PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO VIEWS ON KEY ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ZAGREB 000608

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR MW
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO VIEWS ON KEY ISSUES

Classified By: Ambassador Robert A. Bradtke for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a relaxed June 22 lunch in Podgorica
with Charge Barnes and visiting Ambassador Bradtke,
Montenegro President Vujanovic discussed bilateral, regional,
and domestic issues. Vujanovic, who had just returned from
the Southeastern Europe Energy Summit in Zagreb, described
Russian President Putin, who was also in Zagreb, as "very
firm" on opposition to the Athisaari plan on Kosovo.
Vujanovic expressed strong concern about the impact of
problems in Kosovo on Montenegro and throughout the region.
On bilateral issues, Vujanovic spoke positively of his recent
trip to Washington and relations with the U.S., but was
troubled by efforts to obtain pardon for American citizens of
Albanian descent, even before their trial concludes. On
relations with Croatia, Vujanovic cited President Mesic as
the leading statesman of the region and reiterated his
commitment to a policy of reconciliation. End Summary.


2. (C) On June 22, Charge Barnes and visiting Ambassador
Bradtke joined President Vujanovic for lunch, at his
invitation, at a restaurant on the outskirts of Podgorica.
Vujanovic, who had just returned from the Southeastern Europe
Energy Summit in Zagreb, described the meeting as a positive,
if general, exchange on the common problems of the region in
ensuring future energy supplies. Addressing Montenegro's
specific situation, Vujanovic commented that the country
imported almost 40 percent of its energy, and expressed great
concern about future energy policy. In this context, he
criticized the Montenegrin parliament for canceling the
proposed privatization of the country's thermal power plant.
This privatization and the expansion of the plant, he
maintained, would have ensured sufficient power for
Montenegro and possibly for export as well. The way ahead
was now not clear, and if Montenegro faced energy shortages,
the government and not the Parliament would end up being
blamed by the Montenegrin people. Asked about renewable
sources of energy, Vujanovic described plans for wind power
and additional hydro power as reflecting only the view of the
Economics Minister rather than the broader cabinet.


3. (C) Noting that he had spoken with Russian President Putin
in Zagreb, Vujanovic described him as "very firm" on Kosovo
and insisting that any solution had to be accepted by both
Belgrade and Pristina. Montenegro, Vujanovic said, was in a
"very delicate" position on Kosovo, given its large Serb
population and its significant Albanian minority. A further
concern was the danger that unrest in Kosovo could spread
throughout the region, particularly to southern Serbia and
Macedonia.


4. (C) As a result, Montenegro's official position on Kosovo
was that it was neither for nor against the Athisaari plan.
That said, the President offered his "personal view" that
there was no alternative to Kosovo independence, given the
policy that President Milosevic had carried out. But it was
difficult to see a clear way ahead. President Tadic,
Vujanovic opined, understood the reality of the current
situation, but the Serb leadership had not prepared the
public for Kosovo independence, and Prime Minister Kostunica
was even using the Kosovo issue to stir up problems with
Serbs in Montenegro. Referring to the upcoming meeting
between President Bush and President Putin, Vujanovic mused
that perhaps the United States and Russia could bring the
parties together in a Dayton-style negotiation to force a
settlement.


5. (C) On bilateral relations with the United States,
Vujanovic spoke positively of his meetings during his recent
trip to Washington. While there had been criticism in
Montenegro over his signing of the Status of Forces Agreement
and Montenegro's Article 98 agreement, both these had been in
Montenegro's interest and the political "storm" had passed.
The President hoped that both economic and military relations
would expand, and referred in upbeat terms to his hopes for
development of the state partnership with the Maine National
Guard. Vujanovic also reiterated his aspiration to see
Montenegro eventually join NATO, while noting that membership
in the EU would be an even more distant goal.


6. (C) The one bilateral issue of concern, Vujanovic
observed, was the ongoing trial of Americans of Albanian
descent. The sooner this trial could be concluded the
better, he said, adding that a member of the U.S. Congress
had been in touch with the Montenegrin Ambassador to the U.S.
to urge that he pardon the accused even before the conclusion
of the trial. A similar request had been made by one of the
Albanian parties in Montenegro. Vujanovic explained that he
could not agree to such a step, which would undermine
Montenegro's judicial system. The trial had to proceed and
only when a verdict was reached, could the issue of pardon be

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considered. Vujanovic said that he had met with family
members and representatives of the Americans on trial.


7. (C) Relatedly, Vujanovic commented that the Albanian
community in Montenegro differs from Albanians elsewhere in
the depth of the divide on religious grounds. In Albania,
nationalism was stronger than religion, but in Montenegro,
the differences between Albanian Catholics and Muslims were
so strong that in one local community, Albanian Catholics
were having difficulty obtaining permission for a cemetery.
Vujanovic said that he had asked Albanian President Moisu,
whom he holds in high regard, and Cardinal Meissner of
Cologne, who visited last week, to intercede, but he was not
optimistic about progress.


8. (C) Asked about bilateral relations with Croatia,
Vujanovic reiterated that he wanted to see reconciliation
between Croatia and Montenegro, noting that his willingness
to consider some kind of reparations for Montenegrin attacks
on Dubrovnik had been strongly criticized by the Serb parties
in Montenegro. Vujanovic had particular praise for Croatian
President Mesic, whom he described as the leading statesman
in Southeastern Europe. Mesic had urged Vujanovic to consider
hosting a summit meeting of Southeastern Europe Presidents to
follow up on the Zagreb Summit.


9. (C) In a brief exchange on the Montenegrin constitution,
Vujanovic expressed disappointment with the fact that
"emotional" issues such as national symbols and language had
come to dominate the debate. On language, he had offered a
compromise proposal (Montenegrin-Serbian or
Montenegrin-Croatian) only to have these ideas rejected by
all sides.


10. (C) This cable has been drafted jointly with Embassy
Podgorica and is being transmitted from Zagreb since Embassy
Podgorica does not have classified communications.
BRADTKE