INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Montenegro Enthusiastic About Expansion of Adriatic Charter

Published: Mon 22 Sep 2008 05:25 PM
VZCZCXRO8594
OO RUEHPOD
DE RUEHPOD #0246 2661725
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O P 221725Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0961
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0428
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0116
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 0039
RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 0159
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0196
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0083
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 1048
UNCLAS PODGORICA 000246
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/RPM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL NATO MW MK HR AL BK SR
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT EXPANSION OF ADRIATIC CHARTER
REF: 100723
1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy delivered reftel points for Montenegro
on expansion of the Adriatic Charter simultaneously to the MFA
and MoD on 22 September. Both welcomed the initiative and
reiterated Montenegro's readiness to join and participate fully.
End summary.
2. (SBU) PolCouns reviewed points in reftel with Deputy FM for
Bilateral Affairs, Irena Radovic, who reacted enthusiastically.
Radovic said she would immediately inform FM Rocen, now in New
York for the UNGA session. Within the hour, Deputy FM for EU
and NATO Affairs Dragana Radulovic, with the FM in New York,
called DCM to inquire about next steps. DCM recommended that
the GoM send a diplomatic note, as discussed with Radovic, as
early as the MFA thought appropriate.
3. (SBU) In a meeting on NATO issues with Deputy DefMin Drasko
Jovanovic, DCM summarized the points for Montenegro in reftel.
Jovanovic welcomed the initiative, adding that GoM looked
forward to meaningful participation in Adriatic Charter
actitivies. He said this was fully consistent with Montenegro's
NATO aspirations, and he praised the fast timeline envisioned by
the U.S. He also welcomed the U.S. engagement.
4. (SBU) Comment: By all appearances, the GoM has been waiting
and hoping for this initiative. In informal conversations with
the Ambassador, both the FM and DefMin have discussed the role
Montenegro can take within the context of the Adriatic Charter.
They see themselves as further along the path toward NATO than
BiH and Serbia and are looking for opportunities such as this to
prove it. End comment.
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