Slobodan Milosevic, Direct sanctions remain
Yugoslavia's new democratic government took a further step towards consolidating its position after reaching agreement with Slobodan Milosevic's Socialist Party to hold new elections in Serbia, regarded as the real key to power in the country. The decision defuses suspicion that Milosevic's allies might try to use their control of the Serbian Parliament to undermine democratic reform.
The agreement follows the unanimous decision by EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg to lift the oil embargo and end a ban on flights to and from Yugoslavia. However, the ministers agreed to retain those sanctions directed specifically at Mr Milosevic. In another development, the new government has released four Dutchmen held since July on suspicion of plotting to assassinate Mr Milosevic.
It has been reported that customs officials at Beijing airport have turned away the son of the deposed Yugoslav President when he tried to enter China. Reports say that Marko Milosevic arrived at the airport from Moscow early today and was sent back to the Russian capital. Marko Milosevic left Serbia after last week's popular revolt.
The legacy of the former president is becoming clear to the people of Serbia, who last night were told of the war crimes committed in the Balkans in the name of their country. Last night, just three days after the popular uprising that toppled Mr Milosevic, a Belgrade TV station broadcast a documentary about the atrocities carried out.
