World War II-era bomb shelter

• Locals watch Milosevic's son
• 'Try my grapes,' don't speak of war
• In-Depth: Conflict in Kosovo
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BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CNN) -- Inside Yugoslavia, the civilian population readied itself for possible airstrikes. Air raid shelters dating from World War II -- many of which now house underground businesses -- were being prepared to house people on six hours notice.

Yugoslav media and nationalist Serbian leaders whipped up anti-Western sentiment.

Deputy Prime Minister Vojislav Seselj said the demands being made on Serbians by the United Nations and U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke were "really aimed at taking the territory (of Kosovo) from Serbia."

While Seselj said the government was trying to avert a military threat, he said it would not do so "at the cost of sacrificing Serbia or part of Serbian territory."

Seselj

Seselj, the leader of the ultra-nationalist Serbian Radical Party, also called on volunteers to join the security forces in the country's defense.

But local people were not impressed.

"They (politicians) will run away on the very first signal of possible war. They will leave us behind to pay for their mistakes," said bank guard Novica Antic.

Olga Nikolic, who has a 20-year-old son, said she hardly slept during the night. "I just wait for them (the army) to ring at my door and take both my son and my husband to the army."

Locals watch Milosevic's son

In the meantime, the people of Pozarevac -- 60 km (40 miles) east of the Yugoslav capital -- were watching Marko, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's playboy son.

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Marko, a would-be race car driver who once told a Belgrade magazine he felt naked going out without a gun, runs the country's most famous disco, called Madona, in Pozarevac.

Local residents kept their heads down and most refused to discuss threatened NATO strikes, but the view of those who were willing to talk was: "As long as Marko's here, we are safe."

Of those who would comment, most were resigned, accusing Milosevic of failing to tackle Kosovo in time and of neglecting the interests of ordinary people.

Nikolic, a 42-year-old dentist who has been without a job for more than five years, said apathy was the most dangerous feeling. "But that is exactly how my family feels after 10 years of sinking in every respect."

"I think our complete leadership, together with Milosevic, is most to blame for the situation we are in today. They are neglecting the interests of their own people, and that is why all this is happening," she said.

Dragan Jovanovic, 34, said NATO intervention had been the main topic among his neighbors during the past week. "But all talk is in vain now. Our politicians are deaf. They are using their posts only for their own benefit and not to protect the interests of the people."

"I believe that Milosevic himself does not know what is going on in Kosovo," he added.

'Try my grapes,' don't speak of war

In the market, farmers from nearby villages were not aware of the seriousness of the situation, nor did they know that time was running out for their president to comply with Western demands.

"We have too much to do to think about the war now," said Rada, selling grapes and garlic. "Try my grapes, child, instead of asking about the war," she said.

Nikolic said she strongly opposed the government decree that bans the domestic media from broadcasting or publishing international media reports on the crisis.

"There is an information blackout now. People are scared, but they do not dare admit it," she said, adding that most of her neighbors were stockpiling flour, canned food, water, bandages and basic medicines.

"But as long as we see Marko here, we are safe," she added.