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Sir David Frost: Can there be peace in the region as long as Milosevic remains in power in Belgrade. Joining me now is Crown Prince Alexander who is the heir to the throne of Yugoslavia if it was to be re-established. That ’s correct isn’t it? HRH: Absolutely David. Sir David Frost: Now let’s start with Milosevic. Where in your mind does he stand now? HRH: Well I don’t think there will be peace in Serbia or in the region until Serbia is at peace with itself. So therefore Milosevic must go, but how? Unfortunately the west has given him a lot of mileage over ten years. After every agreement he has come back home and closed down the remnants of the independent media and fooled around with the opposition, which is very serious. Sir David Frost: And obviously you think he is not necessarily sufficiently discredited today to be ousted? HRH: I am concerned because there is still marshal law in place. Therefore he is an emperor and the country is destroyed. The country is still hurt, but there is talking already about the future particularly among the young people. The country is to ransom that is to 250.000 people who are part of the Ministry of the Interior. The population is 11 million. So this Ministry of the Interior is a very dangerous element. The army is very concerned also, the conscripts are coming back and I think many questions will be asked. I think that everybody has to rally around President Djukanovic (Montenegro) and opposition leaders such as Djindjic, Draskovic, Vojislav Kostunica and religious leaders too. Very important that the west and the people of the country see that there is an enlarged conference to bring democracy. A big job. Sir David Frost: A big job democracy and how would you see your role if it was to – as a constitutional monarch if that opportunity arose? HRH: Well my role of course being rooted to the country is to promote democracy and human rights and respect all citizens regardless of ethnic background or religion. Be the unifying point of unity and continuity. Similar to the Spanish role of King Juan Carlos, which was a very successful one. There are not too many things which are the same, but I think that it can be done. There is feeling for the monarchy, but Milosevic controls all the airwaves and the media. This is the disaster. I think a new page could be turned very shortly. However again I must say that the west must not give Milosevic another lease of life. Sir David Frost: But in terms of getting rid of Milosevic. Who, how will he be gotten ridden of? Because obviously as you say he controls the levers of power and he controls the media and so on. Will it be an election or has it got to be something more? HRH: I wouldn’t recommend any elections. I would recommend a government of national salivation with a mandate of three years to do all the reforms. No ten minute elections. How to get rid of him? Well again, I think Djukanovic with members of the armed forces. There are a couple of generals who have some feelings, a lot of men who have some feelings that the only way forward for Belgrade is democracy. And also to save the union of Montenegro and Serbia before that breaks up. Milosevic needs something else like negative religion negative nationalism. We need to avoid a situation like Vojvodina or Sandjak. What we need is democracy and a better future. Sir David Frost: And what about the situation in Serbia at the moment? I mean you have only been there twice obviously in your life in exile and so on, but today do you think people are beginning to blame Milosevic for some of their misfortunes or only NATO? HRH: Oh most certainly people are beginning to blame Milosevic, but remember there is marshal law and people are still somewhat concerned about their own personal safety. This is very worrying so the pressure must be on to lift the marshal law and for people to feel free to express themselves. The Ministry of the Interior is the problem; they had an $8 billion budget last year revenue from illicit operations. They’re the big trouble; they’re the ones who control the militias, the awful people who have done the things. There is also the terrorist element of the KLA. We have got to get rid of all these nasty weapons and bring democracy to the whole region. Sir David Frost: Crown Prince thank you very much for being with us this morning. HRH: Thank you very much.
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