The members of the Montenegrin World Association, which has its organizations in 17 countries in North America, Europe and Australia, 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 and 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 appeal to you 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.
Montenegrin World Association Members:
1. Montenegrin Independent Cultural Center - New York, USA
2. Cultural Center "Rumija" - Chicago, USA
3. Montenegrin Association of America - San Francisco, USA
4. Montenegrin Cultural Society - Toronto, Canada
5. Montenegrin Ethnic Association of Australia - Sidney, Australia
6. Montenegrin Association of Europe - Frankfurt, Germany
7. National Montenegrin Association of Croatia - Zagreb, Croatia
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 Tadić, Executive Director, Independent Weekly Monitor
4. Srđan Darmanovic, Director, Center for Human Rights and Democracy
5. Nebojša 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. Šerbo 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 Vujoševic, Professor, University of Montenegro
16. Svetozar Jovićevic, Professor, University of Montenegro
17. Ljubiša 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