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Serbian Supreme Court to review appeal of local elections
December 7, 1996
Web posted at: 11:30 a.m. EST (1630 GMT)From Correspondent Brent Sadler
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CNN) -- After 18 days of protests highlighting the tug-of-war for control of Serbia's largest cities, there is hope that a crucial decision by the country's Supreme Court may help calm the unrest.
Opponents of President Slobodan Milosevic appear increasingly optimistic that opposition election victories swept aside by the Socialist government three weeks ago could soon be reinstated.
Their enthusiasm was heightened when the Belgrade electoral commission finally asked the high court to restore the opposition's election wins. The decision could give the opposition control of Belgrade.
But the upcoming legal decision may not be as clear-cut as opposition leaders hope. They said they will not be satisfied with winning Belgrade alone; they want their election victories restored in all three major Serbian cities.
"There will be no compromise. Nis, Belgrade and Kraljevo are a package, and we will not give up until everything is given back to us," Zoran Djindjic of the Democratic Party said.
Supreme court judges could rule the opposition won the disputed elections, but they could also hedge the issue by ordering a further judicial review of the case.
Opposition draws more backers
Either way, demonstrators -- who have accused the government of trying to manipulate the courts -- seem to be gathering support. A number of prominent judges have sided with them. And trade unions threatened Saturday to strike and join the protesters.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and its allies have adopted an increasingly hard line -- repeatedly warning Belgrade not to use force against mostly peaceful protesters.
Washington is now demanding that the Serbian government open a dialogue with the opposition, while the European Union has kept up economic pressure on Yugoslavia, suspending plans to lift wartime trade restrictions on Serbia and its co-republic Montenegro.
Signs of dissatisfaction with Milosevic are mounting.
Serbia's information minister, Aleksandar Tijanic, quit Friday after heavy public criticism for shutting down two independent radio stations that reported on the protests. The stations have resumed broadcasting.
An association of legal experts has criticized the elections and said they will form a panel to investigate the local courts that annulled the elections.
In addition, Montenegro has distanced itself from Milosevic, saying in a statement that "the annulment of democratic elections belongs to the practice of totalitarian regimes."
The demonstrators are not content with the gains they are making. They have said their ultimate goal is Milosevic's resignation. "If Milosevic doesn't recognize our complete victory, we will continue until he resigns," said Vuk Draskovic, leader of the Serbian Renewal Movement.
Related stories:
- Serbian opposition: Protests can end if elections recognized - December 6, 1996
- As protests mount, Serbia's hard line begins to soften - December 5, 1996
- Serbs silence 3rd radio station critical of Milosevic - December 4, 1996
- Independent radio stations silenced in Yugoslavia - December 3, 1996
- U.S. warns Milosevic not to use force against protesters - December 3, 1996
- Anti-Milosevic protesters take to streets despite threats - December 2, 1996
- Belgrade protesters keep up campaign against Milosevic - November 30, 1996
- Students protest on streets of Belgrade - November 29, 1996
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