The largest part of the archives of the defunct state shipping company "Jugooceanija" from Kotor is falling apart, after the dilapidated building on Vrmac was once again painted over.
Valuable materials, which include documents, technical drawings, ship's logs and other things that tell about almost half a century of work of the former giant, are exposed to thieves, mice and moisture, which "reign" in the dark and neglected facility.
This was confirmed by a journalist from "Vijesti", who on Saturday found a broken warehouse door, in front of which someone had already torn up a part of the archive on the field.
There is still a large padlock on the door, which was installed by the employees of the State Archives from Kotor about half a year ago, after the first break-in.
However, he was not enough to defend the archive, so now anyone can enter the warehouse at the top of the hill and take whatever interests them.
Even before the warehouse was opened again, the director of the State Archives of Montenegro (DA) Stevan Radunović told "Vijesta" that the conditions for storing the material "are not suitable for that purpose and do not guarantee its protection from damage, and in some cases even from destruction ".
In addition to Vrmac, the archive is located in the company's facilities in the Zlatne njive settlement in Kotor and the Port Authority and in the former "Jugooceanije" Administration Building.
The administrative building of the failed state shipping giant was sold to foreigners and it is owned by the company "Kotor Palace". Part of the archival material stored in that building was also endangered, scattered and exposed to moisture, but due to the efforts of DA workers, the most urgent measures were taken, so it was temporarily secured in one of the leak-proof rooms. The new owner showed understanding for this problem, but wants the state to remove the company's archives from the building as soon as possible, which, formally, has not yet been liquidated.
"DA, in accordance with legal obligations and authorizations, monitored and controlled the work of 'Jugooceania' in the part related to the handling of registry and archival materials. The Archives Department in Kotor is responsible for monitoring this creator, which, through regular visits, condition control, giving expert suggestions and instructions, as well as issuing orders for the elimination of observed omissions, tried to oblige 'Jugooceania' to deal with the material in accordance with legal obligations. This is evidenced by the large number of prepared minutes, sent letters, and issued orders. Unfortunately, the desired success was not achieved in these efforts...", said Radunović.
He pointed out that the legal obligation towards the valuable material is its creator - "Jugooceanija", i.e. the legal follower of the company - the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Transport, because the Government is the majority owner of the company.
However, even more than a month after "Vijesti" sent them questions regarding the "Jugooceanija" archive, they did not respond, and in the meantime, thieves broke into and partially ransacked the building in Vrmac.
They don't know who to talk to about protecting valuable documents
Radunović explained that the right way of doing things means selecting and cataloging archival material, equipping it and handing it over to the State Archives.
"All these are the obligations of the creator of the material or his legal successor. They are obliged, among other things, to inform the DA about all changes in status and changes in the condition of materials. However, in this case, this obligation was not fulfilled, so we have no information about the legal status of 'Jugooceania', whether that entity exists or has been terminated, and whether there is a legal successor. We do not know if there is a subject with whom we could agree and cooperate in order to protect the material. Therefore, we sent a letter to the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs in which we requested this information and indicated the activities that should be undertaken for protection... We hope that the initiative will produce the desired results".
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