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.

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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