Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- Yugo hopes for US backing in debt talks-minister BELGRADE, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Yugoslavia said on Saturday it hoped the United States would help it reach an international debt settlement and return it to most favoured nation status. Yugoslavia's Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic told reporters he was "very pleased" with talks he, Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus and Serbia's Finance Minister Bozidar Djelic had during three-day visit to Washington. "I'm very encouraged by support I expect from the United States ahead of the talks scheduled for autumn," Svilanovic said at Belgrade airport upon his return. He referred to the talks with Paris Club, and subsequent discussions with the London Club of commercial bank creditors, both to begin in September. Yugoslavia's total foreign debt is around $12.2 billion. Its debt to the Paris Club is estimated at some $4,4 billion and to the London Club at $2.8 billions. Belgrade has indicated it would seek a 67 percent debt write-off from the Paris Club and at least as much from the London Club. "I expect the European governments to show an equal level of understanding (in debts talks) we have met in the States," Svilanovic said, adding that the lion's share of Yugoslavia's debt is to Great Britain, France and the United States. Svilanovic, one of the DOS reformist leaders, who ousted former President Slobodan Milosevic, currently awaiting trial on war crimes charges before a U.N. war crimes court, said the Yugoslav delegation had meetings with all U.S. officials related to the debt issue, including Secretary of State Colin Powell. "We also agreed that already in September we'll normalise trade relations between Yugoslavia and America and then we'll start talking on getting most favoured nation status," said Svilanovic. Yugoslavia enjoyed that status for decades but it was abolished when an international trade embargo was imposed on the country for its role in wars in 1990s, during the violent break-up of the former Balkan federation. Last month, the U.S. government's Overseas Private Investment Corporation signed a deal to boost private U.S. investment in Yugoslavia and support its economic reforms. 10:16 08-04-01 ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
