*EPF209 07/03/01
White House Report, July 3: Milosevic; the 4th of July
(Bush to spend Fourth of July in Philadelphia) (300)

BUSH SEES TURNING OVER OF MILOSEVIC AS A "HELPFUL STEP"

President Bush is pleased that "justice is being sought" in the case by the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague against former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters early July 3.

Milosevic was extradited to The Hague June 28 and will appear before the United Nations tribunal on charges of war crimes committed during the conflicts in the Balkans.

"The President believes that turning over Milosevic to the war crimes tribunal is a helpful step," said Fleischer. This act, he noted, was "called for by many nations around the world."

"The President recognizes the jurisdiction of the war crimes tribunal," Fleischer said, even if reports indicate that Milosevic does not. "The United States recognizes it and the President is pleased that justice is being sought, appropriately sought."

PRESIDENT TO BE AT INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVITIES IN PHILADELPHIA

President Bush will start his day on the Fourth of July in Philadelphia this year. He plans to attend an "Urban Block Party" at the Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia. Later in the afternoon he will make Independence Day remarks at an open press event at Philadelphia's Independence National Historic Park.

In the early evening of the 4th, the President and First Lady will visit the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. and then return to the White House.

Bush will depart Washington July 5 for Kennebunkport, Maine, but before leaving he will meet with the President of Guatemala, Alfonso Portillo at the White House.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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