(24 Dec 1996) English/Nat
President Slobodan Milosevic has drawn international condemnation for deliberately provoking a day of violence on the streets of Belgrade.
Riot police and pro-Milosevic supporters bussed into the capital have clashed violently with anti-Milosevic demonstrators.
Riot police used tear gas and night sticks in the Serbian capital to push back the anti-government protesters and separate them from another rally being held by Milosevic supporters.
A man was shot in the head at the height of the clashes in central Belgrade, but doctors say his injury isn't life-threatening.
Opposition Coalition Leader Vuk Draskovic said that by organising pro-government demonstrations, President Milosevic was trying to provoke civil war in Serbia.
Charging at anti-Milosevic demonstrators, riot police fired tear gas as the first day of violence swept through the Serbian capital.
Tensions exploded and dozens of demonstrators have been injured as heavily armed police continued to advance Tuesday evening, at one stage cornering a group of anti-Milosevic protesters in an alley near shops and firing tear gas.
The confrontation began earlier in the day in Belgrade's main public square, as tens of thousands of student opposition demonstrators marched toward hundreds of pro-Milosevic demonstrators.
Rival protesters attacked each other with fists and sticks as hostilities escalated.
Pro-Milosevic banners were torn up and his picture was burned by his opponents.
At one stage shots were fired from a crowd of Milosevic supporters and one man was shot in the head. Hundreds of riot police intervened, surrounding government buildings and separating demonstrators
Facing toward opposition supporters, riot police formed a barrier between the two sides.
They then surged forward, forcing the opposition supporters to retreat.
The shots and the police action dramatically escalated tensions after four weeks of relatively peaceful demonstrations against Milosevic and his annulment of local elections won by the opposition.
The pro-Milosevic rally had been planned for the same time and place as daily opposition rallies.
Opposition Coalition leader Vuk Draskovic, marching later in the day away from the violence, accused Milosovic of orchestrating the violence.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Milosevic wanted to provoke civil war, bloodshed in Belgrade today and really we are very closed to that. We as you see moved the people in this direction to avoid physical contact with the armed people of Milosevic...he brought from the countryside into Belgrade in order to provoke bloodshed. A few steps from headquarters of Serbian Movement a Milosevic idiot from the city Ribas shot into head a young boy demonstrator, and I don't know maybe he is already dead".
SUPER CAPTION: Vuk Draskovic, Opposition Coalition Leader
As the night skirmishes and confrontations continue some pro-Milosevic supporters have left central Belgrade, to the jeers and taunts of Opposition supporters.
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