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DATE=7/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=MONTENEGRO / PARLIAMENT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264207
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The president of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, 
says the Yugoslav federal government in Belgrade is 
stepping up its political and military pressure on his 
small republic and warns there is an increasing risk 
of civil war.  Mr. Djukanovic's comments came as 
Montenegro's parliament rejected an attempt to give 
Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic more influence 
over the republic.  Stefan Bos reports from Budapest.
TEXT:  Although the parliament of Montenegro did not 
vote for total independence, it expressed its strong 
frustration with the federal authorities of 
Yugoslavia.  In a resolution adopted Saturday by a 
vote of 36 to 18, Montenegro's deputies rejected 
Yugoslavia's amended constitution, which was passed by 
the Yugoslav federal Parliament on Thursday.
Under the amended constitution, President Slobodan 
Milosevic would be able to seek another term in 
office.  The new constitutional changes also call for 
direct presidential elections, which analysts say Mr. 
Milosevic could win because of a divided opposition 
and his control over most of the media.
In addition, the new constitution would dramatically 
reduce Montenegro's representation in federal 
government organizations.  Montenegro officials fear 
the changes will end the concept of a Yugoslav 
federation of two equal republics, Serbia and 
Montenegro.  Instead, they say, the new constitution 
would turn Yugoslavia into a "greater Serbia."
In the resolution it passed Saturday, Montenegro's 
parliament said it does not recognize or accept 
Belgrade's constitutional changes, which it said were 
"adopted by the illegal and illegitimate federal 
assembly against the will of the majority of citizens 
of Montenegro."
The resolution is seen as a boost for the policies Mr. 
Djukanovic, who has been moving his republic away from 
the Yugoslav federal government since elections in 
1998.  Montenegro adopted the German Mark as its 
official currency alongside the Yugoslav dinar.  It 
also set up its own police force and is trying to 
follow an independent western-oriented foreign policy.
But in an interview with the Austrian newspaper, Die 
Presse, Mr. Djukanovic acknowledged that recent 
developments increase the possibility of civil war in 
Montenegro.  He expressed concern that Yugoslav army 
units based in Montenegro were -- in his words -- 
"interfering in Montenegrin politics."
Earlier this week, Mr. Djukanovic accused President 
Milosevic of trying to overthrow his government.
In the interview published Saturday, Mr. Djukanovic 
warned that Montenegro will defend itself -- not only 
with its newly established police force, but also with 
what he called its "broad democratic movement."   
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JP
08-Jul-2000 14:55 PM EDT (08-Jul-2000 1855 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.