to the protest meeting to be held in Belgrade on 5 October 2000 
 
  

Citizens of Belgrade and Serbia, 

My congratulations to all the people of Serbia on their magnificent victory of 24 September and to Dr. Vojislav Kostunica on his election as President of Yugoslavia.  The victory of the Democratic opposition of Serbia  (DOS) is victory for the all the people of Serbia, victory for democracy and victory against the domination of the regime.  The people have given their trust in Dr. Kostunica and DOS, but the regime dishonourably refuses to concede defeat and thus illegally negates the people’s will.  In the past too, the regime kept itself in power through gross manipulations, but this time no one must be allowed to defy the will of the people. 

In order to achieve the final victory for democracy it is indispensable to maintain the unity of democratic forces of Serbia. Only unity saves the Serbs! The united people must not give up their demand for the regime to hand over power immediately.  The unity of the people is the guarantee of our better future. The handover of power must be carried out in a peaceful and dignified manner without disorder and without victims. There must be no revenge.  The regime is already disgracefully using police measures against citizens, arresting people and threatening the use of even greater violence against those who defend the will of the people. It is obvious that only the regime can provoke disorders that would make citizens suffer. All repressive measures on the part of the regime and the use of force must be strongly condemned.  

I appeal to the armed forces and the police to side with the people and refuse to obey the regime, which has lost the people’s confidence. The thousands of soldiers and militiamen voted for the Democratic opposition of Serbia must now side with the people. Serbia has woken up and a new era is upon us. The strike of the “Kolubara” coalminers, as well as of other workers and employees, has brought admiration from all over the world.  All of them, with “Otpor” students, young and old people firmly demand that the regime hand over power at once.  

Light will be victorious over darkness and truth over falsehood. We are now on the threshold of a new dawn for all citizens of Serbia and Montenegro. We have had enough of the tyranny of the mafia regime! The people of Serbia deserve a better tomorrow and a better life worthy of man’s dignity. This is why it is indispensable to preserve peace in the country and victory of the people. 
  

Ziveli!   

ALEXANDER  

5 October 2000