Slobodan Milosevic: historical biography

In view of the recent events, the figure of Yugoslavian ex-president Slobodan Milosevic attracted attention of the word community. Therefore, PRAVDA.Ru decided to acquaint its readers with the some facts of his biography.

1941.08.20 Born in Pozarevac, eastern Serbia, to a Montenegrin father, an Orthodox theologian who became a Marxist and his communist mother, a teacher.

1944 His father leaves the family home Meanwhile, Slobodan meets Mira Markovic in Pozarevac secondary school. An orphan from a young age, Mira had as unhappy a childhood as her husband. They fall passionately in love and retain today the same passion. It has been said of Milosevic that he loves power but his greatest love is his family

1962 When Slobodan is 21 years old, his father commits suicide.

After qualifying as a lawyer, Slobodan begins a brilliant career in banking and industry. Goaded by his wife, a fervent communist, Slobodan launches himself into a political career

1972 Meanwhile, in 1972, his mother commits suicide.

Milosevic starts a meteoric rise inside the Communist Party

1974 Kosovo is given a status of autonomy within the Yugoslav Federation

1980.05.09 Death of Josip Broz Tito, founder of Yugoslavia

1986 Milosevic elected leader of the Serbian Communist Party

1987 He stamps his authority on the party by ousting adversaries

1988 After independence and separatist movements begin to appear in Vojvodina, Montenegro and Kosovo, Milosevic implants his allies in these provinces.

He is publicly acclaimed a hero by one million people in Belgrade.

1989.06.28 Milosevic celebrates the 600th anniversary of the battle of Kosovo Polye, the birth of the Serbian nation, when the Kingdom of Serbia defeated the Turks

One million Serbs attend the celebration. Milosevic suspends Kosovo’s Statute of autonomy

1990 Beginning of troubles in Kosovo. Yugoslav army sent to the province

In the first democratic elections since the Second World War, Milosevic is elected President of Serbia

1991 Slovenia and Croatia proclaim their independence. Belgrade contests

Beginning of Yugoslav civil war

1992 Bosnian Moslems and Croats proclaim the independent state of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On 27th April, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) is formed.

1993 Civil war in Bosnia. 100,000 dead.

1994 The Croatian-Moslem Federation receives 51% of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Republika Srpski receives 49%.

1995 Croatia takes Krajina, expelling the Serb population

Dayton agreement signed with all sides claiming victory

1996 Municipal elections give victory to opposition movement in various cities

Milosevic annuls the results

1997 Milosevic elected as President of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).

Reformist Djukanovic elected President of Montenegro

1998 General elections in Kosovo elect Ibrahim Rugova as Prime Minister.

Both Belgrade and the International Community refuse to recognise these elections.

1999 NATO launches its attack on Yugoslavia. Serbia pulls troops out of Kosovo. UN Security Council resolution Nr. 1244 calls for “substantial autonomy” in Kosovo, but within Yugoslavia

2000 Federal general election. Milosevic does not recognise Kostunica’s victory in the first round. On 5th October, the citizens of Cacak invade Belgrade and burn the Parliament building. Two days later, Kostunica is sworn in as president of Yugoslavia

2000/1 Last days in Presidential residence spent in the company of Mira Markovic and his daughter, watching romantic films and listening to Russian love songs

2001 March 31st. With 50 million USD in play, Milosevic is arrested before the deadline imposed by the US Congress is reached. Other reports were of 100 million USD

TIMOTHY BANCROFT-HINCHEY, PRAVDA.RU, LISBON