    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 13, 1998]
    [Pages 747-748]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Situation in Kosovo
    May 13, 1998

        I welcome the news that President Milosevic and Dr. Ibrahim Rugova
    will meet on May 15 in Belgrade to initiate a dialog without
    preconditions.
        As Ambassadors Holbrooke and
    Gelbard announced earlier today, the
    parties have also agreed to continue this dialog in a series of talks in
    Pristina.
        This is a sober first step towards resolving a very dangerous
    conflict that clearly has the potential to spill over into neighboring
    countries and destabilize the region.
        There is a great deal more to be done, however, before all the
    peoples of Kosovo enjoy the peace, security, and human rights they
    deserve. The parties face a complex challenge, but success is up to
    them. We expect each to make

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    good their commitment to serious and productive dialog.
        We should be mindful of the difficult road ahead, but we are
    encouraged to see this process underway.