"The thoughts and prayers of the people of Canada are with the hundreds of thousands of Yugoslavs who have courageously demanded their democratic rights today in the streets of Belgrade. We call on Slobodan Milosevic to acknowledge their cry for freedom and step down; to accept what independent observers say was the clear result of the September 24^th vote -- the election of Vojislav Kostunica.

As soon as a government committed to reform and reconciliation is in place Canada and like-minded countries will begin the process of lifting sanctions, ending the isolation of Yugoslavia and increasing our support for political and economic reform.

Canada is gratified by this sign that democracy seems to have taken the upper hand in Yugoslavia. We join Yugoslav opposition leaders in calling for calm and restraint on all sides."