ROUND TABLE

I believe that it is possible for Montenegro to tear itself away from the clutches of Greater Serbia. However, a greater interest in Montenegro and its fate should be taken so that it can begin to exist as an independent and sovereign state, as it had once existed for almost a thousand years. Montenegrian representatives are going to be received by the American Congress these upcoming days, where serious interest in aiding Montenegro apparently exists. Such an interest would be a normal occurrence in Croatia and even in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it establishes itself as an undivided state. Naturally, this is the case for Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria, as well.

The advances of the Greater Serbian dream were reversed by the Croatian army and police by “Operation Oluja”. But, the possibility for the actualization of the Greater Serbian dream will continue to exist, as long as Montenegro is in Serbia’s “brotherly” (deadly) embrace. The total defeat of Greater Serbia will occur only after Montenegro tears itself away from the clutches of Greater Serbia and establishes itself as a sovereign state which it was before Serbia, that is, Raska or Rescija.

I share the same opinion with Mr. Steven Dedijer who stated here, today, that a civil war would most probably break out in Serbia and possibly conclude in a similar manner to the war in Romania. The danger exists that Serbia, being the military and police state that it is, with no real opposition, civil powers or democratic potentialities, might swallow Montenegro. either using paramilitary units similar to those of Seselj, Arkan and Bokan, or by some other form of manipulation, referendum or fabricated elections or even military occupation for a longer period of time. This would serve as a danger to European peace, as well, especially in the Balkan. Peace in Croatia, especially Southern Croatia would also be threatened. Although, not as planned, Greater Serbia would in effect be a greater Serbia by swallowing Montenegro. It would gain access to the sea. This would make nationalistic Russia’s access to the sea possible, as well, which, considering its capitalistic nature, could prove to be more dangerous than communist Russia for Europe and the world. From all of these signs, hypothesis and realistic possibilities, it can be inferred that the world and Europe must lend a helping hand to Montenegro, so that it may tear itself away from Greater Serbia. I believe that the U.S.A are becoming increasingly conscious of the fact that they must soon address the Montenegrian problem; they must take into account that Montenegro is the most significant factor with respect to Serbia and Russia’s access to the Adriatic Sea and their becoming Mediterranean countries. The century old situation of the Mediterranean must be respected and must be seriously taken into consideration. Those who have not been Mediterranean people and a state which has not been a Mediterranean state nor had access to the sea for centuries, should not be given this opportunity in the twentieth century. The Mediterranean geographic process has long since been completed and no one else should be allowed governmental or military access. Serbia is not a Mediterranean land and it cannot be, considering the nature of its geographic and the century old status of its state. Why should Serbia be allowed access to the Adriatic; why should it be allowed to have access to the sea, when so many countries do not have access to a sea and are not Mediterranean or coastal lands, yet they exist and prosper as civilized nations. It should be of special significance to Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that Serbia never gains access to the Adriatic and that Montenegro remain as it has always been - a Mediterranean land. Regardless of the Montenegro’s appalling role in this war, it will always be of great importance to Croatia to avoid sharing coastal borders with Serbia and preserve the already existing borders with Montenegro. Montenegro will undoubtedly, as an independent state, behave quite differently than Serbia. Even slaves tire of being slaves, or so the saying goes. Similarly, there are serious signs that the pro Milosevic government in Montenegro is beginning to oppose Milosevic and  his Serbia. A very interesting vitality exists among the Montenegrian people. As soon as they realize that someone is beginning to shatter and destroy their people, history and culture, they begin to resist and unite with all those who wish for Montenegro to remain Montenegro and to be a civilized democratic state for all its citizens; Montenegrians, Muslims, Albanians, Croatians, and all those who consider Montenegro to be their homeland.

Ante Beljo: Thank you Mr. Brkovic. Our following speaker is Dr. Dragutin Pavlicevic

Dr. Dragutin Pavlicevic