The New York Times

Monday, June 21, 1999

Clinton Calls on Serbia for Change

By The Associated Press

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) -- President Clinton today toasted Slovenia as an example of what a democratic Balkans could become and urged Serbia to ``reject the murderous rule'' of President Slobodan Milosevic.

In the capital of the first Yugoslav republic to break with Milosevic, Clinton called on ``all the people of every part of Europe'' to choose democracy and respect for human rights over the politics of ethnic hatred.

``We want Serbia to be a part of the new Europe,'' Clinton said. ``But Serbia must reject the murderous rule of Mr. Milosevic and choose the path that Slovenia has chosen where people reach across the old divides and find strength in their differences and their common humanity.''

A relentless rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the welcoming committee for the first visit by a U.S. president to Slovenia. A military band and honor guard were on hand as Air Force One touched down and host officials unrolled 10 lengths of red carpet.

Some 4,000 people braved the elements to see Clinton speak in Congress Square. As he stepped to the podium, a colorful sea of umbrellas braced against the wind-blown downpour parted to reveal wet but smiling faces.

``You have certainly provided for me a welcome to Slovenia that I will never forget,'' Clinton said.

Clinton said he wanted his visit to ``spark the imagination ... about the kind of future and kind of societies we can build.''

Before meeting privately, Clinton and Slovenian President Milan Kucan shared two grinning handshakes for news cameras beneath a crystal chandelier in the Presidential Palace.

``This is a confirmation for Slovenia, for our partnership and for our role in this part of the world,'' said Prime Minister Janez Dernovsek.

In his Congress Square speech, Clinton said: ``The whole world admires Slovenia's success in building freedom and prosperity and now we look to you to play a crucial role as we build a better future for all of Europe.''

Addressing a key wish of Slovenian leaders to join the military alliance that turned Milosevic's forces out of Kosovo, he said: ``You are an excellent candidate for NATO.'' The crowd cheered heartily.

Noting that Milosevic triggered a military assault on Slovenia just eight years ago, Clinton said maintaining peace and stable democracies will require constant vigilance.

``We know these gains are fragile, for freedom's enemies hope for our failure,'' he said. ``Therefore, we must keep moving forward to deepen democracy and widen opportunity to build genuine communities and lasting peace.''

Kucan said Clinton's visit ``marks the recognition of our young country, that in its eight years of existence has managed to change its profile, become politically stable, economically successful and socially secure.''

A planned dinner with the democratically elected Kucan at Brdo Castle, former residence of the late dictator Josip Broz Tito, would dramatize that change.

Slovenia is a country of 2 million people, smaller than New Jersey and squeezed between Austria and Croatia. It wants to join NATO.

Slovenia was the most developed of the Yugoslav republics when it won independence in 1991 and has capitalized on that advantage since. With key industries including pharmaceuticals and electronics, Slovenia has a per capita income of $11,000, similar to Portugal and Greece.

Although Slovenia is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace, which prepares candidate countries to join the alliance, and an associate member of the European Union, many Slovenes were disappointed to miss the first wave of NATO expansion, which was limited this year to Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

U.S. officials clearly held out hope for Slovenia's NATO aspirations. ``We fully plan to have a second wave of enlargement,'' said White House spokesman Mike Hammer. ``Slovenia is definitely on that track.''

Slovenes also are frustrated by how little the world knows about their country, and hope Clinton's visit can change that.

``Americans, and the whole world, will know now where Slovenia is,'' said Marko Macur, a 22-year-old student waiting earlier this week for a ticket to see Clinton in Congress Square.

Slovenia made fevered preparations for Clinton, including $1.5 million for new wiring, plumbing and curtains at the castle outside Ljubljana, where Clinton will have a dinner for about 120 people.

Clinton also is meeting Milo Djukanovic, the president of Montenegro, the smaller of the two remaining Yugoslav republics.

The pro-Western Djukanovic has opposed Milosevic's policies, and Sandy Berger, the president's national security adviser, said Clinton's meeting with the Montenegrin leader will ``demonstrate our support for the steadfastness that he has shown.''

Twelve days after the last NATO bombing raid on Yugoslavia, Clinton was also venturing near the front lines of the battle -- won by the United States and its allies -- to stop Milosevic's ethnic cleansing of Kosovo.

Before heading back to Washington on Tuesday, the president was visiting the Stenkovich I refugee camp, temporary home to thousands of Kosovar Albanians who fled their homes in terror of Milosevic's Serb troops.