Albanians, Serbs on Montenegrin Kosovo stance

Representatives of Montenegro's ethnic Serbs and Albanians today commented on Kosovo. The statements came after speculation on whether Montenegro will recognize the province's Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence from February this year. Albanians, Serbs on Montenegrin Kosovo stance And while this country's ethnic Albanians urge such a move, the Serb minority is announcing mass protests should a recognition take place. Albanian Alternative leader and Montenegrin MP Vasel Sinistaj said on Sunday that he expects Podgorica to recognize Kosovo as a part of "the third round" of countries to do so, and mentioned a timeframe for this: from August 5 to 15. Sinisaj also told Beta news agency there is "a precise list" of countries, "according to the order of Kosovo's recognition". Another ethnic Albanian politician in Montenegro, Democratic Alliance of Albanians president Mehmed Bardhi, said that this country "cannot drag its feet" on recognizing Kosovo, since, in his words, "it is in her interest". Democratic Union of Albanians leader Ferhat Dinosa also earlier asked his country's authorities to go ahead with the recognition. Sinistaj and Bardhi said today that they think the move would not cause any disturbance in Montenegro. But the Serb People's Party (SNS) leader Andrija Mandic expressed his belief that "mass protests" will break out if Podgorica moves to recognize the secession. He also specified that he would be the one to lead the demonstrations. According to Mandic's statement found in today's Vijesti daily, Montenegro's political stability is "fragile" precisely because of a possible recognition of Kosovo, and that the authorities should not risk such a decision. In the Serb politician's words, "Montenegro would suffer shame in front of herself, her ancestors and children, and also in front of Serbia", unless Kosovo's recognition is obstructed. Another ethnic Serb leader, Democratic Serb Party president Ranko Kadic, told Podgorica's Dan newspaper that the government would've gone ahead with the recognition earlier, "had it not been afraid of the people's reaction". He also said that Montenegrins "ought to draw a line at some things", bearing in mind the need to organize mass protests over the possible recognition. "The people will never accept that," Kadic concluded.

Albanians, Serbs on Montenegrin Kosovo stance

And while this country's ethnic Albanians urge such a move, the Serb minority is announcing mass protests should a recognition take place.

Albanian Alternative leader and Montenegrin MP Vasel Sinistaj said on Sunday that he expects Podgorica to recognize Kosovo as a part of "the third round" of countries to do so, and mentioned a timeframe for this: from August 5 to 15.

Sinisaj also told Beta news agency there is "a precise list" of countries, "according to the order of Kosovo's recognition".

Another ethnic Albanian politician in Montenegro, Democratic Alliance of Albanians president Mehmed Bardhi, said that this country "cannot drag its feet" on recognizing Kosovo, since, in his words, "it is in her interest".

Democratic Union of Albanians leader Ferhat Dinosa also earlier asked his country's authorities to go ahead with the recognition.

Sinistaj and Bardhi said today that they think the move would not cause any disturbance in Montenegro.

But the Serb People's Party (SNS) leader Andrija Mandić expressed his belief that "mass protests" will break out if Podgorica moves to recognize the secession.

He also specified that he would be the one to lead the demonstrations.

According to Mandić's statement found in today's Vijesti daily, Montenegro's political stability is "fragile" precisely because of a possible recognition of Kosovo, and that the authorities should not risk such a decision.

In the Serb politician's words, "Montenegro would suffer shame in front of herself, her ancestors and children, and also in front of Serbia", unless Kosovo's recognition is obstructed.

Another ethnic Serb leader, Democratic Serb Party president Ranko Kadić, told Podgorica's Dan newspaper that the government would've gone ahead with the recognition earlier, "had it not been afraid of the people's reaction".

He also said that Montenegrins "ought to draw a line at some things", bearing in mind the need to organize mass protests over the possible recognition.

"The people will never accept that," Kadić concluded.