Rallies ahead of elections

Описание: (18 Apr 2001)

Podgorica, Montenegro - 17 April 2001
Night shots:
1. Rainy night streets and people waving flags out of cars on way to SNP rally
2. Demonstrator waving flag on way to rally
3. Crowds waving flags
4. Mid shot crowd chanting slogans
5. Boy with painted face making victory sign
6. Predrag Bulatovic, President of the Socialist People's Party (SNP) goes on stage and waves
7. Crowds waving flags
8. SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat) Predrag Bulatovic, President of the Socialist People's Party (SNP):
"We're here for Yugoslavia. We want the Federation and the youth of Montenegro behind us. We have 170,000 people supporting us."
9. Crowd
10. Bulatovic waving, pan to crowd
11. Bulatovic shaking hands with crowds
12. Various of Bulatovic among crowd greeting people

Podgorica, Montenegro - 18 April 2001
Daytime/evening shots:
13. Wide top shot of Democratic Party of Socialists rally
14. Supporters on roof waving flags including Montenegro (red with cross)
15. People on balconies overlooking crowds in square
16. Crowd and SDP (DPS) flag
17. Crowds waving and cheering
18. Milo Djukanovic, Montenegro President stands up and goes on stage
19. Mid shot flag waving crowds
20. SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat) Milo Djukanovic, Montenegro President:
"Montenegro is a country of Serbs, Muslims, Albanians and others. We want to keep the prosperity, and a bright future for the country. That's why on April 22 you should vote for Montenegro's sovereign state."
21. Djukanovic walks among crowds waving and greeting

STORYLINE:

In Podgorica, the pre-election campaign is reaching its final stages ahead of crucial elections in the small Yugoslav republic of Montenegro.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in rallies on Tuesday and Wednesday supporting the two main parties' candidates.

The results of the elections will determine whether Montenegro will stay part of Yugoslavia or gain its independence.

Current president Milo Djukanovic wants independence for Montenegro if he is elected on April 22

Djukanovic compared new Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica to his autocratic predecessor, Slobodan Milosevic.

Just a few days before Sunday's crucial vote for a new Montenegrin parliament, the divide over whether to keep Montenegro part of a two-republic federation with Serbia appeared bigger than ever.

The pro-federation camp, led by Predrag Bulatovic, his Socialist People's Party and two other allied groups, argue that historic, religious and economic ties between the "sister" republics are too deep to be severed without substantial damage.

They stand accused by Djukanovic of being funded and guided by Kostunica's federal administration.

Kostunica has spoken out against separation but also pledged to respect any outcome of the April 22 vote in Montenegro, even if it leads to the smaller republic's secession.

If Djukanovic wins, as most polls predict, there will be an independence referendum here within months, perhaps within weeks after the vote.

The latest Balkan feud appears to carry less risk of turning into a war than when the other republics left Yugoslavia.

Western powers also no longer support any further redrawing of borders in the Balkans.

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