Mrs Thatcher charms Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia has had to wait for almost 30 years for a British Prime Minister to visit the country, but Mrs Margaret Thatcher has more than made up for it with a crowded programme, at the end of which she emphasized the value Britain attached to Yugoslavia's independence and integrity and its role among non-aligned nations.
Since arriving, Mrs Thatcher has made a point of meeting the people as well as the Yugoslav leaders. In Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, where she arrived last night, she received kisses and cheers from the crowds as she toured the shopping centre which, like everything else in this city, was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake in 1963.
In Dubrovnik, the ancient Adriatic port, British tourists pressed for a handshake as she walked through the city, visiting the modern hotels and historic monastries. A Yugoslav woman took her baby out of the pram and asked the Prime Minister to be photographed with them.
During her visit Mrs Thatcher has done everything to emphasize the continuity of Britain's policy of supporting Yugoslavia's independence.
A joint communiqué issued by the two countries reveals a great deal of agreement on a number of issues, including Afghanistan. While the Yugoslavs do not want to throw the blame for the situation entirely on Russia, the two sides jointly urged the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and stated their opposition to use of force to interfere with independence of other countries.
Joint statement: During the visit Mrs Thatcher and Mr Veselin Djuranovic, the Yugoslav Prime Minister, said in a joint statement: “Relations between all states must be based on respect of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, non-intervention in internal affairs, the inadmissibility of attempts to expand influence through the threat or use of force and equal cooperation” .—Reuter.