[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 138 (Saturday, October 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 27, 2000

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, the recent change in government in the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been cited by some as a testament to 
the policy of the United States and NATO in ending the rule of Slobodan 
Milosevic. While I applaud the change, we must not forget the serious 
charges made by our government against Milosevic. Led by our country, 
NATO leveled charges against Milosevic as a war criminal, guilty of 
genocide and other atrocities, to justify military action and economic 
sanctions.
  Milosevic must be brought to trial before an international court. The 
allegations of genocide are so serious they must be fully investigated, 
and if found to be true, he must be brought to justice. When this body 
passed the FY 01 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, we deliberately 
included language to make U.S. assistance to Serbia contingent on 
certification the Yugoslav government is cooperating with the 
International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia including access for 
investigators, the provision of documents and the surrender and 
transfer of indictees or assistance in their apprehension.
  Clearly, our intent is to see alleged war criminals prosecuted. Our 
willingness to provide assistance to the Republic of Serbia is based on 
that threshold, and should serve as a strong barometer for the new 
government of President Vojislav Kostunica. The true test of 
Kostunica's cooperation and reentry into the community of nations will 
be whether he fully cooperates.
  I call upon the Congressional leadership and the Administration to 
urge that in our discussions with President Kostunica, we insist on the 
surrender of Milosevic for trial before an international body. Any 
action less than this will suggest our initial charges were without 
merit. If that is the case, those who made them should be asked to 
account for their statements.

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