BELGRADE--Serbian president Vojislav Kostunica deployed more
than 30,000 peacekeeping troops to the U.S. Monday, pledging
full support to the troubled North American nation as it
struggles to establish democracy.
"We must do all we can to support free elections in America
and allow democracy to gain a foothold there," Kostunica
said. "The U.S. is a major player in the Western Hemisphere
and its continued stability is vital to Serbian interests in
that region."
Kostunica urged Al Gore, the U.S. opposition-party leader
who is refusing to recognize the nation's Nov. 7 election
results, to "let the democratic process take its course."
"Mr. Gore needs to acknowledge the will of the people and
concede that he has lost this election," Kostunica said.
"Until America's political figures learn to respect the
institutions that have been put in place, the nation will
never be a true democracy."
Serbian forces have been stationed throughout the U.S., with
an emphasis on certain trouble zones. Among them are Oregon,
Florida, and eastern Tennessee, where Gore set up
headquarters in Bush territory. An additional 10,000 troops
are expected to arrive in the capital city of Washington,
D.C. by Friday.
Though Kostunica has pledged to work with U.S. leaders, he
did not rule out the possibility of economic sanctions if
the crisis is not resolved soon.
"For democracy to take root and flourish, it must be planted
in the rich soil of liberty. And the cornerstone of liberty
is elections free of tampering or corruption," Kostunica said.
"Should America prove itself incapable of learning this
lesson on its own, the international community may be forced
to take stronger measures."
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