Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PODGORICA132
2009-06-01 14:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Podgorica
Cable title:
VISIT OF SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI, AND WICKER TO
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000132
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM MARR MW
SUBJECT: VISIT OF SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI, AND WICKER TO
MONTENEGRO
PODGORICA 00000132 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000132
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM MARR MW
SUBJECT: VISIT OF SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI, AND WICKER TO
MONTENEGRO
PODGORICA 00000132 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During a visit to Montenegro on May 27,
Senators Cardin, Mikulski, and Wicker thanked the GOM leadership
for Montenegro's partnership with the U.S., including support
for USG efforts in Afghanistan and in the Balkans. Vujanovic
and Rocen asked for continued support for Montenegro's NATO
integration, and Rocen reiterated that Montenegro would
establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo. The Senators urged
the GOM to combat organized crime and trafficking in persons
aggressively. END SUMMARY
Meeting with President Filip Vujanovic
--------------
2. (SBU) On May 27, Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD and delegation
leader),Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD),and Senator Roger
Wicker (R-MS) met with President Filip Vujanovic in Cetinje and
Foreign Minister Milan Rocen in Podgorica. They also saw
Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic in Kotor.
3. Senator Cardin opened the meeting by expressing his
appreciation for Montenegro's continued partnership with the
U.S. and upcoming support for NATO efforts in Afghanistan. He
also said he supported NATO expansion and Montenegro's progress
toward integration into NATO. The Senator also noted his
concerns regarding the political situation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina (BiH) and the trafficking of persons in the region,
including Montenegro.
4. (SBU) President Vujanovic said that he appreciated American
support both for military reforms and economic development,
particularly in the northern region of Montenegro. The
President also mentioned the close cooperation with the State of
Maine and his hope that this and other partnerships will
continue.
5. (SBU) The Senators and the President also discussed the
following issues in more detail:
--Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH): President Vujanovic, fresh from
visits to Serbia and BiH, commended Vice President Biden's trip
to the region. He added that Javier Solana's decision to join
VP Biden in Sarajevo was "a good sign". Vujanovic also
underscored the importance of the three leaders within the
Bosnian governing entities adhering to the Dayton agreement. He
also pointed to Republika Srpska PM Dodik's recent statement
supporting BiH membership in NATO as a positive sign.
--Kosovo: Vujanovic urged the international community to give
priority to Kosovo's economic development and called for
patience in the "step by step" process of Kosovo's future. He
also said that it is vital for the stability of Montenegro and
of the region for the GoM to balance its support for Kosovo with
the strong pro-Serbian sentiments in northern Montenegro and
with Montenegro's desire to normalize ties with Belgrade.
Senator Cardin acknowledged the delicate situation which
Montenegro faces, and emphasized the constructive role
Montenegro can play in the region.
--Afghanistan: Senator Cardin asked Vujanovic if Montenegro's
support in Afghanistan has been problematic for the GoM.
Vujanovic replied that Montenegro is happy to support NATO
efforts in Afghanistan. Senator Wicker also thanked President
Vujanovic for Montenegro's support in Afghanistan.
--U.S. State Partnership Program: Senator Mikulski highlighted
the importance of ties between U.S. states (such as Maine and
Maryland with Montenegro) and foreign countries. Vujanovic
responded that Montenegro is open and willing to develop
stronger ties with both Maryland and Maine. Senator Mikulski
also mentioned that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley will be
PODGORICA 00000132 002.2 OF 002
visiting the region soon and said she will suggest that he
include Montenegro in his schedule.
--Trafficking in Persons: When Senator Mikulski raised the
issue of trafficking in persons (TIP),Vujanovic said that
Montenegro is a transit country but not a source for TIP. He
also mentioned Montenegro's efforts to curb TIP have been helped
by its good relations and cooperation with other countries.
--Relations with Belgrade: Senator Wicker asked whether the
late 2008 expulsion of Montenegro's Ambassador to Belgrade
(responding to the GoM's recognition of Kosovo) had resulted in
a serious and long-lasting rift in relations between the two
countries. Vujanovic assured the Senator that overall relations
with Serbia are positive and that Montenegro's new government,
once in place, plans to dispatch a new ambassador to Belgrade
quickly.
--Global Economic Crisis: Senator Wicker asked how the
international economic crisis is affecting Montenegro. The
President mentioned the problems facing the country's largest
company, the Kombinat Aluminium Podgorice but said the economy
is nevertheless stronger than before independence. He also
predicted the 2009 tourist season will be successful.
Meeting with Foreign Minister Milan Rocen
--------------
6. (SBU) Foreign Minister Rocen thanked the Senators for
"continuing the American return to the Balkans" - alluding to
recent visits by Vice President Biden and Deputy Secretary
Steinberg. Rocen also thanked the U.S. delegation for the
continued partnership and assistance the U.S. has delivered to
Montenegro, commenting that "without America, there might not be
a Montenegro." He also praised U.S. assistance for Montenegro's
NATO integration, adding that he is optimistic Montenegro will
be invited soon to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP).
7. (SBU) Senator Cardin praised Montenegro for its "courage" in
recognizing Kosovo and commended Montenegro's stabilizing
influence in the region. He then asked when Montenegro expects
to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo. The FM replied
that diplomatic relations had been delayed for "technical"
reasons only. He recalled that Podgorica had, for several
months, been requesting that Pristina send a formal diplomatic
note proposing diplomatic relations. To date, no note had been
received from the GOK. The FM hinted that the timing of
Montenegro's positive reply to Kosove might be influenced by
developments in its relations with Serbia.
8. (SBU) Senator Mikulski asked about organized crime and TIP in
Montenegro. Rocen replied that TIP undermines democracy in all
countries and that Montenegro has received assistance from the
international community, including the EC and OSCE, to address
TIP in Montenegro. Rocen said the rule of law is a top priority
for Montenegro, and he praised the support of the U.S. Embassy
in this area. He noted that Montenegro, at the urging of the
Embassy, is preparing to form a task force on organized crime
and corruption. He also remarked that Montenegro's proposed new
Criminal Procedure Code will be an improvement over the previous
one. Finally, the Minister mentioned that Montenegro is
updating its strategy to address TIP and that this process
should be completed soon.
9. (U) The Senators did not review this message prior to its
transmission.
MOORE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM MARR MW
SUBJECT: VISIT OF SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI, AND WICKER TO
MONTENEGRO
PODGORICA 00000132 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During a visit to Montenegro on May 27,
Senators Cardin, Mikulski, and Wicker thanked the GOM leadership
for Montenegro's partnership with the U.S., including support
for USG efforts in Afghanistan and in the Balkans. Vujanovic
and Rocen asked for continued support for Montenegro's NATO
integration, and Rocen reiterated that Montenegro would
establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo. The Senators urged
the GOM to combat organized crime and trafficking in persons
aggressively. END SUMMARY
Meeting with President Filip Vujanovic
--------------
2. (SBU) On May 27, Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD and delegation
leader),Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD),and Senator Roger
Wicker (R-MS) met with President Filip Vujanovic in Cetinje and
Foreign Minister Milan Rocen in Podgorica. They also saw
Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic in Kotor.
3. Senator Cardin opened the meeting by expressing his
appreciation for Montenegro's continued partnership with the
U.S. and upcoming support for NATO efforts in Afghanistan. He
also said he supported NATO expansion and Montenegro's progress
toward integration into NATO. The Senator also noted his
concerns regarding the political situation in Bosnia and
Herzegovina (BiH) and the trafficking of persons in the region,
including Montenegro.
4. (SBU) President Vujanovic said that he appreciated American
support both for military reforms and economic development,
particularly in the northern region of Montenegro. The
President also mentioned the close cooperation with the State of
Maine and his hope that this and other partnerships will
continue.
5. (SBU) The Senators and the President also discussed the
following issues in more detail:
--Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH): President Vujanovic, fresh from
visits to Serbia and BiH, commended Vice President Biden's trip
to the region. He added that Javier Solana's decision to join
VP Biden in Sarajevo was "a good sign". Vujanovic also
underscored the importance of the three leaders within the
Bosnian governing entities adhering to the Dayton agreement. He
also pointed to Republika Srpska PM Dodik's recent statement
supporting BiH membership in NATO as a positive sign.
--Kosovo: Vujanovic urged the international community to give
priority to Kosovo's economic development and called for
patience in the "step by step" process of Kosovo's future. He
also said that it is vital for the stability of Montenegro and
of the region for the GoM to balance its support for Kosovo with
the strong pro-Serbian sentiments in northern Montenegro and
with Montenegro's desire to normalize ties with Belgrade.
Senator Cardin acknowledged the delicate situation which
Montenegro faces, and emphasized the constructive role
Montenegro can play in the region.
--Afghanistan: Senator Cardin asked Vujanovic if Montenegro's
support in Afghanistan has been problematic for the GoM.
Vujanovic replied that Montenegro is happy to support NATO
efforts in Afghanistan. Senator Wicker also thanked President
Vujanovic for Montenegro's support in Afghanistan.
--U.S. State Partnership Program: Senator Mikulski highlighted
the importance of ties between U.S. states (such as Maine and
Maryland with Montenegro) and foreign countries. Vujanovic
responded that Montenegro is open and willing to develop
stronger ties with both Maryland and Maine. Senator Mikulski
also mentioned that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley will be
PODGORICA 00000132 002.2 OF 002
visiting the region soon and said she will suggest that he
include Montenegro in his schedule.
--Trafficking in Persons: When Senator Mikulski raised the
issue of trafficking in persons (TIP),Vujanovic said that
Montenegro is a transit country but not a source for TIP. He
also mentioned Montenegro's efforts to curb TIP have been helped
by its good relations and cooperation with other countries.
--Relations with Belgrade: Senator Wicker asked whether the
late 2008 expulsion of Montenegro's Ambassador to Belgrade
(responding to the GoM's recognition of Kosovo) had resulted in
a serious and long-lasting rift in relations between the two
countries. Vujanovic assured the Senator that overall relations
with Serbia are positive and that Montenegro's new government,
once in place, plans to dispatch a new ambassador to Belgrade
quickly.
--Global Economic Crisis: Senator Wicker asked how the
international economic crisis is affecting Montenegro. The
President mentioned the problems facing the country's largest
company, the Kombinat Aluminium Podgorice but said the economy
is nevertheless stronger than before independence. He also
predicted the 2009 tourist season will be successful.
Meeting with Foreign Minister Milan Rocen
--------------
6. (SBU) Foreign Minister Rocen thanked the Senators for
"continuing the American return to the Balkans" - alluding to
recent visits by Vice President Biden and Deputy Secretary
Steinberg. Rocen also thanked the U.S. delegation for the
continued partnership and assistance the U.S. has delivered to
Montenegro, commenting that "without America, there might not be
a Montenegro." He also praised U.S. assistance for Montenegro's
NATO integration, adding that he is optimistic Montenegro will
be invited soon to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP).
7. (SBU) Senator Cardin praised Montenegro for its "courage" in
recognizing Kosovo and commended Montenegro's stabilizing
influence in the region. He then asked when Montenegro expects
to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo. The FM replied
that diplomatic relations had been delayed for "technical"
reasons only. He recalled that Podgorica had, for several
months, been requesting that Pristina send a formal diplomatic
note proposing diplomatic relations. To date, no note had been
received from the GOK. The FM hinted that the timing of
Montenegro's positive reply to Kosove might be influenced by
developments in its relations with Serbia.
8. (SBU) Senator Mikulski asked about organized crime and TIP in
Montenegro. Rocen replied that TIP undermines democracy in all
countries and that Montenegro has received assistance from the
international community, including the EC and OSCE, to address
TIP in Montenegro. Rocen said the rule of law is a top priority
for Montenegro, and he praised the support of the U.S. Embassy
in this area. He noted that Montenegro, at the urging of the
Embassy, is preparing to form a task force on organized crime
and corruption. He also remarked that Montenegro's proposed new
Criminal Procedure Code will be an improvement over the previous
one. Finally, the Minister mentioned that Montenegro is
updating its strategy to address TIP and that this process
should be completed soon.
9. (U) The Senators did not review this message prior to its
transmission.
MOORE