LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: Arrest of Djuric brutal provocation by Pristina (RTS/Beta/B92)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Pristina committed a brutal act of insanity and the worst criminal act by arresting the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric.

In his address to reporters, Vucic said after the session of the National Security Council that Djuric did not go to Kosovo and Metohija illegally, as Pristina claimed, but sent an announcement 75 hours prior to his departure for the province, although according to the agreement, this should be done 24 hours before the visit. He explicitly explained the procedure that is applied when our officials go to Kosovo and Metohija, Vucic said and added that Djuric announced his visit to the provisional authorities in the province three times. The President said that all those who took part in Djuric’s kidnapping, including two persons of Serbian ethnicity in uniforms, will answer before the Serbian judiciary. Several serious crimes were committed, Vucic emphasized, and said that Serbia will not allow anyone to expel the people of Kosovo and Metohija from their homes.

Terrorists dressed in special police uniforms of a non-existent state of Kosovo wanted to show they can occupy northern Kosovo, says Vucic. They were doing this with the help of the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX, he continued - for every one ROSU (special Kosovo police) vehicle, there were two EULEX vehicles. Another question, he continued, was for EULEX and why Milorad Zajic, a Serb recently detained in Kosovo, was arrested. “On Friday, I asked the EU why Milorad Zajic was arrested? Why did you arrest Bogdan Mitrovic? Why are you harassing Serbs? I received no answer, because it is not a question for EULEX,” said the President, adding that it was their business to occupy the north of Kosovo. “While some of the representatives told us ‘be calm, we will talk to our protégés’, they are starting an action where this terrorist gang throws a stun grenade and beats other people, not only Marko Djuric. The footage of his being brutally beaten we will show the public. These terrorists arrested Djuric, I suppose because he wrote them three times, or maybe they don't like it that Marko does not recognize their terrorist state,” Vucic said. As he pointed out, this gang of terrorists took pictures with him as a trophy and took him through the streets. “While some of the representatives told us ‘be calm, we will talk to our protégés’, they are starting an action where this terrorist gang throws a stun grenade beats people, not only Marko Djuric. The footage of his being brutally beaten we will show the public. These terrorists arrested Djuric, I suppose because he wrote them three times, or maybe they don’t like that Marko does not recognize their terrorist state,” Vucic said. As he pointed out, this gang of terrorists took pictures with him as a trophy and took him through the streets. “They don’t know that they’ve humiliated themselves. Those terrorists captured the tortured Marko Djuric, they were taking him with them, while other terrorists whistled at him. Djuric survived, but we will not let this pass. Everyone who took part in this will be held responsible before Serbia's state organs. The two persons of Serbs nationality who helped the Albanian terrorists abduct Marko Djuric - everyone will answer to Serbia," said Vucic. Vucic said that it was now pointless to talk about the Brussels dialogue and added that we will wait for years for (Pristina) to fulfill the obligation regarding the ZSO (Community of Serb Municipalities). “They have no intention of fulfilling that,” Vucic concluded. Asked why his General Secretary Nikola Selakovic, who was also in Kosovska Mitrovica yesterday, was not arrested, Vucic said that this was the best indicator that the decision to arrest Djuric was not according to any law, while when asked with whom he spoke after the events in Pristina, the President replied: “I will say nothing about who I talked to, it would be easier for me to show you the list of those I did not talk to, and whom I refused.”

Djuric was arrested on Monday afternoon in the hall of the Mitrovica Palace, where together with Selakovic, he was supposed to participate in talks as part of the internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija. The Kosovo police, who used tear gas and shock bombs during the arrest, brought Djuric to a police station in Pristina, after which he was brought to the magistrate's court. After the hearing, the Kosovo authorities decided to deport Djuric the Merdare crossing, where he was handed over to Serbian authorities.

 

Djuric: Brutal attack on Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric has told a press conference in the Serbian Presidency that Albanian separatists, with the support of certain international Western circles, attacked in a brutal and violent manner the Serb people in northern Kosovo and Metohija. Djuric says that the goal of the attack was to occupy northern Kosovo and Metohija with violence, intimidation and armed forces. “If there wasn’t one call from Belgrade, the terror against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija would have continued,” said Djuric. He says it is important for the domestic and international public to be acquainted with what happened yesterday.

 

Rakic: Serb List leaving Kosovo government (RTS)

 

The Head of the Serb List Goran Rakic has told RTS that this list is leaving the Kosovo government. President Vucic had talked with the Serb political leaders from northern Kosovo, Serb List representatives in the Serbian Presidency. On the fifth anniversary of the Brussels agreement, ten municipalities with a Serb majority will meet to discuss the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities on 20 April, said Rakic. He says that they have informed Vucic about this and that he supported this decision. “The Serb List will leave the government of provisional institutions, we will not support them. We know they will unite, they easily united when it comes to interests against Serbs. We will unite, stay and defend our homes. No police, ROSU or EULEX will expel us from this region,” says Rakic. He points out that what occurred yesterday was a test how to occupy northern Kosovo, adding that he is happy that Vucic had said that we will not allow any ‘Storm’ or a new ‘Flash’. “We have the support of the Serbian government,” he addressed the people in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the Serbs who are called by the Albanians to be part of the Kosovo army. “Let us not be wolves to each other, don’t be wolves to our children. We will find some way, if your material situation is bad, so we don’t get a situation for a brother to strike a brother.”

 

Selakovic: Djuric arrested in order to humiliate Serbia (RTS)

 

Serbian President’s General Secretary Nikola Selakovic has told Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that Marko Djuric was arrested in order to humiliate Serbia and the Serbian negotiating position. “During talks within the internal dialogue on Kosovo, uniformed people with long guns intruded, threw a shock bomb, approached us and knocked down Djuric. I was right next to Marko, but their most important goal was to arrest him,” says Selakovic. “It is not true that Marko was arrested over the violation of the agreement – if this was the case they would have also arrested me. I can say that Marko was abducted intentionally in order to humiliate him, Serbia and the Serbian negotiating position,” said Selakovic.

 

Mihajlovic refuses Scott’s invitation (Tanjug)

 

Serbian Infrastructure Minister Zorana Mihajlovic has informed US Ambassador Kyle Scott that she doesn’t accept his invitation to attend the visit of the US ballet troop at the Belgrade Dance Festival. “Having in mind such shocking, for me completely unreasonable and deeply unacceptable actions of the provisional institutions in Kosovo and Metohija according to the Serbian government article, I am informing you that I will not accept your invitation to attend tonight’s visit of the ballet group at the 15^th Belgrade Dance Festival,” said Mihajlovic, as announced from her cabinet.

 

Parliamentary Committees to discuss Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)

 

A joint session of the parliamentary Committees for Kosovo and Metohija, Defense and Internal Affairs will be held next week, the Chairman of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun told Tanjug. He says that he had requested the Interior and Defense Ministries, and the Security Information Agency (BIA) information on the current security situation with special emphasis on the position of the Serb people. “I think it is very important for us to analyze the security situation in Kosovo and Metohija mostly because of the Serb people,” said Drecun.

 

Lazanski: They are announcing ZSO, while arresting Djuric (RTS) 

 

The authorities in Kosovska Mitrovica couldn’t have planned today’s operation on their own without consultations and support of the Western centers of power, said military analyst and Serbian MP Miroslav Lazanski. It is surprising that Pristina has resorted to such brutal force precisely on the day when they are allegedly starting with the procedure of the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), which is in contradiction. “But, perhaps, this is precisely the reason, to provoke Serbia’s action and then to say ‘well, we’re now freezing the procedure of the formation of the ZSO,” said Lazanski. “Pristina certainly didn’t plan this alone. They couldn’t decide for this act without consultations with their mentors, and these are primarily Western centers of power,” says Lazanski. He says this will not contribute to the better atmosphere for resuming the dialogue in Brussels. He doesn’t exclude the possibility that there is a link between the expulsion of Russian diplomats and tensions between the West and Russia with the events in Kosovo and Metohija. “I wouldn’t exclude the possibility between the foreign policy events in Europe and what is happening in Kosovska Mitrovica today,” said Lazanski.

 

Dodik: Impermissible humiliation of Serbia (Radio Belgrade)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik has told Radio Belgrade that the events in northern Kosovska Mitrovica a blunt demonstration of force and impermissible humiliation of Serbia. He says that he empathizes with Djuric and the people in Kosovo and that he was sorry over the incidents. This is arrogance that has been stored with incentives that the Pristina authorities are receiving from the foreign factor in an attempt to demonstrate their authority in the region of Kosovska Mitrovica,” said Dodik.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Ivanic sends letter to Dodik: B&H Presidency has exclusive competence to adopt strategy of foreign policy of B&H (BNTV)

 

Serb member of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic (PDP) said in an open letter that he sent to RS President and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik that the foreign policy strategy passed by B&H Presidency on 13 March represents a principled document that was passed in line with the Constitution of B&H and recommendations of leading experts in the RS. The letter comes as Ivanic’s response to Dodik’s recent letters and criticism sent to him. Ivanic stressed in the letter that Dodik should not preach to him about things that he knows nothing about. “The RS President’s argumentation is miserable and his criticism are full of severe attributes and offenses,” Ivanic stated. He explained that the foreign policy strategy is a document that can be passed by B&H Presidency only in line with competences defined in the Constitution of B&H and there is no obligation to hold any kind of public debate on this topic. “I have never asked you to advise me on issues on which the RS President decides in line with the Constitution, so I expect you not to meddle with competences of the B&H Presidency member,” Ivanic stressed. He added that Dodik’s criticism represent just an attempt to discredit him since he is Dodik’s counter-candidate for the post of a Serb member of B&H Presidency in the upcoming general elections in B&H. The letter also reads that Ivanic has no intention to lead “such a dirty campaign that Dodik has already started.” Ivanic also said in his letter that the foreign policy strategy indicates the need for B&H to actively follow the common foreign and security policy of the EU in the EU accession process, noting that he is surprised that Dodik considers this obligation to be wrong - although it is an obligation of any country that tends to become the EU member state. He reminded that this obligation was also clearly stated in the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and B&H, which was signed by former B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Chairman Nikola Spiric (SNSD). Ivanic also reminded that answers to the EC’s Questionnaire – which were passed by the RS government led by RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic (SNSD) - also include the same attitude towards the common foreign and security policy of the EU. He stressed that he is shocked by level of Dodik’s ignorance regarding the things passed by the RS institutions, which is obvious from Dodik’s letters sent to him. Ivanic also called on Dodik not to fabricate things and frame him up with alleged imposing of sanctions against Russia. He reminded Dodik that the aforementioned strategy does not mention B&H’s accession to NATO, concluding that B&H cannot become the NATO member state as long as Serbia is non-NATO nation. Ivanic’s letter also stressed that the current level of relations with NATO is a consequence of joint decisions reached by Dodik and SNSD, so B&H bodies cannot influence activation of the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP).

 

Dodik: Ivanic did not explain anything in letter (RTRS)

 

Dodik responded to Ivanic’s letter and stated that Ivanic did not explain anything in the letter, as to why he supported the adoption of Foreign Policy Strategy of B&H, but used the letter to praise himself even more. Dodik added that the RS citizens have the right to know who were the experts that Ivanic consulted when this Strategy was formed. “Ivanic advocated institutional solution of issues and problems, but only in cases that did not have anything to do with his work. I would not comment Ivanic’s imputations regarding B&H’s NATO and EU path, because he is well aware that his acts are just pure manipulations,” said Dodik, adding that this Strategy does not include the opinion of the RS officials, which is unacceptable. “By voting for such a document, Mladen Ivanic has trampled and humiliated the RS and all its institutions, taking away RS’ right to participate in something that directly affects the RS and to what the RS in entitled to, and that is the foreign policy,” said Dodik.

 

Kristo: B&H to fall into constitutional crisis (Glas Srpske)

 

Speaker of the House of Representatives of the parliament of B&H Borjana Kristo (HDZ B&H) said that the Election Law has to be amended in order for elections to take place and results to be implemented. “It seems to me that Bosniak parties, especially SDA, are doing everything they can to prevent implementation of decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H,” Kristo said, adding that B&H might fall not only into political but into constitutional crisis as well. Daily reminded that the B&H CC declared unconstitutional two provisions of the Election Law of B&H, related to election of delegates in the House of Peoples of the parliament of the FB&H.

 

Russia considers Croatia’s decision to be unfriendly act (Hina)

 

The Russian Embassy in Croatia expressed regret over the Croatian government's decision to expel a Russian diplomat as a sign of solidarity with the United Kingdom over the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in the UK, describing its decision as an act of hostility. By deciding to expel a Russian diplomat, Croatia has sided with the United States and 14 EU member states in a coordinated response to the poisoning of the former Russian double agent and his daughter in early March. The Russian Embassy said it deeply regretted that Croatia, in a show of bloc solidarity with certain EU and NATO countries, had made a hasty and ill-judged decision whose consequences would have a negative impact on the development of the two countries' relations, including their trade and economic cooperation. It added that the latest developments were all the more regrettable as they were occurring at a time when the Croatia-Russia cooperation was starting to develop at an appropriate pace. "We consider this act unfriendly and contrary to objectives and interests of Russia-Croatia relations, not to mention the search for the reasons and those responsible for the incident that occurred in Salisbury on 4 March, the investigation of which is biased," the embassy said. It also noted that Russia would respond and that counter-measures would follow in the shortest time possible. Addressing a news conference earlier in the day, Prime Minister Plenkovic said that Croatia had decided to show solidarity with the UK in sending a political message to Russia over the attack on the Russian double agent by declaring an unnamed Russian diplomat in Croatia a persona non grata. "This is a political message of solidarity given the nature of the attack in the UK, which is our ally and partner in the EU and NATO," said Plenkovic. The Russian foreign ministry issued a statement denouncing the expulsions as "an unfriendly step" based on alliances rather than evidence. "The provocative gesture of the so-called solidarity of these countries with London, which blindly followed the British authorities in the so-called Skripal case and which never got around to sort out the circumstances of the incident, is a continuation of the confrontational policy to escalate the situation," the statement said.

 

Seven candidates at the presidential election (MINA)

 

Seven candidates will take part in the presidential election in Montenegro, which will be held on 15 April. The deadline for submitting presidential candidacies expired at midnight. Milo Djukanovic, Mladen Bojanic, Draginja Vuksanovic, Vasilije Milickovic, Marko Milacic, Dobrilo Dedeic and Hazbija Kalac will take part in the elections. Candidates’ position draw will be held tomorrow.

 

Zaev expects for name talks to move toward mutually acceptable solution (MIA)

 

On 30 March it should be clear which direction Skopje-Athens negotiations are to take in regard to settling the name dispute, Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told reporters on Monday.

“I expect for the next step forward to a solution, acceptable for both side, to be made on 30 March, when the (name) negotiation process should enter its essential stage. Hence I expect for the (name negotiations) to move toward something that could bring us to solution,” Zaev said.

He said his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, who visited Skopje last week, was focused on the significance of the cooperation between the two countries.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and his Greek counterpart Kotzias will meet United Nations Envoy in the name talks Matthew Nimetz on 30 March in Vienna.

 

Macedonia expels Russian diplomat after consultations with EU and NATO (MIA)

 

Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a press release Monday saying it has decided to expel one Russian diplomat over the poisoning of Russian ex-spy in the UK.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs after close consultations with our EU, NATO allies, partners and in a gesture of solidarity with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has decided to expel one Russian diplomat over the Skripal case in line with the Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961,” MoFA said in a press release. Illegal use of a chemical weapons violates the international law and affects on the security of all countries, the press release reads. The United States and its European allies are expelling dozens of Russian diplomats in a coordinated response to the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK, the BBC reported. It is said to be the largest collective expulsion of Russian intelligence officers in history. Twenty-one countries have aligned with the UK, expelling more than 100 diplomats.

The United Kingdom earlier this month sent home 23 Russian diplomats -- after saying Russia was behind the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England -- and the following countries said today they, too, are expelling Russian diplomats: US - 60 diplomats (and it said it would close Russia's consulate in Seattle); Ukraine - 13 diplomats; Canada: - 4 diplomats (and it said three others' applications to serve in Canada); Poland - 4 diplomats; France - 4 diplomats; Germany - 4 diplomats; Lithuania - 3 diplomats; Czech Republic - 3 diplomats; Netherlands: 2 diplomats; Denmark: 2 diplomats; Spain: 2 diplomats; Italy: 2 diplomats; Estonia - 1 diplomat; Romania - 1 diplomat; Croatia - 1 diplomat; Finland - 1 diplomat; Latvia - 1 diplomat; Sweden - 1 diplomat and Albania - 2 diplomats.

 

Dimitrov: Expelled Russian diplomat exceeded mandate (MIA)

 

The decision to expel the Russian diplomat from Macedonia was reached after careful contemplation and analysis, said Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov on Tuesday. "The decision is based on two elements. One is the international element, i.e. the chemical weapons' attack in Great Britain and the solidarity asked by our allies, resulting in the synchronized action we witnessed yesterday," Dimitrov told reporters at a joint press conference with Austrian counterpart Karin Kneissl. According to him, there is also national grounds for the step undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Namely, the expelled individual exceeded the mandate and the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. "This reaction aims at protecting the national interest, the integrity of institutions, and the country's security. We want friendly relations with all countries, based on sincerity and understanding of the strategic and key interests of both sides," added Dimitrov. He said the activities included an attempt to obtain classified information that is important for Macedonia's security. "The diplomat's identity is the point of interest. We are obliged to protect it, out of respect to the Russian Federation and the diplomat's personal safety. Our knowledge is based on evidence and we have no dilemma there were such attempts," said Dimitrov. According to him, there are misunderstandings between friends, but the friendship is stronger when they are overcome.

Kneissl said Austria supports Great Britain regarding the attack response, but the expelling of diplomats is a bilateral issue that needs evaluation. "It is important to leave the channels of communication open in difficult times. Austria promotes a policy of neutrality and we have always held the role of someone who builds bridges. This is the tradition of Austrian diplomacy," stressed Kneissl.

The spirit and tradition of Vienna will maybe help us in moving the issue forward and produce something specific and visible towards its overcoming. This problem is of highest importance for us, but also for the other side. However it also has important regional implications and affects EU policy on the Balkans, said Dimitrov. "We have exchanged draft-agreements, the positions and arguments of both sides need to be taken into consideration. This is the path that leads to solution," Dimitrov told reporters at a joint press conference with Kneissl. "We are neighbors and if one feels hurt or treated unjustly, then the operation has failed, because the objective of this process is to come closer, solve a decades-long problem, learn to trust each other and be allies, because the solution will lead to us being allies in EU and NATO," said Dimitrov.

He stressed that EU candidate-states have to compete on who is better at implementing reforms at home, but the process of overcoming bilateral disputes should be a competition of who has the pro-European approach, reflecting the times we are living in. "During the 2015 migrant crisis, Europe witnessed how much Balkans' stability affects EU's stability. Although this is a bilateral issue, there is shared responsibility over the opening of Macedonia's path towards the Union. The country has been in the waiting room since 2005 and we have lost a generation to this issue. It would be very sad if we failed to open that door because of issues that do not fit the times we are living in, as well as the European values of celebrating diversity," said Dimitrov. He expressed hope that Macedonia would launch the accession talks during Austria's EU Presidency in the second half of 2018. Kneissl voiced satisfaction that her country could offer support to both sides. "We are pleased to host the dialogue and provide another form of diplomacy - giving services. We are not mediators but provide the site for talks," said Kneissl. According to her, language and its precise use is an essential tool of diplomacy, adding there are many creative people who want to reach a solution.

 

Russian Embassy in Skopje: Macedonia to suffer consequences over expelling of Russia diplomat; British Ambassador welcomes decision (MIA)

 

Macedonia will suffer consequences over the decision to expel a Russian diplomat, Russia’s Embassy in Skopje said in a Twitter message late Monday.

British Ambassador to Macedonia Charles Garrett commended late Monday the decision of the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expel one Russian diplomat over the poisoning of Russian ex-spy in the UK. “Welcome this response from Macedonia as part of exceptional, united action from international community to Russian nerve agent attack on British soil.  Powerful show of solidarity,” Ambassador Garrett said in his Twitter message.

 

Albanian Minister orders expulsion of two Russian diplomats (ADN)

 

Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs ordered on Monday the expulsion of two Russian diplomats. Those are Vladislav Filipov, military attaches and Alexey Nikolaevich Balashov, first secretary of the Russian Embassy to Tirana. The decision was made public by the ministry after a meeting held with Ambassador Alexander Karpushin. "The Russian Ambassador received a verbal declaration as non grata of the two Russian diplomats whose activity does not comply with their diplomatic status," ministry informed.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Serbia’s President Vucic Favors “Compromise” on Kosovo? Geopolitical “Rebalancing” of the Balkans? (Oriental Review, by Andrew Korybko, 24 March 2018)

 

The Serbian government is contemplating a “compromise” over Kosovo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Wess Mitchell last week that his country was “ready to talk about possible compromises” in order to enter the EU, a radical policy shift that’s long been suspected by his critics and which would have to include changing the constitution in order to be legal. It’s not yet known exactly what he intends to “compromise” on, but individuals such as Timothy Less have been speculating since the end of 2016 that it could amount to a territorial swap whereby the northern Serbian-populated regions of the breakaway province are returned to Belgrade in exchange for the remaining Albanian-inhabited majority of the territory being de-facto recognized by the government as an “independent state”.

The problem with this supposedly “pragmatic” proposal – apart from its dubious morality in surrendering the historic cradle of Serbian civilization and the legal complexities inherent in changing the constitution – is that it could easily produce a “domino effect” throughout the region that sees other geopolitical changes occur as well. Serbia’s majority-Muslim region of Raška, which is commonly referred to by its generic Ottoman-era designation of “Sandzak” whenever it’s mentioned by the Mainstream Media, could possibly be next on the chopping block, as could the Kosovo-bordering and Albanian-populated Preševo Valley. Looking beyond Serbia, Macedonia might end up being “federalized” or outright partitioned between its ethnic Macedonian majority and Albanian minority, which could pave the way for both a “Greater Albania” and a “Big Bulgaria” with time.

Bosnia is another Balkan country that could be immediately affected by any speculative “territorial swaps” or “compromises”, as it’s well known that the country’s Serbian half has been proudly protecting its autonomy in the face of the steady and unconstitutional centralizing tendency from Sarajevo. Current Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations and commander of the United States European Command Curtis Scaparrotti recently fear mongered to Congress that “the Serb population” is a “matter of concern” for him “in particular”, confirming that this Russian-friendly people are still in the US’ crosshairs after almost a quarter of century since the NATO War on Bosnia. Interestingly, the US is publicly against the creation of a separate Croat political entity in this fractured nation, but it’s conceivable that it could also “compromise” on this under the pretext that it’s necessary to stop “Serbian secessionism” in the country. There’s no way to know for sure whether any of these interconnected scenarios would materialize if President Vucic “compromises” on Kosovo, but there’s also no avoiding the fact that the Balkans have always been a geopolitical Pandora’s Box where even the seemingly smallest developments have a tendency to catalyze fast-moving change throughout the region. Another thing to keep in mind is that the US is the only outside power capable of guiding the course of events here because the extent of Russian influence in the Balkans has been largely exaggerated. Moscow wields much more energy and industrial sway than it does political, and as for China, it only cares about the security of its trade routes and logistics centers. Only America has the military-intelligence wherewithal to effect tangible change in the region, and everything that it seeks to do in this regard will be to the benefit of its EU allies and NATO.

Andrew Korybko is an American Moscow-based political analyst specializing in the relationship between the US strategy in Afro-Eurasia, China’s One Belt One Road global vision of New Silk Road connectivity, and Hybrid Warfare. He is a frequent contributor to Global Research.

 

New leader of Montenegro needs to normalize relations with Serbia, Russia (EurAsia Daily, 23 March 2018)

 

Montenegro will see presidential election on April 15. On March 19, the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) nominated its presidential candidate Milo Djukanovic, who previously run for president and prime minister. Montenegro’s accession to NATO in the spring of 2017 is believed to be the key result of the country’s policy. To avoid the mistakes of the previous parliamentary elections, opposition has united around a single candidate. Most of the opposition parties are going to support presidential candidate Mladen Bojanić. The Central Election Commission has registered another three candidates: Hazbija Kalač (Justice and Reconciliation Party), Vasilije Miličković (independent candidate) and Marko Milačić Prava Crna Gora (True Montenegro). Ljubomir Radinovic, chairman of the Society of Russian-Serbian-Montenegrin Friendship and head of the Motherland Party regional office in Voronezh, presented his forecasts of the upcoming presidential race in Montenegro to EADaily. It is hard to forecast the situation. I’d say that that the candidate of DPS and candidate of the united opposition Mladen Bojanić have almost similar chances for victory. The signature campaign will end within the current week and Bojanić’s candidature will become official. He represents at once several opposition parties: Democratic Montenegro, Democratic Front, Socialist Peoples’ Party and Movement URA. It is at least 90% of the opposition voters. Besides Bojanić, another two opposition candidates are running for president. These are Goran Danilović of United Montenegro and Marko Milačić Prava Crna Gora. These are quite promising politicians, but I believe that they cannot reach the second round. For instance, Milačić, is a young politician who will yet appear in future political processes, but his hour has not come yet. As regards Mladen Bojanić, judging from publicly accessible information and talks with the people from his team, he seeks to reconcile two factions in the Montenegrin policy (pro-Western and Patriotic). At present, his candidature may well become an average solution. If he wins, he can have a positive impact on political processes in Montenegro, contributing to normalization of relations with Russia. He is a pro-Russian politician, but he has no strict anti-Western stance either. Therefore, his candidature appears to be the best choice for a certain concession-based solution in the current political situation. Although I do not know him personally, we have common neighbors and friends, since Montenegro is a small country. He is known to be an honest, intelligent person, a man of principle who cares for his political stance and will not sell it in the political fight. I hope, he will reach the second round and get a real chance for victory. Of course, much depends on DPS candidate Milo Djukanovic. He was nominated at the last moment. We do not know if there are different factions inside the party, or the party leadership acted at the request of the West or there is a third reason. Nothing of the kind had happened before. Lack of an official candidate until the last moment speaks of some problems inside DPS. It is worth mentioning that this presidential election in Montenegro is held in shadow of the parliamentary elections of 2016. Then the Montenegrin government accused opposition of a coup attempt that was allegedly to be made on the voting day. The Montenegrin government declared that Russia and Serbia were behind the “coup” and the attempt on Milo Djukanovic. Anyway, I think, victory of an opposition candidate would lead to positive changes in the political life of Montenegro, of course, if the new government forgets about revenge. The new government should tackle the issue of national reconciliation, first, and then start improving relations with Serbia and Russia. Official relations of Montenegro with these countries are at a very low level. The future government should bring it in line with the people’s will, which greatly differs from what we see in mainstream media or official reports of the Montenegrin government. For DPS it is time to leave power gradually, including through democratic mechanism of presidential election. Of course, it needs to meet democratic procedures and avoid revenge by all means possible. Montenegro is fed up with division and conflicts. No matter who participates in these conflicts, the responsibility of the government is much higher, as it should not have let the conflict reach such a high stage. It is time to leave all this in the past and it is time for Montenegro to return to its historical hierarchy. We do not need to invent anything new – we know who our blood brothers are, who our friends are, and who our enemies are. The rest are just empty words that cost high to Montenegro and will cost even higher, unless changes begin gradually. I’d like to reiterate that no matter who will come to power and what faction he will represent. It is important that he refuses from political revenge against dissident politicians. People have been suffering for their political views for years. It should be changed and in this sense I pin hopes with Mladen Bojanić, who manifested himself as a moderate politician devoted to traditional values of Montenegro.