[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 11 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Page 317]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Statement on the Assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic

March 12, 2003

    On behalf of the United States, I extend my condolences to the 
people of Serbia and to the family of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran 
Djindjic, who was shot and killed this morning.
    History will remember Prime Minister Djindjic for his strong 
leadership during Serbia's successful struggle to end the dictatorship 
of Slobodan Milosevic. Following the peaceful transition to a new, 
democratic Government, Djindjic acted with strength and courage to 
transfer Milosevic to The Hague, where today he stands on trial for war 
crimes. At the helm of the new Government, Prime Minister Djindjic was 
committed to building a prosperous, democratic future for Serbia, and he 
fought to hasten that future's arrival by fighting organized crime and 
reforming Serbia's economy and political institutions.
    The United States will continue to support Serbia's pursuit of 
reforms that will open the way to a brighter future and full integration 
with Europe.