Kostunica Takes Oath in Yugoslavia

Calling his rise to power "a historical moment," Vojislav Kostunica assumed the Yugoslav presidency Saturday in a low-key ceremony, formally closing the traumatic era of his predecessor, Slobodan Milosevic, that left the country internationally isolated and destitute.

The oath of office was delayed for hours by parliament member wrangling over the results of disputed Sept. 24 elections that set the stage for a popular uprising that carried Kostunica to power.

With the army behind him and Milosevic grudgingly wishing him well after three tumultuous days of protests and rioting, the swearing in put the stamp of legitimacy on Kostunica's leadership. The way seemed open for him to begin leading Yugoslavia away from isolation and sanctions.

"I promise that I will fulfill the constitution of Yugoslavia," a clearly moved Kostunica told the federal parliament and invited dignitaries. "I will perform my duties according to my conscience."

But delaying tactics by Milosevic allies underlined the fact that Kostunica still has some way to go to remake the top echelons of leadership into officials committed to government by democracy.

Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, other key Milosevic allies and top officials were at an inaugural session of the Yugoslav parliament. Serbiand smaller, Western-oriented republic of Montenegro, make up Yugoslavia.

Milutinovic, like Milosevic, is sought by the U.N. war crimes tribunal. His Serbian presidency has sweeping powers, including direct control over the state's 100,000-strong police force. Its powers are much more substantial than those of the federal president, even though Milosevic beefed up the post's stature under his tenure.

Vlajko Stojiljkovic, Serbia's interior minister, struck a defiant tone before the start of the parliament meeting. He described the events that led to Milosevic's ouster — protests that turned to the storming of federal parliament and other key buildings as "the work of hooligans."

Another key Milosevic supporter, Ljubica Ristic, described the unrest as part of a "coup" against Milosevic.

Conspicuously absent from parliament, where she holds a seat, was Mira Markovic, the wife of Milosevic.

The swearing-in took place in Belgrade's modernistic Sava Center conference hall, after the parliament building was gutted and ransacked in riots Thursday that toppled Milosevic.

In a sign of conflict ahead, the swearing-in ceremony was delayed in part by Milosevic's Socialists and an allied party, which constitute the second-strongest bloc in parliament. They contested parts of the Sept. 24 vote.

"They're already creating a serious problem," said Milan Protic, Belgrade's mayor and a leading opposition figure. "We did not expect them to react like this."

The swearing-in was further delayed by debates in parliament over a decision by the Constitutional Court to annul in full the results of Sept. 24 voting in Kosovo.

Perhaps mindful of the potential for trouble still ahead, Kostunica was low-key in comments about Milosevic.

"For now, it is more than enough that Milosevic congratulated me," Kostunica said. "Difficult times are behind us, but the days ahead also hold many trials."

Milosevic addressed the Yugoslav people in a televised speech late Friday, conceding he had lost the presidential elections.

Hours after Milosevic's address, the army's chief of staff, Gen. Nebojsa Pavkovic, congratulated Kostunica and indicated the military would obey the new political authority. Yugoslavia's high court had named Kostunica the election winner and Russia, a powerful Yugoslav ally, also offered support.

In his speech, Milosevic said he wanted to take a break before restarting political life. As an indicted war criminal, he has little chance of seeking asylum abroad and has no choice but to try to reach an accommodation with the new government.

"I intend to rest a bit and spend some more time with my family and especially with my grandson, Marko, and after that to help my party gain force and contribute to future prosperity," he said.

But that may prove difficult, since Marko Milosevic, Slobodan's hated son, boarded a plane for Moscow on Saturday along with his wife and child, ccording to witnesses at the airport.

Marko has an extensive business empire, including an
amusement complex in his father's home town of Pozarevac, which
has provided him with much wealth and made him an object of
scorn among ordinary Serbs.

The concession by the elder Milosevic prompted bursts of gunfire and wild honking of car horns in the streets of Belgrade, where tens of thousands kept up celebrations that began Thursday in the wake of a tumultuous uprising against 13 years of Milosevic's autocratic rule.

Also confirming Kostunica's position, the speaker of the Serbian parliament, Dragan Tomic, addressed Kostunica as president in a letter Friday the first such recognition by a high official from Milosevic's Socialist Party of Serbia.

Another anti-Milosevic leader, Zoran Djindjic, said on Saturday that Milosevic no longer had any control over the police or army troops.

"We can breathe a sigh or relief now," Djindjic told independent B2-92 radio, adding that his camp had been informed of this by top officials.

Milosevic is blamed by the West for starting four Balkan wars that broke out in the last decade when parts of Yugoslavia began to seek independence. Those conflicts were marked by horrific violence against civilians, which prompted Western governments to impose sanctions and isolate Belgrade.

Some of those controls were eased after Milosevic signed the 1995 agreement to end the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, other sanctions were imposed in 1998 after Milosevic launched a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

In the past days, both the United States and the European Union have said they will begin to lift sanctions as the new democratic administration takes the reins.

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