Neurotic Reactions

Prime minister Milo Djukanovic informed police minister Nikola Pejakovic that he would propose a new police chief to the Montenegrin parliament as part of the government restructuring, VREME was told by top level Montenegrin police officials.

The dismissals and resignations in the republican police are being linked by many to the changes that Pejakovic implemented in the Podgorica security center last week. On May 4, Pejakovic issued a statement informing the public that he had dismissed and suspended center chief Zeljko Jocic due to "use of force in getting a confession" from Bozin Veskovic suspected of planting a bomb in a Moslem suburb of Danilovgrad and Vlatko Radojevic who later admitted the offense.

Police chiefs denied a conflict within the police. They said a commission had been set up to establish the facts and added that the minister's decision was final. Jocic's people also refused to comment but they did say that no one had taken statements from them. Both told VREME that their stands are firm but can't discuss details.

Top police officials cited a doctor's report on Veskovic and Radojevic. Veskovic was examined by a team of doctors in the neurosurgical ward in Podgorica and their finding was reactio neurotica (situational reaction).

They also examined Veskovic 10 days after he was allegedly beaten.

VREME journalist talked to Veskovic a day after the examination but cannot give a qualified opinion.

The announced dismissals drew a flood of rumors. Djukanovic had announced the restructuring long ago and well informed sources said there was mention of Pejakovic's departure with Jocic as his replacement.

Whether Pejakovic has removed that danger is hard to say but some sources said he spoiled Djukanovic's plans (who has already asked him to withdraw Jocic's dismissal but was refused). There are several stories of the feud between Pejakovic and Jocic.

We do know that Jocic was recommended to the minister by Bosko Bojovic and that he was brought into the Podgorica police as a trouble shooter, which he managed to do. The clash came within the past 10 months. Jocic was criticized for insubordination to the minister and even for setting up a service to keep abreast of the state security.

Those stories best show the state of the Montenegrin police. A group of moderates is mentioning compromise, i.e. keeping Pejakovic and reinstating Jocic and clearing everything up slowly.

The ruling DPS party held talks behind closed doors on the restructuring proposal. VREME learned that many of Djukanovic's proposals have been disputed and that they don't know who the new police minister is going to be.

Even businessmen are paying attention. One of them told us: "We knew what they were like but we have no idea who could replace them and what doing business will be like". He said his lobby is very powerful but voiced fears of what could happen.

The authorities would probably like to keep the whole mess quiet since an escalation of an internal police conflict would bring out all kinds of dirty laundry.