Albright appeals over Milosevic election boycott

The American Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, has appealed to opponents of President Slobodan Milosevic across Yugoslavia to unite to try to topple him in forthcoming elections.

Mrs Albright, who was speaking in Italy, called for the opposition to put forward just one candidate.

In the polls in September, President Milosevic and his ruling Socialists will face their first electoral test since the Kosovo conflict.

Mrs Albright was speaking shortly before meeting the President of the Yugoslav Republic of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, who's a strong opponent of President Milosevic.

Mr Djukanovic and a senior Serbian opposition leader, Vuk Draskovic, have been threatening to boycott the elections in protest at laws making it easier for President Milosevic to win a further term in office.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service