The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) is a federal state consisting of two republics: Serbia and Montenegro. The president of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica, was elected by the people of Yugoslavia in September 2000. This election was termed a democratic revolution, because it peacefully overthrew the dictatorial Slobodan Milosevic regime.
The elections in the republic of Serbia will take place on December 23, 2000. A coalition of democratic parties, DOS, is most likely to win these elections. In the republic of Montenegro, the Democratic Socialist Party of Montenegro (DPS) heads the governing coalition. The president of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, also belongs to this party. Presently, there is much discussion on the future relations between the two republics. Even though the separatist movement in Montenegro does not have majority support in this republic, we may see a greater devolution of power from the federal to the republic level.
Following a 78-day NATO air-war against Yugoslavia in March-June 1999 (See Recent YU Crises – Kosovo and Metohia), NATO established an international protectorate in the southern Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohia under a UN resolution 1244 that maintains formal Yugoslav sovereignty over the province.
FR Yugoslavia is a country strained by a decade of war, economic sanctions and political suppression. The new democratic government struggles with the remnants of Milosevic’s regime, which was characterized by corruption, absence of rule of law, and an all-around monopoly of the ruling party. FR Yugoslavia has regained her membership in UN, OSCE and most international organizations. The sanctions have been lifted by the most nations, but only partially by the United States.
FR Yugoslavia is a beautiful country with wonderful tradition and a rich history. Its people – the Serbs and a patchwork of minorities – hope that the recent political change will bring them back normal, happy lives.
Refugees: FR Yugoslavia hosts almost a million refugees and displaced people from Bosnia, Krajina and the Serbian southern province of Kosovo and Metohia (see Recent YU Crises). International aid has been scarce, but it has increased since October.
Sanctions: The sanctions have ruined the Yugoslav economy and impaired the standard of living of ordinary citizens, while allowing the previous Milosevic regime to thrive both economically and politically. The new democratic government is urging all states who have not done so yet to abolish their sanctions completely.