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No compromises seen as Serb clashes continue
January 26, 1997
Web posted at: 8:30 p.m. EST (0130 GMT)In this story:
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CNN) -- Serbia's Orthodox patriarch prepared to lead a religious procession through Belgrade on Monday, raising the possibility of new anti-government violence.
On the eve of the planned march, baton-wielding riot police beat back demonstrators Sunday as tens of thousands marched through Belgrade in a continuing protest against government annulment of local elections. At least five were hurt.
Protest by night
Banned from marching by day, Belgrade's demonstrators now take to neighborhood streets by night, making as much noise as they can in an effort to drown out the sound of government-aired newscasts.
There have been almost 10 weeks of demonstrations across Serbia to make President Slobodan Milosevic's Socialist party accept opposition victories in 14 local elections last November.
Socialist authorities annulled the election results because of unspecified "irregularities." Appeals led to judicial inquiries which reinstated the opposition victories in four towns.
Potential for new trouble
Patience is wearing thin on both sides and tempers are fraying. Prior to Sunday's clashes, late Saturday four protesters and one policeman were hurt and at least 16 demonstrators were injured Friday.
Monday's church-led procession appeared to have potential for new disturbances. Pro-government Orthodox clerics, who traditionally have sided with the opposition, may use the St. Sava Day procession to sidestep the police ban on protest marches.
Milosevic looks for help?
With no compromise in the air, the government and opposition are locked in an indefinite struggle. Amid reports of a shakeup in his government, Milosevic listens to -- but hasn't acted on -- international demands that he accept the local election defeats.
At the same time, the president's socialist-led coalition government may losing support from the small New Democracy party. "We are ready to see our country a democracy like other countries in Europe," as long as change comes peacefully, says New Democracy party leader Radivoje Lazarevic.
In light of such a potential defection, Milosevic appeared ready to renew an alliance with Serbian ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj whose paramilitary troops were widely recognized as being among the most brutal during the Bosnian and Croatian wars.
Opposition leader Vuk Draskovic ridicules Seselj as a "mistake of nature."
Correspondent Brent Sadler and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Serbian police clash with protesters - January 23, 1997
- Belgrade protests may be losing steam - January 22, 1997
- Belgrade students dance for democracy - January 21, 1997
- Serbian courts deal double setback to opposition - January 20, 1997
Related sites:
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- Belgrade History
- The Protest of '96
- Beograd.com
- Yugoslavia.com
- Radio B-92
- Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
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