MONTENEGRO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT EXPANSION OF ADRIATIC CHARTER

UNCLAS PODGORICA 000246 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/RPM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL NATO MW MK HR AL BK SR SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT EXPANSION OF ADRIATIC CHARTER REF: 100723 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy delivered reftel points for Montenegro on expansion of the Adriatic Charter simultaneously to the MFA and MoD on 22 September. Both welcomed the initiative and reiterated Montenegro's readiness to join and participate fully. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) PolCouns reviewed points in reftel with Deputy FM for Bilateral Affairs, Irena Radovic, who reacted enthusiastically. Radovic said she would immediately inform FM Rocen, now in New York for the UNGA session. Within the hour, Deputy FM for EU and NATO Affairs Dragana Radulovic, with the FM in New York, called DCM to inquire about next steps. DCM recommended that the GoM send a diplomatic note, as discussed with Radovic, as early as the MFA thought appropriate. ¶3. (SBU) In a meeting on NATO issues with Deputy DefMin Drasko Jovanovic, DCM summarized the points for Montenegro in reftel. Jovanovic welcomed the initiative, adding that GoM looked forward to meaningful participation in Adriatic Charter actitivies. He said this was fully consistent with Montenegro's NATO aspirations, and he praised the fast timeline envisioned by the U.S. He also welcomed the U.S. engagement. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: By all appearances, the GoM has been waiting and hoping for this initiative. In informal conversations with the Ambassador, both the FM and DefMin have discussed the role Montenegro can take within the context of the Adriatic Charter. They see themselves as further along the path toward NATO than BiH and Serbia and are looking for opportunities such as this to prove it. End comment. MOORE