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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
March 17, 1999

U.S. Condemns Belgrade's Latest Attack on Independent Media

The United States strongly condemns Belgrade's recent actions against independent media in Serbia. Serbian authorities brought court proceedings and heavy fines against multiple independent media publications over the weekend. Once again the Belgrade regime has attempted to take advantage of the Kosovo conflict to launch an attack on independent media in Serbia. Following the sentencing of the Editor-in-Chief and two journalists of the independent daily Dnevni Telegraf earlier this month, the Milosevic regime's actions over the weekend only confirm Belgrade's widespread and systematic campaign against independent thought in Serbia.

Two Albanian-language Kosovo newspapers were fined March 13. Charged with violations of articles of the Serbian Information Law, Kosovo Sot and Gazetta Shqiptare were fined $110,000 and upward of $70,000, respectively. The intent of such heavy fines is to force a shutdown of the publications and advance the Belgrade regime's attempts to silence independent voices. This morning both papers were given official notification that their assets are subject to seizure for failure to pay the fines levied against them. A third Kosovo paper, Rilindja, was reportedly charged with violating registration procedures.

Meanwhile in Belgrade, authorities brought charges against three independent papers. Verdicts handed down March 13 inflicted fines on Danas, Glas Javnosti, and Blic.

The United States government calls on the authorities in Belgrade to end their attacks on the independent media. It is essential for Belgrade to respect the principles of a free and open press if it hopes to climb out of its self-imposed cycle of violence and repression. Otherwise, the trauma that Kosovo represents will not abate for Serbia.

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