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DATE=OCTOBER 6, 2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUSSIA YUGO (L 2nd update)

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=MOSCOW

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: UPDATES 267550 WITH NEW INFORMATION///

INTRO: Russia has recognized Vojislav Kostunica as the new president of Yugoslavia. Larry James reports from Moscow the public announcement brings Russia in line with western countries that have supported the opposition figure's claim that he won the Yugoslav presidency outright in elections last month.

TEXT: Russia congratulated Mr. Kostunica for winning the Yugoslav presidency. The Kremlin sent Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to Belgrade early Friday.

On arrival, he told reporters he had come to get a first hand assessment of the situation from Mr. Kostunica. He also said he delivered a personal message of congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin on his election victory. Mr. Ivanov was also reported to have held talks with the Yugoslav army chief of staff and was to meet with Slobodan Milosevic.

The foreign minister's statement was the first public acknowledgement by the Kremlin that it believes Mr. Kostunica won the presidential election on September 24th and that Slobodan Milosevic should not cling to power. The Russian move followed a revolt in the streets of Belgrade Thursday night that saw demonstrators seizing control of the parliament building and the main TV station.

Up until Foreign Minister Ivanov's statement Russia had been tight lipped about which side it was backing in the Yugoslav crisis. Moscow's position had been that only the Yugoslav legal system could decide the question. By recognizing Mr. Kostunica as the winner in the presidential vote, Russia has lined up with western countries and left Mr. Milosevic without any significant international support.

Still to be answered is the question of what is to become of Mr. Milosevic who has been indicted by the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. Russian officials have said there has been no discussion of offering asylum for Mr. Milosevic but neighboring Belarus has indicated it might. (Signed)

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