wfn.org | YUGOSLAVIAN BAPTISTS CALL FOR PRAYER

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

YUGOSLAVIAN BAPTISTS CALL FOR PRAYER
 Baptist World Alliance officials are reporting that 
Baptists in Yugoslavia are seeking prayers for their country 
as the apparent transition of power from President Slobodan 
Milosevic to presidential election winner Vojislav Kostunica 
takes place. 
 Hundreds of thousands of protesters, in largely 
peaceful actions this week designed to remove Milosevic, 
have taken over a number of government and communication 
facilities in the capital city of Belgrade.  Although 
Milosevic has not conceded defeat or been seen in public, 
most analysts believe the president no longer commands the 
loyalty of army and police personnel and will be unable to 
block formation of the new government.
 Most world leaders, including Presidents Clinton of 
the U.S. and Putin of Russia, have called for the 
affirmation of Kostunica.  Milosevic has been accused of 
instigating and condoning countless human rights violations 
in Yugoslavia and its region during the turmoil there 
spanning the 1990s.
 Earlier this week Avram Dega, general secretary of the 
Union of Baptist Churches in Serbia, said, "There is very 
high tension between the regime and the opposition, and it 
grows.  There are peaceful demonstrations in all cities and 
towns in Serbia and we expect strikes, traffic blockades, 
closed universities, schools and other public institutions 
with the goal that everything would stop in Serbia.  This is 
the beginning and how the things will develop I don't know.  
I do know that the most effective method for us to be a part 
of the solution of these crises is our joined prayers."

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