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Thursday, 26 December 1996, 10:16 PM
BBC-1 Television 10 pm News reports as follows:
Presenter:
"After five weeks' of protests, riot police in
the Serbian capital of Belgrade have again cracked
down on pro-democracy demonstrators. Thousands of
policemen were sent on to the streets of the city,
preventing a planned march by sheer weight of numbers
after opposition protesters had gathered in the main
square. President Milosevic had warned groups
accusing him of election fraud that police would
clear the streets if they again blocked the traffic.
Opposition leaders accused him of trying to provoke
civil war. Our correspondent Paul Wood is in
Belgrade."
Paul Wood:
"Heavily-armed riot police swamped the centre of
Belgrade, determined to stop the daily opposition
march throughout the city. With their batons,
tear-gas and automatic weapons, the police were able
to face down the anti-government protesters. They
pushed the opposition crowds off the streets and
cordoned off the whole area. No-one could leave.
Opposition leaders accused President Slobodan
Milosevic of seeking bloodshed, bringing Serbia to
the edge of civil war. The opposition say they have
won the moral high ground and will avoid
confrontation with the security forces. After
thirty-seven days of marching, the anti-government
demonstrators will restrict their protests to
Belgrade's main square. [film: riot police chasing
protesters] As the crowds dispersed, the opposition
say the protesters were set upon by the police.
Several demonstrators were treated for cuts and
bruises at opposition headquarters. [film of wounded
female protester]
"Tonight, both the United States and Britain expressed concern about the new harder line taken by President Milosevic on the streets. [film: riot policeman refuses flowers offered by female protester] But government officials have indicated that the Serbian leader is no longer listening to condemnation from abroad. There seems little chance of a political compromise to end the crisis. The opposition fear a crackdown is just around the corner."
---- END OF TRANSCRIPT ----
Transcribed by: Susan Stott,
M. T. S.,
"The Sycamores" 2a, Richmond Road, Birkdale,
Southport. PR8 4SB