“CENTAR”, 14 January 2004

 

Interview: Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic spends Serbian New Year at Kopaonik

 

THE GOVERNMENT MUST PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST

 

KOPAONIK – As an ardent defender of democracy and human rights HRH decided in 1989 to take a very active role in helping his people shake off the legacy of decades of dictatorship and the regime of Slobodan Milosevic. HRH conducted meetings and maintained constant contact with the democratic opposition and democrats throughout the former Yugoslavia. In November 1999 HRH convened a large conference in Budapest Hungary for the Democratic Opposition. Another symposium in Bosnia in January 2000 followed the Budapest conference. In April 2000, the Crown Prince convened a large key conference in Athens Greece. The Crown Prince has travelled extensively, met with numerous world leaders, politicians, and parliamentarians. In an exclusive interview for “Centar”, HRH speaks about the past elections and emphasizes that parliamentary monarchy is a solution for our country.

 

How much has the current political situation influenced the position of monarchy? Does the success of Vuk Draskovic and Velja Ilic in the elections mean a step forward in fulfilling your dream about monarchy?

 

Nothing at all has been affected actually the demand and wide interest for Parliamentary Monarchy has increased. I have always said that Parliamentary Monarchy is the solution for our country in that it will provide the stability we so much need to succeed as a democratic nation.. I respect all political parties and I am not a member of any party. Parliamentary Monarchy is the symbol of continuity and stability. Parliamentary Monarchy works very well in Spain, Japan, Canada, Norway, Holland etc…

 

What kind of Government would you wish for Serbia?

 

My wish is that every government put the people first and respect all citizens.

  

How much did the support to monarchy, during the election campaign, from Serbian Patriarch Pavle and Serbian Orthodox Church mean to you? In what direction will the cooperation continue?

 

I was deeply moved by His Holiness Patriarch Pavle’s support and that of the Church. The Church and Monarchy have a very long tradition together. The direction must be one of work and respect for one all in the true Christian sense.

  

You and your wife Crown Princess Katherine hosted 2,000 children for the season’s holidays. It is not easy to reach donors. Who donated this year’s presents and how did you reach them?

 

It was wonderful to receive these lovely children and such a pleasure to see the smiles on their faces. The toys were organized by my wife’s charity Lifeline in Athens, London and New York. There were several donors involved in each location. I wish to stress how important it is to show love and care for these unfortunate lovely children.

 

As we understood, it was aid that your Foundation might grant talented children. Have the scholarships been provided and in what number?

 

We are still in the organizational stage at this moment.

THE PRINCES ENJOY SNOWBOARDING  The Royal Family was gathered in Belgrade for Christmas this year, and they celebrated Serbian New Year at Kopaonik. The sons, eldest Peter and the twins Philip and Alexander, live abroad, and gather for birthdays and holidays.