HRH CROWN PRINCE

ALEXANDER’s

We are on the eve of Easter, that greatest and most joyous Christian feast, and on behalf of my family and myself I send our most cordial greetings to all Christians in Yugoslavia and all Orthodox Serbs all over the world on this occasion. “Christ is risen” and may this year’s Easter mark also the resurrection of our state and society after many decades of spiritual disorientation. Our country and all citizens must achieve and preserve spiritual unity based on the ideas of democracy, freedom, human rights and progress.

The changes that have taken place as a result of last year’s September and December elections have given us hope that people are resolved to avoid past mistakes and to embark along the path of democracy and a better future. The new authorities have already achieved much, especially in the field of foreign policy and preservation of peace in the country, but on the home front there are still many unresolved issues, the most important being the question of citizens` jobs and improving living standards.

However, there is now hope that these problems will be gradually resolved in the interest of all citizens. Regrettably, instead of having a chance to concentrate at once all their energies on tackling radical economic and social reforms, the new authorities have been forced to deal with problems such as the plight of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohia, the situation in the south of Serbia and the unresolved issue of relations with Montenegro. A solution to these problems will not be easy but I hope that wisdom and common sense will prevail.

As regards Montenegro, I believe that separation would be an absolute tragedy for the people of both Serbia and Montenegro. This is why I appeal for the preservation of the union with full respect for the specifics of Montenegro and Serbia and all their citizens. Together we can find a solution respecting each other and grow together being proud.

We have been witnessing dramatic changes in Serbia since 5 October last year and are pleased with all the moves to strengthen the rule of law and to avoid social upheaval. As recent events have shown, no one can be or should be above the law. There must be no revenge but those who have blatantly violated the law and national interest must be brought to justice.

The past six months mark the beginning of the period of transition for our society. In this period we have experienced some extraordinary events. One of them directly concerned my family. After 54 years our citizenship and rights, which the communist authorities illegally took away from us after the Second World War, have now been returned. After long years of exile, my family and I wish to return as soon as possible to our home in Belgrade. We also wish that all other refugees returned to their family homes. To all citizens of Yugoslavia we wish success in ensuring a better future for themselves and their children.

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

ALEXANDER