The call, made in a government statement, reflected a growing emphasis in the Serb media on the reconstruction of the country's shattered infrastructure, and the challenge of returning the country to a state of normality.

"The Yugoslav Government believes that the passing of the UN Security Council resolution does not amnesty those who had given or executed orders to perpetrate the aggression on Yugoslavia," the statement said.

"It therefore expects full war reparations and full compensation for the reconstruction of the war-devastated land."

But reparations notwithstanding, a mixed message has emerged in Serbian media reports on the challenges faced by ordinary people.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Dragan Tomic took an optimistic line, telling state TV viewers that Belgrade was making speedy preparations for economic renewal and development.

Tomic said the government had:

• managed to maintain supplies of food staples throughout the war;
• made sugar imports a priority in response to shortages;
• prepared for the country's harvest, expected to yield three million metric tons of grain;
• guaranteed sufficient fuel supplies;
• arranged cigarette imports, pending the resumption of domestic production.

Two-thirds lose jobs

But a less optimistic note was struck by Serbia's Labour Minister, Tomislav Milenkovic.

On the crucial issue of jobs, Mr Milenkovic warned that companies that had been directly affected by the bombing would be able to re-employ only a third of their workers.

"The remainder will have to look for jobs in other firms, start private businesses, or return to rural areas," Milenkovic told a Belgrade newspaper.

A Yugoslav business leader estimated that war-hit companies would require from two months to three years to resume production, depending on the extent of the damage they had suffered.

Branislav Vujinovic, the head of the board of managers of the Lola engineering corporation, said foreign aid from companies interested in cooperation would be welcome.

He said the search for new business partners was already under way with talks focusing on such countries as Russia, China, Japan, Ukraine and Greece.

Meanwhile, Belgrade airport head Ljubomir Acimovic told the Serbian news agency Beta that the facility was ready to resume air traffic.

He said much of the damage sustained in Nato attacks had been repaired.

The airport was only awaiting some passengers, he added.