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AP. 15 March 2002. Independence Backers Threaten to Topple Montenegro's Government. PODGORICA -- Independence forces claimed betrayal Friday and threatened to topple Montenegro's government over a deal that keeps the republic in a union with Serbia. There was also loud criticism of the plan in Serbia where opponents said it effectively wipes Yugoslavia off the map, replacing it with a loose union of two republics. Many critics said the confederation, adopted Thursday, would be unworkable. The agreement foresees Serbia and Montenegro becoming semi-independent and holds open the possibility of full independence three years down the road, should either republic choose to leave the confederation. Serbia and Montenegro will share a defense and foreign policy, but will run separate economies, currencies and customs services. The name Yugoslavia will be replaced by Serbia and Montenegro. The European Union, whose foreign policy chief Javier Solana mediated the accord, has insisted that Serbia and Montenegro remain united to avoid further political instability in the Balkans. Solana said the accord would pave the way for eventual EU membership. The EU also has agreed to recognize the two nations as independent states if the union is dissolved. Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, who faced sharp criticism in Montenegro for giving up a planned independence referendum, predicted the plan would win parliamentary approval. He said he would continue working for independence but suggested international goodwill was worth the concessions he made. But he was criticized Friday by his coalition partners for allegedly caving in to pressure from the European Union. "This represents a betrayal without parallel in modern European history," said Slavko Perovic, head of the pro-independence Liberal Party. "The agreement is unacceptable, and our party will pull out of the coalition if the accord is ratified by parliament," said Ranko Krivokapic of the Social Democratic Party - another key Djukanovic ally. If the two coalition partners withdraw their support, the Montenegrin government could collapse, leading to parliamentary elections at a time when many pro-independence voters are upset with Djukanovic. Dozens of independence-minded Montenegrins protested against the deal in Podgorica, their capital. In a leaflet distributed to the media, protesters demanded "to exercise their right to vote on Montenegrin independence." In Belgrade, the Serbian capital, Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic expressed dissatisfaction with at least part of that republic's leadership, which had favored maintaining present ties with Montenegro. With a population of more than 9 million - almost 15 times that of Montenegro - Serbia has dominated Yugoslav policy-making. "This imitation of a nation cannot survive long," Batic said. "This kind of loose union does not exist anywhere in practice, or even in political theory." Some independent analysts also expressed doubt that the plan would work. "The proposed economic arrangements ... will be both inefficient and expensive," said Nebojsa Savic, head of an economic research institute in Belgrade. "In practice, the union will have overlapping customs, banking and tax systems." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Stoller http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProletarianNews --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9617B Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
