Weary Serbs watch Montenegro vote

[Swede]

If Montenegro decides Sunday to split from Serbia, the union's larger republic by default becomes independent too.

It is a decision Serbs have no say in and unlike the suspense accompanying Montenegro's historic vote, the mood in Serbia was mostly that of resignation, mixed with bitterness.

"Montenegro is deciding our fate for us," analyst Bosko Jaksic said in a commentary published in the Politika daily. "Serbia can only watch as the scale tips one way or the other."

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/05/21/montenegro.serbia.ap/

[bennywhale]

1. This may of course lead to

other such wishes from Serbs in Bosnia-herzagovina, and also has implications for Kosovo.

Montenegro is a very diverse population so the vote for yes is not a cert. It would however speed up its entry to the EU without the baggage of Serbia (war criminals etc). Montenegro is also an exquisitely beautiful place.

[One Honest Guy]

2. This is going to be fun.

Serbs are not going to like this at all. A rather obscure Slovenian writer and intellectual made a prediction back in early 1990s that Serbia would end up smaller than Luxembourg if it continued with its expansionist wars. Here we are nearly 20 years later, and look what's happening.

By the way, there is lot of talk about parts of Vojvodina seceding as well in the next 10-15 years. Maybe sooner. So far they are asking for more autonomy and less meddling from Belgrade. (By the way, for those who don't know, Vojvodina is another autonomous province of Serbia, much like Kosovo was) Under the rule of Milosevic both Vojvodina and Kosovo lost most of their autonomy. Vojvodina is home to large non-Serb minority groups, including Hungarians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Roma, you name it. They have been treated badly by Serbian majority ever since the breakup of the Yugoslavia. Racist graffiti, attacks, and even disappearances are not uncommon.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. exit poll: 56.3% voted for independence - 55% needed

so it's very close.

Montenegro has voted for independence from its union with Serbia, according to unofficial projections.

If confirmed, the vote would erase the last vestige of the former Yugoslavia.

Initial indications are that 56.3% of voters elected to secede from Serbia. The pro-independence bloc needs to win 55% of the vote to succeed.
...
Polls opened early on Sunday morning and turnout was said to have surpassed a record 85%.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5003220.stm

At least they care about it - 85% turnout.

[Endangered Specie]

4. BBC: Montenegro 'chooses independence'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5003220.stm

looks like they did it, sure as hell can't blame them.