CAVTAT, June 24 (Hina) - Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic on Saturday apologised on his own behalf and on behalf of Montenegrin citizens to all Croatian citizens, particularly those from the Konavle and Dubrovnik region, for the
suffering and losses caused by any member of the Montenegrin people within the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA). "I would like to use this opportunity to, on my own behalf and on behalf of all Montenegrin citizens, especially those who share my moral and political beliefs, express sincere regret to all Croatian citizens, particularly those living in Konavle and Dubrovnik, for all the pain, suffering and material losses caused by any member of the Montenegrin people within the JNA during the tragic events (of 1991)," Djukanovic said. Djukanovic gave the statement during a meeting with Croatian President Stipe Mesic in the southern Adriatic town of Cavtat on Saturday. Montenegri
CAVTAT, June 24 (Hina) - Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic on
Saturday apologised on his own behalf and on behalf of Montenegrin
citizens to all Croatian citizens, particularly those from the
Konavle and Dubrovnik region, for the suffering and losses caused
by any member of the Montenegrin people within the Yugoslav
People's Army (JNA).
"I would like to use this opportunity to, on my own behalf and on
behalf of all Montenegrin citizens, especially those who share my
moral and political beliefs, express sincere regret to all Croatian
citizens, particularly those living in Konavle and Dubrovnik, for
all the pain, suffering and material losses caused by any member of
the Montenegrin people within the JNA during the tragic events (of
1991)," Djukanovic said.
Djukanovic gave the statement during a meeting with Croatian
President Stipe Mesic in the southern Adriatic town of Cavtat on
Saturday.
Montenegrin reserve troops were members of the former Yugoslav
Peoples' Army units, which in late 1991 carried out attacks on
Croatia's southernmost parts.
This afternoon's one-to-one talks between Presidents Mesic and
Djukanovic and the later talks on the level of two delegations are
the first meeting of the two sides on the highest level since the
break-up of Yugoslavia and the Yugoslav aggression on Croatia.
The meeting is the result of a mutual initiative, reporters were
told after the talks, which lasted about an hour, and which,
according to President Mesic, have opened as well as closed many
questions.
Both presidents described the meeting as exceptionally important
for security in the entire region. For Montenegro's President, the
meeting is in line with Montenegro's efforts to define its status in
international relations.
"Unfortunately, the regime in Serbia has not given up its ambition
to keep Montenegro imprisoned in its unrealistic, undemocratic,
monstrous, great-Serbian and dictatorial projects. However,
Montenegro will keep implementing a reform-oriented, democratic
and European policy, without being anti-Serbian but also without
being pro-Serbian," Djukanovic said after the meeting.
"We accept cooperation and it will reflect on all neighbours.
There remains only one obstacle which is also Europe's and the
world's problem, however, that problem can be solved only by the
people of Serbia because Serbia cannot remain outside of European
developments," President Mesic said.
The two presidents also discussed Croatia's southernmost peninsula
of Prevlaka, however, Mesic believes that problem can be solved as
one goes along and should not be allowed to burden the mutual
relations.
The two sides also expressed joint interest in the project of
construction of the Adriatic-Ionian highway.
(hina) rml