Officials in Karasicena are tonight making preparations for a potential week of national mourning following reports that former Transition Council co-chairman Nado Milutinovic is gravely ill.
Considered ‘the father of the nation’ for his role in negotiating Polasciana’s peace deal in 1996, Milutinovic, who turned 97 at the beginning of the year, has reportedly been ill for over a year, with sources close to his family now suggesting the former leader of the Eastern Republic is in the final stages of his life. Becoming President of the Eastern People’s Republic and Chairman of the People’s Party in 1994, Milutinovic has often been credited as single handedly bringing an end to violence in The Polamar, largely for his actions, or at least lack of response, when it was uncovered that Western leader Andreo Sukao had ordered a number of retribution attacks on the East. Sukao’s United Confederation Party splintered, with the Western leader himself being sentenced to a 12 year prison sentence on charges of corruption.
Negotiating secretly through back channels for many years, it was Mr Sukao’s sentencing which enabled Mr Milutinovic to propose a set of peace talks – resulting in the Unity Agreement in April 1996. Cosigned by Milutinovic, and his then Western counterpart Darina Kovac, the agreement paved the way for the current Polascianan state. The former leader has not been seen in public for many years, but made a brief appearance at commemorations on the 10th anniversary of the Munsau Terror Bombings. Kovac was absent due to being unwell at the time, and so the pair have not been seen together since the 2003 transition celebrations.
Milutinovic has had health scares before, but none are thought to have been as serious as his current condition. “He’s a fighter, but at 97, any illness could be very complicated and potentially life threatening. Previously issues with his heart and lungs have been treated, but it is thought he is now seriously unwell” said a source earlier today.
According to reports, the Prime Minister travelled back to Karasicena earlier today – an event seen as highly unusual as Mr Serbin spends weekends at his unofficial residence in Kiasé. A spokesperson denied that the Prime Minister had returned due to the rumours surrounding Milutinovic’s health, however several rumours have been circulating as other dignitaries have been seen returning to the capital. A family source said that any announcement regarding Mr Milutinovic’s condition would be made by the family directly, with no formal statement having been made so far.
