USIA - Transcript: Kornblum Press Conference in Skopje, 97-04-12

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TRANSCRIPT: KORNBLUM PRESS CONFERENCE IN SKOPJE APRIL 12

(Says Balkans stability contributes to peace in Europe) (1460)

"That is one reason why we have become so engaged in Bosnia, and why we are committed, strongly committed, to maintain the existence of the single state of Bosnia," Kornblum said April 12. The assistant secretary, who visited Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as well as the FYROM/Serbian border and the FYROM/Albanian border, spoke at a joint news conference held jointly with FYROM Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckovski.

He noted that the United States has proposed "a number of regional efforts ... to help you improve cooperation as a foundation for the ultimate goal...of having the countries of this region be fully integrated into the mainstream of Europe."

Kornblum also said the United States has taken a number of steps to help return stability to Albania. "In particular we have supported very strongly the efforts of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), to formulate a common strategy among all countries and organizations who are involved in the country."

Asked about the situation in Kosovo, which he described as "very delicate," Kornblum said he told Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic in Belgrade that "he should not expect any major improvement in relations with the United States until there is demonstration of significant progress in Kosovo."

Kornblum said he "again stressed to both Serbian and Albanian officials the importance of avoiding extreme positions, and taking a pragmatic approach to beginning a step-by-step improvement in the human rights and opportunities of Albanians, and a continuous process of solving the differences, which have unfortunately continued for some time."

Following is a transcript of Kornblum's remarks and the Q&A session, provided by the U.S. embassy in Skopje:

(Begin transcript)

We have many interests in common, we also have many, unfortunately, common problems which we have to deal with, and as the minister said, we had a very detailed, very fruitful discussion of those issues today. And as I stressed in all of the discussions I had, the United States sees the stabilization of the sovereignty and the prosperity of the countries of this region as one of the most important contributions that can we make to peace in Europe at the moment.

That is one reason why we have become so engaged in Bosnia, and why we are committed, strongly committed, to maintain the existence of the single state of Bosnia. But, we have also proposed a number of regional efforts including the Southeastern Europe Cooperative Initiative. We are trying to help you improve cooperation as a foundation for the ultimate goal, which the minister also stressed, of having the countries of this region be fully integrated into the mainstream of Europe. Thank you.

Q: ("VECER" DAILY NEWSPAPER) How do you assess the situation now in Albania, and are there any possibilities for repercussions in this region? And especially repercussions regarding the situation in Macedonia, and how do you assess the situation in Bosnia after Dayton?

A: Two big questions. First, Albania is a very difficult problem, and as the minister said, we had a very detailed discussion. We do not at this moment see any danger of damaging spillover into other areas, either Macedonia or Bosnia. But to have lasting peace in this region, there must be stability and also prosperity in all of the countries, that includes of course Albania.

The United States has taken a number of steps to help in the effort to return Albania to a more stable and a normal situation. And in particular we have supported very strongly the efforts of the OSCE, to formulate a common strategy among all countries and organizations who are involved in the country. And our exchange of views today on the situation in Albania helped us to understand the viewpoint of a close neighbor of Albania, and also helped us to understand much better the situation in the south and the east of the country, which is, as you know, the area of the most unrest at the moment.

Okay? Now, as for your second question, the Dayton Agreement, I will only note that we have reconfirmed very strongly our support and our determination to implement the Dayton Agreement in full and to support the principles of that agreement.

This pertains in particular to the maintenance of the single state of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and to the realization of the goals of human rights, freedom of movement, and joint economic structures in that country. One hears often of the main problem which exists in Bosnia, and they are truly difficult, but if you compare the situation there today, with the situation, shall we say, in the fall of 1995, you see a dramatic change for the better.

Life is returning to normal, and we will remain engaged to make sure now that the normality which has been achieved is supported by the building of, or the achieving of, the kinds of goals which I mentioned earlier. And we will work very closely with all parties including Croatia and Serbia to ensure that these goals are achieved. Thank you.

Q: ("A1" TELEVISION) Two questions. The first question is in regard to the Macedonian-Greek issue: is there any chance for American mediation in resolving the Greek-Macedonian issue, and the second question is regarding the extension of the mandate of UNPREDEP. If it does not come (about that there is) an extension to the UNPREDEP mission here, is there a possibility for placing American soldiers here?

A: Well, on the first question, I think that certainly the United States has supported the solution of these issues continuously over the past years and the very distinguished American former Secretary of State Vance has been in fact the main mediator. But he has acted for the U.N., which gives him an even broader mandate. And we are in touch with him regularly and we certainly hope that he has every chance for success.

What was your second question again, I forgot while I was answering the first... Oh, UNPREDEP, yes ... I will visit UNPREDEP tomorrow, to demonstrate the strong support of the United States for this commitment. And we will work very hard for the extension of the mandate when it is set to expire at the end of May. And I consider any other option to be a theoretical question because we intend to succeed in extending the mandate.

Q: (BBC-SKOPJE STRINGER) You have just arrived in Skopje from Belgrade, that is, from Pristina. What is the opinion of your government regarding the Kosovo issue?

A: Well, we believe Kosovo is a very delicate issue and an issue which could cause great instability in this region. We take it very seriously and we are working hard to make progress on the issue. I repeated to President Milosevic yesterday that he should not expect any major improvement in relations with the United States until there is demonstration of significant progress in Kosovo.

I visited Pristina today to demonstrate this American commitment, but also to talk with local officials, both Serbian and Albanian. And I also visited the American Information Center, which was opened last year as itself a strong demonstration of our commitment to positive development in the region. That dialogue is continuing and a very important meeting was held in New York last week in which various parties, Serbian and Albanian, came together to discuss the issues involved.

But given the unsettled situation in Serbia itself, there is always the danger of polarization. And so we have again stressed to both Serbian and Albanian officials the importance of avoiding extreme positions, and taking a pragmatic approach to beginning a step-by-step improvement in the human rights and opportunities of Albanians, and a continuous process of solving the differences, which have unfortunately continued for some time.

But so there will be no misunderstanding, our pragmatism does not alter our commitment to achieving full rights for the Albanian population. These rights can and should be achieved within Serbia, but they must be full and unconditional. Thank you. Thank you very much.

(End transcript)

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