In Search Of A Successor

Such speculations have long been present in Montenegro. What is new, however, is the fact that Montenegrin President Momir Bulatovic and Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic have not opposed such an initiative.

Even though he was not very willing to discuss the subject, Minister Lekic told VREME: ``I am not going anywhere, at least until my successor is found.'' Sources in the Montenegrin Government claim that their diplomatic service will not be dissolved and that Predrag Bulatovic and Milan Gajovic, members of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) leadership are being considered for the post, so that there is a great chance that Montenegro will retain its Foreign Ministry formally, since all other solutions would mean losing links with world diplomats which Lekic established during his term in office.

Belgrade has never complained about Lekic's work, probably aware of his reputation abroad, and all the good work he has done for Montenegro and Yugoslavia. It is no secret however, that pressure has been brought on Montenegro to give up its diplomacy, a right it enjoys under the Federal Constitution. The Montenegrin authorities could find themselves facing an embarrassing situation if this ministry were dissolved, because many of the ruling DPS deputies are not willing to part with this attribute of Montenegro's statehood. On the other hand, members of the Radical Party who are dissatisfied with Lekic are demanding a parliamentary debate on his work.