Mr. President, Milosevic Is The Problem (open letter to President Clinton)
- Document source:
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Date:
22 September 1998
First, the humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed urgently. Milosevic must order his police and military forces to stop all violence immediately. However, the crisis cannot be ended without an agreement on a new political status for Kosovo. And that will require massive Western pressure on Milosevic.
Second, the administration should seek, and the Congress should approve, a substantial increase in funds for supporting the democratic opposition within Serbia.
Third, the U.S. and its allies must do everything possible to tighten the economic sanctions on Serbia to help undermine Milosevic's ability to maintain his power in Belgrade.
Fourth, the administration should cease attempting to strike diplomatic bargains with Milosevic.
Finally, the U.S. should vigorously support The Hague tribunal's investigation of Milosevic as a war criminal.
Mr. President, we are under no illusion that the steps we recommend are easy or guarantee success. We are certain, however, that after seven years of aggression and genocide in the Balkans, the removal of Milosevic provides the only genuine possibility of a durable peace. We urge you to act forcefully in this crisis, and we offer you our full support should you do so. Sincerely Morton I. Abramowitz, Elliott Abrams, Richard L. Armitage, Nina Bang-Jensen, Jeffrey Bergner, George Biddle, John R. Bolton Frank Carlucci, Eliot Cohen, Seth Cropsey, Dennis DeConcini, Paula Dobriansky, Morton H. Halperin, John Heffernan, James R. Hooper, Bruce P. Jackson, Robert Kagan, Zalmay Khalilzad, Lane Kirkland, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Peter Kovler, William Kristol, Mark P. Lagon, Richard Perle, Peter Rodman, Gary Schmitt, Stephen Solarz, Helmut Sonnenfeldt, William Howard Taft IV, Ed Turner, Wayne Owens, Paul Wolfowitz, Dov S. Zakheim.This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.