Serbia: Reactions on Dayton

An anonymous woman asked by a TV reporter how she would comment the lifting of the sanctions just said: "Fine".

Aleksandar Mezei: "In our family we are Hungarians, but we were always with you and we believed you. In my heart and soul I am for my state of Serbia and a nice Yugoslavia and I expect you, Mr. Milosevic, to remain at the head of Serbia and take the people into a better tomorrow after the lifting of the sanctions".

Dragan Kostic, energy minister: "I got the news of the lifting of the sanctions in our embassy in Moscow. It was snowing, but at that moment the flakes were bigger, whiter and somehow warmer. Smiles appeared on the faces of the Russians."

Slobodan Unkovic, Serbian deputy premier and Belgrade university professor was at the 35th anniversary of the Kragujevac engineering school: "Nature rejoiced with us and today's sun which shines on Kragujevac is showing joy at the Dayton agreement."

The Topola temporary local council, which came into power under a Serbian government decision last spring (after the opposition authorities were ousted) joined the non-verbal celebration: an ox of 400 kilograms was roasted just before midnight, musicians were on standby because the festivities were planned to last from dawn to the early morning hours.

Radule Pavlovic, a pensioner from Pristina: "I personally feel as if I got a saddle off my back. Thanks to everyone."

The Serbian markets association based in Novi Pazar in its message to the president: "Thank you for investing so much effort in the victory of peace and creating conditions for us to work in dignity and cooperate among ourselves and with the entire world which suspended the sanctions, in respect for your peace policies and abolished the injustice towards our people."

Stevan Zec, Borba columnist, credited the lifting of the sanctions to the people who imposed them: "The sanctions were abolished at night. With stealth, as some would say. The world bans disappeared under a decision by the people who imposed them. They did it at night, when the things that aren't honest are done. Yesterday morning when we woke up the sanctions simply weren't there."

Zivorad Djordjevic, Borba editor in chief on the reactions of diplomats and journalists in Dayton: "Finally, two days ago during the signing of the Dayton agreement, the top world diplomats there and journalistic elite spent the most time applauding president Slobodan Milosevic. It was a spontaneous and visible recognition of his peace policies."

Novak Bjelic, Trepca director: "The establishment of peace and suspension of unjust sanctions mean the return of our companies to the international scene and we are ready to make the most of our capacities and produce thousands of tons of lead, zinc, silver, gold and other market products sought on the world market."

Rade Dubajic, Yugoslav Red Cross general secretary on the Dayton agreement from his angle: "I hope the agreement will finally prevent new refugees coming to Yugoslavia."

Slobodan Jovanovic, chairman of the SPS Belgrade board: "Belgrade breathed a sigh of relief. All its citizens, all peaceful and good people, socialists, workers, young people, of all political beliefs, various religions and nationalities who want peace and equality among people have become what they always were - equal citizens of Europe."

Miljan Miljanic, chairman of the FRY football association: "Now we all need to train tolerance and love."

Dusan Simic, Pristina city council chairman: "The suspension of the sanctions will allow us an economic growth in all areas. That's what we prepared for and we'll soon show the world our advantages."

Danijela Pantic, student from Pristina: "Our president Milosevic has done a lot to give us young people back what the destroyers of Yugoslavia took away. I thank him and I think the young generation of Yugoslavia will never forget."

J. Radosavljevic, Politika correspondent in Sabac: "The people and businessmen are in a much better mood."

The Vojvodina executive council: "Peace is our biggest winner and You brought it to us."

Dragutin Velickovic, Belgrade university rector was happy that "the evil omen over our people had been chased away" and recalled that the president "fought for peace which was the wish of all Yugoslavs": "Thank you for chasing away the sanctions that were choking us all."

Pavle Bulatovic, federal defence minister spoke as a soldier although his statement doesn't make it clear whether Yugoslav Army (who didn't go to war), Bosnian Serb Army (who are not under his jurisdiction) UN troops or soldiers in general: "The victory of peace is felt strongly by soldiers because they know all the ferocity of war and destruction."

Mile Ilic, head of the Socialists in Nis: "Your principled, persistent, constant, brave and patient policies have definitely brought the Serbian people to the port of peace."

Novi Sad Socialists and Socialists in Prokuplje and the councilors in Uzice came up with the same compliment: "Your contribution to the peace agreement in Dayton is immeasurable and you political wisdom places you among the greatest statesmen in the world."

Srboljub Vasovic, director of the Crvena Zastava plant in Kragujevac which produces a few thousand Yugo cars (and has a capacity of 200,000) made a short, poetic statement: "We've flown out of the cage".

Jovan Glamocanin, Serbian Radical Party Nikola Pasic president would like to see Milosevic in Lilic's place. "The realistic and principled policies of the Serbian president was of utmost importance for the achievement of peace in Dayton and the end of the war in former Yugoslavia."

The Eurasian Socialist Congress: "Our joint efforts have been crowned with success."

The Yugoslav Gypsy alliance: "Your authority, political wisdom and diplomatic know how have achieved what we wanted."

Milan Gvero, general, deputy commander of the Bosnian Serb Army: "Peace is something very peaceful and should be welcomed."

Misa Milosevic, secretary general of the World Serb Union: "The Serbs always knew how to wage war. Now they have to learn how to live n a happy peace."