Cigarette smuggling involving the Montenegrin government and the Italian Mafia has been going on for years. Now, however, it has become front page news in Italy, and Belgrade is gloating.
In the last few days a few bridges have been thrown across the divide between the leaders of the Serbian opposition and the country's maverick political figure Vuk Draskovic, once more raising the possibility of a united opposition to Slobodan Milosevic's
Rivalries erupted among the opposition as soon as the EU announced its heating oil aid to two towns in southern Serbia. But the real risk is that the regime, too, has its eye on the crude.
Police are out in force in Serbia, and it seems to make many people feel better. Citizens are urged to spy on their neighbours and stay vigilant for "suspicious" activities. Most are happy to help.
After dangerously stoking up the campaign against Montenegro, Belgrade has suddenly offered to continue negotiations with the rebellious republic. It could be the last step before a referendum.
Plans for a park to illustrate the improvement in Romanian-Hungarian relations have been scuppered before the foundation stone has been laid.
Additional troops deployed in the Muslim-dominated region of Serbia have raised fears that Milosevic may stir up fresh conflict in his own backyard.
Plans for a park to illustrate the improvement in Romanian-Hungarian relations have been scuppered before the foundation stone has been laid.
As Milosevic and his associates step up their attacks on the opposition and the media, serious violence in Serbia may be becoming inevitable.
As Montenegro edges towards fiscal independence from Serbia, Milo Djukanovic's latest tour of European capitals looks like an attempt to secure international support for Montenegro before the final break-up of the federation.
