B92 Interview: Mr. Dusan Babac, Member of the Privy Council
23th August, 2011

Dynasty Petrovic and Dynasty Karadkordjevic are not the same

Podgorica – Member of the Privy Council, Mr. Dusan Babac, explains that the rights of the Petrovic Dynasty and Karadjordjevic Dynasty cannot be placed in the same basket.

He reveals that Montenegrin Prince Nikola has no right to movable and immovable property, since the descendants of King Nichola sold all this to the Kingdom of Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia

“Constantly the fact that the heirs of King Nikola sold all their movable and immovable property to the State is being bypassed. With these funds they bought villas on the Cote d’Azur and in other locations”, stated Mr. Babac.

He reminded that the Government of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes to purchase the property of the Dynasty Petrovic - Njegoš, according to the agreement with the members of the Dynasty. That is why the previous agreement was written and concluded with all interested parties.

“The agreement prior to the enactment of a law in Parliament included the contract for purchasing of the property, along with the agreement that money from the sale cannot be paid immediately, but periodically, and during the descendants lifetime”, stated Mr. Babac.
He said that the Parliament of Kingdom of Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia authorized the total sum of 42 million dinars from the state budget, partly in cash and partly in food and lifelong endowments, to the descendents of King Nikola. The fulfilment of mutual obligations by previous agreement, the assets of the dynasty Petrovic - Njegos became state property.

Mr. Babac emphasized that in the Archive of Yugoslavia there is an act of consent of Prince Petar Petrovic about his personal compensation for the purchase of the part of the property which belonged to him. Almost identical statements were signed by Prince Danilo and Countess Natalia, widow of Prince Mirko, on behalf of her three sons.

Princess Xenia asked that her annuities to be paid off in one payment, as well as inheritance of her deceased sister, Vera. This demand was fulfilled, and all members of the former Royal House of Petrovic-Njegos received monthly payments. The payment of the endowments was executed until 1945, after which that right was unilaterally terminated.

Mr. Babac points out that Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic, does not want to enter in a discussion with Prince Nicola, about the property of his family in Montenegro, and for that reason he avoids making statements about this issue, until the official Commission which is working on this subject makes a decision.

Attorneys are leading a combined procedure, which was started in 2007, because the heritage in Montenegro is not only claimed by Crown Prince Alexander II, but by all members of the Karadjordjevic Dynasty, Babac recalls.

- Montenegrin Parliament recently adopted the law on the Status of the Dynasty Petrovic-Negos descendents, who get for permanent use the King Nichola’s house in Njegusi. In further, descendents of the Dynasty will get the new family house with 300 square meters with the 5 thousand square meters garden, as well as the apartment in Podgorica with 130 square meters. The law provides certain monthly amount of money, which should be given to descendents.