DATE=10/06/00
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=YUGOSLAVIA/PRIORITIES
BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Yugoslavia's new leader, Vojislav Kostunica, faces enormous challenges rebuilding a country shattered by war and crippled by economic sanctions. Correspondent Laurie Kassman looks at the priorities for Yugoslavia and its newfound Western allies.
TEXT: The first task for Vojislav Kostunica is to pave the way for a lawful transition to a post-Milosevic Yugoslavia. Mr. Kostunica has already called on the newly elected parliament to organize its first session.
But many of the deputies in that assembly have in the past supported Slobodan Milosevic. Sumantra Bose, a Balkans analyst with the London School of Economics, says Mr. Kostunica must encourage reconciliation to prevent the country from disintegrating into civil conflict and recrimination.
/// BOSE ACT ///
Mr. Milosevic did get about a third of the popular vote so it's not that no one supported him at all. So it's very essential that people who supported Mr. Milosevic until the end, however misguided they may have been, are not unduly harassed or victimized by the new dispensation. Everyone has to be taken along in this profound change that is happening in Serbia and that will affect the region as a whole.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Kostunica's credentials as a democrat and a nationalist, Mr. Bose says, make it more like likely that he will be able to win over most Serbs. He points out the former law professor never supported Mr. Milosevic but he did not support Western interference either.
/// BOSE ACT TWO ///
First of all, he has impeccable democratic credentials. He is one of very few Serb opposition figures who has never compromised with the Milosevic regime during the past 13 years. But he also has impeccable patriotic Serb credentials.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Kostunica's nationalist credentials and lingering anti-NATO sentiments in Serbia could interfere with Western efforts to integrate Serbia quickly into Europe.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair directly addressed that concern (Friday) after welcoming Mr. Kostunica's victory.
/// BLAIR ACT ///
Whatever our quarrel with the oppressive and odious regime of Milosevic, (we never had a quarrel) with the Serb people. And we want to make sure that as Serbia reaches for democracy that we are there giving them a helping hand. Whatever the differences between us, I hope the people in Serbia will appreciate that today.
/// END ACT ///
Most analysts view a healthy Yugoslav economy as essential to the economic development of all the Balkans. But Yugoslav's economy has suffered from years of conflict, crippling sanctions and its diplomatic exclusion as a pariah state.
European Union foreign ministers are expected to approve lifting E-U sanctions on Monday, which will open the way for foreign investors and foreign aid. And Western governments are lining up to pledge their help too.
Another challenge for Yugoslavia's new leader is the fate of Slobodan Milosevic, who has been indicted by the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, like most Western diplomats, rules out immunity for Mr. Milosevic.
/// COOK ACT ///
I don't see how the War Crimes Tribunal could continue its work against lesser figures if some kind of immunity is given to Milosevic.
/// END ACT ///
Belgrade is rife with speculation the former Yugoslav leader will be allowed to live elsewhere in exile or remain free in Serbia. The challenge for Mr. Kostunica will be to deal with Slobodan Milosevic in a way that does not undermine his credibility with his supporters -- or with the foreign allies he needs to help him rebuild Yugoslavia. (Signed)
NEB/LMK/KL/KBK
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