Borislav Mikelic, Republic of Serb Krajina Mandator

Date and place of birth: September 13, 1939, the village of Dobrljin, Novi Grad municipality, the present Serb Republic in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Well known characteristics: At one time a director and politician in Petrinja. Currently a member of the League of Communists-Movement for Yugoslavia (SK-PJ), and close to the Serbian political leadership. Republic of Serb Krajina President Milan Martic, named Mikelic mandator of the self-proclaimed Serb state's new government. The Republic of Serb Krajina has ambitions of seceding from the Republic of Croatia. Mikelic has numerous enemies in Croatia and in Krajina.

What do the Croats hold against him: Zagreb accuses him of "instigating the Serb rebellion" in Croatia. Mikelic was allegedly sentenced in absentia, in Sisak, to twenty years hard labor. The Croatian public consider him a relentless supporter of a "Greater Serbia", a warmonger and unfit for the role of negotiator.

What do the people of Krajina hold against him: A part of the local public accuse Mikelic of smuggling humanitarian aid. Milan Babic's (nearly elected Krajina President) supporters criticize him of lobbying for the Yugoslav option at the start of the war, to the detriment of the all-Serb unity, and of staying away from Krajina for three years. For these reasons they do not consider him fit for the post of Prime Minister.

Why Mikelic is not trusted: Croatia's apprehension is based on the fact that Mikelic might prove "cooperative", and in accordance with some international plans, could drag Croatia into the Yugoslav community once again. Babic's Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) don't trust him for the same reason; such a solution would mean the end of Krajina's statehood.

It seems that Mikelic has problems: A SDS of Krajina and Serbian Radical Party (SRS) coalition hold the majority in the Republic of Serb Krajina Parliament. There are indications that they are not prepared to accept Mikelic as PM. Martic's insistence on Mikelic for the post, threatens to split the people of Krajina into two irreconcilable camps.

Does Mikelic have a chance of getting through: Like Martic, Mikelic is Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic's choice. If Milosevic really wants him to be the PM, then that is what he will be. On the other hand, if the Krajina Parliament proves stubborn, it faces the danger of being dissolved. In that case Martic would introduce a state of emergency, and Mikelic would get the job.

Mikelic's qualifications: a graphics engineer, former longtime director of the meat processing plant "Gavrilovic" from Petrinja, currently deputy general director of "Progres" headed by Mirko Marjanovic the Serbian PM.

What kind of a reputation does Mikelic have: He is authoritarian and skillful in using political pressure for business, and personal reasons. There was a time when "Gavrilovic" was the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) main supplier of smoked meat products. Mikelic managed this thanks to his compatriot from Banija Admiral Branko Mamula, and General Ljubomir Domazetovic (a man rumored to have won the rank of general thanks to his deals with "Gavrilovic"). Mikelic likes to compare his business acumen to that of Autonomous Cazin Region in North-Western B-H leader Fikret Abdic.

What should he be wary of: a turnabout in Serbian politics, which could use Mikelic as a sacrificial lamb to cover their unsuccessful war policy.

What do Mikelic's critics say: In the newly arisen situation (a political rift in Krajina, the US-Russian-sponsored peace initiative in full swing, the start of a normalization of relations between Zagreb and Belgrade), ruthlessness alone is not necessary any more. Many believe that Mikelic's time has passed, and that he isn't capable of dealing with current problems.

What do Mikelic's supporters say: Thanks to many years spent in the apparatus of authority and a knowledge of its mechanism, they claim he is the ideal person to help in the resolving of the war drama in the former Yugoslavia.