Deutsche Militärzeitschrift
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DMZ Interview with HRH Crown Prince Alexander - July 2007

DMZ: Your Royal Highness, your country faces a difficult situation these days. One part of Serbia - Kosovo - has been occupied by international military troops and is currently under UN administration. With regard to foreign affairs, Serbia herself seems to be nearly isolated now. As Crown Prince, you are not involved in day-to-day-politics; can you do anything and mediate between your country and her neighbours?

PA: Serbia’s international position is not easy but the country has a number of capable leaders determined to carry out internal reforms and improve foreign relations. Their task is not made any easy by the lamentable lack of understanding over Kosovo by some countries which insist on full independence for Serbia’s southern province. Serbia wants good relations with all countries, especially in the Balkans, and my country’s relative isolation is due not to any policies emanating from Belgrade but to the European and United States failure to enable her to participate fully in the processes of international integration and cooperation. Serbia is not the only culprit for the tragic events of the past two decades in Southeast Europe and the international community should stop treating her as a pariah.

You rightly say I am not involved in day-to-day politics of my country but I keenly follow events and try to help in my own way without encroaching on the politicians` prerogative. I would be delighted if they asked me to help improve relations with the neighbouring countries since I am a great believer in the need for regional cooperation. You may be interested to learn that I have made private visits both to Slovenia and Croatia in recent years and met their leaders. As somebody who from the very beginning denounced the wars that accompanied the break up of Yugoslavia, I believe I can play a useful role in re-establishing trust and cooperation.

DMZ: What role does Kosovo play in the Serbian consciousness? How do the people of Serbia feel about Kosovo being occupied?

PA: Kosovo has a unique role in Serbian consciousness as the cradle of Serb Orthodox spirituality and the site of the most momentous battle the Serbs ever fought for their freedom and their faith. It is a sort of Serbian Jerusalem and as the Jews never renounced Jerusalem during their long centuries of exile, the Serbs will never renounce Kosovo. Think only of the priceless Serbian religious shrines in Kosovo which are an integral part not only of Serbia’s cultural heritage but of Europe’s civilisation. The fact that over 150 Serbian churches and other monuments have been destroyed since the occupation of Kosovo in 1999 speaks for itself. The Serbs are very unhappy about the foreign occupation of Kosovo and would be even unhappy if their southern province were allowed to secede. The Kosovo Albanians must enjoy all human and civic rights as all Serbian citizens but it would be a gross violation of international law if the international community decided to take away a sizeable part of Serbia’s territory and grant it independence.

DMZ: How much did the 1999 military intervention strain the relationship between Serbia and other European nations, Germany in particular?

PA: Western military intervention in 1999 has left deep wounds in Serbia which will take time to heal and Germany and other NATO countries must help the healing process. Frankly, Germany’s support for the air campaign against Serbia did not surprise us since our country was the victim of German aggression in two world wars, but we were really hurt by the leading role in the campaign played by our old allies, Great Britain, France and the United States. It is amazing how quickly they forgot the selfless sacrifice of the Serbs for the sake of freedom and Allied victory in the Second World War. In March 1941 Yugoslavia practically committed national suicide out of loyalty to Great Britain when Serbian army officers carried out an anti-Hitler putsch in Belgrade, but in 1999 Great Britain, under Prime Minister Blair, was a leading hawk in the campaign against Serbia and the Royal Air Force took part in many air raids killing innocent civilians. Germany also joined the campaign without even thinking it was a golden opportunity to make amends for past aggressions by refusing to take part this time. The Serbs will not forget easily that German war planes strafed the town of Varvarin in central Serbia killing a number of innocent people including a Serbian priest decapitated by shrapnel. The Luftwaffe cannot be proud of that particular deed. I am not aware of any official expressions regret at this lamentable incident.

However, this is history and we must look positively to the future, but NATO countries must make amends for what happened in 1999 by helping Serbia’s reconstruction and our reintegration with Europe.

DMZ: How important is the Serbian Orthodox Church for the Serbs? What role did it play in the Ottoman era?

PA: The Serbian Orthodox Church is the most important of all Serbian institutions. Since the days of its founder St. Sava in the 13th century it has played a central role in the history of Serbs, first as a repository of Serbian Orthodox spirituality and, second as a keeper of Serbian national identity. For five centuries of Ottoman rule it enabled the Serbs to preserve their identity as nation on the ruins of their medieval kingdom. It also acted as a custodian of Serbian culture and a provider of education through centuries. It suffered terrible persecution under the Ottoman rule and, in more recent times, in Croatia during the Second World War and in the earlier period of Tito’s dictatorship in post-war Yugoslavia. Now it is being restored to its rightful place in Serbian society.

The Karageorgevitch Royal House has always been a staunch supporter of the Serbian Church. In the days of Serbia’s greatness our society rested on two pillars: Church and Crown.

DMZ: What is Serbia’s relationship with other nations which were together in the old Yugoslavia?

PA: Serbia’s relations with all former members of the Yugoslav Federation are improving daily after all the conflicts of the 1990s. Trade has always been quite extensive but political relations have also improved considerably since Slobodan Milošević was removed from power in 2000 and let us hope they will continue to do so. South eastern Europe should become an area of genuine democracy, cooperation and friendship in the interest of all inhabitants who have so much in common. No discrimination on the grounds of race, nationality, religion or sex should be allowed and human rights of all citizens must be respected. Serbia will work steadfastly to promote these principles at home and expects the governments of neighbouring countries to do the same. One of the problems still to be resolved is the question of missing persons and refugees. I would like to point out here that Serbia has more refugees than any other former Yugoslav republic and urge those responsible to enable all Serbian refugees to go back safely to their ancestral homes in Croatia and Kosovo.

DMZ: How do you rate the German- Serbian relationship in particular?

PA: I believe Serbian – German relations are good, but could be better. We fought each other in the past and had our disagreements. It was a big mistake for Germany under Chancellor Kohl to press for early recognition of Croatia’s and Slovenia’s independence thus speeding up the disintegration of Yugoslavia. But, as I said before, this is history, let us look positively to the future. Germany should intensify economic relations with Serbia by investing more in the Serbian economy, improving trade and know how. Political, cultural and education cooperation should also be stepped up and Germany should actively help Serbia becoming a member of the European Union as soon as feasible.

Personally, I believe we Serbs can learn from the Germans in one respect in particular. After the defeat of Hitler in 1945 the German people were at the lowest point of their destiny but in a matter of decades managed admirably to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and regain respect of the rest of world and their position at the heart of Europe. You did this through very hard work, intelligent policies and determination not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The present Serbian position can never be compared to the monumental catastrophe you experienced in 1945 but we should still take a leaf out of your book and through hard work and intelligent planning regain our rightful position in the world in general and Europe in particular.

DMZ: What is the role of the royal house in the Republic of Serbia these days?

PA: The Karageorgevitch Royal House has been linked inextricably with the destiny of the Serbian nation during the past two centuries and whatever happens this link will not be broken. As the heir to the throne I live and work in the Serbia, but you must not forget that, though now a republic, Serbia has a long monarchist tradition and many people support the restoration of the monarchy. However, I am a democrat and it is up to the people to decide which form of government they want. When communism started collapsing in my country people asked me whether I wanted to be crowned king. My answer was “Let us crown democracy first” and started a campaign to help the democratic forces defeat the dictatorship and introduce a democratic system. When this was achieved in 2000 I returned to the country after a long exile to help develop parliamentary democracy. This job is not yet quite complete but post-Milošević Serbia is a different country from what it was before. The royal house of Serbia stands for democracy, rule of law, respect of human and minority rights, a tolerant and modern society inclusive and non-discriminatory. It stands for Serbia joining the European Union and other integrative processes. In the humanitarian field my wife Crown Princess Katherine has been very active for many years now providing aid to all people in need irrespective of their origin, creed or political persuasion. Her charity “Lifeline” and her Foundation in Belgrade has provided extensive aid to both institutions and individuals on a vast scale and has received high praise and recognition at home and abroad.

Our royal house has become again an integral part of national life and we take part in most state, national and church occasions. I have good relations with most political and other leaders, religious leaders and hope my advice counts for something. Foreign affairs are one of my preoccupations and I constantly strive to improve Serbia’s links with all democratic countries. I also try to disprove many misconceptions and falsehoods abroad about Serbs as Europe’s “bad boys”. My advisers and I also hope the day will come when the Serbs will be asked whether they are in favour of the restoration of monarchy. I will abide by the will of the people.

DMZ: How important is the Serbian Army? Do they value military traditions from the Serbian/Yugoslav monarchist era?

PA: The Serbian Army is still very important. In a recent opinion poll people were asked which institutions they trusted most, a clear majority said the Church first and the Army second. Serbian armed forces have gone through a painful transition from being a Yugoslav army to becoming a Serbian army. This process is still going on, the army is becoming more professional and has forged strong links with United States military. Our soldiers greatly value military traditions from the pre – 1918 Kingdom of Serbia, especially the heroic and selfless sacrifices made by our army in the Balkans Wars and the First World War culminating in the Salonika offensive of 1918. Serbia in modern times has never fought a war of aggression and will not do so in the future. Our armed forces are to be used in defence only and it is our earnest hope that there will be no need for the Serbs to resort to arms again.

DMZ: In the future will Serbia rather approach Russia or Western Europe? What do you personally think about it?

PA: We do not think Serbia is faced with a choice between Russia and Western Europe, we want to maintain good relations with both. Russia is Serbia’s traditional ally who helped us in our struggle for liberation against Ottoman Turks but we also have allies in Western Europe and want to have friendly relations with all democratic countries in the world. Our wish is to be a member as soon as possible of the European Union and contribute to its future. We welcome help from any quarter to strengthen our democracy, rebuild our economy and improve our international standing.

DMZ: Is it desirable for Serbia, in your opinion, to become a member of the European Union?

PA: As it transpires from what I have already said, joining the European Union is Serbia’s top priority. Any help from Germany for a speedy accession would be most welcome.

DMZ: What is your future vision for Serbia?

PA: A prosperous and peaceful democratic country with a modern and equitable social system designed to all citizens regardless of their ethnic origin or religion lead a fulfilling and creative life. A constructive and responsible member of the community of nations. And finally, of course, a constitutional parliamentary monarchy.

Thank you.