[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
[May 17, 1998]
[Pages 783-784]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Birmingham Group of Eight Summit Statement
May 17, 1998

Northern Ireland

    We warmly welcome the Belfast Agreement reached on 10 April. We 
commend all those involved in achieving an outcome which reflects the 
fundamental aspirations of both parts of the community in Northern 
Ireland and secures their rights. We recognise that the Agreement must 
win the support of the people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of 
Ireland. While acknowledging that it presents challenges to all parties, 
we hope it will achieve the widest possible support, not only as a basis 
for political stability and peace but also as an opportunity for 
economic development and prosperity for all Northern Ireland's people. 
We pledge our countries' support for this process.

Indonesia

    We are deeply concerned at the situation in Indonesia, especially 
the recent upsurge of violence and the loss of life. We deplore the 
killings and urge the authorities to show maximum restraint, to refrain 
from the use of lethal force and to respect individual rights. We call 
on the public to express their views peacefully. It is essential to 
avoid an escalation of violence.
    We recognise the hardship the economic crisis has caused. We believe 
the economic reform programme agreed with and supported by the 
international financial institutions is the only way to restore 
confidence and growth, and fully support the government in implementing 
it. But successful economic reform and international support for it will 
require sufficient political and social stability. We will continue to 
work, together with the international financial institutions, to support 
reform and alleviate hardship.
    The current social unrest indicates that, to resolve the crisis, 
political as well as economic reform is necessary. The need for 
political reform is widely acknowledged in Indonesia. We encourage the 
authorities to respond rapidly, by opening a dialogue which addresses 
the aspirations of the Indonesian people and by introducing the 
necessary reforms.

FRY/Kosovo

    The continuing violence in Kosovo has revived fears of a new Balkans 
war. The region has already seen too much bloodshed. A political 
solution to the problem of Kosovo is vital for the peace and well-being 
of all the people of the region. We consider the meeting on 15 May 
between President Milosevic and Dr 
Rugova to be a positive first step. It is 
particularly important that President Milosevic has assumed personal 
responsibility in the search for a resolution of the problems of Kosovo, 
including its future status. We urge both sides to ensure that the 
dialogue now begun leads rapidly to the adoption of concrete measures to 
lower tensions and stop violence. Resolving the issue of Kosovo's status 
will be difficult but is essential for the good of all those living in 
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
    Peace and stability in Europe rest on the principles that borders 
are inviolable and that political change must come about through 
peaceful means. We reject terrorism and violence from any side to 
achieve political goals or to stifle dissent. The states of the region 
should themselves contribute to a non-violent solution to the crisis. 
All states should cooperate in addressing the problem of refugees and 
displaced persons.
    We underline the importance of cooperation with the Gonzalez 
mission. We stand ready to promote a clear and achievable path towards 
the FRY's full integration into the international community. But if 
Belgrade fails to build on recent progress and a genuine political 
process does not get underway, its isolation will deepen.
    The elections in Montenegro on 31 May must be free, fair and in 
keeping with democratic

[[Page 784]]

standards and their results must be respected by all.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

    We welcome the progress that has recently been made on peace 
implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and support the High 
Representative's active role in promoting the peace process. This is a 
critical year for consolidating peace in Bosnia, especially for refugee 
returns and democratic development, with nationwide elections scheduled 
for September. While the people of Bosnia have accomplished a great deal 
under very difficult circumstances, we look to Bosnia's leaders to work 
harder to create a stable and prosperous future for all the country's 
citizens.

Middle East Peace Process

    We are deeply concerned at the continuing stalemate in the peace 
process, with concluded agreements not yet being implemented. We 
encourage all efforts to help revive the peace process. We strongly 
support the efforts to gain the agreement of the parties to a package of 
constructive and realistic ideas which have already been presented by 
the United States, including a second Israeli redeployment. We welcome 
Palestinian agreement in principle to these ideas which, if accepted by 
all sides, would lead to the resumption of final status talks. We call 
on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to refrain from unilateral acts which 
pre-determine the final status negotiations and undermine confidence. We 
remain determined to work with all the parties--Israel, the 
Palestinians, Syria, Lebanon--for a comprehensive peace. A resumption of 
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations would build confidence in the region 
and help to restore momentum to the peace process as a whole. A 
continuing blockage on the other hand could have grave consequences for 
security throughout the region.

Indian Nuclear Tests

    We condemn the nuclear tests which were carried out by India on 11 
and 13 May. Such action runs counter to the will expressed by 149 
signatories to the CTBT to cease nuclear testing, to efforts to 
strengthen the global non-proliferation regime and to steps to enhance 
regional and international peace and security. It has been met by 
immediate international concern and opposition, from governments and 
more widely. We underline our full commitment to the Non-Proliferation 
Treaty and to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as the cornerstones of 
the global non-proliferation regime and the essential foundations for 
the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. We express our grave concern about 
the increased risk of nuclear and missile proliferation in South Asia 
and elsewhere. We urge India and other states in the region to refrain 
from further tests and the deployment of nuclear weapons or ballistic 
missiles. We call upon India to rejoin the mainstream of international 
opinion, to adhere unconditionally to the NPT and the CTBT and to enter 
into negotiations on a global treaty to stop the production of fissile 
material for nuclear weapons. India's relationship with each of us has 
been affected by these developments. We are making this clear in our own 
direct exchanges and dealings with the Indian Government and we call 
upon other states similarly to address their concerns to India. We call 
upon and encourage Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint in the face of 
these tests and to adhere to international non-proliferation norms.

Note: This statement was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 17 but was not issued as a White House press release. 
An original was not available for verification of the content of this 
statement.