U.S. Mission to OSCE on New, Democratic Serbia
U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe (OSCE)
Vienna
October 12, 2000
STATEMENT ON THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
DELIVERED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES JOSIAH B. ROSENBLATT TO THE PERMANENT
COUNCIL,
VIENNA
October 12, 2000
Thank you, Madame Chairperson.
I would just begin by noting our relief and satisfaction over the
release of the detainees and we certainly join all of the governments
represented here in that sentiment.
In our remarks at the September 21 Permanent Council, three days
before the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia elections, I recall we
shared the hope that we would soon see the free will of the Serb
people expressed, accepted and legitimized. Three weeks later, that is
a reality.
On the ground, we remain encouraged by President Kostunica's efforts
to consolidate control and purge Milosevic's cronies from positions of
power. We fully support these efforts, and urge that the people of
Serbia make clear to the remaining supporters of the old regime that
corruption, fear and repression have no place in the new democratic
Serbia.
This past week has been an extraordinary victory for the people of
Yugoslavia, who endured oppression and deprivation, saw through the
propaganda, and took their country back with courage and principle.
They have made clear they want to live in a normal democratic country,
at peace with its neighbors and we welcome them.
Madame Chairperson, the United States and the OSCE are committed to a
united, stable, democratic Europe. As the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia's new leaders work to build a democratic society, we will,
with our friends and allies, in the OSCE and elsewhere, extend a
helping hand. We are joining with the EU in lifting sanctions and we
intend rapidly to reestablish diplomatic relations with the new
government in Belgrade.
President Clinton and Secretary Albright have sent Jim O'Brien, their
Special Advisor on Balkan Democratization, to Belgrade to deliver this
message to President Kostunica. Following that visit, we will be
looking to provide a rapid expansion of our assistance to the new
government, in cooperation with our European allies. We welcome the
initiative of the EU to invite the European Commission and the World
Bank to lead in evaluating needs and coordinating economic and
financial assistance to Yugoslavia.
We look forward, with our partners, to providing all the assistance we
can to a democratic Yugoslavia. We recognize that they have inherited
from Milosevic a host of economic, social and institutional problems.
We welcome President Kostunica's statements affirming the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia as an equal, not sole, successor state of the
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and his willingness to apply
for membership to institutions like the OSCE on the same basis as the
other successor states. We would welcome a formal request from the
Yugoslav government as soon as possible seeking such new membership
and pledging adherence to all OSCE principles and commitments.
We look forward to welcoming the Serb people into the transatlantic
community of free and prosperous nations. We owe it to Yugoslavia to
reward the decision the people of Yugoslavia have made.
President Kostunica should know that we remain committed to completing
the implementation of the Dayton Accords, to implementing UNSCR 1244
and to realizing the goals of the Balkan Stability Pact that has been
forged throughout Southeast Europe. In turn, we will want to see a
democratic Yugoslavia accept its obligations to respect the rule of
law, internally as well as internationally. The release of the
detainees is a promising early step, as is the release of journalist
Miroslav Filipovic.
As for Slobodan Milosevic, he has been consigned to the past. He
should not remain active in the political life of the country. That is
what the people voted for. Milosevic should be out of any position of
power and held accountable for his crimes.
Madame Chairperson, viewing the developments of this week from a
broader historical perspective, we are convinced that they represent
another enormous step toward the creation of a Europe without walls,
wholly at peace and fully free, and a victory for those who cherish
freedom everywhere.
Thank you.
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