Zagreb (Croatia): Croatia's state news agency says former Yugoslavia's last Prime Minister Ante Markovic has died. He was 87.
Markovic, a Croat, became Yugoslavia's prime minister in March 1989, two years before the former communist country started unraveling along ethnic lines.
Before he resigned in December 1991, Markovic tried to find a compromise between secessionists republics Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Serbia which insisted that Yugoslavia remain a single entity. His efforts failed and the country plunged into a series of ethnic wars.
After the wars, Markovic, who was considered a pro-Western reformist, dedicated himself to a business career.
HINA news agency did not provide the cause of his death.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, November 28, 2011, 15:44