(9 Jan 1995) Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic on Monday (9/1) bluntly and
publicly disagreed with a senior US diplomat on an international
peace plan for Bosnia, insisting it was more than simply a basis
for talks. At a news conference in Sarajevo, US Assistant
Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke was telling reporters that
the five-nation Contact Group wanted the warring parties to accept
a six-month-old peace plan as a basis for new negotiations, when
he was interrupted by Silajdzic. "That is your position, Mr
Holbrooke. But for Bosnia-Herzegovina the plan was `take it or
leave it', Silajdzic said. Holbrooke responded, "I would not worry
too much about the phraseology." The statement followed a meeting
with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic, who had repeated his
government's insistence that before peace talks can resume, "the
Serb side must accept the peace plan." Holbrooke also said that
the UN would make fresh efforts to verify that Bosnian troops had
left contested territory above Sarajevo. Holbrooke said Washington
is "not yet satisfied that the cessation of hostilities is fully
implemented."
Meanwhile, the new head of United Nations Civilian Affairs for former Yugoslavia, Pierre Michel Musalli, arrived in Sarajevo on Monday for talks with the Bosnian leaders.
SHOWS:
SARAJEVO, BOSNIA 9/1
0.00 Three shot at press conference incl from left: Bosnian
Prime Minister, Haris Silajdic; Bosnian President,
Alija Izetbegovic and US Assistant Secretary of State,
Richard Holbrooke. Holbrooke sot:
"We are not yet satisfied that the cessation of
hostilities have been fully implemented."
0.06 cutaway of press
0.08 Alija Izetbegovic talking.
0.14 Cutaway of press
0.16 sot Haris Silajdic,
"We were asked to accept it. It was take it or leave it
completely. Now it seems that the position has shifted
a little bit when it comes to the aggressor representatives
to give an answer. Just to note that we have accepted under
the terms of take it or leave it. We took it, they left
it."
0.42 shot pulls out
"I think Haris that you and I agree and I wouldn't worry
too much about the phraseology. We are seeking the
acceptance of the contact group plan as a starting point
for negotiations."
1.00 UN New Head of Civilian Affairs for former Yugoslavia,
Pierre Michel Musalli gets out of car and walks into
presidential building
1.08 Silajdic at table
1.10 cutaway of cameraman. pans to table group incl Musalli.
1.17 wide of group around table.
1.20 ends
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22 авг 2024