[ALBSA-Info] What's Next in Yugoslavia?

[Gazhebo at aol.com]

What's Next in Yugoslavia?

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) - After a popular uprising against Slobodan 
Milosevic, the Yugoslav leader appears finished after 13 years in power. Or 
is he? 

Milosevic remains in Belgrade and told Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov 
that he wants to remain a figure in Yugoslav politics despite an 
international indictment for war crimes. However, Vojislav Kostunica is 
moving to take control of all government institutions. Even Milosevic's old 
allies, the Russians, have congratulated Kostunica on his victory in the 
Sept. 24 presidential election. 

Here in question and answer form is a look at what's likely to happen in 
Yugoslavia in the coming days. 

Q: When will Kostunica take office? 

A: The inaugural ceremony could take place as soon as Saturday. The 
constitution requires the president to be sworn in before parliament, which 
consists of representatives from Yugoslavia's two republics - Serbia and 
Montenegro. The Montenegrins had been boycotting parliament to protest 
Milosevic's rule. But the Montenegrins have agreed to attend a session 
tentatively set for Saturday. 

Q: Will Milosevic accept electoral defeat? 

A: After Thursday's uprising in Belgrade, it appears that Milosevic has given 
up any hopes of blocking Kostunica from taking office. The police backed down 
before the crowds, and the army stayed on the sidelines. Milosevic told 
Russia's foreign minister that he wants to remain a power in Yugoslav 
politics. But the Russian minister did not say specifically that Milosevic 
insists on remaining president. 

Q: Will Milosevic be arrested for war crimes? 

A: Kostunica has said repeatedly that he will not extradite anyone to the 
U.N. war crimes tribunal. The Yugoslav constitution forbids extraditions and 
most Yugoslavs consider the court a political instrument of U.S. policy 
rather than a judicial institution. Kostunica has held out the possibility of 
trying Milosevic for offenses in Yugoslavia. 

Q: What are the United States and Europe doing to help ease the crisis? 

A: The United States and the European Union have promised to lift sanctions 
against Yugoslavia and allow for an influx of desperately needed 
international aid and investment to boost the country's economy, shattered by 
a decade of isolation and wars. 

Q: How solid is Kostunica's power base? 

A: Kostunica was selected by a group of 18 anti-Milosevic parties because 
surveys showed other contenders were too controversial. However, the dour law 
professor caught fire with voters because of his down-to-earth manner, which 
contrasted with the imperious style of both Milosevic and other opposition 
figures. 

Q: What are Kostunica's policies toward the West? 

A: While he does not embrace Milosevic's hard-line policies, Kostunica is a 
Serb nationalist who opposed the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. He has 
criticized both the United States and Russia for what he considers their 
heavy-handed interference in Balkan politics. He strongly opposes any formula 
which would remove the U.N.-administered province of Kosovo from Serbia.