The United States has reiterated its support for Montenegro during talks in Washington between the country's Prime Minister, Filip Vujanovic and the Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.

A State Department spokesman said Montenegro served as a model of democracy for the entire Yugoslav federation, and that Washington would continue to give significant financial support to the government in Podgorica, to help promote democratic and economic reform. Correspondents say the support is linked to American efforts to isolate the Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service