“Glas javnosti”, 16
February 2004
Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Kavran, the Chairman of
the Public Administration Reforms Council of the Serbian
Government and the member of the Crown Council
Critical
moment for the Serbian people and the state
It is
our wish that all the Karadjordjevics are under one flag,
just like they were in the times of the Supreme Leader, or
King Peter I the Liberator and King Alexander I the
Unifier, and that The Royal House serves Serbia, says our
collocutor
Two
centuries have gone by since the Serbs raised in unison to
free themselves from the Ottoman occupation and start
establishing their state all over again. They did it and
amazed the whole Europe. Whether they started establishing
a modern or a stable state is of less importance.
Emphasizing modernity is quite irrelevant in the days when
in fact celebrate the reestablishment of the state that
used to exist for centuries, and that used to reach the
pinnacles of culture, law and economy, influenced strongly
by Europe of that time. It is essential what we do every
day, and not what we say at celebrations.
Our collocutor, Professor of the Belgrade
University School of Law, Dr. Dragoljub Kavran worked in
the field of Public Administration reforms in 41 country.
He is the Chairman of the Serbian Government Council in
charge of this area, the member of the Crown Council of
The Royal House of Karadjordjevic, and the man of
worldwide reputation.
Professor
Kavran, what is your opinion on the state of Serbia two
hundred years ago?
Two hundred years ago the Serbian Uprisers
were able to reestablish the state to their people, and
they were the first in the Balkans. They emancipated
amazingly quickly from the Ottoman Empire. The Supreme
Leader Karadjordje was a determined and strict man, of
great physical and spiritual energy. He was elected thanks
to the healthy instinct of the Uprisers. He managed to
awake the entire nation and others followed him,
establishing the state that carried out unseen endeavors.
That is the foundation of enormous responsibility for the
heirs.
What is
your opinion on the Serbian state today?
There is no state, there is nothing
completed. We lack everything tremendously. Every night we
see more of that on TV. I think this state of the affairs
has been going on for much longer than it should have, and
it is very dangerous for all of us. It creates space for
people without ethics and respect for the others.
Is the
cause of that our ignorance and weakness or the
international political scene?
Both
are probably right. When there are no regulated
relationships in a state, the ones who profit are the
people who had accumulated wealth in an illegal way or in
a shady way. In that way those whose stronger side is not
the awareness of the public interest establish monopoly on
success. Unbounded vanity, which is a sin before God, is
flourishing. It should be reminded that the DOS coalition
was established with great difficulties. I remember 147
people signing the Chart on cooperation in Saint Andrew,
with the aim to depose Milosevic. Then it was done in
Banja Luka and eventually in Athens and Belgrade. Many
friends from the world still expect from us to cooperate
and establish a state they could recognize. General
situation in the world is very, very complex. There are
three fundamental directions: the first one is the triumph
of democracy and globalization, the second is
totalitarianism. The third, most desirable one, protects
democracy and preserves identity.
Where are
we today as a nation and as a society?
Regrettably, conflicts are an introduction
to totalitarianism. And that is a dangerous putting
history on halt and going back. Above all in the economy.
Today in Serbia we have annual income per capita of $
1,250 and Slovenia has $ 16,000. Our trade deficit is
horrifying.
How can we
stop the conflicts and misunderstandings and come out of
the dead end street?
Let us go back to our own experience.
Previous Serbian states were monarchies. Successful, with
roof for everyone. Most European Union members, and the
more developed ones to that, have monarchs as heads of
state. Why should not we? I don’t see anything wrong with
those countries. In Spain, that was a solution that saved
the country. In other countries monarchy has beneficial
influence on mutual understanding. And the simple
calculation shows that in our country monarchy would cost
less than this labyrinth we are trapped in.
Our country should be represented by a well
known head of state, the one who has family and friendly
connections with important countries through their
monarchs. When I say head of state, I mean His Royal
Highness Crown Prince Alexander II. He is an exceptionally
capable man, former soldier and businessman. Beside his
family ties with all European Royal Houses, he is also one
of five members of the Board that organize gatherings of
major international companies. To save our identity and
stability we need a man who will cause as little as
possible friction and confrontations, a reconciliator. And
that is precisely our Crown Prince.
Can we do
something to be radically better?
In this stage of “developing the
undeveloped” whose parameters are endangered economy and
the country’s weakening international reputation. We must
not accept technological and economic subordination and
establish permanent structural dependency. That would no
longer be Serbia.
Is there
any positive example of that in Europe?
Yes, as I said, it was Spain some twenty
years ago. The merit of King Juan Carlos is immeasurable,
because he led his country among the strong modern
countries.
You often
speak about the disposing of time policy. Would you say
more about it?
Every nation has the same amount of time,
but disposes of it in a different way. It seems there is
plenty and we manage it well, but in crisis we get
exhausted and realize the time has ran over us. We waste
it on conflicts and bickering. Can’t we do any better?
How would
Montenegro react to the reestablishment of monarchy in
Serbia?
We have recently had a meeting with Mr.
Svetozar Marovic, the President of Serbia and Montenegro.
From the conversation we concluded that as for him, there
are no misunderstandings that could not be overcome, as he
precisely said: “On the model of the European Union”. That
is quite enough.
The draft
of the law on The Royal Compound is in the Federal
Parliament. Would you please remind our readers about the
content of that document.
The proposal is to make The Royal Compound
the state property. Just as Buckingham Palace in London or
other European Courts are. In that way the enormous
property would be preserved: the land and the buildings
that are extraordinary historical and cultural monuments,
and the artworks would be safe from segmentation and
inevitable aspirations from the mafia related circles.
From the people who would turn the foundations of our
national culture that are matchless, magnificent monuments
of their times of exquisite taste – into God knows what.
That must not happen. The Palaces are protected by the
Army Guard, police and private security of His Royal
Highness. Today maintaining of the Compound costs
considerably less, it is in better shape, open for the
public (already visited by 20,000 people), it is a meeting
point. It is a source of pride for our local and
international visitors.
What would
happen to the Crown Council if monarchy was reestablished?
The Crown Council would cease to exist, we
would not be the new “national heroes”.
Language
troubles
It is often
heard that His Royal Highness does not speak Serbian so
well as it would be proper for our future ruler. What is
being done in that respect?
His Royal Highness Alexander II fluently
speaks five languages. That is important for the one whose
main duty is to represent the country. I think there are
no obstacles for him to learn Serbian impeccably. He is
working on that all the time, and we can help him by
speaking Serbian to him.
Agreement
in the Family
There are
different approaches by the members of Karadjordjevic
Family in solving the property and status issues. What can
you tell us about that?
I think there should be no disagreements
there, but at the moment, regrettably there are. According
to the Book of Rules of The Royal House each member of it
has his or her own status. As for the property, it can be
resolved by the good will of the members of The House, but
the procedure hast to be followed. I think in time this
issue will be off the agenda. It is not likely that the
communication among the members of The Royal Family would
fail, despite meddling of some who should not have
anything to do with The Royal House, for the sake of
ethics and decency. It is honorable to be a republic
supporter. But to use intrigues and slander in the
struggle against reestablishment of monarchy – is not.
Dragan
Vlahovic
