Speaking in Vietnam, he announced a substantial emergency aid package for Yugoslavia.
"We take this action in response to remarkable changes in Yugoslavia following the democratic election of President Vojislav Kostunica and the ouster of Slobodan Milosevic," Clinton said in a statement.
"We and our allies are committed to supporting this historic democratic transition," he said.
Washington on Friday joined France, Germany and Britain in establishing ties with Yugoslavia (FRY).
Clinton acknowledged Kostunica's progress in "reversing the brutal policies of the old regime," but warned there is more to achieve in order to secure stability in Yugoslavia (FRY) and the region.
"The democratic transition in the FRY, however, is far from over," Clinton said. "The new government is faced with an economy destroyed by years of mismanagement.
"Members of Milosevic's regime are still in positions of power. Indicted war criminals continue to escape justice for their heinous crimes."
As a first step, Washington will provide about 45 million dollars in emergency food aid to help Serbia through the winter. Congress has also appropriated 100 million dollars in assistance to Serbia as well as 89 million dollars for Montenegro, Clinton said.
Clinton is in the midst of an historic official visit to communist Vietnam, the first by a U.S. president since the end of the Vietnam War a quarter century ago. Hanoi was a trusted ally of Milosevic and vigorously condemned last year's U.S.-led NATO bombing of Belgrade.
(bb/dpa)
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