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June 29, 2001

NEWS RELEASE

Embassy of the United States of America, Belgrade

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I applaud today's transfer of indicted war criminal Slobodan Milosevic to the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.  This very important step by the leaders in Belgrade ensures that Milosevic can finally be tried for his war crimes and crimes against humanity.  During various visits by Yugoslav authorities to Washington they pledged that Yugoslavia was committed to cooperating with the Tribunal.  Milosevic's transfer is a strong sign of that commitment.  We are confident that the government of Yugoslavia will continue down the path of cooperation with the Tribunal.

The transfer of Milosevic to The Hague is an unequivocal message to those persons who brought such tragedy and brutality to the Balkans that they will be held accountable for their crimes.  Milosevic's transfer further signals the commitment of the new leadership in Belgrade to turn Yugoslavia away from its tragic past and toward a brighter future as a full member of the community of European democracies.

The United States stand ready to assist the people of Yugoslavia as they continue to take the difficult steps to advance its democratic and economic reform.

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29. jun 2001.

SAOPŠTENJE ZA ŠTAMPU

Ambasada Sjedinjenih Američkih Država, Beograd

IZJAVA PREDSEDNIKA BUŠA

Pozdravljam današnje izručenje osumnjičenog ratnog zločinca Slobodana Miloševica Haškom tribunalu.  Ova vrlo važna odluka beogradskih lidera omogućava da se Miloševiću napokon sudi za ratne zločine i zločine protiv čovečnosti.  Tokom svojih brojnih poseta Vašingtonu jugoslovenske vlasti su tvrdile da je Jugoslavija rešena da sarađuje sa tribunalom.  Miloševićevo izručenje je jaka potvrda te rešenosti.  Uvereni smo da će jugoslovenska vlada nastaviti putem saradnje sa tribunalom.

Izručenje Miloševića u Hag je nedvosmislena poruka svima koji su doveli do tolike tragedije i brutalnosti na Balkanu da će odgovarati za svoje zločine.  Miloševićevo izručenje dalje nagoveštava rešenost novog vođstva u Beogradu da Jugoslaviju okrenu od svoje tragične prošlosti i da je usmere ka svetlijoj budućnosti punopravnog člana evropskih demokratija.

Sjedinene Države spremne su da i dalje pružaju pomoć narodu Jugoslavije na njegovom teškom putu unapređenja svoje demokratske i ekonomske reforme.