Some sign a declaration confirming it. Occasionally the real world intrudes. In the wall over the left shoulder of the receptionist at our hotel, the Intercontinental, is a bullet hole from the shootout that killed Arkan. Everybody bitches about the opposition being divided, ineffectual and vain. Shops and bars are full of smartly dressed people but they say things are worse than ever.
Jobs are scarce.
Those that pay real money scarcer still. Back in the conference another appeal for sanctions to be lifted veers into a tirade about the victimisation of a peace-loving state and fabricated horror stories about Kosovo. A catalogue of the 982 Serbs murdered in Kosovo in the past 12 months hits home, but many other presentations are too emotive and crude to be of interest. Organisers look hurt as more journalists peel away. What has been achieved is uncertain but according to Serb television, Nato's big lie is now poised to unravel.