VIJESTI: What is the significance of the negative attitude of the People's Party (NS), the party that left the ruling coalition, regarding the negotiations?
VUJANOVIC: I believed that the NS would find an interest for participation in the negotiation process. We proposed them to register the attitude of that party, as a part of the Government it participated in, regarding their insistence that the alliance should be internationally recognized as a state, so that they could present their views based on the platform from August 1999 in the negotiating process. The NS assessed that it had no political space for the realization of its program in such an offer and left the coalition. I want to repeat what I said at the government session at which they presented that attitude: we had correct cooperation in the government; the NS members gave maximum contribution to their duties and adequately contributed to the overall effectiveness of the government's work. Coalitions imply the risk of break up, but I believe that, in the conditions of correct cooperation, they also oblige participants to maintain correct relations. I really sincerely hope that the NS will preserve correct relations with the DPS and SDP by sticking to democratic means for the realization of its program, which would contribute to the democratic image of Montenegro.
Having in mind that the SNP and the NS did not participate in the working group for the writing of a new referendum law and the presentation of options in the media, will their demands be taken into account in some way?
I am convinced that it is still possible for the SNP and the NS to join the process of the preparation of the normative basis for the referendum and the rules for the presentation in the media. All citizens should be given the right to determine the fate of their state with their vote, and the parties should be given equal access to the media to present their projects.
If the SNP and the NS decide to boycott the announced referendum, will its results still be valid in the eyes of the domestic and foreign public?
The participation of the SNP and the NS in the referendum is definitely important. I believe that their responsible political attitude will decide that they participate in the referendum. However, if they opt for a boycott then the result of the referendum obliges them because it is necessary to accept the rule of majority in democracy. Otherwise violence of a minority over majority would be affirmed and the functioning of political life would be made impossible.
Will the Montenegrin Parliament have a chance to vote on the Government's Platform before the negotiations with the Serbian Government?
Within their right to conduct internal and foreign policies the governments of the two republics should reach an agreement about the future alliance of two independent states. It is assumed that the presidents of the republics who represent those states in their communication with the governments will influence the negotiations. It is also clear that the state parliaments, by making decisions about the referendum and on the referendum question, will make their assessment of the content of the agreement between the two governments. Therefore, state institutions of the two states are participants in the negotiations, which is the only possible course of action in complex states, because the original sovereignty belongs to the states. Serbia and Montenegro created Yugoslavia, not the other way round.
The official Serbia has on several occasions announced that Federal institutions should participate in the negotiations. What is your view regarding those demands?
I have already replied that I think that Serbian and Montenegrin institutions should regulate future relations. Of course, it is necessary to take into account the international standing of president Kostunica, but it is a matter of agreement and principles whether he should be included in the negotiations.
When do you expect the beginning of negotiations with the Serbian government?
I expect that we shall start negotiations immediately after the setting up of the new Serbian government. In the communications with the DOS in the first half of October, we informed them about the platform that has now become the official state act. I believe that that platform has been carefully analyzed and the Serbian government will be prepared to immediately start the negotiations. It is our desire to start the negotiations as early as possible so that we could gauge the official Serbian attitude.
Which one of the proposals made by your government cannot be modified at any cost in the negotiations with the DOS?
Everyone making a proposal, especially a proposal defining a state status, is always convinced that everything in the platform is essential. We also have the right to such a conviction because our earlier proposals were not taken into consideration. Finally, we shall hear the stand of the official Serbia. I do not think that they have arguments against their own state, international recognition of the Serb people and independence in the communications with international organizations and their financial and trade associations. If that were not so, then the Serb people would be the only one in the Balkans and Europe to be against its own state. In addition it would demand that another nation and citizens of another member of a complex state give up their demands for independence. There are no arguments for such a demand.
How many times in the next year will the citizens of Montenegro vote and can the minority government now be maintained with the support of the Liberal Alliance?
In the next year we shall have a referendum, and according to the constitution, elections that will confirm the citizens' support for independence and adequate constitutional changes necessary to ratify the change of the status. The coalition members should decide whether the government should survive with support of the Liberal Alliance, and that also depends on the positive attitude of the Liberal Alliance.
What will the referendum question be? Will the citizens vote exclusively about the independent Montenegro or will the same question include the formation of an alliance of two current federation members?
That depends on the Parliament. The platform proposes that the alliance be formed immediately after Serbia and Montenegro declare independence. The parliament would have to decide how that would be reflected in the referendum question.
Why has the privatization in Montenegro been neglected for more then two years?
During the last two years privatization has not had the desired intensity because of all the events in the relations between Serbia and Montenegro and in Serbia herself, which made Montenegro unattractive for privatization. We announced several tenders, but without expected interest of strategic partners. I believe that in the next year, regardless of the final agreement with Serbia, the Montenegro will become more interesting for investments because it is now obvious that Serbia is democratic and there is no risk of violence against Montenegro or abuse of the military in Montenegro.
Has the date for the distribution of vouchers to the citizens been set?
All technical and organizational preparations for the mass voucher privatization have been concluded. Now it is only the matter of decision when the privatization will start and, of course, the assessment of the time necessary to inform the citizens about the content and manner of the divisions of vouchers.
When and which Montenegrin company will be offered first for sale in an international tender?
It is certain that in the next year, the national telecommunications company will first be put on sale. The information memorandum is almost finished. The Telecommunications law has been enacted, and that has completed all the necessary conditions for the announcement of a tender. That will be so far the biggest privatization of a company in Montenegro.
(...)What is the internal and external debt of Montenegro and our foreign currency reserves?
The Montenegrin debt is at the level of $306 million and during the last six-seven years we have managed to purchase about $105 million of debt which means that our external obligations are significantly relaxed. The foreign currency reserves are necessary to maintain the stability of German mark in our financial transactions.(...)
I think that our negotiating position hasn't been changed by that. We shall present the government's project, created by the DPS and the SDP and offer it to the Serbian government. I believe that we shall receive a reply either before the beginning of these negotiations or during the negotiations, and I think that the departure of the NS does not imply a blockade of these negotiations.