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Yugoslavia: Who is President-Elect Vojislav Kostunica?

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

JOIE CHEN, CNN ANCHOR: Vojislav Kostunica is expected to be sworn in as president of Yugoslavia as early as tomorrow. He will then be faced with rebuilding a country that has endured a decade of conflict and economic sanctions. It is a daunting task for a man who was unknown on the world stage just a few short weeks ago.

For some insight into Mr. Kostunica, here's CNN's Jonathan Mann.

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JONATHAN MANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The contrast was complete. In the streets of Belgrade, a time of triumph, an entire city energized, while in a quiet TV studio, the focus of the festivities sat slouched, pronouncing himself on policy issues like the professor he once was: promising his country some calm.

VOJISLAV KOSTUNICA, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT-ELECT (through translator): I would say that all those years, our life, day after day, hour after hour, was too exciting. The people now want some peace.

MANN: Kostunica has never been too exciting. At age 56, he comes to the presidency without ever having held a major office, best known perhaps for his low monotone, dark suits and dark circles under his eyes. An expert on constitutional law, an anti-communist and ardent Serb nationalist, Kostunica lived and taught quietly until his political views cost him his job in 1974.

He refused an offer to return to academia 15 years later, because his views still were at odds with the authorities. Kostunica has spent the last decade trying to build his party, the Democratic Party of Serbia, into a national force, but was largely ignored as other opposition figures, like Vuk Draskovic, caught the public eye. In the end, that was part of the reason that the opposition and public united behind him.

BRATISLAV GRUBACIC, POLITICAL ANALYST: They opted for Kostunica as a politician who is not a classical charismatic leader, as Mr. Milosevic was, in the way that Mr. Draskovic is. But they found somebody who is modest person, who is known as not being involved in any corruption affairs. During the airstrikes, he was one of those who was very strongly opposing NATO airstrikes. He is a person for whom you can never hear rumors that he will have some secret deals with Milosevic

MANN: In the hours since Belgrade rose up against the Milosevic regime, Kostunica has been cautious, savoring the opposition victory, but also advising Serbs not to damage government property, not to hunt down government figures.

KOSTUNICA (through translator): I would like to stress that the cooperation with former authorities is very good. And they are going to help us in forming a new government. And its continuity from old government to new one is going to work out fine.

MANN: Jonathan Mann, CNN, reporting.

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CHEN: And so, what can the West expect from Vojislav Kostunica? For some answers, we are joined by Alexa Djilas, who is a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies.

First off, is Kostunica a man that will want to work with Washington? And will Washington want to work with him?

ALEXA DJILAS, WOODROW WILSON CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: Kostunica is a man who is fundamentally pro-Western. He admires United States. He has translated "Federalist Papers."

He -- his views of politics are those of a West European democrat -- or a slightly conservative one. I think he will try for -- to establish close cooperations with the United States, especially in economic affairs. Also, I think he believes that United States could help us develop democratic institutions.

At the same time, it is not very likely that there will be close cooperation with the present administration, which for -- because of the bombing is very much disliked in Serbia. So, in that sense, Kostunica could be said to be very critical of President Clinton, especially of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, but at the same time, to be deeply pro-American.

CHEN: We have seem him -- we have heard described as something of a rumpled academic figure, yet we should also note about him that he was anti-communist in the time of communism. And even after that, he seemed to go against the grain of the government.

Can you speak to the demeanor of this man, of his personality, and how that will influence what happens next?

DJILAS: You know, he is very much very different from your typical Serbian or Balkan politician. He is extremely courteous in a slightly old-fashioned way. When you talk to him, you don't have a sense of someone with an inflated ego -- which is so common among politicians in general, and especially -- and unfortunately -- in Serbia. If, for example, he's talking, and you interrupt, he immediately stops and listens very carefully. He does not have, as has been pointed out, much charisma. He doesn't smile very much. There is some aura of sadness and solitude about him. At the same time, you have an impression that this is a man whom you could trust. If he made the promise, he would not break it.

And for him, you know, law is above everything else. And this is something that we lack most in Serbia: rule of law, respect for law, respect for regular procedures. And in that sense, I think his influence will be excellent. And that kind of non-charismatic, slightly professorial, slightly too-serious character will exert a very good influence.

CHEN: You will forgive me, but you sort of touched on this point yourself. Serbians do have something of a stereotype of something of a proud, strong, perhaps even sometimes macho character. And surely he does not fit that stereotype. Do you think, over the long term, that sort of personality trait will help him? Or do you think, over time, another strong figure might come to displace him?

DJILAS: You know, I think it will help him. Serbian -- Serbian politics have matured in the last, say, 10 years, especially in the last three our four years. And he is, in a sense, an expression of that -- of that maturity. The fact that he has won with such an overwhelming majority as he did is a clear proof that Serbs are fed up of charismatic, flamboyant leaders who make promises they don't keep, who push the country towards war and conflict, who are intolerant over their opponents.

And he -- they are looking now for an antidote to what we experienced in the last 10 years. And I think they have found the right person. It is true that he does not have much political experience. And in turbulent waters of Serbian politics, we don't know how well he will swim. Nevertheless, his authority is now enormous, because, after all, he is the first man to defeat Milosevic. He was elected by a popular ballot.

So I think chances are that he will do a lot of good for his country.

CHEN: Alexa Djilas, we appreciate your insight.

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