Defiant Milosevic calls for runoff election

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC

Associated Press

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia – Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic today defied international calls for him to step down and claimed enough votes to force a runoff election.

The opposition, led by law professor Vojislav Kostunica, has insisted it won the election outright, and the political crisis could escalate if the opposition rejects the call. One opposition leader said the announcement of the Oct. 8 runoff was “a big fraud.”

The State Election Commission announced today that Kostunica finished first in the weekend presidential elections but without enough votes to avoid a runoff with Milosevic, state television said.

The commission said Kostunica won 48.22 percent of the vote in Sunday’s ballot to 40.23 for Milosevic.

“In short, in the presidential elections there will be a second round,” TV said.

The statement broke the commission’s silence since the Sunday ballot. Opposition leaders had expressed concern that the silence was to give the government time to fabricate bogus votes from Kosovo, where the United Nations permitted Serbs to vote.

Earlier today, the United States pledged to lead an international campaign to pressure Milosevic to accept an apparent opposition victory and step down from the power he has wielded for 13 years.

Reacting to the commission’s announcement, opposition leader Zoran Djindjic said: “We are dealing with a big fraud and falsifying of results. We were aware of their intentions because it was obvious they were cooking up something to get Milosevic in the second round at least. But we have firm evidence in our hands and we will defend the will of the people till the end.”

There had been fears of public unrest if the government sought to claim a Milosevic victory or call a runoff.

“Milosevic is consistent in claiming victory and it might mean he’s not just going to walk away,” said Dragisa Burzan, a deputy prime minister in Montenegro, the small republic that along with Serbia forms Yugoslavia.

Before the announcement, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia released its own tally based what it said was on 97.5 percent of the ballots. It showed Kostunica leading with 55 percent to Milosevic’s 35 percent. The figures are said to be based on reports by the opposition’s poll watchers who monitor the count at the precinct level.

Today the leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle, met Kostunica and urged the ruling coalition “to accept the electoral will of the people and contribute to the welfare of the nation and the state.”

Patriarch Pavle “called on everyone, including the army and police, to defend the interests of people and the state rather than individuals,” according to a statement released by the church.

The United States and most Western European countries made clear today that they thought Kostunica had won. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was time for Milosevic to leave.

“I say to Milosevic: You lost,” Blair told a Labor Party meeting. “Go. Your country and the world has suffered enough.”

Before the announcement, Defense Secretary William Cohen said the United States would not stand by and watch Milosevic steal the election.

“I think the international community will look very closely, carefully and bring whatever pressure it can for Milosevic to abide by the will of his people,” Cohen told reporters at the Pentagon. “The people want Milosevic out. Certainly the international community would welcome that result.”

Just 150 miles northwest of Yugoslavia’s pro-Western republic of Montenegro, U.S. and Croat held naval exercises today, including a simulated Marine landing on an island in the Adriatic Sea. It was part of their largest and most demanding joint exercise to date.

Capt. William Crow, commander of the USS Austin, said the exercise was planned months ago and was unrelated to the Yugoslav elections.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.