EC Recognition of Croatia Stirs Anger in Serbia

Serbia expressed outrage Tuesday over the European Community’s decision to recognize two secessionist Yugoslav republics as independent states and warned that the action will prolong hostilities between warring Serbs and Croats.

Radovan Karadzic, a politician who is close to Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, told reporters that “the dictate of the EC will definitely lead to the escalation of the bloody war instead of a peaceful, democratic solution.”

A commentary on Serbian-run television Tuesday night charged that Germany, which pressed the 11 other EC nations to move quickly on recognition for Croatia and Slovenia, is now dominating the EC and using its influence to pursue “war aims from the first and second world wars.”

Germany has long argued for international support for the two breakaway republics and has branded Serbia--the largest republic in the splintering Yugoslav federation--as the aggressor in a six-month-old civil war that has claimed more than 7,000 lives.

Both Croatia and Slovenia--whose declarations of independence last June touched off the bloody conflict--hailed the EC move. It commits the 12-member group to recognize the republics if they meet certain basic conditions, including human rights protection for ethnic minorities.

Britain’s Lord Carrington, who heads an EC mediation effort on Yugoslavia, said Tuesday that Croatia and Slovenia would have no trouble meeting these conditions.

Germany said Tuesday it will unilaterally recognize Croatia and Slovenia on Thursday but will suspend implementation of the decision until other EC states act on Jan. 15.

The U.S. government has contended that recognition would only complicate efforts to arrange a firm cease-fire and position a U.N. peacekeeping force in Yugoslavia.

Meanwhile, Croatian Radio said nine people were killed and 20 wounded in shelling in and around the Croatian-held town of Osijek. It reported attacks on three other towns in eastern Croatia.

A team of 21 U.N. observers is scheduled to arrive in Belgrade today.