The assassination of Serbia's prime minister is a declaration of war against the forces of law, order and democracy in Yugoslavia. Police have blamed organized crime for the killing and begun a crackdown, but the entire picture is a bit murkier. The slaying is a reminder of the unfinished business in Yugoslavia, and proof that much more has to be done before that troubled country will be rid of the influence of former leader Slobodan Milosevic and the murderous cabal that supported him.
Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was killed by two sniper bullets in Belgrade as he stepped out of his armored car last week. It was not the first attack on Mr. Djindjic: Last month, he escaped injury when a truck swerved toward his motorcade. He called the accident an assassination attempt, but was thought to be exaggerating. Sadly, he was not. Police have accused organized crime of being behind the killing and immediately began arresting suspects. More than 70 criminals have been nabbed in the crackdown.
Criminal organizations are the most obvious culprits. The government has declared war against the organized crime and corruption that flourished under the previous regime, headed by Mr. Milosevic. On the day of the shooting, the government planned to issue arrest warrants for several top underworld figures, including Mr. Milorad Lukovic, a former paramilitary leader who is accused of trafficking in heroin. Mr. Lukovic last month publicly threatened Mr. Djindjic and his government, declaring in an open letter to the media that the government was "dangerously unpatriotic" and warned the prime minister that his days were numbered.