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Montenegro proposes split from Serbia
by Predrag Milic

The Associated Press    Translate This Article
23 February 2005

PODGORICA, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) - Montenegro proposed a final split from Serbia on Tuesday, suggesting that the two former Yugoslav republics recognize each other as sovereign states.

If accepted by Belgrade, the deal would abolish what little has remained of the Serbia-Montenegro union, established in 2003 under European Union auspices as a successor state to the already truncated version of the former Yugoslavia.

Once part of the six-republic Yugoslav federation, Serbia and Montenegro stayed together when four others seceded in the early 1990s. Relations between the two deteriorated over the years.

Serbia's Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has sought to retain the union with Montenegro, despite strong pro-separation sentiment in Serbia.

``The current union is dysfunctional, its institutions are slow and inefficient,'' said the document signed by Montenegro's President Filip Djukanovic and its prime minister Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.

The document, sent to Serbia's leadership for consideration, said Montenegro's proposal ``would resolve the current shortcomings and ensure lasting, stable and quality cooperation.''

Serbia and Montenegro have broad autonomy under the EU-brokered deal, sharing only a limited central administration in charge of foreign and defense affairs.

Under the new proposal, which Montenegro said would need ratification by both parliaments, the two would forge a loose military alliance, jointly governed by a defense council with representatives from both states.

In an apparent concession to Belgrade, the Montenegrins suggested that Serbia inherit the current Serbia-Montenegro seats in international organizations, while Montenegro would seek membership as a new country.

Neither Serbia nor Montenegro was supposed to push for complete separation before 2006 under the EU deal. Djukanovic recently warned that Montenegro would hold an independence referendum in February 2006 unless Serbia agreed to dissolve the current union.

Copyright©2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



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