West Promises Support for Yugoslavia

B E L G R A D E, Yugoslavia, Oct. 8 -- As the euphoria surrounding his inauguration faded, President Vojislav Kostunica received assurances today from the United States and the European Union that help is on the way for Yugoslavia, crippled economically by 13 years of hard-line rule by Slobodan Milosevic.

In his first day in office, the new president found himself facing daunting challenges. He is expected to rebuild a shattered economy, end Yugoslavia’s international isolation, and assemble a government with as few old faces as possible while placating a pro-Milosevic wing that still wields considerable power.

Kostunica defeated Milosevic in the Sept. 24 presidential election. But Milosevic tried to deny Kostunica’s victory, sparking a national uprising that turned into a celebration Friday when Milosevic conceded defeat. Kostunica, a 56-year-old legal scholar, was sworn in Saturday night.

Today’s newspapers lauded the change in leadership, saying the country had rejoined the “ranks of democratic peoples,” while the European Union and the United States promised to lift some economic sanctions.

West Pledges Support

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said the United States is ready and willing to aid in the transition to democracy in Yugoslavia.

“The Yugoslav economy is a disaster, and we have to do everything we can to help,” she said today on NBC’s Meet the Press. “We want to support [Kostunica]. We want to get assistance to him. I’ve been talking to our European partners. We will be lifting certain sanctions” imposed to punish Milosevic for aggressive behavior toward first Bosnian Muslims and then ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

However, Defense Secretary William Cohen said today from the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki that any assistance from the West should help the Yugoslav people rebuild their country, but continue to weaken Milosevic’s political base.

“We should remove those economic sanctions directed toward the people, but at the same time keep in place the sanctions against Milosevic and his cronies,” he said.