Fischer Warns: Yugoslavs Must Acquire Democratic Culture to Relate to Germany
From the December 2000 Trumpet Print Edition
Berlin (AP), Oct. 11—German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, addressing Parliament on Wednesday, expressed his opinion that Germany should not only provide material help to Yugoslavia but that the Bundeswehr and non-military organizations should establish a permanent presence there. He declared that this was a unique chance to create a democracy in the context of further European unification.
Reunited Germany has a special responsibility for stabilizing democracy in Serbia. Democracy, said Mr. Fischer, is the basis for a lasting peace in the Balkans. But the priority is for the moment that the democratic changes be carried out peacefully and that justice prevail. The Western Balkans is a part of the European comprehensive responsibility.