We welcome Commissioner Patten to the Permanent Council.

The United States has been a stalwart supporter of European integration since the Treaty of Rome and the inception of the European Community. We also welcome EU progress on the path toward greater integration and enlargement. At the dawn of the new millennium, it is even more important that Europe be strong enough to face any new challenges and risks that may emerge. A Europe undivided and more capable to meet these challenges and risks is in all our interests.

In our view, the EU is a valued partner in our joint efforts to strengthen democracy and the market economies in the OSCE. We work together to promote regional stability, to ensure protection of fundamental freedoms of religion, speech and assembly and an individual's right to choose his or her leaders. We stand side-by-side to fight the scourges of trafficking in human beings, drugs, corruption and organized crime. We need to work closely together to overcome obstacles that undermine economic reforms and impede sustainable economic development. In that regard, we welcome the Commission's co-sponsorship with the OSCE of the next preparatory seminar on Transparency and Good Governance in Economic Matters. Mr. Patten, we urge you to look creatively for ways to work with the OSCE to promote greater openness, accountability and legal protection for societies hobbled by corruption.

Nowhere have our joint efforts been more important than in Southeast Europe. The European Commission has devoted tremendous time and effort, and its taxpayers' generous resources, to promote stability in this troubled region. The United States welcomes the Commission's leadership in the area of Balkan assistance.

We note with satisfaction the recent General Affairs Council (GAC) decision to support the Commission's proposed CARDS (Community's Assistance for Reconstruction, Development, and Stabilization of Southeast Europe) regulation that will establish a single legal framework for its assistance to that region. The proposed allocation of 4.65 billion Euros to Southeast Europe over the period 2000-2006 is a significant commitment, and reaffirms the Union's long-term interest in integrating the Balkans into the rest of Europe.

We also welcome the Commission's efforts to provide its allocated assistance to needy recipients as quickly as possible, especially in post-conflict areas such as Serbia and Kosovo. Such assistance will contribute significantly to the International Community's efforts to ensure lasting peace, stability, democracy, and prosperity.

We stand ready to further support the work of the Stability Pact and we appreciate the work of the Commission in this regard. We are long-term partners in supporting this important effort. Many in the region continue to look to the Stability Pact process to strengthen cooperation and stability among nations in Southeast Europe.

The International Community has made good initial efforts within the framework of the Stability Pact. Now is the time to speed up our implementation and bring real results quickly to the region of Southeast Europe. While we appreciate funding activities thus far, we must meet the March 31 deadline for the implementation of the Quick Start. In addition, we need to speed up the implementation of important near term infrastructure and private sector projects agreed in Istanbul.

The next regional funding conference should take place no later than the first half of 2001 -- and a near term strategy should be developed well beforehand. All these actions should make for a more robust Stability Pact -- and a stronger Southeast Europe.

Just as the United States welcomes EU efforts to enhance its ability to respond rapidly and effectively to crises, we in the OSCE also need to be prepared. We consider implementation of the REACT program and establishment of the Operations Center central in this regard.

For our part, the United States has identified an American firm that is already recruiting U.S. experts that meet OSCE REACT program requirements in fields as diverse as human rights, elections and administration.

In addition, President Clinton has directed his Administration to enhance U.S. capacities to respond to crisis situations involving international civilian police and rule of law issues. In implementing his directive, we will identify and train 2,000 experienced American police officers who will be prepared to rapidly deploy to address policing and rule of law requirements in a variety of areas, including monitoring, training, advising, and actual law enforcement. The U.S. contribution to REACT will benefit from implementation of this program.

We welcome reports from other delegations regarding their efforts to implement REACT on a national level and look forward to hearing reports by EU High Representative Solana and UN Undersecretary Frechette at the upcoming Ministerial in connection to their efforts to step up crisis management response capabilities.

Thank you.