Parizeau underscored his continuing support for the separatist cause that has been at the heart of his long political career. He said his separatist Parti Quebecois would choose new leadership capable of achieving independence for the mostly French-speaking province.
Parizeau, 65, was elected premier last year after promising to hold a referendum on secession. His side lost Monday, but only narrowly -- 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent.
But at a time when the separatists could have been taking heart at their strong showing, Parizeau shocked even his allies with a incendiary speech at campaign headquarters, blaming the defeat on immigrants.
''It's true we have been defeated, but basically by what?'' Parizeau said. ''By money and the ethnic vote.''
Delegations headed by Presidents Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia, Franjo Tudjman of Croatia and Alija Izetbegovic of Bosnia were arriving separately last night for the U.S.-run talks opening today at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Accused of starting the war in Bosnia 42 months ago, Milosevic was the focus of U.S.-peacemaking efforts. And as he left Belgrade, the ardent Serbian nationalist called for ''a spirit of impartiality and objectivity,'' saying an accord should treat all sides fairly.
At the height of his eight-year reign of a shrunken Yugoslavia, Milosevic is thought by American officials to be capable of arm-twisting Bosnian Serbs to accept a peace treaty. The inducement for them is an ethnic republic covering about half of Bosnia-Herzgovina; for Milosevic, it is an end to a U.N. trade blockade that has decimated Serbia's economy.
The president has indicated he will sign both bills, two of 13 appropriations measures that will fund the federal government in the 1996 fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
The $37.5 billion transportation spending bill, approved 87-10 by the Senate yesterday after being passed 393-29 by the House last week, would provide $1 billion more than the administration requested. It would streamline the Federal Aviation Administration, letting it speed up modernization of the air traffic control system; eliminate the Interstate Commerce Commission and give states more say in highway construction funds spending.
Transportation Secretary Federico Pena said the bill ''allows our critical programs to move forward'' at the FAA.
The $19.3 billion bill to fund the Energy Department and federal water projects passed the Senate, 89-6, yesterday after gaining approval earlier in the day from the House, 402-24. It calls for deep cuts in spending on renewable energy and nuclear fusion research.
It would cut the Energy Department's spending by $1.1 billion from what the administration had sought. Republican leaders earlier this year had talked of eliminating the department entirely, but abandoned that idea when told many essential operations would have to shifted elsewhere.
Brown, 62, was charged with criminal domestic violence after his wife, Adrienne, called 911 asking for medical help, sheriff's spokesman Don Biermann said.
He was freed on $940 bond. His wife of more than 10 years was treated at a hospital and released.
Brown's lawyer, Buddy Dallas, wouldn't comment, except to say ''it's just another story in the continuing saga of James and Adrienne Brown.''
The soul singer was accused a year ago of shoving his wife during an argument, but charges were dropped when she refused to testify.
Brown served nearly three years in prison after he was arrested in September 1988 for leading police on a car chase between South Carolina and Georgia.
Compiled from wire reports.