Foreign Agencies on December 4th, 1996

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia
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There were also a few indications that the president may not be able to count on all of his police officers.

When a group students passed police officers in the center of Belgrade on Tuesday afternoon, they flashed them the traditional Serbian three-fingered salute and received a salute in return. Neither did the police intervene when dozens of students sprayed the Parliament building with detergent, a symbol, the students said, of the need to cleanse the government. They wrote on its walls "Red Bandits, Thieves, We Are the Winners."
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BELGRADE, Serbia
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Protester Bojan Bogdanovic says he's having the time of his life. "This is it. This is the last chance we have to change anything," says the 20-year-old, who is press attache for a student movement at Belgrade University. In just days, he and a troop of fellow students have thrown together press centers, Internet home pages and daily fax bulletins aimed at breaking the government's media blockade.
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BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) -- Protesters held their noses because the "lies stink so much" as they passed buildings housing state-run media loyal to the Serbian president Wednesday in the largest demonstration yet against Slobodan Milosevic.
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Earlier in the day, about 25,000 students carried banners of support through downtown for an independent radio station that was forced off the air by authorities for its critical reporting.

A small group organized by an independent trade union marched in the morning with the students, symbolically banging empty plates and spoons.

One worker had a paper box on his head with a slogan critical of the pro-Milosevic state media: "Switch off Serbian TV and turn on your brains."
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The students warned Milosevic of more unrest unless he rescinds the annulments. Others have called for his resignation.

"The decision is up to you," the students said in an open letter to Milosevic. "You have the power and influence to lead our Serbia out of this crisis with dignity."

But, the students added: "The regime you represent has crushed our votes. Do we have to fight for that right in the streets?"

Once the crowd reached the Serbian presidency building, one of the students placed the letter on its doorstep, along with a round loaf of bread, a traditional sign of goodwill.

"Come out, Martian!" the crowd chanted, alluding to Milosevic's isolation from the people.
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BELGRADE (Reuter)
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Protesting students added the authorities' closure of Belgrade's only independent radio station to their grievances as they marched through the city center toward parliament.

The students, chanting support for Radio B-92, were led by girls carrying loaves of bread, which in Serbia represent a symbol of brotherhood.
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BELGRADE, Serbia
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Protester Bojan Bogdanovic says he's having the time of his life. "This is it. This is the last chance we have to change anything," says the 20-year-old, who is press attache for a student movement at Belgrade University. In just days, he and a troop of fellow students have thrown together press centers, Internet home pages and daily fax bulletins aimed at breaking the government's media blockade.
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BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (Dec 4, 1996 00:06 a.m. EST)
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There were also a few indications that the president may not be able to count on all of his police officers.

When a group students passed police officers in the center of Belgrade on Tuesday afternoon, they flashed them the traditional Serbian three-fingered salute and received a salute in return. Neither did the police intervene when dozens of students sprayed the Parliament building with detergent, a symbol, the students said, of the need to cleanse the government. They wrote on its walls "Red Bandits, Thieves, We Are the Winners."
...

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