Yugoslavia: Kostunica -- Victory Would Return Country To Europe

Belgrade, 20 September 2000 (RFE/RL) - The opposition's top presidential candidate in this Sunday's Yugoslav elections says a victory for the Serbian opposition will return the country to the European fold. Vojislav Kostunica made the comment last night at a rally before more than 25,000 followers in Nis. He said the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) needs to oust President Slobodan Milosevic to allow the country to rejoin the world community. Kostunica said the regime of Milosevic stood for lies, corruption and war. Zoran Djindic, a leader of the DOS, said he expects Milosevic to declare victory soon after the polls close, regardless of the actual outcome.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Milosevic will make a campaign visit today to Montenegro. Yugoslav officials have said he will go.

Milosevic could face arrest if he goes to Montenegro, which has in the past threatened to arrest war criminals. Milosevic has been indicted by the war crimes tribunal in The Hague for aggression in Kosovo.