Krusevac As Palermo

The latest action of the Belgrade police when Zarko Pavlovic, famed Boss Zare, came under arrest only proved the thesis that Krusevac (the town in cental Serbia) has definitely won a dishonourable title of a center of the organised crime. Pavlovic is the Belgrade-based businessman from Krusevac, the owner of the holding company ``Jugosanitaria'' (JU-SAN) and the lease-holder of the football club ``Napredak.''

The information that Pavlovic, one of the `guys' from the tar of Krusevac who has made a rapid business career, is being held in custody in Belgrade has not provoked much reaction in Krusevac. But, there were some comments that he should have been detained much earlier. Those who knew him claim that he paved his way with charm and quick wit, constantly playing on the edge of law. It cannot be asserted with certainty whether Pavlovic crossed the line this time, since his detention is shrouded in the veil of secrecy. The investigating judge has even refused to announce on what grounds he is held suspicious.

Apart from the ministerial affair (ex-Minister of Trade and Tourism in the Government of Nikola Sainovic, Velimir Mihajlovic has been in the Central Prison for six months awaiting the trial), and the criminal proceedings against a group of debt collectors (ex-Minister of Religion and Culture in the Government of the Republic of Serb Krajina Sergej Veselinovic was sentenced to six months in prison and was released until the verdict comes into effect) Boss Zare has again made Krusevac interesting for the media.

Until several years ago, only those circle who were into good fun and luxurious life-style knew him. In the seventies Boss Zare ran a famous dance-club ``Panorama'' in one of the suburbs in Belgrade. His connections with the cream of the then underground world can be traced in that period.

He made his big appearance in the media only last year when his firm ``Jugosanitaria'' took a five year lease on the Krusevac favorite, the football club ``Napredak.'' Zarko Pavlovic told the journalists on the occasion that sport and business always go together, since business needs sport for promotion and business contacts, while sport thus secures necessary funds.

When it comes to sport, Pavlovic never spared a dime. Not only for ``Napredak.'' He also financed basketball and handball players of ``Crvena Zvezda'' (``Red Star''), while the footballers of the same club received a first hard currency premium for winning the Yugoslav Cup. Pavlovic's name was unavoidable both in sport and show-business, in other words, everywhere where there was glamour. He was a sponsor, granted awards, organized humanitarian concerts and opened a school for actors. Everybody close to him would confirm that he was not stingy.

It is also well known that he liked the games of fortune. The poker games which he played in the gambling capitals of Europe have become a legend. He liked expensive cars and gold. He could often be seen with beautiful women. Although it can't be said that he has a thick police file, it certain that this is not his first time behind bars, as in his career he also experienced the dankness of infamous Turkish prisons.

There are only hints that he was dealing oil, and evaded tax on it. The rumours have it that the evaded sum amounts to over 3 million DM. Namely, apart from trading in medications, ``Jugosanitaria'' also re-sold oil. It is uncertain how many petrol stations he and his partners controlled, but there is talk that there were five or six of them in the area of Krusevac alone. It is also rumoured that he may have been involved in some deals with flats, and foodstuffs from the state stockpiles...

Zarko Pavlovic liked the company of famous people. The sports courts provided him the best possibility for this. Many well known figures could be seen on the stadium of ``Napredak,'' such as Radmilo Bogdanovic, former Serbian Deputy Prime Minister or the owner of the powerful holding company ``Delta'' Miroslav Miskovic.

However, his favourite guest by far was Zeljko Raznatovic-Arkan, who landed on the Krusevac stadium in a military helicopter. This may be the reason why it is believed that Zarko Pavlovic was Arkan's main business partner.

Many are wondering now how come Krusevac, which until recently was famous for its history and cultural monuments, its developed industry and hard-working citizens, found itself in a circle of the organized crime with the addition of political scandals. Why did Krusevac become the seat of mafia, debt collectors, and why is it the place where the connection between the organized crime and politics is most visible?

No serious analysis is necessary to realize that the reasons lie in the fact that this is a relatively wealthy area with a strong economic basis. The advocates of `easy money' and rapid `success' find this town convenient, which in the situation when everybody finds it difficult to make ends meet is still living carelessly. In Krusevac, there are still some people who are able to pay a lot in hard currency for a good car, while private entrepreneurs are still making money.

It could also be mentioned that the thieves from Krusevac were notorious in Europe in the eighties. They were affected by the sanctions, so that they were forced to begin practicing their ``trade'' on the home terrain.