Posted on 05/03/2006 10:18:06 AM PDT by mark502inf
The bloody collapse of Yugoslavia shamed Europe. But those of us who live in the Balkans know particularly well that dismantling that artificial state involved a series of murderous ethnic and religious wars and cost at least 100,000 lives, while hundreds of thousands had to flee their homes. This is not to mention the physical devastation. Such appalling and widespread massacres and ethnic cleansing Europe had not seen since the defeat of Nazism.
There is, however, one positive story from those dreadful years. It involves my own small but fiercely proud multi-ethnic country, Montenegro, which was wiped off the map by the Allies after the first world war and forced to become part of the kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which was renamed Yugoslavia. Before that, Montenegro had taken pride in its 1,000-year history and its freedom-loving spirit, the only nation in the region not to have succumbed to Turkish rule during the Ottoman empire.
But today our inspiration for restoring statehood is not derived solely from national and historic sentiments. It is about the future. We want to take charge of our - European - destiny.
We Montenegrins, who hope to reclaim our national sovereignty and independence in a referendum this month and then accelerate accession talks with the European Union, have more recent reasons to be proud. We are the only one of the six former Yugoslav republics in which there was no war at the time of Yugoslavia's disintegration. Uniquely, we defied the evil that swept across Yugoslavia in the 1990s and stood up for all that is best in European culture. Our mixed population - Montenegrins, Serbs, Bosniaks, Muslims, Albanians and Croats - stood together throughout the horrors. We refused to join the madness and slaughter each other. We took in wave after wave of refugees from the killing fields across our borders, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. At times, refugees accounted for more than 20 per cent of our population.
You might have thought the EU would hold Montenegro up as an example to the region. Instead, it sometimes seems Montenegro is being punished by the rest of Europe for its generosity and self-restraint. When the wars ended, my country was the only one of the Yugoslav republics (Kosovo is a province of Serbia) not allowed by the international community to go its own way as an independent nation. Instead, under the Belgrade agreement of 2002, we consented - after overwhelming pressure from the EU - to stay in a kind of union with Serbia that is unknown in international practice. Consequently, we had to apply for membership of the EU as one nation.
So why was the EU so determined to force us to retain a link with Serbia that was disliked by most Montenegrins? Part of the problem, perhaps, was that Europe was preoccupied with the possibility of another bloody round of destabilising breakaways in the Balkans. Was the EU worried that an independent Montenegro would set a "bad example" to those in Kosovo who wanted independence from Serbia?
Whatever the reason, it is simply not fair to deny us our democratic and national rights in order to set an example to others. Luckily, the Belgrade agreement gave us a way out. It stipulated that after three years both Serbia and Montenegro could hold a referendum to decide whether these old Balkan and European states would head for Europe as independent nations just as the other Yugoslav republics did.
Montenegro decided to exercise this option and the vote will be held on May 21. Our decision did not please the EU, which last month imposed yet another condition on us. Our independence would not be recognised - and so talks on joining the EU would be impossible - unless at least 55 per cent of those voting endorsed independence. As prime minister, I protested that this was undemocratic. But I decided that we had no option but to accept it, convinced that a majority of Montenegrins is determined to enter the EU.
The alternative evidently preferred by the EU - for Montenegro and Serbia to attempt to join the EU as a single entity - has already been fraught with difficulties. To put it frankly, the choice is between Montenegro joining the EU as an independent, modern state with a clear sense of identity, or joining as the junior partner in an unbalanced, dysfunctional union with big brother Serbia, constantly fearful of losing our identity. The truth is that the imposed union between our two states does not work properly and its continued existence would delay the integration of both states into the EU.
Montenegro's economic record in the past three years is impressive. As an independent Balkan state within the EU, we can rapidly become one of the most developed nations in the region. So, within a few weeks, I believeMontenegro will become a sovereign state, ready, willing and able to take its rightful place in the EU.
If a substantial majority of my fellow countrymen and women vote for independence, do not take this as a sign that we are small-minded, inward-looking, Balkan nationalists. We have proved we are not. Instead, accept the result of the referendum as a welcome victory for democracy, tolerance and, above all, for European values.
The writer is prime minister of Montenegro
Serbia has been home to two dozen minorities and is the most multi ethnic of the former Yugoslav republics. The fact that these minorities chose to live there speaks volumes for itself.
In Europe, as you know, immigrants do not "melt" into existing nations. They remain islands of the nations they came from, usually just across the border. In most cases, their loyalties stay across the border as well.
Croats, Bosnian Muslims, and Albanians have proven their anti-Serb stance, despite the fact that they lived in Serbia for centuries as you say. They never recognized Serbia as their country.
If you read up on the biography of Milo Djukanovich, you will see how the foreign interest was very much involved in winning over Djukanovich, a pathetic and spineless opportunist, who was willing to do anything to survive western pogroms unleashed on Serbia.
Today, the Times of London ran a story about some 16,000 Albanians, Bosnian Muslims and Croats traveling from NY to Montenegro to vote and boasting that they tipped the scale, as they waved Albanian, Croat and Bosnian Muslim flags.
For your information, the 44% of the vote for the Serb side came from Serbs (32% of the population) and Rashka's (Sandzhak's) Muslims and some other non-Serbs who sided with the Serbs. So, no, not all non-Christians, Slavs or non-Slavs, served foreign interests, Mark. Many Montenegrins, Albanians, Bosnian Muslims and Croats, however, definitely.
I see the Soros fluffer's selling the same tripe over here!
Yes the West has made Serbia a Pariah in their moronic attempts to appease the Muhammedan so everyone who wants to curry favor with the EU will turn their backs on the Serbs while the Islamofascists burn Christian Churches in Kosovo.
Of course, only Christians are bothered by this...so I guess the usual suspects are OK with it all.
And when this appeasement ends like all the other failed attempts, the Serbs will be ready for it, the EU and the fools who followed them will not.
There was a good radio segment (can't remember the station) on the Montenegro vote to split. Many pro's and con's discussed, but ultimately it came down to which path offered quicker integration with Europe. Serbia offered many government services and trade, but a slower path. Alternatively independence meant a loss of government services, but a possibly quicker path for European integration.
That is a bait. There is no substanace to that whatsoever. Anyone who knows anything about Montenegro and its politics will know that it's a crime-infested state with lots of shady characters claiming to know "top government officials." The very PM, Milo Djukanovich, is on the Italian arrest warrant under suspicion of being involved with mafia cigarette smugglers.
The media in Montenegro are either directly controlled by the power brokers or are heavily influenced by them. Montenegro does not meet European standard criteria economically, socially, politically, or otherwise.
Montenegro has nothing to contribute to Europe. It lived off of financial aid from Serbia. For instance, all diplomatic positions in the now former union between Serbia and Montenegro had to be 50-50. The cost for that had to be paid from the federal pot of money, and that was filled with taxpayers' taxes. Except that there are 8 million Serbians and 450,000 Montenegrins. Guess who carried the burden for all federal benefits the Mongtenegrins enjoyed?
Montenegrin students in Belgrade (Serbia) could attend universities for free (only foreign students pay tuition). Where do you think the money for that will come from now?
I think the coffers that were showering Mill and his gang of opportunists with money from the West until now will dry up very fast.
They have been useful fools for someone else's interests. Now that they have done their job of Judas Iscariot, their thirty pieces of silver will seem rather worthless in comparison.
Why do you discount the desire of the majority of the people living in Monetenegro to be independent?
I think this is why the word is "Balkinization".
Oh, well... maybe some of the smarter students will immigrate to Serbia from Montenegro and make a real brain drain occur in the mountain-land. Ah, there is a GOD!!
The EU (before it was called that) and the US were unanimous about keeping the former-former Yugoslavia intact. The State Department was publicly adamant about keeping the territorial integrty of the SFRY, yet tacitly it allowed it to break up. Clearly, that was all smoke screen.
If you read up on the history of Milo Djukanovich, you can see clearly how the foreign interests "helped" him morph from an opportunistic communist apparatchik allied with pro-Serb, pro-Miloshevich block, into an anti-Serb, pro-independence "pragmatist" a la his buddy Djindjich.
Milo went to speak with Sec. Cohen in late 1999 where he brokered a "deal" of cooperation (and compensation!) in the forthcoming NATO aggression that was tacitly choreographed as the war in Iraq was of more recent memory.
As we say "nothing happens unless God wants it to happen" we can just as easily say that nothing happens in the world politics without the US either allowing it or helping it. In either case, it is US foreign interest, backed by US financial interest, that makes small banana republics do nothing without the approval of the Big Uncle from America.
You have to understand that Milo Djukanovich was directly responsible for the aggression on Dubrovnik, yet he remains uncharged for any war crimes. How convenient. He may be a crook, but, as President Roosevelt would say, "at least he is our crook." :)
Thanks for your comments.
Would you support the separation of Southern California, Texas or Florida etal from the Union due to aspirations for independence from an increasing Latino majority?
Invalid comparison.
1-The referendum on independence for Montenegro was mutually agreed upon by Serbia and Montengro.
2-The Hispanics in America and Albanians in Kosovo comparison holds no water. The argument for independence of Kosovo is the same one we used in our Revolution. It is based on the illegitimate nature of an oppressive government and the inherent right of people to fight for their freedom against such a government.
When the US government dismisses all the Hispanic local officials in the Southwest and replaces them with Anglos from outside the area, fires Hispanic workers from their jobs, beats & jails those who protest, burns the villages & schools & religious buildings of the locals, and then sends in the army assisted by drunken bands of paramilitaries to wholesale cleanse the Hispanic population from out of their homes, no matter their citizenship or how long they've lived there--shooting enough to "encourage" cooperation--then and only then can you make a comparison between Hispanics in the USA and Albanians in Kosovo.
As US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton said:
"... the violent disintegration of Yugoslavia, the ethnic cleansing and humanitarian crisis of 1999, ... make Kosovo a very, very special case."
For sure, they will regret their decision sooner or later.
I hear the muslims and Albanians, along with Cetinje, Bar, Tivat, Ulcinj, Rozhaj, and a couple others won Montenegro's independance. That is so great. That cutural remark should be suited for yourself. If you cannot take the truth and reality then keep quiet and just look. Tell your serb brothers that I hear visas are comming. You may need one to get around the former republics of Yugoslavia who now are independant countries. Kosovo and Voyvodina are next. I wonder why all of them wanted to split. And yet Serbia is still inocent. Any common factor?
The minority groups helped win. The majority is Montenegrins. They had the votes. I hear Voyvodina is also looking for Independance. Any truth in this. If so what happens to Serbia after Kosovo and Voyvodina leave. You think Romania may want to get together after all the danube river crosses both of these lands. Hungary may be interested to. They make good Hungarian Goulash.
Nice flags. They look similiar. You know what that means. Montenegrins and Albanians have lived well with each other for centuries. Maybe Serbs should take this example.
do you think that Djukanovic interests is making greater albania. They have lived along side with each other for centuries.fought and shared victories.80 percent of albanians are moslem, 10 percent orthodoc, and the other 10 roman catholics. different ethnicities but all the people from the balkans have similiar culture and traditions. everyone should live in peace. the independance of montenegro does not mean they will not have good relations with serbia. you have to praise montenegro government they apologized on behalf of serbia to the former republics of yougoslavia for the slaughter house that serbia created. serbia has yet to do that why. when you smell like shit burry your head in the sand and take it out it still smells.
The EU has been stressing "integrations" while forcing disintegration on the Serbs. Do you really believe that this will stabilize the region? Of course not. But some Serbs are fooled into believing that by giving up chunks of their nation will land them EU membership. EU will fall apart before that happens.
I am sure that the political choreographers and cartographers of the EU and Washington will continue their agenda by creating conditions for separation of Voyvodina (based on what, not sure, since 64% of the population is Serbian, but they can be bought). Money usually works well. It worked for Djukanovich. Now that he did his act of Judas Iskariot, the hand that kept handing him money will stop and he will be left to the wolves . But such is the fate of all who sell their own for small change.
But nothing stays the same, and in the next era to come the empires will change, and as old empires die out so will the moles that grew with them.
one thing I always felt was that yugoslavia was broken up in parts because the west believed that the smaller the less powerful. No one can argue that Yugoslavia had everything. Good economy, military, etc. It would have been the second switzerland of europe. Politics definately played a role in its distruction. I now hope that each independant country from the Yugoslav era could find it in themselves to live peacfully and help one another out. Remember united we stand apart we fall.
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