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DATE=10-7-2000

TYPE=Correspondent Report

TITLE=Yugo-President (L)

NUMBER=2-267624

BYLINE=Eve Conant

DATELINE=Belgrade

CONTENT=

INTRO: Yugoslavia parliament has sworn in Vojislav Kostunica as new Federation President. Correspondent Eve Conant in Belgrade reports Mr. Kostunica lays down his plan to protect the Yugoslav Federation which includes independent minded Montenegro and U-N administered Kosovo.

TEXT: Vojislav Kostunica has been sworn in as Yugoslavia's new president formally ending more than a decade of authoritarian rule by Slobodan Milosevic.

/// Kostunica act in Serbian ///

After a standing ovation Mr. Kostunica promised to respect and fulfill the constitution and protect Yugoslavia's sovereignty, independence and integrity.

President Kostunica called the ceremony a historic moment. He said Yugoslavia was entering a new democratic era, and was being welcomed by European nations. He pledged to hold Yugoslavia together, including Montenegro and U-N- administered Kosovo whose ethnic Albanian majority wants independence.

///Kostunica act #2 in Serbian ///

Mr. Kostunica said he hopes "we will make the bond between Serbia and Montenegro firmer than ever and wee will succeed and increasing the sovereignty of Yugoslavia over Kosovo, part or our territory on which our sovereignty is not being fully exercised."

But in a sign there be more political conflict ahead, the ceremony was delayed for hours after parties quarreled over whether to seat new members from Kosovo. Supporters of President Kostunica said the deputies who overwhelmingly back Mr. Millosevic were not legitimately elected, and should not sit in the chamber.

The deputies held their first session of partliament at a Belgrade conference hall. The city's partliament building was set on fire when hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets several days ago to call Slobodan Milosevic to step down, after the constitution court annulled parts of the September 24 elections.

After the ceremony Mr. Kostunica's campaign manager, Zoran Djindjic, said that now the opposition is in power. It must work to keep up the expectation of those to took part in the popular uprising.

/// Djindjic act in English ///

He is the first democratically elected president in the history of Serbia. The first candidate from the opposition winning election and verified as president. The main problem will be to design the institutions. Institutions in the country, and to be quick enough to follow the accelerated developments on the streets."

/// end act ///

Wih the army behind him and with the recognition of the world leaders, and Mr. Milosevic the past may be clear for the new President to begin leading Yugoslavia away from the economic sanction and international isolation. (Signed)

NEB/PT