The deposed President of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, has conceded defeat in the presidential election. In a television address tonight, Mr Milosevic also congratulated his successor, Vojislav Kostunica. It was President Milosevic's refusal to acknowledge Mr Kostunica's victory which led to the uprising which toppled him.
Earlier, Mr Milosevic held a face to face meeting with Mr Kostunica. During a meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, in Belgrade earlier, Mr Milosevic said that he planned to remain politically active. He warned that Yugoslavia had been endangered by violence and destructive disorder. Pictures broadcast on Yugoslav television were the first glimpse of the former President since he was toppled in yesterday's popular uprising.
Following his comments, the United States said that it was opposed to Mr Milosevic remaining in politics and any bid to claim asylum in another country. Mr Milosevic is wanted by the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague. His traditional ally, Russia, has also placed its support firmly behind Mr Kostunica. In another significant development, Yugoslavia's highest law court, the Constitutional Court, admitted this evening that Mr Kostunica had, in fact, been elected outright in the recent election.
Vojislav Kostunica began picking up the reins of power today after the uprising. He announced the creation of a crisis committee to govern the country and secure public order. Opposition leaders hope to convene the new federal parliament tomorrow to swear him in as president. Mr Kostunica said that the crisis was over and that the situation in the country was returning to normal.
Speaking after meeting the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Kostunica said that the people had won. Earlier, Mr Ivanov congratulated Mr Kostunica on his victory in last month's presidential election. This was Russia's first official recognition of Mr Kostunica's win. Borislav Milosevic, Yugoslavia's ambassador to Russia and Mr Milosevic's brother, had said that the opposition could not consider itself the legitimate leadership of Yugoslavia if it seized power without a second round of elections.
Reports say that there is no evidence of troop movements in Yugoslavia, supporting earlier indications from the army that it is backing the new administration. Mr Kostunica met the Army Chief of Staff today and the Army leadership held a separate meeting where it was decided to act only if troops or bases came under threat. The official Tanjug newsagency, which is now supporting the opposition, said that the meeting of the main board of the Army General Staff lasted for several hours.
