June 9, 1999
Web posted at: 12:03 a.m. EDT (0403 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Hungarian President Arpad Goncz met with President Clinton at the White House on Tuesday and pledged to provide troops to a NATO peacekeeping effort in Kosovo.

The two leaders held private talks that centered around whether Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic would comply with NATO demands to withdrawal most Serb troops from the war-torn region.

Goncz told Clinton that Hungary -- one of NATO's newest members -- will send police and engineering units to Kosovo as part of the eventual peacekeeping force.

"We are acting in accordance with our national interests and our obligations as allies in offering the greatest possible support to the international community acting for peace," Goncz said.

Clinton called Hungary's support "absolutely critical" toward peace in region.

"Hungary has stood with the United States as a NATO ally against ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, and for a more positive future for all of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe," Clinton said.

Clinton and Goncz also discussed Hungary's concern for 300,000 ethnic Hungarians living in the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina.

Hungary has expressed concerns they could come under attack if Hungary becomes too active in the conflict.

"This is a very, very important issue for Hungary and we are determined to bring it to a successful conclusion, to reverse the ethnic cleansing and to see the refugees go home," Clinton said.

Later that evening, the Clintons hosted President Goncz, his wife and 180 guests at the White House for a state dinner.

It was a little too hot for the Hungarian dish of goulash, but the United States Marine Band served up a number of folk songs in honor of the Hungarian guests.

Singer Judy Collins was the evening's featured performer. The dinner drew a host of literary figures that included authors E.L. Doctorow, William Styron, Elie Wiesel and Susan Sontag.

Goncz is a veteran of the resistance against Nazi rule during World War II, and took part in the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising.

He was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the insurgency, but was released after six years and became a writer, dramatist and translator.

"He's an exceptionally cultivated man," said Sontag, whose works were translated by Goncz.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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