Military Support for Opposition Emerges in Serbia

Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in Belgrade on Sunday, defying a police ban, as signs emerged that military officials were joining the movement against Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. An open letter from military representatives, read to the crowd, expressed the army's sympathy with the opposition, energizing the protesters and sparking chants of "It has started! It has started!" The letter, while not authenticated, seems to have been written by a great number of officers from various military units, and has not been denied by the army. The opposition, led by Vuk Draskovic, has been protesting daily in Belgrade since Milosevic overturned the results of November municipal elections won by the coalition Zajedno, or Together.

Key Takeaways:

• Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in Belgrade, defying a police ban, and were met with a letter of support from military officials.
• The letter, while not authenticated, expressed the army's sympathy with the opposition and asked students to warn the opposition not to abuse its authority once in power.
• The opposition has been protesting daily in Belgrade since Milosevic overturned the results of November municipal elections won by the coalition Zajedno, or Together.
• Police in at least 25 towns and cities have been calling in opposition representatives for "so-called informative talks" and warning them to stop the protests.
• The military officials who wrote the letter expressed a desire for Serbia to "stand together with countries where it is possible to live honestly, happily and in a satisfactory way."
• The letter was read to the crowd by opposition leader Vuk Draskovic, who told the crowd "Belgrade is turned into a prison. Serbia is turned into a prison. But we're free prisoners."

Statistics:

• Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered in Belgrade on Sunday.
• At least 25 towns and cities have police attempting to intimidate opposition representatives.
• The opposition has been protesting daily in Belgrade since November municipal elections.
• The letter from military officials was not signed, but claimed to be written by "a great number" of officers from various military units.

Sources:

• Independent media, first reported the existence of the letter last week.
• Nov. 1996 municipal elections results, in which the coalition Zajedno, or Together, was reportedly the winner.