BELGRADE, May 10 (Hina) - Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica said after his return from the United States today that the issue of Washington's participation at a donors' conference was "open and connected with" the cooperation
between Yugoslavia and the international war-crimes tribunal. Kostunica told reporters he promised his American hosts "to end the war on a draft law on cooperation with the tribunal by the end of May". He added that his hosts, however, were "not satisfied with this", so cooperation with the US at this conference which is important for Yugoslavia, "remains an open issue". Kostunica visited the US at the invitation of the "East-West" Institute from New York where he was given an annual reward for contributing to the democratisation of his country, which he described as a reward presented to the "entire DOS coalition" and its concept of rule on the basis of law, market and social equality. The
BELGRADE, May 10 (Hina) - Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica
said after his return from the United States today that the issue of
Washington's participation at a donors' conference was "open and
connected with" the cooperation between Yugoslavia and the
international war-crimes tribunal.
Kostunica told reporters he promised his American hosts "to end the
war on a draft law on cooperation with the tribunal by the end of
May".
He added that his hosts, however, were "not satisfied with this", so
cooperation with the US at this conference which is important for
Yugoslavia, "remains an open issue".
Kostunica visited the US at the invitation of the "East-West"
Institute from New York where he was given an annual reward for
contributing to the democratisation of his country, which he
described as a reward presented to the "entire DOS coalition" and
its concept of rule on the basis of law, market and social
equality.
The Yugoslav President assessed his visit to the United States as
"historically important", and recalled he met UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, US President George Bush, State Secretary Colin Powell,
UN special envoy for the Balkans Carl Bildt, and head of the UN
civilian mission in Kosovo, Hans Haekkerup.
The international tribunal's chief prosecutor, Carla del Ponte,
also visited Washington during the time of Kostunica's visit. She
said she has run out of patience regarding the extradition of
Slobodan Milosevic to The Hague.
Kostunica confirmed cooperation with the tribunal "is the only
serious obstacle to the cooperation of Yugoslavia with the
international community".
(hina) lml sb