Officially, Serb troops are coming to help Montenegro defend itself against Nato attack. But Montenegrin officials publicly dismiss the idea that Nato ground troops might enter Yugoslavia through the republic. Whatever the military pros and cons of such a plan, the political effect would undoubtedly be disastrous.Montenegro is doing everything to keep its distance from the war between Nato and Belgrade. The air raid sirens wail daily as the Nato planes fly overhead, en route to their Serb targets.

But the Montenegrins are eager that the army should not fire at the planes, thus persuading Nato to unleash its bombs.A burst of anti-aircraft fire in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, on Sunday night, was described by one Montenegrin as an "army provocation".Above all, the Montenegrins are worried about the possible bombing of Bar, which plays a key role in the country's economy. When a Yugoslav navy ship in Bar, fired on Nato planes, there were officially sponsored protests in the town because of what was seen as a revenge bombing. Nato hit Montenegro in the early days of the campaign, but now appears to have realised the political absurdity of such a strategy.While attempting to remain on polite terms with the military, Montenegro does nothing to hide its fear of a takeover. The streets of Podgorica are lined with armed police and special forces protecting government buildings. The Yugoslav Army takes every opportunity to intimidate; in recent days, soldiers delivered call-up papers to the deputy mayor of Bar, Mico Orlandic, and other council officials. The council's response was to post armed men at the doors of the town hall.

"They're there to defend us," said Mr Orlandic.Milka Tadic, the editor and publisher of Monitor, Montenegro's main news magazine, said secession is now inevitable. "A big Yugoslavia was a normal country before Milosevic came But the rump Yugoslavia we have now is an illusion. Secession is the only way to save Montenegro from the madness.". THE INDEPENDENT is appealing to readers to help refugee victims of the war in Kosovo, which has triggered the biggest humanitarian disaster in Europe since the Second World War. In excess of pounds 630,000 has already been donated but much more is needed, say the leading aid agencies. According to the UN, more than $300m (pounds 200m) is required to deal with the crisis. More than 600,000 Albanians have now fled their homes and most of them are destitute. Impoverished neighbouring countries are overwhelmed by the human tide of misery and long columns of cold, distraught people with virtually no possessions trying to cross borders where they face an uncertain future.The British aid organisations at the forefront of the international relief operation say that they need a massive injection of funds to alleviate the plight of the refugees and to provide food, shelter and warm clothing.To make a donation, please send a cheque or postal order payable to the Disasters Emergency Committee, PO Box 2710, London W1A 5AD.