YUGOSLAVIA: ANTI MILOSEVIC PROTESTS UPDATE

(5 Oct 2000) Natural Sound XFA Protesters seeking to topple Slobodan Milosevic turned their fury on his centres of power on Thursday, leaving parliament and other key sites in shambles and flames. The rule of the Yugoslav president appeared near collapse. His opponents seemed confident they already held firm control of power. Challenger Vojislav Kostunica addressed a jubilant throng from the balcony of City Hall and his aides negotiated for security pledges from police commanders. «What we are doing today is making history,» proclaimed Kostunica, who opposition forces say won Sept. 24 elections. The uprising developed with stunning speed - swelling as security forces showed little willingness to battle the largest anti-Milosevic protest ever. Many police put down their clubs and joined flag-waving crowds as they surged across central Belgrade through clouds of tear gas. The parliament building, the state broadcasting centre and police st