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USIA - Text: Burns' Statement on Serbian Closure of Media Outlets, 97-07-23
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>
TEXT: BURNS' STATEMENT ON SERBIAN CLOSURE OF MEDIA OUTLETS
(U.S. "disturbed" about reports of closures) (310)
Washington -- The United States is "disturbed by reports that a number of
TV and radio stations recently have been closed" in Serbia, "and we are
especially disappointed that these steps have been taken in the period just
prior to Serbian parliamentary and presidential elections," State
Department Spokesman Nicholas Burns said July 23.
He added that restricting the operations of broadcast media "is a step
backward in the process of democratization, and further delays Serbia-
Montenegro's integration into the international community."
Following is the text of his statement:
(Begin text)
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
July 23, 1997
STATEMENT BY NICHOLAS BURNS, SPOKESMAN
SERBIAN CLOSURE OF RADIO AND TV STATIONS
The United States government has repeatedly registered its concern that
authorities in Serbia-Montenegro might attempt to close radio and
television stations and confiscate their equipment should they continue to
operate without government authorization. While we recognize the right and
responsibility of states to regulate their broadcasting systems, the USG
has emphasized that this right must not be abused to reverse the development
of a free and independent media. The media situation in Serbia-Montenegro
has purposely been allowed to develop in a legal vacuum and the government
has withheld the necessary authorization from broadcasters.
We are disturbed by reports that a number of TV and radio stations recently
have been closed, and we are especially disappointed that these steps have
been taken in the period just prior to Serbian parliamentary and presidential
elections. The United States strongly supports the development of
independent media. The practice of restricting the operation of radio and
television stations is a step backward in the process of democratization,
and further delays Serbia-Montenegro's integration into the international
community.
(End text)
From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at http://www.usia.gov
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