Military

DATE=11/01/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-Yugoslavia Membership (L Only)

NUMBER=2-268730

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Yugoslavia became a full member of the United Nations late today (Wednesday) as the United Nations General Assembly gave final approval to its application. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The General Assembly enthusiastically approved Yugoslavia's membership by acclamation after receiving a positive recommendation Tuesday from the U-N Security Council. Assembly President Hari Holkeri made the official announcement.

///Holkeri act///

I therefore declare the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia admitted to membership in the United Nations.

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The action ends eight years of isolation of Yugoslavia at the United Nations. When Yugoslavia began breaking up in 1992, the General Assembly stripped the nation of its voting rights and ruled Yugoslavia must re-apply for U-N membership. But it never did until a few days ago when the new democratically-elected President of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica, sent a formal request to the United Nations.

U-S Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said President Kostunica is to be congratulated.

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We congratulate President Kostunica on his leadership in bringing peaceful and democratic change to Yugoslavia. We congratulate his colleagues in the brave democracy movement that brought the will of the people to power in Belgrade.

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President Kostunica sent a special envoy to the United Nations, Goran Svilanovic, who told the General Assembly the new government in Yugoslavia will work with its neighbors to overcome problems.

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To that end, Yugoslavia will be a trustful neighbor and a conscientious member of the international community and will invest its best efforts to promote peace and stability in the region as well as worldwide.

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Mr. Svilanovic also thanked those nations that supported the democratic movement in Yugoslavia in what he called a "hard" and "often uphill battle."(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/PT