Clinton Hails Kostunica's Victory as a Triumphant Blow for Freedom

Strategic Insights -

US President Clinton hailed Vojislav Kostunica's victory as a triumph for the people of Yugoslavia, emphasizing the significance of a new era in the country after over a decade of violence under President Slobodan Milosevic. Clinton praised Kostunica's "integrity and leadership" and called him the "newly elected" president, while urging the Parliament to formally ratify his victory as soon as possible.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clinton stressed that Kostunica's victory was a triumph for the people of Yugoslavia and a new era in the country, emphasizing the significance of the event.
  • The administration considered Kostunica the president because "the people have taken care of the transfer of power," but urged the Parliament to formally ratify his victory as soon as possible.
  • Clinton compared Kostunica's victory to the major anti-Communist movements that undid the Soviet empire, highlighting its historical significance.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright attributed nine-tenths of the credit for the Yugoslav people's courage and persistence.
  • Albright acknowledged that while the US and European allies played a role in the transition, it was the people who took to the streets and voiced their views that made the change possible.
  • Administration officials stated that they could not countenance any future political or public role for Milosevic, even after his concession speech.
  • The Yugoslav Army chief of staff, Gen. Nebojsa Pavkovic, congratulated Kostunica as the president-elect, providing an important verification of his victory.
  • Senior administration officials stated that they would like to see Milosevic stand trial for his actions in Kosovo, but did not indicate how this might happen.

Statistics:

  • Clinton compared Kostunica's victory to the Berlin Wall's-demolition, a blow for freedom as significant.
  • Administration officials agreed that the people power that undid Milosevic was a force that neither the US nor Europe fully understood.
  • The major sanctions against Serbia included a ban on new investments, an embargo on oil and arms imports, and restrictions on flights by Yugoslav Airlines.
  • The European Union was likely to take some action on lifting sanctions on Monday.
  • The freezing of assets of Milosevic's business colleagues and other figures in Serbia might be kept in place if the role of Milosevic remained unclear.

Sources:

  • (Associated Press, 2000)
  • (The New York Times, unknown date)
  • (European diplomat, quoted in an anonymous European paper)