NATO trap for Montenegro: an anti-Western coup is possible

The government of Montenegro is attempting to avoid a referendum on NATO membership at any price. In the case of a plebiscite, Atlanticist forces would turn out to be in the minority. According to Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, in November 2015 the amount of people supporting NATO membership «has risen to 220,000». Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, pointed out the fact 541,000 citizens of Montenegro are currently eligible to vote. This means that even after the fact that strong, pro-NATO propaganda has been disseminated among the population of this ex-Yugoslavian country, Đukanović and his supporters would lose in the case of a referendum taking place.

The process of Montenegro's accession to NATO was launched right after the declaration of independence in 2006. The republic's elites saw entering EU and NATO as the main objectives of foreign policy, with the assistance of Washington and Brussels, while any alternative view was faced severe counter-propaganda. The acceptance of this tiny state on the Adriatic into NATO would strengthen the positions of this military block in the region and facilitate its further advancement eastwards. The absorption of Montenegro is the logical continuation of Yugoslavia’s digestion by the West. In this case, the only alternative to NATO and EU integration would be stronger cooperation with Russia, something that would be definitely more preferable for the Montenegrin population.

The country’s Atlanticist turn has sparked strong controversy across Montenegrin society. Only 16 years ago, in 1999, NATO forces were bombing the territory of the country. The Orthodox majority of the country’s society suffered the most of all from the war. It is this same milieu, a variety of conservative, Orthodox, pro-Serbian and pro-Russian groups, that from the very beginning of the ascension process spoke out against entering the US-led military block. They see it as a kind of civilizational and political treason against the rich Montenegrin history and heritage. One of the key personalities in the anti-NATO movement is the Orthodox Metropolitan bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral Amphilochius. He has called the Alliance a terrorist organization and stressed that the Montenegrin people should not become a part of it under any circumstances.

A key role in Montenegro's Atlantic integration is played by the country's current Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, who first was appointed in 1991 at the age of 29. Being labeled by pro-Washingron Radio Free Europe as «the smartest man in Balkans» Đukanović is well-known for his profound relations with international criminal structures including the Italian mafia. In July 2003, the prosecutor's office in Naples linked Đukanović with an organized crime racket worth billions of euros. He is also known as the richest man of the Balkans. All these aspects together lead to the conclusion that this politician is totally controlled by Western Atlanticist forces who use him as their representative. A thorough cleansing of the elite and the resignation of current government ruled by Đukanović is the only way to regaining sovereignty and preserving the Montenegrin Orthodox identity.

Atlanticist groups understand the vulnerability of the current regime in the country. Katehon’s sources have confirmed the fact that approximately 500 U.S. special service officers recently arrived in Montenegro in order to provide political and informational security for the current government as well as attempt to find proof of Russia’s involvement in anti-NATO protests across the country. This very act, among others, proves the Atlanticists’ fear that an anti-Western coup is now possible in the country due to Montenegrin citizens’ strong disapproval of this trajectory