MONTENEGRO REQUESTS USG RECOGNITION OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 000894 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MW SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO REQUESTS USG RECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENCE BELGRADE 00000894 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. At OOB June 5, Embassy, with copy to Consulate, received from the Government of Montengro its request that the Government of the United States of America recognize the independence of the Republic of Montenegro, as decided by the public referendum on May 21 and declared by the Parliament on June 3. Cable will follow on other developments relating to the Montenegrin declaration of independence. ¶2. Begin text of cover letter: No. 03/09-981/12 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Montenegro presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to convey the letter of H.E. Mr. Miodrag Vlahovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Montenegro to H.E. Ms. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of the United States of America. The Ministry would highly appreciate if you could forward the letter to its esteemed recipient at earliest convenience. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Montenegro avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Podgorica, June 4, 2006 END TEXT OF COVER LETTER. ¶3. Begin text of letter from Montenegrin Foreign Minister Vlahovic to Secretary Rice, dated Podgorica, June 4, 2006: Addressed to: H.E. Ms.Condolezza Rice Secretary of State SIPDIS United States of America Washington, D.C. Your Excellency, It is a great honor to inform you that citizens of the Republic of Montenegro have voted in favor of the independence, in the democratic referendum on its state- legal status, held on May 21st 2006. The referendum was held in compliance with the Article 60 of the Constitutional Charter of state union Serbia and Montenegro, stipulating the right of member states to initiate the proceedings for the change in its state status or to withdraw from the state union. The process of restoration of Montenegrin statehood was prepared and conducted in close partnership with the European Union, with the agreement of all sides concerned that with 55 percent affirmative vote, the Republic of Montenegro becomes an independent state with full international legal personality. ; It is my pleasure to inform you that according to the official results, the turnout at the referendum was 86.5 percent, out of which 55.5 percent voted in favor of the Republic of Montenegro becoming independent state with full international legal personality. The process of restoration of independence was transparent and fully internationally monitored, and was widely recognized by the relevant international organizations such as OSCE/ODIHR, European Union and Council of Europe, as well as numerous international governmental and non-governmental observers, to have been conducted in accordance with the best international standards and practice, in a fair and democratic manner. In line with the freely expressed will of people, the Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro, on its session held on June 3rd, 2006, ascertained the outcome of the referendum and adopted the Decision on proclamation of independence of the Republic of Montenegro, thus creating conditions for launching the process of its international recognition. Through the decision of the people, the Republic of Montenegro is a sovereign, democratic state guided by social well-being and the rule of law. It shall be based on human liberties, work and entrepreneurship, social justice and safety for all, responsible behavior in relation to protecting the environment, and on the best of democratic traditions. BELGRADE 00000894 002.2 OF 002 The Republic of Montenegro shall observe all principles of international law and all treaties and provisions of international agreements signed by the state union of Serbia and Montenegro. It shall strive to become, as soon as possible, a member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. The Republic of Montenegro shall request a new mandate for the European Commission for the negotiations on Stabilization and Association Agreement to begin the application process to become a member of the European Union. It shall also apply for full membership in the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and other relevant organizations. The Republic of Montenegro shall advocate and promote the peaceful solution of international conflicts. The Republic of Montenegro will strictly adhere to the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Helsinki Final Act, Paris Charter for New Europe, European Convention on Human Rights, documents of the European Union and all other relevant international documents. The Republic of Montenegro shall guarantee the rights of all people, regardless of national origin, religious, political or social affiliation, class, gender, race, or color as established in the Constitution, legislation, and the international agreements signed and recognized by Montenegro. Likewise, it shall guarantee members of all other nations and nationalities the right to social, economic, and cultural development. The Republic of Montenegro shall also guarantee to all those who have their permanent residence in the Republic of Montenegro the right to obtain citizenship according to the law of the Republic of Montenegro. The sovereign and independent Republic of Montenegro, as state with full international legal personality, is committed to the best traditions of humanism and civilization, European history, and a prosperous future for all citizens of the Republic of Montenegro and looks forward to develop broad cooperation and friendly relations with the United States of America. We would highly appreciate if the United States of America would recognize the Republic of Montenegro as a sovereign and independent state and we would stand ready to initiate the process of establishing diplomatic relations between our two States as soon as possible. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely, Miodrag Vlahovic Minister END TEXT. POLT