U.S. House votes to fund Yugoslavia's opposition movement

From CNN Capitol Hill Producer Ted Barrett

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With both sides claiming victory and no official results announced yet in Yugoslavia's presidential election, the House of Representatives passed a bill Monday evening to help fund the opposition movement there.

The measure passed on a voice vote.

VIDEO CNN's Andrea Koppel explains the U.S. stance on the Yugoslav election Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES U.S. House of Representatives: Current Floor Activity     ALSO U.S.: 'Credible' reports that Milosevic rejected by Yugoslav voters U.S. State Department: The world is watching Yugoslavia     MESSAGE BOARD Peace in the Balkans

It authorizes $105 million for pro-democracy activities in Serbia and Montenegro by non-governmental organizations, the media, political parties,labor unions and other groups.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., the chairman of the Helsinki Commission, who opposed NATO's bombing of Serbia, is the primary sponsor of the bill.

"The regime of Slobodan Milosevic has resorted to increasingly repressive measures to stay in power throughout the election season in the Yugoslav federation -- of which Serbia and Montenegro are part," Smith said. "Few hold hope that Milosevic will simply relinquish power. A struggle for democracy may only just be starting - not ending."

In addition, the Serbia and Montenegro Democracy Act encourages more political contacts between U.S. government officials and members of the opposition movement in Yugoslavia.

Similar language has passed the Senate, said Chris Connelly, an aide to Smith.

The White House asked Congress for about $41 million for the program, which is funded under the Support for Eastern Europe (SEED) Act, Connelly said.

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Democratic Party of Yugoslavia
Movement for Democratic Serbia
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
CNN In Depth report: Focus on Kosovo
NATO
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Government of Montenegro
KFOR Peacekeeping

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