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09/12/2006: Albanian-Americans Involved in Failed Terror Plot in Montenegro, Police Say

09/12/2006: Albanian-Americans Involved in Failed Terror Plot in Montenegro, Police Say

(Balkanalysis.com Security & Intelligence Brief 12)  Recent arrests made in the newly independent state of Montenegro indicate that the predicted “domino effect” of ethnic Albanian uprisings in small states in which Albanians comprise a minority is becoming a reality yet again. The interesting thing is that as in Macedonia and Kosovo, ultranationalist Albanian-Americans seem to be leading the charge.

According to Montenegro’s PCNEN, chief of criminal police Ivan Masulovic announced that 12 people have been recently arrested, including 4 US citizens. Another 2 are on the run.

According to the statement, the plotters, who included members of the former KLA in neighboring Kosovo, planned terrorist attacks in the regions of Malesia and Tuzi to coincide, ironically, with the 5th anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of America- on 10 and 11 September. Weapons were found in two locations, according to the police.

Albanian-American nationalists were instrumental in the success of the KLA and its offshoot, the NLA in Kosovo and Macedonia, shipping weapons, raising funds and supplying fighters.

The arrests were made as the independent state’s first elections were held. According to AP, the leader of an ethnic Albanian party in Tuzi said the arrests represented a political provocation, as most of the suspects were either party supporters or candidates.

The Albanians - whose vote was critical in Montenegro’s independence-winning reform - have made no secret of their desire to cash in this political capital in the form of further political and territorial gains. As has been attested in Kosovo and Macedonia, it is likely that what cannot be gained by politics will be attempted by force.

In Tirana, a leading political figure made waves recently by calling for a “Natural Albania” by 2013. Among other territories, it would comprise parts of Montenegro.