Ivan Stambolić

Ivan Stambolić (Serbian Cyrillic: Иван Стамболић; 5 November 1936 – 25 August 2000) was a Serbian politician who was the president of the League of Communists of Serbia from 1984 to 1986. He was also the prime minister of Serbia from 1978 to 1982 and president of Serbia from 1986 to 1987. Stambolić was the mentor of Slobodan Milošević until 1986. Milošević removed him and his allies from power in 1987, after which Stambolić retired from politics. He was assassinated in August 2000 on the orders of Milošević, one month before the 2000 general elections after which Milošević was overthrown from power. Stambolić was cremated alive and his body was found on Fruška Gora in 2003.

Quotes

 * I think this kind of agenda is not appropriate and usual. It is better to talk about the problems first, and then see if we should talk about the people, if we need to talk abou that too.
 * 8th session of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Serbia (24 September 1987)
 * After the 8th session, Serbia very quickly went far, far, into two of its tragic restorations: into Stalinist socialism and crazed nationalism.
 * Radio Free Europe Interview (June 2000)
 * I warned them that the war was ahead of us, that it was prepared, and that they would save the honour of their people by deserting that war. But what I said then was not heard because of cannons.
 * Radio Free Europe Interview (June 2000)