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Prime minister urges Milosevic to relinquish power |
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October 7, 2000
CANBERRA, OCT 6 (AP) - Prime Minister John Howard added his voice Friday to the chorus of world leaders calling on Yugoslav President to peacefully relinquish power in the face of mass protests in Belgrade. Howard said the tens of thousands of protesters in the Yugoslav capital demanding Milosevic's ouster should force Milosevic to accept defeat in last month's presidential poll. "The time has come for him to go in the interests of the people of Yugoslavia," Howard told reporters. "And in the interests of avoiding bloodshed and the inevitable death and destruction that will follow a prolonged period of resistance against accepting the democratic expression of will by the people of his country." Milosevic's 13-year, iron-fisted rule over Yugoslavia appeared to collapse Thursday in the face of a popular uprising. Milosevic reportedly fled Belgrade as opposition mobs took over parliament and other key sites in the capital. The protesters were demanding that Milosevic accept his apparent electoral defeat by Vojislav Kostunica in the Sept. 24 election. Howard said he would join U.S. President Bill Clinton in urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to exercise his influence over Milosevic and urge him to peacefully surrender power. Australia issued a general warning to Australians in Yugoslavia to exercise extreme care. The Serbian National Federation of Australia also cautiously welcomed developments in Belgrade. "It supports the information we've been getting, that there will be a peaceful uprising, and it appears that that's the case," said federation president Ilija Glisic. "The other thing this time - and it appeared it would happen - was that the West wouldn't block the people's move towards what they see as greater freedom and democracy." More Related News Yugoslav regime appears to collapse after day of revolt 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 Russian nationalists condemn Yugoslav opposition victory as "coup" China watches warily as Yugoslavia heads for change
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