MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT DENIES ACCUSATIONS OF ITALY'S FIN MIN

ZAGREB, Jan 15 (Hina) - Statements of Italian Finance Minister Otaviano del Turco that the Montenegrin authorities had protected the activities of an Italian criminal represent a destruction of future cooperation between Italy and Montenegro, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said in Zagreb Monday. "Minister del Turco's statement is unfounded, destructive and unusual for the communication between two countries", Djukanovic said during his private visit to Zagreb. Answering to a reporter's question on accusations of the Italian minister according to which Djukanovic had protected Mafia boss Franceso Prudentino and his criminal activities, the Montenegrin President said it was "unusual to give such assessments about a country and its president". He added this was only done when aiming at discrediting the president. Such statements clearly aim at discouraging Montenegro on it path toward the realisation of international recognition, the Montenegrin President said, and added there was almost no difference between that and Milosevic's activities aiming at the same thing. Djukanovic called upon del Turco to publish all materials which could corroborate his statements. He added that the Montenegrin authorities, in cooperation with the Italian, achieved concrete results in the prevention of cross border crimes with Italy. (hina) it sb