[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Pages 2855-2856]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

[[Page 2856]]

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.