Serbia's new PM rounds on Milosevic

BELGRADE - As Serbia went to the polls yesterday for elections that will set the final seal on Slobodan Milosevic's removal from the political scene, the country's likely new prime minister regretted that the man who ruled Yugoslavia for 13 years is still at liberty.

"We should have arrested Milosevic," Zoran Djindjic told the Independent on Sunday in his office in central Belgrade. "It's an insult that he still appears in public, in his shameless way."

In a meeting organised by the European Institute for the Media, which does work on media and democracy on behalf of the European Commission, Mr Djindjic talked of the need for a complete overhaul of the "chaotic situation" of Serb state television, a key part of the Milosevic apparatus.

"It was a complete instrument of the old regime. These people are compromised." He suggested the oppressive style of the Milosevic era had, paradoxically, helped independent media – "the best part of our society" – become strong.

"After Milosevic, nobody can intimidate them," he added. "It would be embarrassing if we tried to influence them."

The Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition, which ousted Mr Milosevic after the Yugoslav federal elections in September, looks certain to have won yesterday's Serb republican elections, with perhaps 70 per cent of the vote.

The structure of what remains of Yugoslavia (Serbia and tiny Montenegro) means most powers are at the republican level, with only foreign and defence policy being handled by federal ministries.

Economic reform and a clean-out of the police and security forces are among the key problems the new government, with Mr Djindjic as prime minister, will have to tackle. In constitutional terms, Mr Djindjic will have more powers than President Vojislav Kostunica, international figurehead of the new Yugoslavia.

Mr Djindjic was sanguine about the limited lifespan of the new ruling coalition, which embraces politicians of the left, right and centre. "In two or three years, an opposition will emerge from the DOS."

For the moment, he suggested that the survival of the coalition, with its "national programme", is essential to push through "unpleasant reforms".

He said Mr Milosevic, the far-right leader Vojislav Seselj and the once-popular opposition leader Vuk Draskovic are outside the political loop, and could not be regarded as a serious opposition. "They are anti-modern, populist, irresponsible politicians. They're all marginalised at the same time."

Mr Milosevic's Socialist Party, Mr Seselj's Radicals and Mr Draskovic's Serb Renewal Party were expected to gain around 20 per cent of the vote among them in yesterday's vote. "I wish you a Happy New Year" was the only comment Mr Milosevic made after he cast his vote in the upmarket Dedinje area of Belgrade.

He came to the polling station at 8.30am with his wife Mira Markovic, and a few bodyguards. The couple voted and left quickly. Mr Kostunica has described yesterday's poll as "the second part" of the 24 September elections that swept Milosevic from power.

"Democratic changes and democratic reconstruction of Serbia and Yugoslavia will be completed after today's elections," he said. "The tasks before us are large, immense. I am sure people will choose a Serbian parliament that would be able to cope with this. I expect a substantial DOS victory."

Judging by what voters said in Belgrade, Serbs are not in a patient mood. "It's high time we saw some action," said Jelena Milicevic, 24, a student who voted for the DOS.

"We were told to be patient and wait for the government of Serbia to change. It is changing today, but so little patience remains among people. Corruption and the new rich are still everywhere."

Herald Online feature: Revolution in Yugoslavia
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

Serbian Ministry of Information

Serbian Radio - Free B92

Otpor: Serbian Student Resistance Movement