The New York Times

Thursday, December 9, 1999

Armed Yugoslav Troops Seize Main Airport in Montenegro

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PODGORICA, Montenegro -- Armed Yugoslav troops seized control of the main airport in Montenegro Wednesday, raising tensions between federal authorities under President Slobodan Milosevic and the independence-minded republic.

The airport was seized one day before Montenegro planned to take over its operation. Montenegro is a pro-Western republic within Yugoslavia.

Heavy military trucks were rolled out onto the main runway at Podgorica airport at about 5 p.m., and the deputy Information Minister of Montenegro, Abaz Dzafic, said that soldiers loyal to President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia had taken over the control tower, banning all flights.

Federal troops were seen along roads leading to the airport, about 10 miles from Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital. Paramilitary police officers loyal to President Milo Djukanovic of Montenegro remained inside the main airport building.

The federal Yugoslav government in Belgrade made no statement about the move.

The Montenegrin civilian director of the airport, Drago Milanovic, said that Yugoslav authorities cited "security reasons," which he said were unjustified.

Milanovic said he hoped the dispute could be resolved on Thursday because "there are absolutely no security reasons" for the army's move.

The federal authorities refused to allow Montenegrin Airlines' regular flight to Podgorica to leave Belgrade, the Yugoslav capital, Wednesday night, Milanovic said.

The Montenegrins planned to take control of airport here and at Tivat along the Adriatic coast on Thursday.

The Podgorica airport is used by both civilian carriers and the Yugoslav air force. The federal and local authorities are also disputing ownership of one hangar.

Frustrated by Milosevic's autocratic policies, Montenegro's leadership has recently made a series of steps to split from Serbia, the larger republic in the Yugoslav federation.

This has angered Milosevic's regime, raising fears of a possible military crackdown against Montenegro.

Djukanovic's government has opposed Milosevic's confrontation policies, including the crackdown on ethnic Albanians in the neighboring Serbian province of Kosovo that provoked the 78-day NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia.

The Montenegrins have been threatening to severe the final ties to Belgrade unless federal authorities accept a new legal arrangement between Montenegro and Serbia, which together form what is left of Yugoslavia.

Both sides have been accusing each other of forming "illegal" paramilitary units that have been allegedly preparing for a fight.