Political tension has risen in the republic of Montenegro -- Serbia's smaller, weaker partner in the Yugoslav Federation.

Montenegro has been under pressure from Serbia to take an active role in the war with NATO.

The Montenegrin government has now accused Yugoslav troops based there of intimidation, and has threatened to confine them to barracks.

A BBC correspondent in Montenegro says people have been detained by the Yugoslav army for failing to respond to call-up papers for military service, and senior army officers have visited local journalists and accused them of being unpatriotic.

Our correspondent adds that military confrontation between Yugoslav forces and the special police of Montenegro still looks possible.