<<Unfortunately the NATO bombing has forced Yugoslavia to hold onto it's Slavic ties more strongly (Russia). Milosevic, a Stalinist, has become a hero by fighting NATO. As the bombings continue the hatred of the West and the EU will escalate in Yugoslavia. If anything we may have increased polarization and delayed long term peace in the Balkans. EU integration is even farther away IMHO.>>
The bombing has definately given Milo the political lift he needed to cling to power for a bit longer. But in the face of continued and deepening isolation, his support will wane. Not all Serbians agree with or even like Milo, there are reports of Serbs draft dodging and running to Montinegro. I have read posts from Serbs in Yugoslavia that are quite clearly distasteful of him (remember Milo is the President of Yugoslavia, not Serbia or Montinegro, some Serbs see him as causing much of their misery). I think when this is over, and things cool off, the carrot hanging on the stick will become increasingly appetizing, and Milo increasingly (once again) intolerable. We can hope. We may also be disappointed by Serbian long memory. Who can say what will happen? |
