http://www.serbia-info.com/news/2000-12/19/21603.html

State knows how to fight terrorism
December 19, 2000

Bujanovac, December 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Premier Nebojsa
Covic has stated tonight that FRY and the Republic of Serbia knows
how to fight terrorism and extremism in the crisis area of southern Serbia.

In the talks with special envoy of the State Department James Pardew,
which were held in Bujanovac, it was stressed that the USA does not want
and will not support anybody's striving for change of boundaries, nor
tolerate extremism and incidents. Covic stressed that they promised
that members of KFOR will do more to protect border towards Kosovo
and Metohija in order to stop incursions into the land zone of security.

Pointing out that it is a big progress, in regard to positions which
Americans had in former period, Covic reminded that promises is being
checking, and so this should be also checked, "as others checked us".

The meeting was also attended by American ambassador to Yugoslavia
William Montgomery, Yugoslav Minister of National and Ethnic
Communities Rasim Ljajic, and heads of municipalities of Bujanovac and
Presevo, Stojanca Arsic and Riza Halimi.

At the press conference, Deputy Premier Covic and Minister of National
and Ethnic Communities Rasim Ljajic talked about meetings with local
authorities of Bujanovac and Presevo and ethnic Albanian committee
members from Bujanovac.

Vice Premier Covic stressed that "we have to create normal democratic
state in which the law would be maximally obeyed and when that basic
condition is fulfilled, then the state can make demands before its citizens".