Freedom has its price Americans believe Montenegro must pay entry to NATO
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"Our military know that freedom has its price. Ask any soldier or veteran, "- writes the commander of the US Navy, the former official spokesman for the Pentagon J.D. Gordon in an article for The Washington Times.
"Given that recently NATO leaders have agreed to negotiations on the accession of Montenegro, as the 29th member of the Alliance, we must ask ourselves about the price," the author of The Washington Times said. (Translation by Sve.me)
He continues: "Even if many Americans have never heard of the tiny Balkan country that has emerged since independence from Serbia in 2006, now we will be obliged to protect it."
Before signing the agreement, the Americans, however, are invited to get to know this country more closely.
"... he is regularly accused of running a criminal state, periodically dispersing mass protests inspired by Moscow and organized in order to prevent the country from joining NATO," writes the general about Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic. He also adds that in the recent past Djukanovic was accused by the anti-mafia commission in Italy for "organizing the smuggling of cigarettes, which resulted in the laundering of more than $ 1 billion in profits, according to court documents in Italy and Switzerland. The only reason why the Italians did not arrest him was diplomatic immunity. In the end, he is the head of state, "the article says.
"Even more alarming," he calls the fact that "... Dusko Jovanovic, editor-in-chief of the opposition newspaper Dan, was shot near his office in the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. Despite the fact that the family lawyer asked to summon Mr. Djukanovic, the request was denied to him. "
"But, wait, that's not all ..." continues the general.
"The Balkans, including Montenegro, have become the main center for arms trade in Europe. This is a natural result of the disgusting work of the internal security service, with a large enough stock of weapons from the Yugoslav army, which led to the prosperity of the black market. It is not surprising that this weapon will fall into the hands of radical Islamists. So, after the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris last year, the French authorities came to the conclusion that the Kalashnikov assault rifles arrived from the Balkan countries, and this is only a small part of the 4,000 military weapons smuggled into France from such regions , as Montenegro. A citizen of this country, 54-year-old Vlatko was arrested in Germany at the time when he drove a car full of weapons and explosives to Paris just 8 days before the terrorist attacks. Coincidence? "Gordon asks.
"... considering all these disadvantages of Montenegro, why does NATO accept such obligations?" The general asks another question, and immediately answers it, "Because the alternative is worse."
"Given the strategic location and non-aligned status of Montenegro, a prospect has matured for Vladimir Putin. And contrary to Moscow's claims that NATO enlargement is a threat to Russia, this is Mr. Putin's regime, guilty of invasion, annexation and threats to neighboring countries, and not vice versa, "Gordon said.
"Therefore, the expansion of NATO including the Balkan contenders - Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Macedonia makes sense. The same applies to Georgia with its access to the Black Sea, "the former Pentagon spokesman shares the plans of the alliance.
"But joining NATO can not be a license, a thief. In addition to conforming to military standards, Washington and Brussels should insist on the desire of states to comply with Western democratic values, including commitments on the openness of the government, freedom of speech, the rule of law and the fight against corruption ... ", reads the article.
In conclusion, the general writes: "... A clear signal must be sent to Mr. Djukanovic: NATO is not a" free exit from prison "card. Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader received 10 years in prison for bribery soon after his country joined the military bloc. "
"Thus, the entry of Montenegro into NATO must be a win-win, this should be done in a complex. Freedom is not given in vain, "the commander of the United States Navy finishes his article.
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