Foreign Agencies on December 25th, 1996

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP) -- Thousands of Slobodan Milosevic's foes used brooms, brushes and detergent today to ``decontaminate'' the site where a gathering of the Serbian president's supporters prompted bloody clashes between the two sides.

Tuesday's confrontation -- the worst outbreak of violence in more than five years -- fueled the hatred between Serbia's autocratic president and the tens of thousands of opponents who have filled the streets daily for more than a month to rail against his annulment of local election results.

Protesters heeding a call by Milosevic to demonstrate in his support traded blows with opposition supporters, who were then clubbed by riot police. At least one person was shot in Tuesday's melee by a gunman in a crowd of Milosevic backers. Fifty-seven others were treated for injuries.

Today, some 10,000 marching students returned to downtown Terazije Square, chanting ``We hate you Slobo.''

``We wanted to decontaminate the spot where Milosevic's supporters brought us mud and dirt,'' said student spokesman Sasa Petrovic, as the demonstrators swept the pavement with detergent, brooms and brushes.
...
Protesting students sent a letter to Milosevic today, accusing him of bringing Belgrade ``to the edge of civil war.''

``Only thanks to the enormous restraint of citizens, and great luck, the catastrophe was avoided,'' said the letter. ``We demand that you behave as the president of all citizens of Serbia.''
...

(c) Copyright 1996 The Associated Press

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (AP)
...
Opposition leaders and students vowed to keep up their protests, but many wondered whether Milosevic would use Tuesday's violence as an excuse to crush the opposition.
...
Earlier in the day, 10,000 student marchers carried sponges, brooms and plastic bottles filled with soapy water to wash down the spot where Milosevic's supporters rallied Tuesday. ``Arrest Slobo!'' they chanted.

The air vibrated with shrill whistles, and an occasional firecracker popped. While the mood was festive, marshals with walkie-talkies monitored the demonstration carefully to prevent any provocation.

``The idea is to have pressure from all sides,'' said Bojan Radinovic, 24, an agronomy student at Belgrade University, who blew a whistle as he slogged through the slush. ``We want to have authorities that can be replaced.''

The students addressed a letter to Milosevic on Wednesday, accusing him of bringing Belgrade ``to the edge of civil war.''
...

(c) Copyright 1996 The Associated Press

Back to index of Foreign agencies

Back to the Home Page