KUCAN, HAVEL, DJUKANOVIC AND MESIC ON THE BALKAN CRISIS
Unofficial translation of the written joint statement from Slovenian Language

Dubrovnik (Croatia), 11 July 2000



The Presidents of Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Montenegro and Croatia met in Dubrovnik, a city with a tradition of free thinking, on 10 and 11 July 2000

The Presidents jointly expressed their concern over the recent developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, particularly in the light of the constitutional amendments adopted by the Yugoslav Parliament a few days ago. In their opinion, these amendments constitute a threat to democracy, a destruction of the equality of federal entities and represent an arrogant denial of internationally established principles. Although the purpose of the constitutional changes adopted in Belgrade was the breaking down of Montenegro as an entity, the Presidents believed this could lead to a de facto abolition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The Presidents welcomed the opportunity to meet with Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and to hear his assessment of the current situation. They supported the declaration passed by the Montenegrin parliament, which in their view represents responsible action in a situation forced on Montenegro through a unilateral act, without the participation of legitimate representatives of Montenegro.

The leaders supported the policy led by the Montenegrin Government and its President to date, particularly the recent courageous steps aimed at the further improvement of relations with democratic states on the territory of the former Yugoslavia and the entire region.

The Presidents are convinced that the international community must do everything in its power to ensure the protection of human, citizens’ and constitutional rights of the citizens of FRY and thus the citizens of Montenegro in order to prevent the current situation from developing into a new wave of violence.

They also stressed that any forced solutions or confrontations from the Belgrade regime would be impermissible, even more so since this would lead to the destabilization of the entire region. Only the citizens of Serbia and Montenegro have the right to democratically decide the fate of FRY. They also have the right to join a uniting democratic Europe. The participants of the meeting firmly believe that the scenario of events in the region can no longer be directed by a man accused of war crimes.


Photo: BOBO