Polls close in key Montenegro vote

The pro-Milosevic opposition is mounting a strong challenge

Polls have closed in key local elections in Montenegro which are being seen as a test of their desire for independence from Belgrade.

Our correspondent says there has been a high turnout with about 70% of the electorate voting. Early results are expected on Monday.

Voters in the capital, Podgorica, and the city of Herceg Novi - about a third of the republic's total electorate - have been choosing between the current pro-Western government and allies of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

We will prevent civil war at any price

Yugoslav army chief General Pavkovic

Montenegro, Serbia's junior partner in the Yugoslav federation, has moved towards political and economic independence under its reformist President, Milo Djukanovic.

However, the ruling coalition, called "Better Life", is facing a strong challenge from parties loyal to President Milosevic.

Voting was reported to have taken place without any problems.

'Change'

The pro-Milosevic opposition is led by Yugoslav Prime Minister Momir Bulatovic's Socialist People's Party.

A Yugoslav soldier passes a pro-Djukanovic poster in Podgorica

Mr Bulatovic was cheered by elderly supporters as he and his wife cast their votes in central Podgorica.

He told reporters he expected change.

His bloc accused the government of ballot-rigging and indicated that it will not accept defeat lying down.

As a result, voters were stamped with invisible ink to try to prevent any from casting their ballots more than once.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe sent a sizeable team of observers in an attempt to prevent voting irregularities.

The OSCE delegation head told the BBC his officials would vigourously resist any attempt at political pressure.

They hope to prevent the violence that followed the presidential elections two years ago when Milosevic supporters rioted in Podgorica after losing.

The BBC correspondent in Montenegro says that in the current atmosphere of impending crisis, it would not take much to push the republic over the brink.

Army muscle

The elections were prompted by the pro-independent Liberal Alliance's withdrawal from the city assemblies.

On the eve of the poll, Yugoslav army chief General Nebojsa Pavkovic warned that the country's security was threatened by "destructive forces" trying to break its unity.

"We will prevent civil war at any price," he said, as commemorations were held across Serbia marking the first anniversary of the end of Nato's 11-week bombing campaign.

President Djukanovic condemned Belgrade's policies during the Kosovo crisis and he has won backing from the West.

He wants equal status in a loose federation, and has repeatedly warned that Montenegro could seek an independence referendum if its demands are not met.

Fears of political violence were heightened 10 days ago when Mr Djukanovic's security adviser Goran Zugic was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Podgorica.

The federal Yugoslav army is maintaining a high-profile presence in the small mountainous republic. Soldiers can be seen around the capital, often sitting in cafes drinking coffee.

Meanwhile, street corners bristle with Montenegrin police - well-equipped, trained by the West and loyal to Mr Djukanovic.

Opposition challenge

The pro-Milosevic bloc has mounted a strong challenge. To increase its chances, it introduced hardliners two months ago and uses the slogan "For Yugoslavia".

Analysts are predicting a government victory in both cities - but with a closer race in Herceg Novi due to the high number of pro-Yugoslav pensioners there.