Serbia Hails Russia's Intervention in Bosnia

Demonstrations in Belgrade erupted in cheers for Russian intervention in the Bosnian conflict, as Serbs hailed Moscow's efforts to avert NATO airstrikes and deploy Russian troops as peacekeepers. The move was seen as a step towards unification of Serbian-held territory with Serbia itself, with many Serbs viewing it as a way to cement their control over the region. The Russian intervention has been met with enthusiasm, with crowds cheering for Boris N. Yeltsin and Vladimir V. Zhirinovsky, despite Zhirinovsky's ultra-nationalist views.

Key Takeaways:

• Approximately 150 demonstrators gathered in a city park to cheer for Russian intervention, praising Yeltsin and Zhirinovsky.
• The Russian effort was viewed as a step towards unification of Serbian-held territory with Serbia itself, with many Serbs seeing it as a way to cement their control over the region.
• The Serbs and Russians have had a special relationship since the early 18th century, when Peter the Great asserted Russia's right to protect the Serbs and other Eastern Orthodox peoples living in the Balkans.
• Many Serbs interviewed in Belgrade had harsh words for France and the United States, which led the drive for NATO's ultimatum to the Serbs in Sarajevo.
• Belgrade's economy is on the verge of collapse after a year and a half of economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations, stirring considerable anti-Western feeling.
• The Russian intervention has been met with enthusiasm, with many Serbs viewing it as a way to counter Western influence.

Statistics:

• Approximately 150 demonstrators gathered in a city park to cheer for Russian intervention.
• The Serbian pull-back from the artillery positions was seen as a step towards unification of Serbian-held territory with Serbia itself.
• The economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations have been in place for a year and a half.
• Belgrade's economy is on the verge of collapse.

Sources:

• "Crowds of cheering Serbs hailed Russia's diplomatic intervention in Bosnia today, praising Boris N. Yeltsin, Russian nationalists -- anything and everything Russian."

Source: The New York Times, January 1990

• "The Serbs and Russians have had a special relationship since the early 18th century, when Peter the Great asserted Russia's right to protect the Serbs and other Eastern Orthodox peoples living in the Balkans."

Source: The New York Times, January 1990

• "Belgrade's economy is on the verge of collapse after a year and a half of economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations."

Source: The New York Times, January 1990

• "The chief United States delegate to the United Nations, Madeleine K. Albright, made the request to shun Mr. Kontic in a paper circulated to the other permanent members of the Security Council on Jan. 10."

Source: The New York Times, January 1990