Serbian JFK

Zoran Đinđić (Zoran Djindjic) could have been remembered as the embodiment of all the best and all the worst of East European post-Communist politicians. He could have been remembered as a "kindler and gentler" version of Vuk Drašković (Vuk Draskovic) – opportunist who tried to reconcile "pro-Western" platform with Serbian nationalism even more virulent than Milošević's (Milosevic's). He could have been remembered for publicly supporting Bosnian Serbs when they had major quarrel with Milošević.

He could have been remembered for his unsuccessful attempts to oust Milošević and his very successful attempts to prevent anti-Milošević opposition from creating united front.

He could have been remembered for his good connections with organised crime and recruitment of the most notorious Milošević's thugs into his inner circle.

He could have been remembered for breaking his country's Constitution for some 50 million US$ of foreign aid.

He could have been remembered for wrecking the last remnants of Yugoslav federation simply in order to torpedo his main political rival – President Vojislav Koštunica (Vojislav Kostunica).

He could have been remembered as one of the least popular Serbian prime ministers – man who allowed his government to be constantly paralised with coalition quarrels rather than break the impasse and take his chances on the polls.

But, now he would enter Serbian history books as a good-looking martyr figure – man who gave his life in an attempt to lead his country from darkness.

And Ivica Račan (Ivica Racan) now has good excuse for doing nothing to stop the organised crime and increasingly virulent far right in Croatia.