[JURIST] A reader in Belgrade writes:

I was invited by Mr. Djindjic a few days ago (last Friday) to explain my resignation from the new University Law Drafting Commission that had been formed by the Ministry of Education. I have to be sincere: I was not one of those who loved him with all my heart, as I was very unsatisfied with his executive's domination over legislative and judiciary branches here, which has precipitated an institutional crisis. I am afraid that the assassination is also a consequence of this. Nevertheless, I was impressed with his willingness to know what had happened and his initiative to talk with a single university professor about the issue when he had so many more important problems hanging over his head. His intelligence, openness and pragmatism were impressive....Having been with him so recently, I feel even more moved and aware of the loss we have suffered.

So life goes on in Serbia, but the problem is in what direction? We willsee in a few days. If the police find the organizers of the assassination it will be a sign that this country, regardless of this tragedy, still has a chance to join the democratic world. New elections were in any case near, and only due to party political struggle and different maneuvers they did not take place yet. The elections for President of Serbia have also failed twice. I truly hope that Serbia still has strong democratic resources and candidates for elections - such as Mr. Labus and Mr. Kostunica - although the latter has been labeled as a nationalist. But Mr. Djindjic's recent call to review the Kosovo situation, which at the least is unsatisfactory, also tarred him with the nationalist label. The country is going to face a tough problem if the real organizers of the assassination cannot be found. It will not be easy to lead the country in the future, no matter who is going to be in position to do that, as they will be a hostage to personal insecurity.