 |  |  |
| Return to: Left History: a digital archive | Return to: Say no to imperialist wars! | Return to: NATO-Yugoslav War Internet Resources |
| | |
| Return to: Left History: a digital archive | Return to: Say no to imperialist wars! | Return to: NATO-Yugoslav War Internet Resources |
THE European Union will today back moves to oust the President Slobodan Milosevic from power in Yugoslavia by offering financial support to towns controlled by his political opponents.
The 15 EU foreign ministers will meet 30 leaders of Serbian opposition parties, heads of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Montenegrin politicians to try to encourage and unite the disparate anti-Milosevic movement.
Among those expected at the meeting in Luxembourg is Zoran Djindjic of the Democratic Party. Mr Djindjic's chief rival in the Serbian opposition, Vuk Draskovic, who is recovering from a car crash, will not attend. One plan likely to win approval is for the opposition-run towns of Nis and Girot near the border with Bulgaria to receive a total of £3.2 million of EU money for winter heating.
Both towns would be offered free fuel as a first stage in the "Energy for Democracy" project. If this pilot scheme is approved and is successful it could be extended to other areas. Such aid plans for Serbia are not without their critics. America is concerned that aid could end up benefiting the wrong groups and assisting Milosevic.
But EU diplomats believe some action will be taken today following criticism within Serbia of the community's failure to act more swiftly. Serbian opposition mayors meeting in Szeged, Hungary, on Friday complained about the slow pace of aid.
The EU's aims are to unite, as far as possible, the divided Serbian opposition movement and differentiate Serbian citizens from the government when considering lifting sanctions. Foreign ministers are likely to consider lifting the flight ban imposed before the Nato bombing campaign, while keeping a ban on visas for government officials.
EU leaders have been careful not to rule out the prospect of eventual EU membership for a democratic Serbia as part of attempts to stir up anti-Milosevic sentiment. This idea lies at the heart of the German-inspired EU Stability Pact for the Balkans.
Once the Yugoslavia - which comprises Serbia and Montenegro - is under democratic rule and those indicted by the International War Crimes Tribunal removed from office, the EU is expected to support Serbia's entry into other international organisations.