AP, February 25, 2010
Serbia, Montenegro clash over fugitive drug lord
Justice officials from Serbia and Montenegro met Thursday to try end a dispute over a fugitive drug lord whom Serbia has accused Montenegro of refusing to help capture.
Serbia says it is working with U.S. authorities to arrest Darko Saric, accused of organizing the attempted transfer of 2.7 tons of cocaine from South America to Europe.
The smuggling was disrupted in the Atlantic last year in an operation that included U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.
Serbia says Montenegro is refusing hand over to Serbia some of Saric's associates, suggesting they enjoy government protection.
Montenegro has dismissed the allegations, saying they are designed to discredit the tiny nation _ which split from Serbia in 2006 _ in the eyes of the European Union. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said Thursday it was Serbia, and not Montenegro, that protects criminals.
Saric's whereabouts are unknown. Montenegro has said that he fled the country before a Serbian warrant for him was issued.
Serbian and Montenegrin justice ministers said before their meeting Thursday they would try to outline the rules of cooperation to avoid similar disputes in the future.
The clash threatens regional ties, which are crucial as the two nations seek to move closer to the European Union. The EU wants Balkan states to cooperate, particularly by fighting crime and corruption in the region.
The Balkans is a major transit route toward the West for drug smuggling.
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