Financial Times 11-Oct-2000
Revolt in Yugoslavia spreads to daily life
By IRENA GUZELOVA and STEFAN WAGSTYL
Workers' committees were yesterday taking control of scores of Yugoslav public sector organisations and throwing out managers appointed by Slobodan Milosevic as the revolt against the deposed leader spread into daily working life. The Zastava car factory, the Dunav insurance company and the big Genex trading company were among state-controlled business where employees battled to establish their authority.
The turmoil in public sector organisations came as Vojislav Kostunica, the newly-elected president, sought to dismantle the remains of Mr Milosevic's power.
Miroljub Labus, acting prime minister of an informal transitional government established by the Democratic Opposition of Serbia, the anti- Milosevic umbrella grouping, said Serbia must avoid chaos. But he said workers had to act to protect socially-owned assets and prevent managers taking away money and destroying documents.
Mr Labus said that the new administration knew it was acting without a formal mandate basis but he hoped the situation would be resolved in the next week when an interim government would be formed of four parties - the democratic opposition, the remnants of Mr Milosevic's Socialists and two smaller groupings.
However, one of the smaller parties, the Radicals led by the ultra- nationalist Vojislav Seseslj, yesterday pulled out of talks with the democrats saying that everything Mr Kostunica had done amounted to "a putsch, violence against the constitution and the law, and banditry".
Yesterday's events followed the decision late on Monday to call elections in mid-December for the Serbian republican government, to follow last month's federal presidential poll in which Mr Kostunica defeated Mr Milosevic. The existing republican government is expected to be dissolved in the next few days, which could heighten the sense of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, western leaders are continuing to express support for Mr Kostunica and preparing to extend aid. Hubert Vedrine, the foreign minister of France, which now holds the EU presidency, was in Belgrade yesterday. He said the "absolute priority is to do everything to help with the installation and consolidation of the new democracy".
Bodo Hombach, head of the south-east Europe stability pact, the main vehicle for aid for the Balkans, is due to visit Serbia today, with Italy's prime minister, Giuliano Amato following tomorrow.
Financial Times; 12-Oct-2000
Pro-Milosevic push to regain security control
By IRENA GUZELOVA and STEFAN WAGSTYL
Supporters of ousted Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic yesterday mounted an initiative to recapture control of the security forces.
They snubbed attempts by Vojislav Kostunica, newly elected president, and his colleagues to reach multi-party agreement on the security issue and the formation of a transitional government. The rejection represented the biggest setback to Mr Kostunica's efforts to consolidate power following his poll victory over Mr Milosevic.
The Serbian government, dominated by Mr Milosevic's allies, which was widely expected to resign after talks earlier this week, called instead on the police to seize control of companies and institutions taken over in popular revolts.
It indicated it would appoint Mirko Marjanovic, Serbian prime minister, to head the police after Vlajko Stojiljkovic, interior minister, resigned on Monday. Milosevic allies accused Mr Kostunica's supporters of violence and illegal acts in seizing control of enterprises including Dunav insurance group, pharmaceuticals factories and hospitals.
A government statement said: "State bodies, especially the prosecutor's office and the police, are obliged to take urgent actions in accordance with the law against the organisers and the perpetrators of illegal actions." It said control over Belgrade radio and television should be returned to the authorities.
Zoran Djindjic, the democratic leader, warned the overthrown government to co-operate or, he said, the democratic parties would call the people back on to the streets.
However, by early evening there was no sign of police taking action. Leaders of the 18 parties that make up Mr Kostunica's alliance, who are trying to run a temporary informal administration, met to discuss their response.
They said Mr Milosevic was still active behind the scenes. Miroljub Labus, acting prime minister of the federal government, said: "Milosevic is our main concern because he is still our biggest threat. Their strategy now is to do everything they can to turn the economy into chaos."
Mr Labus's colleagues said yesterday's action would complicate Serbia's transition but there was no turning back.
It was not clear last night whether the democratic parties would seek the removal of Nebojsa Pavkovic, the army chief and a staunch ally of Mr Milosevic.
Copyright © The Financial Times Limited