Office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander 

For Immediate Release 

In connection with reports in "Demokratija" and Nasa Borba" last Saturday, 6 September, 1997, that HRH Crown Prince Alexander "supports the boycott" of the forthcoming elections in Serbia, this Office is authorised to state that those reports were without foundation since His Highness never interferes with party politics, especially during a pre-election campaign. He has declared on many occasions that the Crown is above and outside all political parties since it belongs to the Serbian people a whole, to all citizens irrespective of their party affiliation, political beliefs, religion and ethnic origin. 

This office believes it is sad if the authority and prestige of the Monarchy and the Karadjordjevic name are used for party manipulations in pre-election campaign and party quarrels, and appeals to the Serbian people to protect the Crown from such abuse. The Crown , as a symbol of unity and continuity of the Serbian people, must remain outside daily party politics in order to fulfil its role of concern and caring for the people as a whole. It is interested in questions of vital importance for the fate of the people, not in transitory party interests. We ask you to bear this in mind. 

The Crown is aware of doubts which exist concerning the legitimacy of the forthcoming elections and the conditions in which they are going to be held. It is also aware of the exiting regimeÕs determination to hold on to power at any cost, even resorting to tactical concessions in order to remain the bearers of real power. After all, the present regime is the spiritual and political heir of the one-party regime installed in 1945 not by the free will of the people, but as a result of bloodshed, civil war, violence and deception. We believe no further comment is necessary. 

HRH Crown Prince Alexander expects every citizen of Serbian to act in accordance with his own conscience always bearing in mind the good of the whole people and the country.