Thursday, September 28, 2000, updated at 09:11(GMT+8)
World
Annan Says Yugoslav Voters Demonstrate Desire for Change
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said Yugoslav voters want change, voiced his hope Wednesday that the election would produce a democratic government.
A statement issued through Annan's spokesman said, "In his view, the election results demonstrate a clear wish on the part of the voters of the FRY (the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) for genuine change."
"The secretary-general has been following with close interest the developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," the statement said. "The secretary-general hopes that the election will result in a government with a clear mandate, with which an open and honest dialogue will be possible, and that the problems of the region will be addressed in the spirit of cooperation rather than confrontation."
The Yugoslav Federal Election Commission has said a second-round election is needed because neither President Slobodan Milosevic or his challenger, Vojislav Kostunica, won more than 50 percent of the votes needed for outright victory.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said Yugoslav voters want change, voiced his hope Wednesday that the election would produce a democratic government.