Clinton Lifts Sanctions Against YugoslaviaUS President Bill Clinton notified congressional leaders Friday that he is lifting economic sanctions that have been in place against Yugoslavia since the Kosovo crisis of 1999.American companies have been prohibited from business dealings with Yugoslavia. Acting on his last full day in office, Clinton said he was responding to the peaceful democratic transition that has begun under President Vojislav Kostunica, who assumed his duties last fall. US relations with Yugoslavia have been advancing rapidly since Kostunica became president. One potential issue which the incoming administration will inherit involves a determination of whether Yugoslavia is cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). In his message, Clinton said that notwithstanding the positive developments in Yugoslavia, "steps must still be taken to support the ongoing efforts of the ICTY and to continue to counter the threat that remains with respect to stability in the Balkan region and the full implementation of the Dayton peace agreement." |
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