How human misery and natural disasters served as trading goods in the last few days
On the line of fire: from pigglets to Ljubovic
In the last couple of days of July 2017, Montenegro was in flames. The fire was swallowing the trees, bushes and dry grass- the same fire that was lit in September 2015 on the Boulevard of St. Peter Cetinjski in Podgorica. That roasted pork that was grilled on the Podgorica Boulevard symbolically represents a flame that started a special war against Montenegro, led by a much larger force dissatisfied with the strategic foreign policy of Montenegro, along with their civilization trademark, represented by their supporters in Montenegro.
Meanwhile, according to the same script, an armed coup attempt took place on the day of parliamentary elections on October 16th in 2016. It was only by coincidence that the bloodshed was avoided. It all smelled of screenwriters from the Kiev’s Maidan and the strategy of force to achieve geopolitical plans, without anything attractive and compelling that would make them a more desirable ally or a strategic partner.
Despite the open wheeling and dealing, interference with the sovereign rights of Montenegro and obstructive and violent actions of their supporters in Montenegro, Russia failed to prevent the accession of Montenegro to NATO On June 5th 2017. Montenegro became the 29th member of the strongest military alliance and defense system on the planet.
Precisely in those days, a journalist of Radio Free Europe, Russian desk, asked me if I expected the cessation of interference of the Russian Federation in the internal affairs of Montenegro after its accession to NATO. Bearing in mind the division of Montenegro on the national, political, ideological and strategic level, I replied that of course I expected the continuance of the abuse of the turbulent situation in Montenegro, and abusive activity of those political forces, which have never been and will never reconcile with the commitment of Montenegro to becoming a part of the Western world and Western civilization. In one possible scenario, I counted on everything that seemed the most appropriate and realistic to serve as an instrument for the Russian brokers to bring "their people" into power, who would then change the geopolitical position of Montenegro in accordance with their plans. Somehow it did not seem realistic that it was possible to drastically erode the economic system of Montenegro as a consequence of the Russian Federation or their supporters and sympathizers activity.
Propaganda conducted in the Russian media against Montenegro, intended to degrade Montenegrin tourist offer with primitive and bold lies, such as that Russians are being killed in Montenegro, female tourists raped, that the country is dirty and filled with diseases, as well as the ban on the import of Montenegrin wines, did not seem to have much effect. The citizens of the Russian Federation themselves dismantled the propaganda on Montenegrin tourism and natural beauties, together with the Russians who are temporarily or permanently residing in this country. In fact, the dirty anti-Montenegrin campaign, thanks to the ordinary citizens of Russia, through their denial, turned into an extraordinary promotional campaign of Montenegro, mostly through the Internet and social networks. Finally, all this has resulted in an exceptional tourist visit from Russia in June, increasing the average total number of days on the Montenegrin coast, in comparison to last years, by over 40%.
It is a known fact that tourism is the main economy of Montenegro and that the revenues from tourism largely affect the trade balance of Montenegro and also provide financial stability in terms of the Euro as an official currency. So, it is no surprise that the main danger to the economic stability of Montenegro is the collapse of tourism revenues. However, the extent of unscrupulousness could have hardly been foreseen by anybody even relatively decent.
Montenegro had fires before on its territory. There were farmers who burned grass to provide the cattle with the fresh one, there were fires in the north of Montenegro in the season of picking mushrooms, the glass splinters which could cause a fire existed before, as well as the cigarette butts….But it was all under relative control and it never caused drastic consequences. And as there are fewer cattle breeders, I'm afraid that there is even less reason for burning dry grass on the hills covered with underbrush. As for the drought, neither was this July the driest one that we can remember, moreover, the question is what to expect in August, when the trees are as dry as a bone?
The chronicle of coincidences
It began in late June, until a series of fires started burning in July all across Montenegro. The flame was either shared by Bluetooth or a human hand had a role in spreading the fire, so that in some cases, the flame sites burned simultaneously. A large forest fire swept through the pine forest on the Lustica peninsula, near the Blue Horizons, on 3rd July 2017. On the same day in Podgorica, more than 20 fires erupted, and the flame affected several houses, while causing damage to orchards and numerous plantations.
From 1st July to 8th July, there were a total of 240 fires. A large fire broke out on 9th July in Donji Grbalj. Fifteen firefighters with five cars managed to withhold the fire and save the residential buildings in the village Lješevići. Fire was also burning in Vranovići, Pobrđe Kubas, Glavatičići.
In Podgorica on 10th July, over a period of 24 hours, 47 fires erupted: Golubovci (6), Old Airport (5), the circuit Radoja Dakica (3), Pavlovina (2), Bolje Sestre (2), Maraguzi (2) , Center (3) lower Kokoti (2) Dajbabe (2) Zagoric (2), Podgorica (2), Block 9, Sukuruć, Mareza, Masline, Tolosa, Gosić, Gornja Gorica, Kotrabudan, Cvijetin brijeg, Novi grad, Tuzi, Mahala, Gornji kokoti, Ljajkovici, Donja Gorica. The number of fires in one place in parentheses.
That day and the next, the whole Kotor Bay was covered in smoke.
In Podgorica on 12th July 67 fires broke out! The Civil Service Protection of the Capital extinguished fires at more than 400 locations since the beginning of July until the 12th of July! In two days, on July 14th, 52 fires which the wind flared further broke out in Podgorica.
The officials say that some fires were started deliberately, since they burned "in places where it is absolutely impossible to extinguish." On that day a major fire starts in Sutorina, close to Herceg Novi. In the area of Cetinje fires were active from Velešta to Gornja Markovina on Kopitnik and Garač. At one point, the fire was streching over a length of about 20 kilometers.
Over fifty fires in Podgorica on 15th July!
Shortly before midnight on 16th July, in the coastal part of Herceg Novi Lustica, near Rose, specifically from Potkop right onto the bay, a fire broke out and at incredible speed, and in some 15 minutes, helped by a strong north-east wind, it climbed its way to the road, and spread out in two directions, one towards the top, one towards Dobreč.
On the same day, fires were burning in Podgorica,- Kokotsko polje, Mareza, Piperi and Tolosi. The fire broke out on Ljubovic, a hill in the city, and the vehicle was saved in the last moment on the parking lot of Delta City, a famous shopping mall. Near City mall there were two active separate fires, one within the Tobacco Plant, and the other behind the shopping center. The situation was critical, the objects were threatened as well.
The road Podgorica-Danilovgrad, was critical as well, in the place of Luznice, where a hill was burning.
In the area of the capital there were 33 active fires. In addition to Ljubović, the following day there were even two larger active fires In Ponari (Vukovci) and Kuca Rakica, where one warehouse burnt and a significant damage was caused. In the evening, a fire broke out near the Technical Faculty in Podgorica. On the same day, 17th July, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro over the Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union filed a request for international assistance.
In many Montenegrin municipalities, the fires are still burning. In Tivat and Herceg Novi on 18th July, fire was burning in several locations, Podgorica as well. Directorate of Emergency reported that the fires were active in Niksic, Danilovgrad and Cetinje.
Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, scheduled an emergency session of the Bureau for the operational coordination of the work of the security services, which would review the situation in Montenegro.
In Tivat and Herceg Novi, on 19th July, situation remained unchanged. Fires were active in Podgorica, Cetinje and Danilovgrad.
From 21st July, fires were active on many locations in Danilovgrad, Tivat, Herceg Novi and Cetinje.
Who responded to the request for assistance
Ukraine responded to the request of Montenegro and sent the fire aircraft AN 32P, with a capacity of 8000 liters of water, Switzerland sent a multipurpose helicopter Super Puma, whose capacity was 2000 liters of water, Bulgaria sent a helicopter MI 17 with a capacity of 2000 liters of water, Croatia sent two Canadairs, and from Israel an Air Force -130J Hercules arrived, as well as two aircrafts Air Tractor type with a carrying capacity of 3000 cubic meters of water.
Thanks to international aid and assistance of NATO, the situation is relatively under control. Despite that, Sputnik, Russian propaganda portal in Serbia, maliciously wrote that “in the last few days, the citizens of Montenegro could see that NATO also had the "invisible aircraft" fire extinguisher at its disposal, apart from those that are used in a military intervention”. [1]
"Despite incredible efforts of citizens, firefighters and the army firefighters, it is clear that currently, Montenegro does not have the necessary personnel and technical equipment to deal with the emergencies of serious proportions. The media also noted that although the aid from abroad, which would facilitate the efforts of firefighters was officially requested, so far the situation remains on the shoulders of local power. Particularly striking is the absence of any help from NATO partners, since until yesterday, precisely in the situations such as this one, their help was used as one of the key arguments for pulling the country into this military alliance. "- says Sputnik [2]
Prior to that, Democratic Front accused the government of Montenegro for deceit of the people, by saying that NATO members will come to the rescue:
"This difficult situation has once again proved that the government was unwilling and unable to respond to disasters such as this one and that it has no capacity to deal with these challenges. Also, the government has deceived the citizens by saying that NATO will come to the assist Montenegro in situations like this one. We are witnesses of the fact that in difficult times for Montenegro, citizens can only rely on each other, especially having in mind the ill-equipped and small-scale fire brigade, which is already on the verge of endurance. Already at the first big test, a great story about how Montenegro will be an equal partner at the table in Brussels, fell into the water. This brings us back to the big floods that hit Montenegro several years ago, when from NATO the assistance came in the form of 17 right-foot boots. Today, NATO aircraft to fight the fires is nowhere to be seen, these famous military troops to participate in the rescue of human life and property are missing….It is obvious that the only NATO aircraft that the citizens of Montenegro will ever see are the ones that killed our people in 1999 " says in one of the statements of the DF. [3]
Podgorica daily DAN used the fires in Montenegro to cheer their readers with the caricatures that carried similar messages.
Political fires had to be well politically exploited. What about the inappropriateness? When did this political "idea" think about that? For them, all means are permitted and justified.
The extent and the size of damages are difficult to determine, especially those that will reflect on the tourist season. The success of the strategy "the worse the better", which has been a years-long strategy of some political organizations in the opposition, and who found support outside of Montenegro, will also be analyzed after the tourist season. It is likely that everything that happened last Sunday will have an impact on the economic picture of Montenegro; therefore it is necessary to internationalize this yet another attack on Montenegro.
Media in Russia and Serbia
Media in Serbia reported about the fires in Montenegro mainly through the perspective of a natural disaster, attributing human negligence to causing the fires. However, for example, B92 cloud not remain blind-eyed to the huge number of fires, so they called in for a psychiatrist who was supposed address this problem as a pathology of people who “cause fires to calm themselves”. So, there are intentions, but not the ones of political nature, only pathological. Although in the end, it is all pathology.
I do not remember that any media, including Montenegrin (except for Podgorica daily newspaper Dnevne novine and portal CDM) traced these fires to the special war that has been led against Montenegro for quite some time now. Regardless of whether the criminal hand that sets fires is the owner of a Montenegrin or a Russian passport.
In the cover up of what actually happened, an Albanian citizen caught the burning the grass in his backyard will definitely come in handy. Unfortunately, those who have set the largest number of fires will not be so easily detected, nor will they do it so publicly.
In 2014, when Serbia was hit by catastrophic floods, residents of Montenegro showed great empathy for what happened in Serbia at the time. Unfortunately, a large number of comments on Serbian sites, showed absence of any empathy, to put it mildly. Some even offered to send flammable canisters! Irena Đorđević from Kraljevo, with a sense of bitterness, wrote on Belgrade daily Blic website: “Your comments are horrific ... Had Montenegro not helped us when we were hit by foolds? Idiots, you are just barking and spreading hatred, embarrassing our country. "
There were harsher words, inappropriate for public display. Comments of hatred or rejoicing are an indicator of how much resentment there still is towards independent Montenegro and its strategic orientation, regardless of whether the writers of the messages are from Montenegro or Serbia. Also, there are numerous potential volunteers for the destruction of Montenegro, or rather, many of those who do not like today’s Montenegro and prefer their own version of Montenegro as a Russian / Serbian, "brotherly" colony.
Fires in Montenegro came as a present to the Russian media loyal to the Kremlin, which almost celebratory and with a great deal of malice, reported on the situation. [4] This was diligently republished by the traditionally anti-Montenegrin Belgrade daily Blic [5] and, of course, almost all religious and pro-Russian portals [6] and weeklies in Serbia [7].
The first channel of Russian state television, primetime news programs, as well as the media GRU and the Russian army television Zvezda, broadcast the situation as catastrophic and Montenegro as an unsafe destination for Russian tourists.
Sputnik
The first channel of Russian state television, primetime news programs, as well as the media GRU and the Russian army television Zvezda, broadcast the situation as catastrophic and Montenegro as an unsafe destination for Russian tourists.
On state television Rossiya 1, the main news broadcast a report stating that the entire Sutomore was evacuated, Tivat also, while "300 defenseless tourists were sleeping on the beach." [8] Reports were filled with malice and triumph. The statements of unavoidable sources of anti-Montenegrin media were broadcast as well: Marko Milačić and an alleged Tourismologist, Igor Damjanovic, who predicted the rapid collapse of Montenegrin tourism.
Number of fires in Montenegro would have been terrifying even for the country hundred times larger and more numerous than Montenegro. This inevitably leads to a conclusion that it was a deliberately caused threat, with a desire to provoke serious consequences, especially for the country's economy and standard of living. This is a classic way to cause dissatisfaction of the population and achieve goals that could not have been achieved otherwise. The only logical train of thought, given the recent events in less than two years, can hardly find a motive in some other event or idea.
It's funny to say that someone who is devoted to the state of Montenegro, out of negligence or because of the cattle, after so many fires, superhuman firemen effort, damage caused to society, would continue with such behavior. It is more than clear that this was a premeditated act against Montenegro. Whether motivated by someone's instructions, hatred or revenge. As for me, no matter that I cannot provide evidence for this claim, the signature is obvious.