Responding to the protests in Montenegro, the US State Department noted that the US Embassy had already issued a statement on this occasion and condemned the violence on Saturday night again, according to Voice of America.
“We join our ambassador in strong condemnation of violence that erupted during protests on Saturday evening, where police officers, journalists and demonstrators were injured. We also condemn property damage, including the Albanian Embassy where certain damage was caused. We believe that a full investigation should be carried out into all these incidents in accordance with the law”, the State Department spokesman, John Kirby, said at a press conference.
In an interview with Voice of America, analyst Daniel Serwer pointed out that in democratic systems, the government should be replaced on elections, not on the street.
“It is clear that the protests were violent. I do not know whether they represented an attempt to overthrow the government by force, but I do not think that will happen in Montenegro,” Mr Serwer said.
Noting that the opposition in Montenegro is weak and divided, Mr Serwer said that violent demonstrations were not the way to achieve political goals.
“In order to replace the government in a democratic system, it takes more votes and I do not see how these violent demonstrations will bring more votes to the opposition or to help it reunite. People can like or dislike Djukanovic, but the fact is that he has been in power because of the democratic system and it will be difficult to replace him in street demonstrations. In a democratic system, this is done at the polling stations,” he added.
As Serwer said, Washington understood that the part of the opposition was still unhappy about the independence and that certainly would not be happy about Montenegro’s membership in NATO, which was the main reason for the reaction of Russia.
“Moscow will try to create the impression of intensifying efforts against Djukanovic, but actually it is opposition to Montenegro’s membership in NATO. For Moscow, Djukanovic is irrelevant, the only important question is NATO membership. Expanding the Alliance, even on small Montenegro represents a defeat for Putin and they will try to avoid being defeated,” said Mr Serwer.
Daniel Serwer is convinced that NATO would send an invitation to Montenegro, noting that it would be a good move.
“As long as the security forces are restrained and do not use excessive force and as long as it is clear that Montenegro has a pretty strong group that supports membership, I think that NATO will recognise what the essence of this is. These protests, however, may in fact reinforce support to Montenegro within the Alliance,” he concluded.
