For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 27, 2001
Statement by the Press Secretary
The United States has joined with its European allies and other
countries of the United Nations in strongly condemning the terrorist
violence perpetrated by armed extremists determined to destabilize the
democratic, multi-ethnic government of Macedonia. Their violent tactics
threaten U.S. and international efforts to promote regional peace and
stability and pose a potential danger to U.S. military forces and other
Americans supporting peacekeeping efforts. Macedonian President Trajkovski
has asked for our support to combat these extremists, who are undermining
the political dialogue currently underway among Macedonia?s legitimately
elected leaders. This dialogue offers a real opportunity for a negotiated
and peaceful settlement. As the President stated in Europe, we must face
down extremists in Macedonia and elsewhere who seek to use violence to
redraw borders or subvert the democratic process.
The President has therefore ordered two actions be taken to deprive these
extremists of financial and material support and to restrict their travel.
First, the President issued an Executive Order prohibiting as of June
27, 2001 U.S. persons from transferring, paying, exporting, withdrawing or
otherwise dealing in the property or interests in property of persons
involved in violent and obstructionist actions, whom are identified in an
annex to the order. Others may be added to this list in the future.
Second, the President issued a proclamation restricting the entry to
the United States of those individuals who actively obstruct implementation
of the Dayton Peace Accords or UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and who
otherwise seek to undermine peace and stability in the region. In
addition, the proclamation restricts the entry into the United States of
those who are responsible for wartime atrocities committed in the region
since 1991.
The purpose of these two actions is to send a clear message to the
extremists and their supporters in the region, who actively obstruct and
undermine peace and stability, that such tactics are unacceptable, and that
we will use the means at our disposal to isolate these groups and
individuals and cut their access to financial support.
For the first time in history, there are democratic governments
throughout southeast Europe. Legitimate grievances must be addressed
through the democratic process. As President Trajkovski said on Tuesday,
Macedonians must reinvigorate the political dialogue with all legitimate
parties; the men of violence must lay down their weapons, so that all
Macedonian citizens can live in peace.
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