CorD Magazine No.48 by CorD Magazine

MORE RESPONSIBILITY Vida Petrović Škero Chairwoman of the Supreme Court of Serbia

KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE

UNHAPPY

IS WELL UNDERWAY H.E. Wolfram Maas Ambassador of the Federal

NATION Čedomir

Republic of Germany

Jovanović President of Liberal Democratic Party

interviews opinions news comments events www.cordmagazine.com

April 2008 / Issue No. 48 / Price 170 RSD

Full steam ahead

CorD, April 2008

POLITICS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

BENEFICIAL SPY PREJUDICES

SERBIA CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

BOSNIA: NO TRADE SLOWDOWN

Ljubodrag Stojadinović

Damir Kaletović CorD’s

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS

correspondent from Sarajevo

Editorial commentary

BAD LAWS MAKE BAD COURTS

Interview: Vida Petrović Škero, Chairwoman of the Supreme Court of Serbia

CORD CLUB & B2B

GROWTH POTENTIAL

KOSOVO IS A EUROPEAN STATE

Interview: H.E. Wolfram Maas, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

UNHAPPY NATION

20 24

Comment: dr Dana Popović

SOCIETY

Faces & Places – images of the

key happenings of the past month Corporate Women interview: Hildegard Gacek, Director of the EBRD in Serbia

REGION

Tales from the Big Plum – Pat

Anđelković’s latest insights on the Serbian psyche

CULTURE

MONTENEGRO: CAUTION OVER KOSOVO

Čedomir Jovanović, president of Liberal Democratic Party

TOMORROWS BELONGS TO THE RADICALS

Business news summary and CorD Club news

Ilija Despotović CorD’s correspondent from Podgorica

CROATIA: CO-OPERATION TO CONTINUE

Mirjana Vujović CorD’s correspondent from Zagreb

Belgrade Dance Festival – La

Famouse Milano’s Scala in Belgrade

Good Evening Europe – This

year Eurovision song contest took place in Belgrade

Easter Egg As a Serbian

Brand– Exhibition of painted eggs at Belgrade’s Pero Gallery

MANAGING DIRECTOR Ana Isaković, a.isakovic@cma.co.yu EDITOR IN CHIEF Vladan Alimpijević, v.alimpijevic@cma.co.yu CORPORATE EDITOR Tatjana Ostojić, t.ostojic@cma.co.yu ART DIRECTOR Zlatko Jovanović, z.jovanovic@cma.co.yu EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Ivica Petrović, Vojislava Vignjević, Sonja Ćirić, Žarka Radoja PHOTO Stanislav Milojković, Časlav Vukojičić, Jelena Seferin, CorD Archive, Tanjug TRANSLATORS Dejan Zubac, Milica Kuburović, Momčilo Drakulić EDITORIAL MANAGER Tanja Banković, t.bankovic@cma.co.yu SUBSCRIPTION & WEB Ivan Lakatoš, i.lakatos@cma.co,yu

4 CorD / April 2008

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sanja Zimonjić, s.zimonjic@cma.co.yu GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novčić, i.novcic@cma.co.yu FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Ana Besedić, a.besedic@cma.co.yu PRINTING Politika AD CorD is published by: alliancemedia Knjeginje Zorke 11b, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 308 99 77, 308 99 88 Fascimile: +(381 11) 244 81 27 E-mail: cordeditorial@cma.co.yu www.cordmagazine.com ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliancemedia 2008

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

Vršac: Kingdom of Vineyards

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latest gadgets and style items on the market

Fashion review – ˝S-L Watches

COMMENT

Serbia Can Change the World Immediately after the presidential elections were called at the end of last year, a certain member of Kostunica’s cabinet – from the ranks of the Democratic Party (DS) – explained to me what was in store for us: Kosovo will be independent; we will withdraw our ambassadors, Kosovo’s Albanian police won’t cross the Ibar, and Serbia will gain a de facto division of Kosovo. According to that plan, the Serbian ambassadors will go back to their jobs after the end of the summer break… The goal of this kind of policy would be to gain the division of Kosovo, but still not to make any sort of agreement with the authorities in Pristina whilst also avoiding the further harming of relations with the European Union and the United States. Moreover, according to the DS vision, the West must accept the Serbian grudge and, as a side effect, the fact Serbia will get a governing coalition without Kostunica’s Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS).

BY VLADAN ALIMPIJEVIĆ

owever, DS didn’t expect that Boris Tadic would win by only a few tens of thousands of votes. The idea that Kostunica could form a government with the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) was not yet seriously considered back then at the headquarters of the ‘yellows’. For the first time since the fateful 5th October 2000, the political elite – regardless of what the politicians may say publicly on the subject – is finally ready for all conceivable forms of collaboration. And if the Social Democrats and Christian Democrats in Germany can do it, why wouldn’t the Democrats and the Radicals in Serbia be able to do so too? It still sounds incredible, but remember that various legal and political declarations on Kosovo, the Constitution or some other things were voted through by that ‘great coalition’. What may sound like ‘political death’ before the elections, can later become proof of political maturity and readiness to make national compromises; everything Serbia needs. After all, aren’t we all aware of the fact that the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), once hated among the democratic parties, is a potential ally of both political options in Serbia. And while we’re on the subject, which ‘both’ is that? The nationalist and the pro-European; the pro-state and the liberal; the totalitarian and the democratic? Well, the differences between these options do exist, but they are obviously less clear, less defined than the simplified image of good and evil that we had at the beginning of the millennium. I believe that all parties have thieves and corrupt members, ignoramuses, hypocrites, incompetents, and there are more and more of them as one looks towards the top of the political pyramid. I believe, unfortunately, that everything politicians say about each other through the manipulated tabloids and robotized television stations is true. They show how public companies serve to fill party treasuries, and how dividing authority equates, in reality, to dividing lucrative dividends. It’s not as simple as there being just two juxtaposed options. There are. And it’s not exactly like we aren’t better off now than before the democratic changes. It is better. But… Now that ‘but’ is bigger than the political elite thinks. That ‘but’ is working for the opposition now, the Radicals above all, just like a few years ago it worked at first for Kostunica, and then for Tadic’s democrats. That is party democracy. The parties compete; the opposition 6 CorD / April 2008

controls the government through the media and the public; the government changes. And what about the ‘human resources’, the ‘cadre’, as the communists used to say? Who should control them? The parties? The leaders? The citizens have little influence over that. Abstention is not a solution. The fact that a high voter turnout is again expected for the upcoming elections does not mean that the people believe they will choose better. Serbia is a house without a master. There is no list of priorities. As the president of the Supreme Court said in this issue of CorD, nobody knows what’s more important: the building of the Fourth Municipal Court or a bridge over the Sava. And the list is pretty long and is double-ended: at the first end no one knows the answer to the question of why the salaries of the directors of public companies, often insolvent ones, are several times higher than the salaries of the President or the Prime Minister; at the other end of that list, it remains unknown whether Serbia is choosing between Kosovo and Europe, with the sub-question: if the new government renounces European integrations, will it integrate Kosovo? It seems that it won’t, but the political elite in Serbia still believe in Santa Clause. Western governments are, of course, doing everything to ensure that Serbia’s citizens come to hate that system of values. I don’t think that it’s done on purpose. I don’t think that there is no good will towards Serbia in the capitals of the EU, now and then, but… This ‘but’ is also bigger than it seems from the sidelines. Darwin’s theory cynically applied to Serbia: relatively not adapted citizens of Serbia will do better in some other political and economic circumstances; in a new history. That’s why conspiracy theorist and geo-strategic views of the Serbian situation are so popular in Belgrade. It’s not a pining for a return to the world of the Cold War, but for a world of new authority. Opportunity makes the thief. And since there are plenty of opportunities in Serbia, we have so many thieves. According to a new Serbian theory, these opportunities will disappear when Serbia changes the world. An argument for this thesis: nothing is produced in Serbia that someone else in the world isn’t producing better and cheaper. Nothing in Serbia is so bad that it’s not worse somewhere else in the world. Therefore, at the elections in May, the citizens should make the first step towards controlling the government, and not just choosing it.

INTERVIEW

Vida Petrovic Škero, Chairwoman of the Supreme Court of Serbia

Bad laws make bad courts

There is no political will to implement the lustration law, but insecurity is created among judges just by talking about lustration. BY VLADAN ALIMPIJEVIĆ, PHOTO ČASLAV VUKOJIČIĆ

or less than a year, parliamentary elections are to be held in Serbia. Executive and legislative powers have been partially paralyzed that, with a tendency to extend the process until the autumn. But, the question is how much that situation affects the work of third, judicial, branch of power?

8 CorD / April 2008

According to Vida Petrovic Škero, Chairwoman of the Supreme Court of

Serbia, this blockade of the parliament and complete lack of many executive branches of power surely adds to the amount of pressure on the judiciary, as the third branch of power. That is re-

PRESSURE

CONSTITUTION

GHETTO

That is not a political pressure, but the pressure exists, the pressure of time in which there is a lack of organisation

The Constitution was just one more excuse for fresh delays. Since 2001 the systemic solutions’ implementation has been postponed 9 times.

Surely we wouldn’t want our children to be enclosed in such an enclave that would be both a cultural and technological ghetto.

flected in the work of courts. Not one judge has been appointed in Serbia since May 2006, and the Parliament is in charge of that. Moreover, between 2005 and August 2007 no judges were relieved of duty, and since then not all eligible judges have been relieved of duty, but rather only a few of those who have fulfilled their retirement conditions – and that number increases every day. Even more disheartening, since 2005 not one judge has been relieved of duty among those who have been proposed for replacement due to a lack of expertise or a failure to meet function performance standards. The parliament didn’t fulfil its obligations because, according to the Rule Book, we need the decision of the Judiciary Board in order to take such action. The Judiciary Board obviously didn’t function well. In one period it didn’t function at all, and the proposals that are necessary for parliamentary decisions didn’t pass through. We could have done much more, much better, and the consequence is that in the Serbian judiciary 500 positions remain unoccupied – positions that are necessary to ensure its normal functioning. We have to take into consideration that in the last year the High Council completely stopped announcing tenders and proposing candidates for judges, simply because it is impracticable: the new Constitution envisages a different procedure and new bodies that would implement it. Even before the passing of the Constitution, the parliament found itself facing a proposal of the High Council for the appointing of over 100 judges, but even that remained undecided.

increases each year, due to inflow in certain courts, but also due to a failure to appoint new judges. Is that patriotic or traitorous behaviour towards the courts? We could use much more responsibility, do much more work and take much more care about the obvious neglect of functions in one branch of power. Because it is evident that one branch of power, the judiciary, is worsening. Of course, I am aware that we aren’t great either, but through such disorganisation we deteriorate, and the most important thing is that, as a result of such a method of functioning of the courts, the citizens are suffering the most. That is not a political pressure, but the pressure exists, the pressure of time in which there is a lack of organisation and co-ordination, because the judicial power depends on the legislative one, as is normal, but it also depends on laws regulating the network of courts and directly influencing judicial efficiency. According to the valid laws, however, the legislative power still elects judges and relieves them from their duty. The second part of the story is that the Justice Ministry, as a part of the executive power, must provide us with normal working conditions. In the last eight years, with ups and downs, much has been done to rejuvenate the judiciary and complete its transformation into a modern, efficient and independent system. How much did we accomplish there? Unfortunately, the laws that would

enable the positive work of courts haven’t been passed. Who’s to blame? I couldn’t clearly name the culprit, and so the answer remains that is the system – because the constitution prescribes that laws regulating the judiciary must be adopted at the second session of the parliament. At that meeting it was mandatory to pass other laws, and they were indeed passed, but the courts consent on these laws obviously couldn’t be reached. The proposal hasn’t been given, and the parliament has been dismissed. Those laws are in the final compilation phase, but even if they were to be completed soon enough, we don’t have a parliament to adopt them. The systemic problem of the functioning of three branches of power has existed since 1 st January 2001. Since then new courts should have been established and the existing courts should have started functioning with new authorisations, but since then we have been in a vacuum of constant delays. The Constitution was actually just one more excuse for fresh delays. Since 2001 the systemic solutions’ implementation of the Serbian judiciary has been postponed nine times. So, while judicial reform stands still, we don’t have adequate quality, we’re not updated, and we have insecurity that has lasted for over a year and a half. The Law on Lustration has been passed, but no political will existed to complete its implementation. That Lustration Act doesn’t only cover the judiciary, but all those working as civil servants, because all civil servants should suffer consequences of their inappropriate political en-

How much pressure are courts and judges under; and how do you evaluate the work of the judiciary? We have now reached a situation which is even worse than a couple of years ago, because there are judges that receive less than a single case a month and, of course, there are courts where the judges receive as many as 90 cases a month. This is a complete disaster, because we have increasing imparity, which represents classical discrimination because, under the same conditions and for the same salary, one judge has too much work, while the other sits idle. That creates bitterness among judges, and the citizens are surely not in an equal position and shall not come to the solution of their legal relations in a timely fashion. The situation differs from town to town, which is completely unacceptable and is still impossible to resolve. The difference in the number of cases CorD / April 2008 9

INTERVIEW

gagements. Lustration doesn’t have effect if it would be implemented only in the police, only in the Parliament, only at University or only in the judiciary. We constantly face the story of other branches of power about lustration in judiciary. I don’t think anybody knows anymore who should be lustrated and what should be accomplished by such lustration. People have spoken about lustration for years, as well as the reeducation of judges, the fight against corruption that creates insecurity in judge’s work, but changes aren’t made efficiently enough. Where is the solution? Now the story in the judiciary is called re-elections. The explanation is that by re-electing judges one hopes to implement lustration. Of course, the lustration must be effected according to the Law on Lustration, and would have any effect if it would just be implemented in the courts. Secondly, even a year and a half later we 10 CorD / April 2008

do not know if there will be re-elections or lustration, nor under what criteria they will be executed. Otherwise, the Venetian Commission has informed us that re-elections are justified only if they usher in a process of lustration, otherwise it would completely contravene the principle of consistency of judges, generally accepted in modern societies. Would it be fairer for the parties to nicely say: we have won X percentage of votes and, thus, are entitled to appoint a proportionate percentage of judges? It wouldn’t be fair or good. I oppose even the thought of it. But how else do you become a judge than by lobbying in certain parties and in the Parliament. Of course, that can be interpreted that way also. As a judge, I will not accept that. Because of that I have been relieved from duty in my career, because I didn’t want to accept ideological and political criteria for the election of judges. Parties must not have their percentage of judg-

es. To me, as a judge, it must be absolutely the same regardless of which party is in power. But if a year and a half after the passing of the Constitution and Constitutional Law we don’t know if we shall have re-elections, it is only certain that we have insecurity and a lack of functioning. Would lustration be implemented by a party in power, or would the opposition also participate in that? Would there be some special independent commission, or maybe all MPs in the parliament would work on that, or High Council? We don’t know the answer. And if the answer to this important question cannot be found for another year and a half, then the insecurity will only increase. Insecurity can be endured for a small period, but I think that the limits of endurance have been crossed in our country. Do you believe the judiciary will be reformed after the upcoming elections? I don’t know if there will be the politi-

INTERVIEW

cal will for implementing the reform, but my experience of the network of courts has taught me that things will progress very slowly. Otherwise, we’re not the only state in which minor courts are difficult to rescind and where new courts are slowly spreading in sprawling regions. What is the destiny of relocated Kosovo courts? The majority of verdicts from those courts is implementable in those courts, there haven’t been cases pertaining, for instance, to labour relations for a long time, that couldn’t be implemented. For the time being those courts are functioning normally. There are courts established by UNMIK and they are in charge of property protection and many citizens turn to those courts. The question is how that would be regulated in the future. Now we have a situation that sees a larger number of Serbian judges leaving those UNMIK courts, and we don’t know what will happen to them. In this intermezzo, that functioning dropped to a minimum, because less and less citizens try to protect their rights in front of relocated courts. Where, then, should the people of Serbian nationality living in Kosovo seek justice? I don’t know the valid answer to 12 CorD / April 2008

that question. The judges who remained working in Kosovo have mostly switched to the UNMIK court. They did so based on a contract that was signed on behalf of the state by then Justice Minister Vladan Batić with UNMIK. According to that contract, the judges’ years of service and contributions to pension and health insurance have been paid by Serbia, while the salary has been paid by UNMIK. A contractual obligation was for those judges, if they leave the UNMIK court, to return to their original courts – now relocated alongside the administrative border with Kosovo. That situation will obviously last and we will have a problem regarding the functioning of those courts. Would Serbian courts again judge the leaders of foreign countries, Bush and the other Presidents of countries that have recognised Kosovo? That depends on the plaintiff, not the court. If a case has been started, then the court is obliged to judge it. We shall see what decision will be passed, but you have to know that the court must prosecute when there is a charge and the court cannot leave without passing judgment. But the question is whether we can extend this to dissatisfaction of citizens regarding the fight against corruption, organized crime, or some other antisocial

activity. The court must judge anyone charged by the plaintiff. Of course, the trial has to be efficient, that is, it has to end in reasonable period. But the court must pass a verdict whenever there is an initial document – an indictment against someone in a legal action. So, if the plaintiff starts a proceeding against Bush or some other foreign dignitary, the court shall judge. Of course, the court has legal solutions in cases when a potential indictment exceeds the limit of sense. If it is deemed nonsensical, the court can dismiss the indictment. It is important, however, to respect the procedure. The disgrace pertaining to the trial to Clinton wasn’t about the starting of the procedure, but rather that he was not on trial within respect of the law. We had judges, but jury members who were not delegated as prescribed by the law. Rather, they were gathered from all over Serbia, in order to be able to say that the whole of Serbia was judging foreign dignitaries from the countries that bombed us. In that way, the judicial council was also formed. However, each judge is independent when it comes to passing a decision. And the reason why a judge has passed such a decision is beyond dispute. What is the weakest link in the search for justice? In a good judicial system all links, from

police to state, are interconnected. I think that our biggest problem lies with the discovery of a criminal act, and with regard to carrying out civil actions. When it comes to criminal actions, the whole legal action is insufficiently organised. The problem is an insufficient level of training and an insufficient number of people. Moreover, many decisions pertain to companies that do not exist anymore. All that lacks efficiency, but people unjustifiably consider that the judicial job is done when the verdict has been passed. The European standard that we must respect is that the verdict is not the end, but for citizens it is completed when the verdict is executed. On the whole, the solutions provided by the new constitution have not been put into practice. In such an instance, how legitimate are the unreformed courts; and who is responsible for this situation? The judiciary cannot fight alone for a solution to overcome the problem. We cannot speak about a quality execution procedure when the premises of the Fourth Municipal Court in Belgrade, where the highest number of cases – including a hut filled with thousands of case files that couldn’t fit in the building – are located. The executive bodies do not have anywhere to sit, and they were just recently a car to speed up processing. Of course, there hasn’t been a word about the existence of any terrain vehicles or vans. In order to efficiently execute a case, it is often necessary to engage the police. So the whole state has to work on the execution problem, not only the courts. Here we are not even speaking about the lack of any political will, because nobody has the ‘political will’ to prevent the completion of some random judgment, but nobody has the ‘political sense’ to construct a building able to house the case files of the country’s busiest court. Sometimes I think that we’re jointly incapable, and the judiciary is additionally guilty because they do not speak about the situation and there is a lack of public pressure. As such, we find ourselves in a situation where the judiciary, especially in execution, is literally blocked with piles of cases. How could Serbia gain a rational, efficient and modern network of courts; who should do what in that job? We cannot agree on what is our state priority, because if we knew the priorities we would be capable of agreeing that a court needs to be adequately housed in order for the state to function normally. But we don’t even have enough money to

construct a bridge in Belgrade, and I publicly ask what is more important for the functioning of the state: the building of the Fourth Municipal Court or a bridge? Or shall we simply decide that both things are important and must be paid for out of a budget that is suffering from a constant lack of funds. And now you say that everything depends on the Prosecutor’s office, that is, from one sole official of the state, the Public Prosecutor of Serbia. Is that a key for political utilisation of the courts? Unfortunately, that is a situation we see throughout the world. It is up to each country, of course, to decide how that prosecutor’s office should be constituted; whether it would be expert and independent, or politically dependent. There is a natural division of functions and I repeat that we cannot judge without an indictment. But as much as judicial power is important for criminal actions, where the role of the Prosecutor’s office is crucial, it seems that for citizens it is even more important how courts function in legal actions, because the life of a country is most often regulated by civil actions. It can be said that a furuncle of one body is regulated by criminal actions and each time has its own feeling for what represents a furuncle, because once people used to be shot for one stolen red shawl, and today this is not even an infringement.

judge, I would have in mind that there is no legal action and that nobody’s guilty until this is determined by a valid court decision. I can say that we, the judges, have many shortcomings, and the judges of Supreme Court also have their own shortcomings when it comes to speed, but when there are criminal actions in front of the Criminal Council of the Supreme Court there is no delay at all. We entered 2008 without even one case from 2006, and so there is no delay. The case of the murder of the Prime Minister is a very complex process. No court anywhere in the world could attentively study the 1,000 pages that are in front of our Criminal Council any quicker. Do the legal regulations of the EU and its members represent a system which our legislation and judiciary should strive towards? We have to differentiate the Acquis Communitaire from the legal standards valid in the European Union, but regarding the respect of human rights those standards must apply also to us. Those are the rules obliging us long before this country became a member of the Council of Europe. Those are the standards guaranteeing that we gain our rights by birth and even those

DEKOR CENTAR BABIĆ

One gets the impression that certain court trials or even their initiation is politically manipulated, and that these are used for daily political purposes: Ibarska arterial road, Sartrid, Djindjic assassination, bankruptcies and public procurements... As a citizen, I could worry about whether a case would be and, in the case of Sartid, should be initiated, and if that would be serving a politician’s fight. However, as a

FINAL PHASE CONSTRUCTION WORKS DANILA BOJOVIĆA 19a BEOGRAD tel/fax: 011 39 71 547 CorD / April 2008 13 e-mail: dekorcentar@beotel.net

INTERVIEW

that aren’t prescribed for protection. Speaking about the Acquis Communitaire, it is about directives that we have to respect if we want to enter that union. They mostly relate to economic operations and trade. If we want to enter the EU, then we have to apply and respect them. But if we don’t want to go to Europe, we would not be in a position to achieve that level of protection, because that is impossible without EU support. If we fail to apply them, and turn our back on Europe, the question will be whether we will just become a lonely enclave living for itself only. Is that really what we want? Surely we wouldn’t want our children to be enclosed in such an enclave that would be both a cultural and technological ghetto. How much would the further deterioration of political relations with the EU and other Western powers influence the judiciary in Serbia? 14 CorD / April 2008

If Serbia passes laws placing the subjects of the national economy in a better position, and places foreigners in an unequal position, our judges will have to judge such actions. But such cases would not appear before the courts because nobody would come to invest in a country with such legal rules. What is worse in Serbia: courts or laws? Fifty-fifty; it’s a closed circle. Bad laws make bad courts, one derives from the other, but at some point we have to stop the circle. One should start from the fact that we can’t let the parties in any small town maintain and build courts as monuments, in order to say that they did something. So we need a rational network of courts, which would create an efficient judiciary, because any country such as ours, even one in a better economic position, could not sustain such a

judicial system. In Serbia there are around 2,500 regular judges and an additional 500 to 600 special court judges. For the last eight years a proposal of the High Council has been necessary in order for someone to become a judge. And I’m sure that in the High Council we don’t think in a partisan way. A major problem of the High Council has been conceptualized in the new Constitution, because all members of the High Council are elected by the parliament, i.e. by party members. That is not good. And that has been acknowledged by the Venetian Commission. It is obviously difficult to change the Constitution, so we have to fight that the parliament should be legally obliged regarding the proposals of the High Council, so that it can appoint only judges from the proposed candidates, not whomsoever it wishes. That was the solution we had earlier, after 2001.

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DIPLOMACY

H.E. Wolfram Maas, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

Kosovo is a European State To me, it seems that one of the most important tasks of Serbia’s government is to restore and improve Serbia’s image as a business destination. BY: VLADAN ALIMPIJEVIĆ; Would the EU accept Serbia’s eventual orientation to give up, in the long run or permanently, accession to the EU? In other words, is the integration of Serbia into the EU a priority as compared to other goals? We want Serbia to become a member of the European Union. The path towards the EU is clearly charted. The necessary requirements for accession are well known. Already today, many people in their daily routine are working hard to move Serbia closer to the EU – and the EU is supporting this move massively, not only by words, but by material, financial and technical assistance. The invitation is on the table. It is up to Serbia to make up its mind. The upcoming elections once more provide an opportunity to the Serbian people to define their priorities: integration into a union of European democracies, or to remain in splendid isolation. All relevant political parties and centres of power in Serbia are united in the position that Kosovo is, and should remain, a part of Serbia. Do you foresee the possibility that Kosovo’s independence will not be successful? It is hard to guess, particularly concerning the future. But looking at the issue of the independent state of Kosovo, the situation looks convincingly clear to me. Kosovo is a European state – most of the countries in Europe have recognised Kosovo. Kosovo is aspiring to a European 16 CorD / April 2008

perspective – most of the member countries of the European Union have recognised Kosovo. Sure, Kosovo is a poor country and for the foreseeable future will depend on massive economic assistance – all the G7-countries representing the most important economies on earth have recognised Kosovo. All in all, that tells me that the project of Kosovo’s independence is well underway. Will the normalisation of relations with an independent Kosovo be a condition for Serbia’s acceptance into the European Union? Accession processes towards the European Union are time-consuming exercises. It is hard to guess what the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo will be when this process comes to an end for Serbia. I can only hope, for the sake of Serbia, Kosovo and the region as a whole, that it doesn’t take too long to establish normal relations. Normal relations come in many shapes and forms. The Federal Republic of Germany was able to co-operate with the former GDR (East Germany) in all areas and in all international fora, although we never recognised the GDR as a foreign country. How will the current political climate in Serbia reflect on the economic

As a German, I can assure you that confronting your nation’s past is never easy or pleasant. However, there is no alternative to overcoming the dark moments of history.

co-operation between Belgrade and Berlin? Is there any indication that the scope of economic exchange and German investments in Serbia will be reduced? From my perspective, there is nothing that Serbia needs more than economic and social development. Therefore, I think it is in the best interest of both our countries to build on the already close economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany. Political insecurity and pictures of violence in the streets, as seen on 21st February when foreign embassies where attacked, are not going to entice foreign investors to come to this country. These events run counter to our efforts to promote Serbia as a business partner and a promising investment location. We have seen cancellations of trips of business delegations, as an immediate reaction to the violence we experienced. These people didn’t even ask our opinion. They reacted based on TV-images. If you talk to Belgrade hotel managers you will hear that bookings are down by 25, 30, or even 40 per cent. Given the time of year, these are probably not tourists who are cancelling, but business people. To me, it seems to be one of the most important tasks of Serbia’s government to restore and improve Serbia’s image as a business destination. We are prepared to help in that endeavour to the best of our abilities. Co-operation with the ICTY tribunal in The Hague is at a new standstill as a result of Kosovo, the elections, etc. Can you imagine a situation in which Mladic and Karadjic would never face trial? As a German, I can assure you that confronting your nation’s past is never easy or pleasant. However, there is no alternative to overcoming the dark moments of history. I am fully aware that the overwhelming majority of people in Serbia share my

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / April 2008 17

DIPLOMACY

Those who were responsible for the events of 21st February are still in charge of the police.This, of course, impacts on our personal security.

smart, not to detect short term electoral support manœuvres. Our relationship with Serbia is based on long term interests. Our proposals to work with Serbia are on the table. The overall objective is Serbia’s membership in the European Union. Within that framework we have already very diversified programs and projects for material and technical assistance in place. In this context, the visa issue is also of particular importance. We know about the sensitivities in this area given the fact that in past decades travel was much easier for Serbs. We are working hand in hand with Serb authorities to improve the situation. The visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Serbia which came into effect at the beginning of this year made life a little bit easier. On the technical side the introduction of new Serbian passports will help to solve certain problems. The objective in the medium and long term is, of course, to allow visa free travel for people from Serbia.

view that people who have committed crimes have to be brought to justice. It is deplorable that some old-boys-networks who choose to support war crime indictees are able to taint the image of a whole nation. It is clearly in the best interest of Serbia, and the only way to live up to its past, to get Mladić and Karadžić to The Hague as quickly as possible.

of law, respect for human rights and, above all, provide a credible perspective of a prosperous future for the Serbian people. The choice is the Serbian people’s to make. As I already pointed out earlier, Serbia’s partners are closely watching developments in your country. Also, in that respect it is up to Serbia to shape its future.

What are your expectations from the parliamentary elections, and would a possible victory of the SRS present a reason for further deterioration of the political and economic relations between Germany and Serbia? I expect that the general elections will provide a clear answer to the question of which path Serbia intends to take in the future. I hope that the outcome of the elections will strengthen democracy, the rule

Will there be any concrete offers to Serbia before the elections? Is it realistic that after the autonomy of Kosovo – and therefore the solution of the problem of the readmission of Kosovar Albanians – Serbia would still receive a no-visa status with the countries of the European Union? As I stressed, we respect the free will of the Serbian people expressed in general elections. I believe the voters are far too

18 CorD / April 2008

How complicated is your mission in Belgrade, and how are your contacts with the Serbian government? Recent decisions by the Serbian government not to allow personal contacts between high ranking government officials and ambassadors representing countries which have recognised Kosovo have, of course, made daily business a little bit more complicated. Daily experiences show that there are always issues which will be best advanced if we talk to one another. Thus I hope that these restrictions will be short-lived. As far as my personal security and the security of my staff is concerned, my situation has changed since 21st February. We have learnt then that we can no longer rely on the protection of the Serbian security forces. Our embassy, as other embassies, was attacked in a perfect co-operation between the police and a street mob. Those who were responsible for the events of 21st February are still in charge of the police. This, of course, impacts on our personal security. The United States has for years proejcted the reduction of its commitment in the Balkans and has turned

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

I hope that the outcome of the elections will strengthen democracy, the rule of law … and, above all, provide a credible perspective of a prosperous future for the Serbian people.

which have made interaction between our two peoples so intense to the benefit of both our countries. To what extent will the relations of our two countries be determined by Russia’s position? Russia is an important European country and all European countries are well advised to seek beneficial and productive co-operation with Russia. The funny thing is that Serbia seems to perceive an obligation to choose between co-operation with Russia or co-operation with the EU. Isn’t it funny that Russia for its part has very elaborate relations with the European Union and is eager to expand and develop this relationship further? Why should Russia then negatively influence Serbia’s relationship with the European Union?

over problem-solving to the EU. Is the Union capable of handling these problems, and could a cooling of relations between Washington and Moscow influence a slowdown of the process and, therefore, a gradual American withdrawal from the region? To learn about the plans of the U.S. you would be best advised to talk to the Americans. The European Union, since the beginning of the crisis, has invested heavily to bring the problems closer to a solution. Recent decisions by the EU Ministerial Council put in motion an even larger assistance mission. There is no region in the world which enjoys a higher per capita assistance than the Western Balkans. Irrespective of what others might do, the EU has helped in the past and stands ready to even increase its involvement. What will be the priorities of German foreign policy in Serbia in the near future? Is it possible that new problems and discord with Belgrade will arise? As I said already, it is hard to make predictions concerning the future. My perception is: there are two potential political obstacles blocking Serbia’s way ahead. Let us get them out of the way,

and I am convinced it will be smooth sailing for Serbia towards a better and brighter future. We have three basic priorities: to overcome the known differences concerning ICTY and Kosovo and to resume the close and trusted relationship with the final objective of moving Serbia closer to the EU; to build on the already wellestablished good economic co-operation by promoting Serbia as an investment destination for German FDI and by increasing and balancing the trade relations between our two countries; to preserve and improve the traditionally close cultural and educational ties CorD / April 2008 19

POLITICS

Čedomir Jovanović, leader of Liberal Democratic Party

Unhappy Nation The only way our society should progress is with European integrations. There should be no compromise in that regard. BY: VLADAN ALIMPIJEVIĆ, PHOTO: STANISLAV MILOJKOVIĆ

n the calm before the storm of the extraordinary elections in Serbia, we speak to election hopeful Čedomir Jovnaović, former Zoran Ðinđić protégé and current leader of Serbia’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). In this pre-election period one gets the impression, which you have contributed to, that the LDP is the only truly ‘European’ option. However, do you have any reservations regarding the EU and its members’ positions regarding Serbia? 20 CorD / April 2008

There is no European policy in Serbia without the Liberal Democratic Party, and we will – just as we have done so far – be the resolute guardians of European values in Serbia and fighters for the affirmation of those values. The LDP insists on completing co-operation with The Hague Tribunal, signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, continuing economic reforms, completing the privatisation process and establishing a new policy regarding Kosovo that will not ignore the reality. We must set off towards Europe without prejudice or any conditioning, and in the meantime we have to work on eliminating the obstacles which have made Serbia such an unhappy country. Do you have any understanding for the feelings of wounded national pride, which citizens show through their euro-scepticism and particularly through a negative opinion regarding the country’s eventual accession to NATO?

Sadly, Kosovo was not our first defeat. We have many of them behind us. This defeat might have hurt the most, because a great deal of injustice and brutality refracts through it, and because each of us feels like a victim, but also because each of us has to pay the price, through this defeat, for the mistakes which our state made during the time we want to forget, but which cannot be erased. However, in spite of wounded national pride, our citizens have shown pro-European determination… Last time in the presidential elections they proved that and sent a clear message to the political elite as to which direction our society should go. Can you imagine the reintegration of Kosovo into Serbia and a legal union of Republika Srpska and Serbia? The challenges facing our society are much more important than our political elite’s undreamed dreams. Insistence on the 19th century concept of a big ethnic country can only

result in a Serbia isolated from the rest of the world. I think that my political obligation, after the establishment of the new government, will be to start the redefinition of relations between Serbia and other countries in the region, thus Kosovo too. It is time for a historical agreement between Serbs and Albanians and we have to find a common language. As regards Republika Srpska, the idea about a union with Serbia was defeated in 1994, during the bloody conflicts. Nobody in Republika Srpska thinks about that anymore. The future of Serbia, Kosovo and Republika Srpska should be in the European Union. Borders would then lose all their significance. The outgoing Prime Minister has forced the issue of national and territorial unity as the key issue for the elections, and the majority of political parties in Serbia stick to that. They talk only generally about the problems of employment, investments, and standards of living. This campaign must not be based only on revived fears – regardless of whether the subjects are the isolation of Serbia, the Radicals, Koštunica or our mistakes, this campaign has to be based on clear aims, ideas and plans, because that is something which will return the politic people who we need to start changing Serbia on 12th May. A modern economy, modern education, the reform of the health system, the reform of social policy, a change of foreign policy, completely different relations towards citizens. We must manage the policy in this election campaign in this way. The future government must offer essential economic reforms; must send out the message that belts need to be tightened, but also must be the government which will show the results of such a policy. Is there any realistic chance of Serbia advancing without following the euro-integration path and implementation of EU standards? Milošević tried to lead Serbia into some other integrations, which were not European. After him Koštunica continued that by explaining that the European Union is our country’s enemy. However, both of them achieved similar results. The only path our society should follow is that of European integrations. There

should be no compromise regarding that. How do you see our relations with Russia developing if you participate in the Government after the elections? We respect Russia and we demand the same respect for Serbia. The Liberal Democratic Party and civil Serbia want our country to become a member of the European Union,

XXX

We must set off towards Europe without prejudice or any conditioning, and in the meantime we have to work on eliminating the obstacles which have made Serbia such an unhappy country.

On 11th May citizens will not vote only for the new prime minister and new ministers, but also for a new system of values which would enable our society to have a concrete, clear and fast European future.

The future government cannot be established on any principles of the fallen cabinet, because there is no happiness to be found in positions which are identical to Koštunica’s.

but we are also prepared to be partners to Russia, and this partnership should be based on common interests. This has not been so in the case of NIS, because we expect companies in Serbia to be sold in the same way that is done in Russia, to the highest bidder. The Vojislav Koštunica government’s servile relations have damaged Serbia’s reputation, but at the same time also compromised Russia herself. DS and G17-plus are running in these elections together. What would be the key problem for LDP’s eventual post-electoral coalition with this bloc? In the forthcoming elections Serbia should get a government which would facilitate the continuation of reforms and essential transformatiosn by implementing the policy which citizens chose eight years ago and which is symbolised by Zoran Ðinđić. Because of that, we will do everything in order to ensure that on 11th May citizens will not vote only for the new prime minister and new ministers, but CorD / April 2008 21

POLITICS

also for a new system of values which would enable our society to have a concrete, clear and fast European future. We have agreed with those parties which share the same political goals regarding the jobs that must be done in Serbia, because that is the precondition for creating the new government and new optimism. Relations between the LDP and the Democratic Party must not burden the civil, European political scene in Serbia. Boris Tadić and I will have to have the strength to offer answers to this, not as complicated as too personal a situation which burdens the relations between our two parties. The future government cannot be established on any principles of the fallen cabinet, because there is no happiness to be found in positions which are identical to Koštunica’s. We are the contemporaries of a policy which they shot at on 12th March 2003, and that fact obliges us to defend that policy and to return Serbia to the path of the future, symbolised by Zoran Ðinđić. It is clear that there are mutual attractions and hostilities between you and your former party: what influence can that have on future political co-operation. Do you have a political plan for uniting LDP and DS? The LDP emerged because of the Democratic Party’s lack of readiness to implement the policy which the first democratic Serbian Government led. I am not happy because as far back as 2003 I predicted what the policy of cohabitation would be like and that Vojislav Koštunica would not be any different than he was at the time he was trying to bring Zoran Ðinđić’s government down. In January 2007 we said that Koštunica must not be the prime minister and that the mandate should belong to somebody from the Democratic Party. In the end, we gained the impression that the Democratic Party very easily renounced the prime ministerial position. After the presidential elections we offered our hand to Boris Tadić and the Democratic Party, but nobody should expect us to see in Koštunica the same thing they saw. We are in favour of co-operation with the Democratic Party, but there are no bases for uniting nor are we thinking in that direction. Will you have enough resources for your campaign and, as always, the sensitive question, what are your sources? The Liberal Democratic Party is financed in accordance with the law. One part comes from the state and the rest from our members’ donations. There are no high-sounding names which could draw public attention. Each time we were asked we presented the names of our donors for inspection, but at the moment 22 CorD / April 2008

when LDP offices are being set on fire we can publish their names only if the state guarantees their security. Do you recognise the democratisation of the political system, i.e. are the Radicals and the Socialists more democratic parties than they were two electoral cycles ago? I have already talked so much about Vojislav Šešelj and Slobodan Milošević’s policies. But SRS and SPS have given up such policies, so I could change my position. Nobody mentions lustration anymore, even though the law was adopted. Has the time for its implementation passed? Lustration is more needed in our society now than ever before. Serbia is the proof that old political elites cannot reform society, but can only adapt it to themselves and their own needs. Until those who were the creators and executors of the dangerous policies

problems our society has, which automatically opens up space for populist politics. Instead of frightening citizens with the arrival of retrograde forces to power, it would be necessary to clearly define their own policy, and the thesis that the Radicals are bogeyman for the international community does not hold water, because the SRS is a threat for the citizens who recollect well the time when they were last in power. Are you concerned because of the prevailing feeling in the Serbian political elite that the Constitutional frame we have is good and that it should not be changed? The Liberal Democratic Party was the only one who held an anti-referendum campaign. The way in which the Constitution was passed is not the only disputable thing. Voting for it lasted longer than the debate about the content of the Constitution, and that cannot be changed. Even those who adopted and wrote the Constitution are today aware of that. The position of Vojvodina, women’s rights, the protection of the judiciary and control over the executive power, the unfeasible protection of human rights – these are only some of the parts which should be changed. We need a new constitution for a European and modern Serbia, because the time we live in demands quick changes to which we should adapt. The Constitution should not be an obstacle to our European integration.

which led the most progressive Eastern European country through wars, crimes, plunder and dictatorship are removed from influential positions we cannot expect to resolve any of the problems which keep Serbia a hostage of the past. Lustration presents the instrument of society’s confrontation with the inheritance of the past, and discontinuity with the policy of a non-democratic regime.

Can Serbia go through the crisis of relations with those countries which recognised the independence of Kosovo without significant political, financial and other losses? Our country has already been through a phase of isolation once, and so knows what the price is of the wrong policy which we, as a society, have already paid highly for choosing. We have clearly said that we are against the withdrawal of ambassadors. The government’s next obligation will be to stop the policy which increases the tension in our international relations and whose aim is to try to provide an alibi for the policy which led to such results, as well as to redirect Serbia from the European path.

If the Radicals come to power after the elections in May, where will you be? Is the SRS still the bogeyman for the international community and the West, or is threatening with the Radicals only their political opponents’ electoral slogan? I believe that the 11th May elections will see our citizens once again show which direction this country should head, i.e. I don’t believe that the Radicals will win. The aim of the story about the Radicals is to cover those who are unable to respond to all the

How much influence do the ‘foreign factors’, mainly foreign diplomats, have on Serbian political parties and the forthcoming elections? This theory is only one in a series aimed at aggravating relations between Serbia and other countries… This creation, made in Milošević’s Serbia, is damaging our diplomatic relations and is simply not true. Diplomatic representatives in our country are not participants in our internal political life, as is the case in some other countries.

COMMENT

Tomorrow Belongs to the Radicals Ok, what could be the economic consequences of the Radicals victory in the next elections? Three turning points are in sight: (1) interventionism will increase; (2) the economic reforms will stop, and (3) co-operation with those countries which have not recognised Kosovo’s independence, such as Russia, the Ukraine, the Far and Near East, etc., will grow.And what would that, in fact, mean?

BY DR DANA POPOVIĆ

If the Serbian Radical Party comes to power, economic reforms should prob’ve already mentioned interventionably be forgotten. On many occasions ism, but one should not forgot that the the Radicals have strongly condemned Serbian state is currently already redisthe closing down of non-liquid banks, tributing over 40 per cent of its gross dowhile privatisation, transition and theft mestic product (GDP); all of the counare mostly treated as synonyms in their try’s public utilities are in the hands of political language. How can we continthe state and, therefore, at first sight ue reforms then? How can subsidies be not too much could be destroyed here reduced if the employees in the dino(which has not been destroyed already). saur companies will lose their jobs like Furthermore, almost half of all prices in that? How can we limit income growth Serbia are controlled by the Government in the public sector, when they are sup– on somebody’s desk, and not on the posed to show that with the arrival of pamarket. What kind of further turnabout triotic forces to power, “traitors and fortowards interventionism could happen? eign mercenaries” (who led the country Firstly, I expect the Radicals to try to reto the very edge of disaster) should lose, solve the unemployment issue with public and the “honest people” should become works. That will not cost them a great deal. winners? How can we introduce the necDinkić, with his invention, the much covessary practice of bankruptcy if, like in eted National Investment Plan, left lots of Hungary, the avalanche of 25,000 bankmoney for voluntarily squandering, and it seems that the Radicals ruptcy cases starts in the first year? In Hungary the Radicals will like that too. Voluntary mass labour. Songs. Cameras. were not in power, thus such a practice wiped non-liquid comAnd behind that, we know what is waiting: inflation, grow- panies out of the country and created the basis for the arrival of ing balance-payments deficit and increasingly slower econom- Greenfield investments and rapid growth. Yes, the Radicals were ic growth. Along with that, I expect statistics to start publishing not in power there. indexes of increasing labour victories, and that we, experts, will It is very likely that Serbia under the Radicals will turn tostart to find out what is really happening in the country from the wards those countries that did not recognise the independence indirect indexes. of Kosovo, but will that only be a rhetorical shift? The Radicals Nor should one forget the struggle against poverty, which will will most probably leave all foreign investors in peace; they’ll probably be based on the production of “bread for three dinars” let them get on with their work and will probably not interfere – a promise they have announced in one (or maybe two) previ- in their business. On that side, I think that “peaceful coexistous campaigns. The freezing of prices could certainly happen. ence” will rule. Still, the question arises as to whether the situaMy expectations are based on the fact that Vojislav Šešelj, as the tion from October 2007 will ever be repeated: when the compaout-going vice prime minister in October 2000, signed a decree ny owned by famous Russian tycoon, Oleg Deripaska, appeared on the liberalisation of all prices in Serbia, in order that the op- in a tender and was suddenly sold to some anonymous firm from position, which had just come to power, would immediately ex- Austria. Though I doubt this will reoccur. perience the anOnly if all this ger of the nation comes to nothing, If the Serbian Radical Party comes to power, economic reand would conseand the Radicals quently be drivdo not come to forms should probably be forgotten. And behind that, we know en from powpower, will Serbia what is waiting: inflation, growing balance-payments deficit and er. Nothing could have the chance increasingly slower economic growth. have been more to continue the wrong than that, reforms which because the marwill bring a better ket was normalised and shortages disappeared. Will such epi- life for all of us. But if the pro-European parties win the majority sodes be repeated? How will the exchange rate settle when peo- at all, that will happen in spite of everything the U.S. and the EU ple start to change all their dinar holdings into hard currencies? I have done to destroy every sense of European values in Serbia, don’t know. I’ve already got rid of my dinars, just in case. and then leave the country to choose its own future.

24 CorD / March 2008

EDUCATION

International education in Serbia

Full steam ahead

The main reasons for enrolment in the international schools of Belgrade are the top education levels and the fact that it provides the easiest route to prestigious universities. BY RADE REPIJA

t is well known that residents of Serbia no longer have to travel abroad to receive internationally recognised qualifications that can ease entry into the world’s prestigious universities. However, it was with the further promotion of such methods of education in mind that the Association of International and Independent Schools of Belgrade (AIISB) was formed at the end of last year. The AIISB gathers together two types of institutions: the first being those that completely use international curricula of some of the more well known schools, or domestic schools that have accepted certain programmes within national curricula (like the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme). “I think we should take it in small steps,” says Eric Sands, Ph.D., Director of the International School of Belgrade, whose initia-

tive has seen eight member schools – from nurseries to secondary schools – gathered within the Assosication. The ‘youngest’ AIISB member – the International Nursery School of Belgrade (INSB) – is working precisely with the youngest segment of the population. According to Mirjana Vidojević, Executive Director of INSB, the main users of services are foreigners that spend some time in Serbia and work in Embassies or foreign company representative offices. Currently the kindergarten is accommodating 60 children of 27 nationalities, and is the only institution of that type (kindergarten) with lectures in English. There are two reasons why one opts to educate one’s children in this type of school. As Milly Krstić, Executive Manageress of the Anglo American School Belgrade (AASB), says, the first is the fact that completing these schools eases access to a foreign university, while the second is the quality of education re-

Eric Sands, director of ISB: Promoting international values Cord: What expectations do you have regarding the Association’s work in Serbia, besides better co-operation between its members? Sands: In answering on behalf of the group, I would have to refer to one of our aims which addresses this particular question: Promoting, in the local community, the international values of the civil society. Cord: Does the association plan to establish any co-operation with Serbian authorities, regarding the improvement of the Serbian education system? Sands: Due to the fact that we have just formed this association, we have yet to plan any specific co-operative activities with the local Serbian schools. Exchanges with local schools would not only broaden our own level of understanding of the local culture and customs, but would also provide member schools with a pathway for our international students to gain a sincere appreciation of Serbia and the Balkan region. CorD: Are there any other plans for co-operation with Serbian schools, as well as local authorities; and in what areas would it be possible? Sands: I have partially answered this in the previous question, but other possible activities include sporting competition, cultural exchanges, professional development for local teachers, to name just a few. 26 CorD / April 2008

ceived. And added bonus is the learning of a foreign language, which is particularly evident at those schools teaching in French or German. The quality of education at these schools means a completely different approach to education. The Chartwell Programme is an international curriculum based on the English National curriculum. It seeks to strike a balance between the search for meaning and understanding, and the acquisition of essential skills and knowledge. It emphasises interdisciplinary enquiry and the all-round development of students. It encourages the comparison of different cultural perspectives so as to develop critical thinking. Many of the pupils of the Belgrade International School are transfers from the local school system. Such transfers normally bring two immediate problems: the first is insufficient language knowledge, and the second is the fact that in this school much few subjects are taught. “Currently, we are approximately 30 per cent Serbian in our overall population. This percentage provides a nice balance between the local population and the overall international population”, says ISB director Sands, adding that he would like to see more students from Africa in ISB. “I think that as the economic situation improves in Serbia, we should see more of them,” says Sands. One of the schools that has partially accepted a foreign programme is the Ruđer Bošković Gymnasium (secondary school), where - according to School Manageress Nada Vukojević – the implementation of the diploma programme started in 2005. This programme is intended for pupils of the final grades (III and IV) of secondary schools, primarily gymnasiums. Attendees must not be younger than 16. “Our pupils are young people who came from Serbian gymnasiums, but also those who have been educated abroad or in other international schools,” says Vukojević, adding that interest in this programme continues to grow year on year. According to Vukojević, pupils who successfully complete the Diploma programme acquire the right and possibility to apply for universities abroad, amongst which are the world’s most prestigious ones. Also, providing results are high, pupils can also apply for partial or full scholarships.

ECONOMICS

Fast growing companies faced with lack of capital

Growth crisis

BY JELENA ZLATANOVIĆ

he current political crisis has sent Serbia into an economic timeout that has seen all processes virtually grind to a halt. This will have an impact on the business of all companies, even the fastest growing one. They will continue to grow, but it will be slower than if the country were in a phase of economic boom, says Dragan Djuricin, President of consulting company Deloitte. According to Djuricin, the political instability is also affecting the economic growth of Serbia as a whole, which is now at a level that is 66 per cent of GDP figures from 1989. “We have high rates of economic growth, but they’re still insufficient for us to make up for the transitional deficit created in the period of the hyperinflation from 1992 to 1993, and afterwards during the period of slow economic growth. “The growth rates will still be positive, but insufficient,” he points out. The condition of the Serbian economy is paradoxical, thinks Djuricin, because on one side there are good companies, and on the other there are bad companies with numerous structural problems. Even with all that, a group of companies stands out, and they’re developing faster than the national economy and the competition. “For the most part, those are companies that have passed through their own transitions successfully. They completed the privatisation, began to function as corporate business and have found a strategic partner. The best examples of such companies are Sintelon and Tigar. On the other hand, there are also companies that have seemingly sprouted out of nowhere, but are developing quickly.” The largest number of fast growing companies in Serbia can be found in the area of agriculture and food production, but also in the IT sector. It is particularly interesting that their performances are better than those of similar companies in the world. However, the problem is that those companies are still invisible on the Serbian market. They are facing many problems, above all a lack of resources with which to finance their further growth. According to Djuricin, the ideal formula for the financing of growth is through credits with capital emissions. However, he considers, Serbia’s financial market is not developed enough and the resources of those companies are modest. That is why they often become targets for takeovers by foreign companies that have financial power. The director of Deloitte’s financial counselling section, Predrag Kovacevic, explains that there is a series of mechanisms in the developed world with which the country stimulates such companies to issue shares and list themselves on the stock exchange, so that they may acquire the capital needed for their further growth. That is not the case in Serbia, and so no instance has been recorded yet of an initial share offering, nor corporate bonds issuing. “The reasons for that should be looked for in undefined laws, tax treatment, but also in the insufficient number of institutional investors,’ Kovacevic concludes. CorD / April 2008 27

FROM THE WORLD PRESS

UKRAINE OPPOSITION HALTS PARLIAMENT OVER KOSOVO ISSUE

IEV, March 21 (RIA Novosti) Ukraine’s Party of Regions blocked the country’s parliamentary rostrum Friday demanding the withdrawal of Ukrainian peacekeepers from Kosovo and the defense minister’s resignation. Over 20 Ukrainian peacekeepers were wounded and one later died in hospital following clashes in the Serb-dominated area of Mitrovica on March 17, when UN police and NATO-led KFOR troops launched an operation to regain control of a UN court building seized last week by ethnic Serbs. As the Supreme Rada began its work on Friday morning, the Party of Regions proposed a bill on the withdrawal of Ukrainian peacekeepers from Kosovo, which was unanimously rejected by parliamentary coalition. The Party of Regions, led by former prime minister Viktor Yanukovych, also demanded that Defense Minister Yuriy Lutsenko resign for giving misleading information on the Kosovo incident. “He [Lutsenko] said NATO had no connection to this operation. But the operation was commanded by KFOR, which has a direct link to NATO,” Nestor Shufrych, one of the party’s leaders, said.

U.S.-RUSSIAN BROTHERS DETAINED IN MOSCOW FOR INDUSTRIAL SPYING

OSCOW, March 20 (RIA Novosti) - Two brothers with dual Russian-

28 CorD / April March2008 2008

U.S. citizenship, one of whom works at oil company TNK-BP, have been charged with industrial espionage, Russia’s domestic security service said on Thursday. The Federal Security Service said that on March 12 officers detained TNK-BP’s Ilya Zaslavsky, along with his brother Alexander, who has links with the British Council, for “illegally gathering secret commercial information for the benefit of several foreign oil and gas companies, in order to give them advantages over Russian competitors.” The British Council, the U.K. Embassy’s cultural arm, said Ilya Zaslavsky was not on its staff but was an important partner as a member of the embassy’s alumni club for Russian graduates of British universities. TNK-BP’s stock fell 4.5% on the RTS exchange after the news. The FSB said charges were brought against the Zaslavsky brothers on March 18. On Wednesday, police seized documents from the central office of the Russian-British venture TNK-BP, one of the largest crude producers in Russia. The Moscow office of British oil major BP was also raided by police. Security officials said evidence had been found during the searches, including copies of official documents, papers on oil and gas production believed to contain a commercial secret, and ID cards belonging to foreign military organizations and to the CIA. The British Council, whose regional offices in Russia were closed down earlier this year, voiced its concern over the arrests.

ITALIAN JUDGE ORDERS RESUMPTION OF CIA KIDNAPPING TRIAL BY VOA NEWS n Italian judge has ordered the resumption of the trial of U.S. and Italian intelligence agents accused of kidnapping a terrorism suspect.

The judge in Milan had adjourned the trial last year to give the country’s highest court an opportunity to rule on whether the prosecutors had violated state secrecy laws in building their case. But Wednesday the judge allowed proceedings to resume without a final ruling. Twenty-six Americans, the former head of Italy’s intelligence service, General Nicolo Pollari, and six other Italians face charges of abducting an Egyptian imam, Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, from Milan in 2003 and flying him to Egypt where he says he was imprisoned, interrogated, and tortured. The Americans are being tried in absentia. The Italian government has not asked for their extradition, and the U.S. has said it will refuse any such request.

CHINA’S CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCES HIKE IN BANK RESERVE RATIO BY VOA NEWS hina’s central bank announced a hike in its bank reserve ratio, and the world’s biggest passenger plane took off this week (end of march) from Singapore for its inaugural commercial flight to London. In its latest measure to curb inflation and control excessive credit growth, China’s central bank raised the amount

that lenders must hold in reserve by 50 basis points. It marks the bank’s 15th hike since mid-2006. The increase comes into effect on March 25, and takes the ratio for big banks to a record 15.5 percent. Stephen Green, senior China economist at Standard Chartered Bank in Shanghai, says raising the bank reserve ratio for lenders is a simple way for China to sustain reasonable levels of loan growth. “Lot’s of deposits are growing very strongly, and if the central bank didn’t do this then the banks would want to lend out those deposits, but the central bank wants to control loan growth, so this is one of the ways they do that,” said Green. Analysts say volatility on Wall Street this week may offset China’s latest policy tightening move, as bank lending could also be shaky due to tighter liquidity conditions. But they say any impact should be limited. The United States is facing a lingering subprime mortgage crisis, while the Federal Reserve is taking steps to ward off a threat of a U.S. recession. Green says compared to the United States, China’s financial concerns are very different from Washington’s. “China is coping with overheating, with inflation and massive inflows of liquidity,” he said. “So at the moment they are in very different places.”

EU TO PENALIZE TRAFFIC VIOLATORS ACROSS THE BLOC

uropeans soon won’t be able to get off the hook so easily if they run a red light in another EU country. The bloc has proposed linking driver databases and coordinating traffic police efforts. Foreign drivers make up only 5 percent of the traffic on EU roads, but account for around 15 percent of the traffic violations, said the European Commission on Wednesday, March 19. “As things stand today, a driver committing a [traffic] offense in another country of the European Union evades prosecution … because of the difficulty of identifying them,” the Commission said in a statement. The EU body proposed joint measures that would target traffic violators across the 27-member bloc -- in particular for speeding, drunk driving, not wearing a seat belt and running red lights. At least one of these four offences played a role in nearly 75 percent of all road deaths in the bloc, said the Commission.

“In 2001 we set ourselves the goal of reducing by half the number of deaths on our roads over a 10-year period,” said EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot. “If we are to reach this target, we need to make additional efforts now.” Around 54,000 traffic-related deaths occurred in Europe in 2001, while the number dropped to 43,000 in 2007

DIESEL ENGINE STILL GOING STRONG 150 YEARS AFTER INVENTOR’S BIRTH

hips, cars, motorcycles, trucks -- diesel engines are found everywhere. Its inventor, who died a mysterious premature death in the British Canal, would have turned 150 on March 18. Diesel has become a synonym for efficiency and environmental friendliness when it comes to making things go. Over a century after its initial invention, the diesel engine is still being developed, to be used in airplanes and run on biofuels, for example. The man traditionally accredited with its invention, Rudolf Diesel, was born on March

18, 1858, in Paris to a German bookbinder and his wife. When the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870, the family fled to London. Suffering from the economic ramifications of the war, they couldn’t afford to support young Rudolf and sent him to live with his aunt and uncle in Augsburg. Completed in 1897, the prototype produced 14 kilowatts of power, much more than other motors of the time. It also ran on significantly less fuel. Diesel’s engine, which is on display today in the German Museum in Munich, functioned by heating compressed air with pistons until it was hot enough to ignited the injected fuel. While typical diesel fuel is an oil byproduct derived from the petroleum refinement process, Diesel had made plans to eventually run his engine on vegetable oils. Though he wasn’t able to see the development through, Diesel’s plan for an oil-less motor earned him enemies in the oil sector.

KOSOVO SEARCHES THE WORLD FOR FRIENDS TO BACK INDEPENDENCE FROM THE TIMES MARCH 20, 2008 hree neighbours of Serbia angered Belgrade yesterday by announcing that

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FROM THE WORLD PRESS

they would formally recognise Kosovo’s independence this week, helping to relieve nerves in Pristina at the slow pace of international support for the world’s newest country. Support from Bulgaria, Croatia and Hungary will bring the total number of states recognising the breakaway Serbian province to 33, far fewer than many in Kosovo had hoped for by this stage, more than a month after declaring self-rule. A target for half of the 192 members of the United Nations General Assembly to accept Kosovo by September has been dropped quietly and replaced with a drive for “quality rather than quantity” to show that the world’s most powerful democracies back the Balkan nation. Kosovo’s main sponsors in Washington, Brussels and London are working behind the scenes to gather enough support to rebuff any attempt by Russia at the UN to reopen talks on the status of a territory that it regards as an integral part of its ally Serbia. In an interview with The Times, Pieter Feith, the EU special representative to Kosovo, said: “If you look at this as a numbers game — for instance, 50 per cent of the members of the UN General Assembly by September, when it convenes — this could be seen as falling short of what we had hoped. “If you look at quality, I think we are well on track. You have all the G7 countries, and even before Canada and Japan recognised [this week] we had 65 per cent of the world’s GDP. In qualitative terms you have the most significant economic democracies of the world.” There is disquiet at the reluctance of big nations such as India and Brazil to recognise Kosovo, as well as disappointment with Spain, the largest of the eight EU members not to sign up. Madrid is understood to be concerned at giving any encouragement to its separatist movement in the Basque region while Greece and Cyprus are similarly reluctant to send a signal over Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus. Vuk Jeremic, the Serbian Foreign Minister, has predicted that international recognitions for Kosovo will peak at 40 and suggested that some could be persuaded to change their mind. “Every country 30 CorD / April 2008

that decides to recognise the illegally declared state of Kosovo breaches international law . . . and cannot count on good relations with Serbia,” he said yesterday on a visit to Greece, a traditional ally. MARCH 19, 2008 BY TONY BARBER FT

DOES THE EU CARE ABOUT TURKISH DEMOCRACY?

ike the proverbial mad aunt, Turkey is a topic most European Union governments prefer these days to keep locked well out of sight. But if the EU isn’t careful, it will discover one day that the aunt, quite sanely, has decided she doesn’t want to be part of the family anyway. I was reminded of this on Monday at a European Policy Centre think-tank discussion in Brussels. A questioner asked me and the other panellists if the EU’s newly proposed “Union for the Mediterranean” would harm Turkey’s EU membership bid. I was tempted to reply that the only thing the Union for the Mediterranean - a brainchild of President Nicolas Sarkozy had harmed so far was Franco-German relations and EU unity. But then I remembered that at last week’s EU summit in Brussels, I had been told something odd by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. He said that, when the EU’s leaders had discussed the Union for the Mediterranean over dinner on Thursday, the word “Turkey” had not crossed a single leader’s lips. I was surprised because it would seem obvious that Turkey, as an official candidate for EU entry and an important regional power, should figure prominently in the project. Moreover, one lurking suspicion all along had been that Sarkozy hoped to substitute the Mediterranean scheme for full EU membership for Turkey. Be that as it may, on Turkey there was silence at the summit. The truth is that many EU leaders were lukewarm about Sarkozy’s project but none saw any political capital in making a public declaration of enthusiastic support for Turkey’s integration into the EU. Turkey is no longer a cause worth sticking your neck out for.

At a time when Turkey faces a potentially very serious test of its political stability and needs all the EU support it can get, this is little short of flabbergasting. I refer to the attempt by Turkey’s chief prosecutor to shut down the Justice and Development party (AKP), which just happens to be the democratically elected government. For good measure, the prosecutor also wants to ban Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan from politics for five years. The prosecutor was acting on behalf of the secularist establishment that has dominated Turkish political life for the best part of a century. Backed by the military, the secularists abhor the AKP as an Islamist threat - which it is not. By challenging the AKP’s right to rule, the secularists damage not the party but themselves and their country. The EU must offer unequivocal support for Erdogan, the AKP government, Turkish democracy and Turkey’s status as a candidate for EU membership. To their credit, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn as well as the German and Swedish governments have criticised the prosecutor’s move. But it’s not enough. The EU’s halfhearted response is limiting the space for Erdogan to manoeuvre between the hardline secularists and the AKP’s grassroots activists and supporters. For the moment, Erdogan is trying to keep alive Turkey’s commitment to EU integration. But if he and his supporters don’t get robust backing from the EU, they will quite rightly feel let down and see the EU as an organisation whose promises to treat Turkey fairly and equally are a bitter joke. This would destroy the prospects for a healthy EU-Turkish partnership. Turkish public opinion is already much less enthusiastic about the EU than when the membership talks started in 2005. It would not be difficult to imagine public support draining even further if the EU fails to give a firm response to the latest political threats in Turkey. But perhaps that is exactly what some in the EU secretly want?

US CAN LEARN FROM JAPAN’S CRISIS BY MICHIYO NAKAMOTO IN TOKYO Published: March 23 2008 22:05 | Last updated: March 23 2008 22:05 he US should inject public funds into its financial system, which is undergoing a worse crisis than that experienced by Japan during its non-performing loan crisis, according to Japan’s financial services minister. “It is essential [for the US] to understand that given Japan’s lesson, public fund

injection [into the financial sector] is unavoidable,” Yoshimi Watanabe told the Financial Times. Although “it is very difficult for Japan to convey such a message to a foreign government ...Japan could, for example, convey – through the G7 [meeting of finance ministers] or central bank governors’ meeting – Japan’s lesson and that we are prepared to take co-ordinated action if necessary” to help resolve the situation, Mr Watanabe said. US and European central banks are to consider the possibility of using public funds to purchase mortgagebacked securities as a potential remedy for the crisis. The remarks are the first public expression of concern by a Japanese cabinet minister that the impact of the current financial market turmoil could be much more serious than Japan’s experience during its “lost decade” of abnormally slow economic growth in the 1990s. Mr Watanabe warned unless swift and appropriate action was taken by world leaders, the financial market turmoil could lead to a severe dollar crisis. He said the world’s huge excess liquidity has started flowing out of the US. If that flow were to be extended, it could lead to unprecedented problems. “One thing is to fix the hole in the bathtub,” he said. “[But] we must recognise that the current crisis is not as straightforward as past dollar crises.” He had no comment on whether Japan might cut interest rates in a co-ordinated response. Any decision would be made by the Bank of Japan, responsible for monetary policy but headed currently by an acting governor. The minister said that while the US credit turmoil was structurally similar to Japan’s at the time of its bad debt crisis, there was an important difference in that risk in Japan was contained in the banking sector. In the US, it had been dispersed widely into other areas of the financial industry. So “it is not clear how big the hole [in the US] is because the fire has spread to products other than securitised products”. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

worse c r i sis than that experienced by Japan during its non-performing loan crisis, according to Japan’s financial services minister. “It is essential [for the US] to understand that given Japan’s lesson, public fund injection [into the financial sector] is unavoidable,” Yoshimi Watanabe told the Financial Times. Although “it is very difficult for Japan to convey such a message to a foreign government ...Japan could, for example, convey – through the G7 [meeting of finance ministers] or central bank governors’ meeting – Japan’s lesson and that we are prepared to take co-ordinated action if necessary” to help resolve the situation, Mr Watanabe said. US and European central banks are to consider the possibility of using public funds to purchase mortgage-backed securities as a potential remedy for the crisis. The remarks are the first public expression of concern by a Japanese cabinet minister that the impact of the current financial market turmoil could be much more serious than Japan’s experience during its “lost decade” of abnormally slow economic growth in the 1990s. Mr Watanabe warned unless swift and appropriate action was taken by world leaders, the financial market turmoil could lead to a severe dollar crisis. He said the world’s huge excess liquidity has started flowing out of the US. If

that flow were to be extended, it could lead to unprecedented problems. “One thing is to fix the hole in the bathtub,” he said. “[But] we must recognise that the current crisis is not as straightforward as past dollar crises.” He had no comment on whether Japan might cut interest rates in a co-ordinated response. Any decision would be made by the Bank of Japan, responsible for monetary policy but headed currently by an acting governor. The minister said that while the US credit turmoil was structurally similar to Japan’s at the time of its bad debt crisis, there was an important difference in that risk in Japan was contained in the banking sector. In the US, it had been dispersed widely into other areas of the financial industry. So “it is not clear how big the hole [in the US] is because the fire has spread to products other than securitised products”. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008. CorD / April 2008 31

ECONOMY

Tractors Don’t Run on Patriotism BY RADE RANKOVIĆ

he first group lives in fear of the political instability brought about by the secession of Kosovo and the fall of the Government. As we’ve seen, trade on the stock exchange has gone down, with only the speculators – mostly domestic tycoons – buying and thereby profiting from the fear and panic of the small shareholders. The second group, the big investors, will not be scared and won’t give up so easily, claims Milutin Nikolic, director and founder of the Citadel Group. However, he adds the latest news does imply that more and more of them are having second thoughts… and are waiting for the May elections. The confirming examples are too common to be dismissed a simple coincidence. Deutsche Bank will not support the HorgosPozega concession for a year; the sales of Lasta and Zastava have been postponed; three American investors have pulled out, some Italians as well. And many others have decided to wait a bit longer. Serbia’s central bank, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS), has drastically increased the reference interest rate from 11.5% to 14.5%, and in just two and a half months, the eight investment funds that are doing business in Serbia have lost more than RSD600 million through a drop in share values. The stock exchange itself took the news about the elections badly – the share index fell rapidly and constantly during the whole week that saw the Government in crisis. Considering that stock exchanges in the region are operating on the principle of interconnection, as economic journalist Misa Brkic says, the situation on the Belgrade Stock Exchange has spread to the surrounding stock markets. For example, Zagreb’s stock exchange started showing signs of recovery only three days ago, adds Brkic. The whole situation has prompted small business owners from Cacak to write to the president and the Prime Minister asking them not to worsen relations with the countries they do business with, as it is obstructing their business. “Patriotism can’t be poured into a tractor, nor can a field be sown with it. And who is Sarkozy going to talk to in Paris?

News that the Serbian economy is in a crisis has not been new for a long time. 32 CorD / April 2008

With the woman who makes the coffee, since we’ve withdrawn our ambassador back to our country?” It is hard to believe, but of late these sentences are being uttered by a man who started his political career alongside Zeljko “Arkan” Raznatovic and his Party of Serbian Unity; a man who had the closest of relationships with the Radicals, who was on the same list with the duo Kostunica-Ilic, and who is now in a coalition with the socialists and the pensioners: one Dragan Markovic Palma. After getting a good taste of it himself, Palma realised that economic patriotism can bring a short-term profit to some, but can ultimately only lead to long-term disaster. We all learned that lesson. The year 2008, as far as foreign investors are concerned, is already closed. Even if they did plan something, the investors will not make any moves before 2009, claims Brkic. As a man who studied at Harvard, Milutin Nikolic says that when faced with these types of situations, foreign investors always prepare for the worst possible scenario, even though it doesn’t have to happen. “No matter what the perception of our current situation is, it is not that catastrophic,” adds Nikolic. For the past two and a half years Serbia has been in a virtually constant state of pre-election campaigning, which has cost the country vast sums of money. And any government that would cut public spending before elections would be signing its own death penalty, and thus all of Serbia’s

recent governments have lacked the courage to reduce salaries in the public sector. At the same time, Serbia has imports that are five billion euros greater than its exports, and that gap has only been filled so far by foreign investments – the least of it through the stock exchange, much more through privatisation and direct investments. Foreign investment consultant Miladin Kovacevic estimates that Serbia needs seven billion euros per year – three through foreign investments and four through credit lines – in order to continue the economic growth rates achieved so far. What the future has in store for Serbia depends on which of the opposing blocs wins in the elections. If the pro-European bloc wins, the situation could, at least in theory, be repaired quickly. On the other hand, a triumph for the so-called national unity parties would lead to a situation where the new government would be faced with the distrust of investors, and would need to quickly convince them of the quality of their economic policies. “I don’t know how realistic the policy of isolation is. Considering the openness of the Serbian economy, it is pretty difficult to put isolation into action,” says Milutin Nikolic. “Even if that did somehow happen, it would only lead to shortterm and mid-term turbulence that would see the policy punished at the next elections,” Nikolic thinks. “The best thing that can happen to Serbia is political stability,” adds Nikolic. Everything else will come on its own.

POLITICS

Serbia encircled by intelligence paranoia

Beneficial Spy Prejudices Dobrilo Nenadić wrote his work “Roman o Obiliću” (Novel about Obilic) in search of the origin of the myth about heroism.The national stereotype about armoured heroes of the Kosovo field was completely crushed in the face of the literary character of Miloš Kobilić, later Obilić. BY LJUBODRAG STOJADINOVIĆ

bilic was not an aristocrat, a solder, or a man destined for greatness. Short and light, a serf by origin, Obilic was mostly defensive and incon-

34 CorD / April 2008

spicuous in appearance; a tramp with royal edict, a petty merchant or, more precisely, a peddler of trifles and balms. He got close to Sultan Murat at a decisive moment only for one reason: he was an informer and a swindler. In the vicinity of Murat’s tent, dressed in Osmanli dress, Obilic sold medical herbs to

Turkish soldiers. When he cut Murat’s belly, it was too late to notice. Miloš Obilić was the top spy of his time. Nevertheless, his assassination of Murat didn’t’ save Serbia from defeat 619 years ago, and it surely wouldn’t save her today. Serbian literature is crammed with tales of espionage of all kinds. Nušić’s county spy, Aleksa Žunić, is the archetypal dirty informer. Spy syndrome became an untreatable form of schizophrenic paranoia, as seen in the classic film “Balkanski špijun” (Balkan Spy). The phenomenon of “top secret” and mystery that can never be

COLLAPSE OF THE STATE resolved is what keeps us in constant fear Yugoslavia (SFRY) was caused, firstly, by After the 2000 elections, Serbia’s out- intelligence operatives and, only secondof the all-mighty state services. Whether they are domestic agents or going first lady, Professor Mira Marković, ly, by domestic political factors. It is our foreign spies, it is almost the same when concluded that more than half of Serbs had opinion that the sequence of causes is acfear is actively encouraged. However, in- become enemies of the state and foreign tually dramatically reversed, and that devtelligence paranoia in Serbia has for dec- mercenaries. A foreign mercenary is not an astating intelligence activity only starts ades been sharply divided along lines of ordinary enemy. Rather, he is a recruited when the conditions are in place for the traitor or patriot: with many public fig- member of a domicile nation who receives relatively easy collapse of the state. ures finding themselves categorised on certain compensation for his dirty servicPoet Branko Miljković says that that one side, then the other – depending only es, that is, betrays his land for “a handful which is prone to fall shall fall. This pretty on the standpoint of facdark and prophetic verse tors determined abroad, almost perfectly fits into or from a regime that is some intelligence princidiligently and regularly ples. So, if the subject of Many analyses suggest that the demise of the performing only “patriotintelligence activity is staformer Socialist Yugoslavia (SFRY) was caused, ic” moves. ble, then experiences about firstly, by intelligence operatives and, only secondly, During the reign of how to achieve that stabiliby domestic political factors. Slobodan Milošević, the ty are very desirable. powers that be opted to deIf that stability is quesclare Velimir Ilić a traitor. tionable, primarily due In response, Ilić voluntarto reasons contained in ily switched to the ‘hajduk’[outlaw] life- of dollars”. Those are the collaborators of the political stability of the system, then style, spending months in hiding on Jelica mysterious “intelligence services”, cancer- methods for its revival or destruction are Mountain near Čačak. When he finally re- ous moles in the heart of the state, eating it sought. The second option, state destructurned to civilization, Ilić became one of away from within until its final collapse. tion, is used only when its realisation reSuch paranoia gains fuel in the analo- quires less power and funds than the doubtthe leading rebels of the 5th October uprising, and later progressed to his current gy of true decay. Many analyses suggest ful rectification and impossible renewal of rank of minister. Ilić became a model of that the demise of the former Socialist the state. patriotic orthodoxy, and then he began to In February 1991, then U.S. Secretary declare his own traitors. of State, James Baker, supported the uniThe methodology appears simple at first, ty and inviolability of SFRY’s borders. He although it is in essence schizophrenic: there told the country’s noisy collective manis always some traitor to be blamed for all our agement to do “everything necessary” to troubles; someone who wishes to harm the nasafeguard the state’s integrity. tion of Serbia. That individual is always the In June of the same year, the federal dogsbody of some external force, and is always state quickly lost its ten-day “War with the a mortal enemy of Serbia. Yet, however powNorth”, leading it to tactically, and seemerful that enemy, the national myth says that ingly senselessly, set off in a suicidal and he is never in a position to harm Serbia proabsurd political direction. Later that same vided “traitors” from within don’t help him. A month, on 19th June, the SFRY collective presidency passed a suicidal decision for the small number of traitors is insignificant, so that destiny of the state that they presided over the enemy recruits an increasing number of its in that tragicomic octet. The supreme comcollaborators. Simultaneously, an increasing mander with eight heads behaved less serinumber of Serbs see an increasing number of ously than an eight-member boy-band when enemies behind the nation’s lines. CorD / April 2008 35

POLITICS

Before providing a more detailed explanation of the change in the essence of the work of the most important intelligence services, it is important to recap some otherwise famous episodes that inevitably contain a strong intelligence stamp.

RUSSIAN CONNECTION

it brought the decision to withdraw the federal army (JNA) from Slovenia to borders where “the people want their army!” This move showed that the formulation was perfectly devastating. Soon fewer and fewer “nations and nationalities” wanted JNA as their own, and at the end of the great tragedy the army became nothing more than a generator of total killing and hatred. The idea that other countries’ foreign services had brought down the powerful Yugoslavia could have been conditionally correct if the leaders of the state had been their secret agents. Of course, that theory has not been eliminated, but such an outcome would see the intelligence work categorised somewhere in the theory known as “triumphant nonsense”. That would practically mean that the ideal environment is when the intelligence services have the most respected leaders of the target country as its collaborators. In such a situation, the need for secret activity is nullified because the operatives – leaders of the target country – are able to form official policy 36 CorD / April 2008

on the basis of the intelligence goals. The basis of the intelligence service idea is, in principle, harmonisation of the environment of the ‘target nation’ with the aggressive state’s policy; or with the intentions of the service itself if its power exceeds the potentials of its state of origin. There is no service in the world that would acknowledge to its founder that the reasons for its existence ceased to exist, and that the founder (the state) is more important than the service. The demise of SFRY opened a Pandora’s Box of intelligence operatives – releasing many archetypal spies and endless intelligence instances and hybrids. Somewhere along the way, the work done in the Balkans during the ‘90s and beyond is defined as “scavenging”, or “division by butcher knife”, or even “slaughtering of the worm”, due to the fact that parts of the dissected nation have continued their independent lives. However, one must remember that intelligence services could only easily bring to an end what the SFRY had already done to herself.

The first is the secret visit to Moscow of then SFRY Defence Minister, Veljko Kadijević, on 12th March 1991 – a juncture when the prevailing opinion was that the preservation of SFRY could be better achieved by the army than the divided presidency. There is no doubt that Kadijević utilised intelligence from his military informers in Moscow, (at that time Colonel Branko Krga), as well as adequate Soviet sources in Belgrade. What could Yugoslavia’s (official) informants, i.e. the JNA representative office in Moscow, really tell Kadijević? Perhaps that he would be received by the Soviet Defence Minister, Marshal Dimitrij Jazov, but that he should be quiet about that; and that Jazov would support each military act aimed at preserving Yugoslavia, without supporting wider actions. And so it transpired. Kadijević had selected a pause during the unhappy four-day session of the SFRY Presidency held in some cold hall in Dedinje. Though the session proved utterly indecisive, Kadijević still requested brotherly approval from Russia for execution of the most risky venture: a military putsch. The putsch was doomed to fail, due to many reasons that are not subject of this article, and Kadijević decided not to try to use his weakened military power to discipline republics that had been acting as virtually independent states for many years. That was one of the defence minister’s rare good decisions. Later that same year, in August ’91, a group of conservative Stalinists attempted to mount a putsch against Gorbachev. In response, Kadijević hurried to congratulate those leading the coup, believing in some kind of brotherly symmetry. However, it was too late for both him and the restaurateurs of Josif Visarionovič Džugašvili’s era. The second episode occurred eleven years later, in March 2002, when former JNA General Perišić Was discovered in a bizarre spying position with an American espionage operator – a certain John Neighbour. Allegedly, Perišić sold Neighbour important documents from the Army General Staff, where he had collaborators even after having left his function. Perišić was then deputy PM of Serbia. He was found in the motel Šarić, wearing a tracksuit and trainers, and ordering himself and his strange guest a drink and lamb roast. The worst part of Perišić’s betrayal was the discovery that one of Milošević’s favourite sol-

diers was nothing more than a dirty gossip: he had mercilessly leaked stories about his Governmental colleagues with Neighbour, and had described them as a tragic, laughable bunch of political amateurs. The military security service put bags on the heads of both Perišić and Neighbour and carted them off to prison. Perišić has never been tried because he is an ICTY indictee. However, he was never actually called to answer charges in The Hague. Perhaps his friendship with Neighbour saved him from losing the version of freedom that he now enjoys. The collectors of intelligence stereotypes might observe that the once thrilling job of espionage professionals has suffered essential changes in the last twenty years. All the services are still there, but the model of their work is essentially dif-

“OPERA” AND “LABRADOR” Conflict plans are always the topic of special interest and top counterintelligence prudence. They change whenever one doubts that they have been compromised by the enemy. The service that has in its hands an up-to-date conflict plan of a potential opponent also has a strategic advantage over the enemy. Two major intelligence affairs that shook the command of JNA’s military air force in mid-1992 are known by the codenames “Opera” and “Labrador”. These affairs may have appeared to be filled with irresolvable mystery, but the essence can be directly attributed to the desertion of air force chief commander, Antun Tus, to the then illegal Croatian Army (General Staff). When switching sides, that highly educated officer took with him all the key knowledge

The most difficult information to acquire relates to the structure of functionaries’ personalities and their weaknesses.This information is important for three reasons: it can help to preventively compromise them; they can easily be blackmailed if they are forced by temptation to show the weakness they are prone to; they can be compromised and converted, but only as “top compromising subjects” ferent from the romanticised literary prototypes. Primarily, important educational or intellectual evolution has been made. Secret agents are today top analysts. They could have, of course, become that even earlier, albeit in circumstances characterised with set secrecy. It may sound a little odd, but modern secret agents cherish the privilege based on which they honour “publicity in work”. This means that they derive the most dangerous conclusions from information nobody is hiding. Fewer and fewer classical spies are needed, risking pointless capture during the delivery of important documents. The electronic era has simply consigned some jobs to the history books. Nowadays, the technologically superior services are capable of acquiring information that is deemed to be a top military or state secret. That practically means that it is difficult to keep secrets, and some secrets are kept simply out of principle or self-respect. The American military intelligence service acquired all fourteen versions of the war plan of Iraq. All those were original documents compiled in the last year before the allied invasion. Iraqi General Staff changed the war plan every time they discovered that it had been leaked. Such discoveries are possible only with a perfect combination of all modern intelligence models, i.e. of electronic scouting, digital decoding and synthetic analogy.

and data about the JNA’s military air forces. As a former secret agent, Tus left behind him a whole network of people loyal to him, who remained in formation duties within the Zemun command. The two affairs are simply a result of the painstaking and difficult search for those loyal to Tus, as well as the unnecessary suffering of those who were, ultimately, found to be completely innocent. The greatest intelligence service secrets are not in fact conflict or state plans. Rather, the most difficult information to acquire relates to the structure of functionaries’ personalities and their weaknesses. This information is important for three reasons: it can help to preventively compromise them; they can easily be blackmailed if they are forced by temptation to show the weakness they are prone to; they can be compromised and converted, but only as “top compromising subjects”. However, their reliability is always in doubt, regardless of which side they are on. Did the analysts see all, or just the most important bits? These three folklore leaders were literally imprisoned in the base. They would have remained there until today had they not signed the Dayton Agreement. It must be confessed that the analysts read them well, and duly provided the data necessary for processing particularly unpleasant human material from the Balkans. Milošević gave everything they asked of him, and even much more when

he gave up Serb claims on Sarajevo. Milošević firmly believed that Germany, led by Dietrich Genscher, was ripping Yugoslavia apart for one reason: to make Croatia an independent state for the first time in its history. His hypothesis had its obscure show business verification when Đorđe Novković composed a slimy, servile ballad entitled “Danke Deutschland”, which in a bizarre way confirmed Milošević’s intelligence forebodings. Serbian military-intelligence estimates are burdened with many prejudices, the greatest of which is a dogmatic insistence on sharing interests from Jalta. So, fifty –fifty! In practice, that means that the U.S., Russia and Germany are equally interest in exerting their influence over the Balkans. As such, operating here are the American CIA and DIA, Germany’s BRD and the Russian FSB (successor of the KGB). Practically, Germans and Americans “hold” half of the interest sphere, while the other half is claimed by Russia. Of course, in such a relationship there is also a place for the Brits. However, Serbia’s analysts view the UK’s MI5 and MI6 as being of less importance. Estimates start from the hypothesis that the countries interested in the Balkans are fighting “all against everybody”. So, the Germans are reluctant to give the upper hand to the Americans, while British secret agents are not completely harmonised with the political loyalty of London to Washington. Russians are here mostly directly – a part of the Serbian political establishment considers that their intelligence restraining is only a method of play, in the style: what do we hide from the Russians? Russian discretion and the long-term surrender of the Balkans to Western forces have been harmonised with newfound feeling of Russian power. There is no doubt that Russia will take a more aggressive approach in the coming years, but only within an understanding of her own interests.

THE KOSOVO PROBLEM There is still one more intelligence miscalculation that prevails in Serbia and persists like any national myth: the notion that Belgrade and Serbia are among the most important global centres of the intelligence world. That is simply not true. The CorD / April 2008 37

POLITICS

Albanian spays in Serbia

t is almost certain that in excess of 20 Albanian intelligence operatives are actively working in Serbia at present, though their interest does not extend far beyond the areas where the Albanian population is in the majority. They are almost completely inaccessible for counterintelligence work, because it became literally impossible to follow their work following the departure of Albanian staff from state and military security services. The Albanian operatives successfully organised the “donkey-back” transporting of weapons via Prokletije during 1997 and ’98 to arm the KLA and, thus, enable the armed uprising of Serbia’s Albanian minority.

Balkans ceased to be a centre of planetary headaches years ago. When the problem is observed in a simplified manner, one could conclude that there are simply no more major secrets that need to be uncovered. If there are any, then we can rest assured that they are only being kept by those capable of finding them in the easiest way possible. There are no changes that haven’t happened already, or that cannot be envisaged – including anything relating to the Kosovo problem. The intelligence bandwagon has moved on to other world centres. Primarily towards areas of key interest to the world, where the monopoly of the global wealth lies: to the oil-rich Middle East; to the poles, because of research of their untouched reserves; to China, where gigantic dynamics cannot be monitored by a combination of all known intelligence models; and to all parts of the world with potentially devastating terrorism. The majority of the world’s nations no longer nurture the model of the classic “inbuilt” intelligence agency. If we set aside the usual mimicry (companies, representative offices, newspaper branch offices, delegations) secret agents are today globetrotters, using “accumulated information” about everything that interests them. Because such people have long since ceased to be simple deliverers of information but are rather top analysts in their own right, they deliver concise conclusions with proposals for solutions to their masters. Serbia today is at “the centre of the periphery” of the intelligence war. Here in Serbia this war is understood in line with the usual stereotypes: intelligence services are either glorified or their performance is scorned. The relation between mythical powers and naivety provide a space where serious intelligence work can be conducted. That is no longer merely the usual negative treatment of enemies, but is also directed towards traditional allies.

WHO IS WHO IN INTELLEGENCE COMMUNITY Germans are engaged in three intelligence channels. For them, the most important information is that which can assist in the creation of political projects. BRD is well embedded in the exploitation of all 38 CorD / April 2008

systems, enabling its operatives to gain an insight into the real potential of the Serbian economy. For BRD, business espionage has precedence over the military sphere, although Germany has by no means given up on gathering information about military structures and the ideological determination of professional soldiers. Their service was vigilantly followed by the staff combinations in the Army of Serbia, especially in the case of the victory of Tomislav Nikolić. Catastrophe analysis advocates are prone to overestimate the negative affects of British MI6 on Serbia’s destiny. Allegedly, its agents were participants in some gloomy events from the recent Serbian political past. However, this may now be over following the recent departure from Serbia of one Anthony Monkton. Monkton was promoted by one respected weekly magazine to the position of Head of British intelligence services in Serbia. He was allegedly “discovered” and, thus, could no longer operate effectively. Many intelligence professionals believe that the blowing of Monkton’s cover marks the twilight of traditional British espionage activities in the Balkans – especially since London has grown complacent and lost interest in the region in the face of competition from engaged partners in the West. The UK is now relying more on travelling secret agents in charge of the

whole region – affectionately referred to as “travel writers”. American intelligence services are the most active in Serbia. This is particularly true for the DIA (military intelligence), which collects its valuable data using the most modern versions of eavesdropping and electronic scouting. They are also observers and catalysers of military denouement in the Balkans. There is data suggesting that DIA agents, together with the CIA, participated in the processing of data that accelerated the already planned bombing campaign of Serbia. In Kosovo they found an ideal environment to realise scenarios that could bring the desired political solutions. Their focus is currently on the south of Serbia and the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica. U.S. intelligence forces will try to end the ongoing crisis by using the current political solution to evade military risks by securely sealing the Kosovo area. No overflow of the crisis, especially towards the south, is in line with the interests of current U.S. policy. Their “creative” idea is that this crisis shouldn’t be extinguished, but should also not be allowed to spread any further. The greatest threat to their work, according to available estimates, is in Kosovska Mitrovica, and the “disturbing potential” of Serbs living in that town. The evaluation of American intelligence agencies is that the EU will not be in a position to maintain relative peace in Kosovo without the support of American forces, and that the Pentagon’s decision to gradually downsize Camp Bondsteel to symbolic dimensions is a big mistake. Russian intelligence actions are brought down in the Balkans mainly to “maintaining inertia”. If there are good models and even better successors, then it is epitomised by the relationship between the KGB and the FSB. The descendant of the KGB more or less respects the achievements of the heir

to Stalin’s NKVD, but their focus is West of all relics or potentials of the cold war. The American anti-missile shield, which has been envisaged as almost bordering with Russia, is literally keeping them in a state of constant alert. If we exclude the situation in 1948, we can conclude that Serbia has been a field of relatively unhindered work for Russians. That is a product of a peculiar hypothesis about “friendly secret services”. The FSB pays particular attention to monitoring “patriotic forces” in Serbia, and the tendency of certain politicians to lean towards Russia and her leaders. There are announcements that the television journalist who recently justified the murder of Đinđić on Russian state television is a reliable collaborator of FSB in the public promotion of its attitudes. Russian services are engaged in Serbia primarily in the propaganda sphere. Reflections of such an intelligence trend can be seen through the statements of certain generals, or ambassadors during the NATO bombing, which claimed that Russia “is ready to use force in Kosovo” in favour of Serbia. That is a fantastic, impossible mission that would prove counterproductive for both Serbia and Russia. However, such false sabre-rattling makes sense in the mythical field. Serbian tabloids have already published ‘news’ claiming that Russian security forces are already in Kosovo. Indeed, the tabloids claim that Russia’s special officers personally set fire to border crossing points. Such campaigns “replace reality” and provide popularity among the Serbian public for Russian leaders, despite Russia’s traditional failure to offer Serbia any real assistance.

We have received relatively reliable claims that some distinctly well-mannered and educated members of the Russian services are passing through Serbia. These operatives insist on salutary professional discretion, wherever they are. In Serbia there are sufficient secret agents, precisely as many as their should be for those who need them. However, neither Belgrade nor Serbia is a ‘nursery’ for domestic and foreign spies, as is somewhere written and spoken. Secret agents are only people with a job, and they are trying to perform it to the best

of their abilities. Espionage, informants, denouncement, eavesdropping, wandering, hiding, conspiracy, sneaking, betrayal... These are all connotations that can be insulting, disgraceful or unpleasant. There are still many spies who have become famous and, based on their feats or failures, the history of intelligence work is written. Today, more than ever, such a job is the product of analytical opinion and researchers’ lucidity. Vagabonds wondering in inadequate places, waiting for a domestic traitor to give them a parcel with data, won’t be seen any more. Those are only characters of works of fiction. A military intelligence officer of one western country worked without any problem in Berlin from 1938 to 1943. Abver and SS secret agents failed to discover who was hiding behind the pseudonym “Stein” for years. It only ended one winter’s evening when the German counter-intelligence officers and Gestapo got lucky and caught Stein while he was sending his regular report. However, they were never able to find out who had provided him with confidential information important for the destiny of Reich. When asked how he could have come across such information without an informant, Stein answered truthfully, “I only read German newspapers”. Stein didn’t survive just because of a mistake in the selecting of the secret name, which turned out to be too Jewish. Miloš Kobilić, secret agent of Tsar Lazar on Kosovo Vidovdan in 1389, also didn’t survive – but not because of his slaughter of Murat, which proved to be a perfect favour for the new Sultan Bajazit.

CIA observations: Milošević,Tuđman and Izetbegović

rior to the signing of the Dayton Agreement, a group of “experts for human characteristics” – probably from the ranks of the CIA and DIA – organised a comprehensive action to ‘supplement files’ of historical collocutors in the Right Paterson. Here there are some extremely interesting observations. Milošević: addicted to the impression he leaves on others; prone to concessions if under the impression that the collocutors have been charmed by him; during drinks he becomes witty, euphoric and indulgent. He does not show typical interest in women, but is pathologically devoted to his wife and is frustrated by long separation from her. His arrogance and self-assuredness are not immune to persistent and convincing pressures. Tuđman: persistent and insincere, of changing and

whimsical mood; humourless, lacking charisma and traits that would naturally elevate him to high political or military office. Evolved into a mediocre pragmatist. Prone to acts of cruelty in circumstances of his own superiority. Confused ascetic who has transformed into a hedonist. Likes to be the main actor. Tuđman had numerous vices, dominated by alcoholism and gambling, but in later years he traded them for high politics and feelings of power, which was his greatest passion. Indulgent when

under pressure. Izetbegović: falsely refined intellectual and dissident. National transvestite and religious fanatic. In his youth he pleaded to be Serb, and he tries to negate that circumstance by careful nurturing his Islamic fervour. Prone to instil compassion. Seemingly polite and defensive, in essence he is a cruel, fierce executor who always wants to have clean hands. Has a feeling of being in constant danger, but is calmed only by the feeling that he has powerful protectors. CorD / April 2008 39

CULTURE

La Scala in

The Fifth Belgrade Dance Festival, to take place from 4th to 19th April 2008, will present prominent ballet and contemporary dance companies, famous choreographers, and the most recent productions.

elgrade is the logical crossroads of the Balkan region, and the city has fortified its competitive position on the European festival map in recent years through the successful staging of this prestigious dance project. The Belgrade Dance Festival aims to present significant trends of contemporary dance, strengthen communication with domestic and foreign audiences, and establish new artistic standards and aesthetics. The European Initiative and Jelena Šantić Foundation Award (2006), UNESCO acknowledgment - in the form of the granting of the title of ‘leading dance project in the South-Eastern European region’ (2006) – and acceptance into the World Dance Alliance (2007), were all incentives and confirmation of the festival’s goals.

40 CorD / April 2008

The results of new programmes created by the festival organisers have been witnessed through exceptional performance attendances and the formation of a new audience; positive critiques and reactions from abroad, informative and educational content for the local dance community and the production and popularisation of contemporary dance in the country and abroad, as well as a channel for presenting the art of dance to a wide audience by airing performances and special programmes on television. The festival was founded on the initiative of the International Dance Council CID UNESCO from Paris, and the programme selector is Belgrade ballerina and choreographer Aja Jung. The first Belgrade performance of the Ballet of Teatro Alla Scala, a company with a history as long as the history of

ballet itself, is an exceptional event for the Serbian capital, and it will mark the grand opening of the festival on 4th April in the Sava Centre. Inspired by the poetics and energy of the sea, the most eminent contemporary Italian choreographer, Mauro Bigonceti, created the ballet Mediteranea for the greatest ballet stars. Belgrade will host one of the most important ballet dancers today, the exceptional Masimo Muru, only a few days after the world premiere in Milan. During the last few decades, Tel Aviv has grown to become one of the most famous centres of contemporary dance; a place where interesting choreographers, new ideas, and fresh styles have emerged. One of the leading Israeli dance companies, Inbal Pinto Dance Company, will stamp its presence on Belgrade with a performance that sparks the imagination and incites the most serious thoughts at the same time. Shaker is a snow globe, in which snowflakes fly like tiny moments from the past, choreographed by Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak. (5th April,

Belgrade Serbian National Theatre / 6th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre) The London-based Henri Oguike Dance Company is present at every major dance event in the world. Henri Oguike, a dancer and choreographer of British-Nigerian origin, has an interesting dance biography and passionate dedication to the relation between movement, music, and colour. He selected four dance partitions for his first appearance in this region: Little Red, Expression Lines, Tiger Dancing, and Front Line. (8th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre) Immediately after London, Rome, and Milan, Belgrade will host the New York dance company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, for the first time. Born in China, Shen Wei dubbed â&#x20AC;&#x153;choreographer on the rise and one of the most creative minds of contemporary artâ&#x20AC;? (The New York Times), brings The Rite of Spring with music by Stravinsky and a promise of a completely new spectacular display of dance and the visual arts. (12th April, Madlenianum Opera & Theatre / 14th April, The Art of Giving, NiĹĄ)

During the last few sessions, Slovenian Edward Clug has become one for the most interesting contemporary choreographers of our region on the world dance scene. His Pret-A-Porter presents a dynamic dance of ballet soloists and a unique piano concerto at the same time. The premiere of this performance by the National Ballet from Maribor has been specially prepared for the Belgrade Dance Festival. (17th April, Sava Centre) An exceptional performance at the very end of the fifth Belgrade dance adventure will be provided by a distinctive combination of several arts that ultimately demand space. When combined, contemporary dance, architecture, and design, offer new stage achievements. A utopian city from the far future, Metapolis II, is created by Zaha Hadid, laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and choreographer Frederic Flamand, and brought to life by dancers from the National Ballet of Marseille. (19th April, Sava Centre) www.BelgradeDanceFestival.com CorD / April 2008 41

B2B NEWS GAZPROM AGREEMENT ON HOLD

“It is not realistic that the parliament would meet to ratify the energy agreement with the Russian Gazprom, because it is still not in parliamentary procedure. Had the Government sent it on time, and had the parliament not been dissolved, the agreement would have been ratified,” said Oliver Dulic, Speaker of the Serbian Parliament. Dulic mentioned that he met with the management of Gazprom in mid-February and that he told them then that the agreement would be ratified if the Serbian Government gives it to the parliament and if the political situation is stable. “They are seriously concerned in Russia with the fact that the Serbian authorities aren’t doing what they promised. In connection with the political crisis in Serbia, the ratification of the agreement on the project ‘South Stream’ can be foiled,” sources of the Russian state agency Itar-Tas say. In February Gazprom signed an agreement with Srbijagas concerning the realisation of the project to build a pipeline for gas transit through Serbian territory. According to that agreement, Gazprom and Srbijagas are to form a joint company to make a document on the technical and economic justifiability of the future part of the pipeline and its construction. Three months are needed to form the company from the moment of the signing of the agreement, then 18 months to determine the technical and economic justifiability, after which the construction should start, which is 24 months at the most. Source: B92, Tanjug EU IS NUMBER ONE PARTNER

export, said Predrag Bubalo, Minister for Trade and Services. Next in line, according to the volume of foreign trade, are the countries that signed CEFTA, followed by the Russian market, which is very important to Serbia because of its potential. Source: Tanjug SRBIJAGAS SUPPORTS NETS PROJECT rbijagas will actively participate in all future activities connected with the project “New Europe Transmission System – NETS”. At the first joint meeting of the regional gas transmission operators held in Bucharest, Sasa Ilic, general director of the company Srbijagas, said that the NETS project and the initiative to found an independent joint company for gas transmission was very attractive and should increase the efficiency of the existing capacities. According to his words, the NETS project is feasible, but it will be a long and challenging process of harmonising the national gas transmission systems. The meeting was attended, apart from Srbijagas, by the companies OMV from Austria, BH-Gas from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Plinakro from Croatia, Transgas from Romania, Geoplin Plinovodi from Slovenia and MOL from Hungaria. According to some earlier signals, the new joint company for gas transmission should have one of the longest networks of pipelines in Europe, 27,000 kilometres, and it would be well positioned and would have an influence on the attracting of capital investments. Source: B92, Beta

JUGOREMEDIJA BUYS LUXL STOCKS harmaceutical company Jugoremedija took over another 14.6% of the stocks of Luxol [LUXL] from Zrenjanin. Jugoremedija paid the share with a total of RSD21.46 million and increased its share in the ownership of that chemical company to 74.8%. Jugoremedija paid RSD1,500 per share for 14,306 Luxol shares, based on the offer for takeover that was closed 10th March this year. Apart from Jugoremedija, Luxol shares are owned by minor shareholders, up to 21 per cent of the capital, while 4.2% is state capital. Source: Beta

POLIESTER SHARE PACKET SOLD Slovenian consortium has bought the state-owned packet of 39.62% of the capital of Poliester [POLP] from Priboj for €1.33million. The sale contract was signed by the representatives of the Privatisation Agency, Share Fund and the consortium – consisting of the Slovenian companies Imgrad from Ljutomer, Argo from Horjul

A T

he number one foreign trade partner of Serbia is the EU, to whose market Serbia sends more than 50 per cent of its

42 CorD / April 2008

and Mr. Lenart Skok. The consortium offered €14.88 per share at the tender for the packet of Poliester stocks and accepted minimal social programme obligations. Share Fund will invite minor shareholders who own the rest of the share to put them up for sale. Poliester shares are priced at RSD1,000 on the stock market today. Source: B92, Beta LAMPSA WANTS ‘CONTINENTAL’

ik Dandalos, executive director of the Greek company Lampsa, said that his company is very interested in buying Genex property in Belgrade, which consists of the Continental Hotel and Genex suites, and that it is planning, in that case, to invest more than €100 million in their modernisation. According to Dandalos, Lampsa intends for the Continental to join the Sheraton hotel chain, owned by Starwood from America – a company with which it already has an agreement. He couldn’t say precisely how much money would be necessary for its renovation, but he stated that it would take between $1,500 and $2,000 per square metre to reach the level needed so that the hotel could become a part of that hotel chain. Continental covers an area of 30,000 square metres. “We also have plans to renovate the Genex suites, which are most suitable for renting,” Dandalos said. “Lampsa predicts a big development of tourism and hotel business in Serbia, because it believes the country will join the EU, which will cause a great development of tourism and hotel business in the coming years,” said Dandalos, estimating that the political problems are momentary, and that Kosovo is a regional problem which should be solved by all the countries of the region working together. Source: B92 SERBIA’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE erbia’s foreign exchange with the world was around €2.2 billion in January this year. A deficit of €549.6 million was recorded in the exchange, which is 23 per cent more compared to the same month in 2007. Export totals were around €696million, which is 28.3% more compared to January last year. However, imports reached around €1.5billion, or 34.1% more than in the same month last year. The coverage of import by export is 46.2%, which is less in compari-

ANOTHER DOUBLE WIN FOR LAND ROVER

and Rover again beat off the challenge of tough competition to win the Best Compact 4x4 and the Best Large 4x4 categories at the 2008 ‘What Car?’ Car of the year Awards. The allnew Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2.2-litre GS fought off rivals in what is one of the most hotly contested sectors to win Best Compact 4x4, while the Discovery 3 TDV6 SE auto beat its rivals yet again to be named Best Large 4x4 for an impressive fourth year running. Both vehicles were also awarded ‘best buys’ in their respective price categories. ‘What Car?’ group editor, Steve Fowler, said: “In spite of

son to the coverage in the same month last year, when it was 48.3%. The import increase in January 2008 is a consequence of the import of energy products (27.6% of total import), import of copper and iron, and the growth of demand in personal and public spending. Although real wages in January this year were 18.8% lower than those of December 2007, the growth of consumer spending at the beginning of this year was influenced by wage increases in December.Source: Tanjug PULA-BELGRADE FLIGHTS

he representatives of Pula Airport and Jat Airways have confirmed that a regular air-route Pula-Belgrade will begin on 19th June. After 27 years, this will mean that Pula will again be connected with Belgrade via an air-route. Flights from Pula to Belgrade will run twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays, and a promotional flight Pula-Belgrade will be organised ten days before the first regular flight. “We believe that the agreement between Serbia and Croatia on air traffic will be signed by June and that there will be no formal obstacles for establishing a regular air-route,” said Bruno Rogovic, director of Pula Airport. Source: FoNet

tough competition over the past year from a whole host of new models, Land Rover continues to clean up in the 4x4 sector. The Freelander 2 remains our pick of compact 4x4s – it’s a true offroader, but is comfortable and civilised for every day use. As for the Discovery 3, our overall Car of the Year in 2005, it remains the best large 4x4 by some margin – testimony to the cleverness of the design and engineering of the car.” At Grand Motors Company, authorised Land Rover sales partner in Serbia, you can find your own Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 S (pictured), priced from €47,490.

CARGO CENTRE TENDER

ojan Kristo, general director of the Airport ‘Nikola Tesla’, says that the tender for the construction of a cargo centre at the airport, which will be announced in September, should be prepared in such a way so that it is successful, unlike the previous one, and said that full stabilisation and a faster road to Europe by Serbia is expected from summer on, which will increase the interest in investing in the cargo centre and other developments. The income from the cargo centre at Airport ‘Nikola Tesla’ was RSD157,508,269 in the first 11 months of the past year. Thirty percent of the capacities of the existing cargo centre at the Airport are being used according to the Airport data. The first tender by the Belgrade airport to choose the best bidder for the construction of the cargo terminal failed in November 2006, because the winner of that tender – American company ‘Dinecorp’ – gave up on signing the contract worth $60.6 million. The plan for the construction and development of the cargo and logistics centre predicted a volume of traffic of 40,000 tonnes during the first year, and to reach the level of 90,000 tonnes during the fourth year of business. Source: Tanjug A BANKA BECOMES KBC BANKA y changing its name, as of 6th March A Banka is registered under a new name – KBC Banka a.d. Beograd – the bank has an-

nounced. “All means of payment and security instruments remain valid until their expiration, after which the bank will issue new ones with the name KBC Banka,” the announcement says. KBC Banka has a developed business network that includes 43 offices across the entire territory of Serbia. A further 25 offices are planned to be opened by the end of the year, with a special focus on Belgrade. KBC offers its clients, both corporate and private, a variety of products. The KBC Group became the owner of A Banka in June 2007, when it took over all of the 107,824 shares of that Belgrade bank for €96.5 million. KBC occupies a leading position in its two home markets, in Belgium and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia. KBC also has a wide network in the area of personal banking (in eight European countries). Source: B92 DROGA KOLINSKA OWNER OF GRAND PROM t the end of January, Droga Kolinska, whose majority owner is Istrabenz, used the option to buy a 25 per cent share of Grand Prom from Slobodan Vucicevic, otherwise the CEO of the company Droga Kolinska. After the purchase of a quarter of Grand Prom, Droga Kolinska became the owner of 100 per cent of the company. According to the contract, Droga Kolinska could have used the option to buy the remain-

CorD / April 2008 43

B2B NEWS

PIRAEUS REPORTS GROWTH ACROSS ALL BUSINESS SEGMENTS ank realises total capital value of €113.4million In late February, Piraeus Bank AD Belgrade increased its capital by an additional €25million and realised total capital value of €113.4million. Over the course of 2007, there were two capital increases: in April by €39million and in June by €25million, and on 31st December 2007, total capital amounted to €88.5million. In Serbia, Piraeus employs a total of 551 banking experts, but continued branch network expansion will see the number of employees increased. In December 2007 Piraeus Bank’s branch network had 45 branches, while this year it is planned to increase the branch network by five more branches, i.e. 90 branches in total by year’s end 2010. The growth of Piraeus Bank Group’s business volume in 2007 exceeded all expectations. Total assets in late December amounted to €46,427billion. Compared to

ing part of Grand Prom by 2011. Droga Kolinska financed the purchase of Grand Prom by issuing bonds at the beginning of December, which were bought by 16 investors, including the Slovenian Capital Fund and Indemnity Fund. How much Droga Kolinska paid for the quarter of Grand Prom is a business secret, but it is known that Vucicevic got €58 million for 75 per cent in 2005. Slobodan Vucicevic, who will remain the CEO of Droga Kolinska, intends to invest €50million of the money to construct a new tourist destination in Serbia at Srebrno Jezero, 120 kilometres from Belgrade. The plan for the investments is to build three hotels, a tourist-congress and recreational centre, water park, shopping centre, etc. Source: Beta ORACLE AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO IT FACULTY STUDENTS id-March saw an award scholarship agreement signed between the FIT (Faculty of Information Technologies) and Oracle Company in Serbia and Montenegro. This Contract confirms the partnership between FIT and Oracle, and proves that intensive co-operation between the University and the private sector opens up real opportunities for talented students

44 CorD / April 2008

€30,931billion in the same period in 2006, this figure represents growth of 50 per cent. The international market turmoil found Piraeus Bank Group reinforced both in capital adequacy and liquidity, with improved ‘loans to deposits’ ratio at 127% at year-end compared to 130% a quarter earlier. The increase in deposits the previous year reached 33%, while the increase in absolute figure was more than doubled during the last quarter 2007 compared to the respective in-

crease recorded in the 4th quarter 2006, reassuring the Group’s effectiveness and resilience against changing market conditions. Piraeus Bank Group is now present in 11 countries including its expansion in Cyprus where operations recently commenced, further improving the diversification of its activities. These developments reassure the soundness of the Group’s Business Plan targets through to 2010, which we recently communicated.

at the beginning of their careers. Student Dušan Stanković, the recipient of the first scholarship, has the opportunity to start his post-graduate career in the Oracle Company. Scholarships for studies at private faculties in Serbia are still rare. Everybody agrees that the best students should study for free, provided that tuition fees for state faculties are paid by the state. As the same is not possible at private faculties, the payment of student fees is up to companies interested in engaging perspective young experts and investing in them from the very start. Companies worldwide use the opportunity to entice the most talented students, to add to their team in order to prepare them for their future work. In our country, however, companies still do not have sufficient vision to investment in future knowledge. However, now Company Oracle Serbia and Montenegro has become one of the first to join the scholarship action, opting to provide scholarships covering tuition fees, with the possibility of professional engagement after completion of studies. Oracle Serbia and Montenegro have recognised the programme of the Faculty of Information Technologies in Belgrade and, together with this faculty – which offers courses in Information Technologies,

IT system management, graphic and interactive media design, operations’ management and marketing – have passed a decision that the profile of student Dušan Stanković matches the high standards defined by Oracle for its employees. “Oracle has recognised its interests: that this is the most direct way to reach young creative professionals and to prepare them in the right way for the job. In this way Oracle also demonstrates social responsibility towards talented young people, because we want to be recognised as a company striving to reach high goals and invest in the education of its employees,” says Claude Kolaro, Manager of Oracle Company in Serbia. “I noticed that with FIT we had the opportunity to maximally adapt the programme of academic subjects to our needs, and therefore we consider that in this way we will have a prepared professional.” “In contrast to many faculties in Serbia, FIT educates experts for “big systems”, offering them balanced and applicable knowledge. Moreover, the latest technologies (Oracle, IBM, WEB technologies) are available to students permanently, from the first year of studies, and are intensively implemented,” says Professor Dragan Domazet, Ph.D., FIT Dean. “Besides that, FIT is ready to arrange a

profile of further education for a scholarship holder, according to the request of the authority granting the scholarship. That is the best way for Oracle to have ready experts in the shortest time and under the most beneficial conditions. Active participation in the selection of staff is necessary, and when it came to Dušan Stanković we had no dilemma”. FIT also offers other study programmes. Management and Marketing programmes are contemporary, intensive, and ran on a mentorship basis. Practical exercises comrpise a large part of the curriculum, and the strategies taught have been especially adapted to the operations of big companies, with a special glimpse at operations of foreign companies in Serbia and operating standards that must be respected. “The criteria that we have developed for the allocation of scholarships during the last two years have yielded results and satisfied the scholarship awarding authorities. We believe that during the next few years the scholarship programme we manage at the FIT will be quickly recognised as providing experts that it was impossible to provide through the education system in Serbia to date. “Bearing in mind that university tuition fees in our country are still relatively low, investment in the education programme offered by FIT, and subsequently in talented young people, is currently the most profitable investment in the country,” added Professor Domazet. FIT is not alone in the scholarship programme. Last year it was joined by SBS and AIK Bank, covering the scholarship for winners of FIT e-Master competition in creating WEB applications for secondary school pupils. KOMERCIJALNA BANKA RECAPITALISED he State of Serbia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have recapitalised Komercijalna Banka to the tune of RSD3.9billion. The state paid RSD3.25 billion and bought 29,024 shares of the 20th issuance, while EBRD bought 5,655 shares for RSD633 million. EBRD and the state used the pre-emptive right to acquire new shares, and paid the shares at a price of RSD112,000. The nominal value of 34,679 shares that EBRD and the state bought is RSD346.79 million, i.e. RSD10,000 per share. In the Serbian Ministry of Finances they say that the resources for the recapitalization were planned for by the 2008 budget, and the state is still the largest shareholder of Komercijalna Banka based on the agreement with EBRD from 2006. According

to the data of the Central Securities Depository and Clearing House published before the recapitalization, 40.31 percent of the shares of the company are owned by the state of Serbia, and the EBRD owns 25 percent, while the other shareholders have less than 5 percent. Source: B92, Beta AUSTRIAN COMPANY TO BUILD ADA BRIDGE he management board of the Belgrade Land Development Public Agency has decided to entrust the design and construction of the bridge across Ada Ciganlija to a consortium led by the Austrian company ‘Porr Technobau und Umwelt’ who offered a price of €118.6million. The deadline to complete the project and build the bridge is 40 months. The contract will also include possible unpredicted and additional works amounting to five per cent of the cost, reads the statement by the Agency, which also clarifies that a reserve of five per cent is ‘common practice in construction’. Reminding everyone that according to the accepted concept design from 2005, the price of the bridge was about €90 million, without VAT, the Agency stated that the price difference is a reality that comes from the 52 per cent increase in the price of steel on the world market, and also that total expenditures in Europe have gone up by about five per cent. The construction of the cable-stayed bridge will be financed through an EBRD credit line of €69.6 million, from the Belgrade budget resources, while three million euros will be provided by the European Agency for Reconstruction. The bridge is an integral part of the first phase of the main inner ring road – a detailed regulation for which was adopted in September 2007, said the Agency. Source: B92, Tanjug

JRB TENDER TO BE CANCELLED he tender for the sale of JRB will be cancelled, announced Nebojsa Ciric, Assistant Minister of Economy and regional Development of Serbia. Ciric says that there will be no negotiating with the third placed bidder, the company East Point, because of the great difference in price that they offered compared to the second placed consortium. The representatives of the consortium that planned to buy JRB didn’t show up for the signing of the contract. “The new tender for the sale of JRB will most probably be announced at the end of April,” said Ciric, adding that the second placed bidder will be charged a €300,000 bank guarantee this week, and also that the bank guarantee for the new tender will be a million euros, so that serious bidders would show up. A statement released by the Privatisation Agency notes that the signing of the contract on the privatisation of Jugoslovensko rec-

no brodarstvo was postponed several times at the request of the consortium of Palmali Shipping and Palmali Holding, and that the final deadline recently passed. That consortium placed second on the tender to sell JRB; however the first placed – the consortium of Tamoza Trading and Daksin Petroleum – didn’t sign the sale contract by 29th January 2008, when the deadline for the closing of the contract expired. Source: B92, Beta RECONSTRUCTION OF ‘GAZELA’ BEHIND SCHEDULE

he beginning of the reconstruction of Belgrade’s ‘Gazela’ bridge will be a year late, because the Serbian Parliament didn’t ratify the credit contracts with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The public company Putevi Srbije announced that this delay could cause up to 50 per cent increase in the price of reconstruction, because of the price increase of steel and other material. EIB approved €66 million of credit, 33 million of which is earmarked for the reconstruction of ‘Gazela’, while the other 33 million is for the rehabilitation of main and regional roads and bridges in Serbia. These resources cannot be put to use until the contracts are ratified by the parliament. The Serbian parliament was dissolved 13 March, which also ended the mandate of the Serbian Government. The new parliamentary elections have been called for 11 May 2008. Source: Beta TRADE BETWEEN SERBIA AND KOSOVO HALVED he trade between Serbia and Kosovo could suffer for years as a consequence of the absence of an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, according to Reuters. “Our data says that the trade between Kosovo and Serbia has fallen 50 per cent since 17th February,” said Milovan Spasic of the Serbian Government’s Kosovo Chamber of Commerce. According to an official of Pristina’s Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, goods

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heading into Kosovo from Serbia are now entering ‘easier than before’, especially since the Serbs from the north of Kosovo burnt the administrative borders in protest over Kosovo’s declaration of independence. There is no reliable data on the volume of trade between Kosovo and Serbia, says Reuters, but it also cites Serbian sources which estimate that the trade in 2007 was around $200million, plus about $50million-worth of smuggled goods. Estimates of sources from Pristina, however, put the figure significantly higher: around $750million, $450 million of which is illegal. It is thought that most of the illegal trade goes through Sandzak. “Some Serbian companies, desiring to keep their position on the Kosovo market, have found unusual ways of circumventing the legal pitfalls,” say Reuters. The agency also states the example of confectioner “Pionir” which, on paper, distributes its products on Kosovo through Albania, while in reality the merchandise is transported through Serbia. Source: Beta SPEED UP NEGOTIATIONS WITH WTO

erbia could complete negotiations to join the WTO by the end of the year, said Jasna Matic, state secretary in the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development. More precisely, the culmination of the negotiations depends on the speed with which Serbia is ready to adapt its regulations to the rules of the WTO and the demands of WTO members about the liberalisation of foreign trade. Matic pointed out that this process requires new legal and sub-legal acts to be adopted, or for the more than 70 existing acts to be amended. The fifth meeting of the working group dedicated to completing Serbia’s accession to the WTO is scheduled for the beginning of May, based on advancements in the amending of regulations achieved during the past three months. Matic emphasized that joining the WTO would mean Serbia entering a ‘club’ in which almost all the important countries of the world are; a club whose members conduct 97 per cent of world trade, and decide on the rules of trade between each other through consensus.

46 CorD / April 2008

“If the negotiations don’t speed up and reach completion by the end of the year, Serbia will probably be the only country in the region outside of the WTO system,” Matic pointed out, explaining that, apart from Serbia, only Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina have observer status. “Montenegro is expected to complete its negotiations by the end of this year, while Bosnia & Herzegovina is also making progress in this process”. “If the negotiations aren’t sped up, Serbia will have to ‘pay a bigger price’ to enter the WTO, because with the end of the ongoing Doha round of liberalisation negotiations, the countries that are in the process of joining will be required to achieve a higher level of liberalisation,” Matic said. Source: Tanjug TENDER FOR WIMAX leksandra Smiljanic, Minister of Telecommunications, said that the Ministry will deliver the guidelines for the distribution of radiofrequencies for Wimax to the Republic Telecommunications Agency (RATEL), which is in charge of calling a tender at the end of March. RATEL bosses consider that they need four to five weeks to complete all the necessary preparatory work for the tender. The company that gets the license to install Wimax will be able to provide telephony services without additional permits. That article hasn’t been changed, despite demands by some providers, like PTT, who proposed that the fixed landline licenses be issued separately. The Wimax technology enables fast broadband access to the internet and the provisions of landline services. The range of radiofrequencies that it uses is broader than the standard wireless range, which is why it is considered as being suitable for environments that are not densely populated and areas where the landline and cable infrastructure are undeveloped. The guidelines provide for three licenses in each of the 28 territory units, while the Belgrade region will get only one because a part of the radiofrequency range designated for Wimax is already being used. Source: Beta

NEW BMW CENTRE

elta Motors have announced the opening of a new centre for the sale of BMW’s in September. The new centre, to mark a €12 million investment, will cover 8,000 square metres. Delta Motors market-

ing director, Nadja Scepanovic, confirmed that the new centre is being built near Ada Ciganlija. The centre will have an exhibition salon, BMW car salon and a car repair service. According to Scepanovic, a new BMW centre in Podgorica will be opened by the end of this year, and also a centre in Novi Sad by the end of 2009. The plan is to invest three million euros in each of the centres. Delta Motors, a member of the Delta Holding family, was founded in January 2007 and has been the general representative of the BMW group for the markets of Serbia and Montenegro ever since. Source: Beta SERBIA – SLOVENIA TRADE GROWTH he total trade between Serbia and Slovenia in 2007 was $1.117 billion, which marks a 52.6%increase on 2006. Exports from Serbia to Slovenia last year, according to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce’s data, totalled $411.3 million, which shows growth of 61 per cent compared to 2006. Meanwhile, $705.7 million worth of goods were imported from Slovenia, which is about 48 per cent more than the previous year. The biggest importers of Slovenian products in the past year were: Gorenje Beograd, Krka farma from Novi Sad, paint factory Jub from Simanovac, Livnica from Kikinda, Impol Seval from Sevojno, Gorenje Tiki from Stara Pazova, DCB helios from Belgrade, Hipol from Odzaci, as well as the company Trimo inzenjering from Belgrade and Deus sistem. The biggest exporters from Serbia to Slovenia in 2007 according to the PKS data were: Impol Seval from Sevojno, U.S. Steel, Livnica from Kikinda, Zastava tapacirnica from Kragujevac, Metal from Ruma, HIP Petrohemija from Pancevo, Elrad from Vlasotince, Gorenje from Valjevo, cooking oil factory Mladost from Sid, as well as Lisca from Babusnica. Source: Beta

‘FOUR SEASONS’ IN MONTENEGRO anadian businessman Peter Monk is set to build a ‘Four Seasons’ hotel in Tivat, within his Porto Montenegro project. Monk informed the Montenegrin government that the elite hotel, whose construction should start in autumn, would have a capacity of at least 300 or more beds, and that when the facility is complete, in 2010, it would be the first hotel from that chain on the Mediterranean. Monk later plans to build another high category hotel in Tivat. The Porto Montenegro project, taking shape on the site of Tivat’s former military shipyard Arsenal, involves the building of a marina for mega-yachts, but also numer-

RAIFFEISEN AWARDED “BEST BANK IN SERBIA”

he renowned Global Finance magazine has awarded the title “Best Bank in Serbia 2007” to Raiffeisen banka. This is especially significant considering it is the fifth time in a row that Raiffeisen Banka has received this award. Oliver Roegl, Chairman of the Managing Board of Raiffeisen banka, stated on this occasion: “The award from the renowned magazine Global Finance for Raiffeisen banka represents another confirmation of our leading position. It is all the more significant, as it was achieved in the ever increasingly competitive Serbian banking market. In the time ahead, we will continue our intensive development in all target segments, focussing further on the needs and interests of our clients”. Global Finance magazine also awarded the title “Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe 2007” to Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB) together with Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG for the sixth time already. In addition, the network banks in Albania (Raiffeisen Bank Sh.a), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Raiffeisen Bank d.d. Bosna i Hercegovina) and Slovakia (Tatra banka a.s.) received the title “Best Bank”

ous other tourist facilities. Famous hotel chain Kempinski, which will manage the hotel to be built at Smokvice, near Budva, has also officially announced its arrival in Montenegro. The Russian Miraks group, which is currently building a hotel on Zavala, has also said that it will bring a strong brand, like Hyatt or Hilton. Source: Vijesti ZLATIBOR INVESTMENTS TO HIT €100MILLION

in their local markets. “This award is yet another independent acknowledgement of our quality and expertise. Our strategic approach and success in Central and Eastern Europe is once more validated by Global Finance’s decoration, which seamlessly fits into a row of

awards, we were proud to receive in the past”, Walter Rothensteiner, RZB’s CEO and Raiffeisen International’s Supervisory Board Chairman said, referring to the fact that Raiffeisen was already awarded with such commendations by other magazines in the past.

ested in investing here on Zlatibor, and beside the hotel, there’s great interest in constructing sports facilities, like golf courses and tennis courts,” says Milan Stamatovic, president of Cajetina municipality. Arsen Djuric, director of the Zlatibor Tourist Organisation, says that this mountain centre will have two thousand more beds in four star hotels by the end of the year. Source: Tanjug

cinemas, an amusement park, a restaurant and other catering facilities, as well as being equipped with 1,200 parking spaces. The facility will be surrounded by green areas, and inside there will be trees on every floor. The Israeli company bought a 2.4-hectare plot of land in the oldest part of Kragujevac, Stara radnicka kolonija, at auction last November. Source: Tanjug

PLAZA IN KRAGUJEVAC sraeli company ‘Plaza’ is to begin construction of an 80,000m2 shopping centre in Kragujevac. Local construction firms will also take part in the construction of the facility in Serbia’s fourth largest city. The shopping centre should be complete by the end of next year, said representatives of the company. Plaza confirmed the value of the investment at €60 million. The Plaza Centre in Kragujevac, the first Plaza facility in Serbia, will have two floors above ground and just as many underground. It will eventually provide jobs for around two thousand citizens of Kragujevac. The director of Plaza for Serbia, Sagiv Meger, said that, alongside many shops, the shopping centre would house several

KOSTUNICA INVITES INVESTORS

omestic and foreign investors will invest €100 million in Zlatibor over the course of the next five years. The money should be put into accommodation and various tourist facilities on Zlatibor Mountain. More than a million overnight visitors were registered last year. “Serious world and domestic companies, as well as some sportsmen, are inter-

oreign direct investments (FDI) are particularly important for the further economic progress of Serbia, said Vojislav Kostunica, outgoing Serbian PM. Speaking to representatives of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC), Kostunica said that the upcoming parliamentary elections cannot in any way decrease the inCorD / April 2008 47

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flow of foreign investments to Serbia. He invited foreign investors to “invest even more in Serbia, because it has been proven that Serbia is the best place to invest in the region, and by adopting the new Constitution and a large number of systemic laws, full legal security is guaranteed for all investors.” The DSS leader said that Serbia will “continue even stronger to push its struggle for Kosovo,” and that “the increase of foreign investments from all countries can only help us to protect the rights of Serbia guaranteed by the UN Charter on the international stage.” FIC president Stein-Erik Vellan said that foreign investors have understanding for the circumstances that Serbia is facing, and that they “have accepted the responsibility, by investing in Serbia, to help accomplish a common goal, and that is the further economic development of Serbia.” Vellan pointed out that it is important for foreign investors who are doing business in Serbia that, once again, a clear orientation towards the stability of the business climate and towards insuring equal conditions for all who do business has been confirmed to them. Source: B92, Beta MPC CENTRE LARGEST IN BALKANS

ZEPTER INTERESTED IN ‘OPTIKA’

he Privatisation Agency has announced that the tender for the sale of 59.9% of the capital of ‘Optika’ from Belgrade saw six offers arrive. Bids for the sale of the majority of state owned capital of the optical goods company were delivered by the companies Home Art & Sales Services, owned by business tycoon Filip Zepter, ‘Fidelinka’ from Subotica, “Grossoptic’ from Belgrade, and the Italian Salmoiraghi & Vigano S.p.a. Two consortiums from Serbia are also competing to purchase ‘Optika’. One comprises ‘Veterinarski zavod Zemun’ and ‘Beta ITH PBB’ from Belgrade, and the other is made up of Belgrade companies ‘Lilly Drogerie’ and ‘Fins Trade’. The Tender Commission stated that all of the bidders fulfil the qualifying conditions. Fifty per cent of shares, owned by the Share Fund, and ten per cent, owned by the Pension-Disability Insurance Fund, have been offered for sale. Optika’s remaining shares are owned by minor shareholders. The current price of an ‘Optika’ share on the Belgrade stock market is RSD7,000, while the highest recorded was RSD10,000. Source: B92

DAILY MAIL BUYS

25 PER CENT OF INFOSTUD he British Daily Mail and General Trust has bought 25 per cent of the Serbian internet portal for employment and training, Infostud. The website, www. poslovi.infostud.com, is the most visited employment website in Serbia, with more than 600,000 visits every month and more than 2,500 clients. The price of the transaction has not been published, and Infostud PR Branislav Jovanovic says that the crucial thing for the partnership agreement was not the price, but rather a shared vision of the development of Infostud. The 25 per cent share was taken by the branch of Daily Mail under the name of Northcliffe International through the Hungarian office Lapcom. The corporation Daily Mail has 150 companies in Europe, USA and Australia, and, among other things, they are the publisher of Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Evening Standard, London Lite, Loot and they provide teletext services. Northcliffe is the owner of the Croatian website for job search, www.moj-posao.hr, with which Infostud established co-operation last year, and it also owns similar websites in Slovakia and Hungary. According to the Serbian Business Registers Agency, the re-

PC Properties plans to open the largest shopping centre in the Balkans, worth €150 million, in September. The new shopping mall, at the best location in the city and covering 130 thousand square metres, will have 160 shops of domestic and foreign brands, a 3,500m2 supermarket, restaurants and bars on thousands of square metres and an 11-screen multiplex cinema. MPC Properties is planning to invest around €550 million in real-estate construction in Serbia and the region by the year 2009. Top American investment bank, Merrill Lynch, recently became a co-owner of MPC Properties. Source: B92, Danas.co.yu

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maining 75 per cent is owned by the team that runs Infostud – 37.5 per cent belongs to founder Branimir Gajic, while director, Branislav Gajic, and deputy director, Stefan Salom, have 18.75% each. Infostud is the eighth most visited Serbian internet site, according to data provided by the Web Information Company Alexa. Source: B92, Beta NEW NAME – STRAUSS ADRIATIC D.O.O.

oncafé Group d.o.o. has changed its name to Strauss Adriatic d.o.o. The new name is effective as of March, and the change is a result of the global strategy consolidation of Strauss Group, with Doncafé as its subsidiary since 2002. “Doncafé” and “C kafa” brand names remain the same. Companies of Strauss Group in Israel, Brazil, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Romania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Switzerland and the USA have also been renamed. Doncafé accounts for 35% of the domestic coffee market and it achieved a production and sales growth of 5% on 2007 yearon-year. INDIVIDUAL HOLIDAYS

ravel House, full-service tourist agency, is the leader in high-quality holidays the segment, which provides the best from the global tourist offer. Travel House offers departure schedules adjusted to clients’ needs, independently from arranged tourist packages. It is now possible to enjoy a hobby while on vacation, play golf at all world destinations as a beginner or a contestant, and indulge in wellness programmes of the best hotels across the world. Dynamic Packaging concept, adjusted to the modern society and the rhythm of life, offers an option of defining vacation content upon choosing a de-

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sired destination. It also offers additional benefits, such as booking ship cruises, theatre tickets, and precise time for sightseeing. Travel House Premium is a special offer targeting elite clients with high demands, business people, families, individuals, adventurers, hedonists, couples and corporations. This type of holiday offers to clients a choice of a destination in any country, at all continents, a personal assistant, a personal guide, renting of a private plane, travelling by luxury trains or cruising on private yachts. SERBIA A REGIONAL CENTRE OF FAW? he representatives of the Chinese FAW have expressed an interest in Serbia becoming the centre for its development in Southeast Europe. The members of the Chinese car industry FAW delegation met recently with Serbia’s Economy and Regional Development Minister, Mladjan Dinkic, in Belgrade. In conversation with Minister Dinkic, the FAW delegation spoke of their interest in Serbia becoming a strategic point for the development of the company in Southeast Europe. They informed the G17 Plus leader

that they were very pleased with the previous day’s visit to the Zastava car factory in Kragujevac, especially by the production line ‘Zastava 10’, as well as by the high level of expertise the workers have. Source: B92 MONTENEGRO COMPLETING PRIVATISATION remaining 15 per cent of the Montenegrin economy is set to be privatised soon, said Branko Vujovic, director of Montenegro’s Agency for Economic Restructuring and Foreign Investments, speaking to Podgorica newspaper ‘Pobjeda’. Vujovic assessed that 85 per cent of the economy has been successfully privatised to date. Vujovic announced the commencement of work on the privatisation of Montenegro Railways, Montenegro Airlines, and the Port of Bar. Source: Beta

BUSES IN LINE WITH HALAL STANDARD he bus factory Ikarbus from Zemun and the ‘Halal’ Standard Certification Agency signed an agreement on co-operation. The memorandum envisages the promotion of

Ikarbus products in the Islamic world through the organised marketing network of Halal. Ikarbus’s Dragan Kljajevic says that the company plans to start the production of the first bus in the world that will be certified for Muslim pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. He added that the Islamic community in Belgrade and Halal are collecting the requirements from potential buyers, so that all this can be realised. This model will have to fulfil the Halal requirements, which include separate sections for men and women, a special type of music and a suitable manner of providing water. Source: Tanjug MERCATOR OPENS IN NIS Mercator shopping centre, worth about €25 million, was opened in Nis at the end of March. Mercator in Nis covers around 32,000m2 and employs 260 workers in Mercator-related content alone. Apart from the 4,000m2 hypermarket, Mercator will have shops of famous brands in the Fashion Avenue, as well as sports equipment shops Intersport and Modiana. The Nis Mercator is in the rank of the Ljubljana centre, and is more modern than current Mercator facilities in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Cacak. Source: Beta

DELTA AND ZEKSTRA EYE RK BOSKA elta and Zekstra have offered to buy the majority share of state-owned department store Boska for three million euros. This offer marks a change of Delta’s position last year, when the company said it would not go into the process of the privatisation of this department store in Banja Luka until the legal and ownership relations within it had been resolved. The key obstacle to the start of the privatisation process of Boska in the past two years was the knowledge that the former management of the company had sold 15 of the most attractive locations on the ground floor of the facility. Boska, one of the symbols of Banja Luka, has several floors and covers a total of 16,000 square metres. The company is currently in a financial restructuring phase after falling into a major crisis in recent years. Source: Nezavisne novine

TELEKOM SLOVENIJE ON SERBIAN MARKET elekom Slovenije wants to expand to the Serbian market this year, announced the vice president of the company, Dusan Mitic. According to last year’s results, Telekom Slovenije realized €785.9 million of income. The vice president of the management of Telekom

T 50 CorD / April 2008

Slovenije announced that this company plans to expand further into foreign markets this year, which means entering the markets of Serbia and Croatia. Mitic added that Telekom Slovenije intends to expand from Banja Luka and Republika Srpska, where they are present at the moment, to other parts of B&H. As for broadband, this year Telekom Slovenije intends to focus on Albania and B&H. Besides that, the company is announcing to build an international optical network that would connect all of the Telekom companies. Telekom Slovenije entered Albania and B&H last year, while the emphasis in Macedonia and Kosovo was on offering broadband access. Source: B92 BANK OF MOSCOW IN SERBIA One of the main objectives of Moskovska banka Beograd (MBB) will be to service financial flows and goods between Russia and Serbia. The Bank of Moscow is the first foreign financial institution that has been allowed to open a bank in Serbia. Alexei Sitnikov, vice president of the Bank of Moscow, said that Moskovska banka in Serbia “is to become a universal bank in the near future which provides service for natural and legal persons.” He added that trade between the two countries is continuing successfully and that business in Serbia is developing ‘pretty dynamically.’ Sitnikov said that the Russian bank has been preparing for a long time to enter the Serbian financial market, and that two scenarios were considered – buying one of the domestic banks or establishing a new one – and that it was finally decided that it would be the second variant. Source: B92, Tanjug THREE BUYERS INTERESTED IN LASTA

64.4% of Lasta shares. “I’m pleased with the size and strength of these companies, and I think that they could be strategic partners for transport in Serbia,” said Velibor Sovrovic, general director of Lasta, emphasising that all three of the companies are reputable multinational companies. The tender for the sale of Lasta was opened on 16th November 2007, and the extended deadline for the submission of final binding offers was 4th April. Lasta has 785 buses and is the largest bus company in Southeast Europe. Lasta shares have been traded on the Belgrade Stock Exchange since the end of August 2007, and the last recorded price of a share was RSD2,650. The assets of the company are estimated at around €100 million. Source: Tanjug EKO NETWORK GROWING Company EKO YU, a member of the Hellenic Petroleum Group, is continuing its dynamic expansion. The company has opened three new stations since celebrating its fifth birthday in Serbia last year. EKO’s retail network in Serbia currently includes thirty-seven petrol stations. A third station in Nis has been opened; Novi Sad also got its third station, and Pirot its first. Through the opening of new stations, EKO YU has provided 45 additional jobs. The company has a total of nearly 600 employees in the EKO retail network in Serbia. All of the facilities are Greenfield investments with a modern and multifunctional design oriented towards providing the broadest range of services. Besides selling all types of petrol that have received the latest generation of BASF additives (unleaded, super, diesel, euro-diesel and TNG), the facilities also have excellently supplied minimarkets with a good range of commodities, car cosmetics and EKO motor oils. EFT EYES THERMAL POWER STATION CONSTRUCTION ompany EFT has expressed an interested in constructing a 132 megawatt thermal power station in the area of the village of Tijanje near Lucane. The president of Lucane municipality, Slobodan Jolovic, said that a general agreement has been made with the representatives of EFT, and detailed research should start soon on the quantity and quality of the coal deposits at Rudnica and Jezero at the foot of Mount Jelica, near Guca and Lucane. EFT representative Zlatan Matko said that, according to information gleaned so far, the lignite that has been discovered in that area could be exploited and used in a thermal power station for the next 35 to 40 years. The construction of the power station, which would be named Dragacevo, would take about seven years and cost in excess of €400 million. It is planned that the future power station,

Israeli Kavim, French Keolis and British Arriva are interested in buying a package of

which would employ 800 workers, would be equipped with the latest devices for prevention of toxic gases. Source: Tanjug ‘HALAL’ CERTIFICATE he company ‘Suolo e Salute Serbian’ has officially signed a memorandum on business cooperation with the Islamic Community of Serbia to promote and issue the HALAL certificate (specially prepared food according to Muslim religious customs). The number of potential consumers is around 1,700,000,000 people around the world, so the HALAL market is a prospect of great importance for the businessmen of Serbia. A large number of Muslim countries are now asking for the HALAL certificate when food is exported into those countries, so that the HACCP is not enough and there is no choice if companies want to export to Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries. Moreover, Muslim believers in Western Europe and the Balkans represent an interesting and significant market for producers. According to ‘Suolo e Salute Serbian’, this official agreement on business co-operation is an opportunity for all those who see a chance to sell their merchandise all over the world and in Serbia by having the ability to get a certificate for their food, restaurants, hotels, shops according to the HALAL standard (Sharia law).

SMECA GATHERING MECA representatives participated in 18th Global Convention Insuring Export Credit and Political Risks that was held in London gathering several hundred attendees. Convention got together most important players in the field of Credit Insurance and Financial Markets like Atradius, AIG, Coface, ONDD, Euler Hermes, MIGA, Hannover Re, Standard/Poor, Swiss Re, Deautche Bank, EKN and many other agencies members of Berne Union. At the convention it was discussed the current issues regarding warning risks rise of overdue receivables, “credit crunch” and prognosis that those problems are deepening due to the situation in industries of most developed countries that will be reflected to other countries as well as to large number of industrial branches. Those cyclical movements in Credit Insurance are not unknown and after few successive years of extremely good results Credit Insurers have prepared answer to market movement where only the most prepared Insures and their client will be able to continue business as usual. Also, SMECA representatives attended the Communication Seminar in Spitzingsee, Germany organized by FCI the largest Factoring Association in the world assembling more than 232 members. That was a great opportunity to meet with other Factors and compare the practices as well as results.

CorD / April 2008 51

CORPORATE WOMEN

Hildegard Gacek, Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Serbia

Transition

Impact

This Month CorD’s Coporate Women features, German banker Hildegard Gacek, Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Serbia.

BY TATJANA OSTOJIĆ & KRISTEN DARA KAEFER PHOTO: ČASLAV VUKOJIČIĆ

Hildegard Gacek:The role of the EBRD resident office in the country is to be the best supporter of the industry

peaking about the EBRD’s work in Serbia, Mrs Gacek tells CorD: “the role of the resident office in the country is to be the best supporter of industry, the private sector, and the Government.” … “Our success as a resident office is not rated on how many projects we have or how much money we have put into the country, but on the kind of transition impact we have.

52 CorD / April 2008

Upon your initial arrival in Serbia, what were your first impressions of the country in general? What made you decide to come here and work? When I came for the annual EBRD meeting in Belgrade in 2005, my first impression was that the event was very well organised and that people were very hospitable. The country was in its most splendid form: three days of bright sunshine, blue skies and

charming people. My Romanian delegation and I had excellent dinners at your fantastic restaurants along the river, and I thought that Serbia is a wonderful country. This was long before I had to start thinking about my next assignment, but the hospitality, friendliness and good organisation always stayed in my mind. At the time I was always informed about what was going on in Serbia, because Romania

and Serbia belonged to the same Business Group within the EBRD. We had business group meetings twice a year, at which the directors met and reported on their projects and the political and economic developments in their countries. Officially, I started working in Serbia in July 2007, and the positive impressions remained - it’s a very hospitable country and the people are very open. A wonderful aspect of being here is that we have a very good relationship with the business community and the Government, and the EBRD is highly respected by them. Currently, we are supporting two governmental workshops, and our legal transition team is aiding in the process of legislative reform. Our principle is to try to be as responsive as possible, because it benefits both sides. My absolute conviction is that life is about giveand-take. If you approach somebody with a smile, it’s very difficult for that person to respond with a bad face. The role of the EBRD resident office in the country is to be the best supporter of the industry, the private sector, and the Government. EBRD is also trying to help with the legal counselling for the Government’s IPO initiative, and we had a very successful IPO seminar in February. If the legislation in this field was strengthened, IPOs would facilitate the development of a better functioning and more liquid stock exchange, thus helping the whole capital market to drive forward, while benefiting everybody as a whole. You mentioned that you’ve worked for EBRD for nine years. Which country did you start in, and what do you find enjoyable about your work? I started in London as the director for five countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Belarus. Then I realised that the place to be if I wanted to be where I could really move something would be in a county in operation. About two years later the opportunity arose to go to Romania, so I was there for five years and now I am in Serbia. Prior to EBRD I worked for DEG – the bilateral development bank - in Germany, where I am from, and where I started my banking career. I was the first female director for Fiji for ten years, and also for many Arab countries. When I took this position, people told me a woman in Arab countries can never work, but I am now a living example that it is possible. I have worked on many projects in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, and West Africa. Towards the end of my time in DEG, I was the director for minerals, metals and mining world-wide. I had projects in Papua New Guinea, Peru, Ghana, Mauritania, and Tunisia. After I decided to leave DEG, I went to UBS, because I didn’t have commercial banking experience, and I was working for their finance project in Zurich for three and a half years. The reason I decided to go back in-

“Reforms are never easy, and it can be a painful process, but it is rewarding in the end to look back and see what has been achieved.“ to the development world is because you are very close to the projects; you structure it and stay with it to see it grow. Finally, I am now in a country of operation, and I am absolutely convinced of EBRD’s mandate: to help transition to market economy through project finance. However, we are also extremely helpful on the legal and structural side by assisisting with legislative reform or coming up with new proposals. Our success as a resident office is not rated on how many projects we have or how much money we have put into the country, but on the kind of transition impact we have. I can proudly say that more than 85 per cent of projects in Serbia last year were rated as good or excellent in transition impact. It’s very gratifying to see that we can make a difference, but this does not always happen immediately; a project must be prepared, put in place, and structural reforms then have

to follow. Reforms are never easy, and it can be a painful process, but it is rewarding in the end to look back and see what has been achieved. Another target of ours in Serbia is assist with putting different management structures in place and financing municipalities like we do in many countries without state guarantees. The Government wants to decentralise and give the assets to municipalities. As soon as the municipalities have their assets, they can also borrow against them, but then they have to manage their own cash flows since they have to repay. As a result, they will manage in a very responsible way. In a business sense, how does Serbia seem to be doing now compared to when you arrived nine months ago? Business-wise, there is only progress. I see this from the number of companies visiting

Consultancy work

BRD offers consultancy work which can be allocated to consultancy companies or individuals. However, we discovered recently that not all people are aware of this in our countries of operation. Therefore, we have a consultancy contract support unit who notifies consultants on how to become informed about the opportunities, how to register, how to get regular access to what is available, and how to apply. We were especially encouraged after meeting in March, where we had 75 participants who had never registered for any of EBRD’s consultancy opportunities, but at the end, about 60 of them immediately confirmed they would register. Local consultants are very important, not only because they know the language, but also because they are familiar with the economy and know how to operate here more efficiently. They can contract themselves directly, or sub-contract to an international consultancy company if the contracts are too big, like our bypass projects. I was very impressed by meeting and with the great participation. Many consultants raised one big issue - that small and medium-sized companies are not always willing to pay a lot. The obstacle is that companies are not so familiar with the environment, and they therefore need consultancy to develop business. We contribute by evaluating clients work and giving recommendations on their business plans or market strategies. CorD / April 2008 53

CORPORATE WOMEN

Serbia, and from the interest shown in the country. The best indicator for growth is the cranes, because the construction sector is always the first sign that there is growth. A very logical follow-up is that, in almost all sectors, companies coming to Serbia want to invest. Some are still looking to buy assets out of privatisation, but a lot of privatisations have either succeeded or the value is not so attractive. Therefore, investors are looking elsewhere, which means there will be Greenfield investments, although this is the most difficult. The interest is there, and it is absolutely clear that the growth potential is in Serbia. We now have an election campaign, which is a time when people focus on very specific subjects. After the elections, I am sure this issue will regain interest and there will be more growth. I would like to emphasise that, due to its strategic location in the middle of the Balkans, Serbia is the country to not only cover its own market, but to cover all neighbouring countries as well. It is not difficult to export out of the country, because the language is no barrier as it is in other countries, and the legislation is gradually adapting to EU standards. The language is very helpful, because you can do business without any communication problems. You’re not forced to use a third language, like you do in Germany, for example, where we have to use English when we want to communicate with people from other countries. Do you see that anything has changed in Serbia’s investment climate since July 2007? When I arrived, the Government had just been formed, and everybody was ready to

move very fast. For the subjects concerning EBRD, within the last seven months, almost all the outstanding issues have been sorted out, gradually but successfully. We had the ratification of the Sava bridge loan, and were able to agree with the Government on a new railway project for modern trains, as well as to move forward with some other outstanding matters. We have kicked off issues on certain legislative changes, which have to be put in place on capital markets, including the law on competition and the law on IPOs. Elections in every country mean that the focus shifts to politics, but once the new Government is in place, I would expect this good work to continue and the economic tasks to be taken up again. It’s very simple in my view - citizens would like to have working infrastructure, jobs, and a working

City Life

y husband lives in France and we have come to a good arrangement by commuting. We both love the city and like to discover it by walking. For entertainment I absolutely love Reka, it’s an outstanding place because you can dance to live music and stay as late as you want. The other one I really like is Na ćošku. It’s one of the oldest in the city and it’s a family business many years old. There are a number of excellent ones. Love cannot be explained. Every big city on a river has charm: Paris, London, Cologne. Cities with rivers attract people. There are all kinds of activities alongside a river, people walk along rivers, take boats, go to restaurants, and the disadvantage is that you need bridges, and there is a shortage of bridges everywhere, not just in Belgrade. The big advantage of a river is that it creates a different atmosphere, and here you even have two. Then the wonderful island, and all of this which is quite unique. 54 CorD / April 2008

Government, and I think governments also understand this. Let’s hope that this process will not take too long, because people would like to get back to daily issues and business. What should the Serbian Government do to attract more foreign investments? I think there are some outstanding reforms which should be completed. From EBRD’s point of view, we would like to see privatisations completed, and some upgrades and modernisation in the energy sector. We would like to encourage energy efficiency measures, because it’s good to consume energy, but it’s better to consume less energy. We know from EPS that there are some significant investments for rehabilitation and equipment modification. If big complexes like Kolubara and Nikola Tesla could encourage direct investments, they should go through the tender process for the Serbian state to get the best prices. In understand that this process is now on hold, but once it’s back on their agenda, there will be a clear signal from the EBRD that we are ready to offer our support, and can go into equity alongside the winning bidder. We can provide long-term loans, and we are very happy to partner up with the European investment banks or commercial banks; we are always encouraging co-financing or syndication with commercial banks.

REGION

Montenegro

Caution over Kosovo Podgorica enjoys strategic trade links with both Belgrade and Priština, and is keen to continue maintaining both in the future. But the economic consequences of the establishment of the new state of Kosovo are less worrying for the Montenegrin administration than the fact that political instability in Serbia could reduce the number of tourists travelling to the Montenegrin coast from its neighbouring republic. The main financial players in the coastal republic, however, come from the Russian Federation. BY ILIJA DESPOTOVIĆ

ontenegrin officials are yet to deal with the more serious implications of the new status of Kosovo, i.e. how Serbian policy on Kosovo could influence the Montenegrin economy. All attention at present is being concentrated on the political aspects of that new fact in the region. Senior officials of the Montenegrin administration have yet to declare their precise position regarding the independence of Kosovo, apart from repeating that their decision will not be made in haste. According to Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović, Podgorica will take care of its internal stability, good relations with Priština and Belgrade, and strategic Montenegrin interests relating to integration processes. According to Vujanović, it is important for Montenegro and the region to maintain good relations between Serbs and Albanians in Montenegro, and to maintain the generally

good multiethnic and multi-religious atmosphere. The Montenegrin president says that Montenegro will patiently and carefully consider all circumstances relating to the declaration of Kosovo’s independence, and make a decision at a time which is most optimal for the interests of the Montenegrin state and the region. Understanding for such a position has also come from international community representatives, including EU Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, and U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, Roderick Moore. Recognition of Kosovo’s status is a delicate issue for Montenegro, principally because a significant part of the opposition is against the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Presidential candidate of the opposition Serbian List coalition, Andrija Mandić, stated at one preelection meeting that Montenegro should not recognise Kosovo even if Serbia does. Meanwhile, the Socialist People’s Party’s presidential candidate, Srdjan Milić, stated that Montenegro could recognise Kosovo

DELICATE ISSUE

ALBANIANS

SERBIA

Recognition of Kosovo’s status is a delicate issue for Montenegro, principally because a significant part of the opposition is against the recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

The Albanian minority, dominant in the south-east of the province, will ensure that the issue of recognising Kosovo’s independence will not remain indefinitely postponed.

Montenegro is more economically connected to Serbia by the fact that the Port of Bar and Montenegrin Railway are directed towards the Serbian economy.

56 CorD / April 2008

‘only one day after Serbia does so’. According to the country’s 2003 census, around 30% of Montenegrins consider themselves to be Serbs. It was with this figure in mind that some opposition leaders warned that the public would not recognise the independence of Kosovo, even if the government did. The announcement of this stance could be the forbearer of a more radical demonstration of discontent resulting from a decision to recognise Kosovo – an eventuality that is by no means remote. Indeed, this scenario invokes memories of the so-called anti-bureaucratic revolution, which saw the fall of the communist old guard and also began with a politically populist ‘happening of the people’.

According to the country’s 2003 census, around 30% of Montenegrins consider themselves to be Serbs. On the other side, the Albanian factor is also significant in Montenegro. The Albanian minority, dominant in the southeast of the province, will ensure that the issue of recognising Kosovo’s independence will not remain indefinitely postponed. Though it is true to say that Albanian leaders are not rushing the administration to make such a decision. Montenegro will also have to respect the position of the European Union – with the majority of members having already recognised the independence of Kosovo. Of course, the fact that Albania and Kosovo are neighbouring countries does not leave space for a great deal of hesitation regarding a clear position on Priština’s declaration. The delay in recognising the new state of Kosovo is not only linked to politics. There are also clear economic considerations. However, at the moment those factors remain on the backburner, as the state

strives to first ensure its own internal stability. As such, the lack of attention has ensured that no analyses of the affects that recognition would have on the domestic economy have been conducted. A warning of the economic consequences has, though, been relayed to Montenegro. Namely, speaking at his first press conference after assuming his duties in Podgorica in March, the long awaited Serbian Ambassador to Montenegro, Zoran Lutovac, reminded press that Montenegro is Serbia’s third foreign trade partner, while Serbia is Montenegro’s first. “That is the starting position which should be the indicator for politicians to see in which direction political relations should go,” said Lutovac. Montenegrin tourism, which is still based more on mass tourism than on exclusive clients, depends largely on tour- Đuričković. He only emphasised that there in the Montenegrin government, Predrag ists from Serbia. Last year, around half are some “agreed arrangements” with the air Drecun, also considers economic reasons a million Serbian citizens holidayed on traffic authorities in Belgrade. as relevant for Pordgorica’s cautious pothe Montenegrin coast. An even greatMontenegrin Minister for Economic sition regarding relations with Serbia (and er number is expected this year. What if Development, Branimir Gvozdenović, was Kosovo). Drecun also reminds us that Serbia Serbia officially introduces some sort of not prepared to analyse the possible devel- is Montenegro’s biggest foreign trade partban for visits to Montenegro, or if their opments in the case that Podgorica recog- ner. He even warns about the Serbian encitizens themselves – inspired by patriotic nises Kosovo’s independence, admitting to trepreneurs’ ‘military discipline’ in respectfeelings – start to avoid the Adriatic coast CorD that almost nobody deals with that. ing any eventual embargo, ban or other limand choose some other tourist destination? They are all preoccupied with the political itation which the state of Serbia could imThe opinion reigns, from some foreign aspects of this issue. pose on trade with Montenegro when they analyses, that Kosovo could ‘seize’ foreign In the Montenegrin Chamber of recognise Kosovo’s independence. Drecun investors from Montenegro. Montenegro is Commerce there is also a wall of si- claims that Montenegro will ‘not lose anycurrently the leader in the region regarding lence, or better said, ignorance, of the thing’ if it does not recognise Kosovo. foreign investments per capita. However, influence of the Serbian – Kosovo sitPredrag Bošković, a member of according to the same analyses, the threat uation on the Montenegrin economy. Montenegro’s governing Democratic Party of this is minor because Kosovo is a small There is no data on economic co-oper- of Socialists and the former Economy space and, moreover, is an unstable desti- ation with Kosovo, because it was not Minister, is optimistic. He thinks that nation for investments – especially consid- officially recorded. What is being sold ‘the economic flows (between Serbia ering the number of countries contesting from Montenegro in Kosovo, and from and Montenegro) are so strong that no its independence. Kosovo in Montenegro, thus, remains political decision can influence them”. Montenegro is more economically con- unknown. All that is known is that a According to him, economic co-operation nected to Serbia by the fact that the Port of large quantity of lumber was going to has survived in much more difficult politBar and Montenegrin Railway are directed Kosovo, but more so illegally than legal- ical times, because “the economy always towards the Serbian economy. Significant ly. There is still that kind of ‘trade’, al- chooses ways which are the simplest and arrangements were previously made in though Montenegro is trying to stop it. cheapest for consumers, and which bring that domain in particular, firstly the arMontenegro and Kosovo are regularly the most profit”. rangement on container goods transport on mentioned in reports made by internationHowever, Bošković’s optimism might the Bar-Belgrade railroad. Disturbances al organisations as transit areas for drugs be premature and not based on good poin bilateral relations between Serbia and and other illegal trade. The actors involved litical analyses, because one thing is sure: Montenegro could certainly damage the in organised crime, therefore, could prob- Serbia has raised the issue of the recogniagreed cooperation. tion of Kosovo’s indeEven so, there have pendence to the highLast year, around half a million Serbian citizens holidayed been rumblings and est level, and will reon the Montenegrin coast. threats that air traffic proach every country in Montenegro could which recognises it – suffer if Montenegro perhaps Montenegro recognises Kosovo and Serbia decides to ably provide a better analysis of the influ- the most. Whether it’s because of the introduce more radical punitive sanctions. ence of Kosovo’s independence on their honest, well intentioned conviction that The Civil Air Traffic Directorate still has cooperation. There is no doubt that eve- Montenegro should have the most undersome competences regarding the issuing of li- rybody in this region, therefore in Serbia standing for Serbian interests, or because cences to Montenegrin airline companies and too, who deals with trade outside the law of the political stereotype in Belgrade that airports. Director of Aerodromi Crne Gore and who gains money through cooperation even an independent Montenegro is du(Montenegrin Airports), Milovan Đuričković, outside legal frames, will quickly ‘recon- ty-bound to follow Serbian policy and not told CorD that “this was absolutely not true”. cile’ with an independent Kosovo and get its own interests, is difficult to say. But it “We have our department for civil air traf- along in their businesses. is well known that revenge is most harsh fic and nobody can influence our work”, said Financial analyst and former minister when ‘brotherly love” is betrayed. CorD / April 2008 57

REGION

Croatia

Co-operation to Continue In spite of the political instability in Serbia, Croatia expects the continuation of cooperation to add to the €340million of Croatian investments already in Serbia. Zagreb thinks that the essence of the burning Balkan issue is not whether Kosovo’s independence should have been recognised, but whether that political move was made at the right moment. Entrepreneurs who have found a profitable market in Serbia in recent years exerted more pressure on PM Ivo Sanader’s Cabinet than local Serbian politicians, who announced that they would withdraw from the governing coalition. BY MIRJANA VUJOVIĆ

he fall of the Serbian Government was the first news on almost all relevant media in Croatia. The public in Croatia is following all events in the neighbourhood with particular attention, especially those connected with the declaration of Kosovo’s independence and the announcement of extraordinary elections. Each statement made by leading Serbian

58 CorD / April 2008

politicians has been listened to and measured. It seems that the public in Croatia points out more than the one in Belgrade that the citizens of Serbia will chose between Russia and the European Union in the forthcoming elections. It was only the recent beginning of the trial in The Hague Tribunal of Croatian Army generals – indicted for war crimes during Operation Storm in 1995 – that managed to redirect public attention from events in Serbia to internal political issues.

Such an interest in political events in Serbia should come as no surprise to those who know that, according to some estimates, Croatian companies have invested as much as €340million in Serbia. Those investments ensure that Serbia has become the country where Croatian capital is most invested. Thus, Serbia has also become one of the rare countries with which Croatia has a positive foreign trade balance. Analysts estimate that particularly economic interests and the protection of Croatian capital in Serbia are the reasons why the country didn’t rush to recognise Kosovo’s independence, even though soon after the declaration of independence Croatia announced that they will recognise it. “We want to keep good relations with both Serbia and Kosovo, but we also want to recognise reality. It is not that important whether we recognise Kosovo a couple of days earlier or later, it is important to make the right decision, choose the right timing for both sides, so that such a decision is acceptable for the region and out-

side the region,” said Croatian President Stjepan Mesic. He stated that Croatia does not want to deny others the right to selfdetermination, which this country itself asked for and received. Mesic justified his position by referring to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s 1974 Constitution, which defined Serbia’s provinces as being ‘constitutive parts of the Federation’, the same as other former Yugoslav republics. According to Mesic, this is the source of the clear conclusion that the provinces cannot be kept in those state frames, federation and federal units against their will. According to Mesic, citizens, i.e. nations and national minorities in provinces, achieve their rights of sovereignty. Mesic emphasised that Croatia is aware how painful the Kosovo issue is for Serbia, but that Serbia should be helped – firstly through the creating of real prospects for accession to the EU. It was repeated on several occasions that Croatian recognition of Kosovo’s independence would come only after the majority of European Union member countries recognised Kosovo. The European Union also pointed out the specific relationship which Croatia has with its neighbouring countries. The fear that Serbia could sanction any eventual rapid recognition of Kosovo by Croatia, and boycott Croatian products and investors, solved the Croatian Government’s dilemmas. Economic analysts have warned that every disturbance in Serbia could reflect on Croatian companies which have invested a great deal in Serbia and, thus, on the overall economic situation in Croatia. However, all leading Croatian politicians agree that Kosovo was lost to Serbia a long time ago, and that the declaration

of independence represents the final act of the bloody wars on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. “Kosovo is a political fact. We can discuss how we came to this and whether this is the final act of Milošević’s policy in this region, but for the stability of the whole region it is better to recognise Kosovo’s independence. I think that this is good for Serbia too, because the increase of radicalism and lagging behind in essential reforms are to a great extent the result of fixation on Kosovo. Until this problem is resolved, both Serbia and Kosovo will be in a blocked position. Recognition is the first step out of that mutual blockade. It is clear that Croatia takes care of its relations with Serbia and, because of joint interests, we should do everything possible on both the tactical and diplomatic plan. It is less important whether the formal recognition will come in a week or two,” said the president of the opposition Croatian People’s Party and the head of the Croatian National Committee for Monitoring EU Accession Negotiations, Vesna Pušić. The Croatian administration and opposition are aware of the difficult situation in which Serbia has ended up, which culminated with a great schism within the Serbian Government and finally resulted in its collapse. The majority of them predicted the fall of Vojislav Kostunica’s Cabinet, considering that the situation was unstable and unbearable. The fall of the Government means a situation where things will be cleared out. “We hope that the forces which lead Serbia towards Europe will prevail,” said

too great,” said Pupovac, adding that parliamentary elections in Serbia will be a sort of referendum in which citizens in Serbia will have the chance to decide whether they want isolation or integration into the EU. On the other side, the biggest Croatian investors in Serbia, such as Agrokor, the Nexe Group, and Atlantic Group or Kras, have failed to come out with their opinion regarding the situation in Serbia which could endanger their capital the most. The Croatian Employers’ Association has stated that they expect the state to protect around 200 Croatian companies which have invested in Serbia. The Association stressed that economic co-operation with Serbia is rising, and that the annual goods exchange amounts to around a billion U.S. dollars. Last year Croatia exported twice as many goods into Serbia as they imported from Serbia – the value of exports was U.S.$664,942,249, while imports reached U.S.$329,478,990. According to the Croatian National Bank indexes, sourced by some media in Zagreb, Croatian companies have invested most heavily in Serbia’s agriculture, hunting and services connected with hunting (46.5%), the production of non-metal mineral products is in second place, with 19.41%, while food and beverage production is in third position with 18.3%. It is well known that Croatian production is mostly directed to the eastern market. Economic analysts expect that the positive economic trend will continue in the

INVESTMENTS

EXPORT

KOSOVO

Croatian companies have invested as much as €340million in Serbia. Those investments ensure that Serbia has become the country where Croatian capital is most invested.

Last year Croatia exported twice as many goods into Serbia as they imported from Serbia – the value of exports was U.S.$664,942,249, while imports reached U.S.$329,478,990.

Mesic emphasised that Croatia is aware how painful the Kosovo issue is for Serbia, but that Serbia should be helped – firstly through the creating of real prospects for accession to the EU.

the leader of the biggest opposition party, Zoran Milanović, adding that what is happening now in Serbia is a war between the past and the future. Apart from Croatian politicians and businessmen, representatives of the Serbian national minority are also carefully monitoring the situation in Serbia. The president of the Independent Serbian Democratic Party and MP in the Croatian Parliament, Milorad Pupovac, thinks that the fall of the Serbian Government should not have been the only solution. “The democratic forces should have stayed together, but it is obvious that differences regarding the relations towards Europe and the integration of Serbia into the EU are

forthcoming period, in spite of the political instability in Serbia. It is expected that tensions will gradually calm down, especially after the parliamentary elections – on condition, of course, that pro-European forces are successful. Unofficial information, which the Croatian media published about Delta holding’s plans for penetration onto the Croatian market, is a positive sign of economic co-operation expanding in the forthcoming period. Mišković is apparently planning to purchase the Improm food industry from Krizevci. Along with Veselin Jevrosimović’s IT company. Mišković’s arrival would be the first serious penetration of Serbian capital into Croatia. CorD / April 2008 59

REGION

Bosnia and Herzegovina

No Trade

Slowdown No entity within Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH) sees either political or economic benefits from recognising Kosovo’s independence, and thus everybody is simply avoiding the subject. What is indicative is that BiH’s ethnic-Serb entity, Republika Srpska, is trading with Belgrade more gladly and to a greater extent, while, to date, Kosovo was a more important foreign trade factor for the Bosnian Federation. BY DAMIR KALETOVIĆ

gainst the background of political friction, threats, blackmail, and open messages warning of the secession of Republika Srpska in the case that BiH recognises the independence of Kosovo, trade within the BiH, Serbia and Kosovo triangle remains balanced. This despite that fact that open political discord has been increasingly directed towards its imbalance. According to data gathered so far, the BiH Foreign Trade Chamber (VTK BiH) claims that political repercussions leading to potential negative trends in trade be-

60 CorD / April 2008

tween Serbia and Bosnia do not exist. Even before the adoption of the Unilateral Declaration of Kosovo Independence on 17th February 2008, the VTK BiH was managing separate statistics on trade with the Former Yugoslavian autonomous province. This was explained by the status of Kosovo in terms of its membership in the Central European Free Trade Association (CEFTA), which Kosovo joined thanks to UNMiK’s role as signatory and guarantor. “Irrational approaches have a short life cycle. Thus, we estimate that the political quarrels omnipresent in the region as a result of the declaration of Kosovo’s independence cannot seriously endanger the

trade balance between BiH and Serbia, on one side, and BiH and Kosovo, on the other. Here we have interests of an exclusively economic nature, and we think that this kind of conditionally, mutual dependence and binding, has higher priority than political interests,” said the president of VTK BiH, Milan Lovrić. In the first two months of 2008, importexport levels between BiH and Serbia, and BiH and Kosovo, remained at expected levels. In total, imports from Serbia were worth around €45million, while exports from BiH to Serbia were worth over €30million. According to official indexes, Serbia occupies a high position on the list of BiH’s foreign trade partners. More precisely, after Croatia, Serbia is Bosnia’s most important foreign trade partner. In addition, it should be emphasised that the coverage of Bosnian exports with imports from Serbia is only 50 per cent. Over the last several years, economic co-operation between the two countries has shown continuous growth. For instance, bilateral trade between Serbia and Bosnia in 2006 amounted to a total of US$1.11billion, while in the first six months of last year total trade was up 50 per cent on the same period in the previous year, and that is mostly Bosnia’s deficit in foreign trade with Serbia. Wheat, beer, corn, medicine, iron and sheet metals mostly come from Serbia, and in the opposite direction go coal and coke, wood and electricity. Certain differences in the goods exchange with Serbia do exist and are evident. Therefore, for in-

stance, while annual imports from Serbia to the BiH Federation are only four per cent of the total of all registered imported goods, that amount is considerably higher in Republika Srpska, at 26 per cent. On the other side, regarding the goods exchange with Kosovo, the disproportion is equal, but to the benefit of the Federation. Therefore, in the first two months of this year the BiH Federation exported goods to Kosovo in the amount of almost €1.7million, while exports from Republika Srpska were worth only €90,000. Those general indexes show the levels of B&H entities towards the neighbouring market. In spite of the strong, sometimes even too strong, rhetoric regarding BiH’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence, political officials and the non-governmental sector in Bosnia do not consider the interruption of business and economic relations, either with Serbia or Kosovo. “All this will not significantly change the fact that companies are co-operating, to their mutual satisfaction. There is still a need for the further strengthening of that co-operation. As far as I know, business people and companies are making efforts to eliminate any eventual problems of a political nature,” said Lovrić. The general impression is that, if at all possible, there is a desire to avoid all serious political consequences for BiH, which could result from the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Firstly, the ruling oligarchs and most influential political parties in the BiH Federation, but also at state level, are avoiding any talks about the possible recognition of Kosovo – all in

IMPORT - EXPORT

DISBALANCE

KOSOVO

In total, in the first two months of this year, imports from Serbia were worth around €45million, while exports from BiH to Serbia were worth over €30million.

Annual imports from Serbia to the BiH Federation are only 4 per cent of the total of all registered imported goods, that amount is considerably higher in Republika Srpska, at 26 per cent.

The general impression is that, if at all possible, there is a desire to avoid all serious political consequences for BiH, which could result from the recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

the aim that this issue goes, at least for the time being, with as little pain as possible, and with minimal damage. “It is certain that deviation from the borders established by the Banditer’s Commission, and with the recognition of Kosovo, has created a certain political crisis in BiH. At the same time, that has also reinforced the radical part of Republika Srpska, which advocates the separation of that entity from the Dayton-agreed borders of the country. Again, I claim that all those things do not have any points of contact with economic interests, which cannot be destroyed as a result of somebody’s political favouritism or blackmail,” says Željko Asić, MP in the BiH Parliament. With the country signatories of the CEFTA, BiH has a general deficit in goods exchange, apart from with Montenegro and Kosovo, where the ratio between imports and exports reaches an unbelievable figure of 380 per cent. However, when we take into consideration the fact that the goods exchange in the aforementioned example is not measured in hundreds of millions of euros, that surplus represents a drop in the ocean of the negative trend of the Bosnia & Herzegovina economy. At the end of last year and the beginning of this, one of the leading Serbian businessman, Delta Holding president, Miroslav Mišković, announced his company’s arrival on the BiH market.

What is interesting is that Mišković is trying to realise his engagement in the BiH Federation through business co-operation with the owner of the most influential daily newspaper in the Federation, Fahrudin Radončić. This business connection was welcomed with numerous reservations, accusations and a sort of media war. Namely, Radončić, whose daily is pro-Bosniak in orientation, was criticised for co-operation with a man whose enormous wealth many people in Bosnia connect with the period when Slobodan Milošević was ruling in Serbia. What seems certain for the time being is that Radončić and Mišković are going to find their business interests in real estate and the construction business, through a joint company. The first such project will probably be the construction of a business centre of 27,000 square metres in the centre of Tuzla. It is estimated that the value of this project will be almost €25million. Tuzla is geographically the centre of northeast Bosnia. The best offer in the public tender for the construction land came from Radončić. With the help of the Republika Srpska Government, Mišković had already penetrated the market of that B&H entity when, in July last year, his Delta Maxi supermarket chain purchased Banja Lukabased Tropic supermarket chain, with shops in nine towns in Republika Srpska, for €35million.

CorD / April 2008 61

SOCIETY

TALES FROM THE BIG PLUM

From Cradle to Grave If you’re a foreigner reading this in Belgrade, you’re already in Serbia, and probably aren’t too concerned about leaving. But this month’s Plum deals with a Serb’s first arrival in Serbia, and his ultimate leaving, which awaits him somewhere down the line: birth and death. How are these two major life events observed in Serbia, and more specifically in Belgrade? BY PAT ANDJELKOVIC

visitors are allowed for 40 days, nor is the baby allowed out for that time. When guests come, there’s of f a woman is pregnant, she’s “trudna”” or course always lots of food. Closer friends offer tradi“u drugum stanju,” or “in the other way,” tional gifts of gold coins or money, and others bring which sounds very Victorian. When she standard presents. has her baby, people say, “Dobila je beBabies are baptized only after 40 days, especially bu” (She received a baby), as if litif mother participates (and why not?), since she was tle Jovan came through the mail order catalog. once considered “unclean” in the 40 days following a Families with just one child are common, but baby’s birth. (!) The priest can come to the home or there’s still a Mother Jugović Award, granted to the family can go to the church. During Communist mothers of more than 4 children, a custom dattimes, those wishing to baptize their children did so ing back to the Battle of Kosovo. in secret or not at all, for fear of reprisal. The latAttitudes towards maternity and childbirth ter resulted in a boom of young adult christenings in have evolved. In the mid-seventies, mothers-to-be the early 90’s. Children don’t have middle names, were expected to literally eat for two and produce but are asked for their father’s first name when filling Pat Anđelković a nice, chubby baby, preferably a boy. “Neka out forms, and it’s rare a son is named for his father. bude muško!” (May it be a boy) was one of the Baptismals are family affairs, but if guests are invited first phrases I learned. More enlightened women attended breathing -you guessed it- they’ll be given plenty to eat. classes run by a drill-sergeant nurse who bellowed out commands Birthdays are usually celebrated now in some larger public to a regiment of bulging tummies. Mothers-in-waiting had to find or place like a fast-food restaurant that’s fun (for the kids) where sew their own loose clothing; no maternity clothes available. That’s they can scream and raise havoc to their heart’s content. That way, still true, though it’s sometimes not attractive to see “trudnice” in t- parents needn’t clean up or buy new furniture. Remember as a shirts stretched to barely cover their bulging abdomens, with jog- kid how you wanted to always be older? Here you can, for on ging pants riding dangerously below their protruding navels. your 13th birthday it’s said that you’ve “filled up” (Napunio si…) Most mothers await their baby in a large hospital delivery your 13th year, and are in your 14th. Older persons treat others to room, and are checked on by a team of docdrinks and cake, not the other way around. tors. After the birth, which used to be natural One hopes to exit Serbia after many, many childbirth for all, no drugs but a lot of screambirthdays. Death and dying are taboo topics, ing, they were wheeled off to a nearby ward. and though many cancers are curable nowaDoctors and nurses are given tokens of thanks, days, the word still rings the death knell. It’s usually chocolates or hard liquor. even bad luck to point to the part of the body It’s still considered bad luck to buy anwhere the person spoken of has/had a fatal ything for a baby beforehand, so no baby illness. There are no organ donor organizashowers. After the birth, the rest of the famitions, no euthanasia, and no donating money ly makes a mad rush to buy diapers and playto a charity instead of flowers. Once someone suits that in my time had no snaps on the legs so you had to pull dies, family members scramble to organize the funeral through the whole thing off to change a diaper. Fortunately they have a private funeral home (lots of newspaper ads) or else the city’s time, since the usual stay in the hospital is a couple of days. “pogrebne usluge” (funeral services), which has its own web Used to be you were expected to use three cloth diapers. The site. An average funeral costs about 700 euros, quite a lot for mid-wife who visited me for one week (still a practice) scolded most families. me for using only one diaper fastened with….safety diaper pins! Most families have a plot in one of Belgrade’s cemeteries Muttering insults then incomprehensible to me, she demonstrat- where generations are buried one on top of another or side by side. ed the correct way to fold three diapers, a puzzling process even Tombstones and mausoleums can be elaborate, even status symfor an origami champ. Now Pampers are the rule of the day, bols. (You can’t take it with you, but you can leave something memand fiddle-dee-dee for the environment. The proud father will orable behind.) Politicians, those in favor at least, and other famous treat his buddies to a round or two of ‘šlivovica”. No newspa- respected persons can be buried in a special section of Belgrade’s per birth announcements or cutesy cards sent out to friends. All Novo Groblje, or New Cemetery, which is actually its oldest. One travels by word of mouth. often sees tombstones not only with names of those underground, Mother may be able to rest at home, if she has a mother-in-law but also with names and birthdates of family members still above. to cook, houseclean, and indulge her and baby. Traditionally, no Serbs do believe they will go to heaven, and often (not even joking-

62 CorD / April 2008

ly) refer to themselves as a “nebeski narod” or heavenly people. If you’ve never had your name and picture in the paper, now’s your chance. Death notices with a photo, usually lifted from one’s “lična karta,” (personal i.d. card), appear the day after one’s departure, and again in 40-days, six months, a year, and sometimes many years later. Huge one-page announcements announce the passing of the famous or infamous.

the cemetery’s chapels, and mourners file by to offer condolences and flowers, kiss the lid, and light a candle. After the priest blesses the departed with incense and an incantation, the mourners move on to the grave (along with a number of begging gypsy children) where the priest utters a few last words, and each casts a handful of earth upon it after it has been lowered into place. It’s customary to offer juice, šlivovica,” and

Small, black-edged, notices tacked on trees or pasted on walls are visible in the deceased’s neighborhood. Many Serbs who pass away abroad wish to be buried in Serbia, and since cremation is a no-no for Orthodox Serbs, this is at considerable cost. Nobody “celebrates” the deceased’s life with music, a photo retrospective, or speeches, as is often done in the West. Serbian funerals are solemn affairs, with mourners entirely in black or with a black ribbon on one’s lapel or blouse. The family gathers around the casket (always closed) in one of

“žito” (cooked wheat berry), and to generously tip the men who dug the grave. It’s now common practice for the flowers to be buried with the coffin, since if not, gypsies may steal them to resell. But it’s not “gone and forgotten,” for families hold small graveside ceremonies for their loved ones 7 days, 40 days, six months, a year, and even longer. Also, “zadušnice,” or “souls’ days” occur several times a year, when one is expected to go to the grave, tidy up, and bring flowers. CorD / April 2008 63

CULTURE

Good Evening The organisation of the Eurovision Song Contest, Eurosong, represents a major test for Serbia and Belgrade’s organisational skills. BY SONJA ĆIRIĆ; PHOTO FONET

urosong is considered the biggest and most famous music event of the continent. It has been held every May since 1956, in the capital city of the state whose representative won the previous competition. Every time it grows more spectacular and expensive, and so being its host requires a great organisational, and not only organisational, effort. This year, Belgrade’s ability to organise a major event will be tested to the max with the organisation of Eurosong. Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest saw Serbia’s Marija Šerifović win the Eurosong prize with her song Molitva [Prayer] in Helsinki. This victory brought Belgrade the right to host Eurovision and the many participants and visitors that will arrive. The final spectacle will take place in the Belgrade Arena on 24th May. A total of 43 countries will participate in Eurosong 2008, which is an all-time record. For the first time in the history of Eurosong, the finals will be preceded by two semi-finals, to be held on 20th and 22nd May. Around 11,000 visitors are expected to visit Belgrade for the contest. After the euphoria of Marija’s victory in Helsinki, it was suddenly time to address Belgrade’s capacity to stage such a high profile event. The Serbian capital has an appropriate venue, in the form of the Belgrade Arena, and has numerous hotels, albeit perhaps not enough. However, it is the political situation that is the greatest cause for concern. Since Marija’s victory, various political and social changes have occurred in Serbia. This has only served to add to the uncertainty surrounding Belgrade’s ability to organise a Eurosong event that will live up to the expected international standards. Duška Vučinić Lučić, Press and PR Manager of Eurosong, claims that everything is alright. “The organisation of the Eurovision song contest started at the moment when the winner was declared; last May the chief organiser of the competi64 CorD / April 2008

Komercijalna Banka awarded Jelena Tomašević tion, RTS (Radio-Television Serbia), started preparing everything necessary for the organisation of such a big and important project like Eurosong. “The team managing the organisation of this year’s Eurovision consists primarily of RTS staff, but also includes those who have participated in the organisation of this event in previous years, and who will use their experience to assist the RTS team. “The Eurosong 2008 Director is Mr. Sven Stojanović, a Swede of Serbian origin. He gained experience directing the competition in Talin, Riga, Istanbul and other cities that have hosted Eurosong. Creative and Art Manager is Boris Miljković, and Executive Producer of the competition is Sandra Suša, the Editor in Chief of RTS’s Entertainment programme,” explains Vučinić Lučić. The change of propositions used so far, explains Vučinić Lučić, is as follows: “We shall have two semi-final evenings, instead of one, and the final, which is usually held after two days. Also, there is no more automatic entry into the finals for the 10 best countries from the previous year, but only for the host nation – in this case represented by Jelena Tomašević and her song Oro, and the usual four: France, Great Britain, Spain and Germany. “Each semi-final will be broadcast in the countries participating, but only spectators in the team will be in a position to vote. I believe that the new system of com-

petition is more just for all participants, and it will provide an opportunity to hear more quality songs,” says Vučinić Lučić. It is expected that the new structure of the competition will bring an end to the long-running dominance of eastern European countries, with the new double finals helping to divide the former Soviet and Yugoslav republics. This will ensure that supporters of the two former ‘blocs’ will not have a voting majority, thus increasing the prospects of western European competitors. “The first standard a host should fulfil is that of the competition venue. In our case this didn’t prove to be a great problem, because the Arena is one of the biggest facilities where Eurovision song competition will have been held” says Vučinić Lučić. “The Arena can accommodate 12,000 people, and bearing in mind that this year we shall have competitor’s evenings, we expect that its capacities would be filled during the staging of both semi-finals. It is necessary to provide hotel facilities for guests, a good link between the event stage and the press centre, as well as security for all participants and visitors.” At this moment all 11,000 beds in Belgrade’s hotels have been reserved. Vesna Nađ, from the Tourist Organisation of Belgrade (TOB), says that the city should expect profit from “Eurosong”. Assuming that each tourist will have breakfast in the

Europe hotel, it is expected that most other meals will be arranged in the city, where lunch costs an average of 10 to 20 euros, multiplied with 11,000 tourists and at least three days stay, the result is 660,000 euros. It is even expected that some visitors will stay longer in Belgrade, as well as that they shall be in greater number than expected: only 5,000 guests cover members of the Eurosong organisation – representatives of 42 guest-participants’ countries, journalists and their teams. They shall stay in Belgrade for at least two weeks, and it is known that around 100 people tasked with arranging lighting, stage and sound in the Arena will arrive as early as 10th April. Vučinić Lučić announces: “Belgrade in May will be the music capital of Europe. At any moment visitors will be aware that they are in the city hosting Eurosong. There will be a couple of points in the city where different music programmes are to be held, which would offer the guests’ entertainment possibilities at any time. In front of Arena a Euro-village will be situated. Here we will stage appearances of Eurosong participants, and souvenir stalls and sponsors’ stands will be located. The Sava Centre will house the Press Centre and Euroclub, that would be open each evening during the two weeks of preparations and competition, and which would represent a place for the participants, accredited journalists and fans to all have fun. Between those two objects shuttles shall be organised every 10 minutes. Accredited guests shall be in a position to use city transport for free, and in that way have no problem in reaching all points in the city they

Eurosong shall be broadcast by all countries that are members of the European Radio-Broadcasting Union, but also by television stations from Australia, Asia and Northern America. We expect the competition to be watched by around 100 million viewers in Europe, and 200 million worldwide.” The reason for the global interest is, primarily, the competitors. Speaking to CorD, the host nation’s performer said: “I will try to fulfil your expectations, and will give everything from myself to keep the Eurosong in Belgrade. That is difficult, but not impossible. We shall not disgrace ourselves. I would probably not sing my song in English, because it sounds better in Serbian. However, that is a kind of lullaby, which is clear in each language of the world” says beautiful Kragujevac native Jelena Tomašević (24). France opted for a song in English, “Divine”, performed by Sebastian Telie. Although this is a rarity for France, the switch to English is aimed at improving France’s unenviable rating in recent years. Television spectators in Germany opted that their representative in Belgrade would be attractive four-piece girl group “No Angels”. Andy Abrahams, announced by British media as being a former street cleaner, will represent the UK with the song “Even if”. Despite the fact that Abrahams’ debut album achieved great chart success, local gamblers are not betting on him succeeding in Belgrade. The Irish representative, Ćurka Dastin, will sing the satirical song “A dozen points for Ireland”, mocking the point allocating

It is expected that the new structure of the competition will bring an end to the long-running dominance of eastern European countries, with the new double finals helping to divide the former Soviet and Yugoslav republics. want to visit. The social programme for delegations of participants’ countries, covering sightseeing in Belgrade and elsewhere in Serbia, are being organised by the Smart Travel agency.” The Serbian State offered “Eurosong” 10 million euros for the procurement of equipment needed to achieve the high technological standards of Eurovision. According to Vučinić Lučić, “RTS will organise the whole technical side necessary for the organisation and broadcasting of Eurosong.

system of “Eurosong”. Croatia will be represented by “Kraljevi ulice i 75 cent” (Street Kings and 75 cent), street players from centre of Zagreb and rapperformer Laci, with the song “Romansa” (Romance). Armenia first selected the representative, singer Sirušo, and only then chose the song. Indeed, Armenia’s song was selected through a national competition that saw the four best songs offered to a television audience for voting. The eventual winner, “Qele

Representative of Serbia Qele”, is a fusion of ethnic sounds and pop music. The Spanish offering, “El Chiki Chiki”, will be performed by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre. Belgian lady representative, Ishtar, will sing “O Julissi Na Jalini” in a fictitious language. A special attraction of every “Eurosong” is represented by the host couple. In Belgrade, the presenters will be Jelena Janković, a female host of the RTS Morning Programme, and Željko Joksimović, singer and composer, whose song “Lane moje” (My fawn) won second place in “Eurosong” two years ago. Vučinić Lučić says: “their preparations started from the moment when the public was informed about the decision of who would present Eurosong in Belgrade. The preparations shall last until the beginning of the competition. They are very asking and trying, but having in mind that the selected couple are both high professionals in their field of work, we are sure that we can trust them to represent us before Europe in the best light.” We will soon see what the Belgrade version of Eurovision will look like. CorD / April 2008 65

FACES & PLACES

S.E. Mme Houria Ferchici with guests at a cocktail party honoring the presentation of her credentials.

Awarded photo journalist in 2008 YU press contest and deputy mayor of the Belgrade, Radmila HrustanoviÄ&#x2021;

His Excellency Stephen Wordsworth (right) at the World of Security Solutions promotion organized by the Embassy of Great Britain. 66 CorD / April 2008

On February 28th last, the Bulgarian Ambassador, His Excellency Georgi Dimitrov welcomed guests at a reception in honor of the Bulgarian national holiday.

On the occasion of the Tunisian national holiday, S.E. Mme Houria Ferchici greets Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić.

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, A.S. Babar Hashmi, received guests the Belgrade Hyatt Regency on the occasion of Pakistan’s national holiday

Honored guests at a reception on the occasion of the Egyptian national holiday. CorD / April 2008 67

FACES & PLACES

His Excellency Aleksandar Alekseev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, at his farewell reception. Ambassador Alekseev stated that the Russian government will not change its political position in the Balkans, no matter what the outcome of Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parliamentary elections. He has also promised to continue good financial and economic relations with Serbia.

H.E. Alekseev with priest of Russian Holy Church in Serbia 68 CorD / April 2008

Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Europe Zariush Volski and Serbian president of the Parliament, Oliver DuliÄ&#x2021; in Belgrade

His Excellency Abdel Naguib, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Mr. Mlađen Dinkić, Serbian Minister of Economy, at the Tourism Fair.

The Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Christos Panagopoulos with leader of Socialistic party of Serbia Ivica Dačić.

On March 25th, 2008, the Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Christos Panagopoulos, and the Hellenic Business Association of Serbia greeted guests at a reception in honor of the Greek national holiday. CorD / April 2008 69

CULTURE CALENDAR ANNUAL EVENTS BELGRADE DANCE FESTIVAL Belgrade, 4th – 19th April 2008 BALLET OF TEATRO ALLA SCALA Milan, Italy 4th April, Sava Centre, 8pm Mediteranea music: W.A.Mozart, G.Ligeti, P.da Palestrina, G.Paniagua, M.Marais, A.Brahem, J.Cabanilles, traditional music music arrangement: Paride Bonetta & Mauro Bigonzetti choreography: Mauro Bigonzetti

fifties... choreography,sets,costumes,makeup: Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak costumes design assistant: Ditza Avidan light design: Uri Morag ballet master: Efrat Mazor Goldberg tour organisation: Ronnit Rabinowitz premiere: Tel Aviv, 2006 duration: 60’ dancing: Noga Harmelin, Shi Pratt, Dana Shoval, Naomi Nissim, Ivica Bago, Elad Livnat, Yigal Furman, Michal Almogi, Zvi Fishzon, Talia Beck, Shir Medvetzki The snow filled glass globes...Inside,

8pm Little Red music: Antonio Vivaldi choreography: Henri Oguike costume: Asalia Khadjé light design: Guy Hoare duration: 22’ premiere: 2007, Laban Centre, London Expression Lines music: Ali Farka Toure choreography: Henri Oguike costume: Asalia Khadjé light design: Guy Hoare duration: 10’ premiere: 2006, Wyvern Theatre,

Approaching the Dust choreography: Guilherme Botelho in collaboration with the dancers musical research: Guilherme Botelho costumes: Karine Vintache sets: Gilles Lambert light design: Pascal Burgat photo: G. Leao de Carvalho duration: 75’ premiere: 2007, Theatre Forum Meyrin, Geneva dancers: Fabio Bergamaschi, Sung Im Her, Sang Mi Park, Guillaume Marie, Christos Strinopoulos Just a slice of everyday life. No surprises.

sets and costumes: Roberto Tirelli light design: Carlo Cerri production: Teatro alla Scala etoile: Massimo Murru premiere: 2008., Teatro degli Arcimboldi, Milano duration: 75’ The Mediterranean Sea. A remarkable balance between lyricism and pure energy. A constant melting pot of different cultures. The populations that in turn come into the world, meet and confront...

there are tiny figures, miniature houses and marquettes... The magical world looks like quiet and still, at the beginning. It is never filled only with happiness.... Once the globe is shaken, the snowflakes will fly everywhere like humour and darkness, joy and pain, pleasant dreams and nightmares...like little moments from the past, each one a story by itself... Warning: Watching shaker might have a hypnotic effect. The world inside has alluring beauty and it could be anywhere, or nowhere. The imaginary journey could be real and rude in emotional terms...

Swindon Tiger Dancing music: Steve Martland choreography: Henri Oguike costume: Elizabeth Baker light design: Guy Hoare duration: 16’ premiere: 2005, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds Front line played live by the Pavao Quartet music: Dmitri Shostakovitch choreography: Henri Oguike costume: Elizabeth Baker light design: Guy Hoare duration: 20’ premiere: 2002, British Dance Edition, Birmingham

A humdrum story on a humdrum day. The kind of day when nothing happens. From the moment you get up, until the time you go to bed. At home, at work, in the street, at the doctors, meeting people...waiting around...boredom... And than suddenly - the light. Too much can make you blind, while a single ray exposes tiny particles hanging in the air. Is there any point in focusing light on a piece of furniture, just to approach the dust behind it?

HENRY OGUIKE DANCE COMPANY London, UK 8th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre,

ALIAS Geneva, Switzerland, 10th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre, 8pm

INBAL PINTO DANCE COMPANY Tel Aviv Israel 6th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre, 8pm Shaker music: F.Chopin, G.Bryars, A.Part, Swedish folk music, songs from the 70 CorD / April 2008

SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS NewYork, USA 12th April, Madlenianum Opera and Theatre, 8pm The Rite of Spring music: Igor Stravinsky choreography, design, sets, costumes,

production: Ballet National de Marseille, Festival de Marseille, Charleroi/Danses-Centre Chorégraphique de la Communauté française de Belgique, Brussel 2000-European Capital of Culture, La Maison des Arts de Créteil, l’Arsenal de Metz, Het Muziektheater Amsterdam, Festival Oriente Occidente cast: Ballet National de Marseille (20 dancers) premiere: 2006, Festival de Marseille duration: 75’ An utopian city, structured by a play of opposites: fluidity and rupture, private and public, moving an unmoving, individual and crowd, order and chaos... Since the industrial civilization has given way to computer civilization, the Matapolis has become our only world, a labirinth of signs and situations. Still, the global perception of the postmodern city is based on pictures from our fantasy, but the loss of individual bearings has led to an affected and interior approach to urban reality. The concept of presenting one person or group of people within a system of the city, could be considered as an technical image decorated with human bodies in action or motion....

make-up: Shen Wei piano: Fazil Say light design: David Ferri premiere: 2003, Lincoln Center, New York duration: 40’ The constant development of movement qualities trough its investigation and construction. A balance between movement exactitude and movement intuition. A unique conversation that movement, music and visual images, create Folding music: John Tavener, Tibetan Buddhist Chant choreography, design, sets, costumes, make-up: Shen Wei light design: David Ferri premiere: 2000, Guangdong Modern Dance Company, China duration: 40’ A vivid and surrealistic universe, out of time and space.... dancers: Reid Bartleme, Brooke Broussard, Lindsay Clark, Andrew Cowan, Dai Jian, Duan Ni, Jessica Harris, James Healey, Kathleen Jewett, Alexa Kershner, Oceane McCord, Shen Wei, Sara Procopio, Kanako Sato, Joan Wadopian CLUB GUY & RONI Groningen, The Netherlands 13th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre, 8pm Poetic Disasters music: Heiner Goebbels music arrangement: Frits Selie (Prime) concept, choreography: Roni Haver & Guy Weizman dramaturgy: Veerle van Overloop set design: Ascon de Nijs iprops production: Douwe Ket & Alicia Ziff film, graphic design: Peter de Kan light design: Wil Frikken photography: Wim Te Brake production: Grand Theatre Groningen, Club Guy & Roni, Prime premiere: 2008, Mounsonturm, Frankfurt, Germany duration: 70’ dancers: Roni Haver, Dunja Jocić, Eva Puschendorf, Yvonne Weschke, Jorge Morro, Igor Podsiadly, Peter Cseri The theory of Chaos. A play with a constant destruction and new creation of ideas and forms. The human need and difficulty to recover from a Disaster. The train of thought focused on hidden paths, on nuances, on the specific sensitivity of things. The rules that lead from unpredictable to new... SPELLBOUNDANCE COMPANY Rome, Italy 15th April, Belgrade Drama Theatre, 8pm Nafas / Mauro Astolfi

music: G.Rossini, J.S.Bach, L.V.Beethoven choreography, sets, costumes: Mauro Astolfi light design: Valentina Marini, Mauro Astolfi premiere: 2007, Teatro Comunale, Benevento duration: 40’ IIn India, “nafas” means breathing, while in some Arab countries the same word is associated with the meaning of freedom or describes the dynamic strength inhaled at birth. The dancer’s breathing is, at the same time an intense pleasure and desperation because of the hard physical effort. ... Emotional Balance music: Max Richter, Scanner, Alexandre Tharaud choreography, costumes: Mauro Astolfi light design: Marco Policastro premiere: 2007, Teatro Camploy , Verona duration: 22’ dancers: Alessandra Chirulli, Angelo Venneri, Maria Cossu, Gianmaria Giuliattini, Marianna Ombrosi, Silvia Rizzo, Sofia Barbiero, Francesco Gammino, Camilla Brezzi. NATIONAL BALLET Maribor, Slovenia 17th April, Sava Centre, 8pm Pret-a-Porter music: Milko Lazar choreography: Edward Clug

sets: : Marko Japelj costumes: Leo Kulaš light design: Andrej Hajdinjak dancers: Križman, Evgenija Koškina, Branka Popovici, Ines Petek, Catarina Meneses, Matjaž Marin, Tiberiu Marta, Gaj Žmavc, Denes Darab, Demetrius King piano: Bojan Gorišek & Milko Lazar duration: 70 min. premiere: 2008, Belgrade Dance Festival 2 dimensions simultaneously. Both important and extremely individual. Meeting on the common path; supportive and competitive towards one another. Dance and music don’t make a dialogue, but challenge each other, while composing an outstanding artistic creation... NATIONAL BALLET OF MARSEILLE Marseille, France 19th April, Sava centre, 8pm Metapolis II concept: Frédéric Flamand & Zaha Hadid choreography: Frédéric Flamand and the dancers sets and costumes design: Zaha Hadid assistant to choreographer: Yasuyuki Endo light design: Frédéric Flamand & Nicolas Olivier music arrangement: Jacques-Yves Le Docte video: Jean-Christophe Aubert camera: Pino Piptone

CLASSICAL MUSIC BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA All concerts in the Kolarac Hall 4th April Bruno Cinquegrani, conductor Thomas Grossenbacher, violoncello Program: A. Dvorak: Slavonic Dances No. 1, 2, and 8 D. Shostakovich: Concert fo violoncello and orchestra M. Musorgski (orch. Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition 11th April Joseph Silverstein, conductor and soloist (violin) Program: W. A. Mozart: Serenata notturna W. A. Mozart: Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 5 W. A. Mozart: Symphony No. 39 18th April Doron Salomon, conductor Keren Hanan, piano Program: A. Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite C. Saint-Saens: Concert for piano and orchestra No. 2 P. I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 KOLARAC 2nd April Music Gallery, 6pm Cycle- Belgrade Guitar School Entrance is Free Great Hall, 8pm Music School 3rd April Great Hall, 8pm Orchestra CAMERATA SERBICA Conductor- Zvonimir Hačko CorD / April 2008 71

CULTURE CALENDAR

Soloists- Katarina Jovanović, Dejan Mlađenović, Aleksandar Serdar Program- Mihajlović, Mendelssohn, Cantaloupe, Beethoven 5th April Great Hall, 8pm

PACO PENA, guitar Flamenco group Paco Pena, born in 1942 is Spanish flamenco guitarist who began to play the guitar at the age of 6 and made first professional appearance at the age of 12. In late 60s he moved to London and soon was touring the world- as a soloist and an accompanist with performances at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Royal Albert Hall in London and Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He founded the world’s first university course on flamenco guitar at the conservatory music of Rotterdam. The most famous pieces of the great flamenco player are Mesa Gitano and Mesa Flamenco. 6th April Great Hall, 11am Simonuti Duo Entrance is Free 7th April Great Hall, 8pm TOMMY EMMANUEL, guitar Tommy Emmanuel began playing guitar at age 4, learning to play by ear without any formal instruction. Tommy’s unique style - he calls it simply finger style- is akin to playing guitar the way a pianist plays piano. Guitar legend Chet Atkins was one of the first people to inspire Emmanuel to pick up the instrument. Chet and Tommy ended up recording together in 1996 on the CD the Day the Finger Pickers Took over the World, which was nominated for a Grammy award. Besides many music awards Tommy Emmanuel was honored with the rare title of Certified Guitar Player for his lifetime contribution to the art of finger style guitar playing, an honor shared by only two other people in the world 72 CorD / April 2008

(Jerry Reed and John Knowles). Besides Chet Atkins Emmanuel has performed with hundreds of musical legends including Eric Clapton, Sir George Martin, Steve Wonder, Les Paul, Hank Marvin, Keith Urban, the Lexington Philharmonic, the Dortmund Symphony, and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra. Up to now Emmanuel released 14 albums. Tommy Emmanuel has been nominated for a Grammy Award for best country instrumental performance 2007 8th April Great Hall, 8pm Ensemble KOLO 12th April Great Hall, 8pm OKUD Milomir Petrovic- Sremcica 15th April Great Hall, 8pm Symphonic Orchestra RTS Conductor- Bojan Suđić Soloist- Aleksandra Verbicka, harp Programme- Hinastera, Respigi 16th April Music Gallery, 6pm Cycle- Music Workshop Concert of the School for music talents, Ćuprija Entrance is Free Great Hall, 8pm Music School Davorin Jenko 19th April Great Hall, 8pm KUD LOLA 20th April Great Hall, 11am Symphonic Orchestra of the Academy of Art, Banjaluka Conductor- Darinka Matić-Marović Soloists- Nevena Popović, Vladimir Cvijić Programme- Mendelssohn, Prokofiev, Sent-Sans Entrance is Free Great Hall, 8pm St. George String Orchestra Soloists- Milena Stanišić, Ivana Pavlović, Dijana Sretenović, Ljiljana Nestorovska- harps Programme- Goseka, Maricki, Obradinović, Franse 23rd April Music Gallery, 6pm Mina Mendelson, violin

Nina Tasić, piano Programme- Beethoven, Debussy Entrance is Free 24th April Great Hall, 8pm Symphonic Orchestra RTS Conductor- Jang Ceil Lee, Chorea Soloist- Rita Kinka, piano Programme- Korsakov, Greg, Dvorzak 30th April Music Gallery, 6pm Spring Festival of Chamber Music Entrance is Free POP AND ROCK CONCERTS PAUL ANKA 18th April Sports Hall, New Belgrade Concert of the music legend, Canadian singer born in Canada in 1941 Paul Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hits songs like Diana, Lonely Boy and Put Your Head on My Shoulder. ‘He went on to write such well known music as the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Tom Jones ‘ biggest hit ‘She’s A Lady’, and the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra’s signature song My Way. Belgrade concert is part of the European tour of famous singer. Leb & Sol 20th April Sava Centre, Great Hall Concert A legendary rock band from Skopje that celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2006. Members of the original crew Bodan Arsovski and Kokan Dimusevski are strengthened with a new lead singer - the famous Dado Topic, a new guitarist Dimitrije Bozikov and prestigious guests from Serbia, Croatia and Holland. Leb i Sol will promote their new album, Itakanataka Ticket price: 1000, 1200, 1500 CSD FILM PREMIERES The Bucket List From 3rd April Directed by Rob Reiner

Starring- Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes Genre- Drama Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road

trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. Fool’s Gold From 10th April Directed by Andy Tennant Starring- Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Ray Winston, Alexis Dziena Genre- Adventure, comedy A new clue to the whereabouts of a lost treasure rekindles a married couple’s sense of adventure -- and their estranged romance. 21 From 10th April Directed by Robert Luketic Starring- Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne Genre- Thriller “21” is based on a true story about six MIT students who were trained to become experts in card counting and subsequently took Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. Spiderwick Chronicles Premiere – 13th April In cinemas – from 17th April Directed by Mark Waters Starring - Freddie Highmore, Nick Nolte, Mary-Loise Parker Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures. Street Kings From 17th April Directed by David Ayer Starring - Keanu Reeves, Chris Evans, Forrest Whitaker, Naomie Harris, Hugh Laurie Genre - Thriller Tom Ludlow is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he’s been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to

question the loyalties of everyone around him Vantage Point From 24th April Directed by Pete Travis Starring - Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forrest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt Genre - Action, Thriller With a Rashomon narrative style, the attempted assassination of the president is told from several different perspectives. ART EXHIBITIONS ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM Gloves- Keepers of the Destiny Author- Evica Milovanov Penezić Gloves presented on this exhibition are inspired with the treasure kept in the Museum- traditional and unique Serbian clothes with many ornaments and rich embroidery Evica Milovanov Penezic is president of Serbian Associations of Artists (Fine and Applied Arts). She has been creating unique gloves for 10 years. SERBIAN ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURY French Cultural Center Knez Mihajilova 31 until 3rd May Exhibition presents result of researches on two localities- Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica), Caricin grad (Royal City) and presents cooperation of French and Serbian

scientists. THEATRE George Feydo’s LADY FROM MAXIM (premiere) Madlenianum Opera and Theatre, 18th April, 7.30pm Directed by Slavenko Saletović Cast - Katarina Radivojević, Feđa Stojanović, Ljiljana Stjepanović, Mihailo Lađevac, Janoš Tot, Eva Ras, Vuk Saletović, Vladan Gajović... Lady from Maxim is a comedy written by the famous French writers of vaudevilles. The scenography for this situation comedy was made by Jasna Dragović; costumes by Milanka Berberović; music written by Miroljub Aranđelović Rasinski. SPECIAL EVENTS Celebration of International Book Day 23rd April from 12pm In front of the Institute Cervantes Institute Cervantes will give Belgraders, as a gift, copies of the poetry book written in three languages. Book of poetry in Spanish, Serbian and traditional, old Mexican language was translated by Branislav Prelevic, translator of classical books of Spanish literature. Music group Moreno will also be part of this celebration and will have a concert of mariaci music at 12 00.

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CULTURE NEWS

PETER LUBARDA RETROSPECTIVE

retrospective exhibition of Petar Lubarda, “Lubarda 1907-2007, Between the picture of nature and the nature of the picture), opened on 15th March in the 25th May Museum of Yugoslav History. The exhibition will run until 26th April. The exhibition has been organised to commemorate the centenary of Lubarda’s birthday, by the Museum of Contemporary Art from Belgrade and the National Museum of Montenegro from Cetinje. Petar Lubarda was one of the most important Yugoslav painters in the period after the World

War II. His paintings, with strong expressions, colours and contrasting forms, represent a break from tradition and an embracing new, modern art in postwar Yugoslavia. The pictures exhibited for the centenary exhibition belong to differing creative phases in the career of the famous painter. Segments of the exhibition have been entitled “Mora” (Nightmare), “Samoća” (Loneliness), “Zjap” (Yawn), “Plod” (Fruit), “Čvor” (Knot), “Krik” (Shriek), “Logor” (Kamp), “Zločin” (Crime), “Sev” (Lightining) and “Epilog”

23RD BECK’S BELGRADE FASHION WEEK

ashion studio Click has announced the staging of the 23rd Beck’s Fashion Week, the most important Belgrade fashion event held under the auspices of the Assembly of the City of Belgrade. From 16th to 23rd April, new collections shall be presented by the most important names of the current domestic fashion scene - Dragana Ognjenović, Slobodan Mihajlović, Bata Spasojević, Tamara Radivojević, Darko Kostić, Irena Grahovac, Katarina Puzić, Peđa Nerić and Lara Milanović, Authoress of new brand - Element. Fashion Week will be a part of this year’s Days of Belgrade. Designers Tijana Pavlov 74 CorD / April 2008

and Dejan Despotović shall present their view of relations between the world of film and the world of fashion, and hold a performance at Belgrade Drama Arts Faculty. At the Faculty, the new collections of fashion houses Allegra, Azzaro, knitwear Ivković and Balašević will also be presented, while other brands also active on the domestic market will also be presented. These include Diesel, Lee, Wrangler, Bugatti underwear and TQ Plaza. During the 23rd Fashion Week professional debut will also be handed to students of the French Academy of Mod’Art and the Slovenian Faculty of Applied Arts.

(Epilogue). The peak of Lubarda’s art is in the part of exhibition ’Čvor’ (Knot) with pictures of dramatic form, like ’Noć u Crnoj Gori’ (Night in Montenegro) (1951) and Mediteran (Mediterranean) (1952). The exhibition also hosts a reproduction of the famous picture ’Put in Kosmos’ (Space trip) situated in the Federation Palace, and because of its size hasn’t been presented in this exhibition, as the picture Venecija (Venice) from 1960, with which Lubarda participated at the Venice biennale. Petar Lubarda was born 1907 in Cetinje, Montenegro. He was educated in Cetinje and Herceg Novi, before continuing his studies at the Art School in Belgrade, which he left and went to Paris. In Paris he studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts, but had to stop education due to his poor financial situation. He worked independently as a painter and had his first independent exhibition in Rome in 1929. He returned to Yugoslavia in 1932, where he lived in Belgrade and often spent time in Montenegro and Dalmatia, before eventually returning to Paris. He spent the war imprisoned in Germany

and Italy. He acquired international renown in the period from 1952 to 1960, and from the beginning of sixties he won the status of state artist and was selected as a regular member of the Serbian Academy of Science and Art. ARSENIJEVIĆ AWARDED IN SOFIA

oung Belgrade Director, Stefan Arsenijević, has won the Cadillac Award for Best Director at the 12th International Film Festival in Sofia. Arsenijević won the award for his work on the film Ljubav i drugi zločini (Love and other crimes). Arsenijević beat off competition from 12 films. The decision was made by Sofia’s five-member jury, consisting of directors Jos Steling (Holland), Dom Rotero (Great Britain), Iglika Trifonova (Bulgaria), Srdjan Golubović (Serbia) and Aleksey Popogrebski (Russia). ’Ljubav i drugi zločini’ is a modern story set in New Belgrade. It had its world premiere at this year’s Berling Film Festival, and has also been invited to appear at festivals in Wiesbaden, Linz, Edinburgh, Chicago, Karlovi Vari, Seville, Warsaw, Haifa, and

Lisbon... The film’s domestic premiere will come during Serbia’s summer film festivals, and the cinema life of the film will start in September. NATIONAL BALLET IN BOGOTÁ

he ballet ensemble of the National theatre in Belgrade has performed ’Queen Margo’ at the Festival Iberoamericano, which was held in the Colombian capital of Bogotá from 13th to 23rd March. Tickets for all five performances of the ballet ’Queen Margo’ were sold out, and the ballet ensemble has been greeted with ovations. The lead role in ’Queen Margo’ is played by Serbian prima ballerina Mila Dragićević, while other dancers include Konstantin Kostjukov, Milan Rus, Konstantin Tešea, Svetozar Adamović, Milica Bezmarević, Nikica Krluč, Jovica Begojev, Aleksandar Ilić, Bojana Žegarac, Tamara Ivanović and Denis Kasatkin”. Music for the ballet ’Queen Margo’ was composed by Goran Bregović.

STREET THEATRE DAY TO MARK DAYS OF BELGRADE

he traditional annual Dani Beograda (Days of Belgrade) event will take place from 16th to 19th April, under title Beogradskim ulicama kroz Evropu (Belgrade streets through Europe). Friday, 18th April will see the staging of

ballet dancer. In front of the Austrian Culture Forum building in Knez Mihailova Street, the Austrian troupe Du & Nichts (You and nothing) shall make its appearance. Through the show In Passage of Time

the Day of Street Theatre, organised by the Culture Centre of Belgrade, Italian Culture Institute, Austrian Culture Forum, and the French Culture Centre, Goethe Institute and British Council. The whole day’s programme of six theatre troupes from six participating countries, will open with the performance of Italian theatre, Silence Teatro, with their play Baroque suggestions. Ten members of the troupe will travel through time and feelings, dressed in 17th century garb, with faces and heads covered in white clay, on the section from the Italian Institute for Culture (Kneza Miloša 56) to the plateau between the Belgrade City Assembly and the Presidency building. Artists from Great Britain The Dream Engine, will present the play Heliosphere on the plateau in front of the Belgrade City Assembly. A huge helium-filled balloon will hover above the public and elevate the performing

Members of the troupe will symbolically show the essence of life by freezing figures and creating petrified sculptures

them, mimic their usual movements and tease them. German artist, Maren Strack, will make a performance of Muddclubsolo, which she will present in the yard of Kapetan Miša’s building. The performance sees her become a fairy, fixed to the Earth by locks of her hair. She will hover above the spectators and use accessories, mimics and movement to create a mosaic of “stories”, which would open up the space to spectators for personal associations. The Day of Street Theatre is to be drawn to a close by the performance Searching for a City, performed by domestic theatre troupe DAH TEATAR, in three city locations (two in Knez Mihailova Street and one in front of Dom vojske Srbije). Members of the troupe

and slow motion movement without any kind of mutual dialogue. In front of the French Culture Centre in Knez Mihailova shall be held a performance of the French troupe ILOTOPIE. Members of this troupe represent six painted strange creatures that will greet passers-by, observe

shall deal in the alternative history of Belgrade that has been marked by stormy and complex events for centuries. The accent of their specific theatrical expression will be focused on the change of the names of the streets that each generation of Belgraders has witnessed at least once in their lives.

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CULTURE NEWS

AMBASSADOR OF INDIA IN SERBIA: BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN SERBIA

A multi-dimensional trade manifestation - ‘India in Serbia’ – is being organised at the City of Kragujevac in the Republic of Serbia on 8 - 11 April 2008. Following the successful visit of a business delegation from the Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kragujevac to India in February 2007, it was realised that the business communities in India and Serbia were not fully aware of each other’s capabilities and the new business opportunities emerging in both the countries.

he main objective of this trade manifestation therefore is to bridge this information gap by providing an opportunity to Indian manufacturers and exporters to display BELGRADE DESIGN WEEK INVITES REGISTRATIONS

he organisers of the popular annual Belgrade Design Week are inviting designers, architects, engineers and technologists to register their work for the exhibition ‘Ghost Project 08’, which shall be held within this year’s Belgrade Design Week. The project entitled “Ghost Project 08: For Real” derived from the need to show an increasing economic, social and cultural importance of industrial design today. From the first Belgrade Design Week in 2006, Ghost Project has critically appraised the situation in Serbia and aimed to show that industrial design represents a neglected segment in Serbia. Ghost Project 2006 has gath76 CorD / April 2008

their goods and services in the heart of Serbia, and to explore themselves trade and investment possibilities in Serbia and the surrounding region. The programme would include

3-days of Trade Fair, Business Round-Tables on themes of mutual interest, Businessto-Business Meetings, Presentations on Investment and Economic Cooperation,

ered 30 young authors, and a year later it presented over a hundred authors to domestic public and renowned guests of Belgrade Design Week. The project has been envisaged as a platform for presenting unimplemented ideas of the latest generation of Serbian designers. Thanks to the great interest of both authors and the media, Ghost Project has grown to become an integral part of Design Week and a continuous project – a dynamic database of domestic talent. This year, Belgrade Design Week announces a tender for participation. They are seeking students, professionals and amateurs from the fields of design, architecture, technology, etc. from the territory of Serbia and other former Yugoslav republics.

Multimedia presentations of unimplemented works of young designers remain a constituent part of the exhibition as inspiration, while the central part of this year’s Ghost shall represent prototypes that the authors have implemented themselves, within school programmes and in co-operation with clients or in conjunction with potential furniture manufacturers. Works to be presented within this year’s “Ghost Project” exhibition will be selected by a team consisting of Jelena Matić (Forestry faculty), Mihajlo Jurić (re:miks studio), Nina Babić (Mikser / BDW), Tatjana Ristić (Mikser / BDW) and Maja Vidaković (Mikser/ BDW). The works must be from industrial design: design of furniture, usable artefacts, interior elements, modular ar-

Travel & Tourism Promotion, and will also have a Festival of Indian Films and cultural performances in the evenings to keep all facets of India in focus during the period of manifestation. The main goal of this event is strengthening of the business cooperation between India and Serbia. The organizers of the fair will be: Serbia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, City of Kragujevac, Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency and Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kragujevac with support of Embassy of India in Belgrade and Embassy of Serbia in New Delhi. During the Manifestation days, many events will be organized, such as: • The Fair of Indian Economy • B2B meetings • Business round tables with the themes: • The possibilities of cooperation between Indian and Serbian Automotive and Components industry • Indian experience in establishing Technological Parks • Foundation of Indian-Serbian Friendship

chitectural elements, means of transportation, technical devices, packaging, etc. More detailed information and an application form can be downloaded from the web site www. belgradedesignweek.com. TONY PARSONS IN SERBIA

opular British writer Tony Parsons, author of the bestseller ’Man and Boy’, was a guest in March in Serbia. During his stay he presented his new book in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Parson’s new novel “My Favourite Wife“, was launched in late February in London, and from 1st March it can be found in Serbia’s bookshops as an edition of Belgrade publishing house Laguna. My Favourite Wife is set

• Days of Indian Culture, Film and Tourism • The Evening of Indian Cuisine Besides the traditional friendship between the two nataions, the visiting of this Manifestation may enable you, at the easiest and the fastest way, to access to

European and Russian market, as well as to become potential suppliers to great trade chains, such as CORA, VERO, METRO, M E R C ATO R , MAXI, TEMPO, AGROCOR, INTEREX, LIDL… The region that Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kragujevac covers is situated in the central part of the Republic of Serbia. The town of Kragujevac as the regional center is 120 km away from Belgrade. The Central Serbia region is acceptable as the Euro region, having approximately 2 million people and the central position in the Republic of Serbia. This region is linked with Europe and Asia through the most important international corridor 10, and with Europe by the waterway

Mohiniattam dance

erformance by Dr. Deepti Omcherry Bhalla, Professor in Carnatic classical music at the faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi. Mohiniattam is the embodiment of feminine charm. Having originated in Kerala, this is one of the most graceful Indian classical dance forms and is performed exclusively by women. The dancer echoes in delicate and suggestive movements the swaying of the paddy fields and coconut palms. The spirit of Kerala is aesthetically expressed in an eternally feminine art form.

in modern day China and is a story about today’s world, but also an intimate story about love and married life passing through various crises. Parsons, who had a successful journalist’s career before turning his hand to fiction writing, became famous with his bestseller ’Man and Boy’, which sold 750,000 copies in the UK alone in 2001. This novel, as well as other Parsons novels, has been published in Serbian by publishing house Laguna. Parsons stayed from 17th to 21st March as a guest of the Novi Sad Fair. He signed copies of his books in the bookshops of Novi Sad and Niš, and held a lecture on the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade. An official reception marking his visit was held in Belgrade City Hall, and

Festival of Indian films

en widely acclaimed Indian feature film with Serbian sub-titles, will be screened in Belgrade, Kragujevac, Novi Sad, Nis. The package includes Bollywood bits, such as Corporate, Pahel (Puzzle), Page 3 and Missed Call apart from six regional films in Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and Malayalam languages from different parts of India. The selected films are from the Indian panorama selection of Indian film festivals and are amongst the best films made by renowned directors. All of these are of different genre portraying sensitivity of human relationships in a deep rooted society with strong beliefs and social systems, thought provoking questions about the individuals, society and conflicts in the corporate world. Even though, the films are not the standard pot boilers, there is tremendous variety of themes, genres, styles and treatment as the present package exemplifies the diversity and pluralism that India stands for.

through the Danube. Kragujevac, as a regional center, used to be a capital of Serbia principality in the period between 1818 and 1841. First institutions of great importance for the development of Serbia were established then, such as first lyceum, theater, and pharmacy... The Gun foundry established in 1853 gained a very important role in the development of the Serbia industry.

Parsons was formally received by City Assembly Chairman, Mr. Alimpić. NICK CAVE AND FRANZ FERDINAND AT BG ARENA

amous Australian rock musician, Nick Cave, and his band the Bad Seeds, will perform at the Belgrade Arena on 4th June. Nick Cave last performed in Belgrade 18 years ago. Cave founded his group in 1984 and, to date, has made 14 studio albums. The latest Bad Seeds album, Dig, Lazarus, Dig, was released in March this year. The most profitable album of the group, Murder Ballads (1996) contained big hits including a duet with P.J Harvey-

Henry Lee and a duet with Kylie Minogue - Where the Wild Roses Grow. Nick and the Bad Seeds are also famous for singles The Mercy Seat, Do You Love Me?, Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow, The Ship Song,... The Belgrade concert will see Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds perform both old and new hits. The Belgrade Arena has announced another big music

Kragujevac is an important educational center. The University of Kragujevac consists of eleven faculties and two institutes. It is also one of the most significant cultural centers in the Republic of Serbia. The main characteristics of the economy of Kragujevac are long industrial tradition and its experience in foreign economic relations with many worldwide countries.

star for the beginning of this summer. Within this year’s Tuborg Green Fest on 2nd July, the Belgrade Arena will host groups Franz Ferdinand, Cypress Hill and Raveonettes. Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band that had its successful debut in 2004 with an album that brought them praise from critics and the newfound loyalty of fans all around the world. Music critics called Franz Ferdinand the heirs to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and Blur. Their second, also very successful album, You Could Have It So Much better, was released in 2005. The concert in Belgrade Arena will be Franz Ferdinand’s second performance in Serbia, after they wowed the crowd at EXIT ’06 two years ago. CorD / April 2008 77

CULTURE

Easter Egg: Serbian Brand? In religious and folk customs, as well as in the domain of art and culture in general, the Easter egg holds a special place Orthodox Christians the world over.This month CorD takes a look at Easter eggs and the upcoming exhibition of painted, sculpted and applied Easter eggs, to be shown at Belgrade’s Pero Gallery from 8th April. BY: TATJANA SOLUNAC PHOTO: JELENA SEFERIN

ymbolic items are visible reminders of an unseen reality. However, the older that symbol is – and the egg is surely among the oldest – the less clear its significance. Thus, the symbolism of the egg is ambivalent. In some national myths the egg represents the world in miniature, while it is also often linked to cultural fertility.

RED FOR JOY Christian theology spiritualises the symbolism of the egg, together with many other symbols. The egg has become a symbol of resurrection, which is why there is an inextricable link between the decorated egg and the biggest Christian holiday, Easter. One of the numerous theories explaining the painting of Easter eggs with red colouring, which is a symbol of Jesus’ blood and a symbol of joy because of his resurrection, is related to Mary Magdalena. The legend says that Mary Magdalena presented the Roman Emperor Tiberius a set of eggs, with the message “Christ is resurrected”. From that day, the legend says, Christians started painting eggs to mark Easter, and since early medieval times the coloured egg has been an official symbol of Christ’s resurrection in the Christian faith. Eggs – symbols of resurrection, fertility and life – also receive other painted symbols. Except the red colour, they are decorated with the drawings of animals, (hare, hen), plants and folklore ornaments. Of course, all that symbolism, partly mystical, partly artistic, is valued differently in the cultures of the Western and Eastern Christian churches. 78 CorD / April 2008

Bird with golden wings, work of Kosta Đurašinov

RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PHENOMENA In cultures of Orthodox people there is a special relation towards the egg as a symbol. It is undoubtedly the same as in

Catholicism – as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection – but in Orthodoxy the Easter egg is also something more. It is joy for children, it is the guardian of the home; a gift to close ones, but also a favourite subject for artistic impressions by artists and the public alike. Thankfully, in Orthodox countries the Easter eggs and Easter customs haven’t yet surrendered to the pressures of global commercialisation. They have been kept mostly in their original form and have maintained all traditional characteristics, which is completely unexplainable if compared with Christmas customs that have been commercialised to absurd proportions. Every home in Serbia pays special attention to decorating Easter eggs. Traditionally, the family decorates eggs as prettily as possible, but the first eggs are painted in the traditional red colour. With the greeting “Christ is resurrected” (Hristos voskrese) the lady of the house gives the first red egg to her husband on Easter morning, who replies by confirming “He really is resurrected” (Vaistinu voskrese). That one red egg is kept until the next Easter, and has been traditionally dubbed as the home protector. Children are rubbed with red eggs on their cheeks as soon as they get up on Easter morning, because it is believed that in that way they would be healthy and with rosy cheeks. On Easter Sunday and a couple of days after, the coloured Easter eggs are given as gifts to everybody, and adults and children alike hit their eggs together in a traditional game to see which egg is stronger. The egg that survives is kept for further joyful competition, and the broken ones are usually eaten at once. This custom is always accompanied with joy and jokes, and in one Vojvodina village, Turija, villagers organise a formal egg-breaking competition. How much serious attention does that attract can be seen from the fact that in rearing and feeding the poultry people apply special methods in order to have very strong eggs, and the winning egg can

A pair of eggs, painted by Aleksandar Vaci stand a power contest against several hundred other eggs.

CUSTOMS In some parts of Serbia for Easter mothers or grandmothers wake up before all and hide the selected eggs in the home and garden, together with small presents intended for children. When the children get up, after rubbing their little cheeks with red eggs, they head out on their quest to find the hidden eggs and presents. Although Easter eggs are coloured and decorated in all houses, each visitor or guest is presented with a coloured egg on Easter and a couple of days after. Boiled Easter eggs are kept for a week, and then are specially painted eggs for Small Easter or second Monday after Easter, when those eggs are left on graves, because it is believed that the dead should be marked with the same symbol on that big Christian holiday. In Orthodox cultures the Easter egg is often the subject of artistic processing. There are numerous famous examples of this, and one of the best known are surely represented by the famous Faberge eggs, ordered from this renowned goldsmith for

Composition, ceramics, work of Nada AksentijeviÄ&#x2021; CorD / April 2008 79

CULTURE

Mask, work of Rade Selaković

Ballerina on an egg, work of lady sculptor Dragana Stanković.

Egg with religious motive, work of Milanka Đokić gifts to members of the Romanov family.

EXHIBITIONS AND AUCTIONS It is well-known that Faberge eggs, decorated with diamonds and other rare and precious stones and precious metals, have reached astronomical prices when they 80 CorD / April 2008

have appeared at auction in London, Paris or New York. It is less known, however, that in Serbia there is also an annual auction of artistically processed Easter eggs. More than 15 years ago one Belgrade gallery owner – Vlada Paradinović, owner of small Gallery ‘Pero’ (Feather), invit-

ed famous Serbian artists to paint, sculpt, cast, bake from ceramics or process the motive of the Easter egg by some other applied technique. Many famous artists responded and the first exhibitions were arranged. Since then 12 auction sales of these beautiful miniatures have been held. Revenue from the auction is donated for humanitarian purposes. Instead of an auction, this year an exhibition shall be held in Gallery ‘Pero’ from 8th April. Paradinović tells CorD: “When I decided to invite the artists to make Easter eggs, I didn’t expect that the biggest ones would also respond. However, artists’ responses were obligatory for me, and the holiday of Easter, on which occasion my invitation was sent, is a holiday of joy and

Torch, work of Velja Vukićević and Ada, work of Maja Đokić happiness, and so I decided, together with the artists, to offer all those beautiful eggs for auction sales, with the revenue gained from those sales being granted to various state institutions for treating or taking care of children and the infirm. We’ve done that for 12 years, but this year, sadly, this auction will not be held. However, in order to keep this tradition alive, the annual exhibition will be held and all eggs selected for the exhibition will be up for sale. If we were lucky, the Belgrade auction of Easter eggs could become a brand of Serbia, because something like that does not exist anywhere in the world.” Paradinović added that the cause in Serbia is always one and the same – a lack of money – and the contributing factor is that the country’s

culture ensures that almost every initiative and effort is left up to the drive of an individual. Institutions do not show any interest in making “small” events, especially if they have been initiated by private gallery owners and are not big and important international events. Why? Mr. Paradinović thinks that every opportunity should be used for positive affirmation of this country, especially considering Serbia’s exquisite cultural potential. Speaking to Tanja Todorović, curator of Gallery ‘Pero’, we discover that since 1992, when the Easter egg initiative started, over 200 artists have exhibited and given their works as presents. Amongst them are the likes of Mića Popović, Milić od Mačve, Moma Antonović, Radoslav

Trkulja, Živko Đak, Mihajlo Đoković Tikalo, Sava Stojkov, Žužana Halupova, Janoš Mesaroš, Kosta Bunuševac, Slavoljub Čvorović, Vlada Veličković, Vladimir Dunjić and the others. The importance of the auction and exhibition during the past decade and a half is illustrated by the fact that many of the aforementioned artists are art professors who have been awarded with prestigious domestic and international awards. It is unknown if, or when, the State will give credence to this positive annual happening, but for the time being we will have to be happy enough with the fact that guests of Gallery Pero will be able to enjoy these traditional, but unique, Easter egg works until the end of April. CorD / April 2008 81

SPORT

Marathon Flame The 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, to take place on 19th April, will see the Olympic Torch burn in Belgrade for the first time ever. Moreover, the winner of this year’s marathon will be crowned with a wreath of olive branches picked from the tree planted in remembrance of the ancient Battle of Marathon. BY: ????; PHOTO: ????

he Battle of Marathon, fought in the defence of classic Greek civilization, the predecessor of modern Europe, is the only historical event that is remembered through a sporting event, and the marathon is the only sporting discipline that has a real historical event to thank for its origins. And that event will be marked more clearly than ever at this year’s Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon on 19th April. The Athens Classic Marathon is held on the so-called classic marathon lane – almost the same route, according to legend, taken by Phillipides when he ran to Athens in 490 BC to relay the news about the Greek Army’s victory over the Persians,

and an almost identical route to the one used at the first modern day Olympics, the Games of the I Olympiad in 1896. The start of the Athens Classic Marathon is much as it was back in 1896, taking place in the small town of Marathon not far from the tomb of the participants of the Battle of Marathon. And it also ends as it did back then, in the heart of Athens at the ancient Panathinaiko Stadium, where over 80,000 Athenians celebrated the victory of Spiridon Louis – the Greek water-carrier turned national hero who won the first modern-day Marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics. On 3rd November last year, at the start of the Athens Classic Marathon, a special ceremony was held to ignite the Olympic Torch. The current Olympic Torch was first lit for the Berlin games in 1936, but in an-

Pheidippides: between legend and reality

verybody knows the legend of Pheidippides – the Athenian warrior who ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens to tell the news of the Athenian Army’s victory over the Persians in a battle that took place almost 2,500 years ago. Saying “Rejoice, we won”, Pheidippides dropped dead from the exhaustion of the fight and his flight dressed in full battle garb for over forty kilometres. However, the legend of Pheidippides is a myth, but not old-Greek one, because it originated in the centuries and millenniums after 490 BC and the battle of Marathon field, and its creators were Plutarch and Michael Brehl. It was almost six centuries after the clash between Militiad’s warriors and the tenfold stronger Persian army, led by Darius’ military leaders Datis and Artafern, that the tale of warrior-runner Pheidippides was written. The author and story’s ‘creator’, in the true sense of that word, was Greek philosopher and writer Plutarch. Plutarch created the legendary run in order to relocate the action from Marathon to Athens in his drama, and in the name of Athens’ glory he used Pheidippides and ‘killed him off’ after delivering the news about the great victory. However, Pheidippides is not a fictitious character. Plutarch’s choice of Pheidippides was logical, because it was thanks to his swift legs

82 CorD / March 2008

and endurable lungs that made him an important figure of the Battle of Marathon. According to Herodotus, Pheidippides covered the distance from Athens to Sparta in a single day – a distance of 224 kilometres on a modern road - rested for a day and then returned to Athens! By the end of the 19th century, when Athens was preparing to stage the first modern Olympic Games of 1896, the story of Pheidippides was brought out from the dusty archives of Plutarch’s works by Frenchmen Michael Brehl, lover of ancient Greece and close friend of Baron Pierre de Coubertin – the founder of the modern Olympic Games. When the organisation of the Athens Games fell into peril due to a lack of funds, Brehl suggested that Coubertin revive the story of Pheidippides in order to motivate the Greeks to commit themselves to staging the games, regardless of the price. Brehl and Coubertin move was the perfect remedy for the cash shortages. Greece swallowed the bait and preparations for the marathon race and the whole Olympic Games gained fresh momentum, and the issue of national honour was to have a Greek winner. Spiridon Louis didn’t fail the hopes of Greeks, and everything else is history …

cient Greece a fire permanently burned on the altar of Hestia in Olympia. And during the ancient Olympic Games, held in honour of Zeus, additional fires were lit at his temple and that of his wife, Hera. The modern Olympic flame is ignited at the site where the temple of Hera used to stand. Interwoven into the meaning of the flame are ideals of fair play and friendship of all nations and races. The flame inspired the Greeks to enrich the marathon idea by linking it with its roots. On 4th January this year, China – as the host of this year’s Summer Olympic Games – and Xiamen City – famous for its traditional annual marathon – were linked to the town of Marathon by the Olympic Torch. Following a uniquely devised ceremony, the Olympic Torch was lit in the Museum of the Marathon Race, in Marathon, and transported to Xiamen. After Athens and Xiamen, the third city in the world to welcome the Olympic Torch will be Belgrade! This Olympic coup is thanks in no small part to Belgrade Marathon Manager Dejan Nikolić and his team’s traditionally good relations with the teams of the Greek and Athens Classic Marathon, but also with thanks for great assistance from the Embassy of Greece in Belgrade. With the Marathon Flame, representatives from the town of Marathon will also bring to Belgrade wreaths of gilded olive branches, picked from the tree of remembrance for the Battle of Marathon, which took place two and a half millennia ago. Olive wreaths were used to crown the Olympians in antiquity and in modern times, from their pioneering time, and on Saturday 19th April the winners of the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon will receive the same honour. At present, this is the most important news from the team which annually organises the most important traditional Belgrade sporting manifestation, and which every year prepares pleasant surprises for Belgraders and marathon runners from all around the world. “The planned tempo of our statements to

the public does not allow me to say at this moment who will be the promoter of the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa marathon, but Belgrade can again expect that the marathon participants, as well as participants of the half-marathon and the Fun Run, will include at least one great superstar from the world of sport. Among earlier promotion runners we need mention only Merlene Ottey, Carl Lewis, Bob Beamon and Mike Powell, who have been our guests in recent years. This fact obliges us, with the assistance of our business partners and sponsors, to keep bringing figures from that top level,” says Dejan Nikolić. For the time being, the list of competitive participants is also veiled in secrecy, and organisers and long term managers of the Belgrade Marathon, Kent Anderson and Zane Branson, promise that Belgrade’s current marathon and half-marathon records will certainly be under threat. “This year we’ve retained the bonus system to motivate participants to run as fast as they can, and the award fund shall be enriched, thanks to the understanding of our title sponsor, Banca Intesa, with special premiums for runners breaking the existing full and half marathon records,” confirms Nikolić. Banca Intesa is the title sponsor for the third consecutive year, while co-operation with confectioner Štark has continued since 1994 and covers not only the main marathon, but also its curtain raiser, the Children’s Smoki Marathon”, which takes place in Belgrade’s zoo. Support also comes from sporting goods maker Reebok, which is supporting the marathon fun run, Trka Zadovoljstva. On the initiative of Belgrade Marathon Chairman and famous basketball star Aleksandar Đorđević, all participants of the fun run will wear the number 1244, in respect of the UN resolution on Kosovo. This year’s Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon is simultaneously the championship of Balkans in the most difficult athletic discipline, as well as the regional CISM championship, as general trial of the CISM World Championships to be held as part of next year’s 22nd edition of Belgrade’s marathon. The race through the Serbian capital is also one of the last opportunities for many professional distance runners to compete before they head to China to participate in the 29th Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. With serious competitors, famous sponsor runners, fun runners and all the pomp and ceremony one expects of such an event, the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon is certain to satisfy all participants and visitors, while the many TV pictures to be carried by television stations the world over will add to the new affirmation of marathon running, Belgrade and Serbia.

Become master of Charity CorD Magazine has been traditionally sponsoring a humanitarian race, CorD Charity Masters. This year, as part of the 21st Banca Intesa Marathon, our magazine is proud to support Svratište, a home for homeless children. However, participants are free to choose any other humanitarian organization they wish to run for, such as ORCA, Schools without Violence, etc. For the forth consecutive year, CorD Magazine is inviting you to participate in the CorD Charity Masters, which is to take place in the context of the upcoming 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, to be staged on 19th April 2008. This year we are joined by the YDA -Young Diplomats Association and UNICEF in inviting you to run (or stroll if you so desire) at least five kilometres to raise money for charity. Registering to participate in the Charity Masters is completely free of charge (though registering for the half and full marathon incurs a cost to be paid by the racer) and all money raised by racers through private sponsorship will be donated to UNICEFs School without Violence (Skola bez nasilja) programme or

any other registered charity or cause of the racers’ choice. Every CorD Charity Master will receive a certificate and commemorative t-shirt as proof of their participation. The winners (funds raised) will receive commemorative prizes and the results of the race and details of funds raised will be published in CorD’s May 2008 issue. Racers can compete as individuals or as part of a team.

Apply today and make a difference

Cord Charity Masters – FAQs How can I apply to compete in the CorD Charity Masters race? Apply by sending an email or fax expressing your interest and detailing the number of racers you would like to register (e-mail -cordmarathon@cma.co.yu; fax (+381 11) 3089988). You will then receive an official application form, to be completed and returned by 14th April. Who will check how many kilometres have been completed by the runners? This is charity race and each runner is expected to calculate the length of their own race. In addition, special referees will be tasked with assisting for half and full marathon runners. How does one either become a sponsor or obtain a sponsor? Sponsors can be any individual, company, organisation, association or mission which accepts to pay the runner. Sponsors could also include work colleagues who would collect funds for your charity of choice. You can obtain sponsorship within your company or from family members, friends...whoever wants to join this charity race. How many participants will be ac-

cepted for the CorD Charity Masters? In agreement with the organisers of the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon, all participants who apply for the CorD Charity Masters will be accepted. Is there a minimum sponsorship level per kilometre? The amount of money individuals give for sponsoring charity efforts is not always the most important factor. Accordingly, there is no set minimum. What percentage of the money raised will go to charity? 100% of the money raised is to go to charity. Collected funds will be gifted to UNICEFs School Without Violence programme or other specified charitable causes. Will CorD Charity Masters run alongside all other participants of the Belgrade Marathon? Yes. Members of the CorD Charity Masters team will start the race at the same time as all other runners competing in the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon. CorD and UNICEF invite you to the Charity Masters race during the 21st Belgrade Banca Intesa Marathon. CorD / March 2008 83

ECONOMY

Largest Volkswagen Center in the Region Opens

A Seven-Million Euro Investment Porsche Belgrade North, a new Volkswagen center, was officially opened at the end of March on “Zrenjaninski Put” road. The center was built on 20.030 square meters of land, and the building itself, which accommodates approximately 80 employees, covers 4.470 square meters, and is the largest and most luxurious Volkswagen center in the region, with an investment estimated at around seven million euros. The general director of Porsche Holding from Salzburg, Mr. Wolf-Dieter Hellmaier, and the director of Porsche Holding for foreign business, Mr. Johannes Sieberer, as well as regional Volkswagen sales and post-sales managers, attended the opening ceremony during which Volkswagen presented its newest model, the Tiguan. The Tiguan is an economic and compact vehicle in the A-SUV segment, suitable for everyday use, with all the essential features. Members of the press had the pleasure of test driving Volkswagen’s latest model.

84 CorD / April 2008

CorD RECOMMENDS

THESE FINE HOTELS

Hotel „Le Petit Piaf“ Skadarska 34 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Tel +381-11-303-5252 Fax +381-11-303-5353 office@petitpiaf.com www.petitpiaf.com

TOS RECOMMENDS

Vršac: Kingdom of Vineyards This month, CorD and the Tourist Organisation of Serbia recommend eastern Banat’s Kingdom of Vineyards.

ituated at the foot of Vršac Hill, the town of Vršac is a haven of fresh forest air, carrying the aroma of the surrounding hillside vineyards. First mentioned in the 1420s under the name of ‘Podvršan’, as re-

86 CorD / April 2008

corded by Felix Mileker, modern Vršac is a bustling town and municipality of around 50,000 inhabitants. It is adorned by numerous elegant buildings of differing styles, churches and cultural institutions, which have served to preserve one of the longest traditions among the towns of Serbia. Vršac is situated on the south-east edge of the Panonian plain, 83km north-east of Belgrade and 14km along the international highway to the border with Romania. The international railway Vienna – Budapest

– Belgrade – Bucharest passes through Vršac.

Vineyards Grapes have been cultivated in Vršac’s famous vineyards for more than five centuries, but grape wines are believed to have been grown here since Roman times. Written records show that in the 14th century the famous ‘’furmint’’ wine, popular throughout medieval Europe, was produced here. Nowadays, Vršac vintages in-

Useful information: Tourist Organisation of Vršac Trg Pobede 1, 26300 Vršac Tel: 013/832 999, 831 055 Email: toovrsac@yahoo.com url: www.to.vrsac.com

Tower (Vršačka kula), which dates back to the mid-15th century. It stands atop Vršac Hill (399m) overlooking Vršac. The tower is a remnant of the medieval Vršac fortress. According to the Turkish traveller, Evliya Çelebi, the fortress was built by Serbian despot Đurađ Branković. Historians believe that Branković built the fortress after the fall of Smederevo in 1439. In its construction the fortress had some architectural elements similar to those in the fortress of Smederevo and the fortress around Manasija Monastery.

Monasteries cluding Kadarka, Porto and Tokay are also very good. About 300 sorts of grapes have been cultivated and about 120 kinds of wines have been produced in the hilly vineyards of Vršac. Great world displays of wine have been held in Vršac, and not without a reason: the white wines from these vineyards are considered as being among the best in the world, since they lie on the 45° of north latitude, where the sun light and warmth are ideally distributed throughout the year – providing ideal conditions for wines such as Muscat - Bekman, Trolinger, Italian Riesling, Bouvie, Othelo, Silvanac, Sovignon, Semion, Burgundy, Traminac, Kabernet, Merlot, Buše, Chardonnay... The customs and rituals, in the honour of grapes and wine can be traced back to ancient times (sekovanje, wine balls, displays of wine), and right up to modern events and fairs. Today the vineyards of Vršac cover over 2,000 hectares, though 1,700 hectares are belong to just one company ‘’Vršački vinogradi’’.

There are two Serbian Orthodox monasteries in the Vršac municipality: Mesić monastery, from the 15th century, and Središte monastery.

Must-sees Considering that Vršac is principally a famous wine region, an interesting place to visit the Vinik private winery, which is located in the very centre of town. There one can enjoy the taste of red and white wines

VILLA BREG Goranska bb Tel: 013 831 000, Fax: 013 831 007 office@villabreg.com www.villabreg.com Villa Breg is a luxury hotel with five stars and no competition in the vicinity. The entire hotel offers fine vistas of the whole town, from every room.Villa Breg provides a versatile venue for business events and is in an exceptional location: on the Vršac hills, where the beneficial climate can be felt (many people are being cured from the respiratory problems, staying on the hill, which is the real mountain resort.) The exceptionally fine rooms, suites, residential apartments, are available for the comfort of business people, together with the modern computer equipment, internet and so on.

that are among the best in Serbia - Vrżole Noir and Vrżole Blanc. Vršac boasts many beautiful places worth visiting and passing the time. First of all, visitors should stroll the town square, which is filled with restaurant gardens and cafes, beautiful parks, restaurants and pastry shops. From generation to generation, for almost 150 years, the Đorđević family have conducted the sweetest trade: making cakes, ice-cream and other kinds of sweets. They only offer six tables in a small room and a beautiful garden in the centre of the town, where you will be welcomed by kind, contented staff. As a house special-

Vršac Tower The symbol of the town is the Vršac CorD / April 2008 87

TOS RECOMMENDS

thin, high bell-towers, covered with sharppointed roof. The lavish decoration of the facade is the most beautiful on the portals, windows, rosettes, counterforce and bell-towers. The main altar was painted by Peter Johan Geiger, a professor of the Vienna Academy, in 1863.

The ‘Sterija’ National Theatre

ty, they recommend ice-cream made of grapes and wine.

The Residence of the Banat Episcopacy Vladika’s Residence of Banat episcopes was built by Vladika Jovan Georgijević, who moved the seat of the Orthodox Eparchy from Karansebeš back to Vršac in 1750. The building was erected according to the project of a Prussian architect, whose name was not recorded, and it lasted until 1760. Its first renovation was completed as early as 1787. The free-standing building is located on a large plot, with the flat front facing the street. In 1902 the residence gained a completely new eclectically shaped main façade and lost a great deal of its complex roof structure. Besides the icons painted by Nešković, there is a remarkable gallery of portraits of the Vršac vladikas and a rich treasure of church objects, icons, and rare manuscript books.

St. Nicholas’ Church The Serbian Saborna Church dedicated to St. Nicholas, is situated on the site of the former church, dedicated to the same saint.

ODE TO VRŠAC

n the wine-grower’s hand Stretched out from the clouds A golden bunch of grapes In one grain there’s a tower of maize In the second, a magic hill In the third, a mother plain In other grains The streets fallen asleep, at noon And the last unpressed bag-pipes Bigger than the Town Hall And some highly-educated bell-towers And wheat courts and the schools of silence And the workshops of bee-people The wine-grower’s hand helps Grapes to ripe And protects them from the thieves of gold Vasko Popa.

88 CorD / April 2008

The new church was finished in 1785, and it was consecrated by Vladika Vicentije Popović, and the works on its decoration were finished during Josif Jovanović Šakabenta, in 1805. A great number of famous painters worked for the Big Church in Vršac, whose works are still in it, such as Nikola Nešković with ten icons, Pavel Đurković, who painted the iconostasis (altar screen), Simeon Jakšić and Mihajlo Popović with wall paintings and two large canvases by Paja Jovanović.

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Gerhard It is located on the site of the former church, which had been dedicated to the same saint and stood until 1860. The new church, which today represents one of the most representative buildings in the town, was built between 1860 and 1863, using the projects of a certain architect from Vienna, whose name was not recorded. His project was made in detail, according to the medieval Gothic culture. The building is composed as the basilica with three naves with strongly made transept in the east, witch gives the base a shape of a Latin cross. On the west side is a small porch with two

Theatre life has existed in Vršac for more than two centuries. The first performance was given in1773, on 13 and 14 April. That performance was given by the artists from Timisoara. The towns Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Venice, Trieste, Bratislava and others, had a great influence on the development of theatre life in Vršac. In 1777, Vršac was the most populated town in Banat and had all the conditions to be the host to the theatrical companies, who came from many different centres of the European culture. In 1761, the Great Serbian Magistrate was built and it served as the permanent theatre building more than 100 years.

Days of Grape Picking Every year, during the third weekend of September, the traditional ‘’Grožđebal’’ event takes place, for all the lovers of grapes and good wine. During these days one can visit a great number of cultural, commercial and sporting events, as well as various displays of grapes and wine. You can come with us to the famous ‘’Road of Wine’’. The Wreath of Vršac The essence of this folklore gathering is the intention to demonstrate the most valuable folklore achievements, both to professional critics and the wide audience as well. Festivals of this kind are very convenient manifestations, which make it possible to make friends, exchange experiences and have fun. They carry over the precious messages about the value of every individual, in the racial sense, as well as in the language, ethnical and confession-

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TECHNO TALK

Loewe Connect €2,500 Today’s TV market is flooded with flatscreens, so manufacturers need something special to catch the eye. Behold, the Loewe Connect… Flat or fat, most homes worship the widescreen TV. So it makes sense to make it the focal point for all the media content stored on your PC. The Connect marries the two with its wireless capability and network media player. But is it TV heaven or TV hell? Loewe’s trademark slick, minimalist styling is very much in evidence. As it casually leans back on its (optional) trapeze stand, it looks as if it hasn’t a care in the world. Even the half-aluminium-cased remote has a pleasant click sensation. This is the 37in model, but a 42in version is imminent and we’ve heard rumours of a 32-incher.

Asus Nova P22 €600 You could almost feel sorry for the Mac Mini, once the cute baby of the Mac clan, cruelly neglected since the arrival of the new iMac and MacBook Air. To make matters worse, Asus has come along with this: the Nova P22, a smallform-factor PC with comparable specs for less moolah, and looks that outshine the austerity of the sad silver cuboid. Available in white with orange go-faster stripes or sinister black, the Nova 22 stuffs an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 120GB hard drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 and stereo speakers into its tiny frame. It also has a media remote (like the Mac Mini), four USB ports and audio connections that support surround sound.

4Gamers 2.1 Wii Speakers €90 If you find the anaemic sounds emanating from your Wii about as appealing as a wet weekend listening to Cliff Richard’s back catalogue, we have a solution. The 4Gamers wii Speakers steal their looks straight from the motion-sensitive marvel, with two satellites clad like nunchucks and a sub that looks like a wideboy version of the Wii. They’ll even deliver pseudo-surround thanks to a ‘3D’ feature, but don’t expect true 5.1 audio – the Wii doesn’t support it.

90 CorD / April 2008

Samsung Soul €200 Giving machines souls isn’t a very good idea – just look at all the hoo-ha with replicants in Blade Runner. Nobody wants a toaster with depression or a TV that’s afraid of horror films. Thankfully, Samsung’s latest Ultra Edition handset isn’t capable of self-awareness. The HSDPA-packing, 5MP-camera-toting slider is only 12.9mm thin and keeps its soulfulness confined to its touchsensitive Magic Touch panel, which changes the keyboard icons and functions depending on what you’re up to. It also has Bluetooth 2.0, takes microSD cards and has the usual built-in media player – might we suggest playing some James Brown?

Tokyoflash Tibida €85 www.tokyoflash.com What does Tibida mean? Is it: a) a strange illness which is pretty mild but a great way of getting a day off work; b) one of those names that weird cat women give their moggies; or c) the latest watch from Tokyoflash? Sadly, for slackers and cat-lovers, the answer is ‘c’. The newest model from the wilfully obfuscatory watch maker uses 42 white LEDs to tell the time in three different ways – displaying it in hours or minutes or, for the über-geeky, in binary. It’s a stylish watch, but you might need to take the day off work to get to grips with reading it.

Loc8tor Lite €60 www.loc8tor.com If you’ve just discovered this magazine down the back of the sofa after scouring the house for hours, we feel your pain. If you’d got your hands on the Loc8tor Lite you’d have saved all that hassle. The creditcard homing device comes with two RFID tags that you can stick or attach to objects with a keyring loop. It’ll find tagged items within 122m and the tags beep and flash to make it simple to spot them. We’d buy it now… if only we could find our missing wallets.

NAD Viso Five €1,150 www.nadelectronics.com You’ve got to love engineers. NAD’s must have laboured tirelessly to squeeze 1080i DVD playback, AM/FM radio and five channels of surround amplification into this compact box, then invest more time than strictly advisable into making sure it all performs flawlessly. But it seems that, after congratulating one another on a job well done, they got the surly work experience goth to design it. Still, even with the optional £120 DAB module it costs about a grand less than Arcam’s Solo Movie – its obvious competitor.

Skullcandy Double Agent €75 www.skullcandy.se The Skullcandy name is synonymous with high-quality headphones. Beloved by DJs, Skullcandy’s “cans” have a reputation for comfort and excellent sound reproduction. These new ones could kill off the MP3 player - because you don’t need to plug them into an iPod or your stereo. Instead, simply pop an SD card into the slot and pump up the volume, or upload tunes onto the card directly from your computer via the headphones’ built-in USB port. All of the controls are mounted on the side of the earphones, which use a lithium ion battery and provide five hours of music on just one hour of charge. The Double Agent headphones are compatible with both PCs and Macs, and come with a 512MB SD card, although it’s compatible with all standard SD cards.

Sony DSLR-A350 €640 (body only) www.sony.com Sony’s Alpha series is finally taking shape. After leaving the A100 to fight the good fight alone for over a year, reinforcements arrived in the shape of the semi-pro A700 and entry-level A200. Plugging the gap between them is the A350, which offers Live View on a 2.7in tilting screen, a 14.2megapixel sensor and in-camera image stabilisation. CorD / April 2008 91

TECHNO TALK

Dulux PaintPod €90 www.dulux.co.uk Take a moment to bask in the reflected Baco-Foil glow of the future. We’ve got robots that can mow the lawn and clean the house. We’ve got touch-sensitive controls and virtual worlds. And now we’ve got selfloading, self-cleaning, non-spattering paint rollers. Fill the PaintPod with canisters of specially formulated paint and it pumps it to the roller for perfect, even courage. When you’re done, the dock will clean the roller in ten minutes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to charge my electric car.

Panasonic SDR-SW20EB-R €390 www.panasonic.com Whether it’s a barrage of F-words or a major shoeing, gadgets always feel our fury when they break – even if it is the result of our own pathetic malcoordination. So, it’s good to know that kit exists that can cope with our fumblings. Take this Panasonic camcorder. It’s virtually indestructible: waterproof down to 1.5m, shockproof from heights of 1.2m and dustproof into the bargain. Once you’ve kicked it around a bit, you can record around 13 hours of video onto 16GB SD/SDHC cards via its 10x optical zoom, neatly framed on its 2.7in LCD screen.

Boston Acoustics Solo XT €200 www.bostonacoustics.com You might think Boston Acoustics’ Personal Options Plan sounds like a pension scheme, but it’s actually a way of personalising your kit, such as the Solo XT here, with eight different colour choices. Colour aside, the XT is a tidy-looking DAB/FM radio with a funky rotating control panel that you can change depending on whether it’s standing up or lying down. And the excitement doesn’t stop there: you also get line-in and –out connections, a headphone socket and an LCD screen.

Pioneer CDJ-400 €580 Younger siblings have a habit of showing up their elders. It’s karma for all those years of subservience. All of a sudden, there they are: trendier, better-looking, slimmer, and just more connected to the 21st century than you. Now it’s the turn of Pioneer’s world-conquering CDJ-1000 DJ deck to get its own comeuppance from its own little brother. The CDJ-400 shares all the best bits of the 1000’s DNA, but adds a USB input for playing tracks from memory sticks and iPods, a one-touch loop function with crowd-hyping stutter effects, USB output for control of virtual DJ systems, plus new scratch effects. Samsung i100 €230

The latest in Samsung’s range of camera-and-PMP combos, the rather art deco i100 is a 10.2megapixel snapper with dual image stabilisation, face detection and a 3x zoom. It’s also an MP4/ MP3 player with a 3in screen and a World Tour Guide mode that provides travel info for tourists. 92 CorD / April 2008

DLO iBoom Jukebox €200 www.dlo.com A tear of liquid crystal dripped down young iPod Touch’s screen as he set Grandpa 2G iPod on the iceberg and sent him on his way. He was too old for the igloo and it was time to say goodbye. Little Touch consoled himself that his igloo was kitted out with all mod cons, like stereo speakers and a dock where he and his remaining family could rest and recharge their batteries. Their only concern was the evil giant, whose RF remote control could force them to play music they didn’t even like and show their innermost soul on its colour display.

Exspect Shuffle Speaker €18 Does your iPod Shuffle feel like a social outcast? Does it look on with envy as its band of bigger iPod brothers shack up and get cosy with speaker docks of all shapes and sizes? Well, every Shuffle has its day, and today’s the day your miniature MP3 marvel gets hitched to its own purpose-built dock. The Exspect Shuffle speaker is small, lightweight and ultra-portable. Four AA batteries should be good for around four hours of tunage, or you could always listen ad infinitum via the power of USB.

FPS Gaming Vest €170 www.firebox.com We love the idea of taking part in a special forces operation and wasting terrorists. But we wouldn’t want to do it for real, especially with the possibility of death and all that. We’d rather play a good frist-person shooter. And now, thanks to this gaming vest, you can get even closer to the action. It uses eight different contact points that react when you’re hit; better than a bullet in the cranium, we say. Currently, it’s PC only, but PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are on their way.

Philips 42PFL5603D €1,300 No use getting snipey about it: the problem of global warming can’t be solved overnight. And, while we can’t help feel a pang of guilt about our collection of power-hungry devices, like the 42in plasma TV we bought in 2001, it’d be worse still to ditch them. But if it stops working, high on the upgrade list is the Philips 42in 1080p Eco TV. Clever backlight-dimming technology and an ambient light sensor work to reduce the TV’s power consumption to more acceptable levels. You can, if you’re feeling evil, turn the eco-tech off.

Honda HF 2620 €4,500 www.honda.com Honda says this is the ultimate gardening machine. We think that would be a multi-limbed robot gardener with a humane mole trap. But until science catches up with us, this will have to do. It’s Honda’s most powerful ride-on mower with a 20hp V-twin engine, 48in cut and 350-litre grass bag to get your lawn looking better than the 18th green.

CorD / April 2008 93

HOW TO...

…Visit the Royal residence? Ever wondered how the royals live? Now you can see for yourself. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Aleksander Karadjordjevic and family welcome visitors to Belgrade’s Royal Palace for tours and to view the artistic treasures of the residence. Those wishing to visit need merely contact the Palace Information and Press Department on 011 306 4000. Find out more information at www.royalfamily.org.

CROSSWORD

Solve this crossword puzzle and test your Serbian – the clues may be in English, but the answers should be entered in Serbian

…Get emergency car repairs or roadside assistance?

If your car breaks down while you are driving in the city, or even in the countryside, you are best advised to contact the ‘International Touring and Information Centre of the Automobile Association’. If you happen to be a member of this organization, or similar affiliated foreign organizations, you can receive special terms. All relevant information can be obtained24-hours-a-day by calling 9800 or 24 19 555, or via the website www.amsj.co.yu

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FOREIGNERS ARE OBLIGED TO

- Report their residence address with the local municipal police station within 24 hours of entering the country, - Report any change of address within 24 hours, - Apply for a temporary residence permit within 3 days of entering the country if the reason of their stay is educational, specialised, scientific research, employment or professional work. The authority in charge of issuing residence permits is the Police Department (Secretariat of internal affairs) operating in the municipal district where the foreign resident is declared as residing - Any loss of travel documents must be reported without delay within 24 hours of losing such documents at the very latest

The authority for foreign residents in Belgrade is:

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Belgrade City Police Department for Foreigners 35. Savska Street Information Tel: 3618956

Dialing Code (381) for Serbia, (011) for Belgrade. When dialing from Serbia-dial (00) in front of (381). When dialing from Serbia to a foreign country dial (99) or (+) and then the country code. Belgrade city code is 011, that means that you have to dial 00 381 11 xxxxx from abroad. When you dial to Belgrade from elsewhere in Serbia dial 011 xxxxx. When dialing inside Belgrade just dial the number without any prefix. (But when you dial from mobile phone you have to dial 011 xxxx) There are two mobile providers in Serbia- Telecom and Mobtel. Telecom mobile network has prefix 064 - when you dial from abroad you have to call 00 381 64 xxxxxx. When dialing to Telecom in Serbia just dial 064 xxxxxx.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Police- 92 Fire Department- 93 Ambulance- 94 Exact time- 95 Information of telephone numbers- 988 Various information- 9812 Alert Center-985 Road rescue- 987 Weather Forecast- 9823 Wake up service- 9811 AMSJ road assistance- 987 Medical Center Emergency Room- 3618 444 Central Train Station- 629 400 Belgrade Airport- 601 555 JAT Ticket reservations- 311 2123 Belgrade Bus Station-636 299 98 CorD / April 2008

13 HORIZONTAL: 1 Town in Srem, on the Danube 2. Miroslav Krleža’s drama– Witticisms, 3. Demonstrative pronoun – Long skirt fashion, 4. Domestic cattle – Example (abbr.) – Except, 5. Mark for ampere; measure for paper – Symbol for radium, 6. Mountain in Eastern Serbia, north of Bor – Mark for radius 7. Floral species associated with a Benelux country 8. Sign for Volt – Horse rider 9. Fieldball club (abbr.) – Black sheep – Symbol for oxygen, 10. Part of shipyard – Symbol for calcium – Secondary school (abbr.), 11. Town in France – Interrogative pronoun, 12. Town in Croatia, on the Danube – Nerve, 13. Suburb of Belgrade. VERTICAL: 1. Place in Šumadija, near Lajkovac – Mining area on Fruška gora, 2. Opposite of: right – sea reef – small bear-like Australian animal, 3. Small town in Bačka, on the Tisa River – Name of French actress Emma – cuppa-soup brand, 4. Proposal: above – Various additions to the main dish – Musical style originating from Jamaica, 5. Symbol for potassium – Ants’ nest (plural) - Sign for Bell, 6. Name of singer Lucas – Cover knitted from old rags – National University (abbr.), 7. Name of a Nobel Prize winning German physicist, Borne – Name of actress Šigula – American actress and singer, 8. Iron nail, serves for knocking down – Symbol for nickel – of great inclination, 9. Part of Belgrade – Wind making Belgraders’ lives miserable! SOLUTION (horizontal): Slankamen, Leda, cake, ova, maksi, vo, pr, cem, A, arak, Ra, Crno vrh, r, tulipan, V, konjanik, RK, gara, O, dok, Ca, SŠ, Nanci, šta, Ilok, nerv, Karaburma.

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