[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.