Meanwhile, the aging autocrat Tudjman, beset with stomach cancer, continues to block duly elected officials from taking office in Croatia and terrorizing the media. By counting on Mr Tudjman and Mr Milosevic, the West wasted a year. The moment has come for our leaders to make it publicly clear that we support the people of Croatia and Serbia who are demonstrating for accountability, democratic elections and free media. Beyond our usual rhetoric, the United States and its allies should get serious about lending greater political and material assitance to help democratic forces in both countries. Strengthening the independent media is crucial.
Democracy has a long way to go in the Balkans.
Corruption is pervasive, and ethnic animosities are great. Not all of the political opposition is democratic. Mr Milosevic has a number of ultra- nationalist rivals. In Croatia, many anti-Tudjman elements are sympathetic to his blocking of the return of Croatian Serb refugees. But clearly a large portion of the Serbian and Croatian people want something better than their current fare.