Macedonia steps up border security
Beta SKOPJE Thursday – Macedonia has put increased security measures in place on the border with Serbia-Montenegro, police in Skopje said today.
“We are searching all vehicles and checking all passengers, and so far, no one suspected of involvement in the murder of Zoran Djindjic has attempted to enter Macedonia through via the border crossing,” said border police chief Vangel Dimkov.
The police added that there had been very little passenger traffic across the border since the assassination.
The Macedonian Interior Ministry has also increased security for public officials.

Svilanovic briefs diplomats
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Federal Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic tonight briefed the heads of diplomatic missions to Belgrade in the Foreign Ministry.
He told the ambassadors that the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic yesterday was an act of organized crime targeting the democratic order, rule of law and reform processes which Djindjic symbolized.
A ministry statement said that Svilanovic had emphasized that this brutal act would not be allowed to jeopardize the reforms which had been launched, nor stop the decisive steps being taken by authorities in Serbia and Montenegro in their uncompromising battle against organized crime.
He told the diplomats that a state of emergency had been proclaimed in order to protect the constitutional system and had informed the UN secretary-general and the OSCE of that step.

Croatians indicted over 1991 Serb killings
AFP BELGRADE Thursday -- A court in the eastern Croatian town of Osijek brought charges today against two men for war crimes committed against ethnic Serb civilians during the country's 1991-95 war of independence.
Nikola Ivankovic and Enes Viteskic, then members of the Croatian army, were indicted for killing 19 ethnic Serbs in December 1991 in the nearby village of Paulin Dvor, the HINA news agency reported.
According to the indictment, the two, together with several unknown accomplices, killed the villagers out of revenge after hearing about the death of a fellow soldier who was killed in fighting.
The victims were all living in one building and were killed by rifle shots and hand grenades.
UN war crimes court investigators discovered 18 bodies in a mass grave near the central town of Gospic in 1997, where they had been allegedly transferred by the army in order to cover up the crime. Another corpse was found in Paulin Dvor.
Ivankovic and Viteskic have been held in custody since last September.
Some 20,000 lives were lost in the 1991-1995 war, during which Croatia fought rebel Serbs who opposed its independence from the former Yugoslavia and occupied one third of the country.

Gang members blow the whistle
Beta THURSDAY Thursday – Three members of the notorious Zemun Gang of organized criminals have asked for protected witness status and are now giving statements to special investigators, the Serbian Government said this evening.
They are among eight arrested members of the two-hundred strong criminal corporation believed to have been involved in the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
“The statement’s they have given so far prove this criminal gang’s participation in high profile crimes, and are also a basis for shedding light on some other crimes and robberies,” said the government in a statement.
The government said it would not release the names of 56 people arrested to date because of the ongoing investigation, but added that they were being held on consorting charges.
However, gang leaders were named last night as the government pointed the finger at the Zemun Gang for being behind not only the Djindjic assassination, but also other high profile murders and abductions in recent years.
Those leaders include Milorad “Legija” Lukovic, Dusan “Siptar” Spasojevic and Mile “The Godfather” Lukovic, who are at large and being actively sought by police.
“In association with the police departments of neighboring countries, and the intelligence and criminal services of several European countries, we have received information confirming the involvement of this criminal gang and some other groups – mainly members of police security units during the Milosevic era and now associated with ‘patriotic-nationalist’ alliances – in carrying out the murder of the prime minister,” said the government.
The investigation had also revealed evidence that the same group had been directly involved in the attempted assassination of Djindjic on February 21.

Solana and Patten fly in “to make dreams come true”
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Senior European Union diplomats Javier Solana and Chris Patten said in Belgrade this evening that they had come to Belgrade today to help show European solidarity with Serbia in the difficult period following the assassination of Zoran Djindjic yesterday.
“I wanted to express solidarity by being here with you and telling you that we will make the dreams of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic and the citizens of Serbia come true,” said Solana, adding that the dreams were of rapprochement with the European Union, joining the European family and economic development.
Patten told journalists that he brought a clear message that the European Union intended to help Serbia on the path ahead.
“A path of no return,” he added.
Solana and Patten today held talks with acting president Natasa Micic, Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, Federal President Svetozar Marovic and Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic.

Senior Socialist official dies
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Zivorad Igic, a senior official of the Socialist Party of Serbia, died today at the age of 60.
Igic was a member of the state television’s board of directors and a founding member of the Socialist Party, serving as party vice-president and president of the Kosovo branch.
He left the Kosovo position in 1993, but was reinstated prior to the NATO bombing campaign of 1999.
Despite internal party rifts, Igic remained loyal to Slobodan Milosevic, and in the elections of 2000 he was elected as Socialist Party MP in the Yugoslav Parliament’s Chamber of Citizens.
His funeral will be held in Belgrade on Saturday.

Top police questioned over assassination
B92 BELGRADE Thursday – The former head of Serbia’s State Security, Jovica Stanisic and the founding commander of the police Special Operations Unit, Frenki Simatovic, have been detained for questioning, Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic said this evening.
Both held those posts under Slobodan Milosevic when their operations were largely aimed at keeping the former regime in power.
Covic told TV B92 that the two were among more than two hundred people who have now been arrested in connection with the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
He added that the army had been called in to assist the police in moving on the notorious Zemun Gang, which is believed to be behind the assassination.
He said the army would provide intelligence services and would also be ready to provide direct support for police operations if they were endangered by insubordination in the police ranks.

Kosovo Corps commander reported arrested
Beta PRISTINA Thursday – Radio Kosova reported today that Italian KFOR troops have arrested the commander of the Kosovo Protection Corps’ Zone Three, Nazimi Brahimaj.
According to the report, KFOR arrested Brahimaj in Djakovica this morning and have neither released him nor given any reason for arresting him.
No official statements have been issued either by the international peacekeepers or by the UN mission in the province.

Deputy prime ministers to rotate in top job
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – The Serbian cabinet today drew up a schedule by which the five deputy prime ministers will rotate as acting prime ministers.
Nebojsa Covic is to take the chair of the government until March 17, and again from April 7 to 13 and May 12 to 18.
Zarko Korac will follow Covic from March 18 to 23 and will again preside from April 21 to 27.
Jozsef Kasza will act as prime minister from March 31 to April 6 and from May 5 to 11.
Dusan Mihajlovic will chair the cabinet and sign on behalf of the state in the last week of March and from April 28 to May 4.
Miodrag Isakov will take the chair from April 14 to 20 and May 19 to 25.

Assassination “no threat to economic stability”
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – The economic stability of the state has not been jeopardized by yesterday’s assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, Serbian Finance Minister Bozidar Djelic said today.
Djelic told media that it was business as usual in the banks today and the level of foreign currency reserves was high.
“All markets are extremely well supplied and our citizens can be sure that the economic stability is not in any way jeopardized,” he said.
The finance minister added that economic reforms would continue in line with Djindjic’s vision.

Croat president pays tribute
Tuesday  – Croatian President Stjepan Mesic today signed a book of remembrance for Zoran Djindjic in the Embassy of Serbia-Montenegro in Zagreb.
He wrote that Serbia should mourn but not despair because the work done by the slain prime minister would remain.
“The murder of Zoran Djindjic is a strong blow to Serbia and to all those building democracy in Serbia.  They have managed to kill a fighter for democracy, but they will not and dare not kill democracy,” said the Croatian president.

Council of Ministers to be elected next week
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – The Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro is to elect the Council of Ministers for the new state on Monday, Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic said today.
Svilanovic told state media that speaker Dragoljub Micunovic had called the session today.
The session, originally scheduled for today, was postponed following the assassination of the Serbian prime minister.

Svilanovic “expecting international support”
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Federal Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic said today that he expects the international community to support Serbia-Montenegro after the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
He described the arrival of senior European bureaucrats Javier Solana and Chris Patten in Belgrade today as a clear sign that the politics of peace and stability were still being pursued.
Solana and Patten met Federal President Svetozar Marovic today and are scheduled to meet acting Serbian president Natasa Micic and Serbian Government representatives.

Day of mourning declared in Montenegro
SRNA PODGORICA Thursday – The Montenegrin Government has declared an official day of mourning on Saturday, the day that Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic will be buried.
Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic will head an official state delegation at the funeral.
Djukanovic today addressed a memorial service for Djindjic held by the government.

Forty arrested in hunt for Djindjic killers
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Forty people have so far been arrested by police investigating the murder of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
All are directly or indirectly linked with the Zemun Gang, the criminal group which the Serbian Government has named as being responsible for the assassination.
“Most of the members of this group are at large at this time.  Their apartments have been raided but they have not been found,” Belgrade police chief `Milan Obradovic said today.
In the first police statement since the slaying, Obradovic said that three people, so far unidentified, had been directly involved.
“Inspecting the scene of the crime, police have established that it was committed by three unidentified people.  They were dressed in navy blue overalls with yellow appliqués.  One of them carried a rifle with a sniper scope and the other two had guns.
After the murder they fled towards Balkanska St, after having fired from the second floor of a building at 14 Admiral Geprata St, through an open window,” said the police chief.
He described the murder as an act of terrorism, and warned that the Army, the Security Intelligence Service and the police had begun to implement a concerted plan to arrest and prosecute the terrorists.
Police minister Dusan Mihajlovic said this afternoon that he would begin holding regular press conferences to keep the public informed.

Dozens queue in silence to sign book of remembrance
Beta BELGRADE Thursday -- Dozens of Belgrade citizens are waiting in front of the Serbian government building in downtown Belgrade to peacefully and silently sign the book of remembrance and thus pay their respects to Zoran Djindjic.
So far the book has been signed by ambassadors of Italy, Greece, Israel, Cyprus, France, Great Britain and Serbia-Montenegro; chief of staff General Branko Krga, representatives of the OSCE and other international institutions, religious communities and many citizens.
The book of remembrance will remain open until 6 pm today and will be re-opened tomorrow between 10 am and 6 pm.

Jovanovic vows to realize Djindjic’s goal
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – The Democratic Party of Serbia today held a memorial service in the Belgrade City Assembly in honour of party leader Zoran Djnidjic.
In addition to party and family members, those in attendance included President Svetozar Marovic, Serbian Parliamentary Speaker Natasa Micic, Serbia-Montenegro Speaker Dragoljub Micunovic, Crown-Prince Aleksander and diplomats.
Party vice-president Cedomir Jovanovic addressed the gathering and promised that the party will resume implementation of Djindjic’s idea of creating a modern Serbia, constitutionally defined and fully integrated into all European institutions; as well as working on the development of the Serbia-Montenegro state union.
Jovanovic also announced that the Democratic Party’s Main Committee would propose new candidates for the role of Prime Minister and Serbia-Montenegro Defence Minister on Sunday.
He explained that: "This way we'll resume following the ideas and job of Zoran Djindjic in the most responsible possible way".

Djukanovic: Terrorist act against democracy and reforms
Beta PODGORICA Thursday – Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic today assessed that the assassination of his Serbian counterpart “was not only a hideous crime, but a calculated terrorist act and a heavy blow to reform forces in Serbia.”
Speaking at the government’s memorial service in honour of the Serbian PM, Djukanoivc said: "This is at the same time a great loss for the union of Serbia-Montenegro in its inception to whose foundation Djindjic gave special contribution. The death of Zoran Djindjic is a great loss for a wider democratic movement in the region as well".
Djukanovic said that Djindjic's political engagement and untimely death would remain as a "tragic testament to a hard fight for the inception and dynamism of democratic reform processes."

Schieder proposes immediate admission of Serbia-Montenegro
FoNet STRASBOURG Thursday – Peter Schieder, President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, today requested that Serbia-Montenegro be admitted to the CoE at the earliest available opportunity.
Citing the urgent need to offer tangible support, assistance and cooperation to Serbia, Schieder sent a letter to Ministerial Committee Chairman Joseph Borg, calling for an acceleration of the decision process in order for the new union to be admitted as the 45th member at the Assembly’s April session.
Schieder insisted that he had not been instructed by the Assembly to launch such an initiative, but that he was doing so in the certainty that it is the right moment for a positive signal from Europe.

Austrian Chancellor honors Djindjic
Beta VIENNA Thursday – Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel today told his parliament of the admiration he felt for Serbian Prime Minister Djindjic.
Schuessel assessed that Djindjic had been a true hope for the region of South-East Europe and one of the few brilliant politicians in the region.
Speaking at the opening of a parliamentary session in which he is to present the programme of new government, Schuessel continued by saying that Djindjic was the embodiment of the European vision for which he lived.

Citizens continue to pay their respects
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Belgrade citizens today continue to light candles and lay flowers near the scene of yesterday’s assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
Dozens of citizens stand in silence by an entrance to the Serbian government building, whilst others approach the building tearfully from all sides, laying flowers and lighting candles of remembrance.
On the wall above the impromptu memorial site, a hand-written epitaph reads: “You were our window to the world. Serbia, it’s a waste; Serbia, it’s a sin; Serbia, be ashamed”.

Funeral to be held on Saturday
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic will be buried on Saturday 15 March at 2 pm in the Alley of Great Men in the Belgrade New Cemetery.
The announcement was made to Beta by the Serbian Government, who also confirmed that Patriarch Pavle will hold a funeral service for the late Serbian Prime Minister in the Temple of St. Sava on Saturday at noon.

Cultural institutions close due to mourning period
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – The Serbian Ministry of Culture and Public Information has informed all cultural institutions that public performances will be cancelled during the three day mourning period from 13 to 15 March.
The ministry has instructed all theatres, museums, galleries, music venues and cinemas to cancel all public performances, plays, concerts, exhibitions and film screenings on grounds of security, while libraries and archives will operate under increased security measures.
The ministry added that cultural institutions would be informed of altered working conditions in accordance with the state of emergency, after the period of mourning has expired.

Serbian Parliament pays its respects
B92 BELGRADE Thursday – The Serbian Parliament began today’s session with a minute of silence in memory of Prime Minister Djindjic.
MPs of the Republican Parliament and members of the Serbian government both paid their respects to the murdered PM, although members of the Serbian Radical Party did not attend the session.
The Extraordinary session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Gordana Comic, who read out the order of special measures in accordance with the declared state of emergency.

Sporting events cancelled
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Sports organizations in Serbia will not arrange or schedule any sporting events or contests during the three days of mourning, in honour of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced that all activities will be temporarily postponed, in accordance with the declared state of emergency.
This, at the latest, could last until the state of emergency has been called to an end.

Djindjic bodyguard in stable condition
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Milan Vuletic, wounded yesterday while trying to protect Prime Minister Djindjic, is said to be in a stable, non-critical condition
Speaking to Beta, manager of Belgrade’s Emergency Centre Mihailo Mitrovic said: "Vuletic is presently undergoing intensive care and his condition is currently stable. His parameters are being constantly checked and we're satisfied with the situation, although predictions cannot be given with hundred per cent certainty".

Solana and Patten to make urgent Belgrade visit
Beta BELGRADE Thursday – EU High Representatives Chris Patten and Javier Solana will arrive in Belgrade this afternoon on an urgent visit to Belgrade aimed at supporting the democracy of Serbia-Montenegro in the wake of Prime Minister Djindjic’s assassination.
It has been announced that Solana, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, and Patten, European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, will hold a series of talks with union officials, including President Svetozar Marovic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic, Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic and acting president of Serbia Natasa Micic.
A joint press conference for Solana and Patten has been scheduled for 16.30 at the Federation Palace.

Police on the warpath, Legija on the run
B92, Beta BELGRADE Thursday – Zarko Korac, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, today announced that the police have been mobilized and action has begun against the suspected assassins of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
Speaking to B92, Korac said that the Serbian police have been following the suspects for several months and the main suspects, Milorad “legija” Lukovic and Dusan “Siptar” Spasojevic, are on the run.
Describing the Zemun gang, Korac said: "It is probably the most well organised gang in the Balkans, with millions of euros obtained from kidnappings. They have everything. They have killers, information sources... a certain number of them were apprehended last night and the majority from the list are still in hiding. Several of them have been in hiding for several days, which is very close to an admission of guilt".
According to Korac, the recent dismissal of Andrija Savic, head of the Security and Information Agency, sent shockwaves through the so-called Zemun gang.
"This group has occasionally assisted the state in conflicts in the territory of Bujanovac, has contacts in the police and the readiness to go to the bitter end," said Korac, adding that the group "has its own newspapers, journalists they are paying, and people in the judiciary, especially among lawyers."
"The group expects that the so-called patriotic forces who appreciate their war efforts will come to power," said Korac, adding that the state will preserve the continuity of reforms and government.
Asked to comment on the possibility of forming an all-inclusive government, Korac said he did not believe the proposal would be accepted.
"The political scene has crystallized itself. One side wants reforms even at the price of being killed, on the other you have pseudo-heroes who are murderers," said Korac.

The Bundestag pays its respects to Djindjic
Beta BERLIN Thursday –The Bundestag, Germany’s Federal Parliament, began today’s regular session by paying its respects to assassinated Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
In a short speech, which was followed by a minute of silence, The Bundestag President Wolfgang Thierse said that yesterday’s assassination had taken away a friend and fellow fighter.
Thierse offered condolences to Djindjic’s family and Serbia’s citizens on behalf of all parliamentarians, emphasizing Germany’s solidarity with Serbia.
All leading German politicians yesterday expressed their sorrow over the death of Djindjic, referring to him as a synonym of democracy and a crucial guarantor of peace and stability in the Balkans.

State of Emergency for bereaved Serbia
B92 BELGRADE Thursday – Following the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, the Serbian government has declared a state of emergency and announced three days of national mourning.
According to acting Serbian President Natasa Micic, the state of emergency will remain in force until both the perpetrators and organisers of the assassination have been arrested.
The Supreme Defence Council discussed the practical implementation of the state of emergency last night, issuing an order for the army’s direct involvement in the fight against terrorism in cooperation with the Serbian Police. Controls at border crossings and major roads have been increased accordingly.
To mark the mourning period, a memorial service will be held in the Serbian Parliament and all local branches of the Democratic Party today. A book of remembrance will also be opened in the Hall of Government between noon and 6 pm.

Institutions must function as normal: Covic
RTS BELGRADE Thursday – The assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic endangered the security of the republic and the whole region, according to First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia Nebojsa Covic.
In a guest appearance on state television last night, Covic said that the murder of Djindjic had been an attempt to topple the state that could not succeed.
"It was an act of organized crime, and, above all, terrorism; an attempt to destabilize the country, to stop the reforms begun in the country and thereby bring to power certain people with whom we have dealt in the past. Because organized crime and terrorism are mixed in these parts with war profiteering and other segments of crime."
When asked how the state would function during the declared state of emergency, Covic replied:
"All portfolios of the Serbian government are functioning normally, of course, to the extent possible at this moment, and I think we can ensure stable functioning of the state. Security bodies must be very energetic, increase their measures, while all the rest – education, healthcare, public sector – must remain functioning normally. I have a message for Serbian citizens: stay calm, because that way you can help the state the best at this moment."

International shock over assassination
BELGRADE, Wednesday (B92/AFP) – Messages of shock, condolence and support have poured into Serbia this evening as the diplomatic world learns of the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
A spokesman for US President George Bush said that Djindjic would be remembered for his role in bringing democracy to Serbia and bringing Slobodan Milosevic to justice.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said that Bush expressed his sorrow to the people of Serbia.
Djindjic saw Serbia's fate as linked to the West and favored greater cooperation with the U.N. war crimes tribunal, where Milosevic, the former president, is now standing trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, said Bush’s spokesman.

Powell “shocked and saddened”
US Secretary of state Colin Powell also said that he was shocked and saddened by the assassination.
This is the full text of his statement:
“I was shocked and saddened by the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic of Serbia who died earlier today after being shot in Belgrade. I want to extend the deepest condolences of the United States to his family, his friends, and to the government and people of Serbia.
“Prime Minister Djindjic's fearless leadership was instrumental in ending the terrible and despotic regime of Slobodan Milosevic and peacefully restoring democratic rule. I met with him many times and came to know him and admire his courage and wisdom.
“His courageous decision to transfer Milosevic to The Hague to stand trial for his alleged war crimes played a crucial role in helping Serbia to come to terms with and move beyond its recent past. He promoted the economic and political reforms necessary for Serbia's integration into Europe and spoke out against extremism in all forms.
“He courageously initiated a public campaign to combat organized crime, which threatens every institution in Serbian society. I count myself as privileged to know him as a friend and Prime Minister. All of us will miss him.
“We are confident that Serbia's political leaders will continue Prime Minister Djindjic's vital work. The United States remains committed to helping Serbia undertake the economic and democratic reforms that will lead it toward a brighter and more prosperous future within Europe.”

US Embassy issues warning
The US Embassy in Belgrade urged caution for its citizens in Serbia in the wake of today’s events.
While saying that the murder was not a direct threat to US citizens or other members of the international community, the embassy advised its citizens to restrict their movements and be cautious.
The embassy also warned US citizens not to challenge or argue with police or soldiers performing their duty.

Annan deplores slaying
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed shock today at the assassination, saying it was a deplorable act of political violence.
"The secretary general is shocked and saddened," Annan's spokesman, Fred Eckhard said.
"He deplores this act of political violence and trusts that the perpetrators will be brought to justice."
The president of the United Nations General Assembly, Jan Kavan, also said he was "shocked and saddened" by the murder.
His spokesman Richard Sydenham said "President Kavan deplores this violent act against a democratically elected head of government."

Solana “deeply concerned”
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana spoke to Radio B92 today, condemning what he described as the criminal assassination of Zoran Djindjic.
He said that he had last spoken to the Serbian prime minister, whom he described as a good friend, only yesterday.
“It is terrible that such violence still exists in a democratic country.  All my thought are with his family,” he said.
Solana said he had already spoken to federal president Svetozar Marovic, but had been unable to reach Djindjic’s deputy, Nebojsa Covic.
“I’d like to say that Zoran was a brave man, resolute in his intention to reform your country and bring it closer to the EU.
“I have a message for the citizens of Serbia, that they will have the full support the EU, as will your government, so that such attacks will not influence the policy of a democratically elected government,” Solana told B92.
He also called for plans to elect the new federal government tomorrow not to be postponed.
Solana also said that he had no fear for the security and political situation in Serbia.
“I have full confidence in the political leaders of your country and the patriotism and responsibility of the citizens.
“I believe your country will resume its development and draw closer to the EU through progress, which was Zoran Djindjic’s dream,” said Solana.

OSCE sends condolences, pledges support
The OSCE mission to Serbia and Montenegro has sent condolences to Djindjic’s family and a message of support to Serbia-Montenegro.
In its statement, the OSCE praised Djindjic’s commitment to reform and his successful efforts to bring the country closer to Europe.
“The OSCE Mission strongly condemns this inhumane and cowardly act of violence and reaffirms its full commitment to supporting the Serbian government in combating crime and moving the country towards the European mainstream," said Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro.
"It is extremely important that the Djindjic-led reforms are now built upon and consolidated in the interest of the country and as a tribute to the late Prime Minister," said mission head Maruizio Massari, in his statement.

Patten in Belgrade this week, despite assassination
European Foreign Affairs Commission Chris Patten will travel to Belgrade on Friday as planned, the European Commission’s local delegation announced this evening.
Patten is to meet Serbia-Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic and other officials.
His visit was originally scheduled for him to address the new government of Serbia-Montenegro after its official election tomorrow.
However the parliament session at which the new cabinet was to have been sworn in has been postponed.

Political forces in chorus of outrage
BELGRADE, Wednesday (Beta/B92) – The presidency of Serbia’s ruling DOS coalition today described the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic as a declaration of war on democracy and democratic institutions in Serbia.
”This terrorist act is an attempt to destabilize the society and stop democratic processes,” said the presidency in a statement issued after an emergency meeting this afternoon.
The coalition also agreed to a moratorium on ideological, political and other differences and to unite all democratic and pro-reform forces in Serbia to do everything possible to preserve peace and public security.
In its statement the coalition presidency also urged all political organizations, unions and lobby groups, together with civil associations and individuals to work towards the goals of all people of good will in Serbia.

Brutal warning, says Kostunica
Vojislav Kostunica described the assassination as “a brutal warning that the truth must be faced”.
The shooting demonstrated that crime has pervaded every pore in Serbia, said the former Yugoslav president.
“Crime cannot be divided into good and bad, us and them.  We must grasp that crime is always destructive to the fabric of society and the natural enemy of all democratic institutions,” Kostunica told media.
“I hope all those responsible will be brought to justice and I particularly hope that all of us – both the authorities and the opposition – will finally draw a strict line between what is legal and what is not.  You can’t have compromise and deals,” added Kostunica.

Djukanovic “shocked”
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said this afternoon that he was shaken by the murder of Djindjic, whom he described as a personal friend.
Djukanovic said he learnt of the news at Belgrade airport and immediately went to the Serbian Government building where the information was confirmed, before returning to Podgorica.
“I am shocked, what can I tell you?” he told media.
“The person who chose this vandalistic, terrorist act knew he was shooting the person who was the personification of the new, reformist, democratic image of Serbia.
“This is a hard blow, not only for the reformist forces in Serbia, but for the democratic movement in a wider area and for the state union of Serbia-Montenegro at its very outset,” said the Montenegrin prime minister.

Sour note from New Serbia leader
New Serbia leader Velimir Ilic has struck a sour note tonight, using the assassination of Zoran Djindjic as another occasion to vent his spleen at the prime minister.
“One man wanted to be in control of everything, which is impossible, and it has had a fatal ending.
“It was no use telling the prime minister that authority must be shared and that no one can rule alone,” said the controversial Ilic, who is also mayor of the central Serbian city of Cacak.
Ilic, whose party last year broke with Djindjic’s DOS coalition, described the assassination as proof that the state institutions did not exist and called for the establishment of a government of national unity.

Socialists condemn assassination
Slobodan Milosevic’s Socialist Party of Serbia this evening condemned the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
“The Socialist Party of Serbia is dedicated to parliamentary political combat and the democratic conflict of different political views on the public political stage and has always condemned violence and violent political methods., said the party in a statement.

Democracy gunned down, say Kosovo Serb leaders
Leaders of the Kosovo Serb Return coalition described the assassination as a tragic event which will cost Kosovo Serbs dearly.
The parliamentary head of the party, Dragisa Krstovic, said that “nothing more tragic could have happened”.
“Democracy has been murdered together with the struggle for a better future,” he told media.

Kosovo government condemns “cowardly act”
The Kosovo government described the assassination of the Serbian prime minister as “a cowardly act”.
Such acts, said the government, were too dangerous, not only for the country in which they occurred, but also in the broader region.
In its statement the government also expressed condolences to Zoran Djindjic’s family.

Defence Council orders army into “fight against terrorism”
BELGRADE, Wednesday (Beta) – The Supreme Defence Council of Serbia-Montenegro tonight ordered the deployment of the army in the fight against terrorism.
A statement issued after this evening’s emergency sitting of the council charged Chief of Staff Branko Krga with stepping up the combat readiness of the army after today’s assassination of the Serbian prime minister.
The council also asked for the full cooperation of the police forces of both Serbia and Montenegro and military intelligence services have been ordered to support the Serbian police.
The meeting which began at 6.30 p.m. with a minute’s silence, was convened by the council’s chairman, federal president Svetozar Marovic.
Attending were the other two council members, Acting Serbian President Natasa Micic and Acting Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, together with a number of senior political, military and police figures.

Army “ready for manhunt”
Krga was quick to respond this evening, saying that the army was prepared to join the search for the killers of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
“I send most sincere condolences to the family of Mr Djindjic and express the readiness of the army to be involved to whatever extent necessary in finding the killers and stabilising the situation in the country,” General Branko Krga told state television.

No let-up for South Serbia
A Serbian government representative also said this afternoon that there would be no withdrawal of state security forces from South Serbia in the wake of the assassination.
Mica Markovic who is a senior official of the state Coordination Centre for South Serbia, said that security forces in the region would continue to operate normally.
“We are all aware of the current situation and we will continue our activities aimed at preserving peace in the region,” he told media.

Government points finger at Zemun mafia
BELGRADE, Wednesday (Beta/FoNet) – The Serbian government tonight accused a group of criminals known as the Zemun mafia of the murder of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic and a raft of other high profile crimes.
These include the abductions and attempted murders of a variety of celebrities and public figures.
“A warrant will be issued before the day is out for the arrest of the largest organised group on the territory of the former Yugoslavia,” said the government in a statement.
The government claims that the group consists of about two hundred criminals.
Names mentioned in the statement include Milorad “Legija” Lukovic, Dusan “Siptar” Spasojevic, Mile “The Godfather” Lukovic and Dejan “Buggsy” Milenkovic.
Milenkovic was the driver of a truck which careered across a highway in New Belgrade last month into the path of a convoy carrying Djindjic to the airport.  The incident was believed to be an assassination attempt.
The government claims that, by murdering Djindjic, “this criminal clan has attempted to create its natural environment of chaos, anarchy and fear in the country.
“In such an environment, wearing a mask of patriotism, they have tried to win the support of certain political structures with the aim of avoiding responsibility for criminal acts,” said the government’s statement.

“Success on second attempt”
The government was quick to linked the murder with last month’s attempt to assassinate the prime minister on a highway in New Belgrade.
“This method of assassination is well known and it has happened immediately after the highway assassination attempt.
“In the meantime, a broad investigation has been launched both within the country and abroad which should result in arrests in several days.
“Today’s assassination cannot be seen outside the context of these events,” said the government in a statement.