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Source: Milosevic to recognize opposition victories
Opposition doubts report
January 11, 1997
Web posted at: 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 GMT)BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CNN) -- In what would be a dramatic about-face, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic is expected to acknowledge opposition victories in local elections and call for a coalition government, a senior political source told Reuters news agency Saturday.
But, opposition leader Zoran Djindjic told CNN he had heard no such report, and there was no statement from the Serbian government. U.S. officials describe the report as "unconfirmed."
"Milosevic will endorse a report by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in entirety. The statement is being written as we speak," the source said.
If true, the concession would be a major shift in Milosevic's hard-line stance against the opposition.
Students and opposition groups have demonstrated for 53 consecutive days to protest Milosevic's annulment of November 17 local elections won by the opposition group known as Zajedno.
Zajedno claimed it won 14 of Serbia's 18 largest cities, including the capital, Belgrade, and second-largest city, Nis. So far, Milosevic has only conceded Nis and three smaller towns.
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The opposition has vowed to carry on with protests until all election victories are recognized.
According to the Reuters source, a call will be issued for "all left and democratic forces in the country to unite and form a coalition government for the sake of (protecting) the national interest."
U.S. steps up pressure
The source's comments come as six U.S. lawmakers arrived in Belgrade to urge Milosevic to concede defeat in the 14 cities where international mediators say the opposition won.
The U.S. officials have met with government and opposition representatives. Milosevic has not attended talks.
Rep. Bruce Vento, D-Minnesota, head of the U.S. congressional delegation, addressed about 50,000 opposition supporters who defied hundreds of riot police to attend a rally in downtown Belgrade Friday.
"We are here to support the people, to support the democracy. You are not alone. The world is with you," Vento shouted as the crowd roared back with chants of "USA! USA!"
Meanwhile, Serbian opposition leaders promised round-the-clock traffic jams in central Belgrade Saturday.
"Take your cars, take your whistles and trumpets. Use your car horns, make a din to be remembered and do it nonstop on Saturday," Zajedno leader Vuk Draskovic told the crowd.
Related stories:
- Milosevic concedes opposition win in second largest city - January 8, 1997
- Belgrade protesters celebrate Christmas - January 7, 1997
- Serbian protesters block city center with cars - January 5, 1997
- Serb government concedes 9 elections to opposition - January 3, 1997
- Serb protesters festive amid signs of military backing - December 29, 1996
- Belgrade protesters resume marches after comrade's funeral - December 28, 1996
- Investigative team rules local Serbian elections valid - December 27, 1996
- Ignoring police ban, protesters gather in Belgrade - December 26, 1996
- Protesters return to Belgrade streets after violence - December 25, 1996
Related sites:
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- Beograd.com
- Belgrade History
- Yurope Yugoslavia
- Yugoslavia.com
- Yurope on-line
- The Protest of '96
- Radio B-92
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