DATE=10-6-2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-267587
TITLE=U-S Yugo react (L- update)
BYLINE=Deborah Tate
DATELINE=White House
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: President Clinton is praising the unfolding democratic transition in Yugoslavia, saying the prospects for enduring stability in the Balkans have greatly improved with the ouster of President Slobodan Milosevic. He pledged to work to immediately lift sanctions against Belgrade once the democratically-elected government is in place. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from the White House.
Text: Mr. Clinton praised the democratic transformation in Yugoslavia as an extraordinary victory for the people of Yugoslavia, whom he praised for their courage, principle and patriotism.
In an appearance before reporters in the White House Rose Garden, Mr. Clinton also called it a victory for Southeast Europe, saying a dark cloud has lifted with the ouster of Mr. Milosevic.
/// CLINTON ACTUALITY ///
Now history has come full circle. It is not just the end of dictatorship in Belgrade, in a real sense it is the end of the war Mr. Milosevic started in the former Yugoslavia ten years ago. Democracy has reclaimed every piece of ground he took. The greatest remaining obstacle to the long-held dream of a peaceful, undivided, democratic Europe for the first time in history has now been removed.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Clinton also paid tribute to the integrity and leadership of Vojislav Kostunica (VOY-slav), whose election to the Presidency he acknowledged must be ratified by parliament. Although he noted that Mr. Kostunica disagrees with the United States on a number of issues, he said the opposition leader appears to be committed to the rule of law.
The President said the developments in Yugoslavia would not have been possible without the international community's efforts to end ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, and its support of democracy in Croatia.
He pledged quick action with European allies to lift crippling economic sanctions against Belgrade once a democratically-elected government is in power.
/// CLINTON ACTUALITY ///
I think we have to make an aggressive effort to reward the courage and the heroism of the people there in restoring democracy. We have to do something immediately because they are under great economic distress, they have suffered a lot because of these sanctions.
/// END ACT ///
Although he said he would like to see Mr. Milosevic prosecuted for alleged war crimes before the International Tribunal at the Hague, MR. Clinton said the first priority is to effectively remove the Serb leader from power. He was responding to a question about suggestions from Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, who met with Mr. Milosevic Friday, that the Serb leader might continue a political role in the country perhaps as the head of his Socialist party.
/// CLINTON ACTUALITY ///
The most important thing is to make sure this moment is consummated. That is, the president who has been elected should be authoritatively sworn in. That is the most important thing. I think it would be a terrible mistake for him to remain active in the political life of the country. That is not what the people voted for. I believe that we cannot ignore the actions of the war crimes tribunal. I think we have to continue to support it.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Clinton discussed the situation in Yugoslavia in a phonecall to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. National Security Council spokesman P-J Crowley says the two leaders agreed that Mr. Milosevic should have no political role in the future of Yugoslavia. (signed)
Neb/dat/PT
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