Milosevic pressed for more concessions

AS President Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia yesterday showed signs that he was prepared to concede local election victories, leaders of the Zajedno (Together) coalition pushed for further concessions, including access to state television. Calls were made for the biggest demonstration of the campaign to coincide with tonight's Orthodox new year's eve.

At yesterday's 54th consecutive street demonstration in Belgrade, Mr Vuk Draskevic, a pro democracy opposition leader, described reports that Mr Milosevic was about to back down as "a trick". He said the opposition would engage in talks with the authorities only if two conditions were fulfilled.

First, Zajedno's victories in 14 out of 18 municipal elections would have to be immediately reinstated. Second, any talks between the opposition and the government would have to be televised. Up to now, the opposition has been excluded from appearing on the state controlled television service.

Round table discussions between pro democracy leaders and members of the ruling Socialist Unity Party were broadcast in the former East Germany before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, a precedent which Mr Milosevic is unlikely to relish.

The pressure on Mr Milosevic increased yesterday both on and off the streets of Belgrade. At a demonstration held in a steady snowfall, the crowds hissed and booed at every mention of his name and in the end speakers referred to him as "our dictator" so that their speeches would not be interrupted.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Mr Theodoros Pangalos, met Mr Milosevic and urged him to reinstate the election results overturned in November.

After his meeting, Mr Pangalos said he believed a settlement could be reached on the basis of a declaration by the Organisation for Security and Co operation in Europe (OSCE), which supported Zajedno's victory claims.

However, the authorities in a statement issued by the official news agency Tanjug, while describing the meeting between Mr Milosevic and Mr Pangalos as "cordial", suggested that little progress was made and that international intervention in Serbian affairs was unwelcome.

Mr Draskevic, who met Mr Pangalos after the meeting with Mr Milosevic, told demonstrators he got the impression that, while talks were possible, there was little chance of Mr Milosevic backing down.

He quoted Mr Milosevic as saying that he did not care about the people on the streets and did not care about the police cordons which were hemming them in. "Let the police earn their wages," he quoted Mr Milosevic as saying.

But Mr Draskevic also sounded an optimistic note, telling the crowd that victory was near and that there was a real possibility of dialogue with "our dictator".

Zajedno's wins in 14 of the 18 municipalities, including the capital Belgrade, would, if reinstated, deprive Mr Milosevic and his supporters of valuable patronage, including the appointment of regional officials and the issuing of public service contracts.

However, other financial considerations have also come into play as the dinar plunged on the local black market - $1 can buy 6.20 dinars compared to the official rate of 5.15.