U.S. Ambassador to OSCE Calls on FRY to Release Foreign Detainees
U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE)
Vienna
September 20, 2000
STATEMENT ON THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR DAVID T. JOHNSON TO THE PERMANENT COUNCIL,
VIENNA
September 20, 2000
Thank you, Madame Chairperson. We would join our European Union
colleagues in calling, once again, unequivocally, for the immediate
release of the British and other detainees in the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia. Their continued detention is an unacceptable violation of
their legal rights, an unacceptable disregard by the Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia for its international obligations, and a reminder of why
indicted war criminals should not lead governments in Europe. We will
continue to support the efforts of the Chair, Secretariat, the
European Union, and other participating States to seek the immediate
release of these unjustly detained men.
The United States shares the European Union's strong hope that on this
coming Sunday, the voters of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will
be allowed to choose their own future freely and fairly. Sunday's
elections offer the people of Serbia and Montenegro the best chance
they have of bringing democracy to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
and bringing the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the community of
democratic states. We hope they will be allowed to make this decision,
freely and peacefully.
We are not, however, optimistic. We are all aware of the enormous
scope for fraud that the regime's rigged election laws offer. We have
all seen the ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation against
the democratic opposition. We know Milosevic will seek to manipulate
the vote and the results.
We understand that some States are considering sending
parliamentarians to observe these elections. We think that is
unfortunate, especially given that the Yugoslav Government has refused
to permit an ODIHR [OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
Rights] mission to observe the elections.
Nevertheless, if parliamentarians are determined to go, it is critical
that they coordinate closely with the Chair's efforts in Belgrade,
particularly on issuing any public statements.
The spotlight of the international community will be on the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia on Sunday. Neither we, nor the people of Serbia
and Montenegro, should accept flawed results from a stolen election.
Just as the European Union Foreign Ministers made clear so eloquently
on September 19, the rewards for Serbia of a choice for democratic
change, let us also make clear to the regime that there will be a cost
if they steal the election and deny their people that choice.
The United States is grateful to the Chair for its leadership in
coordinating international efforts to observe the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia elections, and for taking on the responsibility to issue
the authoritative statement regarding the conduct of the elections. We
hope profoundly that your statement will be able to welcome a
democratic choice made freely by the people of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia.
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