[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[November 9, 2000]
[Page 2520]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2520]]


Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Application of the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia To Join the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation in Europe
November 9, 2000

Dear __________:
    The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) has indicated its 
preparedness to join the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
Europe (OSCE) as a participating state. Given the interest of the 
Congress in the question of FRY participation in international and 
regional organizations, as reflected, for example, in section 594(e) of 
the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act, 2001, I want to inform you that the United States 
representative to the OSCE will support the FRY's application when the 
matter is considered before the OSCE Permanent Council on Friday, 
November 10. The decision is predicated on the FRY's recent actions, 
including those that indicate the FRY is approaching membership in 
regional and international organizations on the same basis as the other 
successor states, and is taking important steps towards resolving issues 
related to liabilities, assets, and property.
    We have reviewed the FRY application and have concluded that the FRY 
has applied on the same basis that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, 
Slovenia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia applied to 
participate in the OSCE following the dissolution of the former 
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). This mirrors the 
approach taken by the FRY last week in applying as a new member to the 
United Nations.
    The FRY's application on the same basis as other successors 
demonstrates what President Kostunica has 
told United States officials: that he is abandoning 
Milosevic's claim that the FRY is the 
continuation of the former SFRY. As applied to succession talks, this 
change removes a major impediment to progress in negotiations among the 
successor states by establishing that all are operating from a principle 
of equality. In this regard, the fact that all other successors 
sponsored the FRY's entry to the United Nations and have signaled a 
willingness to support entry to the OSCE reflects the importance of the 
step the FRY has taken.
    In addition, President Kostunica has 
taken other steps to expedite succession discussions. He has designated 
senior officials for the issue. These officials, in turn, have told 
United States Government officials that they intend to move quickly to 
reach an agreed solution. As a sign of the priority the new government 
attaches to this issue, during its first week in office, it received the 
designated international mediator, Sir Arthur Watts, to resume talks suspended under the previous regime. 
In their preliminary discussions with Watts this week, Yugoslav 
officials reviewed the prior negotiations and signaled their desire to 
make a fresh start and to seek rapid progress. These actions reflect a 
complete reversal of the previous government's position and represent 
reasonable and appropriate steps towards resolving successor state 
issues.
    As succession discussions develop and the FRY applies to additional 
organizations, we will continue to work with FRY authorities, 
international mediators, and the other successor states to press for 
progress towards resolving these succession issues.
    My Administration places great importance on the integration of the 
FRY into the international community through membership within regional 
and international organizations. Such integration will support President 
Kostunica's program on democratization 
and economic recovery, which, in turn, will help lead towards greater 
stability and support for democracy within Serbia, as well as increase 
cooperation with the FRY's neighbors and international community on 
meeting Belgrade's obligations under international law including 
cooperation with the International War Crimes Tribunal.
         Sincerely,

                                                            Bill Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Ted Stevens, chairman, and Robert 
C. Byrd, ranking member, Senate Committee on Appropriations; and C.W. 
Bill Young, chairman, and David R. Obey, ranking member, House Committee 
on Appropriations. This letter was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on November 10.