The United States has continued to prevent Yugoslavia from receiving new credit and loans. The 78-day bombing campaign last year was followed by the occupation of Kosovo, new sanctions and an oil embargo against Yugoslavia. The United States recently renewed these sanctions, and the European Union tightened trade sanctions in April. Yet Milosevic holds a tight reign while his people suffer. Production levels are way down, there is no exportation of goods and Yugoslavia is cut off from most international markets.
Credit cards are no longer available to the people.
They cannot send money abroad, and the airport looks deserted. Dozens of bridges and hundreds of apartments remain damaged by the bombs. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright made it clear that the United States would only agree to lift the sanctions if free elections are held. Although life was tough before the sanctions, it has worsened since. Many Serbs blame the West for the sanctions, as well as the bombing.