MONTENEGRO - Montenegro chooses independence

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Monday, 22 May 2006,

08:25 GMT 09:25 UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montenegro

chooses independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The independence

camp has been celebrating in Podgorica

 

 

 

Montenegro

has narrowly voted for independence from its union with Serbia, near-complete

results say.

The head of the country's electoral commission

said that 55.4% of voters had voted to secede

from Serbia, just above the 55%

required for victory.

The vote would erase the last vestige of the former Yugoslavia.

The question of independence has deeply divided Montenegro, with its

opponents arguing that it will damage economic, family and political ties

with Serbia.

" Tonight, with the majority decision by the citizens of Montenegro, the

independence of the country has been renewed, " said Mr Djukanovic.

However, the electoral

commission said 25,000 votes were still to be counted.

Serb politicians, Orthodox church leaders and Montenegrins from

the mountainous inland regions bordering Serbia broadly

opposed secession.

However, ethnic Montenegrins and Albanians from the coastal area

largely back the prime minister and favoured independence.

Mr Djukanovic argued that an independent Montenegro will have a

stronger economy and will be a better candidate for admission into the

European Union.

Record turn-out

Indications that the pro-independence bloc may have won the vote

prompted celebrations in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica.

The tooting of car horns filled the city and youths were seen

waving the red and gold flag of the old Montenegrin monarchy. The country was

last independent in 1918.

Guns and fireworks were let off in

celebration.

Polls opened early on Sunday morning and turnout reached 86.3%.

Voters, some of them dressed in their Sunday best clothes,

pondered the referendum question: " Do you want Montenegro to be an

independent state with full international and legal legitimacy? "

In the days preceding the vote, thousands of Montenegrins living

abroad were invited back to the country to cast their ballot.

The country has a population of fewer than 700,000 people, so

the vote of the diaspora was considered as

crucial by both camps.

Montenegro's loose union with Serbia was

established in 2003, replacing what was left of the former Yugoslavia.

Both sides were given the option of electing to leave the union

after three years.

The last time Montenegro was independent was

nearly 90 years ago at the end of World War I, when it was absorbed into the

newly-formed Yugoslavia.

In the days running up to the vote, thousands of Montenegrins

living abroad have travelled home in order to cast their ballot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5003220.stm

 

 

Updated 05/20/2006 23:03:16

 

TRIUMPHANT DJUKANOVIC PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS

 

   PODGORICA – The election campaign of the Montenegrin

president built up to its grand finale last night with its most spectacular

rally yet in the republic’s capital Podgorica.

It was the last major chance for Milo Djukanovic to impress

the voters before the extraordinary parliamentary elections, which are a

precursor to an independence referendum. From midnight tonight, a media

blackout will be in force until polls close at

9pm on Sunday.

 

http://www.mediaclub.cg.yu/eng/news/archive/2001/april/19index.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

satva

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jorge Angelino

 

 

Rua da Sociedade Filarmónica

Perpétua Azeitonense, 29

2925-598 Azeitão

Portugal

 

 

 

 

jorge.angelino

 

 

 

 

 

 

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