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."
