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Yugoslav regime appears to collapse after day of revolt |
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October 7, 2000
BELGRADE, OCT 6 (AP) - Jubilant crowds roamed the streets of Yugoslavia's capital early Friday, celebrating the apparent collapse of Slobodan Milosevic's government and heeding calls to remain vigilant against counterattack by remnants of the discredited regime. Through the night, tens of thousands danced and sang in celebrations fed by the excitement of having seized Yugoslavia's parliament and other key symbols of the Milosevic regime. The 13-year rule of the Yugoslav president appeared to have collapsed. The Tanjug news agency, taken over by the opposition, said army commanders were meeting in Belgrade and that a statement was expected. The whereabouts of Milosevic and his family were unknown, although opposition campaign manager Zoran Djindjic said he was believed to have fled to a hide-out outside of Bor near the borders with Romania and Bulgaria. Djindjic later said he felt "the critical period" overnight when Milosevic military could have counterattacked against the opposition supporters "was over." Governments of the two Balkan neighbors ordered their armed forces to remain alert against any attempt by Milosevic or his allies to slip out of Yugoslavia. Despite the euphoria of the crowds, aides of opposition leader Vojislav Kostunica remained wary, suspicious that their old adversary might yet find a way to strike back. Kostunica also appealed to people from the countryside to stream into Belgrade for more rallies Friday to secure the victory he claims he won during disputed presidential elections Sept. 24. "The most critical moments are not over," said Vuk Obradovic, a former general turned opposition leader. "It is very important that people stay in the streets." Momcilo Perisic, a former army chief of staff and now an opposition figure, warned that Milosevic and his closest associates were "determined" and may be planning a counterattack from somewhere "outside Belgrade." Perisic said he had contacted Yugoslavia's military leaders, however, and that they had promised not to intervene. Western governments were heartened by the prospect of an end to Milosevic's 13-year rule. At the White House, U.S. President Bill Clinton support said: "The people are trying to get their country back." British Prime Minister Tony Blair said of Milosevic: "Your time is up. Go now." The regime began teetering Wednesday when police caved in to defiant coal miners striking in central Serbia, Yugoslavia's main republic. After that, the movement gained stunning momentum. Opposition leaders had called on supporters from across the country to converge Thursday on Belgrade for a final push to force Milosevic to concede defeat by Kostunica in the Sept. 24 elections. The crowd included tough miners, factory workers and farmers from opposition strongholds south of Belgrade, and when they arrived, they stormed the doors of Yugoslavia's parliament, smashing through a cordon of riot police before taking control of the building. They set fires, tossed portraits of Milosevic out of broken windows and chased the feared riot police away. Soon the state television building was on fire, too, its front door crushed by a front-loader that farmers from Cacak had driven more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the capital. Then came word that at least two police stations had also succumbed to the crowds. Faced with the mob's fury, many police tossed away their clubs and shields, absorbed by joyous flag-waving crowds surging across central Belgrade through clouds of tear gas. Others were beaten senseless by angry, often intoxicated young toughs. The crowds showed little mercy to some of the symbols of the Milosevic regime. The director of Serbian state television and one of Milosevic's closest allies, Dragoljub Milanovic, was punched, kicked and pummeled with sticks as he tried to flee his television station. "What we are doing today is making history," Kostunica proclaimed during an evening speech in front of Belgrade's city hall. The government's Tanjug news agency, which defected to the opposition, said two people were killed and 65 injured in the rioting. All but 12 of the injured were treated and released from hospitals, Tanjug said. More Related News Plum brandy, a looted coat hanger - scenes of chaos in a Milosevic stronghold A career of battles for power by Yugoslavia's reviled leader with BC-Yugoslavia Highlights in President Slobodan Milosevic's career Cheney and Lieberman agree Milosevic should go, oppose use of U.S. troops Japan welcomes uprising in Yugoslavia, urges Milosevic to step down Prime minister urges Milosevic to relinquish power Russian nationalists condemn Yugoslav opposition victory as "coup" China watches warily as Yugoslavia heads for change
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