President Kostunica Faces Challenges in Transition of Yugoslavia

Strategic Insights -

President Vojislav Kostunica of Yugoslavia is grappling with difficulties in establishing a stable government, as he said in an interview that he is having "almost as much trouble from my friends as from my enemies." Despite his confidence in not allowing Slobodan Milosevic's allies to stage a comeback, Kostunica expressed concern that his authority is being compromised by some members of the 18-party coalition that supported his presidential candidacy. He also spoke about the need to re-establish diplomatic relations with the United States and the European Union, which were severed due to the NATO bombing war last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Kostunica has expressed concern that some members of the 18-party coalition that supported his presidential candidacy are making policy statements without clearing them with him, and are using extra-legal procedures to take control of certain ministries and companies.
  • Kostunica has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the International War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague and is opposed to extraditing Slobodan Milosevic.
  • His allies are discussing a domestic trial of Milosevic, possibly on charges of election fraud, to get him out of politics.
  • Kostunica has also expressed that he wants to establish a new, more balanced relationship with Washington, including the rapid re-establishment of diplomatic relations.
  • He has stated that his authority is being compromised by some members of the DOS coalition, but that he has confidence that early elections for a new Serbian Parliament will take place as agreed on Dec. 17.
  • Dusan Mihajlovic, a Kostunica ally, has warned that Milosevic is organizing his allies to create difficulties and chaos, including lifting some price controls, that could be blamed on Kostunica and his team.
  • Mr. Djindjic, the leader of the Democratic Party, urged the opposition to take over key ministries, including interior, justice, and finance, in a joint effort to protect the revolution.

Statistics:

  • 80 percent of the processes in the country are outside of the control of the current Serbian government.
  • The government claims that they have no intention of handing over control to the opposition.
  • The opposition is expected to call thousands of people into the streets if they do not agree to a new transitional government by the end of the week.

Sources:

  • ''"The United States has done too much meddling in our internal affairs," Mr. Kostunica said in an interview.''
  • ''Mr. Kostunica said that he was concerned that his own authority was being compromised.''
  • The interview was conducted in the offices of the federal president in the Palace of Federations, where a small number of aides rushed in and out amid a cacophony of telephones.
  • ''"Some members of DOS are not so much eating away at my authority -- that they cannot do," Mr. Kostunica said. "The problem is that they are compromising that authority."''
  • The quote from Mr. Djindjic, saying that ''that government can declare itself not only legal but omnipotent but it's a fact of life they have no control over 80 percent of the processes in the country''
  • The article published on the same date as the original, where Mr. Djindjic said that the opposition is preparing to call thousands of people into the streets if they do not agree to a new transitional government by the end of the week.