DATE=10/5/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S YUGO REACT (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
///EDS: THIS SPOT COMBINES REACTION FROM WHITE HOUSE, PENTAGON AND THE HILL. SEE THE LATEST STORIES FROM GOLLUST AND TATE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE FOR MOST UP TO DATE U-S REACTION TO THIS DEVELOPING STORY.///
INTRO: President Clinton is predicting success for the anti-government demonstrators in the streets of Belgrade, but says they can achieve their goal without help from the U-S armed forces. Opposition Republicans are also calling on President Slobodan Milosevic to step aside. V-O-A's David Swan reports on the American reaction to the events in Yugoslavia.
TEXT: Mr. Clinton offered a statement of firm support for the demonstrators, saying they, like people everywhere, have the right to pick their own leaders.
// CLINTON ACT //
The people of Serbia have spoken with their ballots, they have spoken on the streets. I hope the hour is near when their voices will be heard and we can welcome them to democracy, to Europe, to the world's community.
// END ACT //
The administration is trying to get Russia to use its influence with Serbia to persuade Mr. Milosevic to accept defeat in the recent elections. Mr. Clinton told reporters he expects the opposition to prevail. He effectively ruled out the use of American troops to help end the crisis.
// CLINTON ACT //
I do not believe it is an appropriate case for military intervention. I do not believe the United States should say or do anything that would only strengthen Mr. Milosevic's hand.
// END ACT //
There are thousands of Americans on peacekeeping duty in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, and on ships in the Adriatic. At the Pentagon, spokesman Ken Bacon says U-S forces are not on heightened alert and have seen no unusual movements by Yugoslav troops. However, Mr. Bacon acknowledged it was hard to say with authority what was taking place.
// BACON ACT //
It could be that there's a great resistance on the part of both the army and the secret police to be put into a position where they'd have to attack other Serbs. But I don't think we know that right now. We'll have to watch very closely. All we can say is that we hope for everybody's benefit that this is resolved peacefully.
// END ACT //
Calls for Mr. Milosevic to quit have also come from the other side of the American political spectrum. Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush says the world will be a better place when the president accepts his loss. (Republican) Senator John McCain, says the Balkans are facing their most promising period since the end of the Cold war.
// MCCAIN ACT //
A regime that stands accused of crimes against humanity is on its deathbed and the United States must not hesitate to declare its unequivocal support for those brave enough to defy that regime.
// END ACT //
Nearly a year ago the Senate approved the so-called Serbia Democratization Act, which was designed to help the opposition and put pressure on Mr. Milosevic. The bill languished in the House of Representatives and has yet to become law. But Mr. McCain says its passage now would send a powerful signal to the forces of democracy. (Signed)
NEB/DS/FC
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