Putin backs Yugoslavia's 'path to democracy'

Opposition leader Kostunica addressed his supporters

MOSCOW, Russia -- After most prominent world leaders gave their backing to the Yugoslav opposition, Slobodan Milosevic's last ally finally appeared to desert him.

Within hours of the parliament building in Belgrade being stormed, Russian President Vladimir Putin flew back into Moscow from a state visit to India declaring he wanted to see an end to Yugoslavia's international isolation and for the country to develop along democratic lines.

In televised comments, Putin said Russia would do whatever it could to help Yugoslavia.

"We are ready to contribute to this country overcoming the current crisis, coming out of international isolation and putting itself firmly on the path of democratic development," he said in comments broadcast on state-owned RTR television.

IMAGE GALLERY Protest in pictures    IN-DEPTH Yugoslavia Decides 2000   • Overview   • The road ahead   • Key players   • Party profiles   • Shrinking of Yugoslavia   • Maps/At-a-glance    VIDEO A CNN camera is in the middle of the crowd during the gassing (October 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Alessio Vinci reports on the Yugoslav Constitutional Court's ruling that the recent presidential vote must be repeated Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     FROM TIME.com: The Rumpled Nationalist : A profile of Vojislav Kostunica     ALSO Belgrade celebrates after day of protests Milosevic whereabouts are unknown Milosevic's regime 'slowly crumbling,' says expert Milosevic 'cannot fight the people's will' says Kostunica     MESSAGE BOARD Peace in the Balkans

He called for the Yugoslav opposition, led by Vojislav Kostunica, and the forces of Milosevic to avoid escalating the violence in their country.

Putin spoke after U.S. President Bill Clinton said he would urge Russia to accept that Kostunica had won last month's Yugoslav presidential election and that the result should be heeded by Milosevic's regime.

While supporting the election, Washington was wary about showing overt support for the political opposition, aware that strong anti-U.S. feelings in Yugoslavia could undermine the opposition's cause.

"Obviously the U.S. has strong differences of opinion with the opposition but we want for the Serbian people what we want for the people of any country -- the right to choose its own leader," President Bill Clinton said.

"It's been a hardline dictatorship and the people are trying to get their country back," he said.

As Clinton spoke to reporters in the U.S., smoke billowed from the Federal Parliament building in Belgrade around which tens of thousands of demonstrators had gathered to demand an end to Milosevic's reign.

European Commission President Romano Prodi urged Milosevic to listen to his people, saying it was time for a quick and peaceful transition to democracy.

"It is time to heed the popular will. Time for a speedy, peaceful transition to democracy. Europe stands ready to welcome the new Serbia with open arms," Prodi said.

Quoting Kostunica, Prodi said: "As Mr Kostunica just said, Serbia is Europe. The road to peace and reconciliation is now open, leaving violence and hatred behind.

"To Mr Milosevic I say in the name of Europe: Listen to your people. They have spoken. All democrats have heard their voice. It is time to fulfil their hopes."

Prodi repeated that the European Union stood ready to lift economic sanctions against Belgrade once Kostunica took charge. "We are ready to lift the sanctions. We are ready to open our arms,"

Clinton ruled out any prospects of military intervention by the U.S.

"We do not want to do or say anything to strengthen Milosevic's hand," he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who has spent the past few days in Paris overseeing the Middle East talks, said she hoped the Yugoslav people would free themselves as other east European nations had done and voiced hope for a peaceful end to the crisis.

Clinton supported the protesters during a "delicate time"

Clearly gripped and delighted by events in Belgrade, Albright called the mass demonstrations in Belgrade as "the most important thing" that had happened during her nearly four years in office.

She said: "I think the people of Serbia, of Yugoslavia, deserve a peaceful exit to a horrible two decades... The people's wishes will not be delayed until 2001."

U.S. National Security Adviser Sandy Berger later said he and Albright were trying to reach their Russian counterparts to get Russia's help in persuading Milosevic to step down.

"We would hope the Russians would join others in the international community who have said that the Serb people have spoken and expressed themselves clearly, at the ballot box and now today in these massive demonstrations, and to recognise that Kostunica is the next president and Milosevic should go," Berger said.

He said the Tanjung News Agency's decision, late on Thursday, to declare Kostunica president-elect of Yugoslavia showed further erosion of Milosevic's hold on power.

"It's one more sign the instruments of state power are slipping out of Milosevic's hands," Berger told CNN.

"They've spoken at the ballot box," Berger said of the Serbian people. "I think it will be very difficult for their will to be thwarted. The will of the people is unmistakable.

"We're seeing the pillars of (Milosevic's) power begin to unravel and I find it very difficult to see how he can reconstitute that power."

As for Milosevic's fate if he were to step down, Berger said the U.S. government will continue to seek his prosecution for war crimes.

"He has been indicted by the war crimes tribunal," Berger said. "And he should be accountable for what he did over the last 10 years.

Earlier, Germany called on the Yugoslav army and security forces on Thursday not to use force against protesters.

"Milosevic has lost the elections," Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said in a statement.

"Now the way must be cleared for the will of the Serbian people to take effect. The army and police, too, must respect the will of the Yugoslavs and should not use force against the people."

Despite using tear-gas against protesters, the security forces showed restraint in not using more heavy-handed tactics to disperse the crowds.

French President Jacques Chirac urged Milosevic to recognise the opposition's election victory and to step down.

"I want to solemnly say to all those who support Milosevic that they are taking a very, very big risk and carry a very, very serious responsibility with regard to their country," Chirac said while visiting central France.

"For pity's sake, let's stop and give the Serb people back their freedom," he said.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said, in a statement to the Yugoslav leader: "Your time is up. Go now. Don't wait until there has been more death and destruction."

Italian leaders called on Yugoslavia's army and police forces to respect the will of the people and said civil war should be avoided at all costs.

"We wish to add our voices to calls that the forces of the police and army of the Yugoslav federation respect democracy and the will of the people," said Walter Veltroni, the leader of the biggest party in Italy's coalition government.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.

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Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Democratic Opposition of Serbia
Serbian Ministry of Information
Movement for Democratic Serbia

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