Yugoslav Throws Hat Into Ring

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia — Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica announced Friday that he will run in September for the presidency of Serbia, the country’s dominant republic.

The move was widely expected because Kostunica’s current job is likely to disappear as part of constitutional changes that will give greater power to the Serbian president.

Serbia and Montenegro, the two remaining Yugoslav republics, have agreed to redefine their relationship as part of a Western-backed plan that foresees doing away with Yugoslavia and replacing it with a loose confederation named Serbia and Montenegro. The post of Yugoslav president is likely to be abolished as a result.

Kostunica’s announcement was expected to sharpen the rivalry between himself and Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. Allies in ousting Slobodan Milosevic from the Yugoslav presidency nearly two years ago, the two are now bitter rivals.

Djindjic is backing Miroljub Labus, a pro-Western economist and deputy Yugoslav prime minister regarded as Kostunica’s main challenger in the race.

Labus and Kostunica are expected to split the pro-democracy vote, which would benefit opposition candidates.