Balkan’s largest churches for the funeral of the assassinated prime minister Zoran Djindjic, who led Serbia on a painful road to reforms.
The ceremony in Belgrade’s St. Sava cathedral came as church leaders expressed concern about a repeat of gangland style murders that marked the era of President Slobodan Milosevic, who was ousted by Djindjic and his allies after a decade of Balkan wars.
Special police, armed with automatic rifles, were among the security forces deployed outside the cathedral, for what was described as the biggest funeral in the Serbian capital since communist leader Josip Broz Tito died in 1980.
Among those attending the funeral were the wife and two children of the 50-year-old Djindjic, as well as church leaders and government representatives from dozens of countries. Mourners had braved winter temperatures to stand in line throughout the night in front of the nearby government building to sign a book of condolences.
CHURCH LEADERS
The funeral service was performed by several key leaders of the Orthodox Church, often seen as a symbol of hope and inspiration during times of crisis in this mainly Orthodox republic. Church leaders paid tribute to Djindjic, whom they saw as a voice of reconciliation.
Serbian Orthodox Bishop Amfilohije said the reformist leader had begun a renewal of Serbia and "reached out a hand of reconciliation and peace," and suggested he was killed by a hand of hatred.
After the service, Djindjic’s body was carried in procession to Belgrade’s New Cemetery, to be laid to rest with military honors in the Alley of the Great Men.
CONCERN
The funeral came amid concern among some church leaders and pro-democracy groups that as Djindjic went to his grave, Serbia’s reform process may have been buried as well.
Baptists, Adventists are also worried about a possible return nationalism and persecution of non Orthodox groups. His assassination leaves Serbia with neither a prime minister nor elected president, a post left vacant after voter turn-outs last year were too low to validate election of a new president.
Serbian media say the government is expected to name 42-year-old former Yugoslav Interior Minister Zoran Zivkovic as prime minister-designate. Analysts say this would signal the ruling coalition’s determination to push on with the Western-backed economic and political reforms spearheaded by Djindjic.
His assassination has been seen in some quarters as apparent retaliation for his tough stand on organized crime that is said to have had close ties to the Milosevic regime. Close to 200 alleged criminals have already been arrested as security forces continue their manhunt to find those responsible for the killing.
