Issue 481 - March 9, 2001

Serbia has positioned itself in the best possible way and I believe it will defend its three southern municipalities, while God, or at least NATO would have to come to Macedonia’s assistance

In a confidential State Department document which was viewed by VREME it is indicated that concrete moves are expected from Yugoslavia in three areas. Point one, the Yugoslav authorities are expected to cooperated in “handing over individuals accused of war crimes” and in “permitting access to relevant documents” to Hague Tribunal prosecutors. This document evidently on purpose does not specify who of the seventy individuals under Hague Tribunal indictments who are assumed to be living on the territory of the FRY should be handed over, nor does it indicate to which archives access should be permitted. The remaining two demands concern respect for the rights of minorities (more or less fulfilled), and a halt to paying out pensions to officers of the Republika Srpska Army through the financial department of the Supreme Headquarters of the Yugoslav Army (will be fulfilled)

Exactly five months after the events of October 5, in VREME’s exclusive interview with Mira Markovic, she explains how she sees the recent political changes and answers accusations of responsibility for criminal acts which are ascribed to her or to the former FRY president Slobodan Milosevic. From the interview, whose second part shall be published in the next VREME issue, we are now publishing some answers to the questions which are present in the public every day

It can be assumed that Milosevic Jr., aware of the October thirst for settling scores, ran away from those people before whom he used to appear as untouchable. If we take into account the two unsolved murders of his associates, as well as enormous embezzlements in his unofficial businesses, one of the explanations for his escape can be based on his personal fear of revenge by those to whom he remained indebted in one way or another.

It is clear to everyone in the country that a sale of many of the natural and economic resources to foreigners is a necessity – but the majority here still hasn’t comprehended how much Serbia’s price has gone down, if it ever was high

As long as the two Bulatovics are at war, the chances for a clean sweep by Milo Djukanovic and the pro-Montenegro block are increasing