[AKI-News] Free Montenegro : Allow for a Free and Democratic Referendum

[AKI News]

Advocates for Kosova's Independence (AKI)
March 12, 2002

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  ** AKI Newsletter, Issue 9 **
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AKI STATEMENT

AKI strongly supports the position of the citizens of Montenegro who are
protesting the current EU policy of upholding and defending the former
Yugoslavia.

>From their statement to EU leaders and Javier Solana:

   "We find it truly bizarre and incomprehensible that while Slobodan
Milosevic is on trial in the Hague, the EU finds common cause with his
followers in Podgorica and Belgrade."
   "First, we call for an immediate and total end and change of the current
EU realpolitik, which is deeply wrong and painful for Montenegro, and
potentially damaging and dangerous for the region. After that, we call for
international support for a free and democratic referendum on our country's
future status. Such a referendum is the only way out of the current
unsustainable political impasse."


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     ** A R T I C L E **
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Letter of Protest and Call for International Support
04 March 2002

Free Montenegrin Intellectuals, Citizens, and Representatives of Civil
Society: For a Free and Democratic Referendum

 To: the European Heads of State and Government
 Cc: The High Representative of the EU, Dr. Javier Solana

As Montenegrin citizens supporting European values and the European
integration of our country, we are deeply dismayed that Dr Javier Solana,
the High Representative of the EU, has unfortunately decided to join efforts
with Greater Serbian political forces in Belgrade and Podgorica in their
opposition to Montenegro's right of	self-determination. The EU risks
undermining and jeopardizing Montenegro's stability and security. We find it
truly bizarre and incomprehensible that while Slobodan Milosevic is on trial
in the Hague, the EU finds common cause with his followers in Podgorica and
Belgrade. The serious deterioration of the political situation in Montenegro
in January 2002 was a direct consequence of this alliance.

The EU's one-sided and irresponsible policy encourages extremists to
escalate the situation and strengthens the hand of those political factions
which threaten the use of violence.

The EU's insistence on the preservation of the so-called FRY ignores the
fact that FRY exists in name only. It was Serbia, not Montenegro, which
destroyed this always problematic state through a cascade of unilateral an
violent acts in the last decade. Consequently, there is almost nothing
remaining between Montenegro and Serbia today that can be preserved or even
broken. The pro-Yugoslav rhetoric of the EU and its allies is truly hollow.
Most importantly, what will happen to our structural economic reform program
recently praised by the IMF and World Bank if the pro-Federation forces take
over as a result of the

EU "mediation" effort? What will happen if we relinquish the euro as
Montenegro's currency and reintroduce the most worthless currency in Europe
(the dinar) back into our country? And what will happen to our first but
extremely important achievements in the domain of multi-ethnic tolerance and
democracy if the so-called pro-Yugoslav forces legitimize their Greater
Serbian project with the support of EU?

Fortunately, there is still a chance to prevent further negative
developments. With this aim in mind, we, free intellectuals and citizens of
Montenegro of all different ethnic backgrounds, representatives of civil
society, and leaders of the anti-Milosevic and anti-war campaign, call for
necessary international understanding, solidarity, and support. First, we
call for an immediate and total end and change of the current EU
realpolitik, which is deeply wrong and painful for Montenegro, and
potentially damaging and dangerous for the region. After that, we call for
international support for a free and democratic referendum on our country's
future status. Such a referendum is the only way out of the current
unsustainable political impasse. It is the duty of the European Union to
press all political factions in Montenegro to participate fully in the
democratic process, so that the final decision will enjoy unquestionable
legitimacy.

List of Signatories

1. Milan Popovic, Director, Center for International
   Studies of University of Montenegro
2. Slobodan Franovic, President, Helsinkee Committee of Montenegro
3. Milka Tadic, Executive Director, Independent Weekly Monitor
4. Srdan Darmanovic, Director, Center for Human Rights and
   Democracy
5. Neboja Medojevic, Director, Center for Transition in Montenegro
6. Miodrag Perovic, Professor, University of Montenegro,
   Founder of Monitor
7. Predrag Obradovic, Rector of University of Montenegro
8. Aerbo Rastoder, Professor, University of Montenegro,
   Editor-In-Chief of Almanach, Journal for Cultural
   Development of Muslims-Bosniaks in Montenegro
9. Nebojsa Vucinic, Director, Center for Human Rights of the
   University of Montenegro
10. Nik Gashaj, President, Albanian Cultural Association
11. Anton Sbutega, Professor
12. Miodrag Vlahovic, Director, Center for Regional and Security
    Studies
13. Rade Bojovic, Center for Democracy and Human Rights
14. Gojko Kastratovic, Director, Montenegrin Film Library
15. Ilija Vujoevic, Professor, University of Montenegro
16. Svetozar Jovicevic, Professor, University of Montenegro
17. Ljubia Stankovic, Professor of University of Montenegro,
    Member of Montenegrin Academy of Arts and Sciences (CANU)
18. Drasko Djuranovic, Director, Monitor
19. Zeljko Ivanovic, Director, Independent Radio Antena M
20. Branko Vojicic, Editor-In-Chief, Monitor
21. Stevo Vucinic, Founder, Independent TV Montena
22. Vesna Kilibarda, Provost of University of Montenegro
23. Vjera Radovic, Professor of University of Montenegro
24. Sonja Bjeletic, Professor, University of Montenegro
25. Novica Samardzic, Publicist, Editor, TV Montenegro
26. Rajko Todorovic, Painter, Professor of University of
    Montenegro
27. Darko Sukovic, Editor-In-Chief, Independent Radio Antena M
28. Anka Buric, Painter, Professor of University of Montenegro
29. Balsa Brkovic, Writer, Editor, Independent Daily Vijesti
30. Snezana Nikcevic, Journalist, Editor, TV Montenegro
31. Aleksandar Becanovic, Writer
32. Andrej Nikolaidis, Writer

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