UNCLAS BELGRADE 000865

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MW SR
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRIN INDEPENDENCE: FINAL RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Ref: Belgrade 860


1. The Republic Referendum Commission (RRK) announced the
final results of the May 21 independence referendum at 1400
May 31. Turnout was 86.5 percent. "Yes" - independence -
received 230,661 votes, or 55.5 percent; "no" - union --
received 185,002 votes, or 44.5 percent. With the
requirement for independence being 55 percent of the valid
votes, so long as 50 percent of the electorate voted, the
preliminary results for independence were confirmed. ("Yes"
votes declined by 50; "no" votes rose by 48.)


2. The Parliament of Montenegro will meet soon, either on
June 2 or June 3, to accept the RRK results and adopt a
Declaration of Independence. Much of the pro-union
opposition (the Serb People's Party - SNS, People's Party -
NS, and Democratic Serb Party - DSS) has said they will
boycott the session. The leader of the opposition Socialist
People's Party (SNP), Predrag Bulatovic, has said the SNP
accepts the EU's acknowledgement of the results; it is not
clear if the SNP will attend parliament.


3. The Government of Montenegro is expected to send out
letters requesting recognition soon after the parliamentary
vote.

POLT