NEWS RELEASES

September 25, 2000 (3:20 p.m. EDT) No. 246

AXWORTHY CALLS ON THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO

RESPECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today called for the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) to respect the will of the people as expressed in yesterday's elections. Unofficial results indicate that citizens have strongly supported the opposition candidate, Vojislav Kostunica, and clearly rejected the leadership of the current president, Slobodan Milosevic. Reports from Belgrade indicate that voter turnout in Serbia was high, in the 70-80 percent range, and that there was little violence or civil disturbance despite large-scale intimidation and electoral manipulation by the regime of Milosevic.

"Canada is pleased at these early trends," said Minister Axworthy. "We applaud the courage of the Yugoslav people, who faced an electoral process that was clearly not free and fair. It is extraordinary that, despite these challenges, they voted for change in such large numbers."

The upcoming days and weeks will be difficult ones in the transition to democracy for Yugoslavia. "Canada supports a quick and peaceful transfer of power. As soon as a government committed to reform and reconciliation is firmly in place, Canada and the international community will initiate removing sanctions, ending the isolation of Yugoslavia and increasing assistance to support political and economic reform," added the Minister.

Canada continues to follow events closely in the FRY, and is working and consulting closely with its international partners in the United Nations, European Union, G-8 and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The Canadian Embassy in Belgrade is also continuing to monitor the situation in co-ordination with democratic non-governmental organizations and like-minded embassies.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

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