NewsMax.com
Friday, November 17, 2000

The Associated Press is reporting that:

Britain and France – but not Germany – joined the United States in welcoming renewed diplomatic ties with Yugoslavia now that there is a new, pro-democracy regime in Belgrade.

Yugoslavian Prime Minister Zoran Zizic said his country is trying hard to end its isolation since the U.S.-led, undeclared war with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states.

"There is no harder moment for a government than a breakup of diplomatic relations," Zizic said. "And there is no better moment than establishing them."

Daniel Cruise, speaking in Washington for the National Security Council, said the United States and Yugoslavia expect to exchange letters of diplomatic recognition Friday.

However, the U.S. Balkan envoy, James C. O'Brien, cautioned that substantial American aid would be forthcoming only if Yugoslavia cooperates with the United Nations tribunal investigating war crimes in the region.

Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic said the new government would allow the tribunal to work in Yugoslavia.

But the new president, Vojislav Kostunica, has balked at sending the former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, and his loyalists to stand trial in The Hague, Netherlands. A strong nationalist, he wants them to face justice in Yugoslavia.

Milosevic broke off diplomatic ties with leading NATO countries at the start of the alliance's 78-day air war to end his crackdown against Kosovo Albanians.

After Milosevic was ousted as a result of elections Sept. 24, Yugoslavia has rejoined the United Nations and Europe's Organization for Security and Cooperation.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Kosovo/Yugoslavia