“PANCEVAC”, 19 September 2003.  

Interview of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II for “Pancevac” 

The issue of Monarchy is outside daily politics

The recent visit of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine to Pancevo was an occasion to ask several questions on monarchy issue. The circumstances led us to using fax machine and e-mail instead of having standard interview.  

Pancevac: An impression is created that politicians have abused the idea of monarchy and The Royal Family, during the struggle to overthrow Milosevic’s regime. Some of the leaders later forgot their “monarchist” orientation and became even presidents of republics. Support to monarchy has reduced and limited to a group of intellectuals, or only few political parties. How do you comment such a turn? 

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II: Politics is a matter of daily pragmatism. It is not unusual to have the tendencies that you have mentioned. However, the issue of Monarchy is beyond daily politics and it can not be reduced to sheer political pragmatism, but it must be viewed from the aspect of national interest and the best solution for our people, and not only for one’s own political destiny and the future of some political parties. I believe that facing with real nature of the problem will show the full advantage of Serbia as Kingdom.  

Pancevac: In the light of the new political circumstances, what is the value of the idea of monarchy among the Serbs? Has it stayed just a traditional ornament or it is something more? Does it have any bigger results, beside the doubtlessly useful humanitarian aspect? 

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II: One should never forget how serious this issue is and that the power of tradition is not just a decoration but also the basic necessity in engaging all potentials in these complicated and difficult times. I think the people of Serbia are aware of that and I believe that certain discouragement with political options is a consequence of what seems as the choice of one, not even in various forms, and certainly with the same contents. We need a total discontinuation with demagogy that existed after WW 2, and the shortest and the most effective way to achieve is to cut off the umbilical cord with the solutions from Jajce and Bihac.   

Pancevac: You reside with your family at The White Palace. The proposal of the Law on the Royal Compound turned out to be disputed among the Karadjordjevics. Some say it is “Serbian business” again. How was the issue of Karadjordjevic property settled in other republics of former SFRY? 

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II : If you read the complaints you will see that what was proposed and what caused has nothing in common. I hope it is going to change when the proposal is read more carefully. As for the former Yugoslav Republics, the attitude there is no different than Tito’s – which means that property is viewed as loot, and that loot is sweet. However, I hope that in the future we are going to see justice and law,  which are so distant today, brought closer together.  

Pancevac: Is there any difference between emotions toward monarchy of the people from this and the other side of the Danube? What is your attitude toward the people of Banat? There is an old story among the Banat people, that your grandfather whose name you carry, King Alexander I had, in his time, given half of Banat to Romania before his wedding. Is there any truth in that story? 

HRH Crown Prince Alexander II : To begin with the last, there is no truth in it. On the contrary, the fact that the issue of division of Banat was resolved to Serbia’s advantage, was the cause of long time dissatisfaction of the Government of Romania. Matters of state borders and territories were never the area of King’s decisions, but the decisions of the Government and the Parliament. At that time the Kingdom had a good government. And as for regional sentiments for and against monarchy, it is quite true that these sentiments are stronger in some regions, and weaker in others. That goes for many other questions as well, and it is the consequence of local tradition but also of the extent of media accessibility. Very often the local elite are dictating attitudes for the purpose of their own benefit.  

Vladimir Djokovic