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TIME Trail: Montenegro

Montenegro has always staunchly defended its sovereignty, a process that endures in the wake of the war in Kosovo
By JEFF CHU

Jonathan Blair/Corbis Kotor Bay, Montenegro

Legend has it that Montenegro won its name — which means "black mountain" — through prowess in war. Centuries ago, its foes chose the name to commemorate huge losses at the hands of those who ruled this part of the Balkans. Today, Montenegro often appears in the news with the words "tiny" or "little" before it. The junior partner in the Yugoslav federation, it is overshadowed by Serbia and Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. But if history is any guide, Montenegro remains a formidable force, with a reputation for beating not only the odds but also its enemies.

Perhaps Montenegro's raw beauty compelled Slavic immigrants from northern Europe to settle in this region of snow-covered peaks and deep green gorges. Whatever the reason, Montenegrins have guarded their autonomy fiercely since they arrived in the 7th century. A victory over Byzantium in 1042 secured autonomy, and Montenegro was the only state in the region to fend off the Ottoman Turks as they swept through southern Europe in the 1300s. The Turks tried again, repeatedly, in subsequent centuries. Each time, the Montenegrins held on, and strategic alliances — first with Venice, then with Russia — helped maintain self-rule through the 19th century. This tenacity was not lost on the world; Alfred Lord Tennyson praised the "race of mightier mountaineers" in his 1877 poem "Montenegro."

The 20th Century brought humility in war for a country that had never known defeat. In the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars, Montenegro was on the winning side. But while it gained more territory, it lost many men. When World War I erupted the following year, the country joined, its thinned ranks fighting alongside those of neighboring Serbia. Austria occupied Montenegro in 1915, when Serb-led forces protecting the region fled to Greece. The Allies quickly declared their solidarity with the defeated Montenegro. British Prime Minister David Lloyd George promised, "The Allies will do justice to the heroism of the Montenegrins." The Allies did win the war, but Montenegro did not regain sovereignty. When Austria retreated in defeat in 1918, Serbia moved in, purportedly to secure Montenegro's stability for a transitional period.

Getty Images Nicholas, last King of Montenegro, inspects troops with the Crown Prince of Serbia

Serb sympathizers within Montenegro had different ideas, orchestrating a union of the two countries with the approval of Serbia's king. The unpopular move sparked the Christmas Uprising of 1919. Thousands of Montenegrins died in the consequent guerrilla war, which continued until 1926. Thousands more fled Montenegro, resettling in other parts of Europe and the United States. Many who stayed joined the fledgling Yugoslav communist movement, which preached equality at a time when Montenegrins were feeling marginalized and neglected.

The communists took control of Yugoslavia after the end of World War II. Many Montenegrins were rewarded for their loyalty with positions of power. True to their heritage, they held particularly prominent posts in the military. Montenegro itself was promoted from a mere administrative region to full-fledged republic in the new Yugoslav federation.

Montenegro proved loyal to the federation, even after Tito's death in 1980 (TIME, May 19, 1980) and the radical political shake-ups a decade later. In the country's first multi-party elections in 1990, Montenegrins showed staunch support for the ruling communists. Montenegro alone joined Serbia in protesting the secession of Slovenia, then Croatia, and finally Bosnia and Herzegovina, staying in the truncated Yugoslavia even after the other republics split.

But many Montenegrins were deeply critical of Serbia, particularly with regard to the war with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Montenegrin units even withdrew from the Yugoslav army in protest. Sanctions against Yugoslavia decimated the Montenegrin economy and largely ended the flow of tourists to Montenegro's beaches and ski resorts. Discontent grew in the mid-1990s as the federal government did little to rejuvenate the still-ailing economy.

Milos Bicanski/AFP Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic

Elections in 1997 were a turning point. Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic captured the federal presidency. But in Montenegro's own presidential election, voters chose Milo Djukanovic, a pro-Western candidate, over Momir Bulatovic, a staunch Milosevic ally. (TIME, June 15, 1998) Once in office, Djukanovic embarked on reclamation projects, taking back much power from Belgrade and easing Montenegro out of federal institutions and relationships. (TIME, Winter 1998-99)

While Djukanovic has publicly said that Montenegro remains committed to the federal Yugoslavia, his actions suggest a more independent future for his country. Milosevic has made clear his feelings on the matter. In early 1999, he reminded Montenegrins that they are still Yugoslavs, calling up all draft-age Montenegrins for military service and discarding an earlier pledge that no Montenegrins would fight in Kosovo. While Montenegro largely escaped NATO bombing during the conflict, Milosevic's broken promise and a steady stream of refugees tested loyalties in the republic, eroding his still significant base of support. Polls in mid-1999 showed that 60% of Montenegrins would vote for independence if given the chance. (TIME, Aug. 23, 1999)

Despite pressure from Belgrade, Montenegro has stayed its independent course, maneuvering itself into a state of semi-sovereignty. Its repositioning may not yet be done. The West has heaped praise on the Djukanovic administration, with the E.U. pledging millions of euros in economic aid for Montenegro. President Djukanovic has expressed his gratitude for the willingness of the E.U. and the rest of the world to "reaffirm the will of Montenegrins." Centuries ago, that hardy will won Montenegro its name and reputation. Soon, it may win back independence as well.

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