MARCH 31, 1999

C U R R E N T   A F F A I R S

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The killing of the ethnic Albanian man took place at a demonstration held on Prague's Namesti Miru on Monday. The event was organised by several human rights' agencies and was held to call for the Yugoslav government to sign the NATO peace accord and thus end the conflict in Kosovo. The demonstration was marked by fights between pro-NATO and pro-Serbian supporters. It was brought to halt by a bomb threat, which eventually turned out to be a hoax. The police began clearing the square, and it was then that the killing took place.

Eye witnesses reported that the two men were arguing, then one of them pulled out a gun and shot the victim at point blank range in the chest. As the he fell to the ground, the attacker fired two more shots into his body. The killer was detained by the police at the scene.

It was originally believed that the murderer was Serbian, and that the killing was politically motivated. The Czech police revealed on Tuesday, however, that the attacker is also an ethnic Albanian from Kosovo and that the dispute and murder were caused by a long-term family feud. The victim was apparently a Bulgarian based businessman, and the killer, also a businessman, is based here in the Czech Republic.

Earlier I spoke to the spokeswoman for Prague Police Headquarters, Andrea Zoulova, and I asked her what the cause of the murder was...

"According to the latest information we have, following the questioning of the perpetrator, it seems that this was probably a settling of old scores between the families of the two foreigners. So far the police have ruled out a political motive, but it is of course possible that with further questioning or from information gathered over the next few days that a political motive may be found, but at this point there is no political motive evident".

In his letter, addressed to president Havel and dated March 25th,1999 the American head of state says: As NATO begins its air strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, I want to thank you personally for the strong support you have given to the Alliance in making this difficult and important decision. Alliance solidarity has been crucial in backing up diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Kosovo. Now, that solidarity is just as crucial as we commence air operations. As you know, president Clinton writes in his letter to president Havel,we have reached this point because Belgrade's sustained and accelerating repression in Kosovo is again creating a strategic and humanitarian crisis of staggering dimension. This is a conflict with no natural boundaries that could spread into a larger war in the heart of Europe. Our objective in Kosovo, president Clinton continues, must remain to stop the killing, maintain stability in a key part of Europe, and achieve a durable peace that prevents further repression and provides for democratic self-government for the Kosovar people.

We all know that the risks of action are real. But we also know that the danger of inaction far outweighs these risks. As we move ahead, I want you to know how much I appreciate land am counting on your strong and continued support and look forward to saying in close touch in the coming days.

Sincerely,

William J.Clinton

President Clinton's letter to Vaclav Havel comes at a time when discussions about the consequences of NATO raids on Yugoslavia, are very much alive in the Czech Republic. President Havel has, so far, been the only prominent politician to univocal support the NATO action against the Milosevic regime.

"Minister Basta informed me in his letter that the name the government is considering is that of Mr. Ruzek", Necas noted. Jiri Ruzek is currently heading the army's intelligence service. But before anyone elected by the government can be appointed as head of the BIS, parliament's Committe of Defence and Security has to give its approval first and Necas does not consider a letter from Minister Basta to be an official announcement which in his view has to be made in the name of the government, by its chairman. Necas therefore expects to receive such a notice shortly.

It was revealed, however, that the government has been covering this topic and that Basta was entrusted to discuss the matter with Necas's office.

But Minister Basta himself refuses to confirm Ruzek's nomination and has so far only made general comments:

"I still insist that it can only be a person who is above all an intelligence officer with several years of experience in the political field, so that he can be accepted by all", Basta stressed.

The post of Head of BIS has been vacant since January 27th this year when the government removed Karel Vulterin from office allegedly due to serious unprofessional conducts. The post is tentatively being held by Jaroslav Jira, who used to be Vulterin's deputy.

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