Partial Text of Clinton Yugoslavia Plan

This is a partial text of Bill Clinton’s statement on the crisis in Yugoslavia. The statement sparked a sharp retort from the Bush Administration on Monday.

The continuing bloodshed in Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia demands urgent international action.

Tens of thousands of innocent civilians have been killed and countless cities have been destroyed. Over 2 million refugees have fled their homes . . . . This human tragedy is the result of a deliberate effort: the Serbian policy of “ethnic cleansing,� designed to drive whole peoples from the lands of their parents and move strangers into their vacant homes.

It is time for real leadership to stop the continuing tragedy. I urge the Administration to work with the nations of Europe to bring new urgency to ending the bloodshed and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance . . . .

We should make clear that the economic blockade against Serbia will be tightened, not only on weapons, but also on oil and other supplies that sustain the renegade regime of Slobodan Milosevic. European and U.S. naval forces in the Adriatic should be given authority by the United Nations to stop and search ships that might be carrying contraband headed for Serbia and her ally, Montenegro. We should make a determined effort to convince neighboring states that it is not in their interest to violate the embargo.

The international community should take steps to charge the Milosevic regime, and those responsible for the slaughter of innocent civilians, with crimes against humanity under international law--as we should have done long ago in the case of Iraq.

The continuing attacks by Serbian elements in Bosnia threaten the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid, jeopardize the safety of U.N. personnel and put at risk the lives of thousands of citizens. If the Serbs persist in violating the terms of the current cease-fire agreement, the United States should take the lead in seeking U.N. Security Council authorization for air strikes against those who are attacking the relief effort. The United States should be prepared to lend appropriate military support to that operation. Air and naval forces adequate to carry out these operations should be visibly in position . . . .

In this crisis, the international community faces the first post-Cold War test in Europe of the fundamental principle that international borders will not be changed by violent means and that minority rights must be respected. Its outcome will set the standard for addressing other ethnic conflicts and the effectiveness of vital international institutions, including the European Community, the Atlantic Alliance and the United Nations itself.

I urge the Administration and the international community to move forward, to act with the greatest possible urgency before it is too late. The people of Bosnia and the world community--the dream of a better, more stable world--cannot afford further delay.