Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PODGORICA252
2008-10-08 03:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Podgorica
Cable title:  

RHETORIC OVER KOSOVO PUTS MONTENEGRO-SERBIA RELATIONS ON

Tags:  PREL PGOV MW 
pdf how-to read a cable
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0973
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 1060
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000252 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MW
SUBJECT: RHETORIC OVER KOSOVO PUTS MONTENEGRO-SERBIA RELATIONS ON
DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY

REF: PODGORICA 251

PODGORICA 00000252 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000252

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MW
SUBJECT: RHETORIC OVER KOSOVO PUTS MONTENEGRO-SERBIA RELATIONS ON
DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY

REF: PODGORICA 251

PODGORICA 00000252 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Local media widely reported Serbian FM
Jeremic's public warning to Montenegro against recognition of
Kosovo. GoM leaders quickly rejected Jeremic's comments, stating
that Montenegro will decide on recognition based solely upon its
own national interests. Opposition party leaders commented
privately that Jeremic's comments will only worsen the already
poor relationship between Montenegro and Serbia. END SUMMARY.



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Jeremic warns Montenegro

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2. (U) On October 7, local media widely reported Serbian
Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic's public warning to Montenegro
against recognizing Kosovo's independence. Jeremic said that
such a move would represent "a stab in the back." Jeremic went
on to say that Serbia "absolutely will not sit idle" if
Podgorica recognizes Kosovo. Recognition of Kosovo, he
continued, cannot go without consequences, especially at this
time. Jeremic added that Serbia "does not want to make any
threats against anyone, even though everyone in the region knows
what that would mean. The Montenegrin government is well aware."
Jeremic said that Serbia told Montenegrin officials in "a clear
way" that "there will be no understanding of their potential
decision to violate Serbia's sovereignty and territorial
integrity".



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... and Djukanovic responds

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3. (U) PM Djukanovic reacted quickly, telling reporters that
Montenegro and Serbia clearly have divergent views on Kosovo.
He said that Montenegro does not wish to inflict damage on any
country but will act according to its own national interests,
reflected by the last week's decision of the Parliament
(reftel).




4. (U) Montenegrin President Vujanovic, quoted by Serbia's
BETA, said that Jeremic's statement went beyond the bounds of
diplomacy. He added that Montenegro has carefully considered
the issue of recognition, and has shown understanding of
Serbia's views by delaying consideration of the question until
now.



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Political Parties Privately Concerned

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5. (SBU) POL specialist contacted political leaders to poll
their reactions. The party whip for the senior ruling party,
Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS),Miodrag Vukovic, told us
that Jeremic's was reminiscent of Belgrade's rhetoric in the
1990s. He challenged Jeremic to visit Pristina to understand the
political reality there. Movement for Change's (PzP) spokesman,
Koca Pavlovic, said Jeremic's comments were unbalanced and
counterproductive and that such views risk destabilizing the
entire region. Pavlovic asserted that Jeremic was exacerbating
divisions within Montenegro and hindering the process of
reconciliation following the independence referendum. Serbian
list leader Andrija Mandic declined to comment except to say
that "the problem is in Montenegro."




6. (SBU) Quoting party leader Srdjan Milic, the Socialist
People's Party (SNP) chief of staff, Rada Djurisic, said that
Jeremic's statement was just the beginning of a further

PODGORICA 00000252 002.2 OF 002


deterioration of relations between Montenegro and Serbia. He
blamed the parliamentary vote, saying that it made the situation
in Montenegro and the region even "more complicated." At the
same time, he added, the SNP does not want to "add fuel to the
fire."



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Comment

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7. (SBU) Comment: The sharp public exchange between Jeremic
and the GoM leadership is a further sign that Montenegro's
recognition of Kosovo could be just around the corner.
Politicians outside the coalition seemed surprised by the
vehemence of Jeremic's rhetoric, generally portraying it as
counterproductive to good bilateral relations. At the same
time, Jeremic's comments will now almost necessitate concrete
steps by Serbia against Montenegro if it recognizes Kosovo, such
as recalling its Ambassador from Podgorica. End Comment.
MOORE