Yugoslav Army Seizes Airport in Montenegro
Armed Yugoslav troops seized control of the main airport in Montenegro on Wednesday, raising tensions between federal authorities of President Slobodan Milosevic and the independence-minded republic.
The move took place one day before Montenegro planned to take over the strategic facility, which serves as both the republic’s main commercial airport and a Yugoslav air force base.
Heavy military trucks were rolled out onto the main runway, and Montenegrin Deputy Information Minister Abaz Dzafic said soldiers loyal to Milosevic had taken over the control tower, banning all flights in and out of the airport.
Federal troops were seen along roads leading to the airport, about 10 miles from Podgorica, the capital. Paramilitary police loyal to Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic remained inside the main airport building.
The federal Yugoslav government in Belgrade made no statement about the move. Late Wednesday, independent Belgrade television station Studio B reported that the “misunderstanding” had been resolved and that the airport would reopen today.
But a Montenegrin source at the airport denied knowledge of any agreement.
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