Ambassador Milan St. Protic
Ambassador Milan St. Protic assumed his present position in March 2001. He was elected a member of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in September 2000 and Mayor of Belgrade the following month. He previously was a leader of the Serbian Democratic Club and the New Serbia Party. In 1991 and 1992, he was visiting professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara, from which he obtained a Ph.D in modern European history.
Summary:
The predominant attitude towards the democratic forces in Yugoslavia and Serbia is skepticism. There was skepticism that they could win an election, skepticism that they would arrest Milosevic, and now skepticism that they will be able to try him for all of his crimes. Milosevic was arrested only on corruption, fraud, and abuse of power charges, because firm evidence to charge him was needed. But the indictment is not yet complete and further evidence mounts daily, such as regarding assassinations and assassination attempts. Ambassador Protic is “pretty sure that the next step is going to be his role in all that happened in the former Yugoslavia.” The international community should have patience. As a sign of the Yugoslav government’s continued efforts, the Parliament is expected to pass legislation by the end of May furthering cooperation with the ICTY. The popular overthrow of Milosevic gives the Serbs the right to face him themselves. Serbs are generally aware of the crimes Milosevic committed and in fact popular attitudes towards trying him have changed dramatically in recent months. In addition to Milosevic, there needs to be accountability for crimes committed against Serbs in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
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