TFGG01: EMBASSY PODGORICA ACTIVELY SUPPORTING USG PRIORITIES

UNCLAS PODGORICA 000228

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MW
SUBJECT: TFGG01: EMBASSY PODGORICA ACTIVELY SUPPORTING USG PRIORITIES
ON GEORGIA-RUSSIA CONFLICT

REF: A.) STATE 87254; B.) PODGORICA 215


1. (SBU) Summary: The Embassy has aggressively pressed,
privately and publicly, the USG message on the Georgia-Russia
conflict. The Montenegrin Government has so far been largely
silent on the issue, except for brief comments, by the Foreign
Minister as a result of a meeting with the Ambassador. End
summary.




2. (U) In addition to the DCM's demarche to the Deputy PM (Ref
B),the Embassy has continued to promote heavily the U.S.
messages on Georgia. In a prime time interview on the main
national news program on August 22, the Ambassador highlighted
NATO's role in sending clear messages to Russia, including that
Moscow will not succeed in overthrowing the democratic
government of Georgia and will not intimidate those countries
which are striving towards membership in Euro-Atlantic
institutions. The interview was picked up by several other TV
stations and most print media the following day.




3. (U) In addition, on August 23, three dailies published the
Georgia op-ed provided by EUR under the Ambassador's byline.
Pro-Serbian daily "Dan" refused to publish the editorial and
instead interviewed the Russian Ambassador to Montenegro the
following day on the same topic. The Russian Ambassador
reiterated Moscow's stance on the issue and accused the U.S. of
having double standards regarding Kosovo and Georgia.




4. (SBU) During a meeting with FM Rocen on 8/20, the Ambassador
and DCM pressed the GOM to support publicly the NATO FM's
statement from the previous day. Rocen issued a statement after
the meeting that Montenegro supports the efforts of all
international institutions in implementing the peace agreement
in Georgia. The GoM, however, has yet to release any other
official statement on the conflict.




5. (SBU) Meanwhile the Serbian National Party (SNS) has been
using the conflict as an excuse to attack NATO. Acting polcouns
met with SNS VP Goran Danilovic on August 22 to discuss the SNS'
inflammatory statements to the press in support of the Russian
position (reftel B). Danilovic agreed that the comments had
gone too far and promised to tone down the rhetoric, saying that
"if it had been up to him, nothing would have been said publicly
in the first place." He also noted, however, that the SNS would
continue to support Russia's position.

MOORE