BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- Washington may say the violence-plagued rule of Slobodan Milosevic is weakening, but the Yugoslav president's supporters and even some critics at home say he is as strong as ever.
Ignoring U.S. pressure on his government, he is purging the police and military in apparent preparation for another major crackdown: this time on pro-independence elements in Montenegro, the small republic that with Serbia forms present-day Yugoslavia.The purge prompted State Department spokesman James P. Rubin to declare last Monday that "President Milosevic's grip on power is weakening."
Rubin accused Milosevic of being "at the center of every crisis" during and since the breakup of the old Yugoslav federation. "He is not simply part of the problem; Milosevic is the problem," the spokesman added.
Washington has always blamed Milosevic for the ethnic conflicts in the Balkans, and it imposed diplomatic and economic sanctions on his government. But the Clinton administration has worked closely with him since 1995 trying to ensure a lasting peace in Bosnia, formerly a Yugoslav republic.
Rubin's remarks led to news media speculation that Washington has concluded that there cannot be a secure peace with Milosevic in power and is encouraging his ouster.
Yet many of Milosevic's domestic allies and opponents alike agree that his rule is as strong as ever and that the recent sacking of army chief Gen. Momcilo Perisic and secret police head Jovica Stanisic herald more trouble for the Balkans.
Both were replaced by officers loyal to Milosevic's neo-communist wife, Mirjana Markovic. Her hard-line loyalists have recently assumed most top posts in Yugoslavia, further strengthening Milosevic.
Perisic and Stanisic had publicly opposed any crackdown on Montenegro.