The United States has resumed economic aid to Serbia and Montenegro in response to that country's improved cooperation with the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns announced the action in Belgrade Thursday after talks with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and other officials. Mr. Burns praised Mr. Kostunica for his success in persuading about a dozen war crimes suspects to surrender to the tribunal this year. He also expressed confidence that top fugitive suspect General Ratko Mladic will soon join them.
The tribunal indicted General Mladic in 1995 for his role in attacks on civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He is believed to have been hiding in Serbia in recent years.
U.S. authorities froze more than $10 million in aid to Serbia and Montenegro in January because of the country's previous failure to cooperate with The Hague court.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AP, and AFP.
