A visit to Yugoslavia 1999

President Slobodan Milosevic 

By Monty Makwabe. Athens, Greece 

Ambassador Dawie Jacobs, accompanied by Monty Makwabe. visited the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from 26 to 27 October 1999 to present his credentials to President Slobodan Milosevic and to evaluate the present situation. Besides a 1 hour 15 minutes meeting with the President, meetings were also held with other members of the Government. the opposition, organised trade, the church, the media and foreign diplomats.

During a visit to the Province of Montenegro, which is in opposition to Belgrade, similar discussions
were held, including a meeting with President Mr Milo Djukanovic.

The warm and enthusiastic reception in Belgrade is no doubt related to the degree of isolation of the country and the expectations that South Africa, seen by them as a friendly country, could somehow assist their return to the N.A.M. of which former Yugoslavia was a founding member.

Ambassador Jacobs explained South Africa’s position during all discussions as being founded on the basis of respect for human rights and the peaceful resolution of conflict and that it is up to the Yugoslavians themselves to find a solution.