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The Royal
Family at their Belgrade residence
How do you feel
and how do you live in Serbia?
It has always been my dream to come
home to my roots and to live in the residence where my father King
Peter II and grandfather King Alexander I lived. My father mentioned
very often his youth and the memories of his life in Yugoslavia. I
feel good being home. And back to my roots.
Back in past, it
seems that you have been more active in giving comments and talking
to public. Now, you do it less often. Did you loose the interest in
current political issues?
I have never lost interest in the
current affairs of our country. I was more active politically before
5 October 2000 because my objective was to help bring democracy,
human rights and a better future for all our citizens. After 5
October 2000, I decided that the route should be to establish a
meeting point and center of unity. My view about the long term
solution for stability, unity and continuity for our country still
stands in that the best solution is Constitutional Monarchy like
Spain, Norway, Denmark etc. Parliamentary Monarchy allows the prime
minister and government the leeway to rule the country. This form of
government works very well like in The Netherlands, Belgium, Japan,
United Kingdom, Australia, Canada etc..
Your spouse and
You were often seen with former US Ambassador and his wife working
on common actions. How would You describe Your friendship with them?
We are fiends with ambassadors and
their wives. It is so important to have good relations with the
international community and we are proud to have good relations with
the diplomatic corps in Belgrade. We were happy to know Ambassador
and Mrs. Montgomery and
their comportment to us on
many occasions was friendly.
How do You
comment on possible succession of Serbia and Montenegro?
This is a political matter and
involves the ultimate decision of the people. I must say that
before another divorce takes place everyone must seriously consider
the best interests of all citizens and what effect such a course
would have on the future and well-being of all citizens. Politicians
have the duty to put people first and not their personal interests.
Do You think
that Kosovo region is lost and what are your comments from the
perspective from Your Dynasty (from Karadjordje until Alexander I)
that historically was completely dedicated to persisting the Serbian
characteristics of Kosovo?
 Our politicians have the difficult
task to work on the future of Kosovo with a good relationship with
the international community. We must all work together. The normal
solution would be unity in a democracy where people peacefully
coexist, but to do that the key must found to switch off former
created terrorist elements of the past. The destruction of Serbian
Orthodox Churches is shocking and those that committed such cowardly
crimes must be brought to justice. All places of worship must be
respected and that includes Mosques and Churches. The violation of
human rights and democratic principles in Kosovo will do no one any
good. Violence will lead nowhere. People are lost when they do not
respect each other. The future in the European Union is respect for
all. There is no exclusivity for one religion or one ethnic group –
everyone should be respected by the
European Union and within the European Union.
Can Serbia
permit a succession of Kosovo?
There is no future in the European
Union for an entity that only has a single religion or a single
ethnic exclusivity. So why should anyone permit succession when
there is no basic respect of human rights. The perpetrators of
violence must know that he European Union Europe will insist on
mutual respect for each other and no more violence. Our duty in
Serbia is to be firm and demand what is right.
I have an
impression that You have reserved opinion to the recent and last
extraction of Serbs from Kosovo?
Again, I repeat no more violence,
no more violation of human rights, no more destruction of churches
and any place of worship, swift punishment for violators and more.
Switch off and decommission the formerly internationally created
elements for once and all. In addition, do not forget that European
Union cannot maintain the principles upon which it was built if such
principles were denied to Serbia and to the Serbs in Kosovo. Move
ahead with democratic principles…...
From Your
perspective, how do you see ‘’European Serbia’’?
Serbia is in Europe and part of Europe. Serbia belongs in Europe. We
have to fulfill our international obligations and move ahead to
comply with the requirements of entry in the European Union. We
cannot afford to be overtaken and become an isolated island in the
middle of Europe surrounded by European Union members. Our people
must know what the European Union is and what future it would bring
and what benefits there are of membership. The European Union should
curtail its threats and comprehend the historical background. Serbia
has obligations to the European Union, but the European Union also
has obligations to Serbia as well. The European Union has to
address what it can do for Serbia and turn around the constant
veiled threats into constructive objective workable results for our
citizens that produce meaningful results, instead of incessantly
repeating what will happen to us if we do not do perform this or
that request. We do not want to be driven into a corner. No sane
person will undermine constructive results that benefit the people
as a whole. In fact, people will be much more cooperative and
positive. We do not want to be an island in Europe, but please do
not compel us to become one.
What kind of
relationships do you have with President Tadic, Prime Minister
Kostunica and President of SCG Mr. Marovic?
I have an excellent and warm
relationship with President Marovic, President Tadic and Prime
Minster Kostunica and always look forward to seeing them.
Do You support
the relegation of accused to The Hague Tribunal and how do You
comment on the Tribunal Work?
Anyone who may have committed
crimes against humanity must face justice. No one on our planet can
be above justice and that goes for all citizens of all nations.
There is no exclusivity. Justice must be fair and swift. Alleged
violators must be given a fair trial and be given the chance to
defend themselves. The issue is crimes against humanity. The
principle should be innocent until proven guilty. When I think of
the loss of life and suffering that took place in the former
Yugoslavia and the continuation situation in Kosovo I am shocked.
Our ministers and the international community are working hard to
resolve certain issues and I hope that we can move our country
forward.
Minister of
Finance, Mr. Mladjan Dinkic had stated that thanks to YRHs
relationship with Mr. Wolfensohn, Serbia got the favorable credit.
What is like that relationship that you have with Mr. Wolfensohn,
and with others distinguished characters in the world?
It is a pleasure to have good
friends across the world and to maintain this friendship. My wife
and I are proud to have many friends. We have known President Jim
Wolfensohn of the World bank for many years and we always look
forward to our next meeting. We were recently together in Munich for
a World Bank conference and when we are in Washington, we meet.
Are You
satisfied with the treatment that You have in Serbia?
Yes, I am happy. Whenever my wife,
boys and I travel throughout our country, we are always very warmly
received. We are proud of our close relationship with our people who
are so hospitable.
Could you
describe what had happened during the flight to the Athens for the
Olympic Games and what is the occasion of the incidents with the
president of MOC, Mr.Dragan Kicanovic?
Our wish was a simple one to obtain
accreditation to attend the Olympics in Athens so that we could
enthusiastically support our Olympic Team. Many people get
accreditation and all one has to is apply and that is what we did.
There are various accreditations to the Olympics and we respectfully
requested from Mr. Dragan Kicanovic to be included in the
appropriate one. The head of the Greek 2004 Olympics Mrs. Yianna
Angelopoulos, a friend of many years, had kindly invited us, but to
be included in our country’s Olympic effort would have been
wonderful and very touching for us. We had excellent support for
this request from several of our political leaders at the highest
levels. We were hurt by certain unwarranted remarks by the gentlemen
such as “this is my country and not your country” and when I tried
to shake hands with the gentleman in the plane in a kind gesture I
was told “who are you”. I was annoyed and decided not to say
anything afterwards when it hit the media because the important
issue was the success of our Olympic Team.
Our request was a straightforward
one and could have been done without any problems according to what
the International Olympic Committee explained to us. I wish to say
that it was not my intention whatsoever to offend Mr. Dragan
Kicanovic but rather an expression of pure anger.
To move head in democracy it is
important that any former ideological personal views of the past era
are put behind and that we move ahead in our democratic form to put
our people first and have good international relations. My wife and
I are proud to have excellent international relations. I wish to
remind those of the ideological past in doubt that Constitutional
Monarchies are advanced forms of democracy.
You
are monarch, and it is obvious that You support the idea of
establishing the Monarchy in Serbia. But, how much is that option
possible and real? Following that sense, Austrian could bring back
Hapsburg Royal Family , Italians, Germans can do the same, Turkey
could bring back sultan. Do you think that this ‘’trend’’ is
possible?
It happened in Spain a former
dictatorship and look where they are today. Spain is a great
democracy and a member of the European Union.
Our country needs a neutral head of
state that respects everyone, brings everyone together, and allows
the government elected by the people to rule.
My roots and ancestors are from
Serbia and Montenegro it is in my blood. Monarchy was always with
the people during difficult times and good times. My ancestor
Karageorge was a great hero. Of course, the trend is possible and
there is grass root support and interest. All it needs is good
organization and for our citizens to appreciate what is
Parliamentary Monarchy. In the past era, there were unjust negative
things done against the Parliamentary Monarchy to discredit it.
Today everything is possible. |
