Russia backs Kostunica as Yugoslavia's president

Ivanov, left, meets with Milosevic on Friday

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has congratulated Vojislav Kostunica as the winner of Yugoslavia’s presidential election.

Russia was an ally of Yugoslavia under President Slobodan Milosevic and its acceptance of Kostunica was quickly welcomed by the United States.

TIMELINE GALLERY Yugoslavia: a day of change     IMAGE GALLERY Protest in pictures    IN-DEPTH Yugoslavia in Transition   • Balkan hotspots   • War crimes defendants   • Milosevic profile   • Kostunica profile   • Ambition and wealth   • Timeline 1945-2000   • Shrinking of Yugoslavia   • Message board   • Sanctions highlights   • Sick society   • Aftermath of an uprising   • Serbia: A day of change   • Protest in pictures    VIDEO Belgrade on fire: Scenes from the uprising Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Nic Robertson reports on Montenegro's economic stability (October 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN breaks the news to U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that Russia backs Kostunica as Yugoslavia's president (October 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Joie Chen shows a timeline of Milosevic's troubles, from the vote to the annulment (October 6) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's David Ensor investigates what, if anything, outside countries can do to influence the situation (October 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Opposition leader Vojislav Kostunica speaks to the Yugoslav public through Serbian Television (with CNN translation) First steps Recovery American influence (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Alessio Vinci reports from Belgrade, where protesters are celebrating their apparent victory over Milosevic (October 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) A CNN camera is in the middle of the crowd during the gassing (October 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     FROM TIME.com: The Rumpled Nationalist : A profile of Vojislav Kostunica     TRANSCRIPT James Rubin on Yugoslavia     ALSO Where is Milosevic? U.S. pushes for Russian support of Yugoslavia's Kostunica Milosevic's regime 'slowly crumbling,' says expert Russia urged to support Yugoslav protesters Milosevic 'cannot fight the people's will' says Kostunica     MESSAGE BOARD Peace in the Balkans

Told of Ivanov’s statement by CNN, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said it was, “great news.”

“We have been waiting for the Russians to do that,” she said. “The Russians are now with the Serbian people.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin had refused to recognise Kostunica as the winner of last month's presidential election but after Ivanov met the opposition leader and Yugoslav government officials, he said he had a message of support from Putin.

Ivanov also met Milosevic on Friday afternoon in Belgrade.

The whereabouts of President Milosevic had been unclear since a popular uprising in Yugoslavia on Thursday.

On Friday, tens of thousands of people had gathered outside the Yugoslav parliament to hear an address by Kostunica.

Opposition and army officials spent the day cautiously paving the way towards the transfer of power to Kostunica with a crisis commission set up to run the country.

The commission was trying to organise a session of the Yugoslav Federal Parliament on Friday to swear in Kostunica as the new president.

To do that, the opposition needs the support of some members of Milosevic's Socialist Party and members from the Yugoslav left.

Commission members said they hoped to cement a deal by mid-afternoon.

International support for a government led by the opposition leader is gathering momentum with the U.S. joining European Union officials in foreshadowing the lifting of international sanctions as early as Monday.

Albright, for the first time calling Milosevic the “ex-president”, said: “If the Milosevic regime has gone, then the sanctions will be gone.”

The EU's Commissioner for External Affairs, Chris Patten, told CNN that the European Commission had been preparing the technical arrangements over the last few days to lift sanctions, and the situation would be discussed at a meeting on Monday.

"We'll be acting straight away on sanctions, on lifting the oil ban and making permanent the lifting of the air ban," he said.

The Brussels-based European Parliament issued a statement on Friday which said: "The Serbian people have taken their destiny in their hands. The European Parliament would like to express their absolute solidarity with them."

Germany urged the European Union to offer immediate aid to the new authorities in Belgrade in order to foster democracy in Yugoslavia.

Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told a news conference he would make the proposal at a meeting at the meetings in Brussels on Monday.

"We will propose that a package of immediate assistance is brought together," Fischer said.

Even China, one the staunchest supporters of Milosevic, said on Friday it would not get involved in the affairs of Yugoslavia.

NATO Secretary General George Robertson is refusing to make any public comment about the developments in Belgrade.

In a brief statement a NATO spokesman said: "We welcome democratic change and the election of a new president in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It offers the opportunity to contribute to a much improved regional stability".

A senior official said NATO ambassadors were continuing to keep a close eye on events, adding: "These are still early days."

The official said there would be no question of pulling back or withdrawing NATO-led troops in Kosovo in the immediate future.

With Russia now confirming its approval of Kostunica and earlier saying it would not offer asylum to Milosevic, the president's options are rapidly narrowing.

U.S. intelligence officials are watching all flights in and out of Serbia for any signs that the Yugoslav President may intend to seek refuge in another country.

Milosevic's brother Borislav said Slobodan Milosevic still considered himself the president of Yugoslavia.

Ivanov and Kostunica shaking hands on Friday

"Why should he leave the country? Half the population openly supports him. He is the leader of a major party," he said.

The only offer of possible asylum for Milosevic came from Belarus on Friday. The country's prime minister, Vladimir Yermoshin, said he would consider an application from the president if one came but so far, no request had been made.

In Belgrade on Friday, noisy celebrations were again underway on the streets as garbage collectors cleaned up piles of paper and broken glass after the night's revelry.

Overturned car bodies still litter the streets, some of them burned after demonstrators stormed the federal parliament and state media offices on Thursday setting the buildings alight.

The massive demonstrations were sparked by a ruling from the country's constitutional court, staffed by Milosevic allies, that results from the country's presidential elections on September 24 were invalid and a new election would have to be held.

Independent observers said Kostunica won the election but Milosevic refused to relinquish power.

Military officials met on Friday morning, though it was not clear what level of the military they represented. They did not release a statement after the meeting, but the state Tanjug news agency quoted the army as saying it would not attack protesters unless it was attacked.

Kostunica said the transition to his administration would be smooth, but he is urging more protesters on to the streets warning them to be on guard against reprisals.

He promised that one of his first actions as president would be to open a dialogue with the republic of Montenegro on independence.

"We must now focus on the future of two nations and two national units," he said in an interview on Serbian television, explaining that a referendum may be necessary to reform the constitution of the former Yugoslav republic.

Opposition supporters gathered in Belgrade again on Friday

There were already signs of change on Friday with two British policemen detained in Belgrade on suspected terrorism charges being set free.

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said in a statement: "Detective sergeant Prangnell and police constable Yore were released today."

Adrian Prangnell and John Yore were arrested in Montenegro in early August along with two Canadians.

While the Belgrade lawyer for the Canadian detainees Shaun Going and Liam Hall said Hall was to be released and Going charged, the British Foreign Office said it expected both Canadians to be "released soon."

CNN's Belgrade Bureau Chief Alessio Vinci,
Reuters & the Associated Press contributed to this report.

World watching to see Belgrade's day after
October 5, 2000
White House accuses Milosevic of 'another stalling tactic'
October 4, 2000
Annulment 'buys time' for Milosevic, says opposition
October 4, 2000
Anti-Milosevic strikes hit Yugoslavia
October 2, 2000
Milosevic TV appeal dismissed as an 'act of panic'
October 2, 2000
Serbian strikes begin ahead of national day of action
October 1, 2000
Russia ready to mediate in Yugoslav poll crisis
September 30, 2000
Embattled Milosevic calls on army to defend country
September 30, 2000

FreeB92.net - News
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Democratic Opposition of Serbia
Serbian Ministry of Information
Movement for Democratic Serbia

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.