Balkans: May 29, 2003

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Serbia has made progress since Milosevic left for his war crimes trial, and the economic and political rewards follow. On May 29 President Bush sent Congress a letter request in an end to the political and economic constraints first placed on Serbia in 1992. The sanctions will be lifted against both Serbia and Montenegro.

Macedonias defense minister said that the Macedonian government now believes there will be no need for foreign military peacekeepers in Macedonia once the current EU peacekeeping mandate ends in September 2003. One reason may be increasing cooperation to control porous borders, primarily with Serbia and Albania. The Macedonian border with Kosovo (or is it Serbia-Kosovo?) Will continue to be a problem, however.