NATO s decline and demise would be most unwelcome for the United States, but equally unwelcome is the hobbling of our will and of our capability to act unilaterally where necessary. We should follow two central policy lines. First, NATO should be strengthened as the West s principal politico-military vehicle worldwide. There would be solid political support for these policies in the United States, and there could be as well on the Continent if we broke through the political elite s insularity. Since the end of the war in Kosovo earlier this year, Jeffrey Gedmin has organized two delegations of senior policy figures on fact-finding trips to the Balkans.
Some government officials speculate on a referendum as early as spring.
Polls indicate between 40 and 50 percent in favor and 40 percent against. If Djukanovic can spur the economy with the help of his new currency, he ll campaign hard for 60 percent support. In the meantime, the Serbian dictator will try to stir things up. Trouble in Montenegro may even help Milosevic divert attention from his own worsening economic and political crisis. A cart is rolling down the hill, picking up speed, says Muhammed Sacirbey, Bosnian ambassador to the United Nations, who has his own experience in dealing with Milosevic.