Transcript: U.S. on Conflict Prevention, Upcoming Elections in S. Serbia
(Amb. Minikes at OSCE Feb. 7; also discusses Kosovo, FYR Macedonia) (670) U.S. Permanent Representative to the OSCE Stephan Minikes congratulated the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia February 7 on its progress in implementing reforms and addressing ethnic issues, particularly its successful conflict prevention efforts and the announcement of elections in Southern Serbia. "We hope all citizens, and especially ethnic Albanians, will participate fully in the spring municipal elections, and in the political process as a whole," Minikes told the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council in Vienna. He commended Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic for the "constructive role" he has played in seeking a solution to the problems in Southern Serbia, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Minikes noted that while there are differences in the situations in Southern Serbia and in northern Macedonia, there are also "common lessons to be learned. These include the need for compromise and moderation on both sides, the importance of the international community's long-term engagement, and the absolute necessity of confidence-building measures including legally binding amnesty." Following is a transcript of Minikes' remarks: (begin transcript) U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Vienna February 7, 2002 STATEMENT ON THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA Delivered by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes to the Permanent Council Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to join others in welcoming Minister Covic and Minister Ljajic to the Permanent Council. Your presence here today gives us the opportunity to congratulate you on Yugoslavia's tremendous progress in the past year. It is exciting to see Yugoslavia moving so decisively to implement reforms, address ethnic issues, and rejoin the world community. There is no better illustration of this than Southern Serbia. Southern Serbia stands out as an excellent example of conflict prevention. Stability in Southern Serbia will do much to calm the region as a whole. Minister Covic, this success in Southern Serbia is a credit to your leadership and personal engagement. We hope you will continue to stay actively involved as the Covic Plan progresses towards full implementation. The announcement of elections in Southern Serbia represents an enormous step forward. We look forward to assisting in any way possible. We hope all citizens, and especially ethnic Albanians, will participate fully in the spring municipal elections, and in the political process as a whole. It is important that all citizens of Yugoslavia be truly committed to change by democratic means. Voting - and serving in the government - show a willingness to be loyal citizens and to further one's political goals peacefully. We wish you all success as you continue your path to reform. Minister Covic, we also welcome the constructive role you have played regarding Kosovo. We welcome your direct engagement with UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] to help ensure that the UNMIK-FRY Common Document is fully implemented. Long-term peace, stability, and democracy in Kosovo depend upon meaningful, near-term progress on safe and sustainable returns of ethnic minorities, on determining the fate of the missing, fully resolving the issue of political prisoners and on improving conditions for ethnic minorities there. We will encourage the OSCE Mission in Kosovo to continue to support UNMIK in that dialogue. We also take positive note of your efforts to offer useful advice regarding past events in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. There are clear differences in the causes and consequences of the events in Southern Serbia and in northern Macedonia. But there are also common lessons to be learned. These include the need for compromise and moderation on both sides, the importance of the international community's long-term engagement, and the absolute necessity of confidence-building measures including legally binding amnesty. As in Southern Serbia, we hope that all sides in Macedonia have chosen the path of peace and reconciliation. We reaffirm our commitment to remain engaged in both and we welcome the role that you have played in each. Thank you. (end transcript) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
