The Associated Press
10/5/01 1:40 AM
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) -- A year ago, Serbs chanting pro-democracy slogans
swept away the old regime. Now, the most popular slogan says: "Everything is the
same, except that Slobodan Milosevic no longer reigns here."
Scrawled on buildings in the capital, the words reflects the sense of being
cheated, as Serbs realize their lives have changed little despite the ouster of
Milosevic from the Yugoslav presidency on Oct. 5, 2000.
There is still relief in Serbia, Yugoslavia's main republic, that Milosevic's
police state is gone, along with the tight restrictions on freedom of expression
and the media.
Gone also is the sense of isolation -- with Milosevic awaiting trial by the
U.N. war crimes tribunal at The Hague, Netherlands, Serbia is no longer a pariah
republic.
But the love affair with democracy has faded, blotted out by the realization
that life has gotten worse, not better. Most of Serbia's 9 million residents now
have less money than under Milosevic, anchoring them among Europe's poorest
people.
Although the average monthly salary has more than doubled over the past year
to $120, most prices have tripled.
Additionally, crime and corruption -- the two main targets of a promised
offensive by the new leadership -- continue to rise.
On Thursday, thousands of the same coal miners who a year ago helped spark
the ouster of Milosevic went on strike demanding back wages.
"With Milosevic gone for good, we can finally breathe easier," says Miroslav
Lazic, a 40-year-old university professor who took part in the massive
demonstrations in Belgrade a year ago. "But these new rulers have to produce
something fast because peoples' patience is running out."
"People cannot eat democracy, they need food."
Serbs sense that the experiment with democracy is going wrong, adding to
their disappointment. Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and Serbian Prime
Minister Zoran Djindjic -- the two crucial figures in masterminding Milosevic's
ouster -- squabble almost daily.
Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, and Djindjic, a pro-Western pragmatist,
have clashed over the speed of economic and social reforms. Kostunica has also
accused Djindjic's government of corruption and of maintaining links with the
underworld.
A year after replacing Milosevic, Kostunica has mixed feelings about what has
been accomplished.
"The 5th of October has brought freedom to the Yugoslavs," Kostunica said in
an interview with The Associated Press, pledging that repression "will never
return."
But Kostunica acknowledges that the speed of economic reform has been far
below expectations of an electorate that equated the end of the Milosevic era
with the start of the golden age.
Kostunica said his leadership was not to blame for the economy. He obliquely
criticized both Djindjic for "counting too much" on Western aid, and the West
for not coming across with enough financial support.
The United States and its allies "could have done more for the country which
had suffered under 10 years of Milosevic's rule," Kostunica said. He also said
international economic sanctions meant to punish Milosevic and NATO bombing of
Yugoslavia in 1999 contributed to the nation's sorry state.
Contributing to the malaise is the slow arrival of money promised by other
countries.
Out of the $1.28 billion pledged by the United States and other Western
donors to reward Djindjic for sending Milosevic to the U.N. war crimes tribunal,
only about $200 million have been delivered. A looming recession in the West and
political uncertainty within Yugoslavia have slowed disbursement.
But even the total amount would not make much difference. The country is
saddled with a foreign debt of $12.2 billion.
"The country has a lot of problems ... including possible social unrest,"
Kostunica said.
Djindjic, also says there is a long way to go.
"In comparison with the preceding period, our society has ... accomplished a
mile-long stride," he told reporters. "Regarding ... expectations, we have
advanced merely an inch."
