"I guarantee that there will be no trade with the Socialists and that we won't trade recognition of the opposition victory in Belgrade for our victory in Nis. That sort of deal won't pass by Vesna (Pesic), nor Zoran (Dindic), nor Vuk (Draskovic), nor the local "Zajedno" leaders," said the vice-president of the Democratic party, Zoran Zivkovic, at the 20th day of protests in Nis; yesterday's rally took place in the central city square.
Member of the Democratic party city council, Milan Paroski, and writers from Belgrade, Dusan Kovacevic, Ivan Ivanovic, and Milan Mladenovic, spoke in front of approximately 20,000 citizens.
When Paroski mentioned the president of Serbia, Milosevic, the protesters started whistling and didn't stop for 45 minutes. After that, Paroski continued: "We broke another record," and "The lecture is over, they are finished!"
Fabricated ShotsThis lie was denied by the Nis city police as well. The police officially announced that the protesters hurled crackers at the building and that one window pane was broken. Throwing of crackers is hardly an incident, and as far as the broken window is concerned, I told the police: arrest the perpetrator," said the Democratic party vice-president, Zoran Zivkovic. |
The remaining speakers were greeted with shouts: "We won't give Nis", "We won't surrender victory", "Thieves, thieves", and whistling.
Even the announcement that the Serbian renewal Movement leader, Vuk Draskovic will speak at the today's rally, which was scheduled to start at the same place at noon today, was greeted with calling of the absent leader's name. Several tens of taxi drivers attended the rally with "Zajedno" and Vuk Draskovic posters on their cars. We also saw students from the Nis university in the crowd.
"Last time in Nis, I said that this was a Czech protest, but this is Polish 'Solidarity'. This is a real social protest which political parties cannot organize. This can only be done by the people, long live people," was all that Paroski managed to say before his voice was drowned by the noise from the crowd.
Writer Dusan Kovacevic said that 20,000 protesters in Nis is the same as if half of Belgrade was in the streets. "After 50 years of occupation and living under communism, we expect a different story in Serbia. This is the beginning of a new, better, and more beautiful life. Changes have begun, we must persevere.
Make sure you don't make any mistakes. The authorities are waiting for an excuse to use force," warned Kovacevic. He also said that he "was excited to be speaking at this rally," which was greeted by shouting of his name:" Dule, Dule!"
Socialists to form a new City Hall in NisAllegedly, they came to Nis to decide how to constitute a new city hall in which the Socialists have 46 deputies [after vote rigging]. This rumor agrees with the reliable information that Nikola Sainovic has recently left the session of the SPS city council with the promise that he "will return tomorrow or day after tomorrow to decide how to establish the new city hall." It also dovetails with the expectations that the Socialists may recognize the results of the second round of local elections in Belgrade but that they won't "give in" in Nis. |
Moderator of the afternoon gathering and the opposition candidate Risto Bukvic informed the crowd that the Nis City Television had publicized misinformation, that someone from the crowd of protesters had shot at the television building.
"Obviously, they are looking for ways to bring the occupying forces to Nis and establish a dictatorship here. We will send an open letter to the Nis City TV in which we will demand that they stop fabrication of lies or totally stop their broadcasts," said Bukvic.
President of the Serb Patriotic Alliance "Nine Jugovic's", Milivoje Ristovic responded to the government claims that "only hooligans attend rallies in Nis" by saying that he had indeed brought a deadly weapon: a whistle. "With that whistle I say to the authorities that they are going on a blind track."
Sociology professor, Slobodan Stojanovic added that the citizens have nothing to lose, since they've already lost all of their possessions, apart from their dignity and honor.
"We won't allow that someone turn our victory into a defeat. We won't give up because we played according to their rules and we won't allow them to turn us into slaves," he said.
"We appeal and demand from the centers of power in Serbia to immediately start resolving our petitions for the recognition of the original election results in the second round since every delay leads to additional radicalization of protests and makes it increasingly difficult to control popular anger," said the Democratic party vice-president Zivkovic at a press conference held before the rally.
He said that the City Electoral Commission hasn't responded to "Zajedno" appeals, although the legal deadline had already expired.
"The City Electoral Commission in Nis continues with the behavior which is bringing the situation in the city to the boiling point. The citizens won't tolerate that any more and the members of the City Electoral Commission should be aware of their responsibility for the radicalization of the protests," said Zivkovic.
He added that the protests had spread to another 16 cities and towns all over Serbia. According to him, the largest concentration of police was in the cities of Belgrade and Kragujevac; the goal of protests all over Serbia was the recognition of the original election results and the return of policemen to their home towns.
"Coalition 'Zajedno' cares about all the citizens, even those in police. It is better that policemen stay in their home towns with their families than to waste time in other towns," said Zivkovic.
Today's protest rally in Nis concluded with the customary walk through the city. Dissatisfied citizens were led by taxi drivers, and some of tired protesters were "saved" by friendly drivers.
Protesters were asked to bring today flowers and carnival gear since the "holiday season has started in Nis".