(3 Jun 1999) English/Nat
U-S President Bill Clinton has given a guarded welcome to Yugoslavia's acceptance of a Kosovo peace plan.
Speaking in Washington on Thursday, Clinton said Belgrade's action was a "movement" in the right direction.
But Clinton said he wanted clarification on Serb promises and their plans for implementing them.
He said that, for now, the bombing of Yugoslavia would continue, side-by-side with diplomacy.
Kosovo was at the top of the agenda when U-S President Bill Clinton walked from the Oval Office to the Rose Garden on Thursday.
Clinton said word of Yugoslav willingness to accept international peace terms for Kosovo was encouraging, but he insisted on seeing real results.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Movement by the Serbian leadership to accept these conditions established by NATO and the international community is, of course, welcome. But based on our past experience, we must also be cautious. First, we must have clarity that the Serbian leadership has fully accepted these conditions and intends to fully implement them. Until then, and until Serb forces begin a verifiable withdrawal from Kosovo, we will continue to pursue diplomacy. But we will also continue the military effort that has brought us to this point."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
If diplomacy brings a swift end to the 11-week bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, an international peacekeeping force would go to Kosovo to protect returning Kosovar Albanians.
NATO would suspend its air campaign only after a withdrawal is underway.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"NATO and our military have been working hard to ensure that we can sustain our campaign and deploy K-FOR quickly and effectively when that is necessary. We have worked to ensure that we can do this while maintaining our overall military posture around the world. They have my complete confidence and support as we move forward."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
Clinton says past experience with Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic makes it important that NATO doesn't let up too soon.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have some encouraging news on Kosovo, but we should be cautious."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President
After the Rose Garden news conference, Clinton met his Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss the Kosovo peace plan.
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