United Nations, 2 November 2000 (RFE/RL) - The UN General Assembly has voted to admit the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a full member of the United Nations, ending eight years of the country's suspended status in the world body. France's ambassador to the UN, Jean-David Levitte, introduced the resolution to admit Yugoslavia. He said Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica had confirmed his commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.
The Yugoslav flag was later hoisted in front of the UN building in New York. A Yugoslav envoy, Goran Svilanovic, called the event a "bright moment" in the country's history.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said Yugoslavia's membership opens up new possibilities for the country, as well as for Europe. He urged Yugoslavia to cooperate with the International War Crimes Tribunal, where former President Slobodan Milosevic faces indictment for war crimes.
Yugoslavia has been suspended from UN membership since 1992, following the secession of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia. The General Assembly ruled that rump Yugoslavia -- consisting of Serbia and Montenegro -- could not automatically continue the membership of the socialist republic. The former regimes in Belgrade had refused to apply for new membership.
The Yugoslav flag was later hoisted in front of the UN building in New York. A Yugoslav envoy, Goran Svilanovic, called the event a "bright moment" in the country's history.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said Yugoslavia's membership opens up new possibilities for the country, as well as for Europe. He urged Yugoslavia to cooperate with the International War Crimes Tribunal, where former President Slobodan Milosevic faces indictment for war crimes.
Yugoslavia has been suspended from UN membership since 1992, following the secession of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Macedonia. The General Assembly ruled that rump Yugoslavia -- consisting of Serbia and Montenegro -- could not automatically continue the membership of the socialist republic. The former regimes in Belgrade had refused to apply for new membership.