Montenegro's Leaders Maneuver for Negotiations with Serb Successor

Strategic Insights -

President Milo Djukanovic welcomed the success of the Serbian opposition in the election on Sunday, stating that he hopes for a change in Serbia, a healing of relations between Montenegro and Serbia, and stability in the region. The Montenegrin government has been shut out of federal bodies, including the National Bank of Yugoslavia and the Supreme Military Council, and has been calling for a new relationship with Serbia based on a loose confederation. With Slobodan Milosevic's departure, the republic may see a realignment, and Montenegro's leaders are preparing for negotiations with the new Serbian leader, Vojislav Kostunica.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Milo Djukanovic has welcomed the election results and expressed hope for a change in Serbia and improved relations between Montenegro and Serbia.
  • The Montenegrin government has been calling for a new relationship with Serbia, based on a loose confederation, and wants to redefine the status and relationship between the two republics.
  • Prime Minister Filip Vujanovic has called for Mr. Kostunica to fulfill promises made during the campaign, including dissolving the federal Parliament, which is dominated by pro-Milosevic parties from Montenegro.
  • The Montenegrin government has advanced significantly in recent years and is seeking a new relationship with Serbia, based on equality and cooperation, rather than a return to the 1992 Yugoslav Constitution.
  • The Montenegrin leadership has been in close contact with the Democratic Opposition of Serbia, but Mr. Kostunica has also made overtures to the main Montenegrin opposition leader, Predrag Bulatovic.
  • Mr. Bulatovic has distanced himself from Mr. Milosevic and expressed his party's desire for equality and cooperation with Serbia within a Yugoslav Federation.

Statistics:

  • Djukanovic stated that "we have advanced so much in recent years" in Montenegro.
  • The Montenegrin government has been shut out of federal bodies for two years.
  • The Montenegrin leadership has been in close contact with the Democratic Opposition of Serbia for an unspecified period of time.
  • Mr. Kostunica has reportedly made overtures to Mr. Bulatovic, vice president of the Socialist People's Party, which supported Mr. Milosevic in the election.
  • The same amount of time, 18 months, during which Mr. Kostunica pledged to dissolve the federal Parliament.

Sources:

  • Vijesti, the leading daily in Montenegro
  • Interview with President Milo Djukanovic
  • News conference by Prime Minister Filip Vujanovic on Thursday
  • Meeting between Mr. Kostunica and the Montenegrin government before the elections
  • Interview with Predrag Bulatovic, vice president of the Socialist People's Party
  • Western diplomat's quote