General Strike Cripples Yugoslavia

Oct. 2 -- In a test of wills and power, the Yugoslav opposition — with the apparent support of the people — brought the nation to a calculated and temporary halt in its effort to drive President Slobodan Milosevic out of office.

The Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) has vowed to build a general strike until Milosevic accepts what they call a crushing defeat at the polls.

Early in the morning, police found empty buses — keys missing — blocking intersections across Serbia. In most cases, they are being left in place.

Drivers have said the road blockades will last for three hours today and will be extended by an hour each day until Milosevic goes.

Police did remove license plates from vehicles taking part in the blockades, but angry crowds sought revenge, in turn pulling license plates from the police vehicles.

Still Clinging

Milosevic lost a Sept. 24 election. But while the opposition believes their candidate, Vojislav Kostunica, received more than 50 percent of the vote, the government does not — and has scheduled an Oct. 8 runoff election.

Most Western powers appear to accept the opposition claim. But Russia, a traditional Serb ally, has said the second round of elections are legitimate.

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Several reports from Belgrade said more close Milosevic allies — including his chief of police — have either resigned or been replaced.

Diplomatic sources in Belgrade estimate that only 10 percent of the armed forces — mainly high-ranking officers — and less than 30 percent of the police are loyal to Milosevic.

Miners Strike

Over the weekend, mineworkers in vital coal and a copper mines locked themselves in to prevent the police from taking over the facilities, both essential to the Serb economy.

Staff at the Pencevo oil refinery and Petrohemija petrochemical plant have said they will join the strike today.

Some 700 police formed a blockade around the Kolubara coal mine, but they allowed through buses containing thousands more demonstrators — as well as food and other essential supplies — to the miners, who have been there since late Friday.