PROSECUTION IN NAPLES ASKS FOR ARREST OF MONTENEGRIN PREMIER

PODGORICA, July 3 (Hina) - The prosecution in Naples has forwarded a request for the apprehension of the incumbent Montenegrin Premier Milo Djukanovic, but the request has not been considered at all given that the Prime Minister of Montenegro enjoys immunity, a Montenegrin investigating judge said on Wednesday. #L# The information about the Italian prosecution's request divided political parties in Montenegro. The opposition asked for Djukanovic's resignation or that a parliamentary commission be set up so as to investigate the entire case. Djukanovic's aides rejected such proposals, claiming that the scandal was directed against the Montenegrin independence. "This is the same old story, to which nobody serious in Montenegro or wider pays any attention," the Montenegrin's political advisor Milan Rozen said. The leading opposition party -- the Socialist Popular Party (SNP) - - believes that there are enough reasons for Djukanovic to step down. The SNP's vice president, Zoran Zizic, accuses the incumbent authorities of having allowed tobacco smugglers to use warehouses in the country's seaport of Bar. He added that there were pieces of evidence on the matter and that Djukanovic's telephone conversation with the Italian Mafia had been recorded. A Montenegrin university professor of international law, Nebojsa Vucinic, has said that accusations levelled against the Montenegrin premier have been again launched at the time when the question of Montenegro's independence is re-opened. (hina) ms