A group of independent Yugoslav ecnomists says the country will need twenty-nine billion dollars over the next five years to repair damage caused by NATO's bombing campaign.

The group says the money is needed to cover essential practical needs such as upgrading the road network, gas and oil pipelines.

The economists, known as Group 17, say the money is also needed to stabilise the Dinar currency and reform Yugoslavia's health and pension systems.

They say that providing the money will do more to unseat President Milosevic than attempts to isolate the country.