Jump to full article: New York Times, 2006-09-10
Author: NICHOLAS WOOD
Intro: Montenegrins vote in parliamentary elections on Sunday and few have any doubts who will be the winner. For 15 years, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, the longest-serving political leader in the Balkans, has dominated Montenegrin politics and is likely to continue to do so after the votes are counted late Sunday night. . . .
Montenegro’s involvement in organized crime has earned it one of the worst reputations in the Balkans.
Mr. Djukanovic’s government has long been at the center of corruption allegations, and it was named in a European lawsuit against American tobacco makers alleging collusion in cigarette smuggling.
Philip Morris agreed to pay $ 1.25 billion over 12 years in an out-of-court settlement with the European Union in July 2004, with the money earmarked for helping to crack down on the smuggling.
Mr. Djukanovic himself faces an arrest warrant in Italy, brought by a court there in 2004 in connection with the smuggling. He dismisses the charges as politically motivated.
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