Montenegrins react to country's newly proclaimed independence

Описание: (4 Jun 2006)
1. Wide shot exterior of the Montenegrin Parliament
2. Close-up of Montenegrin flag
3. Newspaper stand
4. Various of newspaper headlines
5. Street in Podgorica
6. SOUNDBITE (Serbian): Podgorica resident, Vox Pop:
"I expect to live better, we do not want others to meddle in our affairs, from now on we are on our own."
7. SOUNDBITE (Serbian): Podgorica resident, Vox Pop:
"Montenegro is not on a right path, we are poor, we do not have anything, and I love Serbia."
8. Cutaway of clothes shop
9. SOUNDBITE (Serbian): Podgorica resident, Vox Pop:
"I expect all the best, I expect Montenegro to join EU and other organisations, this government is good, I wish them all the best."
10. SOUNDBITE (English): Resident, Vox Pop:
"It's just very very exciting to be here now when Montenegro became independent. I am very happy to have it happen."
11. People walking in Podgorica
12. Cars going by and honking with flag hanging out of car windows
STORYLINE:
Residents of the Montenegrin capital Podgorica on Sunday had mixed reactions to their country's new status of independence from Serbia.
On Saturday, Montenegro's parliament proclaimed independence for the tiny Balkan republic, after a May 21 referendum, forming a new European state and formally dissolving the last union of the former Yugoslavia.
The new status was determined by the slimmest margin in the referendum, just half a percentage point, or 2,090 votes, over the 55-percent threshold for validating secession under European Union guidelines.
Many Montenegrins welcomed their country's independent status.
"We do not want others to meddle in our affairs, from now on we are on our own," said one Podgorica resident.
Another resident said, "Montenegro is not on a right path, we are poor, we do not have anything, and I love Serbia."
The European Union said on Sunday it fully respects Montenegro's declaration of independence from Serbia but held off on formally recognising the breakaway Balkan state until next week.
NATO on Sunday urged the governments of both countries to seek a negotiated settlement to issues resulting from the split.
Leaders of the new nation have made joining NATO and the European Union a key foreign policy aim.
The Serbia-Montenegro union had been the last shred of what was once Yugoslavia, following years of crisis in the Balkans that began when the federation of six republics disintegrated in violence in the 1990s.
Serbia and Montenegro are linked culturally as well as historically, sharing the same Christian orthodox religion and language.
No formal borders are expected to be formed soon between Serbia and Montenegro, which already have separate economies and political systems.

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