Sanctions on Serbia will stay, says E.U.

LISBON, MARCH 24. Sanctions will remain on Serbia as long as the Yugoslav President, Mr. Slobodan Milosevic, remains in office, European Union leaders said today in a draft version of their Lisbon Summit communique.

``Selective sanctions aimed at the regime will remain a necessary element of E.U. policy as long as President Milosevic stays in power,'' said the communique. ``The European Council appeals to the Serbian people to take their future into their own hands and to reclaim their place in the family of democratic nations,'' said leaders of the 15-nation bloc.

E.U. leaders urged all parties involved to begin steps to clear the river Danube of rubble from last year's war so as to allow navigation.

In Belgrade, Mr. Milosevic marked the first anniversary of NATO's bombing campaign against Yugoslavia on March 24 By laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier near Belgrade.

Dressed in a sombre dark blue suit, Mr. Milosevic bowed his head in front of the monument, on Mount Avala, while a military band played the Yugoslav national anthem.

In the book of remembrance kept at the monument, he wrote: ``Eternal glory to the nation's heroes who died fighting for the freedom and dignity of the people and the state against a new fascism.''

State-run RTS TV broadcast a giant close-up of the inscription by Mr. Milosevic, who added the postscript: ``In the name of their war comrades and the citizens of Yugoslavia.''

He also deposited at the monument a book entitled, ``The Nation's Heroes'', dedicated to the 1,002 soldiers and police officers killed since February 1998 by ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo or as a result of the NATO bombings.

The book, launched by the Defence Minister, Mr. Dragoljub Djdanic - who headed the Yugoslav armed forces during the 11-week NATO campaign - compiles the names, life histories and photos of the members of the police and army killed in the battle.

- DPA, AFP

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Section  : International
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