28.11.1996.
In the moment when the truth and human dignity are being defended, we must not remain silent. We support the protest of citizens of Nis and other cities all over Serbia, provoked by election fraud. We demand immediate announcement of final and veritable election results and we call to account those responsible for this situation. Therefor we appeal for boycott of classes, starting from Friday, 22.11.1996., in order to articulate our right to defend an integrity of all people whose right of free choice has been denied. We appeal to all students of University of Nis and other Universities in Serbia to join our protest for saving Serbia’s pride.
Faculty of electronic engineering boycott committee
28.11.1996.
Considering a situation caused by a doubt about election results forgery, performed by Election board of the city of Nis, we join the students protest and we support its demands directed to establishing facts and calling to account those responsible for this situation.
Faculty of electronic engineering professors council
Dear colleague,
We are writing to you as as your friends.
We DO need your support now because the basic democratic principles are
under attack in our country.
Two weeks ago federal and local elections took place in Serbia. The
results of the federal elections showed that the Socialist Party of Serbia
(SPS), led by Slobodan Milosevic, won the elections, and we do congratulate
them. However, the opposition coalition won municipal elections but the
SPS is attempting to steal the victory of the opposition in major cities
throughout Serbia, including the capital, Belgrade. Milosevic and his party
were taken by surprise by the overwhelming success of the opposition coalition
ZAJEDNO or "Together," in elections in the major cities of Serbia.
Now they have refused to recognize the electoral outcomes.
We are trying to get support from all the people of good will who treasure
democratic principles as the basic principles of our civilization.
Please read this appeal, think of its content carefully and see whether
you can sign it. Your support and your signature can make a difference.
Sincerely yours,
Students and Faculty of the School of Electronic Engineering, University of Nis, Serbia
Please forward this message to the appropriate groups, lists and contacts.
PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME AND RETURN TO
The SPS is attempting to steal the local elections in major cities throughout Serbia, including the capital, Belgrade. Milosevic and his party were taken by surprise by the overwhelming success of the opposition coalition ZAJEDNO or "Together," in elections in the major cities of Serbia. Now they have refused to recognize the electoral outcomes . They are using the party's monopoly over the local electoral commissions and courts to invalidate the elections, charging irregularities. However, the state-run television stations carried news from the electoral commissions the night of the elections and reported no irregularities. The irregularities were found, only when it became clear that the SPS had lost.
The people of Serbia are protesting in thousands in most of Serbia's main cities against this obvious violation of rule of law and their efforts at democratization. Students, workers, professionals, business people, the unemployed - members of different parties and different political positions are joining together in the streets and public spaces of their cities to demand that their voices for a politics of change, peace and progress be heard, that their votes for a plural and open society be recognized. Now the Milosevic government wants to invalidate their votes and hold another round of elections, firmly under his party's control.
We the undersigned support the call to recognize the will of the Serbian people as expressed in local election outcomes and the efforts to establish democratic politics in Serbia. We urge you to ask your Government to show its commitment to democratization and peace throughout the former Yugoslavia, by making clear that it expects the results of the local elections and the choice of the majority of voters to be respected. There is no long-term stability in the region, without democracy in Serbia.
Events on 10.12.1996.
Article from Georgiatown Voice