Serbia And Montenegro

Serbian President Boris Tadic made a last-minute plea to world leaders Friday to avoid recognizing an independent Kosovo, insisting that though Serbia remains committed to full integration with Europe, "we cannot accept the dismemberment of our nation." With the Serbian province now widely expected to declare independence Feb.

The United Nations' highest court ruled Monday that Serbia failed to prevent the massacre of Muslims during the Bosnian war but was not directly responsible for the atrocities, ending a landmark case in which an entire nation was tried for genocide. The decision, which was closely watched by other countries facing allegations of war crimes, was viewed by Serbia as a vindication of its role in the 1992-95 war.

The U.N. mediator for Kosovo said Monday that independence was the "only viable option" for the ethnic Albanian province in Serbia, a recommendation that may set up a Security Council deadlock between Serbia's ally Russia and the West. U.N.

mokra gora, serbia -- It looks like a movie set -- fitting, considering it was created by one of Europe's most famous film directors. Bosnian-born Emir Kusturica, winner of more top prizes at the Cannes Film Festival than almost any other director, has built a remote mountaintop hideaway here in western Serbia from scratch. Pitch-roofed wooden buildings sit quaintly amid a deep green forest.

Bosnian Serb war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic drew his general's pension until last November while a fugitive, Serbia and Montenegro acknowledged. Two government ministers said an investigation revealed that Mladic had authorized his wife, son and two army officers to pick up his monthly check about the time he dropped out of sight to avoid arrest in 2001.

A former security chief of wartime Bosnian Serb army commander Gen. Ratko Mladic has been arrested on suspicion of helping his old boss escape arrest on war crimes charges, Serbian media reported Saturday. Bosnian Serb Col. Jovo Djogo was held on suspicion that he helped to hide Mladic, who is charged with two counts of genocide in the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, Beta news agency quoted sources as saying. The daily newspaper Politika and the independent Radio B92 also reported the arrest.

The torch isn't always lighted in an ancient stadium. Sometimes it happens outside an airplane bathroom. That is where he stood, alone, late Monday night, tired eyes, wrinkled jacket, another disheveled tourist lost in the clouds above the Atlantic. He stuck out his hand. I warily took it. He started talking. He said he was a figure skating teacher in Burbank. He said it wasn't a luxurious living, but an honest one, and he loved it.

Kosovo lawmakers elected a moderate as president, paving the way for the start of talks on the province's status. President Fatmir Sejdiu said he would not abandon the ethnic Albanian majority's push for the province's independence from Serbia. He also pledged to make Kosovo a state that guarantees minority rights. Since 1999, Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations, leaving open the question of whether it will become independent or remain with Serbia.

Rumors swirled late Tuesday that fugitive Bosnian Serb Gen. Ratko Mladic had been captured and was being transferred to an international court in the Netherlands to be tried for alleged war crimes. However, Serbian officials quickly denied the reports, and a spokesman for the court in The Hague said the panel had no information that an arrest had been made.

Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi resigned, days after the start of talks on whether the province will gain full independence or remain part of Serbia. His nominated replacement, Lt. Gen. Agim Ceku, heads the civil emergency organization that ethnic Albanians view as the core of their future army. Ceku, 44, sided with Croatia's army in the fight against Serbs during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. Serbian officials have accused him of committing war crimes against civilians.