Monday, June 4, 2001 'Don't Mess With Montenegro' TIME talks to Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA LONDON Milo Djukanovic has a knack for dribbling out of diplomatic crises. But this week Montenegro's basketball-playing President may have maneuvered into a difficult, if not a dangerous, diplomatic game. Exactly one month after Montenegrin parliamentary elections failed to produce an outright majority winner, Djukanovic has agreed to a powersharing pact with a small, staunchly anti-Yugoslav party that wants key cabinet posts and an immediate referendum on Montenegro's independence. The European Union, the U.S. and Belgrade oppose the plan. But so do 40% of Montenegro's voters. President Djukanovic spoke with TIME's Anthee Carassava at London's Chatham House. Excerpts: TIME: Will there be a referendum on independence in six months? Djukanovic: We want to be sure that we can organize a referendum in conditions of full democratic and political stability. This shouldn't be seen as a day of rescue, but of normal democratic development. Whether Montenegro will proceed as an independent state or a state living together with Serbia, this will be up for its citizens to decide. But now I do not think it is realistic to carry this procedure in six months time. I believe it is likely to take place somewhat later. TIME: But the coalition you are putting together with the Liberal Alliance won't add up to the two-thirds majority required to ratify the outcome of any referendum. Djukanovic: My interpretation of democracy is simple and in compliance with internationally recognized standards. Majority takes all. This is a very sensitive issue, though. And I think there are other factors that have be taken into consideration, like a minimum voter turnout of 51%. Montenegrin society is very politicized. In this past election we had a turnout of 82%. So there is no doubt that an overwhelming majority of Montenegrin citizens will take part. It is only democratic that the majority of those who turn out should decide what the status of Montenegro will be. TIME: Can you elaborate on your idea to set up an alliance of states and a free trade zone with Serbia? Djukanovic: I believe that Balkan states should start living a European Union-model life. It will take time. Creating a kind of an E.U. prototype for the Balkans will help us better prepare for European integration one day. TIME: But what can you offer Serbia so that the federal government in Belgrade will loosen, if not relinquish, its hold on Montenegro? Djukanovic: We have already pitched an offer to Serbia. We want Serbs and Montenegrins to move freely without visas or passports, allowing Serbs to enjoy free and unfettered access to the Montenegrin coast. We've suggested free trade and zero tariffs on Serbian products shipped from Montenegrin ports. We've proposed the use of a common currency. TIME: Have you provided information to Serbian officials on alleged financial improprieties linked to Slobodan Milosevic and his paramilitary aides? Djukanovic: There has already been an exchange of such information. And there is nothing on that issue from Montenegro's end that is not accessible to Serbia. The same goes for The Hague [the international tribunal investigating war crimes in the Balkans]. All of what it wanted about Milosevic and his people has been handed over. All of it. TIME: Which other people are you referring to? Radovan Karadzic, the former Bosnian Serb leader? Paramilitary leaders like Frenki Simatovic? Djukanovic: Yes. During the NATO campaign Frenki's boys were in Montenegro causing great problems and spreading fear. We have worked with The Hague tribunal on all issues relating to their mandate in the Balkans because some people [war crimes suspects] were formerly located in Montenegro. TIME: What conditions have you agreed to in order to form this coalition government? Djukanovic: We have accepted every condition the Liberal Alliance has set, publicly. These include a referendum on independence and sharing executive powers. They asked for complete authority over state security, the justice ministry and some other lower posts. They didn't think we'd accept. But we told them fine, have it. TIME: You preferred to pacify the Liberal Alliance rather than concerned officials in the West and in Belgrade, such as Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic? Djukanovic: What Djindjic thinks is not my problem. The fact is that neither he nor anyone else from Belgrade can continue preaching to Montenegro about what to do. We don't mess with them; they shouldn't mess with Montenegro. http://www.time.com/time/europe/eu/interview/0,9868,127846,00.html Miroslav Antic, http://www.antic.org/ STOP NOVOM SVETSKOM PORETKU ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrBE8.bVKZIq Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: archive@jab.org T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
