Serbia's unfinished revolution

The storming of the parliament was only a beginning

By BBC Belgrade correspondent Jacky Rowland

Many analysts in Belgrade suspect that the revolutionary events of 5 October were only the first act of a drama that is likely to continue for many months.

The after-shocks of the Serbian uprising are continuing to be felt through the political and financial establishments in Belgrade, as the opposition coalition which ousted Slobodan Milosevic consolidates its hold on power.

President Kostunica must strengthen his position

With Vojislav Kostunica now confirmed as Yugoslav president and the federal Yugoslav parliament dominated by opponents of Mr Milosevic, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) is turning its attention to the power structures of the republic of Serbia.

It has persuaded Mr Milosevic's Socialist Party to release its stranglehold on power in Serbia.

The Socialists have agreed to a power-sharing arrangement in a temporary government which will run Serbia until parliamentary elections scheduled for 23 December.

Police and army split

There are indications of splits within the police and the army between those who support the new political leaders and those who still owe their allegiance to Mr Milosevic.

Under fire: General Pavkovic' future is uncertain

The former army chief of staff dismissed by Mr Milosevic two years ago, General Momcilo Perisic, is a member of the Crisis Committee set up by DOS to run the affairs of state until a federal government is formed.

If he is appointed defence minister, General Perisic has indicated he will fire the current chief of staff General Nebojsa Pavkovic.

General Pavkovic, formerly a close ally of Mr Milosevic, was swift to endorse Vojislav Kostunica as the new Yugoslav president.

Comments by General Pavkovic to the Belgrade media have added to the confusion about who is in control of the security forces.

"Some parts of the Serbian internal affairs ministry and state security forces are currently not under the control of competent bodies and could take on the characteristics of illegal armed formations," General Pavkovic told Politika newspaper.

Tough times ahead

Foreign donors and international officials are now flocking to Belgrade to offer financial support and technical assistance to Mr Kostunica and his new authorities.

How will democracy protesters react to rising fuel and food prices ?

But it is clear that tough times lie ahead for the Serbian people.

The Yugoslav dinar has been officially devalued and prices are starting to go up.

The cost of basic foods such as bread and cooking oil, traditionally controlled by government subsidies, has risen.

And there has been a doubling in the price of cigarettes, which in the heavy-smoking Balkans are considered a necessity of life.

Serbians got through the last winter comparatively painlessly, but there are fears that the coming winter will be more difficult.

As an indication of things to come, it has been announced that the price of gas will double.

Ghostly figure

Slobodan Milosevic's presence is still felt

But Slobodan Milosevic continues to be a ghostly figure, still haunting Serbian political life from the sidelines.

He may not hold any government position at the moment, but he still tries to pull some strings through his continued leadership of the Socialist party.

His portrait mysteriously disappeared from the home page of his party's web site last week. But the picture was replaced after Serbian media drew attention to its removal.