USA: BILL CLINTON’S WARNING TO YUGOSLAVIA

(10 Jun 1999) English/Nat Although the bombing is over for now, President Clinton is warning Yugoslavia that it could resume. He told reporters on Thursday that if the Serbs backed out of a peace deal, NATO had the right to start the air strikes again. Clinton was speaking at the White House, after NATO announced the suspension of the bombing. He said the Kosovar Albanians were going to be able to return home - because NATO took a stand. Clinton praised U-S and allied troops for showing what he called “tremendous skill and courage.“ And he said he was grateful that the loss of life among NATO forces was limited to a pair of training incidents, and that the allies lost only two planes. Clinton also said NATO had emerged from the 78-day bombing campaign “stronger and more united than ever.“ But he warned the job wasn’t over and that NATO had to see that the Serbs stuck to their commitments. His words: “We have to finish the job and build a peace.“ Clinton also said the NATO victory had given hope for a peaceful, united Europe. He said those involved in the air campaign should feel completely vindicated, and he paid tribute to the American forces, which he said “performed superbly.“ They will now be part of an international peacekeeping force in Kosovo -- and Clinton says there are still great challenges ahead in seeing to it that the Kosovar Albanians can return home safely. The U-S president will address the American people later on Thursday. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: