    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 27, 1999]
    [Pages 853-854]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks in Yulee, Florida, on the International War Crimes Tribunal
    Decision To Indict Slobodan Milosevic
    May 27, 1999

        Good afternoon. I welcome the decision of the International War
    Crimes Tribunal to indict Slobodan Milosevic and other senior Serbian
    leaders for crimes against humanity and war crimes. This says to the
    hundreds of thousands of victims of Belgrade's atrocities in Kosovo that

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    their voices have been heard. It will help to deter future war crimes by
    establishing that those who give orders will be held accountable. It
    will make clear to the Serbian people precisely who is responsible for
    this conflict and who is prolonging it. It speaks to the world in saying
    that the cause we are fighting for in Kosovo is just. I call on all
    nations to support the Tribunal's decision and to cooperate with its
    efforts to seek justice.
        For 6 years, the United States has strongly supported the work of
    this Tribunal. We've urged it to pursue its investigation of war crimes
    in the former Yugoslavia as far up the chain of command as the evidence
    leads, and we've helped to provide that evidence. The Congress recently
    approved my request for supplemental funding for the Tribunal, which
    will provide $9 million for the Tribunal trust fund, $4 million for
    technology that will speed up our providing information to the Tribunal,
    $10 million to interview Kosovar refugees, and $5 million for forensic
    teams to go into Kosovo once conditions allow for the gathering of
    evidence.
        Now, the objectives of NATO's military campaign remain unchanged.
    The Kosovar refugees must be able to go home with security and self-
    government; Serb forces must withdraw; and an international security
    force with NATO at is core must deploy there.
        Day and night, NATO air strikes are imposing a heavy price on Mr.
    Milosevic and his forces in Kosovo. We see the impact they're having in
    the protests against his policies, the desertions in his army, the
    difficulties his troops in Kosovo are having in maintaining their grip
    on the area. Our forces have shown courage and skill. We and our allies
    have shown determination. Both will persist until we achieve our goals.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:45 p.m. at the White Oaks Plantation. In
    his remarks, he referred to President Slobodan Milosevic of the Federal
    Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). A tape was not available
    for verification of the content of these remarks.