DANAS DAILY NEWS PAPER

CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CROWN AND CHURCH

“The American schism” brought division to the Royal House as well. King Peter the Second and his brother Prince Andrej aligned with a “free church”, while your uncle the late Prince Tomislav and you stood beside the “homeland”. How do you evaluate present relationships between Royal house and Serbian Orthodox Church, and would the election of the new Patriarch change that relationships?

The tragic and painful split of our Serbian Orthodox Church was most likely due to the clever use of the “rule and divide principle” imposed by our former intelligences services. The Serbian Orthodox Church suffered very much and many families were deeply affected. Thanks to the hard work of our late Patriarch Pavle the church came together again and wounds are constantly being healed. My relationship and that of my family with our Serbian Orthodox Church is a very close and respectful one.

- Publishing of the partial report of the State auditing Commission about budget spending, including costs of the maintenance of the Dedinje Compound, with spending for daily press, caused protests by part of the public. What is it all about, and what are your comments on that constant fear that state money is spent for financing Karadjordjevic family? Do you have state allowances, what the state is paying for and do you file reports about the spending?

The State auditing Commission’s work is very important. It is pity that such an institution did not control budget spending in previous years. I do not receive any personal allowances from the state. For the money earmarked for investment within and maintenance of the Royal Compound the application is submitted annually, and reports about spending are filed as well. I also maintain that the Dedinje Complex as an important cultural and historical entity and has every right to be kept abreast of news and trends in Serbia and the same goes for every ministry.

- On 1 December 2009 was the 80th anniversary of creation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians. How do you judge this “project” of your grandfather today, after all we have experienced with south Slavs living in one country?

I have full respect for the creation of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes during the time of my great grandfather King Peter I and later in 1929 the Kingdom of Yugoslavia during the reign of my grandfather King Alexander I. I must say that the concept was somewhat similar to a European Union. The trouble was that we were not ready for such an entity and now we are I hope ready for the European Union a much larger entity with many countries, ethnic groups and religions. Lets face it following the Balkan Wars and First World War we did not have the time to establish and bind our democratic institutions since we were faced almost immediately with a depression, fascism then Civil War and Dictatorship.

Today we are back to our historical roots, Serbia, and we can and must do well and take part in the European Union. Providing we all work skilfully together for the common good we can have an important future role in the European Union and preserve the proud national heritage of Serbia.

- What is left today from Yugoslav idea, and was it, in your opinion, defeated in historic terms?

The idea is not defeated historically, but it is realistically.

- When the first interviews with you started to appear in ex-SFRJ at the beginning of 90s of the last century, many were left disappointed by your pro-Yugoslav stance, and at the same time reason for disintegration of common country for many other nations in ex-Yugoslavia was the “threat” of alleged Serbian hegemony. What are your comments on that?

The tragedy was the terrible loss of life and the immense pain suffered by so many people across the former Yugoslavia in the wars of succession. If we are to compare this with divorces, then we have an example here of one of the worst ones possible. It was shocking when we could have resolved issues in a peaceful and civilized way around a negotiating table. Our former leaders and others chose the path using negative nationalism and negative religion, which resulted in appalling bloodshed. I am ashamed of what happened. Today the only way forward where we can come together is by membership of the whole region in the European Union where we have to and must respect everyone regardless of religion or ethnic origin. We need all our neighbours and the other members of the European Union to survive economically and securely.

- There was much talk about moving your father’s and your grandmother’s, King Peter II and Queen Maria, earthly remains to the family mausoleum in Oplenac. Are there any concrete plans, and was the reason for this to take so long your father’s will, who asked that “no matter of any other wishes of the family” he is to be buried in the Monastery in Libertyville in the USA?

That is no project or plan that has “timetable” that can expire. My father was the King, and he belongs back in his country with his people and his ancestors. What better resting place than Oplenac. The only thing necessary is that the Serbian Government should make a firm and wise decision of taking over and burying the King who was the former head of state, two Queens and one Prince. I would propose that with some planning a good time would be with the consent of the government and the church during the time of the Church Sabor in May this year or most likely next year. This would be the honourable way forward.

- Are the quarrels regarding inheritance within the Royal Family solved? How many heirs there are, and what are your comments on recent statements of Prince Vladimir, son of Prince Andrej, that you are just one of several legitimate heirs of the King Alexander the First, but “you are not the Head of the family, because only the King can be that, and you are not a crowned Prince”? Prince Vladimir said, among other things, that you have not informed the rest of the family about State’s decision that all of Karadjordjevic can use the White Palace?

There is no running away or bending of court decisions or twisting of rules or principles. The question of inheritance is simply a legal question, and it was firmly settled for once and all by the court decision from 1938, while the question of Dynastic discipline has always been based on the principle of primogeniture, and it cannot be voted for or decided by rebellious voices. A united family is important.

- You are entitled by the Royal Family to negotiate with Serbian government matters of return of Karadjordjevic’s estates. How far these talks have gone, and will sell offs of Karadjorjdevic belongings in Montenegro and Slovenia go to courts?

There are negotiations in process and I will not comment any further on this important matter.

- Why do you not use the title of King, although it was transferred to you ”immediately, without any conditions and irrevocably”, according to the rules of the Royal house, after the death of your father, King Peter the Second? Is there any political reason for that, and would it be less confusing for the citizens regarding your status and your rights?

When my father King Peter II passed away I was his only son born the Crown Prince Alexander and I became the new King. The transition of the Kingship was immediate, it was without any conditions and irrevocable. As long as the King is alive, his only heir is the Crown Prince, regardless of whether he is of age or not. The Head of the Royal Family and the personality of the King and his function are united in the same person. I do not officially use at this time the title of King, but this has absolutely no bearings on status and rights. The position and the right pertaining to the King can only be renounced through an official act of abdication, in which case the Crown Prince automatically becomes the new King.

- How do you see your position in the Serbian society today, after almost a decade since your return to Serbia? Do your ambitions and plans end at your current humanitarian work and promotion of Serbia abroad?

My ambition is not, if you can call it that, only to be engaged in humanitarian work and promotion of Serbia abroad, although I do not see anything wrong with that. On the contrary, at the same time, I am fully aware that, regarding the current constitutional and legal norms, my area of engagement should not interfere with the activities of elected officials. It is up to them to use my services and support, which I offer, for the benefit Serbia. Wherever and whenever I can, I am ready to help.

- As a former officer in the British Army you have served in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Italy and West Germany, and you have had a successful career in international business. Did our authorities address you for professional advice or help regarding economic, state or social problems?

In some cases they did, and I did all what I could in these circumstances. It was for the general benefit of Serbia.

- You have repeated several times that Constitutional Monarchy is the best choice for Serbia’s future. What are the concrete measures that Royal House and advisory bodies to the Crown are taking to restore the Monarchy, and is it realistic to discuss that today, considering the current balance of political powers?

I have been advocating for the concept of Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy for a long time, because I believe that such a concept encompasses by equal measures tradition and a modern way forward as well as a vision of the future just like in the countries that have Constitutional Monarchy such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands and Luxemburg, I don’t feel that differences regarding the concept of Monarchy currently present in Serbia could be a problem, because if we have a common goal than means it should not be a problem. I would like to point that in a Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy the politicians would be the same as today, but the head of state would be neutral and not be a member of any political party. Imagine a neutral head of state that has no conflict or contention with the Prime Minister and government.

- During the last several decades, have there been any ideas about changing of the political system in Serbia, and are there any at present in the West, in order to eventually stabilize situation in our country and in the region?

The West is constantly engaged in political and economic calculations, and in all those calculations stability of your neighbour is not necessarily a virtue. Also, you cannot always encompass various different interests and goals by the term “West”. The relationship with each country is a matter of the estimate about the best benefit your community could gain from such relationship. Among western countries there are those who quite openly support Serbia on its way towards stability and the European Union, but also there are those which build their internal political consensus on their reservations regarding Serbia’s interests. It is quite legitimate, but it is very different from our point of view. When we start to view the restoration of Constitutional Monarchy in Serbia from the point of benefit and stability of the state and people, I believe that the predominant policy and feelings in the West would be to support such a trend.

- You have contributed a lot to toppling of the regime of late Slobodan Milosevic, and unifying of then-opposition parties, although prior to 5 October 2000 some members of DOS couldn’t hide their ideological prejudices and fears regarding restoration of the Monarchy. How would you estimate your relationships with current authorities?

The relationship I have with any government is subject to changes influenced by the problems of the government. DOS indeed was one particular group of political parties based on interests, leaders and charismatic individuals, with different backgrounds and ideological affiliations. The majority of opponents of any political idea in Serbia today are recruited mainly from ex-members of DOS. I have not changed my attitude towards that. Any government that respects democratic principles and which is working for the general benefit of all the people of Serbia has my support. I am not a competitor or alternative to the elected government.

- How your good connections in the world could help in solving problems in Serbia, first of all regarding Kosovo and Metohija, and could the question of Kosovo be separated from European integrations in your opinion?

This is the real possibility. I cannot comment on something that is a capital point of state strategy in international affairs, but I must say that quite broad national and political support has formed to back up the hard work and efforts of our Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vuk Jeremic, which I find very important. Nevertheless, there are a few other vital questions regarding the complexity and eventual consequences to Kosovo and Metohija, and the important problem of the survival of the Serbs in these unfortunate and ancient lands.

- What is your vision of Serbia?

Serbia as a free and strong democratic country, respecting human rights and a member of the European Union. A country of happy citizens with good social services, surrounded by good neighbours, friends and trading partners. Serbia with no hunger and poverty. Serbia that is productive and offers a peaceful and a proud life. Serbia that gives birth and which grows and protects its children! Serbia that the Lord smiles upon!

PROPONENT OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

- Each year you address citizens with Christmas and Easter message. Why on the occasion of these two biggest Christian holidays and what will you say this year for the Christmas?

I enjoy sending my wishes for Christmas and Easter since they are very important holidays. I also like sending wishes for the Islamic holidays and Jewish holidays. It is important to respect everyone. I always wish everyone happiness and particularly during these difficult times, many people have been hurt by the economic recession and I feel for them. I hope 2010 will be better for everyone.

I feel it is very important to respect religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter and my wish is that we respect everyone regardless of religion or ethnic origin. There must be tolerance and love between all religions and that religion is not used as pretext for conflict or to be imposed on people. We need each other and can and will live in peace together. I firmly stand for human rights.

I would have hoped by now that people will realize that we are moving into a form of a Yugoslavia and that is the European Union. I was too advanced for the madness at the time to understand that a peaceful divorce handled in a democratic way and not by blunt force and conflict would have been a normal a civilized way forward. In the end all the former republics are going in the same direction and that is membership of the European Union.

- Your Royal Highness, Christmas is approaching. How does Your Family celebrate Christmas? Have you succeeded to preserve Christmas tradition during your life out of Serbia, and to what extent is religion important to you?

We celebrate Christmas as a family traditionally. It is nice that we have preserved such traditions as the Yule log on Christmas Eve. We are proud to be Serbian Orthodox and deeply respect all religions.