Montenegrin Police has confirmed that Mr Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Montenegro on March 13th 2010, with his private airplane from Dubai. Police stated that “Mr Shinawatra is a holder of Montenegrin passport and he currently resides in Montenegro”.

Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters have once again assembled in Thailand’s capital to give support to Thaksin Shinawatra and seek removal of government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which they call illegitimate and undemocratic.

Mr Shinawatra is a Thai businessman who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was deposed in a military coup and convicted for conflict of interests and corruption.

He is said to be one of the richest people in Thailand, with billions - 76.6 billion baht (about US$2.3 billion dollars). That is the total value of his and his family’s assets that are currently frozen in Thailand. But there is speculation that he has a great deal more money elsewhere. (CNN)

However, the Shinawatra government also faced allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, conflicts of interest, acting non-diplomatically, and attacking the freedom of speech. Thaksin was accused of tax evasion and selling national assets to international investors. Independent bodies, including Amnesty International, criticized Thaksin’s human rights record.

Shinawatra’s visit to Montenegro caused a great deal of media speculations in the country, as well as political debates over the actions of Montenegrin government that already faced allegations for issuing Montenegrin passports to several persons who are on the Interpol “wanted” red list. Some opposition politicians claim that Montenegro is slowly becoming a safe ground for all those who need to escape from the justice and continue their large businesses. Some analysts say that this is going perfectly well with the essence of Montenegrin ruling regime, which is already becoming prominent as one of the most corrupt in Europe, while its Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and other high officials are accused and under investigation at Italian courts for tobacco smuggling, money-laundering and other criminal activities during the 1990’s. (read more here)   
Montenegrin government denied those claims, explaining that constant positive statements from the EU officials about Montenegrin progress, are the best confirmation of the current government’s position.  

Related news:
Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1108114.stm

CNN Explainer: What are the protests in Thailand about?

…

Last few weeks have shown the real face of Montenegrin political system once again. Opposition leader Mr Nebojsa Medojevic was attacked on the street because he publicly spoke about top crime boss in Montenegro, whom he accused to have power over Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic. The police arrested the perpetrator, who is said to be family-related to an individual whom Mr Medojevic declared as “shadow ruler” of Montenegro. The attacker threatened to “liquidate” Medojevic, and he described the attack as ”classic Mafia-style intimidation.”
Opposition recently launched a strong critic of Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, accusing him of protecting organized crime, especially those dealing with illegal drugs’ trade.

Serbian B92 reported that Medojevic was attacked by an unidentified person of about 30 years of age, who attempted to strike him and told him to “stop mentioning Branislav Micunovic.” Micunovic is a wealthy and very influential businessman, whom Medojevic has called “the most power person in Montenegro,” stating that “everything depends on him, even police actions.”

Recently, all major Serbian politicians and medias started speaking and reporting openly about the “Balkan cocaine route” and they all point out that Montenegro is not coopearting enough with regional police organizations who are trying to catch some of the most-wanted persons from the Interpol list in the Balkans. Montenegrin government officials deny such accusations and stated that Serbia is trying to slow down Montenegrin progress towards EU, by “transporting” all problems into Montenegro and changing focus from Kosovo and other huge domestic issues that they have.

The problem emerged when Serbianpolice in cooperation with American DEA and other organizations tried to catch Saric brothers, alleged “narco-bosses” of the Balkans and others related to them. Several sources indicated that they are hiding in Montenegro, but officials of Montenegrin Police denied it.
Here are some of the excerpts from this major regional issue:

Serbian TV station B92:
Cocaine kingpin hides in Montenegro. Serbian Special Prosecutor for Organize Crime, Miljko Radisavljevic said that cocaine smuggling suspect Darko Saric is currently in Montenegro. “According to very serious estimates, it is easiest for him to be hiding in that country, so this possibility definitely cannot be ruled out,” Radisavljevic said. (read the whole story)

Justice Minister Snezana Malovic said that Serbia is ready to cooperation with all countries in the fight against organized crime. She said that the Montenegrin government’s actions in the case of suspected drug smuggler Darko Saric were not in accordance with the rules of behavior for prosecutions and international legal aids. “This shows that the decisions of the Serbian courts are not respected and that there is no will for cooperation,” Malovic said, adding that some people who are wanted for crimes in Serbia have received Montenegrin citizenship, which shows that there is no decisive will present in the fight against organized crime. (read whole article)

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic thinks that there is not a single reason for Montenegro not to arrest Darko Saric, as there was “very clear evidence against him”. Saric’s case has been creating tension and mutual accusations between the judicial authorities of Serbia and Montenegro. Saric – a Montenegro-born holder of Serbian passport – is currently at large, wanted in Serbia in connection to a cocaine trafficking case, when his gang last year allegedly tried to smuggle over two tons of cocaine from South America to Europe. (read the whole article)

Italian Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Mafia Bureau Pietro Grasso has commented on the cooperation his office has with Serbia, and Montenegro. Grasso was quoted as saying by the Podgorica-based TV Vijesti that his bureau has the most effective cooperation regarding organized crime and drug trafficking with the colleagues in Serbia, and the worst with the Montenegrin prosecution. (read the whole story)

Goran Sokovic and Dejan Sekularac, accused of smuggling two tons of cocaine from South America to Europe, were released from custody in Montenegro. According to TV Montenegro, they were released after the state prosecution decided that there was not enough evidence to prosecute them, because Serbia refused to send evidence against them until Operation Balkan Warrior was complete. The mastermind behind the massive drug smuggling operation is believed to be Darko Saric, who is currently a fugitive from justice. According to the Serbian prosecution’s decision, the information will not be forwarded to Montenegrin authorities, until the case before the Serbian courts against Sokovic, Sekularac and 19 others has finished. (read the whole story)

Serbian newspaper “Blic”
“Blic” reported that American DEA located Saric klan leader in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro.  The USA services have recently located Darko Saric (40) suspected for smuggling of 2,7 tons of cocaine in Bijelo Polje and requested from Montenegrin authorities to carry out a search there, ‘Blic’ learns. The international services believe that Saric has not left Montenegro, that he is still there and that he enjoys protection of the most powerful people involved in criminal activities. Director of Montenegrin Police Veselin Veljovic claimed publicly that Saric was in a European country and that information of his whereabouts would be forwarded to Serbia.
‘Although Veljovic claimed that Saric was not in Montenegro, after pressure from abroad, he and others in Montenegro had to change the story. Apart from that it is extremely unusual that a Prime Minister of a country is interfering in giving of a citizenship especially to a person under international investigation for smuggling of huge quantity of drugs’, our source close to the international investigation against Saric says. (read the whole story)

Internet news portal attacked by government - controlled National Television of Montenegro.

Daily News Montenegro was shown in the main TV news reportage, as an example of “uncontrolled” media where “anybody can say whatever they want”. Even though all users of Daily News Montenegro web site know the quality of information as well as independent commentators, analysts and bloggers who appear on the site, State Television tried to accuse the portal for uncontrolled commenting where even “messages of hate and violence can be found”. That was of course a clear attack on the freedom of speech, and hundreds of comments with reactions were posted at Daily News Portal. The site is known for its independent comments and critics towards undemoratic practices of Montenegrin regime.

This is the occassion to repeat some of the comments being made during last year:

Most analysts believed that Montenegro will make good progress towards European Union, after becoming independent in 2006. This tiny country of amazing natural beauties, with only 650.000 citizens, has potential for fast development and quick accession into EU. Unfortunately, it seems that everyone is slowly realising that Montenegro is far away from any progress.
Not only that ruling elite did nothing to make things better, but even worse, they introduced many of those activities, while promoting themselves as „pro European“ regime, with absolute support of the EU and their officials. The European Union is slowly loosing its credibility among Montenegrin citizens, since they often give open support to the ruling regime. The fact that ex-communist ruling elite is keeping all branches of State power in their hands, makes impossible to make any changes during elections. Even though the voting day may seem to be perfect, none of the elections so far, were free in Montenegro. Large number of citizens are under constant pressure, humiliation and influence by the activists of ruling party, and since Montenegro has only 450.000 voters, it makes it so easy to keep control of everything. That is another reason why many oppossition oriented parties and citizens decided to boycott all recent elections in Montenegro (read more about recent political developments here)

Montenegro applied to join the EU on December 15th 2008. On July 22nd 2009, the Commission delivered the questionnaire that requires detailed explanations regarding reforms being made on the country’s road towards EU, in order to asses Montenegrin application. Finally, on December 9th 2009, Montenegro completed the questionnaire and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic gave the answers to the European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. The Commission is expected to submit the opinion to the Council in the course of 2010.

Doubts about correctness of data which are sent to Brussels

Many independent analysts, as well as leaders of some prominent NGO’s in Montenegro, claimed that answers to the EC questionnaire have been embelished and „beautified“, in order to look better. They accused government of using statistics which has little to do with reality and that facts about many issues are much worse that the description in the answers.

Answers on EC questionnaire hided from the public

Leaders of Montenegrin civil sector, as well as opposition parties, invited the government to make the answers publicly available. They accused government for hiding the answers from its citizens and raised the concern over the accuracy of the data wich were sent to Brussels. Government officials refused to deliver the answers and denied the whole issue. 
          President of parliamentary committee for European Integration Miodrag Vukovic (member of the ruling party) stated that “some governments in the region made their answers available to the public immidiately and some did it later. We don’t see anything problematic in request to publicly acknowledge the answers, but we find it inapropriate that the same people from the civil society sector insist on it for already a year or so.” Other state officials explained that they don’t see the need to publish the answers publicly.

Mrs Vanja Calovic, leader of prominent non-governmental organization MANS (Network for affirmation of non-profit sector) filed a charge at Administrative Court against Ministry of European Integration on January 29th 2010. She explained that the document with answers on EC questionnaire doesn’t have any confidental data and nor any information that could possibly damage the interest or security of Montenegrin state. Therefore she doesn’t see the reason that government hide the answers from the citizens.

          Mrs Calovic’s organization “MANS” prepared their own version of answers on the questionnaire and sent it to the Brussels. They explained that government “beautified” the answers and that their view of the problems in the country is much more accurate. This is especially related to the field of fight against corruption and crime, which is continuosly epmhasized as one of the greatest problems in Montenegro. Another opposition party in Montenegro, Movement for Changes, said that they will prepare their own version of answers on the EC Questionnaire.

Another related issue appeared with the National Council on European Integration, the body of Montenegrin Parliament. The Council was inactive for already 6 months, although its function was to monitor and foster the process of EU integrations and relations with European Union. On February 19th, National Council on EU integration finally adopted plan of activities for 2010. and discussed several important questions. President of the council, Nebojsa Medojevic (leader on an opposition party Movement for Changes) has emphasized the negative image that government creates, by hiding the answers on EC questionnaire from the public.

It seems that Montenegrin citizens are slowly loosing faith in democratic elections and possibility for changes in their country. After 20 years of having democracy, election winner was always known before the election day. Therefore, Montenegro have never experienced shift of political parties through competitive elections. Until recently, voters in this small country have been famous for quite big turn-out and 70 - 80 % of citizens exercise their voting right on average. But, all that is rapidly changing. Local elections in Montenegrin historical capital - Cetinje have been boycotted by several major opposition parties, so only ruling coalition took part in it, along with two other minor parties who are also coalition partners to the ruling party in couple of other towns. Elections were boycoted by 55 % of voters, along with 10 % of non-valid votes of those who turned out. Several media reported that a lot of citizens were under pressure from the ruling party to go out and vote, so that’s how anlysts explain such a high number of non-valid votes. Alltogether, preliminary results show that 59% of citizens boycotted elections (with non-valid votes). Ruling parties - Democratic Pary of Socialists and Socialist Democratic Party won together almost 90% of those who voted. All serious political analyses show clear signs of one-party system in Montenegro, with several minor parties which in one way or another support the ruling party, and are only used to take part in elections, in order to create image of pluralism. In November 2009, all opposition parties have also boycotted local elections in town of Kotor, where almost 60% of voters didn’t turn out. Also, another 6,2% votes were not valid, while 4,94% of voters voted by mail. Both facts are showing big irregularity, especially on such a small turnout. Opposition claims that those are people who were litteraly „forced“ and „dragged“ to vote, since ruling regime uses already established measures of threats and pressures.

“Ruling regime cannot be beaten on the elections because they use all institutions of the state, complete public finances and all Government programs, in order to make their victory smooth”, said Nebojsa Medojevic, leader of Movement for Changes.

He stated earlier that “the key political problem in Montenegro is legally and constitutionally unsustainable position of Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who is officially accused for criminal charges at Italian courts, for distribution of cigarettes and money laundering. (read here his controversial political biography).

Consequence of this is reduce of Government capacities, corruption on highest levels, insufficient police capacities, politically controlled/dependent judicial branch, attacks on media and journalists, etc”.

Mr. Djukanovic has been a political leader in Montenegro for nearly 20 years, and passed a long raod since then (already served four terms as Prime Minister and one term as President of Montenegro. Now - 2009, he again became Prime Minister for the fifth time). He started as one of the leaders of the Communist Party, then a coalition partner of Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia, and later switched from pro-Yugoslav option into leading independence movement of Montenegro. (see a video with english subtitles about his role in Balkan wars).

Nebojsa Medojevic, one of the opposition leaders announced to visit United States and speak with several important officials about neccessary political changes in Montenegro. He also emphasized that European Union and U.S.A. will have to stop any support to the ruling regime, and help montenegrin opposition to end the current system and organize first free and democratic elections in the country.  

Originally, the idea of boycott was promoted by the prominent opposition politician Slavko Perovic, on his influental blog. Mr Perovic is leader of Liberal Alliance of Montenegro (first opposition party in the country), which has „frozen“ its political activities in March 2005, explaining that Montenegro lacks basic democratic principles which would ensure normal and independent functioning of an opposition party. Last election of March 2009, proved that opposition indeed doesn’t have even smallest opportunity to make any progress as ruling party won more than absolute majority again (in some towns more than 65%). Independent analysts believe that changes are impossible since ruling party holds the monopoly in all mechanisms of the State, which are remained habits from communist times. (read here the article “Why victory is impossible for the opposition“)

A lot of civil society leaders and independent analysts hope that European Union will seriously analyze the situation in Montenegro and help the country to make neccesary political changes.

Governments of Montenegro and Italy will launch an investment project worth EUR 720mn - an underwater electric transmission line. Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic visited Rome (February 6th 2010) and discussed with his Italian colleague Silvio Berlusconi about wide array of issues.

Italian delegation headed by prime minister Berlusconi emphasized that Italy now becomes the no 1. economic partner to Montenegro. Before this project, Italy was on the 14th position on the list of foreign investments in Montenegro. Both prime ministers stated that this is just the begining of cooperation between Italy and Montenegro, as several more projects in field of energy were planned in the future. Economic cooperation was also in the focus of talks between the economy ministers of two countries, Branko Vujovic and Claudio Scajola, who signed an agreement on the construction of an underwater power cable connection. Montenegrin delegation also included Foreign Minister Milan Rocen.

PM Berlusconi said that Italy will continue to support Montenegrin efforts to join European Union and NATO. He also pointed out that “PM Djukanovic is one of the best politicians in the Balkans region”.

However, local medias and opposition leaders in Montenegro had a lot of negative comments about this meeting, since it is already third time that two prime ministers are meeting in a year, and both of them face similar issues with accusations for corruption and ties with organized crime. Montenegrin prime minister Milo Djukanovic is also under investigation by Italian authorities for what is believed to be one of the largest tobacco-smuggling operations in Europe, which caused an estimated $700 million annually in losses to governments and legitimate merchants during the 1990’s. Mr Djuaknovic served four terms as Prime Minister of little Montenegro, and is also the long-term President of Democratic Party of Socialists (created from Communist Party) governing Montenegro ever since the introduction of multiparty politics. He was political ally of Slobodan Milosevic in the 1990’s, supporting war in ex-Yugoslavia, but later turned towards pro-western ideals and brought independence to Montenegro. (read more about his controversial biography)

Notizie in Italiano:
http://www.governo.it/Notizie/Palazzo%20Chigi/dettaglio.asp?d=55146

Video in Montenegrin language:

February 3, 2010. - Montenegrin officials rejected an estimate by the International Monetary Fund that its economy experienced the deepest recession in the Balkans and contracted by 7 percent.

Deputy Prime Minister Vujica Lazovic told to journalists that  ”all data show that the fall (of gross domestic product) was not so much.” Official estimation by the government shows 4.3 percent contraction in 2009.

Mr Lazovic also said that he doesn’t know “if they want to put us in an inferior position and announce that we are forced to launch an arrangement with the IMF or it is a result of forecasts based on research in the region.”

IMF officials announced that Montenegrin economy had suffered a serious blow in 2009, with no sign of a strong recovery to come.

IMF mission head Gerwin Bell epmhasized that his officials “estimate GDP to have declined by 7 %, which is somewhat steeper than elsewhere in the region.” The IMF also advised Montenegro to urgently adjust its economic policy. These calls for changes are not new, because many analysts have warned that Montenegro needs to restructure its economy, which has so far relied heavily on tourism and property market speculation.

Chief of Montenegrin Mission to the EU - Mrs Slavica Milacic stated that “Montenegro could obtain a status of ”candidate country” for membership in the European Union, until the end of 2010.”  In her interview to daily newspapre ”Vijesti” (January 31st 2010), she expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Montenegro in the past three years and stated - “We had great success. We had a long way to go, from the initial negotiations and first agreements between EU and Montenegro, until arriving to the phase of preparations for the status of candidate country. Now, even though I am carefull with any projections of dates, I believe we could get a reccomendation for opening membership talks by the end of this year”.

Last EC progress report on Montenegro shows that the country’s relations with the EU have been positive and that Montenegro continued to make progress in fulfilling political criteria. However, the report emphasized that country continues to suffer from a lack of administrative capacity. Also, the European Commission report (presented on October 14th 2009) points out that great issue still remains fight against organized crime and corruption. This was the 4th progress report on Montenegro.

EC promised earlier to inform the opinion on Montenegrin candidacy for full membership in the EU, the so called avis, next autumn.

Many countries in Europe have dark and bright moments in history. Dark periods are marked by either tyranny, totalitarism or wars, while bright periods usually refer to revolutions, ideas of progress and prosperity, anti-war movements and prominent people who organized it. In recent European history, almost all Eastern countries experienced shifts of political systems and ruling regimes. In many cases, solidarity of the free citizens and different freedom movements took part in those events. 

In the times when the whole Balkans region became a war zone, Montenegro was lucky enough to have its own freedom movement - alliance of people of all ethnic backgrounds and religions, which was unique at that time in the war-affected ex-Yugoslavia ! Liberal Alliance of Montenegro was founded on January 26th 1990, and was the first opposition party in Montenegro. It promoted anti-war politics, progressive and independent Montenegro, and joining United Europe. Because of those European values, the ruling regime of Montenegro (the same ruling party who runs the country now) have called members of Liberal Alliance as “traitors” and “servants of the west”. During those years, hundreds of people were threatened, scared off and put under pressure, if being noticed as supporters of this movement. Despite everything, the movement was constantly growing, and spreaded hope, peace and love among so many people who were surrounded by the atmosphere of hate, fear and constant pressure of the government. Nowadays, after 20 years, the government of Montenegro does exactly the same things that Liberal Alliance was promoting in 1990’s.  Tens of thousands of Montenegrin citizens feel that they literraly lost twenty years, while the EU and the rest of international community still tends to support the undemocratic system in Montenegro.

Unfortunately, Montenegro is still perhaps the only European country that never experienced the real essence of “democratic system” - the shift of power between the ruling regime and the opposition. Being such a small state (only 650.000 citizens) makes the State system very special, and easy for the ruling party to control and influence the citizens, making sure that all elections are smoothly won by the ruling regime. In order to draw international attention towards small Montenegro, Liberal Alliance of Montenegro has „frozen“ its political activities in March 2005, explaining that Montenegro lacks basic democratic principles which would ensure normal and independent functioning of an opposition party. Last election of March 2009, proved that opposition indeed doesn’t have even smallest opportunity to make any progress as ruling party won more than absolute majority again (in some towns more than 65%). Independent analysts believe that changes are impossible since ruling party holds the monopoly in all mechanisms of the State, which are remained habits from communist times. (read here the article “Why victory is impossible for the opposition“)

However, members of the movement stayed active on the internet and continued to promote liberal and progressive ideas, in order to urge citizens that changes are neccessary for Montenegro. In that matter, several blogs and online initiatives were created, which soon became an ”oasis” for the people who want independent news and analyses. The movement has shown its real strength when the idea of boycott was promoted by the prominent opposition politician Slavko Perovic, on his blog. Mr Perovic is leader of Liberal Alliance of Montenegro and former vice president of Liberal International. His blog had more than 350.000 visits over the last 2 years. He appealed to citizens and opposition leaders that the only way out of political agony is to completely end any form of collaboration with the current regime, and to start with hard process of reconciliation and necessary internal changes. Firstly the idea was widely spread among citizens, and soon political leaderships of all major opposition parties accepted it. For those unfamiliar with political situation in Montenegro, it may seem quite amazing to hear this, since most of news about the tiny Balkan state refers to it as a “prosperous country which is fastly progressing towards EU”. (Read here the article “Credibility of Montenegrin regime questioned by many”)

Maybe the best way to remember how brave and progressive were the ideas of Liberal Alliance, is to watch a short YouTube clip about the 1990’s, with statements from Slavko Perovic (Liberal Alliance) and current Prime Minister of Montenegro - Milo Djukanovic (he was PM in the 1990’s too, read here more about his controversial biography)

The video clip is available here:

WASHINGTON - During his three-day visit, Montenegrin PM Milo Djukanovic will meet U.S. Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

It is believed that one of the main themes to discuss will be Montenegro’s bid to join NATO, and U.S. support in that matter. However, medias pointed out that vast majority of Montenegrin citizens is against the government plans to join the NATO, so it remains unclear on whose behalf is Montenegrin delegation leading the talks in Washington D.C. 

Montenegrin Ambassador in Washington Miodrag Vlahovic said ”The program of the visit is very intensive and all our interlocutors are interested in meeting Montenegrin delegation and supporting our effort towards Euro-Atlantic institutions.” Besides the prime minister, the delegation consists of Foreign Minister Milan Rocen and Minister of Finance Igor Luksic.

Montenegrin delegation will also meet with heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Robert Zoellick. Prime Minister Djukanovic will visit Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, and give a lecture entitled “Montenegro’s path to Euro-Atlantic structures” at Johns Hopkins University.

PM Djukanovic seeks blessing for his successor after he ruled the country for 20 years?

German Radio Deutsche Welle reported that “according to Podgorica’s estimates the visit will determine the future political scene in Montenegro”. During his trip stateside, “Djukanovic is to receive approval for his successor at the position of prime minister”.

The radio emphasized that Djukanovic has been preparing for this visit for a long time through his lobbyists, and that he succeeded in being received at a high level. The report goes on to say that “before his trip to Washington, Djukanovic fulfilled the condition set out by the U.S. administration to establishment diplomatic relations with Kosovo”.

(From Serbian B92 English news service)
High official of the Montenegrin opposition party Movement for Changes Koca Pavlovic stated for Deutsche Welle that the six-time Montenegrin prime minister understood the message sent by the West: he must withdraw so that Montenegro would move on, as was the case with Ivo Sanader in Croatia.

“Aware that he must back down, Djukanovic is trying to arrange a departure by the model he used in the fall of 2006 and that is why he took a projected successor Igor Luksic with him,” Pavlovic said, but “expressed doubt that Washington would agree to another farcical exit of Djukanovic like three years ago”.

Continuous accusations of Montenegrin Prime Minister’s ties with mafia: Djukanovic statements wanted in 4 murder probes

Montenegro’s Supreme Prosecution has submitted a request to the Podgorica Higher Court to question Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and Serbian controversial businessman Stanko Subotic aka Cane, who is already on the Interpol wanted list.

Montenegrin PM Djukanovic stated many times that Mr Subotic is his friend, and that he has nothing to hide in that matter. He also denied all the links with mafia and criminal charges that are coming from many sides in the last few years.

Montenegrin daily newspaper “Dan” wrote that the pair, previously mentioned in connection to cigarette smuggling probes, should give their statements in investigations of four murders. Chief State Prosecutor Ranka Carapic has filed the request based on the statement of Montenegrin businessman and former Chief of Montenegrin Trade Mission in Washington - Ratko Knezevic, about the involvement of the Montenegrin prime minister and Mr Subotic in a total of nine murders.

The final decision will be made by Supreme Court of Montenegro, but many analysts consider this whole process a political theatre, since Montenegrin judiciary system is considered to be under complete control of Mr Djukanovic and his ruling Democratic Party of Socialists. They are in power of this small Adriatic country for last 20 years, after previously transforming themselves from the Communist Party and changing the political system into a facade democracy.

To learn more about problems of democracy in Montenegro, click here.

To read more about controversial role of Montenegrin Prime Minister Djukanovic, click here.

…

On January 16th, Montenegro announced that it has established diplomatic relations with Kosovo.

The government statement points out: “the ties were established through the exchange letters of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.”

However, the countries willl still not exchange ambassadors. Montenegro demands recognition of Montenegrin minority on Kosovo. President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic, said that Montenegrins need to get an official status in Kosovo.

Montenegro officially recognized Kosovo’s independence in October 2008. Kosovo gained „independence“ from Serbia in February 2008.

After declaring the launch of diplomatic ties with Kosovo, Serbia has immediately withdrawn its Ambassador in Montenegro, for consultations in Belgrade.

Officials from Foreign Ministry of Serbia confirmed that Serbia has also dispatched a demarche to Montenegro over its selection to found smooth relations with the temporary self-government institutions in Kosovo.

Serbian press: Montenegrin knife in Serbia’s back

Bulgarian FOCUS Information Agency reported that Montenegro’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo became one of the major topics in the Serbian press on Saturday.
On Friday Serbia gave Montenegro a demarche over Podgorica’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo, Glas Javnosti daily writes.
“The establishment of diplomatic relations between the government of Montenegro and Pristina breaks the regional stability and impedes the development of the good neighborly relations, which is a priority of the Serbian government,” the foreign ministry says.
The newspaper comments that Montenegro’s decision is “a brotherly knife in the back.”
Blic daily writes that Belgrade has recalled its ambassador in Montenegro Zoran Lutovac. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said he will hold consultations with Lutovac in the next days to discuss the recent situation and steps Serbia will take against Montenegro’s decision. The Ministry of Defense announced the Montenegrin defense minister’s visit to Belgrade had been postponed. It was to take place on January 18.
Vecernje Novosti pays attention to Montenegro’s decision too. Podgorica turned a deaf ear to Serbia’s call to wait for the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague concerning the legitimacy of Kosovo’s declaration of independence, the newspaper writes. The daily cites the leader of the Montenegro’s New Serb Democracy Andrija Mandic as saying that the decision is based on the private interests of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and his close associates. Mandic explained that this decision is revenge of the Montenegrin organized crime on Serbia - which started fighting against the criminal groups.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n206908