U.S. Department of State

Press Briefing

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2000
Briefer: PHILIP REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Excerpts:

QUESTION: Well, if Milosevic has - since Milosevic has called the election, by the opposition not agreeing to kind of take part in the election, doesn't that give him kind of ammunition to say that he's not, you know, part of the process - a democratic process? And if the opposition did win by such a majority, then they'd obviously win again in a second runoff, so what's the problem with a second?

MR. REEKER: Because there is no issue of a second runoff. The evidence is clear. Milosevic can say what he wants. This federal election commission, which has absolutely no credibility at all given the fraud that took place, has no standing. It's very clear that the opposition has challenged the federal election commission then to show their evidence.

QUESTION: But aren't you concerned that by the opposition not taking part in this runoff that Milosevic has called, that that's going to give him ammunition to --

MR. REEKER: I think, again, you're assuming a runoff or a second round that is not an issue because there is no basis for it.

QUESTION: Well, there's an issue because it's going to take place. I mean, whether they take part in it --

MR. REEKER: You're saying that. So I think what we have to do is look at what the facts are and - again, look at what the facts are. The opposition has called upon the federal election commission to show their evidence, their basis for the statements that they have made, which certainly lack credibility compared to the transparent, extremely methodical, evidence that the opposition has put forward. And that's where we stand.

QUESTION: So what's going to happen then? I mean, you say that there isn't going to be a second round, so obviously you know what's going to take place. What is the scenario? How is it going to play out?

MR. REEKER: I have never suggested, Jonathan, that I know what is going to take place. What I am looking at are the facts. And what I am telling you, as we see it, is that the opposition has put forward this documentation. It's very clear that Mr. Kostunica won outright in this round in a very legal way. They have presented it very methodically, very clearly. They have challenged the regime authorities to present any other evidence that they may have to put up similar results, but the authorities have absolutely no credibility. So it's very much time for Milosevic to step aside.