| New state symbols have inspired the separatists Yesterday, the parliament of Montenegro, formally still part of the same state community with Serbia, approved its own national symbols. At the same time, Statehood Day was established - July 13. Yesterday, without waiting for the laws to come into force and their texts to be published in newspapers, Montenegrins celebrated a new holiday.
Now, instead of the usual Yugoslav red-blue-white tricolor, a red flag with a golden shield, on which a double-headed eagle is depicted under the royal crown, will fly over Montenegro. This flag dates back to the independent Montenegrin monarchy of the pre-Ottoman era. July 13 was chosen as Statehood Day because on this day in 1878 the Congress of Berlin recognized Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world. On July 13, 1941, Montenegrins rebelled against Hitler's occupation. The popular song “Oh, Bright Dawn” became the anthem of Montenegro.
The inhabitants are happy - they have an extra day off. But the separatists are especially happy, for whom hope has dawned on the collapse of the state community of Serbia and Montenegro (S&M) and the independence of Montenegro. The law passed the 75-seat Montenegrin parliament by 38 votes to two, with one abstention. The ranks of the opposition were upset: deputies from opposition parties simply boycotted the meeting. Budimir Dobak from the People's Party, oriented towards a union with Serbia, is outraged: “This is a historical forgery!” Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic initially sought independence from Yugoslavia, but he was persuaded to a three-year cohabitation in Black Sea by the father of the idea of this state formation - the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. Now the prime minister is completely satisfied. “Of course, Montenegro will be independent!” - he said.
The new President of Serbia, Boris Tadic, called during his election campaign to strengthen the statehood of S&C. But showing respect for the small people of the fraternal republic (600 thousand people versus 8 million in Serbia), Mr. Tadic said: “Serbia will respect the decision of Montenegro.” These days he is just there on a private visit.
Montenegrins and Serbs united back in 1918 into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which in 1929 transformed into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. After the collapse of socialist Yugoslavia, created by Josip Broz Tito, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) emerged, still uniting Serbia and Montenegro. In February 2003, the legal successor of the FRY became the S&C. For both parts of the community, it is planned to hold referendums on the division of S&C in 2006. This prospect is a nightmare for the world community, especially the European Union. Following the collapse of the Black Sea region, experts predict a surge in separatism throughout the explosive Balkans, primarily in Kosovo. Katerina LABETSKAYA |
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