(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 30 September 1998 press release by the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), forwarded in its entirety by AMARC: **For background, see IFEX alert of 29 September 1998** We have just received the official information from the Council of Europe that the Yugoslav authorities have failed to give any […]
(AMARC/IFEX) – The following is a 30 September 1998 press release by the
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), forwarded in its
entirety by AMARC:
**For background, see IFEX alert of 29 September 1998**
We have just received the official information from the Council of Europe
that the Yugoslav authorities have failed to give any guarantees as to the
issuance of visas to the participants of the Broadcasting for a Democratic
Europe conference in Belgrade, which was to take place on [2 to 3 October
1998]. We regret to note that, in spite of the fact that Council of Europe
highest representatives announced their attendance, along with Mr Giorgos
Papandreou, who is presiding the organization, the Yugoslav authorities
refused to act in a civilized and decent manner.
The de facto ban of the conference is in great discrepancy with the
intentions of the Yugoslav government to rejoin the Council of Europe as a
full-fledged member, especially if we bear in mind the fact that this was
meant to be the first conference organized in FR Yugoslavia under the
auspices of the Council of Europe. Such behavior by the Yugoslav authorities
suggests that they have abandoned the idea that Yugoslavia be re-integrated
in the European society of states. ANEM, as the organizer of the conference,
along with a majority of Yugoslav citizens, rejects this position.
Therefore, we announce today that we were forced to postpone the conference.
However, we remain determined to host the conference as soon as possible. We
are assured that in this matter we will have resolute support by the
democratically minded community and all independent media.
On behalf of ANEM,
Veran Matic
ANEM Chairman
