Today, on the twenty-third day of the civic protest, in an extremely
cold weather with fierce wind, almost 15 000 people gathered in the
main square.When you run a marthon, what counts is not the rhythm of
running, butovercoming the crises and finishing the race successfully.
The speakers today were: prof. Ljubomir Madzar, Ph.D.,a leading European
economist, prof. Zoran Milenkovic,Ph.D.,professor at the Faculty of
Medicine, Srdja Popovic, member of the Democratic Youth Board, Momcilo
Popovic, who used to be a very popular TV anchorman (once upon a time,
when TV people could be popular), dr Aleksandar Zlatic, another
Legitimatelyelected City Council member whose seat has been stoled by
the City Electoral Commission, Vukuca Nikolic, EI worker, and Momcilo
Cvetkovic,"Jastrebac" worker.
Prof. Ljubomir Madzar of the Faculty of Economy in Belgrade said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Nis, my dear friends, it is a
pleasure and honour for me to have an opportunity to speak here in Nis,
the city where this magnificent movement began, the city which initiated
this Serbia's movement for liberation and democratic emancipation. It is
a real honour to speak in Nis, which contrary to what had been expected,
acted as an avantgarde of this great democratic struggle.Today this
struggle comprises what is best all over Serbia.As an economist, I can
tell you that our biggest problems derive from politics,that the most
serious harms to our economy were done by politics, that in fact
politics is the biggest problem of our economy. Until politics changes,
we can not hope to achieve any advance in economy.
As I see it, this political process obviously has a historical dimension
to it and it will certainly make a difference to Serbia's future. Above
all, this is a very deep conflict between the people and the rulers who
have always been detached, only it has never been this obvious.
I do not predict long life to such rulers. How long it is going to be,
it is up to you and us, you in Nis and us in Belgrade, up to all the
honest and reasonable people all over Serbia, who have eventually decided
to pluck up courage and stand up to such rulers."
Srdja Popovic, member of the Democratric Youth Board, spoke about what
had been achieved during the three weeks of protest. He said: "First of
all, on November 18, the citizens of Serbia realised something: Milosevic
can be defeated; he can be defeated in the elections; people have votes
and their votes have weight. We realised that we were in majority.
Secondly,Milosevic - the alleged leader of the nation -has shrunk down
on what he has always actually been: a pitty dictator, frightened out
of his wits. Thirdly, from these elections on Milosevic will never ever
win an election in Serbia again."Mr Popovic announced that the
International Measurement Commitee in Paris would be informed that the
Belgrade regime had introduced a new measurement unit. "That new unit is
- a handful. In Belgrade, this unit stands for 50 000 students in the
morning and 200 000 people in the afternoon. I believe that this unit
is our real measure. Here we are - a handful!" The teaching staff of
the Dental Department at the Faculty of Medicine made an announcement
yesterday. It says: "We, teaching staff, give support to our students'
protest and their demand for truth, respect of the Constitution,
provided that it remains non-political and authentic students' movement.
Nobody in this Faculty will be persecuted or punished for speaking out
his or her mind." (This announcement was signed by all the professors
and teaching assistents at the Department, including four members
of Milosevic's Socialist Party).
The most courageous and honest workers are joining the protest.
Workers of an EI factory department sent a message of support, in which
it is stated that "the youth of Serbia has risen in pursuit of happiness
, freedom, democracy and honesty, and so should we, the workers. We shall
follow in your footsteps. That is why we should be here - our job is to
be by your side. You and us - we are the voice of the people, and we
won't give up.If we do give up, both you and the generations to come
will be ashamed of us and will never forgive us."
In their announcement, the MIN workers said: "We, the workers of
MIN -"Lokomotiva", who do not belong to any party, fully support the
demands of the students and citizens of Serbia. We are here in this
square and in the rally every day, defending our dignity. We will not
give up,we will hold on, in our joint efforts to make a better tomorrow
for our children." (Signed by 516 workers)
Cvetkovic Momcilo, "Jastrebac" worker, said: "Ladies and gentlemen,
citizens of Nis, I am glad to see so many of you gathering here day
by day. Don't give up! Several hundred workers of "Jastrebac" are here
with you every day. The reason why we did not come as an organised group
is that our trade union leaders do not dare to put their signature below
our demands. But we are here!"
Vukica Nikolic, EI worker, who has taken part in all the strikes
organised from 1969 on, said: "Good evening to you my dear fellow
citizens, students, pupils, both to you "seduced" and to us divorced...
Divorced, I say, and I mean it literally. Because this government, this
regime, was responsible for the breakup of many marriages. It is because
there was no money, and when there is no money, there are rows in
marriages. And there is one more reason.I have been in the trade union
since 1974. I have been trying to help my fellow workers. But today, I
want to renounce and divorce this shameful union in public, the union
which is regime-controled, bribed, corrupted and destructive of the
working people."
Because of the freezing wind and very low temperature, the walk was
shorter than usual - the procession walked only the downtown streets.
World about us
Photos from students protest in Nis