SLOVAKIA : Mrs. Clinton Visits, Calls for Reforms

U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright teamed up in prodding the Slovak government to end its ambivalence about democratic reform. Mrs. Clinton, who sandwiched a seven-hour visit to Slovakia between longer visits to the Czech Republic and Hungary, delivered an unusually blunt message to the country’s leaders during the only non-ceremonial event on her schedule--a meeting with volunteer and advocacy groups. She stressed the importance of “respect for the rule of law, a free press, an independent judiciary and respect for minorities.” Later, U.S. officials said, Albright followed up the first lady’s remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar.