Muslims played key role in Montenegro’s independence vote

[sonz]

Montenegro will gain independence after a narrow majority of 55.5 percent of voters in the historic poll on Sunday backed breaking with Serbia, according to results announced by the Electoral Commission.

A total of 230,711 voters backed independence, while 184,954 people voted to remain united.

The results were based on a turnout of 86.5 percent of the 485,000 eligible voters in the state wedged between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea with a population of just 650,000 people.

Serbian President Boris Tadic said he accepted the outcome of the referendum.

After the poll, the European Union announced that a membership perspective would be launched for Montenegro, and requested that the separation talks with Serbia begin immediately.

According to Zaman Online, Montenegro Muslims played a key role in the decision for “independence”, most of whom voted “yes” to back separation from Serbia.

Montenegro Muslims come from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Bosnians, Algerians and other nationalities.

Correspondents say Muslims will gain a majority in the country and play a decision-making role after the separation.

In an attempt to intimidate the pro-independence supporters, the pro-Serbian side continues to claim that “if Montenegro becomes independent, it will turn into a Muslim state.”

Jasa Jovicevic, director of Montenegro’s MINA news agency, dismissed the pro-Serbians’ claims, saying that “Montenegro is not Serbia. It is a state composed of various nationalities and religions and all these people have good relationships among themselves.”

Stressing the key role played by the minorities for winning independence, Jovicevic said: “Only 20 percent of people were pro-independence in the early 1990s and half of them were the minorities. I am grateful to the minorities as they defended Montenegro against Montenegrin society.”

AlJazeera