belgrade tomorrow.
The Alliance is calling for early parliamentary
elections and a moratorium on the privatisation of
state companies.
Union representatives told media this evening that
they will assemble in central Belgrade tomorrow at
noon.
Union leader Milenko Smiljanic said that the
government’s deadline to meet union demands had passed
and that if no results were achieved from protests in
Belgrade, the unions will take more radical measures.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25286&order=priority&style=headlines
Beta, October 30, 2003
Workers breach police cordon around parliament
BELGRADE -- Thursday – Thousands of angry workers have
broken through a heavily armed police cordon
surrounding the Serbian parliament building in
Belgrade.
The cordon had been holding the crowds back some 50
metres from the building, where a no confidence debate
in the government is currently underway.
Studio B reports that the situation is calm, and that
the police have managed to clear the workers from in
front of the building.
The workers are members of the Alliance of Independent
Serbian Unions. 10,000 attended a rally yesterday in
downtown Belgrade, calling for the dismissal of the
government and a moratorium on the process of
privatisation.
http://www.tanjug.co.yu/
Tanjug, October 30, 2003
Union protest participants clashed with police
15:07 BELGRADE , Oct 30 (Tanjug) - Several hundred
members of the Alliance of Independent Trade Unions of
Serbia (SSSS) and the police guarding the Serbian
Assembly clashed on Thursday when union members tried
to come closer to the Assembly building, where debates
about confidence to the Government are underway.
Several protest participants were injured, according
to the first, unconfirmed information, but the
severity of their injuries is not yet known.
http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/bx/Qserbia-politics-demo.RtGb_DOU.html
Agence France-Presse, October 30, 2003
Protesters, police clash as Serbian government battles
in parliament - Katarina Subasic
BELGRADE, Oct 30 (AFP) - Three protesters were injured
Thursday in clashes with Serbian police on the second
day of demonstrations against the government, which is
battling to survive a no-confidence debate in
parliament.
Scuffles broke out as scores of armed riot police
marched on trade unionists who were threatening to
break into the parliament and interrupt the debate, an
AFP reporter at the scene said.
The incident was immediately seized upon by opposition
politicians inside the assembly, where the government
is struggling to avoid early elections amid confusion
about whether it has a majority or not.
Bojan Pajtic, a member of the ruling coalition,
confirmed that three protesters had been hospitalised
in a "minor" scuffle with police.
The workers are demanding early elections and the
resignation of the government in response to sweeping
economic reforms [sic] introduced after the ouster of
former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic three years
ago.
"Our request is for early elections and the fall of
the government. A government which is not creating an
environment in which you can work and live normally is
no good," union leader Milenko Smiljanic told AFP.
"That's why the workers are on the streets. We've
tried to negotiate with the government 100 times and
we've been tricked 100 times."
Several thousand workers earlier marched to the
parliament in downtown Belgrade to the strains of a
dulcet satirical song condemning the government's
failures.
By late afternoon their numbers had dwindled but their
threats to invade the building apparently prompted the
police action.
Inside the building MPs were debating a no-confidence
motion which could precipitate early elections in what
is seen as the worst political crisis in Serbia since
Milosevic's ouster.
Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic said economic hardship
was "normal" in a country making the transition from
communism and autocracy, and accused his opponents of
creating the mess in the first place.
"If you thought that we were going to defend ourselves
today and in the days ahead then you were wrong,
because we are honoured to have been part of the
project called the normalisation of the Serbian
state," Zivkovic said.
"If we do not have majority in the parliament, we will
call for elections."
Disunity is rife within the group of 17 parties which
form the ruling DOS coalition and the popular
enthusiasm for change which swept the country as
Milosevic was toppled in October 2000 has all but
evaporated.
The government suffered a heavy blow in March this
year when former prime minister Zoran Djindjic, an
unpopular but highly motivated leader, was
assassinated by a mafia sniper.
It has been beset by corruption scandals as well as
increasingly effective attacks from opposition groups
ranging from radical nationalists to liberal
reformers.
Unemployment stands at around 30 percent and many
workers are concerned that they will lose their jobs
as the government sells off thousands of communist-era
businesses to private investors.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25292&order=priority&style=headlines
Beta, October 30, 2003
Police sweep demonstrators from Parliament forecourt
BELGRADE -- Thursday – Three demonstrators were taken
to hospital this afternoon after armed police troops
today drove back protesting workers from the front of
the Serbian Parliament building.
The protesters were injured as they were forced a
hundred metres away the building, where they were held
in place by a cordon of police in full riot gear.
Today’s protest began in nearby Nikola Pasic Square
where about two thousand members of the Alliance of
Independent Serbian Unions began a march on the
parliament.
In a scene reminiscent of protests against the
Milosevic regime, riot police used their shields to
force the marchers off their course.
The Otpor people’s movement told media after today’s
clash that their members had seen a protester being
beaten with a wooden baton by plainclothes police.
Union leader Vlada Andric said this afternoon that the
demonstrators, who had earlier broken through a police
cordon, only wanted to meet political leaders and were
not insisting on entering the parliament.
He added that the breach of the cordon had happened
spontaneously.
Alliance president Milenko Smiljanic told media that
he had asked the parliament to take a short recess in
order to allow marchers to pass the building without
violating a law which bans protests outside the
parliament when it is in session.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/index.php?nav_id=25299&style=headlines
Beta, October 31, 2003
Seven injured in protests
BELGRADE -- Thursday – Seven protesters were admitted
to the Belgrade Emergency Centre with injuries
suffered in today’s clash between union demonstrators
and special police squads.
One woman has been kept in hospital under observation
because of possible complications arriving from her
injuries.
Riot police intervened twice during today’s
demonstrations: first pushing workers back from the
parliament building at about 1.00 p.m. then three
hours later when protesters attempted to break through
a cordon in Kralj Milan Street.
http://www.tanjug.co.yu/
Tanjug - October 30, 2003
Another five injured protesters examined at Emergency Clinic
19:02 BELGRADE - Five people, who were injured in clashes with police
outside the Serbian parliament on Thursday afternoon, were examined at
the Emergency Clinic, head of the Emergency Clinic team on duty Dr
Djordje Bajec told Tanjug.
He said that seven citizens who had taken part in the Independent Trade
Union strike had been admitted in this institution - two of them were
admitted by 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) and the other five later.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25298&order=priority&style=headlines
Beta, October 30, 2003
Union lashes out at “undemocratic behaviour”
BELGRADE -- Thursday – The Alliance of Independent
Serbian Unions has accused the Serbian authorities of
displaying a lack of democracy in today’s violent
clash between union members and police in front of the
Serbian Parliament building.
Union leader Milenko Smiljanic told journalists that
all parliamentary caucuses had condemned the police
reaction and protested against the brutal break-up of
a peaceful demonstration.
He said that the protest would resume tomorrow, but
would not give details except to say that it would
“extended to the whole of Serbia”.
Smiljanic accused the head of the parliament’s
Security Committee, Dragan Sutanovac, of misleading
MPs about the number of injured protesters and denied
his claim that the workers were drunk and drugged.
http://www.tanjug.co.yu/
EEconomy.htm#Trade%20union%20protests%20would%20stop%20only%20if%20early
%20parliamentary%20elections%20were%20called
Tanjug, November 5, 2003
Trade union protests would stop only if early
parliamentary elections were called
20:12 BELGRADE , Nov 4 (Tanjug) - President of the
Association of Independent Trade Unions of Serbia
Milenko Smiljanic said on Tuesday that this trade
union would stop protesting if early parliamentary
elections were called.
This would fulfil the demands of the Association,
Smiljanic said and added that if the Serbian
parliament decided that the Serbian government remain
in office, the Association would continue protests
throughout Serbia, with the final rally in Belgrade,
probably with the participation of the trade union
members of the Kolubara coal mine and Electric Power
Industry of Serbia.
=== 5 ===
LAW ON DISCONTINUATION OF COOPERATION
WITH HAGUE TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE PASSED – BAJATOVIC
Tanjug - October 29, 2003 - NOVI SAD, Oct 29 (Tanjug) - Socialist Party
of Serbia (SPS) Main Board Vice-President Dusan Bajatovic on Wednesday
called on the authorities in Serbia to pass a law on a discontinuation
of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.
After the statements made by top state officials on the latest
indictments issued by the Hague Tribunal, the authorities in Serbia
should, if they are really concerned with the country's dignity, draft
a law on a discontinuation of cooperation with the Tribunal, Bajatovic
told a news conference. "This is something we would all understand," he
said.
GOVERNMENT CRISIS REACHES CLIMAX
Beta - October 30, 2003 - BELGRADE - Thursday - Parliament begins
discussing an opposition motion of no confidence in the Serbian
government today.
The debate was scheduled to begin this morning, and could last several
days.
MPs yesterday completed a no confidence debate in Parliament Speaker
Natasa Micic. A vote on whether to dismiss Micic will be held after the
debate on the government.
Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic is expected to attend today's
sitting, where he will submit a report the first 1,000 days of the
government.
http://www.b92.net/english/news/
index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=25285&order=priority&style=headlines
B92, October 30, 2003
British firm buys into fourth Serbian dairy
NOVI SAD -- Thursday – British firm Salford is to buy
a controlling stake in Serbian dairy Novosadska
Mlekara for nine million euros, Novi Sad daily Dnevnik
reports.
The dairy’s financial manager, Vladimir Hromis, said
the purchase of a 50.5 per cent share in the company
would have to be approved by the Serbian Securities
Commission. Salford has already bought three larger
dairies in Serbia and has shown interest in Suboticka
Mlekara.
Dnevnik reports that the money from the sale will be
spent on new equipment and on boosting production.
Hromis said the move would help create a system of
local dairies in preparation for increased competition
when Serbia finally joins the European Union.
Salford has its headquarters in the Virgin Islands,
and offices in London, Moscow, Amsterdam and Belgrade.
Elections to be called when premier returns from China - Serbian deputy
premier
Tanjug - November 5, 2003 - 17:51 BELGRADE - The date for calling early
parliamentary elections has not been set yet, but they will certainly
be held, Serbian Deputy Premier Zarko Korac said Wednesday.
The elections will be called when Premier Zoran Zivkovic returns from
his visit to China, Korac said, adding that he cannot say whether they
will be scheduled by the end of this year or later.