DATE=9/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=E-U / SERBIA (L-O)
NUMBER=2-266734
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BRUSSELS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The European Union (E-U) has endorsed Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic's opposition in this
Sunday's (September 24th) election. Ron Pemstein
reports from Brussels that if there is a change in the
election, all E-U sanctions against Yugoslavia will be
lifted.
TEXT: It was the clearest statement yet by the
European Union to the people of Serbia, Yugoslavia's
largest republic. In what the 15 foreign ministers
call a - crucial political choice - they demand a
democratic change in Sunday's election away from
President Milosevic.
French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine, speaking
through an interpreter, says a democratic change will
bring economic aid to Yugoslavia from Europe.
/// VEDRINE ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///
We would reassert that a choice which leads to
democratic change will bring about a radical
change in the European Union's policy vis-a-vis
Serbia. We will lift the sanctions against the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We will provide
accompaniment to the necessary economic and
political reforms by providing Serbia with
economic aid for reconstruction and will support
the reintegration of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia into the international community.
/// END ACT ///
The 15 foreign ministers suggest that observers from
the parliaments of the European Union countries should
watch the election that none of them expects to be
free and fair. There is no word on whether Yugoslav
authorities will allow west European observers to
attend Sunday's vote.
The E-U message to the Serbian people calls for them
to repudiate clearly and peacefully President
Milosevic's policies. It says they have led
Yugoslavia to war, isolation, and deadlock.
The statement combines the French desire to lift
immediately sanctions against Yugoslavia with British,
Dutch and Danish opposition to providing any reward to
President Milosevic. When asked if this offer of
assistance will stand if President Milosevic wins a
new term in office, foreign minister Vedrine tells
reporters - this is our policy for this week.
/// OPT /// At the foreign ministers' meeting, Mr.
Vedrine gave more information about an E-U summit
conference to be held with Balkan countries on
November 24th in the Croatian capital, Zagreb. The
European Union plans to initial an association
agreement with Macedonia at that meeting, and to open
negotiations for a similar agreement with Croatia.
Also invited to the Zagreb summit are Albania, Bosnia,
and Slovenia. Representatives of Montenegro, Kosovo,
and Serbia are also invited. In the case of Serbia,
only President Milosevic's opposition candidate,
Vojislav Kostunica, is named as a possible guest. ///
END OPT///
The European Union offers Serbia the opportunities
given Croatia since the death of President Franjo
Tudjman last December. Croatia will be negotiating
association with the European Union, an opportunity
Serbia can have too - if its people vote against
President Milosevic on Sunday. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GE/RAE
18-Sep-2000 11:50 AM EDT (18-Sep-2000 1550 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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