INTERVIEW OF PRINCE ALEXANDER II

LET US STOP DESTROYING OURSELVES

• We must now unite around our new government, that is, our new Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, who was elected by our Parliament • We should look up to the constitutional monarchies in EU, and particularly to Spain • If we cannot act as one nation, we are facing further deterioration of our territory

Nothing indicates that the state of emergency in Serbia is outside the gate of the Royal Palace. The guard of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro who is at the main gate post does not carry any weapon.

He is armed only with walkie-talkie, by which he calls personal security of Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic. A minute later, we are picked up by a blue “Audi” station wagon. One of the security men “flew” the winding road: we went by the thatched house, famous for being a “tapping” center at the times when the world leaders who were coming to see Tito used to stay at the Palace.

It is now empty. The blue Audi stopped in front of the Palace where several bodyguards were carefully watching around. The day was foggy. One of the hostesses at he took our coats at the entrance hall of the Palace. Crown Prince Alexander welcomed us in the salon. We went together into his famous Cabinet, an impressive room where many Serbian and Yugoslav rulers used to bring vitally important decisions.

• How do you see the present moment in Serbia, where does Serbia go after everything that had happened?

Criminal assassination on the Prime Minister Djindjic was an assault on our entire nation. I feel sympathy for Ruzica Djindjic and their two wonderful children. Doctor Djindjic took up his post at a very difficult moment for our country. His goal was always the reforms and progress for our country. I think it is exactly what we all need now. We are trying to become a modern, democratic society in Southeastern Europe, and the only way to move forward is to support the reforms and make sure that all citizens understand what they mean. Out task is now a very difficult one, for due to this criminal act committed by mafia, we have gained negative image in Southeastern Europe again. We must now unite around our new government, that is, our new Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, who was elected by our Parliament. We must not work against each other. In addition, it is very important for us to explain to the international community and the EU in a precise manner – what the situation in our fatherland is. As I have mentioned a few weeks ago, a billion dollars was spent on bombing of our country. And very little of that money was directed into establishing democracy and peace after such a criminal aggression on our country. I recommend to all citizens of Serbia to gather around the Government of Serbia, to forget about criticizing and move forward, for we don’t have any more time to waste.

• Your presence at the funeral and commemorative sessions was very prominent – you were among the ministers and top state officials. Does this gathering of the people mean your greater political engagement? Do you believe you could be an integrative factor in the country?

I can not avoid being a part of the political scene in our country. The name I bear is a historical one, I carry it with pride, and today it is a modern name that will always stand behind the full democratic process and human rights, respect of all religious communities and ethnic groups. Of course I have preferences in politics, and that is constitutional monarchy which I think is an excellent solution. But since I support and respect our politicians, that means I am friends with everybody and get along well with all of them. That is exactly the point of constitutional monarchy. I don’t take sides. At the temple of Saint Sava we all stood together while paying respect to a great politician who was murdered in a criminal way by the enemies of our country. We should work together to create a better future and to become attractive for big investors and foreign partners. That is essential. My contribution in that is also essential, for it sends a signal of stability throughout the world. It is positive that there are those who believe in constitutional monarchy among political parties and politicians. It is in their own interest that we all work together and have a neutral person as the head of state who would not take sides and interfere into daily politics, but provide unity and continuity. The fact that we all stood in the temple of Saint Sava and next to the grave of Zoran Djindjic was a symbol of unity, respect of our state and Djindjic’s family.

• Serbia is facing constitutional reform and monarchist option emerges as a quite legitimate one. What is your view of the political struggle to prove those qualities of monarchy that are needed in Serbia today? Many believe that monarchy would provide stability that is so urgently needed now.

We should look up to the constitutional monarchies in EU. Particularly interesting is the situation in Spain, where it turned to full democracy after the period of fascist dictatorship, and became a member of EU. I think our country should look into what had happened in Spain, where the King kept all political factors and entities together. It was even made possible for the leaders of communist party to return to the country from the USSR. In our case we need a person who respects everybody, including those who don’t believe in God as well as those who do believe, and those of different religions. We must be one nation. And if we can’t act as one nation, we are facing further deterioration of our territory. We mustn’t allow fascist and extremist elements to take over control over us. Those are the enemies of our state, the enemies of new jobs, enemies of good social services and good conditions in our hospitals. Only democracy can solve the problems in our country and even in time provide expanding of our territories. Quite openly, I appeal for democratic discipline and the rule of law. The government has to be very strict, and we, the Serbs, must stand together. We have to stop with self-destructive criticism. If you don’t like it, don’t talk about it. I shall be even sharper – go to hell. and I have every right to say that now when I live in my beloved country. This goes for the Serbs in our country as well as for the Diaspora. Enough with that!

• Why do you think the Diaspora is not present more in the processes that you have just mentioned?

After the fall of Berlin wall our former cunning dictator abused both religion and nationalism for his own interests. We were all drawn into that story because of his ability to convince us in it. Those days are gone, and the Diaspora has started recognizing its authentic interest in the fatherland. As the consequence of that period, substantial private funds were spent – and the Diaspora got discouraged. After 5 October we all expected that the international community will be the first to help us. Some of that aid did arrive, but generally speaking much more should have arrived. The Diaspora might have hesitated, having bitter experiences from the past. That is why I want to send out a signal – that we are ready for the Diaspora’s participation.

• What are your personal connections with major economic circles in Great Britain and the USA? Your close personal relationships with the American Ambassador Montgomery and the British Ambassador Crawford are well known. How much do you personally do to attract the British and the American investments into Serbia, particularly in the light of some recent speculations from the journalists’ and diplomatic circles – of this region becoming the interest sphere of Great Britain and the USA?

This zone is of interest to serious investors. We should reject all Balkan conspiracy theories and remove them from our society. We have to be quite serious and turn to serious investments that would bring money and jobs, and not deal with “Mickey Mouse” investments. Investments have no borders, nor they should be tolerated. We were not successful in public image and creating a positive image. We should engage a professional PR agency that would present us as attractive for the investors. That might be expensive, but I believe the money would be well spent, especially in the USA, where everything is about lobbying.

We also have some brilliant young people who are ready to help. I was very impressed by the fact that the funeral of Zoran Djindjic was attended by a lot of young people who all want a better future. There were hundreds of thousands of them, and they were united.

• Has the political establishment done everything to attract Diaspora, to show to it that there is a healthy reform course here? Is hesitating to restore elementary human rights to the people who are outside their country not on their own will, in fact distancing from the gathering of Diaspora and homeland?

We must respect all types of Diaspora – those who fought for the King and the Fatherland , those who fought for their country, those who were looking for a better future. We are going to keep cooperating with our neighbors, support free and open borders. The Diaspora must understand that clearly. There must not be Berlin walls around us. I was very impressed by the coming of the leaders of ex-Yugoslav republics to the funeral of Zoran Djindjic.

• Three strongest organizations of Serbian Diaspora in America have united and become a kind of a pilot project for what you have mentioned earlier – gathering around common goal. Would a summit in Belgrade, with representatives of the Crown, SANU, the Church and intellectuals present – be a stimulus for more efficient joint actions of all the Serbs?

I am glad to hear the organizations in America have united. We must not divide between ourselves. What you have suggested is a very positive idea. Of course, the decision on that has to be on our Government. As for me, I am always ready to open the doors of The Royal and The White Palaces – we are going to do that at Easter, when the representatives of different Diaspora groups will have a meeting here. I also think it is highly important to restore the Diaspora’s right to vote and citizenship. But, I do not support Diaspora in the Parliament. Members of the Parliament should be the people from constituencies in our country, not the people who live abroad.

• What is your experience of being the Diaspora, what was your view of the homeland? How much is that experience of use to you today, when you think of the vital and political issues regarding Diaspora?

It was a tragedy to be a refugee. I became the enemy of the state when I was two. Kardelj signed the decree which took away my citizenship and exiled me from the country. What could have I done against my country when I was two? But still, I don’t have anything against our past. Our past should be viewed as an incredible experience which we should try not to repeat ever again.

• What is your message to Diaspora and the people of good will, having in mind what is ahead of us, and the messages of several hundred of thousands of people during the funeral of assassinated Prime Minister?

My message is – life goes on! We have to provide the democratic process to go on even faster, we have to organize ourselves so that we present ourselves as good tradesmen abroad, support our current government and respect each other regardless of religious or ethnic origin, as well as to respect those who are not religious. I also appeal to Diaspora to come as often as possible to our homeland. We need each other.

• Your grandfather was assassinated in Marseilles, but back in 1921 another attempt on his life was made when a hand grenade was thrown at him some 100 meters away from the spot where the Prime Minister Djindjic was shot. Our rulers were assassinated, some are on trial, some disappeared. What is that curse that follows Serbian rulers, not letting them die of natural causes?

We are a modern society today. History is after all, only history. The last time a European Prime Minister was assassinated in Sweden, but Sweden did not have the tragic experience of sanctions, isolation and bombing. We shall remember all those who lost their lives, but I can’t emphasize enough the need to look to the future, to turn to the need to go on with our lives. And that means democratic discipline and safety for all citizens. To be strong – emphasized Crown Prince Alexander II Karadjordjevic in his interview for “Puls Srba”.