EVERTS: INDEPENDENT MONTENEGRO COULD HAVE POSITIVE EFFECT ON KOSOVO

PODGORICA, July 12 (Hina) - The head of the OSCE Mission to Kosovo, Dan Everts, said in an interview with the latest issue of the Montenegrin daily Monitor the establishment of an independent Montenegro would have a positive impact on the situation in Kosovo as well. Everts dismissed the possibility of current events in Macedonia happening in Montenegro. Montenegro has integrated its national minorities rather well, he said. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo must achieve what has been achieved by Montenegro - good relations in the community. In that sense, Montenegro could set an example for the entire Balkans, he said. Everts believes that if the referendum in Montenegro is carried out in a fair manner, with basic economic, trade and other relations with neighbouring countries being preserved, Montenegro's independence should not have negative effects. Commenting on media speculations about the possibility of a rebellion of Montenegrin Albanians, Everts said he did not believe it could happen. The conflict in Macedonia is linked with the Albanians' feeling that they were and still are second-class citizens. This is not the case in Montenegro, Everts said, repeating that in that regard Montenegro set a good example for the entire region. (hina) sb rml