Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic made clear in a television address this evening that he will not concede defeat in the presidential election and told citizens they were threatened by foreign powers. Mr Milosevic did not mention an offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate between him and the opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica, who has claimed outright victory. As a wave of opposition protests blocked major roads and railways across Serbia and threatened to cripple power supplies.
Mr Kostunica declined to say whether he planned to go to Moscow or not. Earlier, he strongly criticised Russia for indirectly helping to keep Slobodan Milosevic in power. He said that the Russians, who have offered to mediate to end the crisis over the result of the election, were indecisive. More anti-Milosevic demonstrations have been taking place, although the response to a general strike called by the opposition has been patchy.
Protestors have been blocking streets in the Yugoslav capital, Belgrade, and have brought economic activity to a halt in other cities as part of a general strike called to force the resignation of President Slobodan Milosevic. The country's main north-south railway line has also been cut, and work has stopped at mines that supply coal to Serbia's two biggest power plants.
The campaign of civil disobedience has begun amid mounting international pressure against Mr Milosevic. The American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, has urged Russia to use its full influence on the President to persuade him to step down. Opposition parties in Serbia say they intend to bring the republic to a standstill today as part of their campaign to force President Slobodan Milosevic to accept his defeat in last week's presidential elections.
A general strike is planned, aimed at shutting down Serbia. 300 strikers at a mine were surrounded by special police units, the director of the mine resigned and joined the demonstrations. Today, students and pupils will rally at noon, and there will be a major rally at eight this evening. Tomorrow, all Yugo car owners have been asked to drive into the centre of Belgrade in order to bring the city to a standstill; the following day, farmers are being encouraged to swamp the city with tractors.
There will be a series of rallies all of this week, culminating in a national protest on Thursday. The protest is to take place in New Belgrade, the site of a million-strong pro-Milosevic rally a number of years ago.
