(26 May 1999) English/Nat

Greece is renewing a call for a pause in the NATO bombing, despite a lukewarm response from U-S officials.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou was in Washington, on Wednesday, meeting administration leaders and promoting a 48-hour pause.

He thinks this would give Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic some calm, during
which he could consider a response to NATO's demands.

But Milosevic could have more troubles -- there are reports that Yugoslavia's leader could face war crimes charges as early as Thursday.

Before meeting top Clinton administration officials on the situation in Yugoslavia, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou talked with the Reverend Jesse Jackson about his country's plan.

Greece is calling for a pause in NATO airstrikes to encourage Slobodan Milosevic to agree to NATO's demands.

In a press conference at Jackson's Washington office, the Greek official said his nation was feeling the direct effects of the bombing campaign.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Greece has said to get diplomacy moving."
SUPER CAPTION: Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou

He insisted Greece was trying to be helpful in bringing about a final agreement.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
The suggestion we have made is that this is a temporary pause with a very specific end to the pause without any new decisions I hope we wouldn't need to have a to actually get an agreement."
SUPER CAPTION: Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou

The foreign minister's ideas were not endorsed by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

At a news conference following a meeting at the State Department, Albright complimented Greece for endorsing NATO's demand.

But she reiterated the bombing would end only after Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic accepted them and started carrying out the demands.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The United States in Greece are together in to oppose ethnic cleansing in Kosovo only then will the air campaign stop."
SUPER CAPTION: US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Meanwhile, Albright and other administration officials declined to verify reports that Milosevic faced indictment by an international war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think that is not appropriate to comment on that. from our standpoint both financially and in support staff."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties called the report "good news."

Sixty-four House members have sent a letter to President Clinton, urging him to make sure Milosevic is prosecuted and held accountable for war crimes.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Milosevic is a war criminal he is responsible we encourage the Clinton administration and evidence that may be useful. We should do everything in our power to see that he is brought to justice."
SUPER CAPTION: House Democratic Whip David Bonior, Michigan

Lawmakers are urging the president to remain tough with the Yugoslav leader, and not to allow him to cut a deal to avoid facing charges as part of an overall peace agreement.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"There ought to be no peace negotiations the tougher we are with Milosevic I think the better off we are."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S Senator Arlen Specter, Republican, Pennsylvania

The war crimes tribunal would not comment on the legitimacy of the reports indicating an indictment against Milosevic was imminent.

But the court's chief prosecutor, Louise Arbour, said she would make "an important announcement" on Thursday.

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