Serb police prevent student march

[UPI]

BELGRADE, Dec. 28 (UPI) - Hundreds of Serbian riot police and
undercover agents have blocked demonstrators in downtown Belgrade, while
restive student protesters responded with chants and boos.
Police are enforcing President Slobodan Milosevic's (sloh-BOD'-ahn
mee-LOH'-sha-vich) order banning street demonstrations. Thousands of
students and opposition political party supporters have held more than
five weeks of demonstrations against the Socialist Party-led government.
Facing driving snow and bitter temperatures, about 1,000 police
cordoned off an area around Belgrade University Saturday. Students held
a rally inside the campus, demanding the recognition of Nov. 17 local
election results that Milosevic has refused to recognize.
Police appear to be ignoring the taunts and students say they will
protest again Sunday - the 40th day of mostly peaceful demonstrations.
Earlier Saturday, about 10,000 opposition supporters attended the
funeral of a 39-year-old man killed in street clashes between pro- and
anti-government supporters Tuesday.
Opposition parties canceled a protest march through central Belgrade
and instead called on supporters to attend the funeral at Belgrade's
main cemetery.
On their return from the cemetery to downtown Belgrade, riot police
prevented opposition supporters from walking in the middle of streets
and kept them walking along sidewalks.
Opposition leaders say they will stage another demonstration Sunday
afternoon.
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