YUGOSLAVIA: ARMY RESISTS SERB STRATEGY

Created: 3/21/1991

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

Army Resists Serb Strategy

The Army's refusal to step into the leadership vacuum created by federal President Jovic's resignation has set back* but probably not ended, Serbia's campaign to provoke military intervention. SM Hi

The Serbian legislature yesterday rejected Jovic's resignation from the eight-man Presidency, only two days after it forced the resignation of the Kosovo representative in an effort to paralyze federal authority. The rejection followed the Army High Command statement Tuesday that the military will not meddle in political discourse but also will not allow any changes in the country's borders before negotiations^ determine Yugoslavia's political future are completed JHHp^fe'.

Key republic presidents have agreed in principle to meet todaythe constitutional crisis, but Croatian President Tudjmanto go to Belgrade, where Serbian leader Milosevic wantsto convene. The Kosovars have not recognized the theirion Of who willProvince may arise

(Milosevic, already damaged by the demonstrations last week, may be further discredited by his failure to obtain federal military backing. He and Jovic apparently miscalculated the reaction of the other republics to Jovic's resignation from the Presidency last week. The decision by Bosnia and Hercegovina and Macedonia to join Slovenia and Croatia in staying with the Presidency may have convinced senior military leadersilitary coup could not be justified unless major violence occur

^Th^mih^ia^

"protect" the Serbian minority. It is highly unlikely that Milosevic will give up his quest for secure military support; he may believe his chances are better if Serbia is seen as participatingj^jjther_ than undermining, Yugoslavia's federal institutions.I