Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PODGORICA254
2008-10-09 17:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Podgorica
Cable title:  

PARLIAMENT AUTHORIZES MONTENEGRIN PARTICIPATION IN

Tags:  PGOV PREL MARR MW 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0975
INFO RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0084
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RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 1063
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000254 

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DEPT FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MW
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT AUTHORIZES MONTENEGRIN PARTICIPATION IN
INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

REF: (A) POGORICA 252 (B) PODGORICA 176

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000254

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MW
SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT AUTHORIZES MONTENEGRIN PARTICIPATION IN
INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

REF: (A) POGORICA 252 (B) PODGORICA 176


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The Montenegrin parliament adopted the Bill
on the Use of the Montenegrin Military in International Forces
and Peacekeeping Missions with a 44-19 vote. Montenegrin
soldiers will now be able to volunteer for deployment to
overseas peacekeeping missions. Despite opposition criticism,
the governing coalition has taken another big step toward its
goal of Euro-Atlantic integration. END SUMMARY.



Second Time the Charm

--------------




2. (U) During an October 8 session broadcast live, the
Montenegrin Parliament adopted the Bill on the Use of the
Montenegrin Military in International Forces and Peacekeeping
Missions Abroad. The bill was adopted with 44 yea votes from the
Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS),Social Democratic Party
(SDP),as well as the Democratic Union of Albanians, Democratic
Alliance in Montenegro, Albanian Alternative (AA) and Bosniak
Party; 19 deputies from the opposition Movement for Change,
Serbian List, Socialist People's Party, Liberal Party, People's
Party and Democratic Serbian Party voted against the bill. At
the June 28 session, the bill failed to gain the necessary
two-thirds majority. In accordance with the Constitution, a
simple majority was sufficient for adoption this time (REF B).




3. (U) The law provides that Montenegrin troops sent on
peacekeeping missions be recruited on a voluntarily basis. The
Parliament, following a proposal of the Council for Security and
Defense, would have to approve any use of troops overseas.





Those "For" and "Against" Have Their Say

--------------




4. (U) Dragan Soc of the People's Party (NS) criticized the bill
and added that his party advocates that Montenegrin troops be
sent on missions under UN mandate. Vasilije Lalosevic of the
Socialist People's Party (SNP) stated that his party was
strongly against the bill. He described the bill as unclear and
criticized the preparation of troops last August for
participation in peacekeeping missions prior to the bill's
adoption. He also criticized a team of doctors preparing to be
deployed abroad, although legislation had not been adopted to
allow non-combat participation in such missions. He also accused
the military authorities of exerting pressure on soldiers to
voluntarily apply to go on missions. "Our children will become
cannon fodder."




5. (U) Srdjan Brajovic, deputy of the Movement for Change (PzP)
stated that PzP would not support the bill. He criticized the
bilateral agreements Montenegro signed with the USG -- SOFA and
Article 98 -- arguing that they violated "the International Rome
Statute which Montenegro is a signatory to." PzP argued that the
decision on the engagement of troops abroad should be taken via
public referendum.




6. (U) Dobrilo Dedejic, spokesperson for Serbian List (SL),said
that today's vote showed that peacekeeping missions are
organized under an American umbrella, which makes those
countries which send troops potential targets for various
radical elements. Dedejic added "you will agree that we have an
evident problem of Wahabbis in Montenegro today."




7. (U) Ivan Kalezic, a ruling Democratic Party of Socialists
(DPS) deputy elaborated on the need for adoption of the bill,
calling it another important step toward Euro-Atlantic
integration.


PODGORICA 00000254 002.2 OF 002




Comment

--------------




8. (SBU) This law and the other legislative actions this week,
significantly step up the GoM's commitment to achieving eventual
NATO membership. Podgorica has already signed a Transit
Agreement with NATO and is making contributions to the GWOT,
including more than 1500 small arms and 200,000 rounds of
ammunition donated to Afghanistan. End Comment.
MOORE