    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [June 22, 1999]
    [Pages 990-991]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Kiro Gligorov of Macedonia in Skopje
    June 22, 1999

        President Gligorov. I wish to thank President Clinton for his
    personal contribution and for everything he has done for the Republic of
    Macedonia, supporting our independence and security, and especially now,
    during the course of the Kosovo crisis, which I wish to believe we will
    soon be leaving behind us.
        President Clinton's visit to the Republic of Macedonia is a
    confirmation of this personal engagement. And I would not wish to miss
    this opportunity to express my appreciation also to Mrs. Hillary
    Clinton, the First Lady of the United States, for her readiness and
    understanding to help.
        Our discussions were, in effect, a continuation of top level of the
    fruitful dialog that exists between our two countries and is
    particularly intensive in these past few months. We discussed the
    situation in the region. We reiterated our views that a democratized
    Yugoslavia is the key to stability and prosperity of the whole of the
    Balkans. Yugoslavia should preserve its territorial integrity and
    sovereignty, and with it, Kosovo should obtain broad autonomy and
    maximum possible guaranteed rights for its citizens and minority
    members, in accordance with European standards. The Macedonian model of
    multiethnic democracy is proof that this is possible, even in the
    Balkans.
        Today we also--the essential need for the presence of the United
    States of America in southeastern Europe. The war in Bosnia and now in
    Kosovo has confirmed this.
        Now, the active engagement of the United States of America to the
    realization of the Stability Pact is enforced with the same necessity.
    It is time for active American economic presence in the region, which is
    also important for its stability, development, and prosperity.
        We here in the Republic of Macedonia anticipate American support in
    the speeding up of the democratic processes in the whole region,
    integration into NATO and consequently the European Union.
        Once again, my most sincere regards to our esteemed and high guest.
        President Clinton. Thank you very much, Mr. President, Mr. Prime
    Minister, leaders of the Macedonian
    Government and political life, parties in Parliament who were freely
    elected last November.
        I thank the President for his statement and would like to reply by
    saying that I came here for two reasons. First, I want to thank the
    leaders and the people of Macedonia for helping

    [[Page 991]]

    a just cause to prevail in Kosovo, for giving shelter and hope to the
    Kosovar refugees, and for welcoming our NATO troops who came here to
    help those refugees.
        NATO could not have achieved its mission without you; the people of
    Kosovo would not be going home to security and autonomy without you. I
    came here, as much as anything else, to say thank you.
        Second, I came here because I believe the United States, our NATO
    Allies and, indeed, all nations of the world who support the reversal of
    ethnic cleansing and respect for human rights and minority rights have a
    responsibility to help Macedonia to overcome the economic hardships that
    the recent crisis has imposed and to return to a path to prosperity and
    even stronger democracy and freedom.
        Already, our total aid to Macedonia has more than tripled over last
    year to $72 million, and today we will provide another $12 million in
    food commodities. In the months ahead, we will do more. But we are also
    committed to the restoration of economic opportunity and jobs in
    Macedonia. Today I am delighted that an executive of the American company Liz Claiborne came with the First
    Lady here to Macedonia to follow up
    on her trip and to announce that they would be reopening facilities and
    employing somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 of your people. We will
    encourage other American businesses now to look at Macedonia as a model
    of stability at the end of the conflict in Kosovo.
        Finally, Mr. President, let me reaffirm once more our belief that in
    order to build a future of freedom and prosperity, in which human rights
    and minority rights are everywhere respected, in which nations are not
    torn apart by yesterday's hatreds and violence, we must make this
    Stability Pact a success. We must create real opportunities for ordinary
    citizens throughout southeastern Europe. And the United States is
    committed to doing that.
        But the thing that is even more important, Mr. President, is that
    the Macedonian people and leaders are committed to that kind of future.
    I think it is worth noting that this country is not ethnically
    homogeneous. It has its own challenges. And yet, in spite of that, you
    were willing to take these refugees, 300,000 of them; 50,000 have
    already gone home. You bore this burden at great cost and considerable
    risk so that we could together pursue a vision of southeastern Europe
    very different from what the horrible ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and
    Kosovo represent.
        We have stopped that. Now it is time to build that better future.
    And I pledge to you, sir, that the United States will work with you, and
    we will do this together.
        Thank you.

    Note: The remarks began at 1:43 p.m. in the President's Ceremonial
    Office at the Parliament Building. In his remarks, President Clinton
    referred to Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski of Macedonia; and Paul R.
    Charron, chairman and chief executive officer, Liz Claiborne, Inc.
    President Gligorov's remarks could not be verified because the tape was
    incomplete.