I do not share your optimism, Brane, that this is a new beginning for Serbia. I base my disagreement on these 'traditional' facts.
One can only speculate which of the many enemies Djindjich had actually pulled this off. According to Vechernye novosti, a Serbian daily, the type of weapon used, the calibre chosen, and the precise execution of the assassination betrays a well organized plan.
For those of you who never heard of the number 1 man in the "Zemun Clan," the so-called Legiya, he used to be a police chief of the so-called "red berets." He used to work for Djindjich until he fell out of grace.
Let's not forget that Djindjich was about to replace the Miloshevich-era general staff, which former Yugoslav president Voyislav Koshtunitsa kept as a counter-weight and a security blanket in his strife with Djindjich.
Djindjich exploited the stupid parliamentary system to get the top executive position without ever being elected. His popularity was usually in single percent points.
Djindjich was accused of having mafia connections many times before. Recently, he has changed his tune from being "pro-Western" to encroaching Miloshevich in his political nationalism, using nationalism as a political vehicle.
Personally, I don't think he deserved what he got, but I think Serbia is better off without him. His tenure was full of disappointments -- driving economy for bad to worse, control of media, even being accused of running things like Miloshevich did.
He made an unforgivable error by turning Miloshevich over to the Hague. He was accused to be doing anything to kep himself in power, just as Miloshevich has.
One more important note: Serbian government, dominated by Djindjich supporters, and his appointed acting Serbian President, Natasha Michich, requested and decreed the State of Emergency in Serbia. The measure suspends civil and political rights, the details of which can be found in Serbia's constitution and the Law on Measures In Case of Eemergency Situations (Paragraph 83.8. and para. 1 and 5 respectfully;the latter being referenced in Official Bulletin of the republic of Serbia, number 19/91).
These measures include, but are not limited to, prohibition of political activities, labor strikes, curtailment of the free press, etc. They authorize police and other organs of the state with additional scope of jurisdiction, including entering private premises without a court order, etc. In other words it is a legalized police state.
In doing so, Serbian sources have made it clear that these measures are to stay in effect until the perpetrators of Djindjich's murder are caught and brought to justice. Given the record of solving similar crimes and the judicial system there, one can safely assume that Emergency Measures will be in effect for a long, long time -- unless the government is somehow forced to resign or is forcibly removed with a replay of October 2000
I said "turning point for Serbia"...for the worse,I`m afraid!
The fate of Zoran Djindjich is a typical example of the old axiom:"Beware of what you wish!You might get more than you`ve bargained for!"
Djindjich did,with fatal consequences!
In the line with my previous posts:Djindjich had made a Faustian bargain with Devil few days before 5th of October.I was just watching,again,a documentary about that event:"Djindjich is asking his wife:Should I go to the meeting with Legiya or not?And ,her reply was:He can kill you tonight or any other day so,why not!Go."Djindjich had,allegedly,struck a deal with Legiya and his Red Berets,not to use force against demonstrators.But,lately,some other details became public which contradict that story!Legiya backed off ONLY because,during the day,he couldn`t get a reinforcements and because somebody had told him that some army units would oppose him!He and his boys would loose.
Djindjich had made very bad mistake:he believed that he "belonged" to the group!And,he left almost whole Slobo`s team in police,State Security intact!He ,as a Prime Minister, was loughing during the trial of four Red Berets members accused for the assassination of four members of SPO and attempted murder of Vuk Draskovich.In any civilised country the whole IV Departement of the State Security (survelliance) would be arrested on the spot.Djindjich had done nothing,he continued to evesdrop on Draskovich and tried to do the same to Kostunitsa!
But,in the other hand,Djindjich had put himself between the rock and a hard place:the moment he sold Milosevich to Hague,he was doomed!Hague demanded more and more,and more....remember the rebellion of the Red Berets last year?
Seselj was well informed:he said that 30-40 more indictements are in the bag,and,this time,the top people from State Security are on the list!Legiya is just a thug,a small criminal from Belgrade who had to run away and join the Foreign Legion in order not to go to prison in 1986-87.Just like his comrade de guere,Ante Gotovina from Croatia!
Red Berets are a private enterprise,responsible to no one but to themselfs and their bosses!And,they will not go to Hague or to Serbian courts,God forbid.Without a blood shed.
Djindjich was stupid,he wasn`t an old vily fox like Yeltsin.In august 91 Gorbachov was deposed and people of Russia were on the streets of Moscow.One unit of the KGB infamous Group "Alfa" was ordered to break up demonstrations and storm the White house.Their comander made a plan"Tanks will go first through and over demonstrators;Alfa will follow and...But,they decided to do some recconisance and,decided that there were to many people and that casualities would be horrendous!So,they decided against the action!Yeltsin was safe,the rest is history!
But,immediately after coming to power,Yeltsin went to visit "Alfa" qand than them for being "True Russian patriots and democrats"....And,within a few days,he disbanded the unit,turned some of them into bodyguards,and sack majority of them!Clever man.Djindjich left them intact,to became even more brazen and untouchable!
I believe that Djindjich is a colateral damage of the brutal Western policy against Serbia.It is beyond belief thast some people in the West thought that some people,so deeply involved in organized crime and state politics,and so well armed and with so much to lose,will go peacefully to jail???
In the last ten years more than 50 more or less important people were killed and their murderers were never found.Including Serbian Police Chief,previous Serbian Presdident Stambolich,they missed Draskovich(twice),....Legiya and his unit were directly involved in Stambolich and Draskovich case!
Now,Djindjich can discuss his failures with Ivan Stambolich,somewhere in "heavenly kingdom" where Serbs,usually ,go...
Djindjich is not the last,this is the beggining!