by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright October 6, 2000
All Rights Reserved.

atience and resolve finally paid off, handing the Clinton Administration a well deserved foreign policy victory as Serbian tyrant Slobodan Milosevic finally released his iron grip on Yugoslavia. Running and hiding, the once indomitable Balkan dictator, a residual totem of Europe’s dark past, was chased out of Belgrade by a young democracy movement headed by opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica. Trounced in the Sept. 24 election, the stubborn Milosevic refused to accept the music, hanging on by his fingernails after taking a relentless beating by U.S. and NATO’s 1999 air war, dubbed Operation Rescue. Isolated from the European community and charged with crimes against humanity, Milosevic was an indicted war criminal facing prosecution in the Hague for atrocities committed against ethnic Albanians in Bosnia and Kosovo. Not since the European Fascists or Russian Bolsheviks has Europe witnessed such unbridled brutality—known euphemistically as 'ethnic cleansing'—against an ethnic minority. After international observers corroborated genocide, the U.S. and European allies decided they couldn’t turn a blind eye.

       Reminiscent of the bloodless coup against Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, Serbian protestors took to the streets by the thousands and stormed the Parliament seizing control of the government. With smoke billowing from the Parliament, "What we are doing today is making history," declared a triumphant president-elect Kostunica to a cheering crowd on the balcony of City Hall. Inviting the military to join forces, "We call on the military and police to do everything to ensure a peaceful transition of power." Without bloodshed, protestors withstood the clubs and tear gas until the repressive dictator finally bowed to the will of the people and stepped aside. When Milosevic refused to acknowledge Kustunica’s astonishing victory at the polls and tried to steal the election, Serbians displayed their character, just as they did against Hitler in World War II. Showing their resolve, Serbians proved to a watching world that right still trumps might—or so it seems.

       Following the protestors’ lead, the police, army and state-run media jumped on board pulling the rug out from the ruthless despot whose whereabouts were still unknown but believed seeking refuge in a bunker near the town of Bor, some 25 miles from the Romanian border. "We got promises and guarantees from the top of the military that there will be no military intervention," said Vladen Batic, leader of the Christian Democratic Party. After waiting for the shoe to drop, Milosevic receded into the woodwork putting up scant resistance considering that he subjected himself and Serbia to a senseless pounding by the U.S. and NATO, degrading his military and country’s infrastructure. Known for his legendary obstinance, some were puzzled by his bizarre exit strategy, furtively meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. Somehow Milosevic cleverly escaped the hoards of angry protestors chasing him out of town.

       With the election results undeniable, pro-democracy groups demanding his ouster, and Kostunica waiting in the wings, Milsosevic’s next move took a different twist. No longer able to retain his grip of power, Milosevic met with his friend Ivanov to plot out a survival strategy. Like the final days of Watergate, the clever Ivanov brokered a deal between Milosevic and Kostunica. In exchange for publicly stepping down, he was essentially granted amnesty, with Kostunica now declaring that he opposed Milsosevic’s extradition to the Hague, and now favors the former Communist hardliner’s continued participation in the government’s affairs. While the world saw Milosevic chased from power, others were beginning to see the devious manipulation. Collude with Kostunica and exploit him as a titular president, satisfying the public’s and world’s need for a scapegoat. Suspicious as it sounds, it requires an Academy Award winning performance from Kostunica. Create the illusion of a fall from power, but in reality allow Milosevic to call the shots from the sidelines.

       Out of the blue, "I congratulate Mr. Kostunica on his electoral victory and I wish much success to all the citizens of Yugoslavia," said a contrite Milosevic in a televised speech with the same Soviet-style propaganda, turning reality upside-down for anyone paying attention. Adding insult to injury, "I intend to rest a bit and spend some more time with my family and especially with my grandson Marko and after that to help my party gain force and contribute to future prosperity," remarked Milosevic, putting a human face on his decision to step aside. Play with his grandson—really! While protestors in Belgrade were dancing in the streets, Milosevic was calculating his next move. He had plenty of time to certify the election and congratulate Kostunica. Only after his demise was imminent, did he permit his Russian friends to intercede with Kostunica. Russia has no plans to allow another Iron Curtain satellite to drift out of their orbit and into Western control. No, let there be no mistake, Soviet President Vladimir I. Putin is playing another cat-and-mouse game. Blowing more smoke, Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov issued a message from President Putin that "congratulated Mr. Kostunica on his victory in presidential elections." How disingenuous can you get, since he remained loyal to Milosevic until the bloodless coup finally ejected his comrade.

       Responding to the developments, "This is great news," said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, failing to comment about the incredulous circumstances now leaving Milosevic an influential behind-the-scenes player in Yugoslav politics. According to Foreign Minister Ivanov, Milosevic "said he intends to play a prominent role in the political life of his country," and, even more nauseating, that he "stressed the importance of solving the crisis through peaceful ways and that the use of force should be avoided." Yes, now that Milosevic is trying to save his own skin he wants to avoid bloodshed. Like Saddam Hussein, he used any and all violence against even his own family to secure his political power. Now we’re asked to believe he’s gone through a dramatic conversion and changed his ways. Please! "I would not want to see him play a role in Serb political affairs," said National Security Advisor Sandy Berger, also showing some healthy skepticism about Milosevic’s stated plans. For Kostunica and the 'new' Serbia to have any credibility, he must convince the U.S. and NATO that he plans to keep Milosevic permanently retired.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com. He’s also the director of a West Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care and political research and media consultation. He’s a seminar trainer, columnist and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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