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Morning News

Demonstrators Bring Yugoslavia to Standstill to Protest Presidential Runoff

Aired October 2, 2000 - 9:12 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: And speaking of elections, now to the chaos of the election crisis that has brought to Yugoslavia a protest aimed at driving Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic from office took a new turn today. Opposition supporters staged a general strike, blocking traffic and causing chaos in the country.

CNN's Alessio Vinci has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In pouring rain, dozens of cars and buses blocked Belgrade's main roads leading to the city center, creating a gigantic traffic jam all around town, forcing people to continue their commute on foot.

While most showed solidarity with the protesters, some expressed doubts this chaos could convince President Milosevic to step down.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I think it is not possible. We should go for a run-off of this election so that we avoid creating chaos in Serbia. Kostunica will win for sure.

VINCI: Police first tried to negotiate with bus drivers to remove the blockade, but to no avail. Hours later, after checking personal IDs, they managed to convince some drivers to move their vehicles.

Outside the capital, the majority of the workers of the Kolubara coal mine, one hour's drive south of Belgrade, continued their strike, despite pressure from management and police. Kolubara, the largest coal mine in Serbia, is a main supplier for power plants in the region, and the strike could lead to power shortages.

In Belgrade, the strike did not prevent most shop owners from opening their businesses. While it is to early to say how successful a general strike will be, in these few hours of civil disobedience, it appears protesters are ready and capable of bringing Belgrade and other towns to a standstill.

VOJISLAV KOSTUNICA, OPPOSITION LEADER (through translator): I don't like the words revolution, but what is happening today in Serbia is a revolution. A peaceful, nonviolent, clever, civilized, democratic revolution. VINCI: By midday, thousands of school and university students, followed by some of their teachers and parents, paraded in downtown Belgrade. They say they will not return to school until President Milosevic concedes defeat.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VINCI: Meanwhile, opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica, at a press conference a few hours ago, responded to Russia's offer to mediate. He said Russia is trying to get involved, he said, but they are doing it too carefully, measuring each step, always making one step forward and then one step backward. He said, in any case, Russia has not made, so far, any significant steps. We have no doubts about Russia's intentions, Mr. Kostunica said, however, in politics what really matters are results.

Alessio Vinci, CNN reporting live from Belgrade.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Alessio, thank you.

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