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P 011435Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1331
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY 0137
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0539
RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 1420

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000132 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KTIP KCRM MARR MW
SUBJECT: VISIT OF SENATORS CARDIN, MIKULSKI, AND WICKER TO 
MONTENEGRO 
 
PODGORICA 00000132  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  During a visit to Montenegro on May 27, 
Senators Cardin, Mikulski, and Wicker thanked the GOM leadership 
for Montenegro's partnership with the U.S., including support 
for USG efforts in Afghanistan and in the Balkans.  Vujanovic 
and Rocen asked for continued support for Montenegro's NATO 
integration, and Rocen reiterated that Montenegro would 
establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo.  The Senators urged 
the GOM to combat organized crime and trafficking in persons 
aggressively.  END SUMMARY 
 
 
 
Meeting with President Filip Vujanovic 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶2. (SBU) On May 27, Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD and delegation 
leader), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Senator Roger 
Wicker (R-MS) met with President Filip Vujanovic in Cetinje and 
Foreign Minister Milan Rocen in Podgorica.  They also saw 
Parliament Speaker Ranko Krivokapic in Kotor. 
 
 
 
¶3.  Senator Cardin opened the meeting by expressing his 
appreciation for Montenegro's continued partnership with the 
U.S. and upcoming support for NATO efforts in Afghanistan.  He 
also said he supported NATO expansion and Montenegro's progress 
toward integration into NATO.  The Senator also noted his 
concerns regarding the political situation in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina (BiH) and the trafficking of persons in the region, 
including Montenegro. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) President Vujanovic said that he appreciated American 
support both for military reforms and economic development, 
particularly in the northern region of Montenegro.  The 
President also mentioned the close cooperation with the State of 
Maine and his hope that this and other partnerships will 
continue. 
 
 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Senators and the President also discussed the 
following issues in more detail: 
 
 
 
--Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH):  President Vujanovic, fresh from 
visits to Serbia and BiH, commended Vice President Biden's trip 
to the region.  He added that Javier Solana's decision to join 
VP Biden in Sarajevo was "a good sign".  Vujanovic also 
underscored the importance of the three leaders within the 
Bosnian governing entities adhering to the Dayton agreement.  He 
also pointed to Republika Srpska PM Dodik's recent statement 
supporting BiH membership in NATO as a positive sign. 
 
 
 
--Kosovo:  Vujanovic urged the international community to give 
priority to Kosovo's economic development and called for 
patience in the "step by step" process of Kosovo's future.  He 
also said that it is vital for the stability of Montenegro and 
of the region for the GoM to balance its support for Kosovo with 
the strong pro-Serbian sentiments in northern Montenegro and 
with Montenegro's desire to normalize ties with Belgrade. 
Senator Cardin acknowledged the delicate situation which 
Montenegro faces, and emphasized the constructive role 
Montenegro can play in the region. 
 
 
 
--Afghanistan:  Senator Cardin asked Vujanovic if Montenegro's 
support in Afghanistan has been problematic for the GoM. 
Vujanovic replied that Montenegro is happy to support NATO 
efforts in Afghanistan.  Senator Wicker also thanked President 
Vujanovic for Montenegro's support in Afghanistan. 
 
 
 
--U.S. State Partnership Program: Senator Mikulski highlighted 
the importance of ties between U.S. states (such as Maine and 
Maryland with Montenegro) and foreign countries.  Vujanovic 
responded that Montenegro is open and willing to develop 
stronger ties with both Maryland and Maine.  Senator Mikulski 
also mentioned that Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley will be 
 
PODGORICA 00000132  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
visiting the region soon and said she will suggest that he 
include Montenegro in his schedule. 
 
 
 
--Trafficking in Persons:  When Senator Mikulski raised the 
issue of trafficking in persons (TIP), Vujanovic said that 
Montenegro is a transit country but not a source for TIP.  He 
also mentioned Montenegro's efforts to curb TIP have been helped 
by its good relations and cooperation with other countries. 
 
 
 
--Relations with Belgrade:  Senator Wicker asked whether the 
late 2008 expulsion of Montenegro's Ambassador to Belgrade 
(responding to the GoM's recognition of Kosovo) had resulted in 
a serious and long-lasting rift in relations between the two 
countries.  Vujanovic assured the Senator that overall relations 
with Serbia are positive and that Montenegro's new government, 
once in place, plans to dispatch a new ambassador to Belgrade 
quickly. 
 
 
 
--Global Economic Crisis:  Senator Wicker asked how the 
international economic crisis is affecting Montenegro.  The 
President mentioned the problems facing the country's largest 
company, the Kombinat Aluminium Podgorice but said the economy 
is nevertheless stronger than before independence.  He also 
predicted the 2009 tourist season will be successful. 
 
 
 
Meeting with Foreign Minister Milan Rocen 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) Foreign Minister Rocen thanked the Senators for 
"continuing the American return to the Balkans" - alluding to 
recent visits by Vice President Biden and Deputy Secretary 
Steinberg.  Rocen also thanked the U.S. delegation for the 
continued partnership and assistance the U.S. has delivered to 
Montenegro, commenting that "without America, there might not be 
a Montenegro."  He also praised U.S. assistance for Montenegro's 
NATO integration, adding that he is optimistic Montenegro will 
be invited soon to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP). 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Senator Cardin praised Montenegro for its "courage" in 
recognizing Kosovo and commended Montenegro's stabilizing 
influence in the region.  He then asked when Montenegro expects 
to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo.  The FM replied 
that diplomatic relations had been delayed for "technical" 
reasons only.  He recalled that Podgorica had, for several 
months, been requesting that Pristina send a formal diplomatic 
note proposing diplomatic relations.  To date, no note had been 
received from the GOK.  The FM hinted that the timing of 
Montenegro's positive reply to Kosove might be influenced by 
developments in its relations with Serbia. 
 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) Senator Mikulski asked about organized crime and TIP in 
Montenegro.  Rocen replied that TIP undermines democracy in all 
countries and that Montenegro has received assistance from the 
international community, including the EC and OSCE, to address 
TIP in Montenegro.  Rocen said the rule of law is a top priority 
for Montenegro, and he praised the support of the U.S. Embassy 
in this area.  He noted that Montenegro, at the urging of the 
Embassy, is preparing to form a task force on organized crime 
and corruption.  He also remarked that Montenegro's proposed new 
Criminal Procedure Code will be an improvement over the previous 
one.  Finally, the Minister mentioned that Montenegro is 
updating its strategy to address TIP and that this process 
should be completed soon. 
 
 
 
¶9. (U) The Senators did not review this message prior to its 
transmission. 
MOORE