Yugoslavia in need of extreme help

We all remember Nov. 9, 1989 when television reports detailing the fall of the Berlin Wall came into our living rooms. Images of reuniting countries and families emphasized the significance of the event. \nThe scenes of Yugoslavians taking to the streets proclaiming their freedom carried the same overtones. Yugoslavians voted Vojislav Kostunica as their new president and left Slobodan Milosevic without a job. We'd seen it before, but, somehow, it was still new. They have ended an era, but they have to be careful not to end the new one before it really starts.\nFollowing Milosevic's loss, the country has been in a flux as new president Kostunica works to consolidate power among Milosevic backers.\nThe country has been celebrating their new president for days, but their problems persist. During Milosevic's reign, Yugoslavia's economy deteriorated. Other nations' economies have profited, but the country's economic situation is daunting. \nAccording to the Yugoslavian Human Development's online report, between 1991 and 1993, the Gross Domestic Product plummeted to one third or one half of the GDP level of 1990. In 1993, the share of the hidden economy had reached 54 percent, although later fell to 40 percent in 1995. The hyperinflation in 1992 and 1993 dealt a severe blow to the already feeble economy, and by January 1994, the country had a devastated monetary and fiscal system. \nAdd it all up and international sanctions caused an astonishing loss to the GDP of about $58 billion, according to the Web site. In consequence, a large portion of the population is impoverished, and the social services sector is threatened. \nSurprisingly, the standard of living in Yugoslavia was better than in other socialist countries. Now that Yugoslavia is free from socialism, the people are going to need help, but they won't be able to get it from their neighbors. Surrounding countries are just as poor.\nAll that is history. The United States has lifted many of the trade and economic sanctions against Yugoslavia, which were imposed to speed the fall of Milosevic. President Bill Clinton also announced ending the ban on U.S. flights and the oil embargo.\nIn lifting the ban, Clinton made the commitment to join the European Union in sweeping away a variety of additional sanctions, except for those intended to keep Milosevic, his family and their political allies from sending millions of dollars in assets overseas. But administration officials said they would retain, at least for the time being, the so-called outer wall of sanctions that prevent Yugoslavia from receiving aid from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.\nNow, Yugoslavia must work to catch up with the rest of the world. The first task on Kostunica's part is to remember he is leading the country and refrain from alienating Milosevic's backers. The European Union has lifted their sanctions on Yugoslavia, and the economy should improve. Before that happens, the political situation needs be under control.\nYugoslavia is in the midst of incredible change once more, and this time, it's important it doesn't become a tragic one.