DATE=10/03/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-267412
TITLE=YUGOSLAV PROTESTS / U-S REACT (L)
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Clinton Administration is not confident protests and acts of civil disobedience by Serbs across Yugoslavia will succeed in forcing Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to give up power. Still, as V-O-A Correspondent Nick Simeone reports, U-S officials are watching the situation while continuing to consult with Russia on events in the Balkans.
TEXT: The man who even Belgrade admits took the most votes in last month's first round of elections, Vojislav Kostunica, is still vowing to boycott Sunday's run-off vote, demanding President Milosevic recognize the results of the first round and step down.
In the meantime, a wave of protests and civil disobedience appears to be spreading across Serbia. Already, a strike by thousands of coal miners has led to power cuts in some towns and cities and the opposition is making plans for even more anti-Milosevic protests in the days to come.
In Washington, where the Clinton Administration is watching the situation closely, State Department spokesman Phil Reeker says he does not think President Milosevic is on the verge of giving up power.
/// REEKER ACT ///
It's obviously premature to say whether the campaign will induce Milosevic to step aside and respect the outcome of the election, respect what the people of Serbia have said.
/// END ACT ///
There is now talk that the opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica may be considering a trip to Moscow and an offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin to help resolve the situation.
But State Department spokesman Reeker says he does not expect the Yugoslav leader to consider such a trip. If he did, the United States would press Russia to hand him over to the criminal court at the Hague where he is wanted on war crimes charges. (Signed)
NEB/NJS/JWH
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