MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS

PODGORICA, April 2 (Hina) - President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic held a meeting with religious dignitaries in the republic - Montenegro-Primorje Metropolitan Amfilohije, Reis of the Islamic community, Idriz Demirovic, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bar, Zef Gashi, and Roman Catholic Bishop of Bar, Ilija Janjic - according to a statement released in Podgorica on Friday. Djukanovic and the religious leaders expressed deep concern at the tragic developments in the Kosovo crisis and the situation in the wake of the NATO operation against Yugoslavia (the federation of Serbia and Montenegro) which affects Montenegro. They voiced solidarity with all people, regardless of their religion and nationality, in Kosovo who are suffering as innocent victims of that tremendous tragedy. The Montenegrin President and his interlocutors also pointed to the danger of the expansion of violence and conflict into Montenegro which may endanger the lives of all its citizens and put the existence of Montenegrin state and nation and in jeopardy. They stressed that the maintenance of the civil peace and order as well as of the religious and national tolerance in Montenegro and in Yugoslavia is the chief obligation of all citizens, state authorities and clergy of all religious communities. (hina) ms