E L E C T I O N U P D A T E
"We were expecting to win. We worked hard, the people were on our side. I
believe the electoral victory has demonstrated the justification for the
formation of the coalition 'Yugoslavia', even though this coalition has been
seriously attacked by our political rivals, who are now part of the
opposition...These people have lived for centuries in these regions and they
cannot live without Serbia and without Yugoslavia. They have demonstrated
this once again and I congratulate them. I am happy. I shall work for Herceg
Novi, I shall work for my city, even though others say we receive orders
from Serbia. I love Serbia, I love Belgrade and I love my homeland -
Yugoslavia. I shall work for Herceg Novi, via Serbia as well."
Djuro Cetkovic, mayor-elect, Herceg Novi, "For Yugoslavia - Momir Bulatovic"
coalition
Quoted by Pobjeda daily, June 12 - Herceg Novi
"The electoral results have shown that we have done better than our
expectations, we have improved according to all parameters and now we shall
manage to govern alone in Podgorica. We have certainly obtained 28 seats in
the council which means that we no longer have to be threatened by joining
into any kind of coalition...We have obtained a few thousand votes more than
at the last elections. Our key political rivals, this time in a coalition,
have lost 4,500 votes. We have won in a big way and this represents real
political triumph of our policies in the capital...We shall analyze the
reasons for losing in Herceg Novi over the next few days, but there is no
time for despair. Our victory in Podgorica is much better and brighter than
our defeat in Herceg Novi."
Milo Djukanovic, President of Montenegro
Quoted by Vijesti daily, June 11-- Podgorica
"According to the information we have so far, we are better off in Podgorica
than we were at the previous elections, but we have to wait for all the
ballot papers to be counted...There was no fair, honest and equal match, as
is the case in democratic and civilized countries. Both groups which
originate from the former united DPS [the ruling DPS and the SNP] continue
to unscrupulously exploit the monopoly inherited from the communist
system...I primarily mean the exploitation carried out by the police, the
army, the fact that black-market war profiteering money is being used in
enormous amounts in terms of both the express works carried out in the
cities, to create the impression of a successful government, but also in
other ways including bribery, dealing out food parcels and so on."
Miroslav Miro Vickovic, president, Liberal Alliance of Crna Gora
Quoted by Agence France Presse, June 12 -- Podgorica
"Nothing spectacular has happened in Montenegro, and no major moves have
happened, so both sides can announce a victory."
Srdjan Darmanovic, director, Center for Democracy and Human Rights
Quoted by Agence France Presse, June 12 -- Podgorica
IN THIS MONTENEGRO WATCH:
-- DPS wins Podgorica, SNP takes Herceg Novi, LSCG loses out
-- Rival coalitions claim victory
-- 95% of votes tallied
-- Over 75% election turnout
-- Election results temptation for Belgrade?
-- OSCE okays elections
-- Djukanovic: "Democratic character" important
-- Bulatovic: E.U., U.S. "bribing voters"
-- Brief street clash in Podgorica
-- Elections cover 1/3 of republic
POLITICAL PARTIES & LEADERS:
Montenegro's Ruling Coalition
DPS- Party of Socialists (Milo Djukanovic, Montenegro's President)
NS - Democratic People's Party of Montenegro (Dragan Soc, president)
SDP - Social Democratic Party of Montenegro (Zarko Rakcevic, president)
Other Political Parties
DUA -Democratic Union of Albanians (Fuad Nimani, president)
DSS -Democratic Alliance of Albanians (Mehmet Bardhi, president)
LSCG -Liberal Alliance of Montenegro (Miodrag Zivkovic, president)
Montenegro's Opposition
SNP-Socialist People's Party of Montenegro (Momir Bulatovic, FRY PM)
SNS-Serb People's Party (Zelidrag Nikcevic, president)
NKPJ-New Communist Party of Yugoslavia (Branko Kitanovic, president)
Serbia's Ruling Coalition
JUL - Yugoslav United Left (Mira Markovic, president)
SPS -Serbian Socialist Party (Slobodan Milosevic, FRY President)
SRS - Serbian Radical Party (Vojislav Seselj, Serbia's Deputy PM)
VJ - Yugoslav National Army
I. PRELIMINARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS
DPS WINS PODGORICA, SNP TAKES HERCEG NOVI, LSCG LOSES OUT
[SEE ATTACHMENT FOR ELECTION GRID]
PODGORICA
54-Seat Council
COALITION PARTNERS PROJECTED SEATS CHANGE
"FOR YUGOSLAVIA - SNP, SNS, SRS, JUL 22 -1
MOMIR BULATOVIC"
"For a Better Life" DPS, SDP, NS 28 +1
LSCG Single ticket 4 0
"FOR MALESIJA" DUA, DSS 0 0
HERCEG NOVI
34 Seat Council
COALITION PARTNERS PROJECTED SEATS CHANGE
"FOR YUGOSLAVIA - SNP, SNS, SRS, JUL 19 +2
MOMIR BULATOVIC"
"FOR A BETTER LIFE" DPS, NS 14 -1
SDP Single ticket 0 0
LSCG Single ticket 2 -1
35 Seats prior to elections
Based on 95% of votes counted (no discrepancy of figures among media or
political party accounts);
compiled from: Associated Press, Agence France Presse, U.P.I., V.I.P. Daily
News Report, and Vijesti daily.
RIVAL COALITIONS CLAIM VICTORY
"Both sides in Sunday's local elections in Montenegro have said the
results represent a victory for their policies. The elections were seen as a
test of whether Montenegro is heading towards independence or whether it
will stay part of Federal Yugoslavia. In the capital, Podgorica, there was
convincing success for the party of President Milo Djukanovic. He said this
proved that the policies of the Yugoslav leader, Slobodan Milosevic, were
dying out in Montenegro, which is on the way to democracy, reform and
integration with Europe. But in Herceg Novi, the second town where voting
took place, Mr Milosevic's supporters took control of the local council,
claiming vindication of continued closer ties with Belgrade. They accused
Mr. Djukanovic of taking money from the west and said they would be querying
his victory in the capital." (BBC World News, June 12) "Predrag Bulatovic,
has already announced that he will submit his resignation after the poor
election result in Montenegro's capital, where he was the 'For Yugoslavia'
coalition's candidate for mayor." (V.I.P. Daily News Report-Belgrade, June
12)
"Today, voters in the capital were clear about their choice. Supporters
of the government said they had voted for democracy, for modernity, openness
to the West and a future inside Europe. 'It is the only choice with
perspective,' said a student who gave his name only as Aco. 'I voted 'For a
Better Life.' No one wants to live worse,' said Milisav Miuskovic, a school
janitor, quoting the government coalition slogan. Supporters of the
pro-Belgrade coalition were often reluctant to talk to a Western journalist
or declined to give their names. When they did, their arguments were direct.
'I voted for Momir,' said Rada, a saleswoman who declined to give her full
name. 'I am for Yugoslavia, I do not want to separate from Serbia. The
people will not let it happen.' " (New York Times , June 12)
LIBERALS "DROWNED BY BELGRADE CONFRONTATION"
"The small Liberal Alliance, which caused these elections by withdrawing
from the government coalitions in both cities, has slipped from view behind
the larger parties. The most vocal supporter for independence, and a critic
of the Djukanovic government, it hoped to win a larger part of the vote in
new elections, but has been drowned out by the greater confrontation with
Belgrade...The Liberal Alliance has also criticized the Djukanovic
government for its slowness on promised reforms, murky privatization deals
and widespread corruption. The government has managed to attract financial
support from the West and now questions are being asked as to where that
money has gone. 'Talk to people and ask them about privatization and they
will tell you it is all illegal stealing,' Mr. Vickovic said. 'We have no
audit office, no parliamentary control of the budget. The government has no
culture of public interest. The problem is the lack of institutions and
controls over the government,' said Nebojsa Medojevic, an independent
economist. Rather than address those criticisms, Mr. Djukanovic and his
political allies chose to clean up Podgorica, pouring money into several
civic projects such as placing new benches in the parks and new garbage bins
in the streets. Critics of the government charge that it is effectively
using Mr. Milosevic has a useful excuse for any inefficiencies or failures.
A presidential aide, Miodrag Vukovic, said that the government neither
wanted nor needed these elections. 'Montenegro has plenty of problems
without them. We are involved in two conflicts, an internal Montenegrin
conflict between democrats and conservatives, and a second conflict between
Montenegrin democracy and Belgrade dictatorship,' he said." (New York Times,
June 12)
"STRONG SERB SENTIMENT" IN HERCEG NOVI
"Herceg Novi is the only city in the southern part of the republic with
strong pro-Serb sentiment due to an influx of Serb refugees from Bosnia and
Croatia, and Yugoslav military quartered at Montenegrin navy ports." (Agence
France Presse, June 12) "Aco Djukanovic [brother of President Milo
Djukanovic] has great influence in business and politics. Aco is not popular
in Herceg Novi. Several months ago, he suspended his business operations in
this town in order to diminish the negative effect on the eve of the local
elections. Apart from this, this town is near Montenegro's border with
Republika Srpska and Bosnia and the local population consists of a
considerable number of refugees from Bosnia. There is a strong pro-Serbian
sentiment among the inhabitants of Herceg Novi. The head of Djukanovic
coalition's electoral headquarters in Herceg Novi, Svetozar Marovic, used to
be Montenegrin Parliament Speaker, so he is likely to have problems inside
the party. Herceg Novi has now become the seventh municipality controlled by
Bulatovic's coalition and the first municipality in Montenegro's more
developed south where power is controlled by political forces loyal to
Milosevic." (V.I.P. Daily News Report, June 12)
95% OF VOTES TALLIED
"With some 95 percent of the votes counted from Sunday's elections,
Djukanovic's 'For A Better Life,'led by the Democratic Party of Socialists,
won 28 seats in the 54-seat Podgorica council, one more than it had in the
previous council." (UPI, June 12) "No official results were available from
the election in the two cities...Supporters of...Milo Djukanovic said their
own poll watchers reported they had won 28 of the 54 municipal posts in
Podgorica. Followers of...Momir Bulatovic, claimed they secured 19 of the 35
seats in Herceg Novi. Neither side contradicted claims of the other...'This
is a great victory,' Djukanovic told supporters early Monday. 'This proves
Montenegro is stepping forward on the road of democracy and no one can stop
us anymore.' He urged his followers not to be disheartened by the loss in
Herceg Novi, adding 'Milosevic's policies are on their deathbed.' "
(Associated Press, June 12 "In a statement early Monday, Djukanovic said the
results in Podgorica exceeded his expectations. He said his coalition would
be able to exercise power in the capital without the threat of 'blackmail.'
The 'For A Better Life' coalition previously had to rely on the Liberal
Alliance for a majority in the council. 'We scored a great victory and this
represents a genuine triumph of our policy,' he said. Djukanovic said the
result in Herceg Novi was below expectations.' " (UPI, June 12) "The early
local elections in Montenegro's two largest municipalities were scheduled
after Djukanovic's coalition was abandoned by one of its junior partners,
the Liberals." (Agence France Presse, June 12)
SDP FAILED 2%THRESHOLD IN HERCEG NOVI
"The Social Democrats, which were not part of the 'For A Better Life'
coalition in Herceg Novi, did not obtain enough votes to enter into the
municipal council because it obtained around 2 percent of the vote."
(Vijesti independeny daily-Podgorica, June 11)
OVER 75% ELECTION TURNOUT
"The turnout in Herceg Novi was 74.9 percent of the 22,000 registered
voters, local electoral officials said, adding that the official results
could be expected Thursday, after expiry of the 72-hour appeal deadline.
Podgorica electoral commission officials said that between 75 and 80 percent
of the 112,000 registered voters in the capital had cast their ballots on
Sunday." (Agence France Presse, June 12) "All the polling stations, which
amounts to 37%, were closed at 9pm last night, as prescribed by law. There
was no reasons for extending this time, as the voting in all polling
stations was in line with regulations', said the chairman of the municipal
election committee, Vukasin Simrak." (Vijesti daily, June 12)
ELECTION RESULTS TEMPTATION FOR BELGRADE?
"Local elections held in Montenegro today, closely watched as a barometer
of this small republic's future, suggested that it remains perilously
divided between following the West, or staying with President Slobodan
Milosevic and Serbia...The vote was effectively a poll on who wants to stay
with Mr. Milosevic and Yugoslavia...and who prefers the more independent
course of Montenegro's leader, Milo Djukanovic...Early unofficial results
suggested that the situation remains sharply divided. Mr. Djukanovic's
coalition -- 'For a Better Life' -- apparently...was losing to the
pro-Yugoslavia coalition in Herceg Novi. That slip, if confirmed, would a
strengthen Mr. Milosevic's allies and could eventually tempt Belgrade to
challenge Mr. Djukanovic's hold on power." (New York Times , June 12)
II. ELECTION CONDITIONS
OSCE OKAYS ELECTIONS
"The 11 June municipal elections in Podgorica and Herceg Novi were well
conducted and generally in line with OSCE commitments. The election
legislation was adopted by consensus between the governing coalition and the
largest opposition party. It provided for a high degree of transparency,
enabling political parties to follow all aspects of the process closely and
participate in decision making on election commissions and polling boards...
Some minor deficiencies, and failures to meet election deadlines, did not
materially affect the integrity of the process as a whole...Fundamental
freedoms were respected, and it is noteworthy that campaigning was conducted
peacefully throughout...Media coverage of the elections enabled voters to
make an informed choice on election day. Montenegro has an increasingly
diverse electronic and print media. State media generally respected the
legal provisions, although its broadcasts gave the governing parties an
advantage both in terms of overall airtime and more positive
coverage...Observers reported that in 97% of the polling stations observed,
voting was well conducted. 314 visits were recorded to 232 polling
stations...Some opposition parties alleged a politicised police involvement
in the elections, but the OSCE/ODIHR did not receive any evidence to
substantiate these claims. Some negative forms of campaigning took place and
the OSCE/ODIHR is concerned by one incident where it is alleged that voters
were offered inducements to vote. Albeit an isolated occurrence, if proved,
it would be a serious violation...This preliminary statement is based on the
findings of the OSCE/ODIHR Office in Montenegro, which began its election
observation activities on 8 May. On election day, 54 international
short-term observers followed proceedings in polling stations. In total,
observers from 24 OSCE participating States were represented in the
observation effort. The OSCE/ODIHR also received reports from 6 ECMM
[European Community] accredited election observers. The election observation
was conducted by the OSCE/ODIHR Office in Montenegro, headed by Mr Julian
Peel Yates and co-ordinated by Mr Paul O'Grady." (preliminary statement,
OSCE/ODIHR [Office of Institutions and Human Rights], June 12) "The voting
process and ballot-counting were monitored by 418 international and local
observers, including 80 from the OSCE." (Agence France Presse, June 12) "The
electoral commission in Podgorica said that the Socialist People's Party
(SNP), whose leader is Federal Prime Minister Momir Bulatovic, compared the
voters' lists at the polling stations with those submitted earlier to
political parties and concluded that there were no irregularities." (V.I.P.
Daily News Report, June 12)
DJUKANOVIC: "DEMOCRATIC CHARACTER" IMPORTANT
" 'I believe that, already during the election campaign attention had
been drawn to a very important quality of these elections - their democratic
character. The electoral results are an important contribution to further
democratic development and to political stability in Montenegro', said the
Montenegrin president Milo Djukanovic, after voting at the Savo Pejanovic
primary school polling station. He stated that 'these elections and its
results are much more important than the actual act of electing two new
local authorities in Podgorica and Herceg Novi. All elections, if they are
carried out in line with regulations, and if they are democratic, if they
are conducted in a climate of inter-personal tolerance, understanding and
recognizing the results are an important contribution to the democratic
development of a society', said Milo Djukanovic. (Vijesti daily, June 11)
BULATOVIC: E.U., U.S. "BRIBING VOTERS"
" 'The Yugoslavia coalition is pleased that in Montenegro there exists
sound and democratic election legislation. We have already stated our
concern that this legislation has not been implemented enough. We shall
continue our process of monitoring and shall state our judgement on the
level of democracy and freedom when we face, not the results, but the level
of application of the provisions outlined by law. These elections are
characterized by the fact that, the USA and the EU are participated in them
with their promises in value of 40 million DMs with the aim of bribing
voters and the people. We shall see if they shall succeed in this', said
federal prime minister, Momir Bulatovic to journalists from one of the
polling stations. Bulatovic added that the international media have
insinuated that 'we shall organize an uprising' and added that the people in
his party [SNP] are people who respect the law, but that no one can make
them recognize an election result for which there is clear evidence that
there was theft. No one should expect that we are going to take up arms
against each other. In terms of our coalition and the federal authorities,
everyone can be at peace. Not a single instance of electoral theft or deceit
can be a motive for jeopardizing peace', concluded Bulatovic. (Vijesti
daily, June 11)
BRIEF STREET CLASH IN PODGORICA
"As the results started pouring in shortly after midnight, dozens of cars
cruised along Podgorica's main streets sounding their horns, with passengers
waving DPS and Montenegrin flags and hailing passers-by. Fireworks and even
automatic rifle fire were heard from several suburbs, and early Monday
police set up checkpoints at several roads leading into the capital, after a
clash between Bulatovic and Djukanovic supporters. The rival groups of a
dozen men, mostly young, were separated by police, who briefly detained some
activists, reporters with the independent radio Free Montenegro said.
Overnight Sunday, hundreds of Djukanovic's supporters packed the government
building to celebrate the results, while at least 1,000 took to the streets
shouting 'Milo, the Champ' and 'Viva Montenegro.' Djukanovic appeared
briefly before the crowd, congratulating his activists and praising their
success at the polls, which he described as a political triumph." (Agence
France Presse, June 12)
ELECTIONS COVER 1/3 OF REPUBLIC
"Voters in Podgorica and Herceg Novi account for around a third of the
electorate of Montenegro...If confirmed, the results would show the
650,000-strong population of Montenegro divided between Djukanovic
and...Bulatovic. (Agence France Presse, June 12)
