DUMA VOTES TO LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON RUMP YUGOSLAVIA, TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON CROATIA.

Publication: Monitor Volume: 1 Issue: 73

The Russian press reportedon August 12 that the Duma voted by 226 to 1 for Russia’s unilateralwithdrawal from the international sanctions against rump Yugoslavia.By 235 to 0, the chamber voted to allow Russian firms to tradewith firms in rump Yugoslavia in order to supply goods and servicesneeded for humanitarian relief, including fuels and raw materials,foodstuffs, construction equipment, and other goods. Also authorizedwere money transfers for assistance to Serbs deemed to have beenvictimized by Croatia.

By 234 to 0, the Duma voted to impose economic sanctions on Croatiabecause of its "open genocide against Serbs." The lawbans all business transactions between Russian firms and firmswholly or partly financed by Croatian capital. It also suspendsthe activities of Croatian firms or joint ventures in Russia,and freezes their assets. The ban is to remain in force untilthe [unspecified] rights of Krajina Serbs are restored.

Finally, the Duma adopted a statement "On Croatia’s Aggressionand Its Consequences" which demands "a halt to the genocideagainst the Serb people."

Russia’s Democratic Choice leaders Yegor Gaidar and Sergei Yushenkovspoke against unilateral Russian actions and in favor of internationallycoordinated steps to lift the sanctions against rump Yugoslavia.However in the end the reformist group did not vote against themeasures.

If the Federation Council approves the lower chambers’ legislationwithin the next two weeks, the measures will go to Boris Yeltsinfor approval, which may be forthcoming. At his August 10 meetingwith Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic, Yeltsin called foran end to international sanctions on rump Yugoslavia, and warnedthat Russia may lift the sanctions unilaterally.

Chechnya: Stalemate in Grozny.