Bozovic on the "Silk Road"

Bozovic was joined on the "silk road" by a retinue of businessmen - around 50 of them - representing some 20 (!?) Yugoslav firms. Hence, the main purpose of the trip was the "promotion of mutual economic cooperation".

After years of trouble with commodity lists and smooth-spoken promises of both sides, the total trade between Yugoslavia and China (Slovenian and Croatian participation have been excluded from the calculation since September), has barely reached US$ 230 million, while a year ago it was just under US$ 200 million. In both cases, Chinese exports to Yugoslavia exceeded Yugoslav exports to China. Although the local "index-makers" have attributed a 154% increase to the Yugoslav side in 1991, in figures this stands at only US$ 63.5 million worth of exports to the "world's largest market" (the basis for the calculation were the meager US$ 27.5 million exported in 1990).

Probably presented with these facts, pressured by the alarming isolation of Serbia and its economy within its most immediate neighborhood, the Prime Minister embarked on a long trip, to be a guest of the Beijing regime, from which the vivid memories of the Tienanmenh Square massacre keep all foreign statesmen, politicians and prominent figures as far away as it is possible.

Reliable sources told VREME that Vladislav Jovanovic, the Foreign Minister in Bozovic's government, was against the PM's trip to Beijing. The Foreign Minister's discord with the PM's move might be nothing more than a transient misunderstanding. Although undoubtedly popular, the Foreign Minister has lately been facing more and more difficulties. At the last closed session of the Parliament, he was allegedly criticized by some MPs for not advocating Serbian interests with enough firmness. As the well-informed further claim, Mr. Jovanovic has began to "collide" with some other members of Bozovic's government as well.