POLITIKA

CROWN PRINCE ALEKSANDAR BEFORE THE ANNOUNCED OPENING OF THE WHITE PALACE

We need a unifier

Does America support the idea of constitutional monarchy, what are the relations in DOS, and why weren’t the Palaces opened for the public

The staff at the Palace in Dedinje is looking at the sky. They are hoping it won’t rain on 7 June, when Crown Prince Aleksandar and his wife Crown Princess Katherine are organizing a charity dinner party where the top state officials, ministers of both Governments, ambassadors and local and international businessmen will give their checks for purchasing medical equipment and ambulances, as the invitations for the reception. On that night, there will be firework display, too. Men in red and yellow jackets are hurriedly cutting dry branches, using long chainsaws, before the announced opening of the White Palace. But, not for the general public. For the moment, only for gatherings of businessmen, statesmen, and as it is usually said, people of good will.

We came in through the main gate, after being formally identified by a tall guard wearing a green uniform and a red beret, a member of the Guardian Brigade of the Yugoslav Army. The guards at the gate used to carry automatic riffles, and now the young soldier at the entrance didn’t even carry a pistol.

A friend – Mr. Anan

In front of the door of the Palace, a member of personal security of the Crown Prince Aleksandar II Karadjordjevic was waiting for us. He took us to the salon, where Aleksandar and his wife Katherine were talking to Lynne Montgomery, having coffee and cakes. Several boys and girls were sitting at the table, too. The American ambassador’s wife is a frequent guest at the Palace, and she helps in Princess Katherine’s humanitarian activities.

Journalists’ circles circulate a notion that the Americans would be glad to see Aleksandar wearing the Crown, but the Crown Prince, who received us in his office, did not answer directly to such speculations. Except that he said how it is important to have the US as our friends. And that the question of constitutional monarchy is an internal one.

“Of course, we were deeply hurt and shocked by the bombing. I was among the first to voice out my horror and disgust over it. However, now we must go forward together. I have recently met with my old friend Kofi Anan in New York – the Karadjordjevic’s are traditionally friends with all Secretaries General of the UN. I have also met with Bill Gates in Seattle, and I welcomed the meeting of Djindjic and Svilanovic with the State Secretary Colin Powell”, said the Crown Prince, pointing out that Lynne Montgomery will help in organizing the charity dinner party on 7 June, as well as a business breakfast the next morning.

Citizens, thus, will not be visiting the Dedinje Palaces yet – a plan is being elaborated in cooperation with the National Museum and the Ministry of Culture to organize visits to the White Palace and the Royal Palace in groups of about twenty people from time to time.

“Each room has its history, since the time of my father, then Tito and Milosevic. We shall not move the symbols of those times. There is the grave of Tito’s lover Davorjanka in the park. Everything should stay in its place. “

Less conflicts

But, for politicians and businessmen the doors of the Palaces are constantly open. Since last July, when the Karadjordjevic were given the keys to the compound that was leased to them, the most influential politicians have become frequent guests at the estate which is 100 hectares large. We talked to the Crown Prince before the visit of His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Pavle and high dignitaries of the Church to Dedinje. Although he repeated he was not running for any office, he said he expected a chance to talk seriously about constitutional monarchy in the next few years, perhaps in 2004, when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising when his ancestor had gathered the Serbs and led them against the Turks. “I believe that we need it to avoid what is happening to us now” said the Crown Prince, not denying that he “might make peace between Djindjic and Kostunica”. “We need a person who will unite our people. Who else if not the institution of constitutional monarchy. I insist on our political parties to respect democratic principles and I think that we have reached such position. But, I would love to see less inner conflicts, in the name of the people, for if we avoid the inner conflicts, in just a few years we could go ahead of our neighbors. The sooner we start reforms, the better all of us shall live. We have the most unusual Government in the world: with incredible experts, from the best schools in the world”. The Crown Prince pointed out that he does not take sides in the present political conflicts within DOS, as well as that he equally respects Vojislav Kostunica and Zoran Djindjic as great democrats.

Petty quarrels

Beside calling for stricter discipline in our nation and political parties, he said that the Karadjordjevic family also needs stricter discipline. “I don’t want to get involved in petty quarrels”, he replied shortly.

Those who are familiar with turbulent history of the Palace have noticed how the Crown Prince’s sons did not keep the tradition of going to military schools. Aleksandar too finished military academy in Britain. “I have never spoken about it with my sons – we have never touched the military side. I believe I’m very close to our Military whom I admire, and whom I have excellent relations with. I believe our country must have a strong defense”.

In the room where Serbian rulers had signed the key decisions on the country’s destiny, we asked our host if he knew how ordinary people lived. “I know how widely poverty is spread. I know the situation in our hospitals and factories. That is why we must work together, not against each other”, makes his final remark Crown Prince Aleksandar.

By Aleksandar Apostolovski