Montenegro Leader to Seek Statehood

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Montenegro Leader to Seek Statehood

Bolstered by a weekend election triumph, Montenegro's pro-independence movement said Monday it will pursue its goal of independence for the tiny Yugoslav republic.

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Bolstered by a weekend election triumph, Montenegro's pro-independence movement said Monday it will pursue its goal of independence for the tiny Yugoslav republic.

"Our victory is based on a clear sentiment among Montenegrins that we must have our statehood," said Igor Luksic, a top aide to Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic.

The clear-cut victory of Djukanovic's pro-independence coalition in Sunday's parliamentary elections brings into question the future of the crumbling Yugoslav federation, which also includes much-larger Serbia.

The two republics tentatively have agreed to form a loose union called Serbia and Montenegro, but European Union-sponsored talks have stalled, and Djukanovic is likely to re-enter the negotiations with tougher demands.

EU officials have mediated between Belgrade and Djukanovic for months, urging the two sides to speed up the forming of the union and avert the final breakup of the troubled federation.

Western officials fear that the collapse of what remains of Yugoslavia could cause a chain reaction in the volatile Balkans, including demands for independence among ethnic Albanians who dominate the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, and a push for sovereignty among Bosnia's Serbs.

The talks have stalled over a new constitution, with Serbia demanding a more centralized state and Djukanovic seeking virtual independence for an envisaged three-year trial period.

The agreement, however, would let both Serbia and Montenegro hold a referendum on full separation after three years. Djukanovic, his control at home now strengthened after the elections, is likely to work on persuading the public that independence is the best solution.

Source: Agencies

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