MONTENEGRO: NATO OIL EMBARGO

Описание: (30 Apr 1999) Serbo-Croat/Nat

Montenegrans were queuing for petrol on Friday as NATO forces began enforcing the naval blockade in the port of Bar.

The oil embargo by NATO and the E-U on Yugoslavia is designed to restrict Serb troop movements.

Allied chiefs have not ruled out stopping and searching vessels they suspect of breaking the embargo.

Oil installations in the Montenegrin port of Bar were preparing for the effects of the West's fuel blockade on Yugoslavia on Friday.

Most of Milosevic's oil supplies were cut off at the beginning of the NATO bombing campaign.

Oil installations such as refineries and depots were among the targets of the first bombing missions.

But Milosevic has been relying on supplies coming through the Montenegrin port of Bar to keep his armies on the move.

Montenegro's Economy Minister said that his government would accept international monitors at its ports rather than risk being targetted by allied bombers.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbian)
"All these derivatives go through the port of Bar. We are prepared to accept all kind of international controllers and verifiers. That can very easily be done."
SUPER CAPTION: Vojin Djukanovic, Montenegran Economy Minister

Milosevic has limited oil consumption inside Serbia to help counter the effects of any embargo.

And people in Montenegro are taking similar precautions albeit for different reasons.

People waiting for what may be their last petrol for some time agreed with the governments position.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbian)
"The oil embargo will make life harder for everyone here but it is better that NATO enforces the embargo than bombs the port."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

Support for the embargo was grudging, but on the streets it was seen as a better option than possible bombing.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbian)
"I think the embargo could weaken Milosevic and the Yugoslav army but it is not the ideal solution to the problem."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop

Montenegro has not up to now been drawn into the Balkan conflict.

But the situation in the country is tense since the army, which supports Milosevic, far outnumbers the police force which is loyal to the government.

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