[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
[October 24, 1994]
[Pages 1866-1867]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Presidential Election in the Former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia
October 24, 1994

    I congratulate President Gligorov on his election to a second term 
as President of his country. Under his able leadership, I am confident 
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will continue on its path 
toward full integration into the international community of nations. The 
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has upheld the principles of 
democracy and has courageously embarked on a bold program of economic 
reform and renewal. Despite strong external economic pressures which 
have caused great hardship, President Gligorov and his countrymen have 
shown a determination to continue on the path to free market democracy.
    I am pleased that international observers to the recent elections 
concluded that the first round of elections were conducted in an overall 
free and fair manner. The second round of parliamentary elections, 
scheduled for the end of this month, will be the next important step in 
the FYROM's democratic development. It is our hope that they will take 
place in a free and peaceful environment.
    The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's peaceful political and 
economic development is essential to stability in the Balkans. The 
United States has taken numerous steps to support that development, 
including sending U.S. troops to participate in a U.N. peacekeeping

[[Page 1867]]

mission there, establishing a liaison office in Skopje, and increasing 
our economic assistance under the SEED program in fiscal year 1995. I 
have instructed my Special Envoy, Matthew Nimetz, to redouble his 
efforts in the weeks ahead, in tandem with U.N. mediator Cyrus Vance, to 
help Skopje and Athens resolve their differences. We will continue to 
work with other friends of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 
the months ahead to try to help bridge the country's balance-of-payments 
gap so that programs prepared by the IMF and World Bank can go forward.