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DATE=10/06/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=Yugoslavia Politics (L)

NUMBER=2-267600

BYLINE=Eve Conant

DATELINE=Belgrade

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has gone on national television to recognize Vojislav Kostunica as Yugoslavia's president-elect. Correspondent Eve Conant in Belgrade reports the Yugoslav army has pledged to stand behind Mr. Kostinica as the federation's new leader.

TEXT: Slobodan Milosevic appeared on Serbian television to announce that he had just received official information recognizing the electoral victory of Vojislav Kostunica.

Mr. Milosevic said, "I believe this decision must be respected and for the first time described the opposition leader as president-elect. But he said he would not ignore the support of those who voted for him in the election September 24th and would, therefore, lead his forces to become a strong opposition party that he said would win convincingly in next round of elections.

His announcement prompted a reaction from the United States that democracy would not develop in Serbia as long as Mr. Milosevic remains in politics.

Meanwhile, Vojislav Kostunica appeared on a live television interview, something that would have been unheard of with Mr. Milosevic. The outgoing Yugoslav leader usually appeared only in scripted pre-taped events.

Mr. Kostunica said he met with Mr. Milosevic and described the talks as positive because he said there was a lot of concern over the peaceful transfer of power. He urged people to remain calm. Yugoslavia's army chief of staff, Nebojsa Pazkovic, congratulated Mr. Kostunica on his victory and said the armed forces would support the new leader.

Mr. Pazkovic assured television viewers the Yugoslav army strictly abides by the constitution and would not take part in the political struggle. He said "We showed we were ready to accept the citizens' will."

Russia's Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, visited Belgrade Friday to meet with both Mr. Milosevic and Mr. Kostunica. Mr. Ivanov said Russia, which has stood by President Milosevic in the past, would now join European countries in recognizing Vojislav Kostunica as the new Yugoslav president. (Signed)

NEB/EC/TVM-T/PFH