The federal military Wednesday called for the preservation of Yugoslavia's internal borders as the leaders of the three main ethnic groups met to discuss the contentious issue upon which the stability of the six-republic federation hinges.
The military's position was laid out by federal Defense Minister Veljko Kadijevic in talks with officers in southern Yugo-slavia.The publication of such statements is rare, indicating the military intended that Kadijevic's comments be released to coincide with the talks in the Adriatic city of Split among presidents Franjo Tudjman of Croatia, Alija Izetbegovic of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia.
Kadijevic was quoted by the Tanjug news agency as saying the military wants the multi-ethnic federation "preserved with its present borders, with complete economic reforms and the political transformation of Yugoslav society in a peaceful and democratic way."
"Now is the last moment to halt anarchy and lawlessness," he said.
Kadijevic called for "constructive and efficient negotiations" among the republics to "avoid bloodshed" and resolve a feud over the future of the multi-ethnic federation of 23 million.
Nationalist-ruled Croatia and Slovenia want Yugoslavia dissolved into a common market-style "association" of independent states to escape perceived domination by the 8.5 million-strong Serbian majority. Both plan to declare independence this month with or without the agreement of the other republics.
Serbia is demanding either the preservation of the federation or the redrawing of internal borders so that all Serbs live in one state to guarantee their political and civil rights.