Balkans: December 9, 1999

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: Is this the Yugoslav governments first military move against Montenegrin separatists? In one of the most dangerous moves inside Montenegro since the end of the Kosovo War, the Yugoslav Army took control of Podgorica's Golubovci airport, Montenegro's chief air link. The Yugoslav Army forces included infantry and armored vehicles. According to press sources, the Yugoslav military objected to the construction of a hangar by Montenegrin police. The Montenegrin hangar was to house helicopters controlled by the Montenegrin police. The police are loyal to the Montenegrin government, not Yugoslavia's president, Slobodan Milosevic. FYEO's best guess: the airport action is a warning to Montenegrins that there will be no "velvet divorce" if Montenegro decides to leave Yugoslavia.