Serbia: Choosing Between Profit and Security

Serbia still has a large surplus on its hands, numbering some 789,000 to 1.2 million military firearms alone as of 2004. While some progress has been made toward surplus destruction, the prospects for further destruction are far from certain. Belgrade and foreign funders face difficult choices, choices that must be mediated through nationalist politics, military reform, and economic incentives. While over 121,000 surplus weapons have been destroyed since 2001, almost all were weapons collected through public amnesties or law enforcement seizures Excepting one of the world's largest MANPADS destruction programs, currently all SALW declared as surplus from defence or interior ministry stocks are designated for export. The post-Milosevic era witnessed the beginnings of a SALW delineation policy based around foreign initiatives and financial support. The US Department of State was key to enabling more moderate elements within the Ministry of Defence to overcome objections and resistance from Milosevic-era appointees in the earlier stages of defence reform. Foreign actors remain essential to further progress.