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Clinton, Italian prime minister leave open possibility of using troops in Kosovo

May 7, 1998
Web posted at: 1:53 a.m. EDT (0553 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and President Clinton on Wednesday discussed the increasingly volatile situation in the Serbian province of Kosovo and left open the possibility of using troops to prevent an escalation of ethnic violence in the region.

"We're working urgently to establish unconditional talks that can avert escalating violence. But we must and will be ready to substantially turn up the pressure on Belgrade should it keep blocking the search for a political solution or revert to indiscriminate force," said Clinton at a joint news conference.

Prodi said his country could use troops to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Kosovo from across the border. "Even this option is dangerous, because whenever you send troops, you send potential hostages to the situation." He also said he and Clinton discussed the possibility of recovery assistance for civilians in Kosovo.

Ethnic Albanians comprise 90 percent of the 1.8 million people in Kosovo. Most of those people favor independence from Serbia. Clinton said it should not be difficult to find a solution that satisfies the "legitimate aspirations" of ethnic Albanians for increased autonomy while honoring Serbian desires to hold to the province.

'A magic moment of Italian-American relations'

Prodi, attending an official dinner hosted by President Clinton, praised relations between the two countries, saying they are at a "magic moment of Italian-American relations."

At the press conference with Clinton, Prodi explained the comment, saying in the current state of relations between the two countries, "we have no point of disagreement."

The two leaders then dined with more than 150 guests including Sophia Loren, Susan Lucci and a host of guests from Italy and the United States.

Clinton offered a toast as the dinner began, recalling that the founders of the American republic had revered the intellectuals of the Roman republic as they, "looked to the past to plan the future."

Clinton pointed out the contributions Italian immigrants made to the growth of the United States, saying, "we take pride in our strong friendship." Clinton also expressed his hope that the new millennium "will allow more people than ever before to live their dreams in security."

Prodi replied by thanking the United States for its actions to stabilize Bosnia and the Balkan region. Prodi also said the relationship between the United States and Italy represents a broader solidarity between the United States and Europe.

Ski-lift accident discussed

At the news conference, Clinton expressed his "profound regrets" to Prodi for an accident in February when a Marine jet based in Aviano sliced a ski-lift cable, killing 20 people. The incident strained relations between the two countries.

Prodi was guarded in his response, saying only, "I am waiting for the future development of the case, but I've seen a deep involvement on the part of American political authorities."

The U.S. president also saluted Italy and its European partners in the new European currency, the euro. He said an economically strong Europe with open markets is "good for America and good for the world."

Leaders differ on death penalty

Despite Prodi's statement that "there is no point of disagreement" between the two countries, a discussion of the death penalty revealed distanct contrasts in the way the two leaders think about capital punishment. The differences have surfaced recently in repeated Italian objections to U.S. executions.

Clinton defended his stance on the issue, saying the death penalty law is largely determined by states, that defendants have extensive opportunities to appeal, and that the Supreme Court has upheld the legality of it. "I support its use under certain circumstances," he said.

Prodi disagreed.

"I belong to a country which the death penalty has been abolished since a very long time. It is the roots of our tradition, of our values, of our society not to have it, and I stick on it," he said.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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