Only the first step: U.S.

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, APRIL 1. The Bush administration has no immediate comment on the arrest of the former Yugoslavian strongman, Mr. Slobodan Milosevic.

The President, Mr. George W. Bush, who is at Camp David, has been kept informed of the developing situation in Belgrade including the news of the arrest of Mr. Milosevic. ``We are monitoring the situation'', a White House spokeswoman said.

The administration is not likely to say anything substantive until Monday. On Friday, Mr. Bush remarked that Washington was carefully watching the situation. ``We will cooperate in any way that we're asked to do so'', the President remarked.

The deadline for certification of additional and remaining funds for Yugoslavia has expired and the State Department will have to comment on the situation one way or the other tomorrow.

Although the U.S. Congress has not specially stipulated that Mr. Milosevic must be arrested if aid is to continue, the sentiment in Capitol Hill thus far has been that the arrest of Mr. Milosevic is only the ``first step''.

The Bush administration has also to address the issue of the conditions of Mr. Milosevic's arrest.

Reports reaching here, quoting highly placed officials in Belgrade, speak of the former strongman surrendering only after being told that he is being arrested for domestic corruption charges and not for any war crimes.

Washington has made it very clear even in the last few days that Mr. Milosevic must be turned over to the Tribunal for War Crimes at The Hague.

Administration officials here have also been making the point that the arrest of Mr. Milosevic while being an important aspect, was not the only determinant for continuation of assistance.

There is one view that the Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, is inclined to tell Congress that Belgrade under the new leadership is on the right track.

This means, among other things, the State Department will have to tell Congress on Monday that Belgrade is cooperating with the Tribunal at The Hague and implementing policies that respect the rights of the minorities.

Congress had set apart $ 100 millions for Yugoslavia for current year and what is at stake is $ 50 millions for the remainder of the year.

If certification is denied then the Bush administration is required to oppose loans to Yugoslavia at International Financial Institutions. Washington has been sympathetic to what the Yugoslavian President, Mr. Vojislav Kostounica, has been trying to do in the last few months.

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Section  : International
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