(11 Jun 1999) English/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton has addressed the nation, telling Americans that NATO countries had made the world a safer place with their victory over Slobodan Milosevic.
Clinton said that allied attention would now be on securing the peace in Kosovo, for both Ethnic Albanians and Serbs.
United States President Bill Clinton broadcast to the nation on Thursday as the peace agreement in the Balkans began to be implemented.
He said that NATO's stance during the crisis had been vindicated and that the world was a safer place because the allies had stood firm during the campaign.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Tonight for the first time in 79 days, the skies over Yugoslavia are silent. The Serb army and police are withdrawing from Kosovo. The one million men, women and children driven from their land are preparing to return home. The demands of an outraged and united international community have been met. I can report to the American people that we have achieved a victory, for a safer world, for our democratic values, and for a stronger America."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U.S. President
He told his audience that tolerance and religious freedom should be defended wherever they are threatened.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This victory brings a new hope, that when a people are singled out for destruction because of their heritage and religious faith, and we can do something about it, the world will not look the other way."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U.S. President
And he said that as peace took hold in the region, the Kosovar Albanians would once again be free to control their own fate.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our firmness finally has brought an end to a vicious campaign of ethnic cleansing. And we acted early enough to reverse it, to enable the Kosovars to go home. When they do, they will be safe. They will be able to reopen their schools, speak their language, practice their religion, chose their leaders and shape their destiny."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U.S. President
He praised Russia's role in resolving the crisis, despite its opposition to the bombing, and emphasised the unity of purpose amongst the allies.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"NATO has achieved this success as a united alliance, ably led by Secretary General Solana and General Clark. Nineteen democracies came together and stayed together through the stiffest military challenge in NATO's 50-year history. We also preserved our critically important partnership with Russia, thanks to President Yeltsin, who opposed our military effort but supported diplomacy to end the conflict on terms that met our conditions."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U.S. President
He also had a message for the Serbian people, telling them their leaders are to blame for what they have endured.
Clinton said that as long as Slobodan Milosevic is in power, there will be no aid to rebuild Serbia.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U.S. President
Clinton said the job now is to prosecute indicted war criminals, rebuild the damage in Kosovo and return the refugees.
But he warned that the peacekeeping will be dangerous and there may be casualties.
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