Ideja Crnogorske Drzavne Nezavisnosti u Unutarpolitickom Zivotu Crne Gore Krajem XX i Pocetkom XXI Vijeka.

The paper follows an idea of Montenegrin independence during the last 130 years. In the wide range of dates important to Montenegro, July 13 is set aside as a synonym for "Montenegro's stability and a symbol of freedom." Article 26 of the Berlin Treaty defined the international legal status of Montenegro, whereby "Montenegro's independence was recognized by the Porte and all the High Contracting Parties that have not recognized it yet." The Article meant that the Montenegrin independence was confirmed by the countries that had not previously done it, primarily by Turkey. July 13, 1941 is an equally important date in the modern Montenegrin history. In the decades following World War II, the significance and symbolism of July 13 was constantly emphasized in the Montenegrin public, as a date which should personify the free spirit and individuality of Montenegro, its courage and devotion to the ideals of honor and freedom. During 1992, the question of state status, i.e. of Montenegro staying united with Serbia in the form of FRY, represented a battlefield between the government and a portion of the opposition that advocated the independence of Montenegro. A referendum on the status of Montenegro was organized, and the option to stay within the federation won the support of over 90% of voters. Nevertheless, Montenegro continually sought to increase its sovereignty and independence from the federal state by transferring functions from the federal to a republic level, which reached its culmination at the referendum in May 2006. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]