STATEMENTS

THE CHANCELLERY OF
H.R.H. CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER II
OF YUGOSLAVIA

THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES ATTEND CELEBRATION MARKING SERBIA’S STATEHOOD DAY IN ORAŠAC

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Katarina together with Prime Minister of Serbia Dr Zoran Đinđić, commemorated the anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising and the anniversary of the first Serbian Constitution yesterday in Orašac, which from this year is celebrated as an official State Holiday.

On that same date, back in 1804, Karađorđe, the brave ancestor of the Crown Prince, raised the banner of revolt that signaled beginning of the end of the oppressive, almost five centuries-long, Ottoman rule over Serbia. Some 30 years later, on the same day, Prince Miloš I consented to the draft of the first Constitution, and it marked emergence of the modern Serbian State.

An imposing gathering of the officials of Serbian Government, Cabinet ministers of both Serbia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Parliament members, diplomatic corps dignitaries and representatives of the public and cultural life attended the functions which started in village of Orasac, with the Holy Liturgy celebration conducted by Bishop Basil in the Church of the Ascension, and continued with program at the exact place where Karađorđe invited his countrymen to revolt against Ottomans in 1804.

Serbian Prime Minister was the first to address those present and pointed out that the future of the new Serbia reposes upon foundations laid in the first Serbian Constitution which heralded a modern, civil and free European country.

In a very passionate and emotionally charged speech, Crown Prince Aleksandar II said: “After fifty years of absence of freedom in the 20th Century, Serbia returns itself and shows that meaning of justice and freedom is not forgotten. Once more Serbia is starting again from this same place.” Crown Prince Aleksandar II also expressed his hope that the year 2004 shall prove to be as memorable milestone of history for Serbia as 1804 and 1904 were.

After Orašac, Crown Prince Aleksandar II hosted the Government officials at Oplenac, the family estate of the Karađorđević. There, in the Memorial Church of St. George, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Đinđić laid wreaths upon the tomb of Karađorđe, Founder of the Dynasty and father of the modern Serbia.

The final stage of the event was the commemorative session of the Serbian Parliament in the old building in the City of Kragujevac, where Prince Miloš I once summoned the first National Assembly. There again, Crown Prince Aleksandar II sat with representatives of the new democratic government of Serbia, among the same people that not long ago attended the meetings of the Serbian Democratic Opposition leaders that he convoked in Budapest, Banja Luka and Athens. The session was accompanied by gun salutes and fireworks.

Together with Their Royal Highnesses members of the Crown Council academician Miroslav Gašić, Ivan Antić and Matija Bećković and Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Kavran attended the celebration marking Serbia’s Statehood Day.

Belgrade, February 16, 2002