WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR: M.J.
Defense Minister Dragan Krapović's statement that there is no interference and malignant influence from Serbia in Montenegro is a continuation of his relativization of the malignant influences that Montenegro is facing, the Atlantic Alliance (ASCG) said.
They said this in response to Krapović's claims that there is no interference and malignant influence from Serbia in Montenegro, and that no equal sign can be placed between the interference coming from Russia and Serbia.
Krapović said last night on the show Načisto on TV Vijesti that he does not agree with the assessment that malignant influences come from Serbia and that it is wrong for political reasons to put a sign of equality between Russia and Serbia.
As stated by the ASCG, such a claim by Krapović could be attributed to political and intelligence ignorance, as it does not come from the minister whose portfolio includes the Intelligence and Security Directorate and who is a member of the National Security Council.
"In this way, Krapović's statement represents a continuation of his relativization of foreign interference and malignant foreign influences that Montenegro is facing, and it is a practice of relativization that was intensified during the minority government of Dritan Abazović," ASCG said in its response.
As they said, Krapović is also aware that this is an indefensible thesis and irresponsible practice of the highest state officials, directly responsible for the safety and stability of society and the political system in Montenegro.
"Since immediately after the assessment that there is no malignant influence coming from Serbia, he admitted that Serbia is not achieving its ambitions in a legitimate way and that it has a large number of problems coming from there," ASCG added.
They pointed out that Krapović, however, insisted that he did not detect "any excessive hostility towards Montenegro" in Serbia.
The ASCG assessed that the general comment by Krapović, who lightly proclaims a "political" resolution of the European Parliament, which clearly indicates the concern of European officials due to the attempts of the Orthodox Church in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in Republika Srpska, to promote Russia as a the protector of traditional family values and strengthens relations between the state and the Church.
"Describing in this way the observation of Western partners, which, as a minister in a country that is a candidate for membership in the European Union, should be carefully read and understood, Minister Krapović passed over the fact that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) was an active participant in all election processes in Montenegro and additionally actively participated in the population census campaign", ASCG said.
As they stated, Krapović emphasized that he is not abolishing the entire SPC, but only the "activity of four dioceses" in Montenegro.
The ASCG added that Krapović seems to have forgotten that the seat of those dioceses is also in Belgrade.
"The connection between the SPC and the Orthodox brotherhoods Miholjski zbor, Stupovi, Zavjetnici Tvrdoš Nikšić, is visible after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, when precisely these actors were the bearers of the activity of meetings and gatherings of support for Russia in Montenegro," ASCG emphasized.
As they said, these organizations closely cooperate with the Serbian Orthodox Church and actively coordinate pro-Russian and anti-Western activities on the territory of Montenegro.
The ASCG assessed that Krapović looked worryingly lightly at the influence that is manifested through the media.
"Although, as a long-time MP and Minister of Defense, he should be aware that it is not only about the media and portals that "take statements and distort them, take them out of context", but about the entire media system under the direct control of the regime in Belgrade," he says. are in reaction.
It is stated that these media, which through their branches in Montenegro, have been targeting the citizens of Montenegro with unprofessional reporting for more than a decade.
"These media are especially active during important socio-political events in Montenegro - let's just remember the so-called Battle for Nikšić and the aggressive media campaign that came from Serbia during the local elections in Nikšić in March 2021," the response added.
The ASCG also recalled the campaign denying Montenegrin nationality, statehood and independence, which was intensified before the census in Montenegro began.
They emphasized that foreign interference coming from Serbia is manifested through political parties and political leaders.
According to them, the latest confirmation of that thesis, and there have been many in the past five years, could be seen through the presence of the President of the Parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandić at the party celebration of the election victory of the Serbian Progressive Party.
"Serbia has earmarked significant sums of money for the establishment and operation of organizations with a Serbian sign, which often and openly articulate the desire to eliminate civil, multi-ethnic and European Montenegro," ASCG said.
They stated that one of such larger projects, in which the Government of Serbia invested 3.4 million euros, was the construction of the Serbian House in Podgorica, where numerous (para)media and similar organizations found their headquarters who unabashedly implement this agenda.
The ASCG said that they hope that Krapović will base future public appearances and statements about malignant and external influences on facts, and not on political assessments to which he was entitled as a deputy and vice president of Democratic Montenegro.
"As Minister of Defense, Krapović must get used to the special obligation he has towards the state of Montenegro and its interests, citizens, and partners who work in the interest of its European and Euro-Atlantic future, and must take responsibility for developing a strategy for the protection of Montenegro's national interests and security Up", ASCG concluded.
