What's Next For Milosevic?

As a new leader prepares to take over in Yugoslavia and set a new course for the struggling country, President Slobodan Milosevic's next step is the subject of much conversation — and more than a little controversy.

As CBS News National Security Correspondent David Martin reports, the godfather of ethnic cleansing, the man whose attempt to create a greater Serbia caused the worst bloodshed in Europe since World War II, is down.

The question is, will he stay that way?

His countrymen don't seem to know what they want him to do.

"I'm not sure if I prefer to see him stand trial for all his misdeeds or not hear about him ever again," said bank clerk Jovan Malekovic.

For his part, Milosevic sees himself remaining part of Yugoslavian political life.

"I intend to rest a bit and spend some more time with my family and especially with my grandson Marko and after that to help my party gain force and contribute to future prosperity," Milosevic said when he conceded defeat to president-elect Vojislav Kostunica.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov received the same message when he met with Milosevic at a government villa in Belgrade the day the Serb strongman made his concession.

"Being the leader of the largest political party in Serbia, he intends to continue to play a political role in the country," Ivanov said, adding that Milosevic said he intends to play a high-profile role.

That would not sit well with the United States.

"I think it would be a terrible mistake for him to remain active in the political life of the country. That is not what the people voted for. I don't think there should be a deal brokered here," President Clinton said.

"The first step in the process is removing him from power. I would not want to see him playing a role in Serb political affairs," says National Security Advisor Sandy Berger. "He is still an indicted war criminal and has to be accountable, we believe, for his actions."

That's fine with the chief prosecutor of the U.N. War Crimes Tribunal. She wants him handed over to face war crimes charges.

"I am prepared to receive Milosevic in The Hague any time," Carla del Ponte says.

Milosevic was indicted by the tribunal for the offensive against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. He is blamed by the West for starting — and then losing — the four Balkan wars which broke out in the last decade when parts of Yugoslavia began to seek independence.

Those conflicts were marked by horrific acts of violence against civilians, which prompted Western governments to impose sanctions and isolate Belgrade.

As an indicted war criminal, Milosevic has little chance of seeking asylum abroad and has no choice but to try to reach an accommodation with the new government.

And after 10 disastrous years of war with nothing but death and hardship to show for it, Milosevic would seem to have precious little room for maneuver, even ahome.

"The best bet he probably has is a deal that says 'I will stay in Serbia, but I will remain quiet,' — internal exile, so to say," said Ivo Daalder, a political expert on the Balkans.

©2000, CBS Worldwide Inc., All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press and Reuters Limited contributed to this report