Serb Reformers Claim Victory

B E L G R A D E, Yugoslavia, Dec 24 -- Claiming a landslide victory in Yugoslavia’s main republic, President Vojislav Kostunica’s followers today promised sweeping reforms and a showdown with leaders of Slobodan Milosevic’s discredited government.

Official results were expected to be announced later today local time, butMilosevic’s Socialist Party conceded defeat.

Kostunica’s Democratic Opposition of Serbia said it had wonabout 64 percent of the vote in Saturday’s elections for theSerbian parliament, enough to form the first non-communistgovernment here since World War II. Serbia is the larger of the tworepublics that make up Yugoslavia.

Milosevic’s Allies Voted Out

Milosevic’s once-dominant Socialists won about 13 percent andthe ultranationalist Radical Party trailed in third with about 8percent, according to unofficial results and exit polls.

“The democratic reconstruction of Serbia and Yugoslavia will becompleted after these elections,” Kostunica said on Serbian statetelevision. “In a few days, we’ll have new parliament andgovernment which will be able to tackle the problems ahead.”

Saturday’s results in Serbia’s elections will enable thedemocratic movement to complete the revolution set in motion whenKostunica defeated Milosevic for the Yugoslav presidency Sept. 24.Milosevic refused to accept the result and called for a runoff,triggering riots Oct. 5 that forced him to concede defeat.

Despite the change in Yugoslav leadership, Milosevic’s alliesstill have controlled the government of Serbia, which accounts formore than 90 percent of Yugoslavia’s population of 10 million. TheSerbian government controls the key levers of power such as thejudiciary and the 60,000-strong Serbian police.

“It’s pretty clear we have won,” said Zoran Djindjic, expected to become Serbia’s prime minister. “We won the elections, but a huge job comes afterward.”