ALBANIA REACTS POSITIVELY TO MONTENEGRO'S VOTE FOR

UNCLAS TIRANA 000540 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT, SAINZ NSC FOR BRAUN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MK SZ AL SUBJECT: ALBANIA REACTS POSITIVELY TO MONTENEGRO'S VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE ¶1. (SBU) GoA officials were quick to comment positively -- and to key their comments on Euro-Atlantic integration prospects -- regarding the results of Montenegro's Referendum on Independence after initial results were announced early on May 22. President Moisiu called Montenegrin President Vujanovic and praised the referendum as "an important step forward for the people of Montenegro and a significant event for the entire region for its development and for the preservation of peace and stability." Moisiu also noted existing good relations and expressed hope for a deepening reciprocal cooperation, especially on both countries goals for integration with the rest of Europe. ¶2. (SBU) PM Berisha also hailed the results and expressed congratulations to Montenegrin PM Djukanovic. In a press release, Berisha said the Montenegrin people's decision "makes our region more stable, freer, and more resolute toward Euro-Atlantic integration. This decision, along with Kosovo's final status -- its independence -- puts in the past a region of wars, conflicts, divisions, unjust punishments and artificial federations and paves the way to a region of peace, stability, welfare, integration, of free nations and free minorities which work in friendship for their Euro-Atlantic future". Berisha, clearly assuming that ethnic Albanians had voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence, stated, "The Albanian origin citizens of Montenegro voted yesterday for the independence of their country and together with other Montenegrin citizens promoted change in the Balkans. I am convinced they will work with more devotion for the consolidation of democracy, welfare and Montenegro's European future." ¶3. (SBU) On Serbia, Berisha said, "I also want to praise the realistic stance of the Serbian Government toward the Montenegrin peoples right for self-determination. I am sure Belgrade's attitude has aided Serbia's separation from its bitter past and helped its orientation toward the future the Serbian nation deserves." Less gracious was former PM and Socialist Party General Secretary Pandeli Majko, who said "finally, Albania is not a neighbor country with Serbia." Other politicians linked the referendum results to Kosovo's prospects for independence, noting that Serbia should base its relations with its neighbors on political will rather than dictate. RIES