CorD Magazine No.50 by CorD Magazine

MENDING THE SEAMS OF CONFLICT Paul-Henri Arni Head of the Regional ICRD

SERBIA NEEDS TO STAND ON BOTH LEGS TO GET INTO THE EU Dr Milan Parivodić Wolf Theiss, Partner

MARKING 50TH ‘BIRTHDAY’ Stephen John Wordsworth HM British Ambassador to Belgrade

interviews opinions news comments events www.cordmagazine.com

June 2008 / Issue No. 50 / Price 170 RSD

Cosmopolitan & Xenophobic

CorD, June 2008

POLITICS & DIPOLOMACY

DAČIĆ THE SAVIOR

Nobody had foreseen this outcome of the parliamentary elections

donations, and there’s not one good concept on how to solve this.” Milan R. Kovacević PhD, Foreign Investment Consultant

CORD’S FIRST 50

SERBIA AND EU

Commentary: Dr Milan Parivodić, Wolf Theiss, Partnerand. Former Minister

LOBBYISTS FOR A KOSOVO UTOPIA

12 18

Interview Verica Barac, chairwoman of the Anti-Corruption Council

COOPERATION WITH THE HAGUE IS UNQUESTIONABLE

The Serbian state withdrew from Kosovo triumphantly in 1999. CorD’s Ljubodrag Stojadinović was there...

UNRELIABLE INSTITUTIONS

Our guest for CorD’s 50th jubilee issue is a legal officer with a brilliant career. In 2005 he was voted Personality of the Year in Serbia: VLADIMIR VUKČEVIĆ, war crimes prosecutor

MENDING THE SEAMS OF CONFLICT

BUSINESS & CURENT AFFAIRS

Paul-Henri Arni, Head of the IC of the Red Cross for Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania

CORD CLUBE & B 2 B

STABILITY AND EFFICIENCY NECESSARY

“We still have large ‘holes’ in many companies that receive

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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sanja Zimonjić, s.zimonjic@cma.co.yu GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novčić, i.novcic@cma.co.yu

4 CorD / June 2008

“The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to invest between 220 and 260 million euros in Serbia this year

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

CULTURE

FUSION

66 “Ibarricades, believe that state borders are not and I see no reason why we shouldn’t cooperate”.Interview: Roman Majetić, Croatian TV series director and producer

STEFAN MILENKOVIĆ IN SAVA CENTER

76 Arenowned concert by Stefan Milenković, the Serbian violin player, will

be held on June 28th in Sava Center. Milenković will appear with his wife, the cellist Ani Aznavoorian and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ervin Gulberg Jensen from Norway.

MUSIC FROM THE PAST

82 The exhibition at Belgrade’s Ethnographic Museum “Sviraj

svirče” (Play, musician!) opened on “Noć muzeja” (Museum Night)

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

THE SECRET RECIPE OF AN AROMATIC DRINK

86 Bermet, an undiscovered wine from Sremski Karlovci’s sunny slopes, is conquering local and foreign restaurants and wine shops.

BOURGOGNE FRENCH BECOME SERBIAN WINEGROWERS

90 Mr. and Mrs. Cyrille Bongiraud have purchased a large vineyard near

Kladovo, and last year produced 50.000 bottles of their “Esprit du Danube” wine.

SERBIA’S INDIANA JONES

92Dušan Borić (35), doctor of archaeology, from Europe to North and South America, and always back to Serbia, more particularly to Lepenski Vir

BANDS SCATTERED ACROSS THE GLOBE

106Musicians – Successful Serbian Cultural Ambassadors

COMMENT

Stephen John Wordsworth HM British Ambassador to Belgrade

Marking 50th ‘Birthday’ As a regular reader of CorD, I was delighted to be asked to contribute a short piece to mark its 50th ‘birthday’. I encountered my first copy of CorD shortly after my arrival eighteen months ago. I soon found that its combination of topical interviews, articles of local and general interest, and social calendar makes it required reading for Serbia’s community of resident foreigners.

s a regular reader of myself, as I am sure many of you CorD, I was delightreading this have also done, making ed to be asked to conto them the case for supporting their tribute a short piece to own country. mark its 50th ‘birthTo their credit, when the moment day’. I encountered my first copy of comes, they do turn out – indeed, reCorD shortly after my arrival eightcent voting turn-out figures in Serbia een months ago. I soon found that are more than respectable. And while its combination of topical interviews, some days such negative comments articles of local and general interest, can leave me depressed, when I step and social calendar makes it required back a bit I am also, perhaps perreading for Serbia’s community of versely, encouraged. The flip side of resident foreigners. this attitude, I suspect, is that if and We all need to understand better when people see real leadership, and what is happening in this fascinating, get the sense that a clear course is at but often frustrating, country. We allast being set, they will respond rapso need to know what other people idly and whole-heartedly. And then – not just other diplomats, but busiSerbia could surprise us all, in a very ness people too – are doing to support positive way. Serbia’s progress towards its declared Of course, this would not mean that goal of European integration. all the region’s problems were imAs I write this, we are all waiting mediately solved. The twenty years to see how the various political parties since Milosevic came to power have will produce a government from the left deep scars. The ‘golden years’ of results of the 11 May election. As had seemed likely from the being able to travel freely, with high international respect, have beginning, a deeply divided electorate produced a finely bal- gone. And the future of Kosovo lies between Serbia and many anced result, with the final outcome still able to go either way. of its friends. Putting these things right, or at least finding soWill Serbia’s next Government quicklutions that most people here can live Will Serbia’s next Government ly resolve the remaining issues which with, will take time. But it’s do-able. have held Serbia back for so long, and quickly resolve the remaining issues I am convinced that Serbia can find its make rapid progress towards integraway again, and even become a leadwhich have held Serbia back for tion? Or will it start to un-do even the ing player in this region and in Europe so long, and make rapid progress limited progress the last Government more widely. If I didn’t, I would never made, demand impossible concessions towards integration? Or will it start have chosen to come here. as the price of its future ‘cooperation’, Whether Serbia will achieve this in to un-do even the limited progress and so condemn Serbia to the European the last Government made, demand time for CorD’s 100th ‘birthday’, or ‘slow lane’? At the moment either whether it will take a little longer, is beimpossible concessions as the price yond the range of my crystal ball. But seems equally possible. of its future ‘cooperation’, and so Which is of course deeply frustratwhat I do know is that correctly intering for those of us trying to do busipreting all this as it unfolds, and helpcondemn Serbia to the European ness here, who can see the country’s ‘slow lane’? At the moment either ing to support any positive developgreat potential. But as we know from ments we see, is going to be a team efseems equally possible. our contacts with Serbian friends, they fort – and that CorD’s readers make up feel all this even more keenly. I have a large part of that team. So as we wish lost track of the number of times I have been told by Serbs that CorD many happy returns, let’s commit ourselves to doing all we it doesn’t matter who wins the election, nothing will get any can to make sure that by the time of the next party, there’s really better and so they are not going to bother to vote. I have found something to celebrate!

6 CorD / June 2008

POLITICS

Serbian Political Scene

Dačić the Savior It is a historical cynicism that the Socialists could take Serbia into the future, while Koštunica– the man who defeated Milosevic – could set it back years..

BY DRAGAN BUJOSEVIĆ PHOTO: FONET

vica Dačić, the leader of the Socialists, has never felt better. The threats he is receiving, the alleged photographs that his wife wouldn’t like to see, ‘suitcases’… and a lot more, all mean next to nothing compared to the power he feels at this moment. And power is the chief reason why people get involved in politics. The general good comes third. Dačić’s power lies in the fact that there can be no new having talks with the Radicals, DSS, and DS One Socialist (Branislav Ivković, Dmitar government in Serbia without him. at the same time. Segrt, Milorad Vucelić, Zoran Andjelković, Nobody had foreseen this outcome. Compared to the other two parties, the Mihajlo Marković, Bogoljub Bjelica…) and Vojislav Koštunica and Tomislav Nikolić were Radicals had the worst things to say about furthermore managed to survive even though convinced that they would form a govern- the Socialists, both during the presiden- Slobodan Milošević didn’t support Dačić’s ment on their own. Boris Tadić had apparent- tial campaign Tadić -Nikolić and during the candidacy for the president of Serbia and asked ly hoped, after all, to continue the cooperation campaign for the government. One of the ac- for an alliance with the Radicals, and Mirjana with Koštunica and to expand that coalition by cusations was that the campaign of Milutin Marković too was openly against him. He told taking in the Socialists as well. The president Mrkonjić was being financed by Tadić’s Milošević that the party was run by the Main of Serbia and DS was quickly convinced that democrats. Dačić repelled those attacks in Board, of which he was president, and what he the departing Prime Minister has no intention the simplest way by saying that Vojislav said to Mira Marković is known only by the of even speaking to him. Not even the interme- Šešelj had called him during the presiden- two of them and Milutin Mrkonjić who had diaries from his own taken him to Moscow. Dačić demonstrated two qualities – skill and DSS could persuade Dačić demonstrated two qualities – skill him to at least speak patience – on the night the votes were counted. He and patience – on the night the votes were with Tadić. The poscounted. He said that he would first speak with said that he would first speak with Koštunica. sible combination Koštunica. No one can hold this against him. with the Liberal Democratic Party has fallen tial elections and offered him a coalition af- Koštunica brought the Socialists back from through as well. It received a small number of ter the parliamentary elections, in which – the dead, first when he turned his back on votes because, among other things, Tadić took would you believe it – there was no room for Zoran Djindjić and DOS and accepted a part Čanak, who definitely hurt him a lot, into his DSS. The head of the Socialists didn’t deny of their rhetoric by opposing the extradition coalition, just so Čedomir Jovanović wouldn’t getting money from the Democrats; instead of Milošević to Hague, and then after that by get past 10 percent of votes in a coalition with he only raised his own price by announcing forming the government in 2004 which would LSV. That rivalry, Tadić-Jovanović, prevent- that the Radicals wanted him as well, show- not have happened without the support from ed them from being on the same list, and had ing the ability to use the strength of his oppo- Ivica Dačić . This is why it was quite logical they been on the same list, they would have nents for his won interests. for Dačić to speak with Koštunica first, even won 120 seats with the votes they received and Another proof of Dačić’s skill is the fact if he had decided to enter a coalition with DS would have needed just six votes to form the that he defeated all the contenders for Number before the elections were called. His oppogovernment. Since Tadić won’t go with Jovanović, and TADIĆ MARKOVIĆ RADICALS Koštunica won’t go with him, Dačić became The president of Dragan Marković Palma The Radicals are the necessary ingredient of the future Serbian also very successful Serbia and DS, Boris has become famous for Government. During the election campaign he ‘thieves’ of Socialists’ Tadić was quickly saying that patriotism was announcing a coalition with DSS and the voters and that is convinced that the can’t be poured into the Radicals, but that was interpreted as a message precisely why Dačić departing Prime gas tank of a tractor. He for the majority of the Socialists’ voters, who didn’t obey Milošević Minister has no is constantly insisting on and made a ‘patriotic are more in favor of Koštunica and Šešelj than intention of even the European road for coalition’ with them. they are of Tadić. Everyone knew that he was speaking to him. Serbia. 8 CorD / June 2008

nents as well will say that it’s a gentlemanly move, returning the favor to Koštunica, even if they only see in it a way for him to raise his value in subsequent negotiations with Tadić. Going to Koštunica is praised by most of the SPS voters, which is why Dačić must speak with him first, so that if there is no agreement he could go before his voters with his hands clean. Dačić knows very well that he can get anything he wants from Koštunica and Šešelj – seats in the government, money, jobs for his people. But the two Vojislavs cannot offer him the historic role that it was precisely him, Ivica Dačić, thanks to whom Serbia irrevocably turned towards Europe and that it was precisely he who managed to lead the SPS into the Socialist International, which is already being offered to him by Papandreou and others. A rational politician knows that the majority of the people in Serbia want to enter the European Union, even a quarter of the voters of the Serbian Radical Party want it, and without any conditions. Europe is the future of Serbia and Vojislav Koštunica, Tomislav Nikolić and Ivica Dačić all know it. But at this moment, both Koštunica and Nikolić want to go to court against Europe, they want to stop Serbia on that road, and Dačić sees that, so the only question is whether he wants to take part in that pointless business because Serbia will enter the EU sooner or later. If you’re suing someone, you can’t expect money from him. It seems logical. Illogical is what DSS wants – to cease political cooperation with the EU, but to keep getting favorable loans from it. In such a situation, Dačić cannot hope to realize the social program that the Socialists insisted upon the most during the election campaign and which is what sets them apart from the other parties. Although Dačić can clearly see what he can get from Tadic but can’t get from Koštunica and Šešelj, he cannot know the future reaction

SPS Leaders after a meeting with President Tadić

RADICALS VS SOCIALIST Compared to the other two parties, the Radicals had the worst things to say about the Socialists, both during the presidential campaign Tadić -Nikolić and during the campaign for the government. One of the accusations was that the campaign of Milutin Mrkonjić was being financed by Tadić’s democrats.

voters are there solely because of their loyalty to Milošević. They would see it as betraying Milošević if they voted for any other party. Once SPS enters an open coalition with DSS no Socialist will consider himself a traitor anymore if he voted for Koštunica in an election. The Radicals are also very successful ‘thieves’ of Socialists’ voters and that is precisely why Dačić didn’t obey Milošević and made a ‘patriotic coalition’ with them. Either way, the coalition with DSS and SRS threatens to take from Dačić his voters. Of course, that danger also exists if he enters a coalition with DS. He will make some voters seriously angry and they will not vote for SPS in elections anymore. But, that coalition enables him to gain some other voters. A part of the Socialists’ A rational politician knows that the majority of the voters obvipeople in Serbia want to enter the European Union, ously went into abstinence even a quarter of the voters of the Serbian Radical after October Party want it, and without any conditions. Europe is 5th and they the future of Serbia and Vojislav Koštunica,Tomislav could return Nikolić and Ivica Dačić all know it. precisely if the Socialists of his voters. And for most of them, DS killed manage to realize their social program in the Milošević by sending him to the Hague, while government with DS. That way they would atKoštunica was against it. tract not only the part of their voters not votAt this moment, the Socialists’ voters, and ing at the moment, but also a part of the losers there are definitely not enough of them to get of transition. Taking part in such a government over the election threshold on their own, are would definitely rejuvenate the Socialists’ conthe key problem for Dačić. Whoever he turns stituency, the oldest at the moment, which the to, he will have a problem retaining even that cooperation with DSS and SRS could never small number of voters. Koštunica tried to take bring them. In order for the Socialists to keep a part of the Socialists’ voters even back in the their voters and gain new ones, the governtime of Milošević. He succeeded in doing that ment they would form with DS would have to in the 2000 elections when an eighteen-mem- last its full term; they need time for the angry ber coalition stood behind him and especially to let go of their grudge and for the new peoin the 2003 elections. Many of the Socialists’ ple to become attached to them.

Besides skill and patience Dačić also showed toughness. He didn’t want to vote for Vuk Drašković to become the Foreign Affairs Minister even at the cost of bringing down the government. So Vojislav Koštunica’s first government from July 2006 was unconstitutional and illegal because it wasn’t voted for in the parliament. This detail must be kept in mind by everyone who wants to have talks with Dačić about the new government. It is a historical cynicism that the Socialists could take Serbia into the future, while Koštunica – the man who defeated Milošević – could set it years back. It all depends on Dačić, i.e. the leadership of SPS, which would mean Dačić again because he is without a doubt the boss of the Socialists at this moment. After him, Milutin Mrkonjić has the biggest influence that he draws from his closeness with Milošević and Mira Marković. Mrkonjić is an adaptable man, and it seems that he is, in the end, leaning towards the European road for Serbia. This is why it seems that Dačić can confirm with the party leadership any decision he makes. However, he can have much bigger problems with his coalition partners. At least one of them, Dragan Marković Palma, has become famous for saying that patriotism can’t be poured into the gas tank of a tractor. He is constantly insisting on the European road for Serbia. Without the three seats belonging to Marković’s United Serbia, Dačić’s 12 seats (and another five belonging to PUPS (Party of United Pensioners of Serbia) won’t bring anyone the needed majority to form the government. The desires of his coalition partners could prove a bigger obstacle to Dačić’s intentions than SPS leadership. CorD / June 2008 9

COMMENTARY

Dr Milan Parivodić Wolf Theiss, Partner

Serbia Needs to Stand on Both Legs to Get into the EU Seven years after the unfinished revolution of the 5th of October 2000, the former members of the DOS coalition, then led by the Democratic Party (DS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), have won a cumulative total of 154 MPs at this May’s national elections.This could make for a rock-solid government, as 126 MPs is the number needed for a plain majority in the National Parliament. On the other hand, the Socialists and the Radicals, after loosing sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohija, after the bombings of all of Serbia by NATO, after the total economic devastation and thorough criminalization of Serbia, were written-off by most Serbs in 2000.

Milan Parivodić ex Minister of International Economic Relations of Serbia 10 CorD / June 2008

wo high-profile intellectuals emerged from the 5th of October, as the undisputed political leaders of Serbia: Dr. Djindjic (as Prime Minister and leader of DS) and Dr. Kostunica (as President of Yugoslavia and leader of DSS) - with 75% of popular support at that time. Then, they started fighting each other instead of building a new modern Serbia together. In 2003, Prime Minister Djindjic was shot dead by a police colonel in the backyard of the Government Palace. Dr. Kostunica has finished his second Prime Ministerial term, but support for his DSS is at 11.4% in this May’s national elections. Both the DS (now led by President Tadic, who won nearly 40% of the MPs at May’s elections) and the DSS (now as junior partner to the Radicals, who won 30%), are today courting Milosevic’s Socialists, who have won 8%, to form the new Serbian government! Why? It seems to me, that back in 2000, as they formed Government for the first time, these former leaders of the opposition underestimated the evil nature of the old regime, a descendent of Tito’s communist dictatorship; and were more or less manipulated by the old power centers. They trusted the old boys’ network more than they trusted each other. They started attacking each other savagely and openly, which has weakened their popularity before the electorate. Before proving themselves successful in reforming the country, and without serious prosecution of the old regime abusers of power and their protégées, they beat up one another through the media, using (or being used by) the police, army and secret police insiders. This lack of understanding and vision, which obvious already then, let alone now, led to political instability, resulted in the dulling of the political energy for change, which the society so desperately needed in all spheres of life. On the other hand, the Serbian people unrealistically expected swift improvement of their

living standards, the support for which had been promised from Western democracies. The Western democracies, led by the US, were not as helpful and giving to Serbia as they were to countries of Central Europe at the beginning of nineties, since they had already consolidated their position towards Russia and had won over the entire European continent. Another drawback came as a result of the September 11th attacks, which introduced insecurity worldwide. Also, the West’s insistence on full cooperation with the Hague tribunal created a roadblock to European integration and served better those who were against a European Serbia than the 70% or more Serbs who are yearning to become part of the EU. Serbia’s membership in the Partnership for Peace was also conditioned by Hague obligations, which postponed the reform of the Army. To this day, the strict (and humiliating) visa regime reinforces the trauma of a bombed nation and the notion that the West hates us. Croatia was apparently favored over Serbia, at least in respect to the visa regime. Finally, the US has decided to close the Kosovo issue by recognizing its full independence from Serbia, thereby clearly and openly violating international law, in the belief that Russia will bargain over Kosovo for something more important to it. This was a miscalculation, as Russia decided to use the Kosovo crisis as a showcase for other unresolved situations that are more important to it and, furthermore, to challenge the US image, already seriously damaged by the adventure in Iraq. By recognizing the independence of Kosovo (in inertia and as a final consequence of the anti-Serbian/anti-communist policies of the US in the nineties), and by not applying the same approach to Bosnia and Herzegovina, under similar circumstances, the US is perceived as taking up power politics over being a principled broker in the Balkans. This undermines US authority with the Serbs at least – but the US can live with that. On the other hand, the Balkans has a problem: The recognition of Kosovo has surely reinforced the ambitions of Albanians in other countries like Macedonia and Montenegro, and has strengthened the centrifugal forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, Kosovo sets a precedent for secessionist movements worldwide. Therefore, the new US president should break the policies of inertia and reinitiate talks on Kosovo towards a negotiated solution. Only the US, with Russian assistance, can close this

NO VISION This lack of understanding and vision, which obvious already then, let alone now, led to political instability, resulted in the dulling of the political energy for change.

MANIPULATION It seems to me, that back in 2000, as they formed Government for the first time, these former leaders of the opposition underestimated the evil nature of the old regime, a descendent of Tito’s communist dictatorship; and were more or less manipulated by the old power centers.

crisis. Without that, the EU member states are stretched by Kosovo on issues of international law. Kosovo is a serious distracting factor in Serbian politics both internally and externally. Russia shall always emphasize Kosovo as a precedent which shall strain its relations with the West. European Union should take on the Kosovo issue seriously and do nothing to obstruct Serbian integration into EU. A true reformist vision into a Western civic democracy is not common ground in the Serbian political elite, or at least was not demonstrated through concrete policies to date. Policies were often not efficiently aimed at strengthening individual rights, the state and improving international image of Serbia. A clear example for this ambivalence is the consistent neglect of private property by failure to enact the Restitution law, thereby enabling various machinations with state or social property to the detriment of the state and the orig-

state as an oppressor or patron. The citizen was taught to be an obedient protégée of the omnipotent state and party. Serbia had a number of elections in the last years (national, presidential, local, provincial), and every time market reforms were stalled for a period of 6 months before and 6 months after the elections. Looking at the time spent on campaigning and warming up of newly elected governments, and comparing this with the time spent on introducing and implementing market reforms (and strengthening state administration and courts, i.e. introducing prosperity), it is obvious that at least four out of seven years were spent on political infighting. A huge amount of political energy and the public’s enthusiasm for change have been wasted. When introducing reforms, the politicians were working sometimes in the interest of the people, sometimes in the interest of the tycoons, and sometimes in their own interest. Contributions varied By recognizing the independence of Kosovo, and from period to peby not applying the same approach to Bosnia and riod, however one thing is clear: The Herzegovina, under similar circumstances, the political parties, typiUS is perceived as taking up power politics over cally led by a few individuals (not demobeing a principled broker in the Balkans. cratically and withinal owners. Another example is the lack of out internal debates), did not demonstrate to understanding that the state may not coerce the people that they are dedicated to the generor swindle its citizens. Or that the state must al good. The people believe that politicians are serve the citizens, not the opposite. Or that the corrupt and egotistic. Parties are paid by very state should facilitate national economy, rath- rich individuals in a non-transparent way. And er than control it by state monopolies or inter- when one analyzes the behavior of various ventionism. Or that the state should protect the Serbian governments, populism is the most process of competition rather than one or two appropriate single expression to describe the competitors. Most politicians, from all par- policies undertaken by each of them. ties in Serbia, selectively approach these basic Therefore, the Radicals got 30% instead of principles. Although Serbs are not unique in 10%, i.e. people en masse voted against the weak this approach, it does obstruct our progress se- reformist leadership of DS, DSS, and G17. verely. Only those having a strong civic famiDue to the weakness of its political class, ly background or international experience un- the only way to transform Serbia quickly into derstand that basic civic principles may not be a prosperous society is to engage its full politicompromised. The Titoist educational system, cal potential in the European integration agenin which most politicians were brought up, de- da, which leaves no space for foot-dragging, veloped an old fashioned understanding of the improvisation and populism. The DSS must reform into a modern, HAGUE CORRUPTIONS moderate right European peoples’ party, with a clear pro-business and institution-buildSerbia’s membership The people believe ing agenda, focusing on the prosperity of the that politicians are in the Partnership Serbian citizen in the modern world. Serbia corrupt and egotistic. for Peace was also needs two healthy legs to stand on. DSS must Parties are paid by conditioned by Hague be its right leg. If this is not done in the comvery rich individuals in obligations, which a non-transparent way. ing months, then a new rightist party of this Therefore, the Radicals postponed the reform profile will likely appear on Serbia’s political got 30% instead of 10% landscape. of the Army. CorD / June 2008 11

POLITICS

Strutters for a Kosovo Utopia Milosević is dead and he lies in a backyard in Pozarevac. He was symbolically buried after sunset in March 2006 under a light rain, in a ritual entirely original for Serbia. Perhaps he knew more but understood less about Kosovo than his historical successors? In any case, it is unclear which one of them bears that legacy today, because there are more candidates than one might think. BY LJUBODRAG STOJADINOVIC PHOTO: FONET

ilosević was in every way a metaphor for the modern Serbian policy on Kosovo, which is so disastrous that it cannot be assessed without putting oneself a fairly serious historical distance. The unfortunate overlord is still adored by some and cursed by others, without knowing who was in fact worse off: he with the Serbs or the Serbs with him, and how we profited from our continuous historical drama. On June 10, 1999 in a French tent at Zebrnjak, Serbia signed its capitulation. That hill (Zebrnjak) near Kumanovo is of major importance for Serbs. It was the location where the final battle against the Turks took place in 1912, and after that vicious confrontation, returned maimed to Asia Minor where they stopped engaging in imperial conquests and turned to tourism. But those were the times of a strong Serbia’s miltary glory. The Serbian state withdrew from Kosovo triumphantly in 1999. Soldiers celebrated their victorious retreat, which was many times more costly than Pyrrhus’s. Milosević promoted his generals just as though they had turned half the world into a Serbian empire. Ojdanić got his fourth star, and his only heroic act in the war was opening the pontoon bridge over the Velika Morava near Mijatovac. Right after the ribbon was cut, the bridge was swept away 12 CorD / June 2008

by the surging river together with the senior citizens who were jubuliantly taking part in the ceremony. They were barely saved, to the joy of their grateful relatives and empty retirement funds. For their part, the generals wrote praises to Milosević and proposed him as a national hero, as a ‘military leader the likes of which the modern world hasn’t seen!’ Indeed it hadn’t! But the Big Boss had a little more face than his servile henchmen. He refused that decoration, because he was a military leader just as much as Benny Hill was. He had never gone to inspect the front, nor was he able to distinguish a soldier from a forester. The people who in spite of Milosević and his Napoleons knew how to think also knew this: Kosovo could be preserved only through reason and intellect and lost only through war. Is it strange then that the political elite of that time chose the worse possibility? Just before the night of June 9th 1999, there was a lot of shooting all over Serbia. But not at NATO airplanes, which, with rare exceptions, were beyond the reach of Serbian antiaircraft forces. These brave men were ready to fight as honorable Serbian soldiers. They knew they didn’t have good launch pads or reliable missiles. They fired, but their shots fell short, because they could only reach so far. And this is why there was so much shooting and partying after the capitulatory truce – it was a catharsis, a feeling of victory over doom and death. The Serbian state was no longer in Kosovo; neither the army, nor the police, nor the courts were there. Serbia no longer knew where its borders were, or how to behave towards its own territory. Resolution 1244 was the magic code for all dilemmas. That number preserved the illusion about something that was beyond national control and provided a remote hope that perhaps not all was lost. Few realized that Kosovo was an imperial protectorate evolving to move away from its parent state, and that the process could not be stopped by any state power or skillfulness. This is why the reaction in Serbia after the actual loss of Kosovo (June ’99) was an eruption of joy. In April 2008, the formal declaration of independence was followed by a nationwide teary trauma. That was the emotional contradiction formed in a desperate combination of a captivating mythical illusion with bad national policy. On February 17th of this year at least three equally poor defense platforms for Kosovo

KOSOVO The Serbian state was no longer in Kosovo; neither the army, nor the police, nor the courts were there. Serbia no longer knew where its borders were, or how to behave towards its own territory.

Boris Tadic: Politicians in Serbia are no longer afraid of “a military reaction”

TADIĆ’S “PERPETUUM MOBILE” The second option (promoted by presedent Tadić) is the most sensible, but very contradictory. It lies in a political version of ‘perpetuum mobile,’ a device which, unlike the original idea, produces energy only when immobile.

were out there. Their capital flaw lay in the irrevocable fact that that defense was ‘post festum.’ In football, such a situation is known as the ‘alibi save’ when the goalkeeper makes a pathetic leap and belated effort when the ball is already in the net. Supposedly, the first concept of the relationship towards Kosovo is under the control of the collective mind, but that doesn’t discourage its protagonists. It’s the war option, the idea of war, now or at any time, with these forces or with any other. If Serbia doesn’t

understood spiritual leaders, insane interpreters of ‘conspiracy theories,’ violent priests who have subjected their spiritual frame of work to worldly temptations, archived political leaders who appear only when no one needs them –but no one ever has. The second option is the most sensible, but very contradictory. It lies in a political version of ‘perpetuum mobile,’ a device which, unlike the original idea, produces energy only when immobile. This standpoint, in politics, known as the skill of the plausible, is defined by the political group surOn June 10, 1999 in a French tent at Zebrnjak, rounding Boris Tadić. Serbia signed its capitulation.That hill (Zebrnjak) Its goal – Serbia in near Kumanovo is of major importance for Serbs. the integration process no matter what hapIt was the location where the final battle against pens, moving towards the Turks took place in 1912, and after that vicious its final form, which confrontation, returned maimed to Asia Minor. is ‘European Serbia,’ but with the standpoint have them now, it will surely have them at one concerning Kosovo remaining resolute, meanpoint in the future. The ideologists of this mili- ing, ‘We’re not handing it over!’ taristic perception are ‘quack warriors,’ both in Only at first glance does the stated percepthe real or virtual sphere, theorists of victories tion seem like a chariot with two black horses with magic weapons, demobilized bad sol- harnessed on opposite sides, each pair trying diers or feebleminded people who are ready to with all their might to go their own way. But, throw the lives of others into a pointless con- this dynamic horse-drawn vehicle which is not frontation. going anywhere is probably the only logical Here we have unkempt intellectuals, mis- way out of the crisis. So this is how it goes: our political reality does not allow us to quickly REALLITY REVOLT change circumstances we don’t like. We might never be able to do this. But we cannot admit Koštunica thinks that Setting the border that to anyone, because what may be a hopecontrol points on fire it is the only way to less fear today could become a political stereocould have been seen as defend Kosovo is by type tomorrow, a habit therefore, a gradual leta ‘spontaneous revolt’ if not admitting that ting go of the dead phase of lazy resignation. only Minister Samardzić what happened really hadn’t explained it: ‘We An irrationally inflexible attitude can lead happened, convinced that haven’t organized it, us to the absolute loss of both Kosovo and the the things will change but it is the our policy!’ European vision. The mentioned standpoint is under the pressure. CorD / June 2008 13

POLITICS

Rare shared moments: small Albanians, Serbs, Romas,Turks enjoying a joint excursion in Brezovica not a dilemma between two (irreconcilable) possibilities, but to take from both as much as possible. Where we can, we should take everything; where we can’t touch anything, it is important to know that we’ve tried everything. An aphorism of this philosophy might go something like this: We want to join Europe, which you won’t let us do (yet); we won’t give you Kosovo, which you have taken (already). On the opposite side of this is the autistic-folk-mythical formula of the ‘defense’ of Kosovo. It consists of completely ignoring reality and all of its reflections. It is an immeasurable stack of totalitarian misconceptions masqueraded in false national dress and with constant efforts to place the mythology of the epic poems about Kosovo above any reality, even to make it replace entirely the miserable life of the frustrated Serbian patriot. The aforementioned school of political opinion is completely sterile in its speculations and extremely dangerous, because it doesn’t

VOJISLAV KOŠTUNICA The main lobbyist for this process of ‘preserving’ the southern Serbian province is Vojislav Koštunica, the man who gave his word on October 5th 2000 that power would not change him. ‘He was elected to be elected,’ Zoran Djindjić said. ‘We woke him up and voted him president of the FR Yugoslavia.’

not change him. ‘He was elected to be elected,’ Zoran Djindjić said. ‘We woke him up and voted him president of the FR Yugoslavia.’ Almost eight years later, with acerbic joy Koštunica has joined those whom he had overthrown on October 5th 2000. His boss, Vojislav Šešelj, is in The Hague right now directing the gloomy Serbian political theater from up there. Koštunica is now defending Kosovo along with those who had a monopoly on its defense and lost it in ’99. He thinks that it is the only way to defend Kosovo is by not admitting that what happened really happened, convinced that the things will change under the pressure An aphorism of this philosophy might go of such a refusal of recogsomething like this: We want to join Europe, nition, stubbornly headwhich you won’t let us do (yet); we won’t give ing towards self-isolation and trying to rule Serbia you Kosovo, which you have taken (already). with 11 percent of support from the voters (tooffer, since it doesn’t have it, something which gether with Velimir Ilić). Without Velimir Ilić, might be called an ‘exit strategy.’ In fact, there Koštunica would probably not exist the way is no strategy here, unless we count the hack- he is. The Belanovica-Čačak coalition is a perneyed populist rhetoric which is still being re- fect metaphor for an urban-rural critical mass lentlessly dragged about and which still pierc- that is destroying the very thing it is supposedes the eardrums of nostalgic patriots. ly trying to defend. The main lobbyist for this process of ‘preKoštunica provided support for Velimir serving’ the southern Serbian province is Ilić even when he made preposterous excessVojislav Koštunica, the man who gave his es and scandals. He pardoned him for every word on October 5th 2000 that power would mistake with approving silence, and maybe 14 CorD / June 2008

he even supported him. Ilić relentlessly used Koštunica’s reputation while he still had one, thinking that without this advantage he could never go further than the suburbs of Čačak. Ilić brought an unbecoming robustness to Koštunica, even a change in lexical culture. From a polite intellectual, relatively tolerant, who was cautious in every opportunity, Koštunica became verbally exclusive in an aggressive way, unwilling to hear a different opinion. Everything that didn’t fit into his perception, he considered heresy. From a cautious and inexperienced ‘executor of authority according to the will of the people,’ he transformed into a false messiah, ready to fight for power until the last breath, regardless of the will of the voters. His key argument in his efforts to impose himself as ‘the only solution,’ despite the failure of that solution, is the conviction that only he knows how to fight for Kosovo. That delusion has also been induced by the nature of the team he’s formed to that purpose, group of self-satisfied people whose ambitions far exceed their ability to understand what this is actually about. Only their servility towards Koštunica is maintaining their monopoly over the ‘defense of Kosovo.’ Besides convincing himself in his messianic mission, he (Koštunica) also easily convinced this group of unbelievably hard

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / June 2008 15

POLITICS

workers of that same ridiculous thing, and they made a whole heap of stupid moves convinced that they’re protecting Kosovo. First they ‘stimulated’ the violent groups of ‘our wonderful youth’ to burn and create havoc all over Belgrade. That they weren’t football fans or youths who revolted spontaneously was obvious from the reaction of Velimir Ilić. He said that arson was democracy as well, and so the same picture happened again in the Serbian metropolis, along with the looting of Belgrade’s most expensive shops. But that wasn’t all. Setting the border control points on fire could have been seen as a ‘spontaneous revolt’ if only Minister Slobodan Samardzić hadn’t explained it like this: ‘We haven’t organized it, but it is the policy of our Government!’ It wasn’t the policy of the Government, but of a party group which invoked without authorization the cabinet of its disoriented Big Boss. But the most hilarious, ingenious moves were yet to come. To prove that Kosovo is Serbia, Ilić and railway director Sarančić sent a special train down south. Three months after this flawless idea, the train is still standing at its first station, not going anywhere, and it never will. In some places they call this reality ‘Cassandra’s train,’ a sort of symbolism for the slow ‘fast tracks of Serbia.’ Some time before the attempt at a railway invasion, Koštunica’s strike group tried reforming the judicial system in Kosovska Mitrovica. And they did it by organizing a sudden raid on the court building to keep the system within the parent country. Judges are not used to the guerilla fighting necessary to take over buildings, so they were kicked out. But that wasn’t all either, because how could it possibly be with so many fantastic ideas? A job boycott was organized amidst the general unemployment in Kosovo.

KOŠTUNICA’S MISSION Technically, the Serbian Prime Minister didn’t have an answer to any of the key questions. There is no hope that he will have any. He turned his mission into a mysterious mystical flight above any reality, so much so that by degrees it became frightening.

tire Serbian nation is inside the sphere of the Prime Minister’s political autism. Technically, the Serbian Prime Minister didn’t have an answer to any of the key questions. There is no hope that he will have any. He turned his mission into a mysterious mystical flight above any reality, so much so that by degrees it became frightening. There was a danger that the entire prospect that Serbia had could be reduced to a self-imposed sanitary cordon because of one big defeat and national depression. In the shadow of the great power struggle and of the That was the negotiations that are being conducted by day, but especially by terrifying road night, the lobbyists for a Kosovo utopia continue to strut by past. that the defeated Prime Minister Samardžić declared it a triumph Minister would have chosen for us all, conof national cunning. And yet, only twen- vinced that he is doing the only right thing that ty days later, the Serbs somehow started could be done. going back to their jobs. The promise that When all the possibilities had been exhaustthe hyperactive ministers had given on the ed and the emissaries to Kosovo became tired Government’s behalf– that Serbia would pay of their futile jobs, only the motto remained. It salaries to those who boycotted their jobs – cries, ‘Kosovo is Serbia!’ could not be fulfilled. There wasn’t enough At first glance it can only seem that no fault money in the budget. can be found in that short sentence. However, Koštunica and his party group were ready it could be ‘Kosovo is part of Serbia,’ making to admit political defeat. They conducted ne- one part equal with the whole means reducgotiations concerning Kosovo and failed. They ing a country to one of its parts, which perhaps tried to turn this national trauma into a victory, isn’t even that anymore. If ‘Kosovo is Serbia,’ just like Milosević had in 1999. It was indeed then it means that everything that’s not Kosovo an injustice, and such a breach of principles in Serbia isn’t Serbia at all. will bring much more drama, but Koštunica The motto can be analyzed indefinitely, but refused to acknowledge reality and to avoid a its basic sense is to establish a monopoly over dangerous and unproductive life in a fictitious patriotism, with only those who know nothworld. Since February 21st of this year, the en- ing about protecting a territory having the right 16 CorD / June 2008

to that type of work. In like fashion, the same group of people monitored Montenegro during its referendum to leave the union. Koštunica and his party, as well as the political group of Velimir Ilić, were defeated in the May elections. The Radicals received hot democratic slaps on the face from Boris Tadić for the second time in two months; he has beaten them in every election. Still, the stand-in Prime Minister of Serbia would try to be Prime Minister for the third time in spite of this huge defeat. The only job that he can still do is that of the Prime Minister, and Koštunica will settle for nothing less in his old age. Once, a long time ago, when he had been elected president of the last Yugoslavia, he promised that power would not influence him! But those were promises made in vain; power is a passion stronger than any other. You can’t recognize the man anymore. This is why Koštunica entered through the back entrance of the Radicals’ shop and agreed that his namesake Šešelj in Seveningen be made his boss. In the shadow of the great power struggle and of the negotiations that are being conducted by day, but especially by night, the lobbyists for a Kosovo utopia continue to strut by past. They offer nothing but a motto saying what Serbia is and is not. But it seems that territory concerns them less than the possibility of losing power. They agreed to the loss of Kosovo much more easily than to the possibility of Koštunica being left without his cabinet and his servile sluggards.

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / June 2008 17

POLITICS

Interview Verica Barac, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Council

Unreliable Institutions

The chairman of the AntiCorruption Council,Verica Barac, after five years of working in that independent government body, doesn’t hide the fact that the authorities remained unresponsive to the efforts of the Council to help fight the most dangerous and the most widespread form of crime.

BY DEJAN ST. JEREMIC

t’s obvious that corruption isn’t passing us by in any segment. Is there any in the election campaign? There is corruption in every campaign, of course. The Law on Political Party Financing was enacted as a scam, a joint scam of the government and the Opposition. Nobody can see that laws are a costly and dangerous thing and that it’s very dangerous to play with that. They’re making bad laws on purpose, spending the budget money and impoverishing the population while proclaiming the laws as wondrous tools, regardless of how they’re enacted. The Law on Political Party Financing is one of the fundamental anti-corruption laws and its goal was indeed to bring order and make party financing transparent. That was forgotten in the course of making this law. Parties were enabled to take lots of money from the budget, and the control remained outside the reach of the law. The law entrusted that control with the Parliamentary Board for Finance and the members of the Board are party representatives, so the parties are controlling themselves. It’s not possible, and to this day they have not formed a Review Commission which would control it all. This law shows a serious defect of our political system. It shows that all our political parties are in fact the same and that they’re being financed in the same manner. Campaigns are excellent for political parties. One can lose an election here without losing power and the citizens fear elections. By passing the National Investment Plan, our budget system was completely drilled with holes; it was passed according to a decision by the government and not according to law. That should be the first question from the Opposition: how will the government spend money? The government declared a surplus in the budget, while in fact there was a deficit. The surplus was declared because the budget expenses hadn’t been paid, so the municipalities that Mladjan Dinkic didn’t like took loans to survive because they weren’t getting money from the budget, to which they were legally entitled. The Opposition and the government come to an agreement easily when it’s about money; a good example is also the Board of Inquiry on Electricity Everything was 18 CorD / June 2008

covered up, and the Radical Party participated in it as well. We actually only needed the Prosecutor’s Office for this. Two very important laws are in a series of laws that don’t function – Public Procurement Law and Anti-monopoly Law. They were all enacted with serious flaws. It’s built in within the law itself that monopoly cannot be fought. Such a law is powerless against monopoly. There is a powerful organization here, people with huge cash who became scared of the regime in which they acquired their great capital. They saw that Slobodan Milosevic, who enabled them to get loads of money, was becoming dangerous, both for that money and for them. When the political

assassinations of party and State officials started, they realized this and began financing the so called democratic options and found themselves in all the institutions they needed. Their people, their university professors were making draft laws. They make draft laws for the government, and for the tycoons, they write projects which explain the loopholes in those same laws. You say that the judiciary is dependent on the executive power. It was like that in the previous periods as well. Dependence of the judicial power on the executive power still continues. Everything depends on the government for them: career advancement, working conditions, money,

apartments, as well as safety. The judiciary is even more confused by various laws and it is a part of system-wide corruption. All kinds of combinations are there. Everybody is doing some kind of a strategy; we’re not at all squeamish about various projects – there’s European law, Anglo-Saxon law, and it’s no secret that an American did the strategy for Serbian judiciary. The people in the judicial branch are growing powerless and they’re not reacting to what is happening in the judiciary itself. If the Minister of Finance is announcing the arresting of judges, it’s not a fight against corruption – it’s settling the score with the judicial system. If the chairman of the Trade Court is being arrested as a serial killer, then that’s also settling the score with the judicial system. There is no need to arrest them with handcuffs on and in front of the cameras. You’re doing away with a whole branch of government that way. The Minister of Finance has no place talking about the judiciary. He can talk in the government about whether there’s enough money. Even the republic prosecutor says of himself that he’s Acting Prosecutor, and when he says that, he is saying that he is not the State Prosecutor and he is not sure that he will be one. If you bring a man from any small prosecutor’s office to be the head of all Belgrade prosecutors and if you don’t have a suitable person for a republic prosecutor in the Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, then you simply don’t have such personnel. A chief like that is chief to no one, and he is closely attached to the government. He is a clerk of the government and it’s been that way for years. As we were able to see, when someone moves forward in the profession, forms good connections with the colleagues in the region and achieves good results, like Miroljub Vitorovic, that person loses his job. You bring people from small environments, give them benefits, and they’re obedient. I have the feeling that the prosecutors don’t open any subject unless they get an approval to do so. If it is so, how can someone with ownership rights protect his capital? Any kind of privatization is meaningless under these conditions of private property safety. Any private owner is completely unprotected unless he is under the protection of a powerful political party; anyone can scam him however they like, and he will not be able to achieve his rights before any institution.

JUDICIAL SYSTEM The people in the judicial branch are growing powerless and they’re not reacting to what is happening in the judiciary itself. If the Minister of Finance is announcing the arresting of judges, it’s not a fight against corruption – it’s settling the score with the judicial system. If the chairman of the Trade Court is being arrested as a serial killer, then that’s also settling the score with the judicial system. There is no need to arrest them with handcuffs on and in front of the cameras.

What does the fight against corruption look like then? There is no serious fight against corruption here. We would need to have a judicial system which is sufficiently competent and equipped to face this phenomenon. If it is true, and it is, the Prosecutor’s Office consists mostly of government clerks who obviously can’t raise charges dictated by the seriousness of the crime, but are instead dictated from elsewhere. In the case of the Bankruptcy Mafia, there has been no indictment for the memorandum, and it is a cartel agreement which is banned in every country. A particular danger is the fact that the government participated in it. Every prosecutor should deal with it, because it again violates the rights of small shareholders. The buyers are so called shell corporations. In both cases, the buyers ‘Luka’ and Bankruptcy Mafia are companies without a report on their financial operations and without audit reports.

affairs public works are conducted for party reasons. One cannot be differentiated from the other anymore. Corridor 10 was being mentioned eight years ago; it was a government priority back then and one of the reasons for the overthrow of the previous one. It was significant so that an important road wouldn’t pass us by and so we wouldn’t become a blind alley – so we could connect Central and Eastern Europe. It should have been done ages ago, and it should have been the basis for all other routes. But now we have a situation where we don’t know what our priorities are, we don’t have a development strategy, and that’s why we don’t know what is happening where and how it’s being financed. It was all rolled into one with the party coalition agreement. The road goes to Pozega because Velimir Ilic is there; if he were from Negotin, the road would go to Negotin. This is how the country’s priorities are set. Party interests come before those of the State.

And all this time, like some medieval chant, there’s mention of losing 15 percent of our territory, i.e. Kosovo, but no one is saying that we’re losing 23 percent of the population. We’ve lost the possibility to be a large multiethnic society, to not be victims of our nationalists, and for them to not be victims of theirs. They are companies with no owners, no traces of the origins of the money, or who that money belongs to. The case of the concession for the motorway Horgos-Pozega wasn’t transparent either considering that the contract was kept secret for a long time. Who has the interest to decide on important public works in such a way? The Council did a report on that as well. It is precisely an example of how important state

NIP

OPPOSITION

CORRUPTION

The government made a National Investment Plan with a budget of €1.4 billion.Instead,the National Plan has painting, pool covering,plumbing for local communities, everything that doesn’t constitute budget spending.

The Opposition could easily prove how the government operates. There are many examples; the one about the Concession is one of them. The whole procedure was conducted illegally,without an opinion fromVojvodina.

There is corruption in every campaign.The Law on Political Party Financing is one of the fundamental anticorruption laws and its goal was indeed to bring order and make party financing transparent.

What is the role of the Opposition in this? The Opposition could easily prove how the government operates. There are many examples; the one about the Concession is one of them. The whole procedure was conducted illegally, without an opinion from Vojvodina, and that is mandatory by law. That part which the concession refers to is already built and toll is already being charged. How is it possible then that the government could make a decision on the concession without a design project being done for that part of the route? How is the price set? How is the length of the concession set if it’s unknown how much things cost? These are complete unknowns, and the government should be forced to come out with a clear calculation so that the citizens could see the economic reason that made the country, that is, the government, choose such a thing. We don’t know how big the debts to road builders are – the ones that Velimir Ilic has incurred in all these years. The government made a National Investment Plan with a budget of €1.4 billion, and €130 million in concession investments CorD / June 2008 19

POLITICS

don’t go into that plan. Instead, the National Plan has painting, pool covering, plumbing for local communities, everything that doesn’t constitute budget spending.

Europe too quickly. Since 1945 we’ve never had a citizen country based on private property, human rights, rule of law, independent judiciary, basically everything on which a democratic government could be built. The citizens aren’t even asked what kind of country they want. We were also cheated by that preamble in the Constitution; violence was committed by that Constitution. We got a referendum that lasted two days and a night and everything was being done so it would succeed, and yet it failed because there were so many irregularities. It was decidedly said then: We didn’t expect the Referendum Committees to refill the ballot boxes. And all this time, like some medieval chant, there’s mention of losing 15 percent of our territory, i.e. Kosovo, but no one is saying that we’re losing 23 percent of the population. We’ve lost the possibility to be a large multiethnic society, to not be victims of our nationalists, and for them to not be victims of theirs. Both we and they have fallen into that trap and now the nationalists are again telling us how democracy is developed. We haven’t faced any of the important questions, so who could have expected a solution for Kosovo?

Shouldn’t that be financed by the local government? Of course it should – by the local government with the money from their income. It is seen here that the government broke the law entirely, that the concession contract was kept secret. Some annexes of the contract are unknown. This is not attacked in a serious way either by the Opposition or by the opposing parties. There is a threshold that they don’t cross, and it is obvious that that threshold is protecting their mutual interests. So why then isn’t the Opposition posing any serious questions to the government? Why isn’t the final budget outcome getting delivered to the parliament? Those are questions to which the opposition can react. We and the Vatican are the only countries in Europe that don’t have a revision of the budget report. What can we expect from the privatization of the six large public companies? I’m afraid nothing, just like from privatization in general. The Law on Privatization was created as a place for corruption; it was designed that way. The difference between the government and social property is mixed up; confusion was created in that segment. Government property has its titleholder and owner just like any other private property – it’s the government. If the government isn’t interested in the price of its shares, then you can always suspect corruption there. There is no owner who doesn’t care at what price he sells something. The solution to stop corruption is not to sell everything. The State has to behave like an owner here. The State didn’t collect profit from Mobtel for years because corrupt people delegated by the government sat on its Management Board. Private property is efficient when there are provisions for its protection. Private property is not godgiven in itself, but the regulations that come with it enable it to be efficient. All this that you’ve talked about should be controlled by the media as well, among others. They are, however, most of the time a space for projecting and realizing others’ interests? It is unknown who owns our media. They entered privatization at the same time. It is a very important sphere, because the media are sprouting up like mushrooms in a country where nothing works. A new newspaper shows up every day and they’re being handed out for free. There are fewer and fewer people who read, and there are more and more newspapers. Everyone likes to write, but nobody likes to read. It obviously has nothing to do with profit. How can you do investigative journalism when you’re bound to make someone angry, and 20 CorD / June 2008

Shutting down the Anti-Corruption Council and forming an Agency has been announced for a while now. There’s a consensus of all the parties on this as well, to shut down the Council. We’re not dangerous. We’re just a government body and we can’t decide on anything, but they’re thinking more about how to shut down the Council than about how to replace Campaigns are excellent for political parties. the State Prosecutor. The One can lose an election here without losing Council is indeed a transitional institution, and power and the citizens fear elections. yet they’ve been talking How do you view now, eight years after about closing it for three years now. If the Antithe democratic forces came into power, the Corruption Agency is formed, they’ll bring in governments led by Zoran Djindjic and people who like those sorts of projects. They’ll Vojislav Kostunica? bring some young Dinkic lawmakers, people I joined the Council after the assassination without experience. of Prime Minister Djindjic. I think he had an And what will we get? idea of what should be done. He had clear inWe’ll get nothing. We have the Council tentions on what to do. His sentence that every country has a mafia, but only here does a mafia where some honest people at least tried to do a have a country was also taken as an aggravat- proper job, but the Party State here has no uning circumstance when deciding on him. We derstanding for that. It doesn’t want independdidn’t even treat his assassination as a politi- ent institutions like that, and it doesn’t want cal one, but as a gangland murder. A complete critical opinion. Had the government been continuity with the Milosevic regime was es- more prepared to solve problems, it would tablished after him. We treated criminals like have considered every report by the Council. patriots, gave them cars, and now there really That way it would have presented itself as is no difference between the political parties. A more democratic. The government will shut consensus was achieved to defend the national down the Council and it will do so in the same interests, and yet those who took large sums way it solves problems otherwise – it will pass of money out of the country are considered as a law which will be an utter failure, and in groundbreakers. And they insist on some kind three years’ time, all those supposed experts of ‘our way.’ Those European standards don’t will admit that it was a failure. They’ll form an hold for us; instead let’s change them a bit. This institution whose director will be named by the is where the interests of the parties and the peo- government and they will be controlling him, ple with money overlap. Isolation doesn’t suit and they’ll shut down everything that bothers either of them, but neither does getting close to them along the way. that someone’s got money? And you’ll always make someone angry, just like in sports, just like in everything else. There is a certain secrecy, and still the media are increasing in number. How come then that there’s more and more information, and you know less and less? There’s something wrong there.

CorD / June 2008 21

OPINION

Milan R. Kovacević PhD, Foreign Investment Consultant

Stability and Efficiency Necessary

‘If we get a stable government, one that is less turned towards satisfying the interests of represented parties and that will turn towards the fundamental problems of our society and economy, then we can be a very successful country, because we have great potential for it.’ BY TATJANA OSTOJIĆ PHOTO: STANISLAV MILOJKOVIĆ

few days after the Serbian parliamentary elections held on May 11 of this year, we talked with Milan R. Kovacević PhD, Foreign Investment Expert, about what kind of government we could expect after the elections and, depending on the mandatary and the new government, what awaits Serbia in the coming period as far as foreign investments are concerned. In your opinion, what is most important for foreign investors? It is of extreme importance that the parliament be formed as soon as possible, and that the government be constituted as soon as possible in order to create an impression that it will last and be efficient. In addition, exactly who that government consists of is of utmost importance, because that will immediately show which direction domestic economy will take. When speaking of domestic economy, two completely different directions are possible. One leads to growing nearer to Europe, which in turn means moving closer to the world. At the same time, this implies better utilization of global economy for the development of domestic economy. We could take the other direction and turn our backs, or at the very least indefinitely delay drawing closer to that same Europe and to the entire world, which would send the message to foreign investors that they should exercise caution, and that in itself would increase the risk of investing in Serbia. As a conse22 CorD / June 2008

quence, it would be more difficult for us to attract foreign capital, which would slow down investments, and that would have a negative effect on overall standard of living in Serbia. Which direction are we closer to at this moment? We should be closer to the pro-European direction. In other countries when an election shows some shifts, then the parties try to acknowledge voter opinion as well, and subsequently they do some thinking about changing their program in that direction. So it can also be expected here that the parties which were inclined to being against drawing closer to Europe would change their attitude and join some kind of a central group in favor of Europe. However, Serbia’s political system is still undeveloped, because we’re not only late with economic transition, but with overall social transition as well. For that reason, I’m not entirely sure that what is logical will happen here. Still, I think that at this moment the pro-European forces are stronger. Why is political instability often cited as one of the causes for the reduced number of foreign investments in Serbia? Two reasons are definitely important. One is its unsatisfactory investment climate, and the other is its insufficient inflow of foreign capital. But when we talk about foreign capital, the accent should be on foreign investments, not debts. The first problem should be solved parallel to the second one, because it’s not true that we’ll solve everything with foreign capital. It is not only necessary that we make estimates and receive the sum that we estimated, but we must also constantly improve the investment climate to be a more attractive country for investments. There are multiple tools for that purpose. Making procedures easier to start a business, conducting transactions, and reducing the cost of these transactions are in first place. This must be done in general and all around in both the smallest and largest companies to make conducting business as attractive as possible. A great impediment to this is that the State takes away too much, and it uses those resources irrationally. Namely, we still have large ‘holes’ in many companies that receive donations, and there’s not one good

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC COMPANIES Foreigners are very interested in many public companies. However, the privatization of public companies depends a great deal on how the government is going to be formed. The Democratic Party of Serbia has said that some public companies shouldn’t even be privatized, such as the ones that were already listed to be privatized under the Law on Free Share Distribution It’s going to be very important whether something that has already been decided will be changed or if they will start over. In any case, it would be extremely important not just to work out public company privatization– those which it is sensible to privatize – but to reorganize those companies as well. The way business is being handled at the moment cannot give results. Political people from certain parties who don’t have the professional capabilities to be successful managers are placed at the heads of those companies according to their credit. It is extremely important to free those companies of the need to be supported by taxpayers and to stop them from operating poorly at their own expense.

concept on how to solve this. Second, when it comes in the form of a loan, capital is very expensive in Serbia. High risks are included even with direct investments, so a local businessman going in with foreign capital fares worse than others. Third, we still have too much interference from the State and its agencies in economic life. For example, there’s still a lot which hasn’t been privatized. Public companies haven’t been privatized. Then, almost half the prices are regulated by the government. This leads to the conclusion that it’s neces-

we’ll have stable conditions. As for what is going to happen to us if we should choose the other direction and what our risks would be, I’d like to mention several major ones. First, we’ll be heading towards very high inflation because it will become increasingly difficult to import, and right now we are maintaining a comparatively low inflation rate through import and an inflated dinar value. On one hand, we will have difficulties importing, and on the other, the offer at home will not be successful, nor will the home economy, so we’ll have strong pressure on inflation.

No matter how the government is formed, it would really be necessary to first create mechanisms – and this should be put before the citizens and the media – for changing the political system with the aim of turning the parties’ ‘partyocracy’ rule into a more direct link between the citizens and the authorities. sary to speed up transition so that we could reorganize our inefficient overall economic and social system according to the way it is in the European Union in order for it to yield better results.

IMPORTANCE

PROCEDURES

CORRUPTION

Second, our balance of payments to foreign countries could end up being at huge risk. At the moment, Serbia’s total foreign debt is $25 billion, and foreign currency reserves are at just $15 billion. Apart from that, our deficit in world business activities continues to rise sharply this year. So far we’ve covered that deficit in two ways: one was to incur more debt, and the other was in foreign investments. However, foreign investments here were over €5 billion in 2006, and it’s questionable whether they’ll be more than €3 billion this year. This practically means that we will have to compensate for that deficit this year by new foreign debts or by spending from foreign currency reserves. Both options mean heading in a risky direction.

It is of extreme importance that the parliament be formed as soon as possible, and that the government be constituted as soon as possible in order to create an impression that it will last and be efficient.

Making procedures easier to start a business, conducting transactions, and reducing the cost of these transactions are in first place.This must be done in general and all around in both the smallest and largest companies

During pre-election activities we again saw that practically none of the parties has any concept of how to overcome big-time corruption, or perhaps has no interest in doing so

Compared to the region, what are Serbia’s advantages for potential investors? We have huge potential. We have a lot of advantages over the others and we’re surrounded by EU countries. Besides that, our knowledge and experience are good, especially compared to our salary level. We shouldn’t boast that we’re in some kind of peak condition; we have

In the event a government that is not pro-European is formed, what can we expect then? Of course outsiders in countries that have an established system whose success depends on individual effort and who have no frustrations like ours, can’t understand the kind of situation we’re in. Of course, most of them wish that we too would reach the point where

CorD / June 2008 23

OPINION

foundered considerably throughout this period, but we still have a big advantage in this respect. We have a considerable part of our economy that hasn’t been privatized; we have a lot of institutions that haven’t been put to use. Basically we’re incurring foreign debt exclusively through loans and leasing. We have very weakly developed methods that could attract capital in other ways. If we get a stable government, one that is less turned towards satisfying the interests of represented parties and will turn towards the fundamental problems of our society

and economy, then we can be a very successful country, because we have great potential for it. What government would that be? No matter how the government is formed, it would really be necessary to first create mechanisms – and this should be put before the citizens and the media – for changing the political system with the aim of turning the parties’ ‘partyocracy’ rule into a more direct link between the citizens and the authorities. Second, our government is anything but

BANKING SECTOR There’s not much left to be privatized when it comes to banking, but a certain lack of transparency is a problem in this sector at the moment. Some governors have said occasionally that there could be no new banks, and one could only purchase the banks that remain to be capitalized. However, the Bank of Moscow was granted an operating license. Such things are not allowed. Otherwise, the law allows for new banks to be opened. Buying capital is another thing. If one of the banks can’t survive, you can’t forcibly ban the opening of new banks, nor can you make someone buy it. It’s simply not a market principle. As for the banking sector in general, it’s in a better position than the real sector because there are a lot of regulations missing, which would make the relationship between the banking and the real sector more equal. For example, we don’t have a law on interest rates, much needed because rates are very often determined unilaterally. Second, not all banks are transparent and need to define their commissions a bit more clearly. At the same time, I am of the opinion that the foreign currency market between banks should be reformed. It should be abolished and the foreign currency trade put on the stock exchange. Of course, that concept has its weaknesses as well, because we are at a sensitive point in our relations with foreign countries, but the current condition is also illogical. The rigid foreign currency system that grants no rights to exporters and has restrictions which are too broad is not beneficial for efficient functioning of Serbian market economy. 24 CorD / June 2008

transparent. Third, our government is wasting money on economic projects without a sensible, professional approach. If you take a look at the last three great projects: the motorway concession, the sale of Bor, and the gas agreement, all three were carried out extremely unprofessionally. Apart from that, these big projects are said to be beneficial for Serbia politically, but not economically. Corruption is another thing. During preelection activities we again saw that practically none of the parties has any concept of how to overcome big-time corruption, or perhaps has no interest in doing so. It all came down to one party pointing out corruption in another and vice-versa. None of the parties presented precisely which laws should be changed, which new ones should be enacted, how corruption should be fought, which institutions should be strengthened and how to do so. Corruption will always be there. Pre-election corruption occurs all over the world, but it is important to reduce the overall quantity of corruption to an acceptable level, which so far isn’t even in prospect. This is important to foreigners as well, because they don’t like to work in a country where there’s a lot of corruption. Consider, for example, the privatization of Bor and the way the tender procedure was carried out twice. All of that left the impression that there’s no order here and that privatization doesn’t adhere to strict rules. On the other hand, it sends out a signal that corruption in Serbia is even bigger than believed. In this way, foreigners get an even worse perception of corruption in Serbia than what it really is.

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / June 2008 25

SOCIETY

Our First 50

“Here in Serbia the word “Europe”generally serves as a marker to identify two social groups that are mutuallly and perhaps irreconcilably opposed.The first group comprises those who believe that achieving the standards of and accession to the EU will cure all that ails Serbia.The second group is determined to prove to the nation that the EU nurtures double standards and a twotier union and that Serbia as a nation should fight to preserve national identity and dignity by refusing to bow to the blackmailing tactics of the ‘West’.These two contrasting groups are fighting to dominate Serbia’s current political scene and future orientation.The eventual winner will shape the new Serbia.” (Cord 10, November 2004) Gordana Suša

onfrontations between parties in the democratic bloc is what Serbia needs least at the moment, because it is very important that we elect a democratic president”. “Otherwise, the country could fall into isolation again. I am disappointed that we failed to reach an agreement with the presidential elections. My open-door policy failed to gain significant support, but I still believe there is a chance to organize a good campaign that could help a democratic candidate win these elections”. (Cord 5, May 2004.)

of European cultural heritage, were destroyed for political reasons.” (Cord 5, May 2004.)

Mr. Miroljub Labus, Serbian ex-Deputy Prime Minister

he government has faced scepticism from the day it came into office, which is understandable to some extent, since it is a minority government. Everything should fall into place however, because Serbia has a great opportunity. The most important achievement is that by forging a deal with the IMF we have salvaged $ 600 million of debt to be written off by the Paris Club in

t is absolutely unacceptable that cultural and religious sites, which have been in Kosovo for centuries and which, I repeat, are a part 26 CorD / June 2008

Walter Schwimmer, ex-Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CE)

f the Radical candidate wins the elections, I think that the political struggle will move to the streets, as it did in 1999 and 2000.” (Cord 6, June 2004)

Vuk Draskovic, ex-Foreign Minister of Serbia and Montenegro

May 2005. Serbia is not among the highly indebted countries, with its €12.5 billion of public debt. The share of our debt in the GDP was 150% in 2000 and at present it is 73%. In a year’s time, after successful negotiations with the London Club, it will fall below 60%, which is at the level of Hungary, wich has recently joined the EU.” (Cord 6, June 2004)

Mladjan Dinkic, ex-Serbian Minister of Finance

emocratic politicians will always act in the interests of their country and be ready to make compromises that will even go against the narrowminded interests of their own party.” (Cord 6, June 2004)

Peter Schieder, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

am aware that there exists in the West a pillar of opinion that Serbia has bad politicians and bad people, and that the West has given support to everybody who opposes Serbia’s national interests. Apparently the West knows what I will do so accordingly they support somebody else. I wrote a clear letter to the EU’s ministers of foreign affairs explaining what I want to do in Serbia and what kind of Serbia I want to create. “ Kostunica should explain why he doesn’t respect the law that he wrote about extraditing Serbs. He works like Milosevic making promises to the West, then whispering to us “well we won’t really do that”. (Cord 7, July 2004)

Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian Radical Party Vice-president of

ompanies face many challenges during the initial stage of foreign investment, which is why such an enterprise should be encouraged by the government of the recipient country. “(Cord 7, July 2004)

H.E Ryuichi Tanabe, Ambassador of Japan to SCG

n view of the political offerings currently on offer in Serbia, DSS is still potentially the most acceptable partner for DS, especially since the pro-reform oriented G17 Plus - the other logical choice - has lost a great deal of support and is likely to face disaster at the upcoming local elections” (Cord 8, September 2004)

Dragan Janjić

ales cannot be cancelled just because someone does not like the buyer. There are other organs to deal with the origins of the money and its legitimacy. Decisions reached during transition are painful, as is the process itself. The battle to overcome reforms

and transition is won in the minds of people. That is not easy.” (Cord 8, September 2004)

Predrag Bubalo, Serbian Minister for International Economic Affairs

am absolutely convinced that the possibility and the potential exist for excellent relations between SCG and the United States. The basis is there. The reasons why we should be closely aligned and working together on issues of mutual importance to us are clearly given. Was it a broad scale military action that caused a great deal of innocent lives to be lost? No, it was not. Was there some collateral damage, and were some innocent people harmed? Yes, there were. And that is very highly regrettable and that certainly wasn’t the intent of NATO’s action.” (Cord 8, September 2004)

H.E. Michael Polt, American Ambassador to SCG

hen I first met late Prime Minister Djindjic I wanted to express my sympathy for Serbia, which has often been victimized throughout history in the struggles of the great powers. However, he stated that many of Serbia’s problems had been caused by inadequate self-assessment concerning the security situation, as well as its own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing the history of a country is important. But even more important is to learn from history, to be able to shape a country’s future in the best possible way. (Cord 8, September 2004)

H.E. Kurt Leonberger, German Ambassador to SCG

he Hague is top priority at the moment and it is very important that we reach a consensus. I believe that the dominant opinion is that

without co-operation with The Hague, Serbia & Montenegro could lose a lot of ground in the international political arena. If we do not intensify co-operation with the Tribunal, the state union could come into jeopardy, since there is growing sentiment among Montenegrin citizens that they are hostages of Serbia. In turn, this would make solving the issue of Kosovo harder as well, since without co-operation, Serbia will lose its international reputation and political credibility. There are no deadlines or a particular Dday. Every day is D-day for us.” (Cord 9, October 2004)

Rasim Ljajic, SCG Minister for Human and Minority Rights

have never lost interest in the current affairs of our country. I was more politically active before October 5th 2000 because my objective was to help bring democracy, human rights and a better future for all our citizens. After October 5th, I decided that the route should be to establish a meeting point and center of unity. My view about the long-term solution for stability, unity, and continuity for our country still stands in that the best solution is a Constitutional Monarchy like Spain, Norway, Denmark, etc.” (Cord 9, October 2004)

Crown-Prince Aleksander Karadjordjevic II

n the long term, our economy needs to be relieved of pressure coming from unfair competition and dumping prices. Serbian companies justly claim that they cannot enter the foreign market with a solid position if they don’t have one at home.” (Cord 9, October 2004)

Radovan Jelasic, Serbian National Bank Governor CorD / June 2008 27

SOCIETY

here is no need for pessimism. The European Union has confirmed repeatedly that its doors remain open to Southeastern European countries, including Serbia & Montenegro. Of course, acceding to the EU requires longterm political commitment, stamina, and a consensus throughout society. But I know that the vast majority of the citizens of your country are committed to European integration. Therefore, I am confident that Serbia & Montenegro’s leaders will tackle the remaining key issues, continue structural reforms and hence make rapid progress. Together, we will make this European perspective a reality.” (Cord 10, November 2004)

Romano Prodi, ex-President of the European Commission

he full truth about this case is of utmost importance and we are determined to follow through until the very end. The significance of this case is such that we will investigate every secret, hidden or underground chamber, every road, document or individual until we uncover the whole truth. No one shall be exempted from responsibility, even if that is the Chief of General Staff of the Ministry of Defense.” (Cord 10, November 2004)

Svetozar Marovic, SCG President

he lack of a final goal in the status talks made it very difficult for my predecessors to manage this operation because it was a holding operation. I am absolutely convinced that it is not only in the interests of Kosovo, but of Serbia, Montenegro, and the region, to move towards certainty. I think that certainty on status will allow Kosovo, and not only Kosovo, to move out of this very difficult economic and social situation. But I think it would also allow Belgrade to focus on its own economic and social priorities.” (Cord 11, December 2004)

Soren Jessen Peterson, Head of UNMIK

t is critical that Serbia & Montenegro forge a strong and stable pro-European consensus among all democratic forces. This seems to me an essential 28 CorD / June 2008

condition to move forward. Our experience with the recent EU enlargement tells us that one thing is to adopt laws and another more difficult thing is to correctly and fully implement them. The latter requires strong institutions functioning in a proper manner. I cannot give you a global assessment of where you stand on this. Achievements to date vary across sectors, but much remains to be done. Again, the FS will provide detailed answers to this question. I am, however, convinced that SCG has the required human resources to move fast, provided there is political will to remove the stumbling blocks and to push forward in a decisive manner.” (Cord 11, December 2004)

H.E. Josep M. Lloveras, EU Ambassador to SCG

raza Mihailovic is a war criminal and this is supported by facts from World War II. Whatever the perception of Draza Mihailovic is on this side of the border, we must know that in Croatia he is perceived quite differently.” (Cord 11, December 2004)

H.E.Tonci Stanicic, Croatian Ambassador to SCG

he European Union reacted very late to the events in the former Yugoslavia - when the fire had already started burning. What we did was recognize Slovenia and Croatia, but in that conflict even that was done too late. The estimation of the state heads was very wrong. When the breakdown of Yugoslavia could not be prevented, many thought that Yugoslavia should have been preserved as a union and a united state. The delay had already gone on too long. It was necessary to react much earlier, not when the scope of solutions was drastically decreased. Already at that time, I had visited the former Yugoslavia as a minister with then European Union President Jacques Delor. There we realized we could no longer save the former Yugoslavia as a united country. Then it happened, sadly, that horrible clashes forced, and I repeat forced, the European Union to recognize Slovenia and Croatia. That later created great problems with Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania, but we could not foretell what was to happen later. Therefore we should leave history and what happened to the historians.” (Cord 11, December 2004)

Jacques Santer, former European Commission president

’m very disappointed that the authorities in the Serbian Orthodox Church will not allow us to repair their churches in Kosovo. We have the money. We have the will. But they refuse to let us help them. I think you’ll have to ask them the reasons why they pulled out, but when I talked with Bishop Artemije, I asked him why he had withdrawn his signature because he’d agreed in June, then cancelled his agreement in September, and I must tell you that all conditions applied before he signed the agreement in June. Frankly, it’s very difficult to understand how he can justify cancelling an agreement which he had previously made. But the result of that cancellation is, very unfortunately and tragically for the heritage of the Serbian people, that repair work cannot be undertaken. The position of the Council of Europe is that we do not encourage any separatist movements in any of our member states. That applies to Cyprus, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. The same principle must apply to Serbia & Montenegro.” (Cord 12, January 2005)

Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe

t is an illusion that we have too many experts and young business people. We are lacking them if we want our companies to successfully compete with foreign firms. In order to keep this young positive energy here, we have to create conditions for their employment and satisfactory existence.” (Cord 12, January 2005)

Miodrag Babic President of Vrsac-based Hemofarm Concern

f course, the metro has been one of the central issues of our discussions. I think that technically, everything is clear in Belgrade. Nowadays there is new technology available and we will build a metro that will be partly surface rail and partly underground. Building of the first metro line is scheduled to commence two years from now, but this is dependent on many factors, such as money and types of projects. I am hoping Belgrade will have its first metro line by 2010, while other lines are to be built over the course of the next 20 to 25 years.” (Cord 12, January 2005)

Nenad Bogdanovic, ex-Mayor of Belgrade

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / June 2008 29

SOCIETY

ithin the Serbian political scene there are elements, not least the Radicals, that are opposed to the standards of the EU - and that will probably be opposed to membership. But I think the Government is working hard to make sure that there is wide understanding of the real nature of membership, what this implies, and what the benefits and the obligations will be.” (CorD 21 November 2005)

H.E. David Gowan, British Ambassador in Belgrade

ould Serbia share Belgrade? The point is that Jerusalem was never, in 3,000 years, a capital city of anything but the Jewish State. Therefore, it cannot be anything but the capital of the Jewish people. It’s definitely part and parcel of accepting the fact that Israel has, and will always have, the right to be an independent political entity. By insisting on acceptance of the reality that this is our homeland and the birthplace of our nationality and our identity, we are not negating the wish for an identity of another nation, but nor should they. Negating Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is negating the very fabric of our nationality. Jerusalem has been a city synonymous with Israel for our people in the Diaspora for 2,000 years; every day we prayed for Jerusalem. You cannot take away from us the old city of Jerusalem, which is the birthplace of our nation. (CorD April 2005)

H.E.Yaffa Ben-Ari, Ambassador of Israel to SCG

o you know where the former PTT directors are now? Former PTT director Srđan Blagojević is the current PR manager of [Karić’s] Force of Serbia(PSS) Movement, while the other former PTT director, Milorad Jakšić, is also a PSS member. And do not think that they will be granted amnesty for their responsibility. (CorD February 2006)

Predrag Bubalo, Serbian Economy Minister

very politician understands in Serbia that there are independent media, critical media or free media –whatever you want to call it. None

30 CorD / June 2008

of them can say that they will only give statements for certain newspapers. They are aware that the media is extremely important in Serbia, so we rarely come across the kind of closed doors we confronted before. Of course, we sometimes don’t get as much information as we would like to, but no more phones are slamming down on us. And that’s good because we can see that there is a democratic public in Serbia. (CorD july 2007)

“Danas” chief editor, Mihal Ramač.

t so happens that I was the last ambassador of Yugoslavia and the first ambassador of Serbia & Montenegro, which I suppose is some kind of a claim to fame… On the whole it was a great experience and, though there were difficult times, I enjoyed every minute of it. Politically, I think we achieved a lot in the sense of repairing bilateral relations, which had been literally non-existent: diplomatic relations had been broken and were only re-established when I took over. Apart from that, one had to do whatever one could to rebuild the disastrous image of Serbia as much as possible. (CorD septembre 2006)

Professor Vladeta Janković

rom the side of the Italian Government, the priority is to bring to a happy conclusion the two contentious issues we have had in past years: Fiat & Zastava, which we hope will be done very soon, and financial affairs regarding Sartid [steel works]. The Italian Government and the Serbian Government have found a mechanism and found a way to get out of this mess, but some steps have yet to be taken. That is a priority for us. We want to clear the ground from any and every remaining problem. That’s really very important. Apart from that, having Italian banks here that are able to assist investors and businessmen as much as possible in any area is also important. (CorD octobre 2005)

H.E. Antonio Zanardi Landi, Italian Ambassador to SCG

think that the formula is what I said earlier: that it is much better to be united than to be separated or fight against each other. But you can never take a formula of one country and try to put it in another one.

In Spain we had centuries of living together and that gives a kind of a understanding that if you give a part of your right to a superior body by the same time you get other rights that you might never have if you were alone. Since we had such a bad experience between ourselves, I think that the collective memory of the Spanish people has written a constitution that is not too centralistic or independent, so that it reflects a constant effort to try to find and maintain that equilibrium. (CorD march 2007)

H.E. José Riera Siquier, Ambassador of Spain in Belgrade

s it a fact that Arnold Shwartzenegger’s father was a gendarme in World War II? I don’t know. But this is what newspapers in the U.S. write about. We just asked whether Ivana Dulić-Marković’s mother was arrested for taking part in MASPOK and ejected from the only legal party organisation at the time, the Communist Party. It is true that we have no direct evidence. You can only get that from the secret police. (CorD july 2006)

Aleksandar Vučić, General Secretary of the SRP

would prefer not to be a ‘big brother’ partner, but rather an example of how to do better. The fact that we offer the knowledge of our experience means that we think that that is what needs to happen. We went through tough experiences in the transition period. We have shown that it can be done; if the people are shown that there are prospects even hard steps can be taken… (CorD october 2006)

H.E. Igor Furdik, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Belgrade

n general, the work of the ICTY can be declared as having been successful: considering that only six of the more 160 indictees are currently walking free. On the other hand, in my opinion – supported by the opinion of Geoffrey Nice – the ICTY Prosecution made certain oversights in the organisation of the tribunal’s work. This was particularly the case with the lawsuit against Milošević, which was ultimately “saved” by Milošević’s death. All in all, I would say that the Tribunal’s work could be assessed as ‘good, but not perfect’. (CorD may 2007)

Professor James Gow, witness ICTY in The Hague

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

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CorD / June 2008 31

POLITICS

VLADIMIR VUKČEVIĆ, war crimes prosecutor

Cooperation with The Hague is unquestionable

Our guest for CorD’s 50th jubilee issue is a legal officer with a brilliant career. In 2005 he was voted Personality of the Year in Serbia. He occupies one of the most responsible and most difficult positions in the Serbian judiciary. Regardless of the fact that he rarely gives interviews, journalists do not complain that he avoids them.The position of the Special War Crimes Prosecutor means political pressure, but nobody has dared challenge Mr. Vučković’s qualities and work. 32 CorD / June 2008

BY DEJAN JEREMIĆ PHOTO: STANISLAV MILOJKOVIĆ

ur journalist tried to make an allinclusive and informal interview, but our guest measured every word and gave precise and formal answers.

Does moral condemnation of war crimes exist in Serbia? I am convinced that there is no one in Serbia who does not condemn war crimes. This is not a question of condemnation; the question is, unfortunately as to who the perpetrators of those crimes are. In our Balkan area, and I think in general, there is the expressive inclination towards the relativisation of the crime, the constant search for some balance of evil to – ‘ours’ and ‘theirs’. That was best presented when the recording of the murder

of six Muslims in Trnovo, which disgusted the public and caused an avalanche of condemnations, was broadcast hastily followed by the action of broadcasting recordings of crimes committed against Serbs, to ‘show what they did to us”. Certainly, crimes were committed by all sides in the wars that were waged in this area between 1991 and 1999, and that is particularly within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Serbia’s War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office. That is also one of the principles on which we base our activities – to punish the war crime regardless of the national or religious affiliation of the person who committed that crime. There is no longer any person in Serbia who would not condemn the murder of children, hundred-year-old women, and the rape or murder of doctors. Massive crimes were committed. In the Zvornik case there were over 700 victims,

in Ovcara 200, in Suva Reka 48 victims in only one family and they were all killed in one day, within several minutes. It was the same in Podujevo, where there were 19 victims; 14 were killed, mostly women and children. What form will the continuation of cooperation with the Hague take after the three meetings with the Hague Tribunal Chief Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz? Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal develops pursuant to the Law on Cooperation with that Tribunal, and this continuation has never once been questioned. This cooperation, by the nature of our job, develops very intensively on a daily basis, considering that the subject of our interest are crimes committed on the territory of the Former Yugoslavia during the period 1991 – 1999, therefore the same as the Tribunal’s interest. The difference is only in the level of the charges. In contrast to The Hague which has indicted the most responsible state, army and police officials, we are dealing with the middle and lower levels to the direct perpetrators, i.e. those who decided to pull the trigger and nobody could have ordered them apart from their own consciences. Because of that it is important to establish individual criminal responsibility for each person and this applies to us here in Serbia, and our colleagues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and, of course, in the Hague Tribunal. Straight after the visit to the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Brammertz held a press conference and offered us full support in all of our activities. Another very important thing happened at that meeting but also at the press conference – he announced the appeal of the verdict relating to Ramuš Haradinaj, Idriz Baljaj, and Lahi Brahimi. I can openly say that that was one of the first concrete steps in our cooperation and we will, as far as we can, help the Hague Prosecutor’s Office in an attempt to end this process with justice for the victims before anybody else. Considering the unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo and Metohija, what kind of treatment

ABOUT HIMSELF I was born on January 29th 1950 in Belgrade. I completed primary and secondary schools and the Faculty of Law in Belgrade. I grew up in Dedinje. My father, as you might think considering the circumstances at that time, was not a military person, but rather a professor of economics and international economic law at the Nis Faculty of Law. My mother was a clerk. I am married with three daughters. Two of them are married. My father did not interfere at all in what I was going to study. I wanted to study architecture, and alternatively I applied to the faculty of law too. That year the Faculty of Architecture was enrolling 150 students, and I was 158th on the list, therefore I chose the alternative solution, law. The only thing my father did as a civilian was later to exert pressure on me to choose, as a judge, civil law. I did not listen to him, I chose criminal law. Not many of my school friends went on to study law. Today my school friends are successful journalists, doctors, businessmen. For instance, my school friends are the journalist Dragan Vlahović, also Dr. Ljiljana Klisić who is an internationally famous sexologist, and I do not have to present my especially good friend Goran Paskaljević. Vuk Hamović, who graduated in economy and is a famous businessman today, is also my school friend. The events of 1968 passed me by. I am the generation which came after those events therefore I was not politically active at the faculty. My interests were elsewhere. I was a sportsman, a member of the Medicinar Karate Club, the best club in the former Yugoslavia at that time. We were champions, and at that time I became the holder of the black belt, 3rd Day. My coach was Vladimir Jorga. Many of the people who trained in that Club are very successful in their professions today such as Prof. Dr. Zdenko Milinković the professor of orthopaedics and founder of the Partizan Karate Club, the neurosurgeon Dr. Dragan Pejović who was also a karate master, the architect and ULUPUDS member Zoran Balaban. I enrolled at the faculty in 1968 and graduated in 1973.

do citizens of Albanian nationality from that province have? Does the Prosecutor’s Office treat them same as other citizens of Serbia? All citizens of Serbia, and all citizens of Kosovo and Metohija belong there, have equal treatment not only before the Prosecutor’s Office but also before the Board of Judges; especially regarding witnesses, the victims’ families and the war crimes victims themselves, but the perpetrators too. Look at the Anton Lekaj case, the Sinan Morina case, the Suva Reka case. War crimes are the result of the catastrophic policies from the 1990’s and it’s trailing can certainly not be done under the influence of any daily policy. This is about justice; justice for the victims, but justice for the indictees too.

WAR CRIMES

HAGUE

PARLIAMENT

War crimes are the result of the catastrophic policies from the 1990’s and it’s trailing can certainly not be done under the influence of any daily policy.

We have access to the Tribunal Prosecutor’s Office’s data base which is the source not only for our current activities, but also for generations to come.

I was appointed by the Serbian Parliament in 2003 and I am prepared to stand before the Parliament as the war crimes prosecutor at any moment.

Does the Prosecutor’s Office have information on the number of war crimes victims on the territory of the former Yugoslavia? The Prosecutor’s Office works on cases which, so far, encompass over 2,100 victims. These are identified victims and we state them all, by their first and second names in our indictments because we think that this is the only real relation towards them, that this shows respect for their dignity. On the basis of an inspection of our cases, as well as those cases of our colleagues in the region, and also on the basis of data compiled by governmental and non-governmental organizations, such as the Research-Documentation Center in Sarajevo, the estimation is that this figure has reached almost 130,000 people. I would like to emphasize the efforts made by Mr. Mirsad Tokača, who in an expert and systematic way managed to count the number of people who were killed during the war in B&H. With the number of 100,000 he clearly let all those who are inclined to abuse the number of victims in order to manipulate public opinion know what the correct relationship towards them is. Each victim of each war crime deserves that and I hope that this, in CorD / June 2008 33

POLITICS

essence noble job which we do will serve to ensure that such crimes never happen again anywhere. When will the trials against those responsible for mass graves and refrigerator trucks start? The Suva Reka, Bitići brothers, Zvornik and Ovčara cases are just part of the big and, for my country, disgraceful cases – Batajnica, Petrovo Selo, Kladovo. We are working on 30 cases, in pre-criminal proceedings, which are connected with mass graves. When you follow some of cases I mentioned, you have an opportunity to hear monstrous things – about ways in which bodies of murdered people were transferred to secondary graves, political decisions, and operational activities to carry that out. All this can be established and we are truly making efforts that no one of those responsible for that is freed from that responsibility. In fact, that is our position and principle. As you know, many of those responsible for those mass graves were tried or are being tried before The Hague Tribunal, and we cooperate very professionally with them regarding those cases. We have access to the Tribunal Prosecutor’s Office’s data base which is the source not only for our current activities, but also for generations to come. Because war crimes do not expire. Are there any criminal proceedings which your Prosecutor’s Office hands over to other prosecutors’ offices? On the basis of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Prosecution of Perpetrators of War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Genocide, which we signed in October with the Republic of Croatia, so far we have provided them with evidence for a total of 12 war crimes cases. The last was the case of Ariajan Avdagić, indicted for committing war crimes against a Serbian family in Biljane Gornje, in the Benkovac municipality, during the ‘Storm’ action in August 1995. Are you satisfied with previous cooperation with the police and the BIA? Recently this cooperation has been better than it used to be. It is the police’s job to find the perpetrators of war crimes and we often point them to those people. I do have understanding for the fact that the police work in hard conditions, that they are often in a situation where they have to catch their former colleagues. On the other side, in many situations such as the arrest of the ‘Scorpions’ for the crime in Trnovo, or when I was managing the Župljanin action in Nis, the police were 34 CorD / June 2008

established. Will some trials last longer because of that or will there be some other trials to establish who was at the very top of the pyramid of crimes? The commanding responsibility in almost all war crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia was it is important to establish individual established or is being established by the Hague criminal responsibility for each person Tribunal. I would like to and this applies to us here in Serbia, and remind you that 42 out of our colleagues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 46 indicted persons from Croatia and, of course, in the Hague Tribunal. Serbia went to The Hague – two former Presidents police as the Coordinator of the Action and the state, army and police highest Team for locating, arresting and transfer- officials. In spite of that, in some cases such as Zvornik or Lovas, we have the ring Hague indictees to the Tribunal. basis for trying commanding responsiIn many of those trials the com- bility, but that is tried in a different form manding responsibility was not fully defined through our old legal solution very efficient. Cooperation with the BIA was based on the search for documentation which includes important evidence for the criminal acts which we try, and there is no problem there because, as you know, I cooperate with the BIA and the

because commanding responsibility was not introduced as a criminal act in our laws until 2005. What is the strategy for catching Ratko Mladić and other Hague fugitives? What is the strategy for convincing The Hague Tribunal that our country is seriously working on that? What do Hague officials say when you tell them that the search for Hague fugitives is intensive? The strategy for locating, arresting and transferring Ratko Mladić, Goran Hadžić, Stojan Župljanin, and Radovan Karadžić is defined by the Serbian Government’s Action Plan, and we are working on that seriously and devotedly. Political factors often throw shadows on our work, because there is no consensus in Serbia regarding that state aim. After all, you could hear that in the pre-electoral campaigns but also from the speakers’ platform in our highest legislative body – the Serbian Parliament. The action plan is a state secret, the same as the Croatian Action Plan was when they were arresting Gotovina. The plan included daily, highly developed and synchronized activities which I cannot talk about, but I believe, as one of the Action Team’s coordinator, it will achieve results. The Hague Tribunal knows that very well. How do you feel when you hear some state officials say to prosecutor Brammertz that the search for fugitives is not the most important state priority? Everybody has the right to deal with the national interests of this country according to his own conscience. For me, as a man and a war crimes prosecutor, as a citizen of this country, that is a priority because it is the obstacle to every improvement. In my opinion, the consequences of such irresponsible statements are long term.

BIA Cooperation with the BIA was based on the search for documentation which includes important evidence for the criminal acts which we try, and there is no problem there because, as you know, I cooperate with the BIA and the police as the Coordinator of the Action Team for locating, arresting and transferring Hague indictees to the Tribunal.

tor’s Office and from the Red Cross International Committee and UNMIK. There are indications that the investigations regarding this crime were halted and if that happens to be true, somebody will have to bear responsibility for that. You were appointed to this position by the Parliament. What do you expect to happen after the new Parliament is established? I expect the new Parliament convoca-

do and that they will play a crucial role in the Parliament. The pressure for special courts to be repealed and for me to be replaced from the position of the head of the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office is great, and is not being exerted for the first time. That would be the fulfilment of their campaign promises that the criminals will walk through an open door to freedom. But in these elections the citizens of Serbia voted for a legal and economically strong state, for the road to democracy and Europe.

The strategy for locating, arresting and transferring Ratko Mladić, Goran Hadžić, Stojan Župljanin, and Radovan Karadžić is defined by the Serbian Government’s Action Plan, and we are working on that seriously and devotedly. tion to do their job – to pass good laws, adopt responsible decisions, for the language of hatred and lack of culture to simply move out of that building. I was appointed by the Serbian Parliament in 2003 and I am prepared to stand before the Parliament as the war crimes prosecutor at any moment. And if you mean what will happen in the following days, I do not know; I am not involved in that very much. I do my job. I am convinced that the democratic and pro-European forces will recognize the importance of what we

You are one of prosecutors who are not in the acting prosecutor’s position. Considering that there are some who are in the acting prosecutor position, how does that impede the work of prosecutors’ offices? The election and appointment of the holders of judicial positions is within the domain of the executive and legislative administration in Serbia. As regards my appointment, for my work I am responsible to the legislative power, i.e. the Parliament. As much as I can estimate, each of my colleagues does his job very responsibly, and the length of the acting prosecutor’s mandate is determined by law.

Do you expect that, after she agrees to meet with you, Carla del Ponte will actively participate in solving the case of trade with human organs? During a meeting with my associate, she explained that the diplomatic position could be the limiting factor to actively participating in clearing up the human organ trade, in the case that such a thing really took place. Neither she, nor anyone else, has been able to offer proof of this criminal act. The statements from her book are, however, precious for us, because they initiated the proceeding which we are dealing with now and for which we are interviewing potential witnesses. We requested through official channels information from the Albanian ProsecuCorD / June 2008 35

REGION

MONTENEGRO’S AMBITION:

To be another Monaco At one point Montenegro was in danger of being forgotten as a tourist destination. However, in 2007 after 18 years, 1.15 million tourists visited this small country, making a record tourist season. BY ILIJA DESPOTOVIĆ

ccording to recent estimates, this year 1.3 million tourists are supposed to visit the country of ‘wild beauty.’ Nevertheless, government officials and especially tourist strategists and operatives are no longer satisfied with merely the number of guests. In both of Montenegro’s capitals (Podgorica, the political one, and Budva, tourist one), it is no secret that Montenegro’s ambition is to become a country of elite tourism. The summer waves of tourists no longer satisfy local hotel managers. Tourist offerings are being modeled more and more to attract as many affluent tourists as possible, meaning those who aren’t concerned about how much they spend, who don’t calculate each day according to how much they can spend; in short, for those who simply enjoy spending. New and reconstructed hotels on the Adriatic coast recreation. Roads and city streets are being reand also those in Kolašin up in the mountains constructed for the ‘elite’ tourists. A third lane are moving towards meeting the needs of just is being constructed on several sections of the such a clientele. road to Podgorica from Bijelo Polje in the Even a simple ‘order’ from the Ministry of north of Montenegro. Third lanes are also beTourism illustrates such a tendency. Hotel man- ing constructed, or have already been completagers are, in fact, forbidden to charge beach ed, from Podgorica to Cetinje and Budva and entrance fees, although many do, but they are from Budva to Bar. A boulevard will be comleft with the possibility to limit the number of pleted between Budva and Bečići this sumsun worshipers indirectly through the number mer. However, it’s all far from the infrastrucof beach chair and also beach towel rentals, ture needed for elite tourism. Construction of since you cannot take your own towel go to the motorway from Bar to the Serbian border Montenegrin beaches anymore. Another Action scenes from the most recent James Bond restriction was in- movie, Casino Royale, take place in Montenegro. troduced concernForeign investors have something similar – a ing economy tourism. haven for hedonists and gamblers – planned Tourists will no longfor Tivat. When everything planned is finally er be able to bring deli meats, vegetables, or achieved, Montenegro will be a five-star hotel. other foods and drinks with them. Of course, if this is enforced, it will should start this year, and a contract has just mostly hurt tourists from Serbia, even more so been signed in Podgorica for the construction because many Serbian guests have a house or of a motorway from Herceg Novi to Ulcinj. an apartment at the seaside. They bring along We’ll have to wait a while for Montenegrin non-perishable foods and with the occasional motorways, but they do insist there will be meal out, manage to afford a seaside vacation. enough water for tourists not this year, but in Apart from an increasing number of mod- 2009 when, according to the plans, the regionern hotels, there’s a richer offer for rest and al water system for the Montenegrin seaside 36 CorD / June 2008

will be completed. The beaches are cleaner and tidier, and there’s an increasing number of blue flags posted to show that the beaches are according to modern standards. The Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanović recently stated that Montenegro would have to look ‘like a four or five-star hotel’ to be able to bear the mark of an elite tourist destination. Djukanović’s ambitions are being supported by foreign investors, who are already putting their money into the construction of hotel facilities. Three prestigious world companies are involved at the present time: Aman Resorts, Kempinski, and The Four Seasons. Aman has leased Sveti Stefan and Miločer and will offer elite facilities and services for the summer of 2009. Kempinski is building elite hotels on the Budva Riviera, and The Four Seasons will be building a modern marina for mega-yachts and, of course, hotel facilities in Tivat with the most luxurious suites. The chief investor, the Canadian billionaire Peter Monk, intends to invest around 50 million euros in Budva, and claims that Tivat will seriously compete with Monaco, Nice, and Cannes. Monk said that it was his dream to make Montenegro a world tourism hotspot. He also commended Djukanović for envision-

ing Montenegro as Monaco. According to some, the largest tourism-related construction site in Montenegro will be Velika Plaža in Ulcinj. Nine investors have applied to lease Ada Bojana there: the USA, Dubai, Croatia, Czech Republic, Holland, United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. Public international tender for the valorization of Ada Bojana should be submitted by June, and the strategic partner will be chosen after that date. The goal is for tourism to make up 20 percent of Montenegro’s state budget by 2011. The country’s ambition to achieve a higher income with a smaller number of tourists is no secret. Guests spent €480 million in Montenegro in 2007, and this year’s inflow should increase to €540 million. The national identity of free-spending tourists isn’t important. They can be of any nationality, just as long as bring along a lot of money and leave it in Montenegro. However, until a larger number of guests with fat wallets and credit cards start coming, the number of tourists and from which specific countries they come still has to be considered. Out of 1.1 million tourists last year, 37 percent were from Serbia. It is repeated everywhere in Montenegro that the country’s doors are wide open for Serbs, and that they do not have and will not have a foreigner’s status. Of course, they’re also counting on wealthy Serbian clientele. According to current research, Belgraders and people from western Serbia come to Montenegro the most. The Russians have been competing with Serbs

RECORD EXPECTED Even though many improvements have been made, it is certain that Montenegro’s biggest problems during the 2008 summer season will be with water supply. Tourists will also have a problem with the overcrowded ‘Jadranska magistrala’ highway, since a record number of 1.3 million guests is expected.

package, together with the rapidly-growing Albanian wealthy class, contribute to the multiethnic character of Montenegro’s tourism. Of course, Western Europeans are coming as well. The Director of the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, Saša Radović, says that bookings from the European Union market are excellent for this year, being as much as 20 percent higher Tourists will no longer be able to bring deli meats, vegetables, or other foods and drinks with them. Of course, than in 2007. For the second if this is enforced, it will mostly hurt tourists from Serbia, year in a row, even more so because many Serbian guests have a house during May and June reor an apartment at the seaside. tired Austrian more and more in the past few years. Last year citizens spent their holidays in Montenegro, there were 102,000 Russians in Montenegro, based on a special agreement with the governand this year 130,000 are expected. According ment of that country. to some data, every fifth foreigner, (excludTo some extent at least, Montenegro is aling Serbs) from Ulcinj to Herceg Novi is so trying to make use of the tourists who go to Russian. Approximately one hundred thou- Croatia by taking them to its own hotels and resand tourists from Bosnia and Herzegovina sorts for a longer stay. For now, tourists on holvisited Montenegro last year. Albanians also iday in Dubrovnik are mostly making day trips take up significant space within the structure to Kotor and Cetinje, accompanied by guides of the tourist clientele in Montenegro. Along from Dubrovnik. Montenegrins want tourists with the Russians, they are the most numerous who visit Croatia to venture a little deeper inguests during the winter, in Kolašin for exam- to Montenegro. This is probably the meaning ple. The relative proximity of Montenegrin ski behind the recently-published decision that resorts, their improved equipment and tourist the management (not ownership) of the ho-

ELITE TOURISAM

ADA BOJANA

CROATIA

Apart from an increasing number of modern hotels, there’s a richer offer for rest and recreation. Roads and city streets are being reconstructed for the ‘elite’ tourists.

According to some, the largest tourismrelated construction site in Montenegro will be Velika Plaža in Ulcinj. Nine investors have applied to lease Ada Bojana there.

Montenegrins want tourists who visit Croatia. For now, tourists on holiday in Dubrovnik are mostly making day trips to Kotor and Cetinje, accompanied by guides from Dubrovnik.

tels Bjanka and Lipka in Kolašin is to be taken over by the Dubrovnik company, Dubrovnik Star. Tara, with its increasingly tempting rafting, could also be a magnet to attract rich tourists across from the Adriatic to the continental part of Montenegro. Beyond a doubt, a lot of construction, reconstruction, and modernization is underway in Montenegro. The effort to present this tourist destination in the best possible light is obvious. In the end, more is being spent on advertising. More than a million euros have been set aside this year for presenting Montenegrin tourism on global TV stations. Tourist videos of Montenegro will be run on four worldwide networks: CNN, EuroNews, Travel Channel, and Eurosport. Indeed, the reasons for traditional tourist complaints are diminishing: garbage dumps next to roads, water problems, noise from music funfairs on the seaside. Tourist personnel, employed mostly by private hotel owners and caterers, have also become more pleasant. Professionalism in Montenegrin tourism is still only in the initial phase when it comes to fashioning itself after the standards of prestigious world destinations. If they wish to make a living from tourism, the very population in tourist areas must be much more dedicated. In Montenegro, at the seaside most of all, the dominant logic is still ‘earn an annual income in just one season of two or three months.’ That, of course, can only be achieved through high prices which are often not reciprocated with high-quality service. If it wants to enter the tourist destination elite, all of Montenegro must function like The Four Seasons. The country must work and behave in a way that promotes tourism througout all four seasons, and not just during one or two. CorD / June 2008 37

REGION

Montenegro and Foreigners

Is this going to be Russian land? Since Serbs from Serbia are not considered as foreigners, Russians are first on the list of foreign citizens who own properties in Montenegro. Nobody knows how many of them are there but, there is no doubt that on the first census which is supposed to be taken in five years’ time, Russians will be a significant piece of the multiethnic mosaic of Montenegro. BY ILIJA DESPOTOVIĆ

uring the time of the former Yugoslavia, foreigners consisting of mostly Germans and Czechs used to visit Montenegro exclusively as tourists. Now, foreign citizens from Western Europe as well as from the eastern part are becoming neighbors by purchasing houses, tate for themselves and for resale. At this moment a second and even a flats, and land. Of course, they are also becoming owners of ‘Montenegrin’ third ‘generation’ of Russian real estate traders is emerging. A ‘Russian companies too. Foreign languages can be heard not only on the coast and village’ has been built on the hillside above St. Stefan, but this village during the summer months, but also in Montenegro’s provinces. does not resemble one from the Russian steppes. These are modern Russians started to come as businessmen. As far back as 2005 houses, although with tasteless elements typical of the nouveau-riche they bought one of the biggest companies in the former Yugoslavia, Russian transition tycoons. Apart from the economic dimension, the the Kombinat Aluminijuma in Podgorica. According to some informa- Russian ‘invasion’ of Montenegro definitely has political and cultural tion, out of the 1.2 billion of foreign investments that has arrived in aspects. The network for the affirmation of the non-governmental secMontenegro, around 100 million is Russian. tor from Podgorica openly stated Russians are favored in Montenegro Officially, Russian capital as investors and foreignin Montenegro is presented just Russians also come as tourists. In 2007 there were over ers. As proof, they pointabove 8% but, since Russians use 100,000 tourists from Russia and an increase of 30% is ed out the above-mentioned various off shore companies from Zavala Cape. They claim that British islands, Cyprus, and other expected this year. However, the number of Russians Russians are building there who come to Montenegro to stay is also increasing. without construction permits. countries for their investments, the estimate is that their investments in In Budva, Bar and Kotor there are Russian names on After those accusations the Montenegro are as high as 25%. construction inspection from interphones in many buildings. Zavala Cape near the town Budva halted the construccenter, one of the best locations in Budva, which was until recently cov- tion, but the general opinion is that this was only throwing dust in the ered by Mediterranean vegetation, has been taken over by Russians. The eyes of the public and that Russians are going to finish their village anRussian company Miraks Group is building a hotel complex with 50 yway. As for the average citizens of Montenegro, one of the ‘explanaluxurious villas there. Some Montenegrin newspapers have announced tions’ for the Russians’ presence is, “Better the Russians to come buy that those villas will be for sale and the price per square meter will be at our real estate than Albanians from Kosovo.” least EUR 6,000. In serious analyses, the intensified Russian presence is connectRussians are investing and building in Montenegro, buying real es- ed with the actual political relations between Russia and Montenegro. 38 CorD / June 2008

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER IN MONTENEGRO Russian real estate agencies have been opened and real estate advertisements are published in Russian in Montenegrin newspapers. Three Russian-language newspapers are published in Montenegro: Ruskaja gazeta, Komsomolskaja pravda, and Argumenti i fakti. Judging by that, the number of Russians is not insignificant.

Russia was among the first to recognize an independent Montenegro and did not challenge the separation of Serbia and Montenegro. After the referendum, Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milo Djukanović met with Vladimir Putin in Soci. He alsp visited Moscow several times and it seems he is on good terms with the leaders of that metropolis, particularly with the powerful Yury Luzhkov. Even Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Roćen has been given credit for the privileged position which the Russians enjoy in Montenegro. During the FRY, Roćen was a diplomat in Moscow, and still has good connections with influential people in the Russian foreign affairs department. The Russian Ambassador to Montenegro, Gerasimov, in contrast to his American colleague Roderick Moore, is rarlely seen in public. He rarely travels around Montenegro while the American has already traveled across the whole state. Moore is very ‘attractive’ for the media – he issues many statements and gives interviews. It is symptomatic that Russia, at least publicly, has a kind disposition towards Montenegro’s firm position of becoming a full NATO member. Montenegrin officials and Ambassador Moore have stated on several occasions that NATO will not open military bases in Montenegro. One part of the opposition, however, has doubts about that and warns the Montenegrin administration that they should not participate in this Alliance, which has an ‘anti-Russian’ character. The famous saying “Us and Russians - 300 million” originates from Montenegro. During the pro-Kosovo rallies almost 20 years ago when populist politics were emerging in Montenegro, at one such meeting in Nikšić somebody shouted, “We want the Russians!” (Hoćemo Ruse!) There were claims later that the shout was “We want gusle (musical instrument). However nobody has yet discovered what the truth was. Nonetheless, the Russians have arrived in Nikšić too, but the workers in the foundry, who were a great support to that political populism, were not delighted with the Russians as employers. The Montenegrins paid for their irrational love towards Russians in 1948. The greatest number in terms of citizens who were imprisoned in Goli Otok for supporting the pro-Russian organization called the Informbiro were Montenegrins. At that time in Montenegro appeared the chant, “Plovi patka, plovi guska, ova zemlja biće ruska” (The duck is floating, the goose is floating, this will be Russian land). There is an anecdote connectedto this. A Montenegrin returned from Goli Otok and in the pub in his town, somebody was quietly singing, “Plovi patka, plovi guska, ova zemlja biće ruska”. The hardened Russian supporter whispered into his beard ‘sooner or later.’ As a ‘memento’ of the Informbiro’s sixtieth anniversary, the non-governmental organization, Generalni konzulat SFRJ (SFRY Consulate General) from Tivat published a calendar for 2008 with the months written in Russian. The president of this organization made the witty comment, “Kanješno, eta strana ruskaja?” (Is it really like that?) CorD / June 2008 39

POLITICS

Paul-Henri Arni, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross for Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania

Mending the Seams of Conflict

After working in the former Yugoslavia in Bosnia and Croatia during the war in 1992-1993, Mr. Arni is back in the region as the Head of the Regional Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Belgrade. With a fifteen-year break in between and experience working in several conflict areas in Africa, Eastern Europe and South Asia, he now has the chance to see how the region has evolved and what still must be done in order to bring closure to conflicts of the past, tackling important issues that need to be addressed. BY KRISTEN KAAFER PHOTO: ČASLAV VUKOJIČIĆ

he International Committee of the Red Cross has a long history of operating around the world in conflict areas. How have the organisation’s strategies changed since the beginning? Four years after a major battle in northern Italy, the first Noble Prize winner, Henry Dunant, founded the International Committee of 40 CorD / June 2008

the Red Cross in 1863. Originally, his main aim was to bring assistance to wounded soldiers. Soon afterwards, the ICRC became an international organisation during a conference in Geneva where 12 States adopted the first Geneva Convention. This Convention is at the origin of international humanitarian law. Throughout the changing wars and conflicts, the ICRC has always maintained two approaches. One being its operations of bringing assistance and protection to people in need

during conflict, and the other one pushing for the adoption of new legal instruments to address new humanitarian needs observed on battlefields. For example, during WWI, one victim out of 10 was a civilian and nine were soldiers. This balance changed during WWII, with five civilian victims for five military, and today it is nine civilian for one military victim, or even more. Obviously, there was a need to protect civilians, and that led to the 1949 Geneva

Convention, focusing especially on protecting civilian victims. Today, the challenges are different. There are weapons that need to be seriously controlled or even banned, such as cluster ammunitions, which Serbia experienced in 1999. This month in Dublin, the ICRC is pushing with others towards a new treaty to ban these weapons because they are unreliable and explode for decades after the end of a conflict causing unacceptable suffering to thousands of farmers and civilians in more than 20 countries today, such as Laos and Lebanon. Today our core activities at the ICRC are: protecting and assisting the victims of armed conflict or violence (displaced civilians, people deprived of their freedom, dispersed families, the wounded and sick); and preventive action by developping humanitarian law and assisting States to integrate it into their legislation as well as military and university education. These operational and legal activities require that ICRC keeps on a weekly basis a high level of humanitarian coordination and diplomacy. What role has the ICRC played in Serbia and the former Yugoslavia, and how much has ICRC’s work been successful after the latest conflicts in this region? Our largest operation in the Balkans was during 1991-2004, addressing the consequences of three conflicts: in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. From 2000 to 2004, a massive relief operation was launched in Serbia proper due to the aftermath of the NATO bombardments. This was one of our largest relief operations, carried out together with the then Yugoslav Red Cross. We had a joint operation throughout the country with combined field offices, providing assistance for 200,000 displaced persons as well as assistance for waterworks and medical facilities. Protection was, however, the priority of our work during the wars of the 90s because of the brutality of the conflicts and because civilians were almost the only victims - imprisoned, executed, displaced, raped and wounded. Our work in the 90’s was, at that time, the biggest operation launched since WWII - hundreds of staff deployed in 25 offices across Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia and, after that, in Kosovo. Today, nine years after the Kosovo conflict and fifteen years after Bosnia, we still deal with the consequences, in particular with issues concerning missing persons. During the three conflicts, 34,325 per-

KOSOVO We had hoped for the best after the declaration of Kosovo’s independence and did not expect major violence, but we did expect some displacement and therefore together planned food distribution.

HALF OF THE MISSING PERSONS WERE FOUND Today, 17,000 persons are still unaccounted for in the Western Balkans.T This means that half of the missing persons were found. Although most of them were found dead, it at least allowed families to mourn and solve legal issues that can arise from this problem.

sons were reported to the ICRC as missing by family members. ICRC staff filled in individual tracing requests for all persons and collected the ante-mortem data (information on a missing person prior to his or her disappearance). Following that, we submitted the cases to the parties to the conflict and government officials. Our mandate is not to look for who killed the person, but where this person was

them were found dead, it at least allowed families to mourn and solve legal issues that can arise from this problem. Women, for example, are sometimes not in a position to access their rights to sell property or to get pension of their missing husbands. In most conflicts you have a situation where there is no way to begin dealing with the issue of missing persons because the parties are not poToday our core activities at the ICRC are: protecting litically ready and assisting the victims of armed conflict or violence to do so. Here, in this region, (displaced civilians, people deprived of their freedom, we had differdispersed families, the wounded and sick) ent circumstances beburied, because behind all these missing peo- cause the ICRC was present all over the reple are thousands of families who are suffer- gion, the international community put maxiing immensely still today, it is a silent tragedy mum pressure on parties involved in the conof vast proportions. According to internation- flict and in some cases even ruled some of al humanitarian law, States have the obligation these territories, and other organisations like to provide answers to families and to hando- the International Commission on Missing ver the remains of their loved ones so that Persons developed state-of-the-art DNA cathey can bury them and start a new life. Today, pacity to match bone with blood samples. For 17,000 persons are still unaccounted for in the all these reasons, even though it has been a difWestern Balkans. This means that half of the ficult task here, it is moving ahead. missing persons were found. Although most of How would you assess ICRC’s cooperation with local organisations? ICRC SERBIA I have two examples in mind of cooperaInternational Committee We are seeing tion with local organisations. When we had committed authorities of the Red Cross is a thousands of mothers coming to Tuzla, Zain Serbia, reconstruction private organisation greb, Belgrade, Pristina, and Sarajevo looking of prisons for the first but has the statute for their missing family members, we advised time in 30 years, creating of an international them to make their voices heard by creating far better conditions organisation, recognised their own organisations, which most of them than before, and a by international law, by serious commitment to did. We support commemorations, finance the Geneva Convention tackle the problems. various activities, and support grants for and other treaties. CorD / June 2008 41

POLITICS

women who want to learn a trade. We are also in the process of publishing a book in six local languages to accompany families of missing persons. “Accompanying the Families of Missing” is a practical handbook for non-professionals that has to do mainly with how to accompany families during their difficult psychological moments, such as when they are invited by an authority to come identify the mortal remains of their loved ones, which is very tough. I remember accompanying some Serbian families six months ago in Zagreb. There were two old sons, 72 and 74 years of age, who came to identify their mother who was born in 1908 in Knin and died in 1991. There you had two old men crying in front of a picture of a skeleton of their mother, and during that moment you need to know how to accompany and support these people. Other work with local organisations mostly involves the Serbian Commission for Missing Persons, and its equivalent in Kosovo. We chair a Working group on persons unaccounted for in relation to the Kosovo conflict, and we have managed to keep this cooperation going despite the recent political developments. It is a long process but there is will on both sides to go ahead. Is the mission here in Serbia nearing its end? Up until 2004, we had more than 200 people working in this office. We are, however, downsizing every year because we are now concentrating on the programme for missing persons, and on involving the national Red Cross into this programme, as well as handing over some other programmes (legal and educational) to the national Red Cross. We closed our offices last year in Croatia and Montenegro and are slowly scaling down in the rest of the region; we estimate that in three to five years we will be closing entirely. We still have a presence in Belgrade, Pristina, Sarajevo and

On Red Cross Day, President Boris Tadić receives the Red Cross Delegation

POLITICIZATION OF HUMANITARIAN ISSUES ICRC states that it maintains a neutral position in all its missions. How difficult was it to remain neutral during the conflicts in ex-Yugoslavia? During the war, we felt the consequences of the politicization of humanitarian issues everyday. We received stones, grenades and even gunshots. We were not welcome because our convoys were crossing lines and it was a very dangerous time. Emotions were heated to such a great extent and nobody understood why we were neutral and impartial. We explained that there were victims on all sides, and that there were not good victims or bad victims. In order to assist all civilians trapped in a conflict we cannot take sides and, therefore, must be neutral. Today, this is no longer a problem, but of course, there are still sensitivities, which we can see in Kosovo. However, everybody knows our work and respects it, and also knows that we do not denounce anyone publicly or throw controversial issues in the public arena. They are aware that our only task and priority is to work for the resolution of the case of missing persons as well as to continue some other programmes in support of national Red Crosses.

in the north. For the time being we are keeping a field presence, monitoring the few acts of violence and taking immediate steps with the relevant authorities in order to prevent the repetition of such acts. As we have seen after the unilateral declaration of independence, there was almost no forced displacement or violence against minoriWhen the ICRC opens operations, it is usually a bad sign. ties, which is a very good sign. We operate in areas of conflict, war and violence, and when Our colleagues we are phasing down and closing it is usually a sign that we in Pristina will continue, like do not expect any more conflicts and political strife us in Belgrade, Skopje, with an overall budget for these four to focus on missing persons of the Kosovo offices of 10 million dollars. When the ICRC conflict, which today amount to 1,961 unacopens operations, it is usually a bad sign. We counted persons. The ICRC will work on these operate in areas of conflict, war and violence, cases for the years to come until the last missand when we are phasing down and closing ing person is found. it is usually a sign that we do not expect any What will remain of the organisation’s more conflicts and political strife. The region is definitely stabilising, but this does not mean goals after the withdrawal from Serbia? Programmes that can be handed over will that all problems and humanitarian issues are solved, as in the case of missing persons. We be, for instance the promotion of international also keep a very close eye on Kosovo. Our of- humanitarian law with universities or with fice in Pristina goes to enclaves on a daily ba- the Red Cross of Serbia, which is one of the sis to monitor any individual acts of violence best in Eastern Europe. For the missing percommitted against minorities, mostly Serbian sons, after the closure of our office in Croatia minorities but also against Albanian minorities we have handed over the management of the 42 CorD / June 2008

concerned files to the Croatian Red Cross. It will be possible to do some of this in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia, but for the conflict in Kosovo we will probably remain involved as a neutral intermediary between the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina to help reduce the number of the missing. It is a little known fact that ICRC is a private non-profit organisation. Where do you obtain your funding? Since its beginning, the ICRC has been an organisation with a mandate of its own. Still today, it is a private organisation but has the statute of an international organisation, recognised by international law, by the Geneva Convention and other treaties. Although it is an international organisation, it is not intergovernmental and we have private citizens rather than governments on our governing board who are co-opted from one country only. That country happens to be Switzerland because that is where ICRC was born. We avoid getting governments on the panel because we want to keep our neutrality and prevent paralysis within our own board. The best proof that our neutrality is well understood is that for the first time, we requested more than a billion dollars last year and got it. Govern-

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / June 2008 43

POLITICS

ments do recognise the benefit of having the Red Cross movement, aside from the UN system and NGO’s. One added value is that ICRC is widely accepted and can operate in areas where others cannot, like in today’s Somalia or southern Afghanistan. Our budget is funded 90 percent by governments, 7 percent by national Red Crosses and 3 percent by private funds. We are active in 80 countries with 10.000 staff. How is your cooperation with other international human rights organisations that carry out similar assignments, and what specifically are you involved in together? We have regular coordination with many agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This coordination is done very practically, and we meet regularly with partners to improve the overall capacity to respond to crisis, avoiding duplication and gaps. All this is done while maintaining our own identity and way of operating in the field; we coordinate with, but are not coordinated by. One of the very sensitive issues concerning this coordination of humanitarian aid is the military. Some armed forces today develop new strategies to stabilise countries, and of course, their laboratories for that are Iraq and Afghanistan. The strategy consists of an integrated approach whereby, you have military operations on Monday in one part of town, on Tuesday you rebuild the school in another part of town, on Wednesday you arrest people, on Thursday you start a programme for widows, etc. This combines mili-

down the ladder. We often had to re-negotiate an already signed agreement to release or visit prisoners; it was a permanent difficulty. Today, however, it is worse in many countries where we operate under very serious security constraints. The most recent example of coordination with an international organisation in this region was with UNHCR. We had hoped for the best after the declaration of Kosovo’s independence and did not expect major violence, but we did expect some displacement and therefore together planned food distribution. We had a contingency plan ready by December, and although there turned out to be no need for it, we did see very good cooperation and a distribution of tasks between UNHCR, the ICRC and the Red Cross of Serbia. In Serbia, we have the three components of this worldwide Cross We also keep a very close eye on Kosovo. Our office Red Movement: the in Pristina goes to enclaves on a daily basis to moniICRC, the Red tor any individual acts of violence committed against Cross of Serminorities, mostly Serbian minorities but also against bia, which has 177 branches Albanian minorities in the north. operating in tary action, police action, reconstruction and the country, and an office of the International humanitarian aid, all at the disposal of military Federation, which is a secretariat working to commanders, mostly to win the minds and support national Red Crosses mostly in times hearts. ICRC does not want to be embedded of natural disasters. in that concept and we therefore maintain a How would you assess the status of hudialogue with commanders on all sides to secure acceptability for our teams and negotiate man rights in Serbia in view of the Human access to victims of the conflict. The ICRC Rights Watch or the State Department’s always insists to separate military issues from rating that there is still a violation of these humanitarian issues and leave a space for rights here? We deal only with a segment of human neutral and independent humanitarian action. This is the only way to prevent that entire pop- rights; that of the rights of detainees. ICRC ulations be left without assistance in a conflict visits detention centres in Serbia and the rezone. We manage to keep this humanitarian gion, check on material conditions, and on the space open, but in the post-9/11 world, it is treatment in order to asses if there is ill treatgetting more and more difficult. In the former ment or not. We also check on judicial guaranYugoslavia, it was difficult, as in Bosnia for tees to see if the judicial process is progressing example, where we had to negotiate our way normally, such as having access to a lawyer 44 CorD / June 2008

and the actual duration of the investigation. I must say that in Serbia we are quite satisfied with the situation. There are sometimes isolated incidents. However, we are seeing committed authorities, reconstruction of prisons for the first time in 30 years, creating far better conditions than before, and a serious commitment to tackle the problems. Can you imagine a world in which a need for ICRC no longer exists? I wish I could say yes. With 18 years’ experience, and having worked in five armed conflicts including here on my own continent, it has not made me very optimistic on the capacity of the human being to solve crisis through means other than armed conflict. In the future, I think we are going to see two types of conflict. The first involves globalisation that has accelerated over the last years and in response, has created an identity crisis all over the world. In some democratic countries, this identity crisis is positive, manifesting itself for instance, in actions to protect minorities. However, in many countries where political problems and ethnic issues have never been solved, upon a crisis, people revert more and more to the only protection they have - their tribe, ethnic or religious group. In these areas, there is a tension between the aspiration to be a global citizen and the aspiration to have a recognised identity, and some people are ready to die for it. The second type of conflict will involve fighting for resources, and in 20-30 years’ time there could be conflicts for oil, water or food. These conflicts will be harsher because they will be a fight for life and death and not just for the flag. Conflicts create the same kinds of needs everywhere, and our job is to make sure that we are still relevant in bringing assistance and protection to people; no matter the type of conflict.

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European money is necessary for Serbia

Socialists are good

European taxpayers must decide: European Commission for the Budget

There isn’t anything especially funny in Ivica Dačić’s representing a decisive figure in the formation of a pro-European Serbian government. But how can one resist laughing, remembering that this is the man who has recently without any harm to his political reputation walked right out of one scandal with a suitcase in his hand? BY ALEKSANDRA RANKOVIĆ PHOTO: FONET

ow Dačić keeps a tight hold on the 400 million euros intended for Serbia from Brussels Road Funds, 250 million for railway renewal, and an additional 200 million for the electrical industry. If you add to that an additional 80 million for the health system and 50 million for NIP ... If the Socialist opts wisely, whatever was in that suitcase paid off. In order to receive the money Europe intended for building infrastructure in Serbia, it is necessary to adopt a law on concessions for local infrastructure, and of course to give priority to Corridor 10, the highway to the border with Montenegro, and to so-called «roads for easier life,» including also a by-pass road around Belgrade. In short, the idea is that Serbia should in the next four years invest four billion dollars in infrastructure. Infrastructure is, as one can 46 CorD / June 2008

see from the Croatian example, the main prerequisite for any development, and especially of equal regional development. The Socialists are announcing that in the potential future government they would gladly take charge of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. They are themselves, according to statements by the front-men of the coalition gathered around SPS, aware that without European money this mission is doomed to fail. And the Minister of Finances,

Mirko Cvetković announced that after the Stabilization Agreement is signed, Serbia can count on receiving from the EU 250 million euros a year to resolve social issues, stimulation of employment, and take care of those who would remain jobless. With domestic expenditure for that cause and «smart operations,» the Socialists could mark a kind of result that would already in the next elections clearly define them as a socially engaged party, and membership in an international socialist organization wouldn’t be questionable any more. So, everyone would benefit. Serbian President Boris Tadić announced already in his pre-electoral campaign that Kosovo wouldn’t be the only topic and task of the new Serbian government when he in several instances reiterated that the Prime Minister

850 MILION €

EUROPE

SPS

Dačić keeps a tight hold on the 400 million euros intended for Serbia from Brussels Road Funds, 250 million for railway renewal, and an additional 200 million for the electrical industry.

“Europe means more work, discipline, and everything else which is not popular here,” says Zec, explaining why a high percentage of citizens are still voting for antiEuropean parties.

With domestic expenditure for that cause and “smart operations,” the Socialists could mark a kind of result that would already in the next elections clearly define them as a socially engaged party.

should be an economist. Regardless of what amount of European funds are important for Serbia, investments, and especially direct „greenfield“ ones are even more important. According to the words of Economist Nebojša Savić, if Serbia wants normal development it needs three billion dollars’ annual inflow of direct foreign investments. Together with some other sources, it would be desirable to generate annually five billion dollars of capital. That capital requires equal rights for everyone and a competition-friendly environment. “Competitiveness in our country has generally improved over the last few years, but insufficiently. But our competitors have gone even further much more quickly. Therefore growth was insufficient, and on the ranking list of the World Economic Forum we dropped from 77th place in 2003 to 91st place in 2007,” says Savić. In an interview for CORD, Miodrag Zec says that it’s rare that Serbian tycoons are interested to enter the EU, because they dislike clear rules of the game and of course, competition. “Europe means more work, discipline, and everything else which is not popular here,” says Zec, explaining why a high percentage of citizens are still voting for anti-European parties. However, according to the economist Savić, Serbian economy is directed towards the EU, because 70 percent of its exchange of goods happens with that region. “Even in the old Yugoslavia it was so. And of course, one should continue developing exchanges with all countries in the world where we can sell something and buy goods of the same quality at lower prices.” The first visible signal that Serbia is approaching the EU would be the rescission of or at least the liberalization of the visa regime. The road to that leads to condition fulfilment is defined in four areas: safety of documents, immigration, public order, and external affairs. The road map was presented to Serbian officials at the beginning of May in Belgrade, by Vice Chairman of European Commission, Jacques Barrot. This document clearly defines the specific measures Serbia must adopt in order to have its citizens travel to Europe without any hassles. If Belgrade accepts the “homework,” talks about visa liberalization could start immediately, and the goal is that all conditions would be fulfilled during 2009. Within the “road map,” the first group of questions pertains to “document safety,” i.e. passports and ID cards. Serbia should urgently start issuing biometric passports according to European Commission and International Organization for Civil Aviation standards, including biometric data for photographs and fingerprints. Authorities should also reinforce the safety of these documents and their issuance, and regularly deliver data about stolen or lost passports to Interpol. Not less important is the issue of ille-

ROAD TO EU The first visible signal that Serbia is approaching the EU would be the rescission of or at least the liberalization of the visa regime. The road map was presented to Serbian officials at the beginning of May in Belgrade, by Vice Chairman of European Commission, Jacques Barrot.

gal immigration and readmission. Regarding this issue, it is necessary to pass laws on border management and budgetary and administrative regulations that would enable efficient technological equipping of borders. Serbia should also adopt and apply asylum legislation in line with the 1951 Geneva Convention and legal frameworks and EU standards. In relation to this, Europe expects Serbia to pay special attention to the mechanisms for

the Serbian Parliament should work without any obstructions and in overdrive. An accelerated procedure should be used for passing laws on the prevention of corruption by establishing a specific independent agency to this end. The Serbian judiciary and police would also have to strengthen their cooperation with the countries in the region and with the EU in the fight against criminals. Somehow it seems, assuming that there is political will, an easier Infrastructure is, as one can see from the job envisages guarantees Croatian example, the main prerequisite for freedom of movement for any development, and especially of equal of all citizens of Serbia, issuing travel and personregional development. al documents to all citmonitoring migration, including details on ille- izens without any discrimination against migal and legal migration and prevention and re- nority groups, such as displaced persons and search of organized illegal migration. refugees. The third, and for internal circumstancThe European Commission will also suges perhaps the most important group of ques- gest similar measures to other Western Balkan tions, has been dedicated to public order and countries, and the speed of coming to the “white safety. Regarding the prevention and fight Schengen list” will be measured by the fulfilagainst organized crime and corruption, it is ment of criteria by each individual country. required to apply strategy and to adopt and apIf it were to be democratically and pro-Euply an action plan. In addition to this, Serbia ropean oriented, the new Serbian government should formulate and apply additional strate- that’s had a beneficial wind already blowing gic documents in the fight against human traf- in its direction since the pre-election camficking, adopt a law on the prevention of ter- paign, has good chances to make a significant rorism financing, one for the prevention and move ahead, and no one either in Brussels or battle against money laundering, pass a law al- in Belgrade would frown about Serbia’s entry lowing the confiscation of criminals’ proper- into Europe, paradoxically led by the elements ties, and adopt and prepare a national strategy of Milošević’s regime – the same ones who for the fight against drugs. separated her from Europe. If we want liberalization of the visa regime, Hit the road, Jack!!! CorD / June 2008 47

B2B THERE IS ONLY ONE THING YOU NEED FROM A BANK. EVERYTHING

indomestic Banka is part of Gruppo Banca CR Firenze and BNP Paribas, one of the largest banking groups in the world. Findomestic Banka operates in Serbia as an universal bank, providing complete range of services for both corporate and retail clients. Also we are the only bank in the Serbian market specialized in consumer finance. Efficiency and tailor made approach to clients represent our main competitive advantage. Through very close observation of the market and clients’ needs and expectations we constantly adapt our offer and develop new products that are in the best interest of all our client segments. For example, we have recently introduced investment units selling for both retail and corporate clients, including residents and nonresidents. In the consumer finance segment, Findomestic Banka introduced a state of the art IT system which enabled instant and on the spot final answer to loan requests with absolutely no need for client to go to the bank. After only one year, Findomestic Banka established itself as a leader in POS lending with a network of more than 1600 locations of key merchants of white and brown goods. However, being a socially responsible financial institution, Findomestic Banka will continue to analyze and approve loan requests though its scoring system. At this moment, Findomestic Banka approves approximately 70 per cent of all consumer loans which is coherent with its policy of responsible lending and long-term strategy for Serbia. In 2008, Findomestic Banka continues to pursue its strategy to efficiently answer to all client segments needs through its complete offer of banking products and services. On one hand we will expand our network enabling access to banking services to clients in all parts of Serbia, and, on the other, we will continue to upgrade and expand our offer providing high quality service to all our clients. Also, we will further develop in the consumer finance segment in order to maintain our position as market leader. We remain dedicated to fulfill our mission and be true to our slogan “Bank is wherever you are” offering the one thing needed from a bank: Everything.

48 CorD / June 2008

CONTINUATION OF PIRAEUS GROUP DYNAMIC COURSE

SIMPO: EVERYTHING FOR HEALTHY SLEEP

iraeus Group continued its dynamic course in first qurter 2008 as well, despite the volatile international environment. The growth rate of deposits accelerated to 39%, of loans remained 48% and of profitability reached 46%. At the end of March 2008, the Group’s total assets reached €48.5 bn, the branch network exceeded 780 units, while net profit amounted to €138.5 mn. Interest income and commissions, comprising 80% of total net revenues and constituting dynamic source of recurring profitability, were enhanced significantly. These developments are aligned with the Group’s Business Plan targets through to 2010, which remain intact. The excellent first quarter results are continuation of Group`s dynamic growth that was noted at the end of 2007. The ac-

celeration of Piraeus Group volumes in 2007 exceeded past performances with an increase in total assets by 50% reaching €46 bn. Similar growth rate by 50% was recorded in profitability that amounted to €653 mn, before the additional tax burden incurred in January 2008 to banking capital gains retroactively as of 2007. 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 increase recorded in the 4th quarter 2006, reassuring the Group’s effectiveness and resilience against changing market conditions.

anStudio is the first professional studio dedicated to complete furnishing of the bedroom. Here, in one place, you can find everything needed for healthy sleep.

SanStudio offers you a vast selection of all necessary elements for furnishing perfect sleep: beds, mattresses, mattress bases, pillows, bedlinen, covers, blankets, curtains and other accessories. Since it is best to follow the advice of physicians when it comes to all this, consultations with our physiatrist are currently available at SanStudio, where you can ask about everything concerning healthy sleep. To make moments of rest as perfect as possible, you need a bed that is the epitome of simplicity of beauty, of such reduced form that it eases both the space and the mind... We take this oportunity to present you the bed BELA. Premium, finely stitched and treated leather of the headrest and of the corpus, as well as fine metal legs, make BELA the central element of a bedroom where comfort and functionality do not exclude one another. You can complement BELA with bedlinen of the leading Italian manufacturer Bassetti, made of finest cotton, in solid colors for those who relish minimalism and reduced forms, or in various designs, for those who readily give in to motifs of the Far East. Visit SanStudio. We guarantee better sleep. SanStudio Njegoševa br. 70, Beograd tel: 011 / 244 39 52 SMECA AND OFFICE DU DUCROIRE LUXEMBURG SIGNED THE REINSURANCE AGREEMENT

The meeting took place at the Office du Ducroire Luxemburg in Luxembourg regarding the export credit insurance for Tarkett doo and Tarkett Trade. The meeting was attended by officials from Tarkett Companies as Insured, officials from SMECA as Insurers and, officials from Office National du Ducroire Luxemburg, ONDD from Belgum, as Reinsurers. At that assembly it was discussed the issues regarding the conducting the insurance contract and, also the specifics of a particular markets. SMECA and Office du Ducroire Luxemburg signed the Reinsurance Agreement and confirmed the willingness for further cooperation. VERANO OPENED ZIRA HOTEL BELGRADE

t Friday night, on May 9th, in front of over 2000 visitors, Radomir Živanić, Manager of Verano Company has together with our famous basketball player Dejan Bodiroga, solemnly cut the tape and opened exclusive Zira Hotel Belgrade, located at the corner of Roosevelt’s and Cvijićeva Streets. With its excellent position Zira Hotel Belgrade secures for each guest the fastest link with all vital parts of the city and places important for each Belgrade visitor, whether that person is in tourist or business visit. With its contents and top service it satisfies the needs of business users of

all categories and it can be freely said that it ranks between the world renown hotels. With capacity of 126 rooms equipped with all contents mitigating functioning and increasing comfort, from the method of service rendering to communication system, Zira Hotel Belgrade unifies offer meeting the requirements and needs of the modern business world – it has the most modern fitness and spa centre, as well as congress centre total area of 1400 m2, with the most modern equipment for organizing semi-

nars and exhibitions of all kinds. In the composition of Zira Hotel Belgrade, and at service of the guests are bar and one of the most exclusive international cuisine restaurant „Gaetano”, where the Chief of Cuisine is Gaetano Sgroi, who was for many years cook in famous Hotel Hyatt, and is considered to be the best cook in the Mediterranean. For its guests Zira Hotel Belgrade provides complete service – from transport to and from Hotel, underground garage capacity of 500 places, staff that is constantly at one’s disposal and trained to communicate in several languages, to modern shopping centre Zira, physically connected with the hotel by internal communication, and which is with more than 30 boutiques offering the guests everything that is needed, from bank, coffee shops, high class apparel, to boutiques with jewellery and shop for international magazines and books. HYUNDAI CENTER OPENS IN NEW BELGRADE

ales, showroom, service, spare parts, and business space under one roof A formal ceremony attended by Hyundai Motor Company representatives, contractors, and media on May 15th officially opened Belgades’s new Hyundai Auto d.o.o. (Limited Liability Company). At a new address in Milutina Milankovića Street 7V (previously III Boulevard) in New Belgrade, in an ultra-

are also a 500 m² spare parts warehouse with around 10,000 items, sales of spare parts and accessories, as well as all Serbian Hyundai administrative activities. The attractive architectural building spreads over 12,400 square meters, and has been equipped according to the latest Hyundai standards, while furniture and corporate labels have been supplied by a renowned German company. By applying these standards, the new business center in New Belgrade is the first of this kind in Europe. «I believe that the new building that sprouted out of New Belgrade’s asphalt will in less than ten months’ time find its place with grace and beauty not only on a map of Belgrade,

modern facility are located an exclusive sales showroom, services covering an area of approximately 1,000 m² where all mechanic and diagnostic vehicle services are performed, body and painting work, and installation of additional automotive equipment. Under the same roof CorD / June 2008 49

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Serbia, but also of Europe,» said Slavc Habič, General Manager of Hyundai Auto Belgrade at the formal opening. «We promised to raise Hyundai in Serbia to the position that it deserves. We have achieved that. In the last two years sales have increased by more than 50 percent, but I proudly point out that in the first four months of this year they have reached 62 percent, and in April more than 90 percent.» On behalf of the owner, the attendees were also addressed by Mr. Ivan Vitežnik. «To construct and furnish such a facility in less than a year, and to simultaneously keep a high tempo of automobile sales is a feat that is only accomplished by well-motivated individuals and teams such as those employed by Hyundai Auto Belgrade.» With wishes that the new center in New Belgrade will assist in the implementation of ambitious business plans, Hyundai Motor Corporation’s Manager for Eastern Europe Countries, Ahn Young Jin, handed over to Hyundai Auto Belgrade Manager the Hyundai Elite Dealer award, the highest tribute the company awards to dealers for dedication to work and extraordinary achievements in improvement of services. Hyundai has been present on the Serbian market since 2002. In the last six years excellent sales results have been achieved, with intensive expansion and modernization of after-sales service activities. Total investments in Serbia have exceeded 30 million euros, while the current and future owners of Hyundai vehicles are able to receive expert, qualitative,

quick service and sales services in their place of residence or closeby. Potential buyers and current owners of Hyundai vehicles have at their disposal centers in Belgrade, Niš, Kraljevo, Jagodina, Čačak, Užice, Novi Sad, Subotica, Sombor, and Šabac. The newly-opened business center in New Belgrade shall become ‘a pivotal point,’ a place for sales and technical support to all who are in any way related to the Hyundai trademark. Construction and equipping of the new business center for Serbia is a part of ambitious Hyundai’s multiannual global strategy that has enabled this increasingly popular Korean company to become the sixth global automobile manufacturer. 16th May 2008 Hyundai Motor Corporation was established in 1967, and in September 2000 it has grown into Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group. In 2006 the Group sold 3.92 million cars, which makes it the biggest automobile manufacturer in the world, with more than twenty accessory services and affiliates related to autoobile industry. Hyundai Motor Co. employs more than 68,000 people around the world. In 2006 the Corporation has in total sold 2,663,998 vehicles. Hyundai cars are sold in 193 states by over 5,000 official distributors and salons. More information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products can be found at http://www.hyundai-motor.com Hyundai Auto d.o.o. (Limited Liability Company) Belgrade, Milutina Milankovića 7V, SRB-11070 New Belgrade, Serbia

SUMMER ART LINK Summer Art Link is a three week cultural event bringing together the most talented young artists, the best of the already established artists, lovers of art and art audiences in general, the media, the patrons who support the arts and artists, and plenty of public attention. The concerts, exhibitions, roundtables, master classes and workshops all take place in renowned or up and coming Belgrade venues. A summer art spirit links together all those who cherish art – the artists, without whom no art would be created, the audience – without which the artists would not feel the “butterflies” when they show their art, the mentors – without whose insights the younger generations of artists would advance with much more pain and hardship, and the audiences could not say: “Now that is wise”, the corporate and private patrons who understand what art is and how import for the community it is to support it. ArtLink is there to help the Linking take place and take hold. The central event at Summer ArtLink will be the promotion of The Most Promising Young Artist for 2008, sponsored by Audi. ArtLink intends to recognise and promote the best artists within their field and assist them in their future professional engagements. The winners of ArtLink – Audi Award for 2006 and 50 CorD / June 2008

Phone +381 (0)11 2252-300, fax 2252-303, salon 2252-500, service 2252-400 e-mail: office@hyundai.co.rs EBRD INVESTS 260 MILLION EUROS IN SERBIA “The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to invest between 220 and 260 million euros in Serbia this year,” says President of the institution Jean Lemierre. He says that the priorities of the EBRD in Serbia include investing in infrastructure, the financial sector, energetics, communal infrastructure, and the agricultural-industrial complex. According to Lemierre, the EBRD is also ready to support foreign greenfield investments, and to provide financing for the development of small and medium enterprises in Serbia. “In order to continue attracting investors, Serbia has to continue with privatization, the development of infrastructure, and the strengthening of the financial sector. The key factors for this will be continuing economic growth, political stability, and reforms in the busi-

2007 were Rajic, Stanko Madic, violinist and Nemanja Stankovic, cellist. It is ArtLink’s pleasure to present the exclusive sponsor of the ArtLink’s Most Promising Young Artist selection – AUDI, which recognised the importance and the value of this Award. This cooperation is an excellent example of partnership between Art and Business sectors on a high quality art project that should serve as a role model in the revival of the concept of patronage, a concept that relies on investment and support of talented individuals. promotion of the most promising young artist for 2008 General sponsor: AUDI Juln 27, Crystal Hall, Hayatt Regency Belgrade ArtLink, under sponsorship by Audi, will award the Most Promising Young Music artist for 2008. The winner of the Most Promising Young Artist award will be announced at the event. The announcement will be followed by the chosen artist’s mini concert – to present his or her talents to the audience, and the presentation of the actual award – a statuette and a stipend. The award statuette will be the result of a related competition for visual artists and designers based on Audi’s four circles. The Award also included recording and publication of a CD as well as promotion until the end of the year. The chosen artist will become ArtLink’s exclusive artist.

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ness area,” assesses Lemierre. Since 2001 the EBRD has invested 1.3 billion euros in 77 projects in Serbia, while only last year 326 million euros were invested. Lemierre states that from the total amount of EBRD investments in Serbia, 551 million euros were invested in infrastructure, 344 million in the business sector, 308 million in the financial sector, and 172 million in the energetic sector. Source: Beta ZEPTER GIVES UP ON IMT

ed in buying Zastava’s spare part company. The auction sale of this company, which is part of the Zastava Corporation from Kragujevac, was postponed several times because there were no interested bidders, and the privatization negotiations between representatives of the Delphi management, heads of Zastava, and city government officials in charge of industry are in progress. The Delphi Company is the leading world producer of electronics and transport system parts, including car parts. The company headquarters are in the US, it employs almost 170 000 workers in its 156 factories in 34 countries. Source: B92, Danas TENDER FOR SALE OF PAPER FACTORY

T H

ASS-SIP consortium has withdrawn from the purchase of IMT, so negotiations with the runner-up bidder will begin,” confirmed Assistant Minister of Economy and Regional Development Nebojša Ćirić for B92. “The deadline for the “Home Art & Sales Services” company consortium from Switzerland, composed of Filip Cepter’s companies and “SIP Strojna industrija” from Slovenia, to pay the bank guarantee of 12 million euros was Friday, but the Privatization Agency was informed that they are unable to do so,” says Ćirić. HASS-SIP consortium informed the Privatization Agency that it is withdrawing from the purchase of IMT, because the banks they had financing agreements with withdrew from all investments in Serbia, reports the Agency. Consequently, as they explained, they were unable to procure the money, even in the five-day supplementary deadline that was granted to the consortium by the Privatization Agency. Blic announced that, according to unofficial sources, the runner-up bidder will also withdraw from the purchase of IMT, because they did not secure the money. Economists estimate that political instability is deterring investors from procuring the needed money, and they say that after several failed tenders the State should consider alternative forms of privatization for IMT and other enterprises. Source: B92, Tanjug DELPHI WANTS ZASTAVA SPARE PARTS?

ultinational company Delphi, which is considered one of the largest car parts producers in the world, is interest-

52 CorD / June 2008

he Privatization Agency announced a tender for the sale of 83.9 percent of shares of the Paper Factory in Belgrade, at a minimal starting price of 1.67 million euros. The closing date for submitting binding proposals is July 15th, and the bidder will be obliged to offer a price for one hundred percent of the company’s shares, because after signing the Sale Agreement the Share Fund will call all stockholders to attach their shares. The condition for participating in the tender is that the potential buyer has been working in the field of paper and cardboard production and organizing old paper collection for the past three years, and that in the year 2007 they made a profit of at least 25 million euros. Source: Tanjug SORAVIA BUILDS REAL ESTATE IN SERBIA

he International Finance Corporation announced that it has invested in Soravia and granted it a loan for building business projects in Serbia and other Balkan countries. According to the announcement, the agreement with the IFC, which is a member of the World Bank, will enable the Austrian company to realize projects for building business estates in Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, and Bulgaria. It is pointed out that this is the first time the IFC has invested in a construction company working in the Balkans, and that the realization of this project will contribute to the opening of new jobs and the

development of infrastructure needed for the work of other companies in the region. Soravia is also planning projects for building business estates in Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Montenegro, and Ukraine, according to the statement. Source: Beta APRIL INCOME IN MONTENEGRO 402 €

he average Montenegrin income in April was 402 euros, without tax and contributions, which shows a nominal monthly growth of 1.8 percent. Due to the increase in the cost of living, the income was really 0.6 percent higher. Retail prices in Montenegro achieved a monthly increase of 0.8 percent in April, while the highest increase was noted in agricultural products – five percent. The cost of living, that is retail prices of consumption products and services, had a monthly increase of 1.2 percent. Industrial production noted a 7.1 percent increase in the period from January to April in comparison with the same period last year. Source: Beta UNICREDIT BANK PROFIT 587 MILLION CSD

he Unicredit bank in Serbia announced that it has recorded a profit of 587 million dinars in the first three months, which is 6.12 percent higher than the same period in 2007. The total active capital of the bank exceeded 75.9 billion dinars in March, which is 12.4 percent higher than the end of the same month last year, according to the bank’s statement. According to data of the National Bank of Serbia, with this active capital the Unicredit bank holds 4.7 percent of the Serbian banking market. The number of Unicredit bank clients increased to 126.822, which is 11.4 percent higher than the end of the first trimester of 2007. Client deposits reached 51.75 billion dinars after the first three months of 2008, which is three billion dinars more than the end of March last year. Source: B92 CROATIA: MARCH SALARY 670 EUROS

he average March net income in Croatia was 4.824 HRK, that is 670 euros, nominally the same at a monthly level, and in fact lower by 0.6 percent. At the same time, the average gross income in March was 984 euros, nominally 0.6 percent higher than the month

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before, whereas it really stayed the same, announced the Financial Agency (FINA). FINA stressed that workers in the private sector are still paid less that workers in the public sector. The average net income in the public sector for the observed month was 753 euros, 22.2 percent higher than the private sector, and 12.4 percent higher than the state average. The average net income in the private sector was 616.5 euros, eight percent lower than the state average. Regionally speaking, the lowest average net income is in the Bjelovarsko-bilogorska district – 503 euros, and the highest in the City of Zagreb at 777 euros. Source: Beta MERCATOR INCREASES QUARTER PROFIT

lovenian Mercator announced that it has recorded an income of 611 million euros in the first quarter of this year, which is 13.8 percent higher than the same period last year. The realized net income of the largest Slovenian commercial company in the first three months of this year is 9.3 million euros, and it is 15.6 percent higher than the same period in 2007, and 23 percent higher than the plan for that period. According to the Slovenian STA agency, Mercator’s excellent business results were mainly achieved due to unexpectedly successful operations abroad, while profit in Slovenia decreased by two percent in the first quarter in comparison with the same period in 2007. Source: Tanjug

BLIC: ITALIANS WANT A PART OF MAGNOHROM

he consortium formed by the Italian Misano Company and Serbian Bomeks will offer the state a contract for the purchase of part of Magnorhom, a company which produces thermal bricks. “We are ready to directly invest five million euros in mines, resin, and pitch-bonded brick production operations that we already successfully cooperated with, and the old industry,” says Milan Belić, owner of Bomeks. “A large part of the company is under mortgage, but it is not in our interest to close down the company which, according to our estimates, can produce 40 thousand tons of finished products and the same amount of raw materials in the first year, and thus achieve a profit of 29 million euros,” he explains. Belić, whose copmany lost the race to Global Steel in the first sale of Magnohrom, says that they “had the same attitude the first time we expressed the intention to buy Magnohrom, warning that Global Steel is not a good choice.” Source: B92, Blic

AIRPORT CITY BELGRADE RECEIVES AWARD

irport City Belgrade has been granted the Europaproperty Award for the Best Office Development Project in Southeastern Europe of 2007.

Europaproperty.com specializes in real estate development in Southeastern Europe. Every year their jury of 15 of the most eminent professionals from this field decides on the best projects in the region among several categories. ACB received the award at the ceremony in Bucharest at the beginning of May. This award is even more appreciated considering the stiff competition from neighboring countries. At Airport City the third phase of building is about to be finished. At this stage, this small city within a city comprises 65,000 square meters of prestigious office space, which has become the business address for many foreign companies operating in Belgrade. Our estimation is that around 6,500 people visit ACB daily, either as employees or company visitors. GIDE LOYRETTE NOUEL

ounded in 1920 in Paris, Gide Loyrette Nouel is one of the leading international law firms with acknowledged expertise in every branch of national and international business law. It operates in 21 offices worldwide, with a network of over 720 lawyers, including 106 partners drawn from over 30 nationalities. In Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East, our lawyers offer legal advice and assistance to companies, national and international financial institu-

GRAND MOTORS: WELCOME TO SERBIA, MS. PERRELLI

n presence of members of the Diplomatic Corps, celebrities, friends of Sweden, representatives of Swedish companies with operations in Serbia, and numerous international and Serbian journalist crews from electronic and print media, H. E. Krister Bringéus, Swedish Ambassador to Serbia, organized on May 17th a reception for Ms. Charlotte Perrelli, Sweden’s participant to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. His Excellency Ambassador Bringéus wished Ms. Perrelli a warm welcome to Serbia and good luck in the contest. Ms. Perrelli is to perform at this year’s musical spectacle taking place in Belgrade between May 20 and 24, singing her original composition “Hero,” winner of the Swedish national contest Melodifestivalen earlier this year. Charlotte Perrelli thanked H.E. Ambassador Bringéus for his good wishes and hospitality, expressing hope that she will repeat the success of former Swedish participants at this traditional contest. In her brief address to journalists, among other things she praised the competition’s organizer, Eurovision Song Contest, and particularly emphasized the great hospitality shown during her two-week visit in Serbia. “I carry with me the very best memories from Serbia,” said Ms. Perrelli. Ms. Charlotte Perrelli arrived at the reception in a Volvo XC90, the most prestigious model of the eminent Swedish manufacturer, Volvo

54 CorD / June 2008

From left: Mr. Stanko Radic, General Manager of Grand Motors, Mrs. Perrelli, Mr. Krister Bringéus, Swedish Ambassador to Serbia, and Mr. Per-Olof Möller, Director Diplomat Sales of Volvo Automobile Corporation Automobile Corporation. The same vehicle has been used by the Swedish representative at the Eurovision Song Contest on several occasions while visiting the most interesting sites in the Serbian capital.

tions and governments. Established for more than 15 years in Central and Eastern Europe, Gide Loyrette Nouel is one of the first international law firms to assist clients wishing to venture into these new markets, offering the benefit of local market knowledge and our regional network combined with the expertise and know-how of an international law firm. The Firm has now acknowledged regional expertise with a staff of more than 220 including 150 lawyers spread across 8 countries: Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and The Ukraine. Opened in 2004, the Belgrade Office was one of the first international law offices to be established in the Balkans. The office currently employs 18 legal staff, local and international, covering the territory of Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Major practice areas include: Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Project Finance Real Estate European Law and Competition Banking and Finance Taxation

HARRISONS SPONSORS RED STAR RUGBY CLUB

arrisons Solicitors, the International Law Firm for the Balkans, have further expanded their corporate and social responsibility activities by becoming the sponsors of Red Star Rugby Club. Last year, to assist in both the development of the Rugby League in Serbia and to promote bi-lateral relations with Great Britain, Harrisons organized a Rugby League Challenge Trophy played between teams from England and Serbia. Surprisingly, the Rugby League was first introduced into Serbia in 1953, over 50 years ago, and there are presently 5 major league teams; 3 from Belgrade and one each from Nis and Novi Sad. Mark Harrisons, Founder

of Harrisons, commented, “We are delighted to be helping a growing sport in Serbia in particular because it has origins and links to my original home, the North of England. Likewise, we are proud to be associated with Red Star, a name synonymous with the highest professionalism in sports, and a name known throughout the world for sporting excellence. It is my hope that one day Serbia will be playing Great Britain on the international stage. Unfortunately, as my son is only 3, it will be a little while yet before I can introduce him to the game!” Harrison further commented “We take our responsibility to the Serbian community very seriously, and in addition to sports, are very much involved in improving healthcare, and in particular charities involving children.” Harrisons were Platinum Sponsors of the Robert Burns Charity Ceilidh held on February 2nd 2008, hosted by the British Ambassador H.E. Mr. Stephen Wordsworth and Mrs. Nichole Wordsworth. The substantial amount of money raised at the event will be used for Save the Children’s work in Serbia to improve the service of children with disabilities and the development of specialized foster care in particular.

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B2B MACE IN SERBIA SINCE 2004

ace has been doing business in Serbia since 2004, and, in this short period of time we have managed to distinguish ourselves and prove ourselves leaders in the area of project management, supervision, and coordination of designers and leaseholders. Our teams are formed of highly trained people, most of whom also have international experience on large projects. To us, every project is the priority, regardless of its size and value of investment. We have demonstrated professionalism, and operations to date have resulted in Mace d.o.o. business operation expansion to the territories of the former Yugoslavia as well, i.e. to Montenegro and Croatia. In addition, Mace d.o.o Belgrade is a link in the strong chain of the Mace Group, a company founded in London in 1989. The Mace Group represents one of the biggest independent organizations in the field of professional and project management in the sector of construction and real estate. We provide a wide spectrum of services that can be tailored to accommodate the requirements of our clients. They include: Consulting in the process of construction Investment management (Planning and Designing) Project management Construction management Procurement of equipment and materials Supply chain and logistic solutions Coordination of Leaseholders. We are in a position to offer a wide spectrum of consultant services, such as project control, upgrading of processes, design control, and risk management. Our offer for project management is in compliance with the offer of the Mace Group. It consists of a wide range of services provided in line with the client’s needs. Mace is unique in the method of approaching a client and his/her demands and needs.

NATUZZI: FROM NEW YORK TO SHANGHAI, TRAVELLING THROUGH ITALIAN STYLE ilan, Paris, New York, but also Moscow, Beijing, Dubai; cities of the greatest trademarks, capitals of fashion, shopping paradises, where ‘Made in Italy’ is represented by its most prestigious names. Italian style has conquered the world, and in the streets of luxury it is on show, exercising its fascination at every latitude and in every culture. In our imaginary journey from city to city, we find a constant thread joining the continents under the sign of style

portant cities in the world, and 480 galleries inside department stores like Selfridges in Great Britain, Bloomingdale’s in the United States, and David Jones in Australia. Natuzzi Stores have been designed to project the elegance of the trademark’s style, offering a unique, unmatched shopping experience. Each piece is entirely designed and created by the Natuzzi Style Center, a laboratory of ideas which, under the leadership of Pasquale Natuzzi, confers on every store a strong and personal identity. Among them stands out the New York store, located in Soho, the trendiest part of the city, where creativity simmers and

and design, a constant thread represented by the great names in Italian style. In the field of furnishings and interior decoration, the presence of Natuzzi stands out as the sector’s most important Italian company and as the world leader in leather sofas. Natuzzi is recognized throughout the world as being synonymous with innovation, quality, and elegance. Thanks to its constant commitment to research in pursuit of ever higher quality in a completely Italian style that combines elegance and innovation, Natuzzi is also recognized for its attention to detail and maximum comfort. This commitment has been rewarded by the success of the trademark, which is well represented in every corner of the world: 290 Natuzzi stores, flagship shops in the heart of the most im-

where the greatest ‘Made in Italy’ names compete for space. Natuzzi has a special link with the United States, so much so that it has also opened premises at High Point (North Carolina), the “Furniture Capital” of the United States. Offices and an 8,000 square meter show-room are housed in a futuristic-shaped building reminiscent of a huge wind-filled sail, designed by the architect Mario Bellini. In addition to the great cities of the West, Natuzzi style is also available in other important cities around the globe. The first store opened in 2007 was in Honolulu, in the Hawaiian Islands, followed by Tel Aviv, Saint Petersburg, and on Shanghai’s prestigious Nanjing Road, the shopping street par excellence, one of the busiest in the world.

KMBN: BILLION DINAR PROFIT

ommercial Bank a.d. Belgrade (KMBN) announced that it expects a billion dinar profit in the first half of this year, which is around 100 million higher than the same period in 2007. According to the six-month business plan published on the web site of this bank, three billion dinars are expected from interests, 1.8 billion dinars from fees and commissions, and 423 million dinars from exchange differences, while the planned expenditure is 4.2 billion dinars. The total active capital of Commercial Bank should increase by 13.5 billion dinars in the first six months to a total of 160.9 billion dinars. Commercial Bank ended the year 2007 with 2.9 bil-

56 CorD / June 2008

lion dinars in profit, and a total active capital of 147.4 billion dinars. According to data of the National Bank of Serbia, at the end of the first trimester this year Commercial Bank, with an active capital of 156.7 billion dinars, held 9.7 percent of the Serbian banking market, and had the third largest active capital. Source: Beta

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CORPORATE WOMEN

Svetlana Tolmacheva, Executive Board Member ProCredit Bank

Love at First Sight ‘We have had the opportunity to see foreigners express great interest in investing in Serbia, which was perhaps much greater than for some other countries in the region, and I believe that when the situation settles down and all this is past us, their interest will return. Compared to other countries, I think that Serbia really has great potential to attract foreign investments.’ BY TATJANA OSTOJIC What was your first impression of Serbia when you came here? I came to Serbia for private reasons soon after the events of October 5th, 2000, more precisely in December of that year. What struck me the most about Serbia was the openness and warmth of the Serbian people. I find people here to be very sociable, positive, kind, and always ready to help. Even at the start of my stay, for not one moment did I feel like a foreigner. I’ve always felt extremely pleased, relaxed, and comfortable. I remember there were power restrictions that winter. My husband and I lived in his parents’ house. There was no central heating, and it was dark and cold, but all of that couldn’t spoil my positive impression of Serbia. 58 CorD / June 2008

You say that you came to Serbia for private reasons? Yes, my husband is from Serbia, and we met in Russia. However, few people nowadays believe that I came to Serbia for private reasons. They’re probably bearing in mind the position I hold. I’m employed in a bank where I have a relatively successful career, so everyone thinks I’m here on business. However, I started working here, perhaps not from zero, but I definitely took a step down in the business sense because I came for private reasons, so I had to prove myself again in Serbia. In Volgograd, after graduating from the University, I worked in Sberbank for five years. It’s the largest Russian bank, owned in part by the State. I started as an internal auditor, and after that I became chief of the International Payments Department. When

I decided to come to Serbia, I left Sberbank. I was unemployed for the first few months in Serbia, but then I got lucky because the Serbian market started opening up to foreign investments and foreign companies at that moment. That is when foreign banks also started coming to the Serbian market. It was a truly positive moment when people were getting jobs in the banking sector, and I already had five years of experience with banking in Russia, so I was certain that I would easily find work here. I think that my husband was the most stressedout at that moment, because of my coming here. He felt responsible. He worried if I was going to make it, if I was going to fit in, if I was going to find my way, whether I would make friends, if I would find work. However, I was optimistic that everything would work out fine, although I have to admit I applied in a few foreign banks and companies where I was turned down. I didn’t lose faith that everything would turn out alright in the end, and indeed, after only six months I found a job in ProCredit, which was then MicroFinance Bank. I started as an auditor, and afterwards I was made Executive Director of Finance and now I’m a member of the Executive Board. I always say that what I

really appreciate in ProCredit Bank is that attention is paid to essence above all, and not form. Everyone is given a chance to prove he has potential, to develop and distinguish himself. I am still extremely grateful to ProCredit, for giving me an opportunity and for not looking at my nationality and the fact that I’m a foreigner here, but instead looking above all at my professional qualities. That is something which differentiates ProCredit Bank from many other employers. When you started working, was there a big difference between the Serbian and Russian business world? My impression about the business environment didn’t differ much from my general impression of Serbia. I didn’t have any problems adapting to that business environment because the people were extremely forthcoming, so I can only say positive things about my beginnings. True, the regulations were somewhat different compared to Russia. The thing is that Russia started a little earlier with the transition period from socialism to market economy. Today when I look back I have to say that a lot has been done. There have been many changes in the banking system and in reorganizing banks. Foreign banks came, competition is stiffer, new products were developed, and that in itself gave us a better quality of service. In addition, there have been changes in legislation, not only in the banking sector, but new laws were enacted regarding taxes, founding new companies, company business, and foreign currency laws. I think that great progress has been made there. Today, keeping in mind the business environment and the recent parliamentary elections, what does the investment and business climate in Serbia look like in your opinion? At this moment I’d say that it looks pretty undefined, uncertain, although the election results turned out a little better than we had hoped. I’m once again an optimist. We went through multiple decisive stages when everything was unknown, and still we have a very good outlook on future. I hope that this is the last event where we’re at a junction and have to choose the way to go. When I say ‘we,’ I mean Serbia. But everybody feels that. For example, when we’re negotiating with our partners from abroad about getting new loans, we can sense

this distrustful relationship from the foreigners, not towards our bank, but towards the country. ProCredit has one very positive experience, because we attracted a large sum in March of last year. That was the first time that a bank from Serbia entered the foreign capital market completely on its own, without any sort of support from the foreign head office, because we don’t have a typical parental bank abroad like some other banks in Serbia have. We achieved great success and witnessed great interest in Serbia from investors. Namely, we issued bonds to foreign capital markets, and the interest we encountered was over three times more than what we had set as our goal. Of course, we had to

THE GLOBAL CRISIS

PROCREDIT

COMPARATION

That situation has changed now, bearing in mind the global crisis and taking into consideration the events within Serbia. So if we were to go to a foreign bank or capital market and ask for a loan now, the price would be much higher

ProCredit has one very positive experience,because we attracted a large sum in March of last year.That was the first time that a bank from Serbia entered the foreign capital market completely on its own, without any sort of support from the foreign head office

I always compare Serbia and Russia in that business sense. Since we have contacts with some Russian banks, our Russian colleagues tell us that their closest branch office is an hour away by plane, and we say that our remotest one is four hours away by car

pay a certain price which is connected to the risk of the country’s political and economic situation, and a degree of uncertainty, but regardless, I think that we achieved great success and extremely good conditions. That situation has changed now, bearing in mind the global crisis and taking into consideration the events within Serbia. So if we were to go to a foreign bank or capital market and ask for a loan now, the price would be much higher because of those reasons. However, this was, in my personal view, a signal of very firm belief in what ProCredit does here in Serbia, although our operations are not aimed at profit maximization. I have to say this was a positive attitude of foreign investors as much for Serbia for ProCredit Bank. Experts say that Serbia, compared to the countries of the region, has a huge investment capital. Do you agree with that assessment? I think so, and we were able to see that before this new wave of instability started, sometime in the autumn of 2007. We have had the opportunity to see foreigners express great interest in investing in Serbia, which was perhaps much greater than for some other countries in the region, and I believe that when the situation settles down and all this is past us, their interest CorD / June 2008 59

CORPORATE WOMEN

THREE WOMEN AT THE HEAD OF THE BANK I’ve never encountered a problem in being a woman. So I don’t feel a need to point out now that it’s excellent that we women have succeeded and are at the head of the bank. Fair decisions were always made, so I see this fact in a completely normal way. But I have to point out that there aren’t many women in leading positions in the banking sector as is the case with ProCredit Bank. Abroad it’s the same situation. Working with foreign banks, I noticed that it’s mostly men who hold not only the leading positions, but also managerial positions. I was fascinated by that, because I thought that this had already been resolved in countries like Germany, although perhaps this situation occurred completely naturally. will return. Compared to other countries, I think that Serbia really has great potential to attract foreign investments. If today ProCredit Bank offered you a job outside of Serbia, would you take it? I don’t think so. As a person who has experience with switching countries, even if this experience was extremely positive for me – although maybe it’s also the passing years – I’d say no. Maybe it’s also because I’ve found myself in a perfect way in Serbia. There was a period a year or two after I had come to Serbia when I became aware of the seriousness of changing countries, and I began to ask myself if I had done the right thing, if I really wanted to spend my life so far from my country, my parents, my friends and relatives. Now I think that question has definitely been answered in Serbia’s favor and I wouldn’t change Serbia for some other country. How similar or different are Serbs and Russians according to you? I feel a similarity between the Serbian and Russian mentalities, although there are differences as well. Unfortunately, what left a big mark on the Russian people was 70 years of socialism, and then a sudden move into the transition towards capitalism. No one had a luxurious life under socialism, but everybody knew that some kind of a minimum was guaranteed. That’s why no one had to fight for his life, for existence. Then came a sudden crossover to market conditions and the entire system crashed. Suddenly everyone had to fight for survival. Basically, during the nineties in the era of ‘wild capitalism,’ the Russian people were overburdened with the struggle for survival and that left a mark on them in the sense that they became more closed, I would even say that they became more aggressive. While in Serbia, regardless of how hard it was during such a period, I have the impression that the people managed to preserve openness, warmth, and sociability. In the past few years, I can see things loosening up a bit when I go to Russia. The economic situation is becoming a little easier, better, so people are more relaxed. My parents belong to that generation which was hurt the most. The transition caught them in their forties, when they were no longer in a position to adapt to new conditions, but they’re alright now. I try to help them, especially be60 CorD / June 2008

I believe that they would be fascinated by Belgrade if they were to come. How much of an opportunity have you had to travel through Serbia? I have to admit that the most of my travels through Serbia were in some way connected to business. ProCredit has branches throughout the country, so most of my traveling and visits were business-related. I always compare Serbia and Russia in that business sense. Since we have contacts with some Russian banks, our Russian colleagues tell us that their closest branch office is an hour away by plane, and we say that our remotest one is four hours away by car. But I like Serbia. I think that the countryside is beautiful. my husband and I like just to sit in a car and drive off somewhere outside Belgrade and enjoy the view, nature, fields, and forests. There are some really wonderful places here. But I think what attracts me the most is the mountains, perhaps because I come from flatlands. They are the most beautiful thing to me here. Zlatibor and Kopaonik in winter look to me like they came out of a fairytale. What do you like the most in Belgrade? Do you have favorite places where you go out? I’d say I’m not the type who spends a lot of time in cafés and restaurants. Somehow I prefer

I decided to come to Serbia, I left Sberbank. I was unemployed for the first few months in Serbia, but then I got lucky because the Serbian market started opening up to foreign investments and foreign companies at that moment cause I think that my parents are the ones who paid the heaviest price for my coming here. It is difficult when your child moves away from you, let alone when he or she goes abroad, especially with the intention of staying there. I am very grateful to them for one thing above all, and that is that they have never tried to influence me. I had my freedom and they didn’t try to convince me of their views, to avert me from my decisions. They let me make my mistakes even when they were aware that they would be just that, so that I would learn from those mistakes. They haven’t been to Belgrade because I have a lot of relatives in Volgograd, so it is more rational for me to go and visit them all than for all of them to come here. But

to rest actively, so even when I’m doing nothing I’m doing something. But what I like in particular and what I enjoy is when I go out early in the morning around seven o’clock to run or Rollerblade when it’s quiet, to breathe fresh air, admire the greenery, the river, the sun. It is really the best way to start a day for me. I know several people from Russia here in Belgrade, although I don’t socialize with them as much as I do with Serbs. I also have a few friends who were born here, but spent a large part of their lives in Russia and they are very fond of it. So that every time we meet, an engaged discussion about both countries gets under way. Of course, I’m always on the Serbian side and they’re on the Russian, and the argument never ends.

LANGUAGE I have to admit that I learned Serbian pretty easily. I think I understood 60-70 percent of what I heard and read after only two to three months. I think that the fact that I started speaking Serbian from the beginning contributed the most to that. I never tried to use English. I do know that my Serbian back then caused big smiles on the faces of the people I spoke with, but I learned through practice. In the last few years when I go to Russia, they tell me that I have an accent when I speak Russian. So I started joking about it. I speak no language perfectly anymore. Russian I don’t speak perfectly anymore, Serbian I still don’t speak perfectly, and English I probably never will.

FACES & PLACES

Winner of Eurosong 2008. from Russia Dima Bilan

Goranci from Kosovo celebrate Đurđevdan (St. George’s Day).

S One of the biggest annual culture events, Eurosong 2008 was presented to TV spectators by Zeljko Joksimovic and Jovana Jankovic. S

Partizan players celebrate Serbia’s winning the Lav Cup after the final match against Zemun.

Gathering of bikers in front of the hall of the National Assembly of Serbia before going to Kosovo. 62 CorD / June 2008

S Eminent statesman and politician Dragoljub Micunovic was among of those decorated as a knight by Order of Art and Literature from the French Ministry of Culture at the residence of French Ambassador Mr. Jean-Francois Teral.

S Working lunch of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia in Focaccio Hall, Hyatt Hotel.

S Minister Vojislav Brajović opens the exhibition “Yugoslav Emigrant Periodicals in North and South America 1914 – 1945” in the Archives of Serbia and Montenegro.

S Minister of Finance Mirko Cvetković and the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Serbia, Igor Furdik signed the Financial Memorandum.

Montenegrin oast Metropolitan Amfilohije performed for the world the Holy Synod Archpriest’s Liturgy along with bishops who participated in the Serbian Orthodox Church Synod.

CorD / June 2008 63

FACES & PLACES

S Minister of Defense, Dragan Šutanovac uncovered a monument commemorating members of the guard brigade and patients of Dragiša Mišović hospital who perished during the NATO bombing.

S Meeting of Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mlađan Dinkić with General Manager of Mercedes Benz Company for Serbia and Montenegro, Stavros Paraskevaides.

S The Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the Ministerial Session of the Council of Europe.

Press conference of the Bački Petrovac Municipality Tourist Organization on the occasion of the Kulen Festival

S At the Master Center in Novi Sad, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Vuk Jeremic opened the formal dinner celebrating 20 years of the existence and application of ISO 9001 standard.

64 CorD / June 2008

S UniCredit Bank and the Italian Cultural Institute organize the preliminary premiere of the exhibition Scuola Romana- Artists in Rome between two wars, Italian Cultural Institute Palazzo Italia.

S President of the Republic Boris Tadic negotiated with leaders of political parties on government formation: Slobodan Samardžić DSS.

S Concert by pianist Mladen Čolić, organized by the European Commission Delegation in Belgrade for European Week.

S In ocasion of 116 th years of the birth of former Yugoslavian presedent Josip Broz Tito The Historical Museum launched the exebition of silver items that Josip Broz received during his presidence. More than 6.000 people visited Museum on the 25th May.

The Embassy of Israel in Belgrade organized a formal reception in the Belgrade City Assembly marking the 60th Anniversary of Independence of the State of Israel. H.E. Mr. Arthur Kohl, Ambassador of Israel in Serbia, greeted numerous esteemed attendees who came to celebrate with Israel.

CorD / June 2008 65

CULTURA

Interview: Roman Majetić, director and producer

FUSION I believe that state borders are not barricades, and I see no reason why we shouldn’t cooperate in the business field, especially we whose line of work is culture and show business. We are naturally oriented towards each other. BY SONJA ĆIRIĆ

oman Majetić is a Croatian TV series director, joint owner of Ava Production Company, and one of yellow journalism’s favorite topics. In Serbia he first became known for the series “Villa Maria” (“Vila Marija”) and “Love in the Offside” (“Ljubav u zaleđu”), widely accepted soap operas, then for the TV drama “Pride of the Ratkajs” (“Ponos Ratkajevih”) and the crime show “Conspiracy” (“Urota”). Viewers took special notice of the crime show because it reminded them of the assassination of the late Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić. At the end of last year, filming of the first Serbo-Croatian (or vice versa) TV series “Stop Time” (“Zaustavi vreme”) began, which will have one hundred episodes. The show is a project of Ava Film, the newly-founded Belgrade branch office of Zagreb’s Ava Production Company. The director of the Croatian crew is Roman Majetić. The reason for our conversation was “Stop Time,” but also the unusual perception of past and recent history in Majetić’s series. As soon as it was promoted, ‘Stop Time’ drew attention because it is a Serbo-Croatian co-production. At the same time, the decision to shoot the series in cooperation with Darko Bajić, 66 CorD / June 2008

your colleague from Belgrade, might potentially create problems for the series because of the author’s national origin. What do you think about this? The series “Stop Time” is produced by Ava Production Company, or more precisely, it is a co-production of our Belgrade and Zagreb offices, so like all our projects to date, it is entirely our original work. Seeing as it is primarily intended for the local Serbian market (but also for others), it was logical to hire Serbian authors

similar comments from the Croatian public? I think they have the wrong perception. An abundance of programs is being produced in Serbia, both films and TV shows. At one point we decided to expand our business to Serbia (apart from the Croatian series already present on the market), so we founded our own production in Belgrade. The company employs Serbs, the authors involved in the project are Serbs, and apart from my personal input, only the money comes from Croatia, representing an investment of over 4 million euros. I’m sorry, but I really don’t see any problem. The production is funded by our own resources, we only hire Serbian authors and crew members in all segments, currently

I don’t entirely understand the question of how anybody’s origin could be a problem. I’m only interested in the quality of every author involved in a project. for all segments of the creative process, from screenwriting to acting and directing. The only exception was me, since I directed for the first few months together with Darko Bajić, who was second unit director, and then my work was continued by another Serbian colleague. -I don’t entirely understand the question of how anybody’s origin could be a problem. I’m only interested in the quality of every author involved in a project. The Serbian media wondered why the show was not produced locally, and why it needed help from Croatia. Were there

there are more than 150 people engaged in the project…I don’t expect gratitude, but I really don’t see why anyone would have a problem with the show, on the contrary. In fact, we are treated as welcome competition by state institutions and colleagues. The title “Stop Time” sends a clear message. Which period of time would you like to stop? Personally I have no need to stop time. The title sends a clear message related to the show, in which the two main characters build their lives, friendship, and love, but then politics get involved and make them

question all their values. Does the story about two friends whose relationship changes when one of them enters politics and becomes a minister have autobiographical elements? The characters in your shows are said to represent real-life people. Will we recognize someone in this series as well? There are certainly no autobiographical elements, since the screenwriter was never a minister. Maybe the public is reminded of real-life because one of the main characters is played by Branislav Lečić, who used to be a minister and is still politically active. But I see this only as a positive experience that helps him in his work. The series “Stop Time” was the reason you opened a branch office of your production company in Belgrade. Does this business move mean that you believe that Serbia has the potential to bring you success? As you know, our shows have been present in practically all the former Yugoslav republics for years, and our preceding shows average over 4 million viewers per day. So the logical step was to work towards establishing a production company in Serbia and creating Serbian shows. Whether the company will be successful or not, we will see. I hope that we will manage to return our investment and that the quality and success of the show will enable us to begin new projects.

ture and show business. We are naturally oriented towards each other. I think that no one sees this as an obstacle any more, and I’m glad to see Croatian actors in Serbian or Bosnian films and series as well. The first series you presented to Serbian television audiences were so- called soap operas. To the general public, these were also one of the first indicators of Croatian creative work. How did people in your environment react to the fact

that Croatia was being promoted by soap operas? I don’t try to avoid labels, but I find it awfully banal to base one’s judgment on the assumption that form defines quality. This simply isn’t true. You have plenty of bad expensive films, and just as many TV shows, so you also have bad and good soap operas. We always try to do our best, regardless of whether we’re working on a series with 170 episodes, or a high-budget thriller in 12 parts like “Conspiracy.” I am especially pleased with the success all our

SERBIA

PROBLEMS

“USTAŠE”

At one point we decided to expand our business to Serbia (apart from the Croatian series already present on the market), so we founded our own production in Belgrade.

The truth is that one actress was let go at the very start of filming because she failed to fulfill her obligations.These things occasionally happen.

We for the first time expressed in the Ratkajs – that the Independent State of Croatia was a criminal state. The political ideas of the Ratkajs caused a lot of controversy.

When filming started, there were reports of crew resignations and discontent because of unprofessionalism. Were there any grounds for these incidents, or do you see them as an inevitable part of every production? That simply isn’t true. No crew members resigned or expressed their discontent. The crew has been working diligently for 6 months now, which can be confirmed by numerous colleagues of yours who come to our set practically every day. The truth is that one actress was let go at the very start of filming because she failed to fulfill her obligations. These things occasionally happen, and I’m glad that in all my previous work in the last 5 years with hundreds of actors, there was only one such case. Ava Production Company’s website states that actors from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo are regularly hired for projects. Do you also feel that state borders are only curves on the map? I believe that state borders are not barricades, and I see no reason why we shouldn’t cooperate in the business field, especially we whose line of work is culCorD / June 2008 67

CULTURA

projects have had with the public. Is the show “Conspiracy” a reference to Serbia and the late Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić, as it was perceived by the local audiences and its protagonists? No, although I don’t see any problem even if it is. First of all, assassination is only one of the several current political topics from this region that “Conspiracy” deals with. This specific motif was used intentionally in Croatia to show that only a very fine line needs to be crossed to destabilize an apparently stable political environment, as Croatia is perceived today. Croatian viewers haven’t seen “Conspiracy” yet. How do you think the show was received in Serbia? Extremely well even though it aired pretty late, which limited the number of viewers. Nonetheless, the results, reviews, and feedback we received surpassed all expectations. The same goes for Macedonia where the show was first aired. Television is an educational media. Are you aware that to those who didn’t witness the historical events you portray, you are sending a message different from what one learns in history class, since your series “Pride of the Ratkajs” shows a version of Chetniks and Ustashas different than what we remember from school? I don’t know when you went to school, but in my school, even in the former Yugoslavia, Partisans were definitely portrayed differently. The political ideas and context of the Ratkajs caused a lot of controversy, especially in Croatia, where there is still a certain number of people who find it difficult to face the fact – which was for the first time expressed so clearly in the Ratkajs – that the Independent State of Croatia was a criminal state. There is no doubt about that, just like there is no doubt that the antifascist movement which was a positive entity in later stages, especially after the war, committed a significant number of crimes. - How do you prepare a series with his-

torical content? Do you abide by facts? Judging by the series “Pride of the Ratkajs,” in which you extended the life of the famous Ratkaj counts into the 20th century even though they disappeared a century before, one could conclude that you don’t pay too much attention to history. -The fact that we took the name of a real Croatian noble family that died out was a conscious decision. We wanted to have a real name, but also artistic freedom that couldn’t hurt living person. Even then we requested to do so, and were granted permis-

Viewers took special notice of the crime show because it reminded them of the assassination of the late Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić. sion from the Croatian Nobility Association. Also, the series involves a number of historical characters who are placed in accurate historical and political context, even though they are fictionalized. The screenwriters cooperated with numerous historians on that segment, and one historian was a part of our daily teamwork. You’ve built an aesthetic different

TABLOIDS Tabloids, and consequently their readers, are very well informed about your private life. Does that bother you? Of course I would prefer if that weren’t the case. But you get used to it. However, what I cannot get used to is reading about parts of my private life that I didn’t even know existed. People see it as entertainment, so I say to myself…let it go, it doesn’t matter. I’ve never filed a single lawsuit, but I’m not sure I won’t. Now I see things differently, because when writing a preposterous lie, probably none of those “reporters” stop to think that I have a life outside those pages, and that in that life, for example, I often have to answer my 9 year-old son’s questions about some women they associate me with, whom I have often never seen in my life. 68 CorD / June 2008

from what we can see in Serbian productions. Your series can be watched by entire families, while this is not advised for TV shows made by Belgrade producers. Please comment. TV shows intended for daytime broadcasting are family shows, and yes, one must respect certain rules, especially when it comes to language (cursing), and nudity. What I consider much more important in that aspect is that these series, regardless of their content, promote basic moral standards. Evil is always punished in the end. In line with that,

we also make series that are not intended for everyone. For example, we are currently finishing the filming of a high-budget crime series “I Che Guevara” (“Ja Che Guevara”) which, because of the authenticity of the storyline, contains offensive language, violence, and a lot of nudity. However, television stations certainly don’t air these series in the afternoon when children can see them. I think you can find both types of TV shows in Serbian productions as well. Do you have any role models in productions from the former Yugoslavia? Have you, for example, seen the TV series “The Written-off” (“Otpisani”), or the film “Walter Defends Sarajevo” (“Valter brani Sarajevo”)? Of course. Along with many others, those are the series and films that my generation grew up on, and their quality was exceptionally good for that time period. I’m willing to watch some of them even today, like for example “Where Wild Boars Go” (“Kuda idu divlje svinje”).

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD / June 2008 69

SOCIETY

Notes from the Big Plum

OF BUREK AND BOZA

We all have our comfort food, that little something that we just have to have when a craving strikes and nothing else will hit the spot. Sometimes it’s plain spaghetti with garlic gobbled at midnight, coffee ice cream devoured directly from the carton, or hot, fried sardines washed down with a cold beer.To each his pleasure! So, what are some typical Serb cravings?

ome mornings, usually in the pre-dawn hours of as phyllo, or in Turkish, ‘yufka’, and is filled with eithe middle of winter, but then again sometimes ther salty, fatty cheese minced meat, potatoes, spinin the midst of summer , my consciousness ach, mushrooms, or a combination of those. Of course awakes before my eyes open, alerting my stomach that Serbia has modified burek to suit itself, and here it’s breakfast is near. My stomach rumbles in response, prepared in a large, round pan and cut into portions afdemanding to know what’s on the menu: will it be ter baking, and not usually made as individual pastries. crunchy, warm toast, eggs once over easy, crispy baI don’t know anyone who makes burek at home. The con, a warm, flaky croissant, or Honey Nut Cheerios? recipe for modern round burek was developed in the “No!” screams my stomach as the rumblings angrily Serbian town of Niš, where it was introduced by a fagrow louder and louder until my eyes flash open with mous Turkish baker, Mehmed Oglu, in 1498. (If Turks the answer. I’ve woken up now, and I know what I were in Serbia since the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, what want. Burek and only burek will do this morning!! I took them so long to fetch their burek?) By Pat Anđelković leap out of bed, for neither rain nor sleet nor dark of Burek is available at most regular bakeries and is night will prevent my trek to the bakery. And no matter how early I usually eaten as a ‘fast food,’ often accompanied by yogurt, the drinkget there, there’s always a slice of burek missing from the round pan. able kind. Burek is also sold in specialized stores selling burek and yoSome Serb has awoken with the same craving, and is off somewhere gurt called ‘Buregdžinice.’ It’s in these stores that burek is usually at blissfully munching his burek. its best. Such stores are typically the no-frills kind—no catchy signs, Burek, whose name comes from the Turkish root’ bur’ (similar to no fancy atmosphere or blaring rock music. Just white tiles, neon Serbian word ‘savijača’ (from ‘savijijati’) both of which mean ‘to lights, and aluminum fixtures. Employees in white aprons greet you twist,’ is a type of pie popular throughout the former Ottoman Empire, with a smile, ask you if you want your burek ‘za ovde’ or ‘za poneti’ and we all know that Serbs are constantly reminding us that the Turks (for here or to go), and then slice you a big hunk of golden, steamingwere here for 500 years. Burek is made of a thin, flaky dough known hot burek, with whatever filling like. If you’re ‘dining in,’ they’ll plop

70 CorD / June 2008

the burek on a plate, run a pizza cutter back and forth on it to make it easier to eat, give you a fork and maybe a napkin, and off you go to either sit at a small table or else stand at a counter in front of the shop’s window front and watch passers-by stare back at your greasy lips. The best way to eat burek, some say, though I’m too much of a napkin person to enjoy it this way, is to just ask for it ‘za poneti,’ when the burek will be handed to you wrapped in paper. It’s heaven, say those connoisseurs, to eat warm burek directly off the paper, either on a park bench or even in the Buregdžinica, suck your fingers, and slurp thick, cold yogurt from the carton. Make sure it leaves a white mustache, too. Although traditional burek usually offers the fillings mentioned above, sometimes you can find even a sweet version with sour cherry or apple, and oddly enough at least to me, an empty (prazan) burek. That’s such a waste, since in my opinion, if you’re going to down a lot of white flour, fatty cheese, and lard, you might as well go ahead and put something in it. I have heard rumors of a pizza burek being made somewhere, but I’m hoping that’s not true, and if it turns out that it is, I’m going to boycott it. Pure sacrilege. By the way, if you have to reheat burek, which really isn’t the ideal thing to do, don’t put it in the microwave. Take the time to turn the oven on high, and pop it in for a few minutes to revive its justcrunchy-enough crust without drying out the inner part, which by the way, should be hard to do if you’ve gotten a good, fatty but not too greasy piece. Burek isn’t just for breakfast, be it for a European one at 7 or 8 or a Serbian one at 10:30. Burek is also the equivalent of French onion soup after the theater, the pastrami midnight snack, the little something you want at any hour just to hit the spot….although it’s not so little. Burek is the ultimate Serbian comfort food, so popular that it’s lent its name to the largest internet community in southeastern Europe, www.burek.co.yu. Now, I must admit that although I’ve been here quite some time, there’s one thing that lots of Serbs love that I do not. On friends’ insistence, “Oh, you have to try the one they make in (name of shop) on (name of street) in (name of neighborhood). Theirs is the best!” Maybe so, but I don’t like it. But popular it is, and so I must tell you about ‘boza.’ Boza is a popular fermented beverage in Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, parts of Romania, and of course Turkey. At best, if you are a foreigner, you could grow to like boza, but honestly I think in order to like it you have to grow up with it. It’s an acquired taste like peanut butter, root beer, molasses, or Vegemite or Marmite, dark brown savory food pastes made from yeast extract. It’s rare that anyone but Americans, Australians, or Brits like those. Boza is made from corn, wheat, and in some areas millet flour. It has a thick consistency and a low alcohol content (usually around 1 to 4%), and a sweetish-sour flavor, just enough to make me think I’m drinking something that has gone rancid. You can easily find it in candy and ice-cream shops. The best boza in Serbia comes from southern Serbia, usually made by Albanians. Boza enjoyed its golden age under the Ottomans both here and in Turkey, and boza making became one of the principal trades in towns and cities from that period. Until the 16th century boza was drunk freely everywhere, but the custom of making the so-called Tartar boza laced with opium brought the authorities down on the drink, recalling absinthe’s later fate in France. Like beer, boza allegedly has the ability to enlarge women’s breasts. It is also recommended to women after they give birth since boza stimulates lactation. It’s is extremely healthy and nourishing. One liter of boza has

a thousand calories, four types of vitamins A and B, and vitamin E, and during fermentation lactic acid is formed, which facilitates digestion. That’s all well and good, but I’ll stick to beer. Boza’s fame has reached far and wide. In January 2007 an Australian newspaper reported the following: “European men are flocking to Bulgaria to buy “breast-boosting beer” after the country’s accession to the EU has meant that customs’ duties on this drink have been abolished... Now thousands of tourists are traveling…to buy boza for their wives and partners.” So there you go! If Serbia manages to get into the EU, it’s got another source of tourist trade.

CorD / June 2008 71

CULTURE CALENDAR CLASSICAL MUSIC Sava Center Great Hall

June 13, 2008 85 Year Anniversary of Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra June 20, 2008 Daniel Raiskin, conductor Enrico Pace, piano I. Stravinsky: Scherzo Fantastique S. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini for piano F. Liszt: Tottentanz for piano and orchestra I. Stravinsky: Symphony No. 1 Kolarac Hall

Concerts in June 28. June 2008. 20.00 Concert: Stefan Milenković & Ani Aznavoorian After 5 years, solemn concert of Stefan Milenković (violine) and his wife Ani Aznavoorian (chello) followed by Belgrade philharmonic orchestra conducted by Eivind Gullberg Jensen. Last year marked two anniversaries: Stefan Milenković and Sava Centre have celebrated their 30th birthday, success and numerous awards across the world. Stefanović’s concerts have always been a fusion of emotions and artistic expression, a strong energy and at the same time an ease of playing the violine, that makes us proud that he was born and grew up in this region. The solemn concert on 28th of June will present a continuation of our admiration and respect to one of our greatest ambassadors of culture across the globe. Side by side with his wife Ani Aznavoorian, chello player with great sensibility, and Eivind Gullberg Jensen, one of most talented conductors today, will complete the concert fully. PROGRAM • Shostacovich: Symphony no. 5 • Johhanes Brahms: Double concert in A moll Soloists: Stefan Milenković (violine) and Ani Aznavoorian (chello) • Belgrade philharmony • Conductors: Eivind Gullberg Jensen (Norway) Ticket slaes starts on Monday 19th of May, in Sava Centre and Bilet servis. Ticket price is in the range of 1750 and 3500 CSD. BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Concerts in June All concerts are at Kolarac Hall June 6, 2008 Edward Cumming, conductor Donald Berman, piano Program: J. Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine C. Theofanidis: Concert for piano and chamber orchestra L. Bernstein: Symphonic dances from West Side Story G. Gershwin: American in Paris 72 CorD / June 2008

Sunday, 1. June CHORUS BRACA BARUH

Monday, 2. June Flamenco Concert FLAMENCUENTRO Tuesday, 3. June Ensemble KOLO

Monday, 16. June 20 00 Trio Simonuti Saturday, 21. June 21 00 WORLD MUSIC DAY Chorus Obilic- Krsmanovic Tuesday, 24. June 20 00 Big Bad RTS Tuesday, 26. June 20 00 National Orchestra RTS POP, ROCK, ETHNO CONCERTS Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

Belgrade Arena 04.06.2008. 21:00h On 04 June 2008, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds will perform in the Belgrade Arena, which is also the concert organizer. 18 years after their last performance in Belgrade (1990), Belgrade will be a part of this cult band’s tour. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds were formed in 1984. They have released 13 studio albums, and no. 14 will be out in March this year, under the title Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!. The video for the first single, the album was named after, can be seen at the official band’s website.

Wednesday, 4. June 20 00 St. George String Quartet Thursday, 5. June 20 00 SO RTS Conductor- Anton Naut Soloist- Sergey Krilov, violin Program- Tosic, Paganini, Korsakov Sunday, 8. June 20 00 KUD Zora Tuesday, 10. June Ensemble Renaissance Friday, 13. June Concert in the occasion of 85 years of Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Saturday, 14. June 20 00 SO RTS Conductor- Vesna Souc Soloists, Lidija Bizjak, piano, Nenad Ljubenovic, accordion, Jovan Bogosavljevic, violin Program- Babic, Ravel, Mozart

In 1996, they released their most commercially successful album, Murder Ballads, featuring duets with PJ Harvey - Henry Lee and Kylie Minogue - Where the Wild Roses Grow. The band is also well-known for singles The Mercy Seat, Do You Love Me?, Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow, The Ship Song,... The band’s frontman, Nick Cave has contributed to the band’s cult status with his rich artistic engagement; in addition to being a musician, lyrics writer and poet (he has published

1 novel and 4 books of poems), his music also features in several of Wim Wenders’s films, in which he also appears: Wings of Desire, Until the End of the World, The Soul of Man, Faraway so Close, as well as for films The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Proposition, for which he is also the scriptwriter. On 4 June, the Belgrade Arena audience can expect both new and old numbers of the famous Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds! Mark Knopfler

Belgrade Arena 10.06.2008. 21:00h Mark Knopfler, rock legend and leader of the famous Dire Straits, will perform in Belgrade Arena on June 10, 2008. He is one of the most respected finger style guitarists of the modern rock era. Knopfler was ranked #27 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. Knopfler was originally best-known as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band Dire Straits, which he founded in 1977. Since the final Dire Straits album in 1991, Knopfler has continued to record and produce albums as a solo artist, under his own name. Knopfler has occasionally played in other groups, such as the “supergroup” The Notting Hillbillies. Additionally, he has performed as a guest on works by other artists, including Bob Dylan, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, Steely Dan and the late Chet Atkins. He has produced albums for artists such as Tina Turner, Randy Newman, Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris. In addition, he has scored the music to several films, including Local Hero, The Princess Bride, Cal, Last Exit to Brooklyn and Wag the Dog. He is one of the most respected finger style guitarists of the modern rock era. Ticket prices: 1900, 2000, 2300, 2350, 2500 and 5000 dinars.

this statement Dylan recorded three marvelous albums in last ten years – “Time Out of Mind” (1997), “Love and Theft” (2001) and “Modern Times” (2006) – that might compare with his best songs in the middle of ’60 and ’70. During the tour “Never Ending Tour”, Dylan made one extremely good relationship with group members. With this group he made the “Modern Times” album which got him to the top of the best selling albums in USA. This makes him the oldest winner of the Billboard Album List where he was 30 years ago with his album “Desire”. It is interesting that all 3 albums Dylan made in last ten years, were placed in Top 10. Dylan published “Chronicles, Volume One”, “his very intimate autobiography ever written by a legend of the 20th Century”. Besides this autobiography a luxury coffer-table book is published “Memory 1956-1966”. Martin Scorsese represented a documentary “No Direction Home” 2005, with many famous and unknown shots and interviews. This movie was followed by double CD with live and demo records from early ’60 which was published in series “Bootleg”. Documentary “Don’t Look Back” by D.A. Pennebaker about Dylan’s tour in Great Britain from mid ’60, was recorded on DVD. In Todd Haynes’s movie „I’m Not There“ from 2007 where six actors, including Cate Blanchet and Richard Gere, had to express and describe „six various faces“ of Bob Dylan as an enigmatic poet who changed the culture of the 20th Century. This movie is followed by excellent double CD with Dylan’s songs in arrangement of Eddie Vedder, Sonic Youth, Calexica, Iron & Wine, Los Lobos, Willie Nelson, Sufjan Stevens, Jack Johnson, the Hold Steady, The Black Keys Cat Power, Anthony and others. A compilation of Dylan’s best songs was published at the end of year. Even today, “the biggest poet of rock generation” is again popular as he was during ’60 and ’70. One of the most popular rock bands from Britain, Manic Street Preachers, will perform together with famous Bob Dylan in Varazdin, at the Radar Festival.

The Police

Thusday , 24. June 2008. at 20:00

The Police are a three-piece rock band consisting of bassist/lead vocalist Sting (Gordon Sumner), guitarist Andy Summers, and drummer Stewart Copeland. The band became globally popular in the early 1980s, playing a style of rock that was influenced by jazz, reggae, and punk music. Their 1983 album, Synchronicity, was number one in the UK and the US and sold over 8,000,000 copies in the US. The band broke up in the mid-1980s, but reunited in early 2007 with the announcement that they were undertaking a world tour. The tour was scheduled from the middle of that year on until mid-2008, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their hit single “Roxanne” and also, to a lesser extent, that of their formation as a group. To date The Police have sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Rolling Stone ranked The Police number 70 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Olivera Katarina

Sava Center 19. June 2008. 20.30 » Great Hall Famous Belgreade singer and actress very popular in 60s and 70s WORLD MUSIC DAY

Saturday, 21. June Kalemegdan As part of the celebration of WORLD MUSIC DAY La Brisa De Roche French singer will present unique sound- mixtture of jazz and world music

Bob Dylan

THEATRE Belgrade drama Theatre

Friday, 13 th of June 2008. entrance 16:30 Varaždin (Croatia) Concert will be organised at the Stadium in Varazdin, on June 13, 2008. The Stadium will be open at 16.30. Bob Dylan will start concert at 21.00. The line which connects Bob Dylan and Manic Street Preachers, beside rock’n’roll are high level live performances. The participants who decide to attend this concert will have unique opportunity to enjoy and argue

Vasilis Kacikonuris Milk Directed by Đurđa Tešić Premiere- 8. June Contemporary Greek drama play os story about family of Russian emigrant family in Greece. It is a story about human transition, identity and attempt of one family to become part of new, contemporary lifestyle Cast: Vesna Čipčić, Petar Benčina, Pavle Pekić, Danijela Štajnfeld CorD / June 2008 73

CULTURE CALENDAR

David Mamet Romance Directed by Anja Susa Premiere - 14. June Drama which deals with absurde world of today`s judicial system and opens questions of politics, religion, homosexualaity... Cast: Ivan Tomoc, Daniel Sič, Aleksandar Alač, Srđan Dedić, Miki Damjanović... BALLET PREMIERE NATIONAL THEATRE

15. June Poisoned Blood Choreography- Lidija Pilipenko Famous Serbian ballet dancer and choreographer found an idea for the play by researching life and work of famous Serbian writer Bora Stankovic who had lived and worked in Vranje, South Serbia, at the beginning of XX century. Music in the ballet is music of famous Serbian composers of XX century Stevana Mokranjac, Petar Konjović, Vasilij Mokranjac and Stevan Hristić Costumes and scene- Božana Jovanović i Boris Maksimović Main role- Konstantin Kostjukov Cast- soloists from the Ballet Ensemble from the Belgrade National Theatre ART EHXIBITIONS

Gallery of the Institute Cervantes 3. June- 18. June Exhibition consists of art works which are property of the Spain Embassy in Belgrade and works which are in private colection of Ambassador Jose Riear Sikier. Institute Cervantes, Gallery From 18. June Carmen Exhibition of costumes Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition will present fashion and theatre costumes made by students of the Academy. Supervision - Professors Dijana Mihajlovic, Sonja Krstic French Cultural Center 17. June- 28. June STRIPOTEKA - 40 years of FrenchBelgic comic book magazine in Serbia The best comic books in Serbian which were published in magazine Stripoteka will be exposed.

Secret of Lepenski Vir face of God of the Sun from VII milenium B.C. 10. May - December 2008.

SPECIAL EVENTS YUGOSLAV FILM ARCHIVE

Hall of the National Bank of Serbia Nemanjina 17 Exhibition presents most interesting parts of foundings from the archeological founds LEPENSKI VIR, in Eastern Serbia. Main researches on this found on the Danube coast were done between 1965 and 1971 and were leaded by famous Serbian archeologist Dragoslav Srejovic.

FILM PREMIERES IN JUNE The Happening

SCUOLA ROMANA. exhibition

Artists in Rome between two world wars Curator of the exhibition- Francesca Romana Morelli 17.05 – 21.06 2008. Ityalian Culture Institute Palazzo Italia, Kneza Milosa 56 COLECTION OF THE EMBASSY OF SPAIN

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

From 12. June Directed by Louis Leterrier Cast - Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth. Physicist Bruce Banner takes flight in order to understand and hopefully cure the condition that turns him into a monster. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN)

from 26. June Directed by Andrew Adamson Cast: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley,Anna Popplewell, Liam Neeson, Predrag Bjelac

13. June- 24. June Film Cycle Claude Chabrole- Retrospecive

From 12. June Directed by M. Night Shyamalan CastMark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Spencer Breslin A paranoid thriller about a family on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity Sex and the City

Premiere - Sava Center, 12. June Directed by Michael Patrick King Cast - Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Chris Noth, Jennifer Hudson Sex and the City is romantic comedy of the HBO TV serial Sex and the City based on the book by Candace Bushnell. It is story about four female friends living in New York City. The series often portrayed frank discussions about romance and sexuality. The world pre-

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miere of the film took place in London on 12. May 2008. The film is rated R in the USA and 15 in the UK, for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language.

The Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land’s throne, Prince Caspian DOCUMENTARY FILMS IN JUNE American Corner

NEW YORK A Documentary film by Rick Burns This eight part, 14 ½-hour television event explores New York City’s rich history as the premier laboratory of modern life. A sweeping narrative covering nearly 400 years and 400 square miles, it reveals a complex and dynamic city that has played an unparalleled role in shaping the nation and reflecting its ideals. 2. June at 16 00 NEW YORK “Cosmopolis” Episode Five: 1919-1931 Description:This episode demonstrates capitalist growth and astonishing demographic transformation that struck New York in the twenties. That is the time when New York finishes assembling components of mass consumer society and becomes the cultural capital of the world. Themes of democracy and capitalism are the main ones, while New York becomes a mixture of high class and low, black culture

and white. The film concludes with the skyscraper war, stock market rise and the building of the Empire State Building. Duration: 120 minutes 9. June at 16 00 NEW YORK “City of Tomorrow” Episode Six: 1929-1941

Description: The sixth episode chronicles the dramatic and increasingly fateful events following the crash of 1929 – as the greatest depression in American history pushed the city and the nation into economic gloom. In little more than ten years, immense new forces were unleashed in New York – Fiorello La Guardia and Robert Moses. Their goal was to create in the darkest of times a bold new city of the future. Duration: 120 minutes 23. June at 16 00 NEW YORK “The City and the World” Episode Seven: 1945-2000 Description: The story of New York comes to a stunning point in the 7th episode of the series. Emerging from the Depression and the Second World War as the most powerful metropolis on earth, the city will soon be confronting the urban woes of major proportions – and fighting for its very existence. This episode comes to a climax with the destruction of Penn Station, the battle over Lower Manhattan Expressway and other social crises of the 1960s and 1970s, but it ends with the miraculous revival in the last quarter-century. Duration: 140 minutes 30. June at 16 00 NEW YORK “The Center of the World” Episode Eight: 1946-2003 Description: The eight episode of the awardwinning series about New York City chronicles the rise and fall of the World Trade Center. Propelled forward in the 1960s by the immense power of David and Nelson Rockfeller, would rise despite political contraversy. In the end, artist named Phillipe Petit transformed the towers into a worldwide icon – the ultimate symbol of an economic system that had come to dominate much of the planet. The episode

comes to a climax with the harrowing events of September 11, 2001 – and the extraordinary response of the city’s people to the worst crisis in their history. Duration: 180 minutes SPECIAL EVENTS in American Corner 10. June at 17 00

LECTURE - Challernges in translating poetry By Biljana Obradovic and John Gery Biljana Obradovic is a translator of poetry both from Serbian to English and English to Serbian, having published books in both languages by such American poets as Stanley Kunitz, Ted Kooser, and John Gery and by such Serbian poets as Desanka Maksimovic, Bata Milanovic, and herself. She has also edited an translated an anthology of poetry that includes both Serbian and Americna poets in the same volume. In recent years Obradovic has collaborated with her husband, John Gery, who does not speak Serbian. In his own right, Gery has also worked collaboratively on poetry and prose from Armenian (with Vahe Baladouni), Chinese (with poet Yang Xiaobin), and French (with Ivan Zaknic). John Gery is an American poet and critic who has published five books of poetry as well as

critical works about modern poetry. A Research Professor of English at the University of New Orleans, he also directs the Ezra Pound Center for Literature at Brunnenburg, Italy. His current books include A GALLERY OF GHOSTS (poems) and IN VENICE AND IN THE VENETO WITH EZRA POUND(with Rosella Mamoli Zorzi and others), a literary guidebook. In 2007, he was a Fulbright Lecturer and Scholar in Poetry at the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade, and spoke at all the American Corners in Serbia but two. He lives in New Orleans with his wife, poet/translator Biljana Obradovic, and their son, Petar. Indeed, we might even ask whether a marriage can survive such collaborative work, or the poets would be better off working independently. In the end, we hope to be able to underscore the unique, often stunning results that can come from such intimate collaboration. 16. June at 17 00

AN EVENING OF POETRY

Poetry of Stainly Kunitz by Biljana Obradovic Dr. Biljana D. Obradović, a Serbian-American has lived in Greece , and India besides the

U.S. . She has a BA in English Language and Literature from Belgrade University , an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Virginia Commonwealth University , and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Nebraska , Lincoln . Her first collection of poems, Frozen Embraces, a bilingual edition (Belgrade, Center of Emigrants from Serbia, 1997), won the Rastko Petrović Award for the Best Book of 1998, and is in its second edition in the fall of 2000. In addition to her own poetry, other works include her Serbian translation of John Gery’s American Ghosts: Selected Poems, a bilingual edition, Serbian translations of Stanley Kunitz, The Long Boat, Fives: Fifty Poems by Serbian and American Poets, A Bilingual Anthology, as editor and translator, a bilingual collection of Bratislav Milanović’s poems. She is Associate Professor of English at Xavier University of Louisiana, in New Orleans. CorD / June 2008 75

CULTURE NEWS STEFAN MILENKOVIĆ IN SAVA CENTER

concert by Stefan Milenković, the renowned Serbian violin player, will be held on June 28th in Sava Center. Milenković will appear with his wife, the cellist Ani Aznavoorian and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ervin Gulberg Jensen from Norway. The concert program covers Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and a double concert in A mol (not sure what this is) for violin, cello, and orchestra by Johannes Brahms. The organizers of this concert, Belgrade Cultural Network, Belgrade Philharmonic, and Sava Center pointed out that the concert has beena long time in preparation because of the difficulty in coordinating the obligations of all participants. Belgrade Philharmonic’s manager Ivan Tasovac stressed the orchestra’s satisfaction that they will again accompany Milenković at the concert that will end this season, and Sava Center’s manager Jasna

Dimitrijević stated that this rewarding cooperation will continue with Milenković, who just like the Philharmonic, celebrated his 30 birthday last year. Ticket sales began on Monday May 19th, and prices range from 1,750 to 3,500 dinars.

Grigory Frid’s text, according to which the opera has been staged, shows the portrait and suffering of the captive girl. The play was directed by Staša Koprivica, the orchestra conducted by Vesna Šouc Tričković, and the main role is played by Suzana Šuvaković Savić, that is Dušica Bijelić, alternatively. (Does this mean that Dusica also played Anne on certain occasions? Then put, “…Savic, and alternate-

PREMIERE OF ANNE FRANK’S DIARY OPERA he premiere of Grigori Frid’s mono-opera “Dnevnik Ane Frank” (The Diary of Anne Frank) took place on the smaller stage of Madlenianum’s Opera and Theater on May 25th. The opera is based on the heart-rending destiny of Anne Frank, girl-hero of the Second Vesna Šouc, Staša Koprivica i Suzana Suvaković World War, who perished in 1944 in the infamous concen- ly Dušica Bijelić.) tration camp Auschwitz only one week beThe scenography is by Tanja Marčetić, fore liberation. Anne left behind only her and costumes are by Ružica Ristić. diary written during her difficult years of “Especially important for this prohiding and captivity, in which a girl wise duction is that this feminine story is perbeyond her years noted her thoughts, past- formed in Madlenianum by an entirely feed parts of clothes, and mementos. male cast. On the occasion of the play’s

“POLICE” CONCERT ANNOUNCED

epresentatives of Carlsberg Serbia and Music Star Production have announced that a concert by the famous British group “The Police” will be held on June 24th at Belgrade’s Ušće. “The Police” will appear in Belgrade on their current world tour. The concert has been arranged in cooperation with the concert agency “Live Nation,” which represents some of the biggest world music stage names. 52,000 tickets will be available for the concert, and can be purchased for 2500 dinars each. The concert will last two hours, and will consist of the group’s songs and hits from Sting’s solo career. Led by Sting, “The Police” sold more than 50 million records. In the Eighties Sting pursued a successful solo career, and this year’s tour is a comeback tour where all members of the group decided to assemble and appear for the last time before audiences throughout the world. The tour started in New Zealand and in Australia, and will end this fall in America. The concert in Belgrade will be the only one in this part of Europe. During the tour, the group will mark the 30 years from its founding and

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publishing of its most successful single record, “Roxanne.” As an introductory group at the Belgrade concert the California rock band “Counting Crows” will appear, who are famous for their ‘90’s hit “Mr. Jones.”

LIVING SPAIN IN THE APPLIED ART MUSEUM t the Applied Art Museum, a Spanish design exhibition entitled “Living Spain” will be open until June 15. “Living Spain / Furniture, Lighting & Accessories” is an exhibition of modern Spanish industrial design that through original and unusual solutions and a variety of topics reveals the reasons why during the last decade design earned an extremely important place in Spain’s economy and culture. The set has been prepared for the 2008 Biannual Design Exhibition in Saint Etienne, France. It has been envisaged as a travelling exhibition to promote successful cooperation between young Spanish designers and local industry in forming certain aspects of modern life. The exhibition consists of some twenty exhibits made by young and successful professional authors including Blasco Gandía, Héctor Serrano, José Gandía, Pablo Gironés, Ramón Úbeda, Otto Canalda, Ana Mir, Emili Padrós, Jaime Hayón, Miguel Herranz and others. The presented exhibits were produced by Spanish companies with trademarks already respected by customers throughout Europe, such as Metalarte, Camper, Gandía Blasco, Tecnología & Diseño Cabanes, Nani Marquina, BD Ediciones de Diseño, Delica, Porcelanas Bidasoa, and Luzifer Lamps. Furniture and illuminating fixtures intended both for interior and exterior uses, as well as fashion details representing a constituent part of our everyday lives, form the axis of this extremely interesting, fresh, and inspirational exhibition. The exhibition’s author is Marcelo Leslabaj. The exhibition has been implemented in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Belgrade, and was opened on May 13th by Ambassador Jose Rihera Sikiher, (Tried to find his name, but couldn’t, since I think this is not right.)

premiere, Madlenianum’s program for the opera noted, “Feminine writing, we are sure, will impart a specific quality and sensibility that will bring to the stage an impressive and unforgettable Anne Frank, who was a martyr, a writer, but above all, a woman.” Composer Grigory Samuilovič Frid is also author of the mono-opera “Van Gogh’s Letters” (1975), and is also famous for his three symphonies, chamber pieces for various instrumental assemblies, and for his instrument concerts. He is also well-known for his Concert for Viola, Piano and Chamber Orchestra (1981). The one-hour long opera will be sung in Serbian, and will be part of Madlenianum’s repertoire also for June. PREMIERE OF ZAMAK (CASTLE) BY FRANZ KAFKA IN JDP (YUGOSLAV DRAMA THEATER) arking the sixtieth anniversary of the Yugoslav Drama Theater (Jugoslovensko dramsko pozorište) in May, Bojan Stupica stage held the premiere of Franz Kafka’s drama Zamak (Castle), based on the novel by the same name. The art manager of the Yugoslav Drama Theater, Gorčin Stojanović, stressed that this play opens up a new cycle within the repertoire policy of this theater which wishes to pay tribute to literary “fathers” of Moderna. “We feel obliged to repay people like Kafka, Goodwin, Brock, Proust, and Joyce who did not write primarily for the theater, and therefore we will dramatize their literary works,” said Stojanović. The drama based on Kafka’s symbolistic novel has been dramatized by Dejan Bogović. The play is directed by Nikola Zavišić, the leading role is played by Nebojša Glogovac, with performances by Jelena Ćuruvija-Đurica, Milena Vasić Ražnatović,

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CULTURE NEWS

Sena Đorović, Nebojša Milovanović, Nikola Vujović, Bojan Dimitrijević and Bojan Lazarov. “Each one of us carries in oneself a kind of ‘castle’ that we try to conquer, or to at least approach, to grind its walls or to try to tear it down, set it on fire, and then go,” said the play’s dramatic adviser. Nebojša Glogovac said that playing Kafka on the stage is courageous and that the work on his role in the play led him into serious interesting research. THE SECRET OF LEPENSKI VIR n this year’s “Noć muzeja” (Museum Night) the National Museum in Belgrade presented its extraordinary exhibition “The Secret of Lepenski Vir-Image of a Sun God from 7,000 B.C.,” which formally opened on May 10th in the Hall of the National Bank of Serbia on Slavija Square, Nemanjina 17. This remarkable exhibition “The Secret of Lepenski Vir” presented to the public the most intriguing findings from the famous Mesolithic site. These are seventeen anthropomorphic sculptures over 9,000

years old that originated before the cultures of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The exhibition enabled vistors to see Lepenski Vir’s sculptures as a specific artistic expression by prehistoric man, and

SECESSION ON BELGRADE FACADES

n exhibition of 40 art-documentary photographs of Belgrade buildings which are the most representative examples of Secession in Belgrade opened on May 28th in the Gallery of Science and Technics Museum of SANU. According to a statement of the exhibition’s author Miloš Jurišić, Secession in Belgrade dominates as a trend in the period up to the First World War and is present through the second decade of the twentieth century. Secession is important as a trend because it allowed authors to gain inspiration from national heritage. Its most important representative is Branko Tanažević, author of the Main Telephone

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offered a new interpretation of those paramount works. In this new interpretation, the sculptures with human forms represent the image of a sun god. These monumental rock sculptures

Exchange building at the corner of Kosovska and Palmotićeva streets, and the ex-Ministry of Education building, which is today Vukova zadužbina (Vuk’s Foundation). Secession is an important style that appeared at the end of the 19th century in many areas, primarily in architecture. Radical changes appeared in construction, new materials, and understanding of space concept. In Serbia secession appeared at the very beginning of the twentieth century. The most important Serbian architects worked according to this trend, such as Antonović, Nestorović, Bajalović, Popović, Jovanović, and Tanazević. The exhibition in SANU’s gallery will be open until 20th June.

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

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CULTURE NEWS

were made of meticulously selected and diligently processed stones. From generation to generation they were placed next to fireplaces in dwellings and represented sacred dieties for all community members. In the National Bank of Serbia’s hall during this exhibition it was also possible to watch a documentary film about systematic archaeological excavations in Lepenski Vir. THE BESTSELLING BOOKS IN SERBIA ccording to the website Knjižara. com, the bestselling book in Serbia over the last five years was The Da Vinci Code (Da Vinčijev kod) by Dan Brown, which was on the top of the list for a record 15 weeks. Research about the bestselling books from March 2003 to March 2008 has been completed based on monthly top lists, compiled according to reports from 20 to 25 bookstores in towns in Serbia, Montenegro, and the Serbian Republic. Knjižara.com has in the past five years compiled a monthly list of bestselling books based on results received from bookstores. “Based on processed results,

one can determine the data about the bestselling titles,” said Knjižara.com’s Site Coordinator Aleksandar Drakulić. Research also showed who were the most successful authors and publishers over the last five years. The bestselling book “Da Vinčijev kod” (The Da Vinci Code) has by only 13 points overtaken “Devojka sa bisernom minđušom” (The Girl with a Pearl Earring) by Tracy Chevalier, “Igra anđela” (Angels’ Play) by Ljiljana HabjanovićĐurović, and “Zovem se crveno” (My Name is Red) by Orhan Pamuk. Ranking of books according to the number of months they have spent on the top list is a little bit different. The longest appearance on the top lists was by “Igra anđela” (Angels’ Play), followed by Chevalier’s “Devojka sa bisernom minđušom” (The Girl with a Pearl Earring), and Brown’s two books, “Da Vinčijev kod” (The Da Vinci Code) and “Anđeli i demoni” (Angels and Demons). The top list of the most successful authors in Serbia over the past five years shows that the most read authors were Chevalier, Brown, Paolo Cuello, Habjanović, Marija Jovanović and Orhan Pamuk.

THE DOUBLE LIFE OF MIKLOŠ ROZA

rom May 16th to 19th in Belgrade, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra and the Yugoslav Film Library presented film and concert creations by the Hungarian composer Mikloš Roža, triple Oscar winner for music written for some of the greatest movies of the twentieth century. The festival “The Double Life of Miklos Roža” was named after the autobiographic work by the same title. The Festival presented the versatile composer through films, an exhibition, a lecture in Film Library, and a concert by the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra which performed works by the celebrated composer was held on May 17th at Kolarac. The Festival was organized in cooperation with the Mikloš Roža Society from the USA. Guests st this festival were the Chairman and the most active members of the Mikloš Roža Society, established in 1971, and currently active in 20 states. Arthur Goldberg from the USA and members of the Society from Great Britain, Netherlands and Spain visited Belgrade. Mikloš Roža was born in 1907 in Budapest, and began his music education at the age of five. He played the violin, and later the viola and piano. By the time he was eight, he had already made his first public appearances and had started to compose. After studying composition at Leipzig Conservatorium, he moved to Paris in 1932, where he composed some of his most important plays in the field of classical music. He was introduced to the world of film music in the mid-30s of the twentieth century by his friend, famous composer Arthur Honeger. His creative breakthrough into film happened soon thereafter in London, where Roža has been invited to write music for the film “Knight without Armor.” He went to Hollywood with London Films in 1939, and composed music for the film “The Thief of Baghdad.” He wrote music for over one hundred films, and was been

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nominated for an Oscar for 17 times. He was finally awarded an Oscar for the films “Bewitched,” “Double Life,” and “Ben Hur.” He remained in California until his death. The Festival “The Double Life of Mikloš Roža” formally opened on May 16th in the Yugoslav Film Library Museum with an exhibition dedicated to Roža and to the films for which composed music, as well as with a projection of the film “Double Life” (1947) by George Cukor. During the Festival the films “Fedora” (1978) by Billy Wilder, “Julius Cesar” (1953) by Joseph Mankijevich, “Asphalt Jungle” (1950) by John Huston, and “Bewitched” (1945) by Alfred Hitchcock were also presented. The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra held a concert conducted by Israel’s Yair Samet. The program featured Roža’s Overture for Symphonic Concert, concerts for violin and orchestra, as well as his Symphony Concertante for violin and cello.

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

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CULTURE

Music From The Past Flutes are made from trees grown on barren soil, and ‘gusle’ come from sunny maples grown over time with lots of love. An exhibition in the Ethnographic Museum will tell you more tales about old Serbian instruments. BY SONJA ĆIRIĆ

he exhibition at Belgrade’s Ethnographic Museum “Sviraj svirče” (Play, musician!) opened on “Noć muzeja” (Museum Night) as just one of the programs within this global culture manifestation. Due to great public interest, it has been extended to June 19th. So if you missed it on Museum Night and you still wish to see this really unusual exhibition dedicated to old Serbian instruments, here’s your chance. “Sviraj svirče” was one of 63 programs presented in Belgrade during the city’s Museum Night, which took place in 120 towns in Serbia. Due to the large number and quality of programs, and especially due to public interest, our participation in this year’s Museum Night was one of the best. Simultaneously with the population of large cities in 49 countries over eight hours during the night between May 17th and 18th, Belgraders and residents of another 20 towns in Serbia visited museums and exhibitions by paying only one admission. The author of the exhibition “Sviraj svirče,” Miroslav Mitrović, Custodian of the Ethnographic Museum, has selected the most representative specimens of old Serbian instruments from the Museum’s collection featuring 450 pieces preserved from all South-Slavic areas. The exhibition is dominated by Serbian instruments from the time of flourishing national music during the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. Then, as Miroslav Mitrović explained, starts the systematic formation of the instruments’ collections “as a core and base for later Museum work. The Ethnographic Museum has succeeded in preserving around 50,000 artefacts and around 125,000 cultural objects from neglect and ruin.”

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“Gusla” player Svetislav Pejčić photographed at the beginning of the 20th century Our folk music, which is rarely just vocal, uses different music instruments. “Wishing to shape its music expression, people have for centuries made instruments or adapted existing ones inherited or taken from other nations and cultures,” explains Miroslav Mitrović. “Music played on such instruments consists of variations of traditional samples, and it often contains traces of the past, numerous traditions, and legends. Most of the instruments are hand-made

shape, decoration technique, ornamental expressions, and how they are played. If we would try to group certain areas having the most characteristic instruments, we would relate gusle to the Dinara mountain population, the bagpipe to the Central Balkans and Panonnian region, the tambouritza to the Pannonian region, while in Kosovo they mostly played instruments of eastern origin,” says Miroslav Mitrović. However in all culture zones, the most represented musical instrument is the flute. Flutes belong to wind instruments, the most represented family. The sound is created by air vibrating in the instrument’s cylindrical pipe. For Serbs, Romanians, Hungarians, Flutes belong to wind instruments, Slovaks, Ruthenians, and the most represented family. The the Roma people, the sound is created by air vibrating in name for the shepherd’s the instrument’s cylindrical pipe. For flute is - flute. The origin Serbs, Romanians, Hungarians, Slovaks, of this word comes from the Romanian “fluier”, and Ruthenians, and the Roma people, the name for the shepherd’s flute is - flute. the name “svirala” (shepherd’s flute) has all but by peasants, musicians, or village crafts- been lost. “Most often, the flute is used for men. Instruments from a certain area de- playing melodies for folk kolos, although pend on the interest of the population, eth- they can also be instruments for sad, nosnic characteristics, heritage, different cul- talgic melodies,” says Mitrović, and the tural influences, and accordingly the in- exhibited photos are proof that sheep and struments differ regarding their material, lambs were the first and principal listeners

of their music. PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS Most often flutes were produced by the shepherds themselves while passing their Percussion instruments were used as accompaniments to other instruments, but time tending their flock. They were made from straight, lateral branches of a certain were very rarely used as solo instruments. “Bagpipes, drums, horns, bells, rattles, diameter, never from the tree trunk or from and snare drums were already used also for magical purposes in pagan times. tree stumps. The instrument’s quality depended on the quality of wood from which it was made, and therefore the wood should igin: it originates from the Arabic “gaida,” grown in full sun, and from a goat, sheep, come from barren land on the southern side or “kaida”, meaning melody. Miroslav or lamb’s skin that stretched over a holof the hill, at a certain altitude. The old, Mitrović says that the bagpipe is a so- lowed-out tree. The strings are tightened authentic technique has been preserved as lo instrument. The exhibition shows both along the whole length, and are made of how to make a shepherd’s flute. It is not types of bagpipes from our region: the East horse hairs from the tail or mane of a white complicated, but it isn’t simple either. First Serbian type, where one blows air through stallion. The bow is made of hard wood, it is necessary to procure a branch cut in the mouthpiece into the bellows, and the and forty horse hairs make up the strings. autumn in order for it to dry out during the Banat type, where air is forced into the In Serbia one most often plays using one winter, and one sharp knife to peel off the bellows held beneath one’s elbow. string. bark and to cut the branch into two equal The most popular string instruments are The tambouritza came to the Balkans halves with a strong in the 14th century from Turkey, and to The old, authentic technique has been blow in the middle. The our country, Vojvodina, and Slavonija halves should be soaked preserved as how to make a shepherd’s flute. through Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia. in milk so that they better It is not complicated, but it isn’t simple either. A “Panonnian tambouritza came into befit one another, and then ing. This is an autochthonous product of fastened with wool and left until spring to the gusle and tambouritza. Gusle accompa- this region, which underwent a series of dry. When spring comes, they should be nied epic songs, while the tambouritza was transformations in shape, sound and tunbonded with glue made of egg white, gar- an instrument for entertainment. Gusle are ing until finally acquiring its present-day lic, and resin. Flutes made this way should the most respected and the most popular appearance. be rubbed several times with oil and vine- traditional Serbian folk instrument. They Percussion instruments were used as gar, and then put it into bake with a dish of were a part of epic singing, part of the accompaniments to other instruments, lamb in order to impregnate the flute. You whole of a heroic act, most often depict- but were very rarely used as solo instrushould try it; you might be successful! ed in an epic poem, and were closely relat- ments. “Bagpipes, drums, horns, bells, Also, the word ‘bagpipe’ means wind in- ed to the epic poem. Gusle were used al- rattles, and snare drums were already strument, consisting of bellows and wood- so at large congregations during folk fes- used also for magical purposes in pagan en parts. Bagpipe music was treasured by tivities and fairs, as well as in the narrow times. People believed that they drove the entire South-Slavic population, and al- family circle. Miroslav Mitrović explains away ghosts, evil spells, and all sorts of so Slovaks, Hungarians, Turks, Spaniards, that they were most often made by the gu- evil forces. According to belief, demons, Portuguese, and Bulgarians. As the word sle players themselves from one piece of witches, dragons, and bogeymen were ‘flute,’ the ‘bagpipe’ also has a foreign or- wood, a quarter of a maple trunk that had frightened by the sound of these instruments, and ran off from the place wherev“SVIRAJ SVIRČE” BAGPIPE TAMBOURITZA er they heard such music, grinding, noise, yelling, or whining,” mentions Miroslav “Sviraj svirče” was Bagpipe music was The tambouritza Mitrović. came to the Balkans treasured by the one of 63 programs Outside our Museum it is almost imin the 14th century entire South-Slavic presented in Belgrade possible to find such instruments. It’s a from Turkey, and to population, and also during the city’s rare person who makes them nowadays. our country,Vojvodina, Slovaks, Hungarians, And with their disappearance will also disMuseum Night, which and Slavonija through Turks, Spaniards, appear the authentic music which none of Macedonia, Kosovo took place in 120 Portuguese, and the modern instruments, regardless how and Bosnia. towns in Serbia. Bulgarians. perfect they may be, can produce. CorD / June 2008 83

CULTURE

Contemporary Art Museum

LIVING SPAIN Exhibition of Spanish Design May 13th –June 15th 2008. The exhibition is open by H.E. Mr. José Riera Siquier, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Belgrade. Living Spain / ‘Furniture, Lighting & Accessories’ is the title of this exhibition of modern Spanish industrial design which, through original, unexpected solutions and a variety of topics, uncovers the reasons why design has earned a very important place in Spanish economy and culture during the last decade.

he arrangement prepared for the 2006 Design Biannual Festival in Saint Etienne, France has been envisaged as travelling exhibition to promote successful cooperation between young Spanish designers and local industry in shaping certain aspects of modern life. The exhibition consists of twenty-some exhibits whose authors are young and successful professionals, such as Blasco Gandía, Héctor Serrano, José Gandía, Pablo Gironés, Ramón Úbeda, Otto Canalda, Ana Mir, Emili Padrós, Jaime Hayón, Miguel Herranz and others. The exhibited pieces were manufactured by Spanish companies whose trademarks are already well-known among buyers throughout Europe, such as Metalarte, Camper, Gandía Blasco, Tecnología & Diseńo Cabanes, Nani Marquina, BD Ediciones de Diseńo, Delica, Porcelanas Bidasoa, Luzifer Lamps, and others. Furniture and illuminating fixtures intended both for interior and exterior decorations, as well as fashion details representing a constituent part of our everyday lives, generate an extremely interesting and creative approach to this fresh and inspiring exhibition. Marcelo Leslabaj, author of the exhibition says, “The variety of forms and styles of these pieces reflects a country with huge cultural wealth, so

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H.E. Mr. José Riera Siquier,Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Belgrade art and architectural heritage. All around us we can notice influences of art and fashion, but also of other cultures; messages from the past and ones intended for the future, written in the language of eclectic projection; incessant mutations and limits lost between the rational, fantastic, and irrational. The second characteristic is that these very different creations are compatible with both the interior and the exterior, which emphasizes a strong connection with sun, beaches, and excellent climate. Also, they characterize a large part of Spain by using objects intended to invite us to live intensively and enjoy nature.” T h e c r e a t i v i t y, Furniture and illuminating fixtures intended freshness, and talent both for interior and exterior decorations, of Spanish designers as well as fashion details representing a are reflected in these constituent part of our everyday lives, generate pieces designed with an extremely interesting and creative approach sensibility and intelligence, which emto this fresh and inspiring exhibition. anate energy and a even if we can’t speak about style, a strong symbolism word usually reserved for designers, that invite us to enjoy them and considwe can still observe certain indisputa- er them as an extension of our body. ble characteristics that reveal traces of The exhibition has been made posthe diverse cultures that swept through sible in cooperation with the Embassy these areas along with their precious of Kingdom of Spain in Belgrade.

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

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LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

Bermet, an undiscovered wine from Sremski Karlovci’s sunny slopes

THE SECRET RECIPE OF AN AROMATIC DRINK

The Viticulture Cooperative of the Wine Producers from Fruška Gora was established in order to protect the name and geographical origin of this dessert wine. Bermet is made in top-class wine producers’ underground passages, and is served as an aperitif or dessert wine. People from Karlovci are proud of the fact that this exceptional wine was on the Titanic’s wine list.

BY ZORICA TODOROVIĆ MIRKOVIĆ

ccording to the production of wine per number of citizens, Serbia ranks 9th in the world. The announcement of an export quota increase to European Union countries to 63,000 hectoliters offers an opportunity for wine producers and viticulturists, and especially for Bermet, Fruška Gora’s dessert wine, which has every chance of becoming a renowned Serbian trademark worldwide. In restaurants and for celebrations at home, wine selection had been mostly reduced to several well known domestic producers. In recent years however, these producers have gained serious competition from smaller high-quality wine producers from Sremski Karlovci, whose wines are

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offered in restaurants and hotels that care about their reputation. Even guests who do not know much about wines increasingly seek recommendations, and they will not miss the chance, after a bottle of Bermet,

Probus planted the first vines on Sremski Karlovci’s sunny slopes. The soil turned out to be fertile, and grapevines became the support for many families in Karlovci. A viticulture, one of the oldest in Europe, developed there. For Bermet used to make its way to courts throughout centuries Sremski Karlovci was Europe but, according to people from Sremski considered the Karlovci, it was ordered in advance from Serbian wine capviticulturists from Fruška Gora. Considering the ital and there is alquality and special production technology, it was most no house in this picturesque once exceptionally expensive. town which does to tell their friends a fascinating story not have at least a small vineyard to make about this sweet wine. its own wine. Good soil is needed for good wine. Apart from basking in its grandiose hisTherefore is not surprising that as far tory, Sremski Karlovici also rests on founback as 1700 B.C. the Roman Emperor dations of underground passages and cel-

lars. Nowadays church bells are still heard the same as in Florence, and Latin is studied, for this town is a place with a luxurious past. Here one of the most important peace agreements between European Christian counties and Turkey was signed. Here the first Serbian high school was established. The Patriarchal residence, vineyards, grapes, wine, it’s all here. And of course there’s Bermet, a sweet, aromatic drink made here and nowhere else. Wines from Karlovac, particularly Bermet and Ausbruch, are famous far and wide and ever noble, dignified, and the best, they glisten in glasses in many European towns. People from Karlovac are proud because Bermet was, as far back as 150 years ago, exported to America and, according to stories, was also drunk in large amounts in Vienna’s Court. It’s been noted that Bremet was also on the Titanic’s wine list. Viticulture in Fruška Gora suffered many trials in the past. There were threats of extermination, grapevines used to be dug out. However, a complete turnabout took place. In the last decade and a half, vineyards have been increasing in this famous wine-growing area, producers have developed “wine fever” and merged their experience, tradition, skills, and desire to protect Bermet. This dessert wine is full of aromatic herbs that the French are simply crazy about. People from Karlovci used to produce Bermet primarily for their domestic needs. It was only in the 1990’s that small producers, as their ancestors, were able to put Bermet and other limited-production wines on the market. This guarantees quality and the current trend to ensure that the products are completely natural. Today in Sremski Karlovci there are several producers of red Bermet, but only one producer of white. Their joint task is to protect Bermet’s name and geographical origin, which is served as an aperitif or dessert wine. This was the motive for setting up The Viticulture Cooperative of the Wine Producers from Fruška Gora – Bermet. The quality of wines from Sremski Karlovci has been created over decades and centuries not by aging (like for instance French wines), but through the producers’ authentic perception of what is

QUALITY The quality of wines from Sremski Karlovic has been created over decades and centuries not by aging, but through the producers’ authentic perception of what is most important for its quality.

TYPES Fruška Gora is the area of Italian Riesling and, according to some, it is even its original homeland. Italian Riesling encompasses more than half of the vineyards on this beautiful mountain. Several types of white wines are produced such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Italian Riesling and Rhine Riesling, Župljanka, and Plemenika. Among the red ones are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Vranac, Portugizer, Frankovka as well as the the very special and aromatic Bermet.

most important for its quality. Part of the secret is that the producers have realized that nothing is supposed to be done to wine apart from what nature does.. The secret of quality is therefore that there is no secret! Consequently, all you need to know is how

there is almost no secret, in those that are aromatized - vermouth, Ausbruch and Bermet were, are, and will be unique items particularly because of the specifics for making them and the recipes which those who make high quality wines do not readily disclose. In their distinctive People from Karlovci used to produce Bermet primarily for their domestic needs. It was only in taste, connoisseurs will immethe 1990’s that small producers, as their ancestors, diately recognize were able to put Bermet and other limiteddried fruit - figs, production wines on the market orange peel, carob, nutmeg, vato take everything from nature. nilla, wormwood, cinnamon … But while for the production of ordiŽarko Živanović, one of the producnary wines – table wines, dry, medium- ers of this wine, thinks that Bermet was dry, sweet, naturally sweet, liqueur wines, branded a long time ago. According to sherries, sparkling, and carbonated wines him, it belongs geographically to the Danube right bank and the slopes of TESTED AROMA Fruška Gora, the only area where the 15 kinds of herbs added to this wine grow. Thanks to its The first producer to “Sremski Karlovci used to regularly sweetness, bottle his wines and supply the British Court with wines,” resmoothness, and label his red Bermet marked Živanović. “One French wineexceptional aroma, was Mario Benišek. He grower who often buys our wines has Bermet has acquired was the first whose numerous admirers. It two jugs from which Queen Victoria perwine was tested. His is drunk as a dessert sonally drank our wine. The Živanović wine can be ordered wine, after lunch, with family has been making Bermet for three in several restaurants coffee and cakes. centuries, as long as this wine has been in Belgrade. CorD / June 2008 87

drunk in the world. My grandfather used to send our wines by ship via Budapest to New York.” Thanks to its sweetness, smoothness, and exceptional aroma, Bermet has acquired numerous admirers. It is drunk as a dessert wine, after lunch, with coffee and cakes, but is also excellent as an aperitif to stimulate the appetite. In order to present its voluptuous beauty, it is served in a wide glass, more of a liqueur than a wine glass, or in the classic red wine glass. It is best served at a temperature of 16 degrees Celsius, and it is recommended, because of its characteristic taste, to serve it with dry cakes, dried fruits and nuts – walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds. Jasmina Otašević and her father Dulka Dragojlović are the only producers in Sremski Karlovci who make white Bermet. Apart from that, they differ from other producers by not hiding the recipe by which they have been making this wine for generations. “We use granddad’s recipe,” said Jasmina Otašević. “We first put down a layer of grapes, then brown sugar, and then a row of herbs until the barrel is full. According to our recipe, 24 components are needed for white Bermet to obtain its unique taste, bouquet, and color. We pour white Riesling over it, let it stand, and then we drain it. That is called the first flow, and that is the best.” This lady wine expert reminded us that Bermet used to be made in monasteries in 88 CorD / June 2008

AUSBRUCH Another special wine like Bermet is Ausbruch, which is rarely made these days. Some people think that this wine too, like Bermet, will soon have its renaissance. Producers are not prepared to talk about this yet, but prefer to smile mysteriously and shrug, which could be a sign that another high-quality wine will soon conquer the world. The production technology was the same as with Bermet. A family’s recipe was passed on as a secret from generation to generation. Ausbruch is a dessert wine of superior quality and taste. Fruška Gora at the time when monasteries used to own great expanses of land. The first producer to bottle his wines and label his red Bermet was Mario Benišek. He was the first whose wine was technologically tested. His wine can be ordered in several restaurants in Belgrade, and it is very popular in wine shops and in France where he exports his Bermet. Benišek’s recipe is a closely kept secret. He is only prepared to say that apart from various herbs and the obligatory wormwood, he also adds orange and lemon rind. He claims that the secret is that none of the herbs in his wine should dominate with their individual taste. Benišek was the first to bottle and label his Bermet. In that way his Bermet arrived in one Irish pub in France, near Bordeaux. It is a well-known story that a few years ago, his Bermet was the first non-French wine that the owner had opened in the last hundred and fifty years.

Uncle Slavko Kiš is also known as a famous producer of Bermet with a long tradition. He claims that high-quality red wine is the starting point for making Bermet, regardless of recipes. He has no doubts. On the contrary, he is convinced that this drink, which brought glory to Karlovci in the past, will breeze through the big door to international wine shops, thanks to current producers. Bermet from Predrag Bajilo’s cellar is also in great demand. Bajilo is a relatively younger producer of Bermet, which he makes in his own way for discriminating clients. There is no doubt that apart from its glorious past, Bermet has also contributed to the charisma of Sremski Karlovci. This town of impressive history where time seems to stand still continues to charm tourists in the same way as does Bermet, the rare drink redolent with historical nobility.

SOCIETY

Successful Humanitarian Action “CorD Charity Masters”

One million in aid For the fourth year in a row, CorD magazine organized its “CorD Charity Masters” fivekilometer humanitarian race. This year 121 representatives of large domestic and foreign companies took part. For each kilometrer run, 400 dinars were collected for humanitarian purposes.

n April 21st, sportsmen from 22 countries and thousands of Serbian citizens participated in Belgrade Banka Intesa’s Marathon. Based on a decision of the City of Belgrade Assembly, this race was proclaimed an event of special importance. In the spring of the now already distant 1988, the Belgrade Marathon was first held on the initiative of Đoka Vještica, a Studio B radio journalist, and athletics worker Brana Radović, and organized by the City of Belgrade. The circuit was neither a marathon nor a semimarathon. It was 23 km long, and only domestic participants took part. The idea was to develop a sports spirit and to free the center of Belgrade from traffic. Since the first marathon, it has become a tradition in Belgrade to close the city’s center streets to automobiles

“CorD Charity Masters” 2008: participants from Porr

This year we collected altogether 1,100.000 dinars earned by friends from Henkel, Porr, British American Tobacco, Buzz Allen, Merck Sharp & Dohme Idea Inc, the British Council, the US Embassy, Coca Cola HBC, European Commission Delegation, CorD, and individual participants. In cooperation with CORD as the organizer, this money has been divided into four humanitarian actions: 2620 euros have been set aside for the Safe Haven in Belgrade, a facility where children without parental care can receive food, clothThis year we collected altogether 1,100.000 ing, a shower, and meddinars earned by friends from Henkel, Porr, ical assistance. Children British American Tobacco, Buzz Allen, Merck and young people livSharp & Dohme Idea Inc, the British Council, ing and working on the streets have experienced the US Embassy, Coca Cola HBC, European prejudice, violence, povCommission Delegation, CorD erty, and endure a childonce a month. hood without a responsible adult to take care of Since 2005, the date of CorD’s first anni- them. Due to these problems they encounter on versary, within the Belgrade Marathon is also the street, they develop a series of psychological run “CorD Charity Masters,” a humanitarian problems. Life on the street forces them to face race on a five kilometer- long track. The goal many dilemmas and compromises they are not of this race is to allow a large number of peo- ready to accept. They most often feel that the ple to run as many kilometers as possible. For group they live with is the only place they can each kilometer run, the participant pays a cer- turn to, but often this kind of support is not untain sum of money. conditional. This year for “CorD Charity Masters,” our You can make a traditional friends and partners from compa- contribution for the nies we have been working with for the past Safe Haven through 4 years entered. For many, this was their sec- bank account number: ond or third participation. We hope to see a 205-127261-97 at whole group of people wearing “CorD Charity Komercijalna banMasters” t-shirts at the starting position of the ka, Beneficiary: Centar 22nd Belgrade Marathon. za integraciju mladih

(Center for Integration of Youngsters). The Serbian family Živkov, who has the largest number of family members (17 children,) received from COCA COLA 9200 euros in assistance toward the construction of new house. A boy from Belgrade, Marko Ilić, was seriously injured in an accident at home, and was in danger of remaining permanently paralyzed. The delegation of the European Commission set aside 500 euros for him from “CorD Charity Masters” action. Anyone who wishes to help with payments may do so through an account opened at Meridian Bank. The dinar account number is 330-0400102188053-05, and the foreign currency account is: 330-0430200922993-55. The PORR Company donated its share of race participation to OŠ “Boško Buha,” an elementary school. It has been noted that some ten participants of “CorD Charity Masters” ran even farther than 5 kilometers, and two “CorDs“ reached the semi-marathon finish. In 2009, we hope to have an even greater number of participants in our “CorD Charity Masters” humanitarian race, and to collect a bigger sum of money to help those who need it.

CorD / June 2008 89

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

Bourgogne French become Serbian Winegrowers

Vinous Soul of the Danube Mr. and Mrs. Cyrille Bongiraud and Mrs. Estelle Germain, famous winegrowers from the heart of Bourgogne, have purchased a large vineyard near Kladovo, and last year produced 50.000 bottles of their “Esprit du Danube” (Soul of the Danube) wine.

his wine is a product of our work and your beautiful land,” is the message from the French winegrowers Mrs. Estelle Germain and Mr. Cyrille Bongiraud to Serbian admirers of their wine. On the label of the “Spirit of the Danube,” as they have named their white wine, they also add that now they are citizens of Kladovo. What they did not emphasize is that this unusual wine for the Serbian wine consumer, light and fresh with an opulent bouquet, is also the result of their vast knowledge. Mrs. Germain comes from an old French winegrowing family in Beaune, a city 50 kilometers from Dijon known as the wine capital of Bourgogne, while Mr. Bongiraud is an expert in soil analysis, capable of determining whether a given soil can provide a certain vine with everything it needs to yield good grapes. A few years ago something motivated Cyrille and Estelle to search for a new wine, although they could hardly hope to create something better than the truly elite “Beaune 1ère Cru les Teurons.” We should mention that Estelle’s family is considered among the most famous winegrowers of the renowned French vineyard area. Still, it happened that Cyrille and Estelle made their way to Romania with the idea to set up their new vineyards there. “We started buying land on the Danube riverside near Coronini village, but this

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Mr. and Mrs. Bongiraud with children was very difficult. The land was partitioned, no one owned large vineyards, and the landowners drastically increased prices once we started buying land. We barely managed to link four hectares,

day in 2000, they crossed the Danube and came to Kladovo. Through a friend they found out that near Kladovo they could buy a large piece of land that was sufficiently covered with vines to satisfy their ambitions. The estate Mr. Bongiraud: Last year we produced 50.000 included a small factobottles, and this year if the grape harvest is ry that was out of business. This made it easier good we plan to double production. to buy the land, because which was small for what we wanted,” it was owned by a company. says Mr. Bongiraud. Cyrille, of course, first conducted a The Coronini village is situated across soil analysis and determined that the land the river from the village Golubac. One was perfect for a vineyard. The climatic

BIOLOGICAL WINE The “Spirit of the Danube” wine has some special characteristics. It is, according to Mr. Bongiraud, biological. “This means that in the process of its production from the vine spraying process to the brewing, only traditional methods are applied, the same ones that were used a thousand years ago, without any herbicides or pesticides. Grape fermentation is also not activated by any kind of yeast, which is unfortunately a practice of most wine cellars today.” For now, the “Soul of the Danube” can be found in some Belgrade supermarkets and several finer restaurants in Belgrade. The retail price of the wine is moderate. “We did not want to produce an expensive wine, because we are familiar with the purchasing power in Serbia. Besides, we are pleasantly surprised that there are many young people among the consumers of our wine, which implies a bright future for winegrowing and viticulture in this region,” says Mr. Bongiraud at the close of his very beautiful Serbian wine story.

conditions were also favorable. The vineyard near Kladovo is situated in a ravine on the Danube bank, so the water makes the summers cool, while the wind protection makes the winters warm. “The vineyard was in bad shape, but we maintained its core which covers around 40 hectares, and now we are gradually grafting vines so that the vineyard will restore its former size and quality. The estate also included a stable, which we renovated and turned into a cellar. Last year we produced 50.000 bottles, and this year if the grape harvest is good we plan to double production,” says Mr. Bongiraud, whom we met in Belgrade where he has also rented an apartment for business purposes, although he is virtually a citizen of Kladovo. The seriousness of his vinous and viticultural plans is supported by the fact that two of his and Estelle’s children, Luc (9 years old) and Aimée (7) attend the Kladovo School, while their youngest, Sasha who is two years old, will soon start kindergarten. By the time the French vineyard near Kladovo has grown, the children

will surely be speaking Serbian as well as French. Maybe this family sees their future in Serbia; maybe they already perceive Serbia as part of the European community. That is why Cyrille started up other businesses as well. At Aleksandrovacka Zupa, he and the famous Serbian winegrower Dragoslav Ivanovic have already produced the wine “Zanos” (Rapture), a late harvest similar to the French Sauternes. It will soon be released onto the market. With a partner from Montenegro, he has founded a society that will deal with the import of French wines to Montenegro, t h r o u g h Montenegro, and to Serbia. In this way, we will be able to sample, among others, the famous Bourgogne wine “Romanée-Conti,” in addition to other famous wines from

Bourgogne and Alsace. As for the “Soul of the Danube,” it is already being exported to France, Russia, and Montenegro, and soon it will be exported to England. Estelle and Cyrille plan to soon begin the production of a red wine that will be named “Soul of the Balkans.” In the end, their plans are completed with tourism. “We want to bring French tourists to Serbia. That would be agrotourism – good food, good drinks, and the accommodation would not be in hotels, but in the homes of locals!” Hotel “Le Petit Piaf” Skadarska 34 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Tel +381-11-303-5252 Fax +381-11-303-5353 www.petitpiaf.com

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SOCIETY

Dr. Dušan Borić – Serbia’s Indiana Jones

The fourth sequel of the Indiana Jones films has arrived in Serbian cinemas. Science led our Dušan Borić (35), doctor of archaeology, from Europe to North and South America, and always back to Serbia, more particularly to Lepenski Vir.This locality was the subject of his doctoral dissertation at Cambridge, and his book about Lepenski Vir will soon be published in both Serbian and English. BY SANJA STOJANOVIĆ

Rainy forest: Research in the Amazon 92 CorD / June 2008

e does not recall exactly when he realized that he would become an archaeologist. Dušan thinks this had something to do with his having grown up in Sremska Mitrovica, the former classical Sirmium, an entire town that resembles an archaeological site, and that the holes he jumped over as a young boy tickled his imagination, invited him to peer into them, and learn their secrets. The secrets of the past have attracted Dušan ever since he was young. He became interested in history, and at the age of 15 started to teach himself Latin and ancient Greek. He was still in primary school when he wrote his first scientific work, A Classical History of Sirmium. This work received an award, and when he went to the Petnica Research Center with the Young Serbian Researchers, he knew that archaeology would become part of his life. During his secondary education, he studied English intensively in order to be able to read international archeological literature. Dušan believes that if something interests you and you have the motivation, there is nothing you cannot do; you just need vision and focus. Just like in a computer game, you reach higher levels, and then you see a new mountain to climb, or as in the case of archaeology, a new surface to be dug up, which will lead you to new personal heights. While studying archaeology in Belgrade, Dušan realized that to be young and ambitious was not easy. To be from Serbia is for many people an excuse for failure, but not for him. When he faces a problem, instead of dwell-

ing on it, he solves it in a more or less successful way, and instead of standing in one spot, he moves forward. After Dušan graduated, he worked as a custodian in the Novi Sad Museum. “It was a challenge to compete with people who were older than me, but the institution restricted me. Whether you can or cannot do something depends on your age. That is the issue of cultural patterns. Here it is forbidden to be ambitious, because then you are immediately sick with ambition. There are enthusiasts, but society is not organized to promote educated and talented people. There are scientists we are proud of, but everything they achieved they did by themselves on their own initiative. The problem is that those people live in some sort of small ghetto here, and they are often unable to travel and learn how others work.” In order to enrich his experience Dušan traveled abroad. He did not go to look for a better livelihood, and always came back to work on the things he started here. “In some ways we are lagging behind a society where there are no attempts to create a cultural elite,” said Dušan. However, despite having left his country, Dušan Borić still carried on research into archaeological localities in Serbia. His doctoral dissertation in Cambridge, where he is currently a senior research fellow, was on Lepenski Vir culture. He has lectured at Columbia University in New York and has encountered the specificities of different educational systems and various educational traditions. “Anglo-Saxon schools are very different from ours. The main difference is that here everything is directed towards oral presentation while over there they learn to write essays and to carry out their own research from the very beginning. There are no oral exams. They have tests with so-called multiple choice questions and an essay on a given subject. You have to think about certain themes and to have some worked out theses for essays. You can prepare for about ten themes. Here you learn something by heart which you forget the next day. There they develop lateral thinking, integrating and merging knowledge that creates more capable and more complex people. In an essay you can see how someone expresses himself and how he thinks. Here I wrote according to my feelings, and then I discovered that there are rules concerning how that should be done. We lack structure, and everybody needs to have structured written

AMBITIOUS While studying archaeology in Belgrade, Dušan realized that to be young and ambitious was not easy.To be from Serbia is for many people an excuse for failure, but not for him.

expression. In France, Germany, and Italy it one, starting with Internet connections, which is similar to here. They also go all around in can be found everywhere, and so on. expression, using many styles and words, but Campuses in America are states within the the conclusions are empty. In England, expres- state, independent institutions where you have sion is economized and ideas are more logical. the desire and need for constant education and There is scientific jargon which is unavoidable, improvement. It is not surprising that when but there is no unnecessary mess. In Cambridge you pay big money, you take studying seriousyou know your position, the hierarchy is strong, ly. Also, professors in America and England but the surroundings are more pleasant. The constantly strive to ensure that their students entire British culture camouflages all strategic succeed. They will write recommendations for differences their students, but through po- He became interested in history, and at since that is a reliteness. sponsibility, they the age of 15 started to teach himself There is stand behind what Latin and ancient Greek. a great rethey write. Here spect for professors do not professors, but rarely is someone addressed as want to burden themselves, they say ‘you write professor. In fact, I say that only to one per- it and I will sign it.’ Evaluation here is relative. son, Lord Colin Renfrew, the only man who We have the old- fashioned system where evehas been granted that title because of his mer- rything is reduced to three exam questions and its in archaeology. Everybody who has tried to luck.” study archaeology has heard about him, but Dušan Borić spent two years doing posthe behaves completely informally and signs doctoral studies at Columbia University. He himself as Colin. In large private universities lived in Manhattan near the University and in America, big money is at play. The general Central Park, and likes America more than standard is higher than the Western European England. “I think that their system is superior. The ocean divides you from the background CAMBRIDGE NEW YORK and you really have the feeling that you have arrived in a new world and that you are preIn Cambridge you I was lucky to live in pared for a new life. I was lucky to live in New New York, the ancient know your position, the York, the ancient Rome of the present; the city Rome of the present; hierarchy is strong, but the of all cities; the ultimate urban environment; the city of all cities; surroundings are more the capital of the world. Everything operates the ultimate urban pleasant.The entire British perfectly. London was grandiose in the past, environment; the capital culture camouflages of the world. Everything the same as Paris and other European capiall strategic differences operates perfectly. tal cities. In terms of organization America is through politeness. the most modern creation. In America there is CorD / June 2008 93

SOCIETY

great mobility and freedom of choice. People are prepared for everything that life brings. They have some independence as individuals. If you dropped them on Mars they would do fine.” It is not easy to achieve your own ambitions. In Serbia this is particularly difficult, and success is not forgiven. While working on his dissertation, Dušan was banned from working on the theme he had chosen, namely, he did not obey the unwritten rule of the profession. “This refers to the fact that a great amount of work was not published. Museums are full of unfinished materials. If somebody discovered something, and could not or did not want to finish this research, while he is alive nobody else is allowed to touch it. Not only do they not allow young people to carry on excavating, do not give them conditions to live, but they also do not allow them to work on materials which somebody else has discovered. I thought that this was stupid and that everybody should be allowed to carry on research and not obey hierarchy. Here they say that you should ‘slowly use’ materials, to strategically present them, and to leave something for later. The aim is to complete research and to present it through museum exhibitions and publications.” Dušan successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on Lepenski Vir, and soon his book will be published in both English and Serbian. Dušan thinks that archaeology was a RESEARCH IN VLASAC: DR DUŠAN BORIĆ ON SITE better choice than classical philosophy or history because it allows him a wider range of acThe significance of this archaeological research in Vlasac lies in the possibiltivities. Instead of dealing only with books and ity of perceiving in detail, for the first time, the transformation of the Mesolithic theory, which is also part of his research work, fishermen’s world into the world of growers and animal breeders with the simulDušan has to be a good organizer, capable of taneous changes in the sphere of social relations and the religious understanding writing projects, and good at logistic activities. of the world. “I like the juncture of practical work, both in nature and contacts with people, and the theoretical-philosophical foundation of discipline. In England it is appreciated when you work new reality, by getting to know it, you come to of the nature of his occupation and frequent hard and the slogan ‘publish or perish’ still ap- a new understanding.” traveling, Dušan has no regrets. “Because I plies,” said Dušan. Dušan used to work in Catalhoyuk, Turkey, change my location very often, I like some sort “Archaeologists are often imagined as dirty, the first village with a planned structure, and of predictability. In my favorite cities I like to eccentric, and always in boots. They were of- saw many archeologically significant details know exactly where to eat, where to find certen spies, as in the English Patient,” said Dušan. (skulls shaped in clay, ritual artefacts full of tain food. And when I return to New York and However, he prefers the more glamorous var- symbolism), but what is the most exotic for I find a certain product in the same shop and its iant, Indiana Jones. “Staying in an isolated him is working in the Amazon. When he ar- price has not changed, then I feel good, I feel at village under adverse conditions is not really rived in Rio after days and nights spent in the home. However, in Serbia prices change even glamorous, but the stories that archaeologists wild, civilization seemed like a miracle. “In the when I am only away for a few weeks.” bring back Dušan likes Serbia and even though it are always seems that he sometimes judges it too sharp“Anglo-Saxon schools are very different from ours.The main exotic.” ly, but he does that because he feels sorry when difference is that here everything is directed towards oral H a s he sees its faults, especially when he is abroad Dušan dis- presentation while over there they learn to write essays and or when he brings some foreign guests here. covered any to carry out their own research from the very beginning.“ Dušan recently visited Serbia with a group of special se30 students from Cambridge. “That made me cret? “Everything is secret,” said Dušan, “be- Amazon there are mosquitoes, ants, forests all see Serbia in a different light. I have to admit cause archaeology puts together the puzzle of around you, and all you think about is how to that returning to London rarely makes me happast realities discovered through the material survive, so after that experience the criteria of py, but this time it did. I miss some sort of ortraces which remain. A story similar to that of what is important and what is not change sig- der and boring normality.” a criminologist is made – gathering proof of the nificantly.” When they traveled to Djerdap, Dušan felt behavior of certain actors in the past. When you His favorite cities are Belgrade, New York, bitterness because the group passed through set off to work, you have certain prejudices and and Rio de Janeiro. Even though he has been natural beauty covered with rubbish. With his knowledge, but since the material has its own unable to maintain a stable private life because students from England, Dušan also visited 94 CorD / June 2008

Vukovar, and thinks that children from Serbia should be taken there and explained what kind of injustice Serbs carried out. “Instead of repeating how the world is unfair towards us, instead of feeling like victims, we should realize and accept why this is happening to us, why Kosovo could not remain in Serbia, why the world does not trust us.” However, he believes that more could be done for Kosovo. “We could reasonably negotiate and demand that both Serbs and Albanians gain equal constitutional nations in the independent state of Kosovo. With that we could do a great deal for Serbs in Kosovo, and would gain points for maturity.” Just over a year ago during the first few days of work in a field in Vlasac, a grave dating from the Mesolithic Age was discovered. This was an important archaeological discovery within the framework of the “Prehistory of North-Eastern Serbia Project,” managed by Dr. Dušan Borić. “I am slowly giving up on Serbia,”said Dušan, who has spent the last five summers in Djerdap on field research. This project, which deals with the transition from Mesolithic hunting communities to Neolithic farming communities, began in 2004 and was originally financed by the Americans (National Science Foundation) and later by the British Academy, joined then by Cambridge Dušan receives his doctoral degree at Camaridge University. They have provided funds for another two research seasons. But Serbia considers archaeology as non-profitable. “Sadly, very year’s record low water level of the Danube to local Mesolithic fishermen in Djerdap and the little is invested here in science, tourism, and research the preservation of the archaeological first farming communities. services, and that is necessary to attract tour- strata in Vlasac. The significance of this archaeological reists. They say that there’s no money for archaeTo the experts’delight, it was discovered search in Vlasac lies in the possibility of perology, but they have to see the benefit. They that a large part of this site was still untouched ceiving in detail, for the first time, the transforask what we need archaeology for. They say and that it would be possible to carry out long- mation of the Mesolithic fishermen’s world init is insignifto the world of growers and animal breeders icant, but if It is not easy to achieve your own ambitions. In Serbia this with the simultaneous changes in the sphere of there were no social relations and the religious understandis particularly difficult, and success is not forgiven.While archaeology, ing of the world. With new precise methodolworking on his dissertation, Dušan was banned from people would ogy in field research and subsequent laboratoworking on the theme he had chosen, namely, he did not not visit cerry analyses, it is possible to achieve good reobey the unwritten rule of the profession. tain isolated sults which will defend the sacred significance places.” of this cultural phenomenon in European preThe contribution of research is huge be- term research. This is of overwhelming impor- history. It is needed to change the assumption cause this is the only Mesolithic locality here. tance, because for the time being Vlasac is the about Lepenski Vir, because these days modVlasac, three kilometers from Lepenski Vir, only locality of the Lepenski Vir culture where ern methods are being implemented, while has been known to archaeologists since 1970. it is possible to carry out research using mod- nothing has changed in Serbia for decades. The creation of the artificial lake in Djerdap ern archaeological technologies. “Serbia is beautiful, but it is not wise to take resulted in the flooding of many archaeologIn addition to the grave on the beach, an advantage of its beauty. Lepenski Vir does not ical sights. Lepenski Vir, one of the most im- untouched grave was discovered of the same get any publicity, and the Djerdap Region is portant archaeological sites in our surroundings age as the first trapezium shaped houses in the most unique thing that Serbia has. What is had been discovered during the protected ar- Lepenski Vir. It is possible to date this peri- needed is a better infrastructure, 4- star hotels, chaeological research before the lake was cre- od to around 6.200 BC. Artefacts around the and then tourism would blossom. Each locality ated, but no detailed research has been done for deceased persons, such as processed carps’ should have a better presentation and should be nearly 40 years. teeth, were standard decorations during the treated much more seriously. We could organThe aim of the new project is to research Mesolithic Age in Djerdap, but also new deco- ize tours to take people back in history: for cathe perception of Lepenski Vir’s culture. The rations made of red and white limestone beads noe rides, to visit houses with trapezoid bases, results have been excellent from the very be- and in particular beads made of exceptionally to watch local fishermen. We could organize a ginning, particularly in the Vlasac locality, precious (at that time) Spondylus shells The fish festival and fish soup competitions. In that which was believed to have disappeared for- discovery of these shells in the grave helps us way we would engage the local community. If ever under the current level of the Danube. to determine the time of the funerals before the there were no Lepenski Vir, people would not However, information from local fishermen archaeologists receive precise results from the visit this region. We should be aware of that, who found bones washed up in this location laboratory for dating in Oxford, as well as to and resources should be invested in archaeolomade archaeologists take advantage of last understand the contacts and relations between gy and tourism.” CorD / June 2008 95

FROM THE WORLD PRESS

EUROVISION: NUL POINTS FOR HARMONY Beneath all the poptastic fun, is the song contest a hotbed of political rivalries that conspire against Britain? ROLAND WHITE May 25, 2008 The Sunday Times It was a statesman-like performance in the face of tragic defeat. “I urge my fans to be dignified,” said Dustin the Turkey, hiding his disappointment after losing in the semi-final of the 2008 Eurovision song contest. “I don’t want riots on the street.” Dustin was Ireland’s big hope in the competition; he was also a glove puppet. He was speaking after his song, Irelande Douze Pointe , had failed to be awarded a single point by the judges. No wonder some Irish were doubting the wisdom of asking him to represent them on the international stage. Yet why not a singing turkey? With its reputation for sequined eccentricity, the Eurovision song contest is almost beyond parody. Last night’s victor was — surprise, surprise — Russia. In the fashion of an old corrupt Soviet election, the win had been announced by the BBC five days before the voting even started. But if it had been won by a barber shop quartet from Alpha Centauri, eyelids would have remained unbatted. Terry Wogan would have simply remarked on their outfits before poking fun at the host nation, which this year happened to be Serbia. Every year since 1980 he has proudly presented the show to its British audience while quietly ridiculing the songs, the other presenters, the hairdos and the costumes. And a good job, too — for beneath the high camp and daffy lyrics, the competition is in danger of becoming a simmering pit of international politics. Last year Ukraine’s entry, a transvestite, was accused of slipping the words “Russia, goodbye!” into her song as a gesture of support for her country’s “Orange revolution”. She denied the accusation, insisting that the offending 96 CorD / June 2008

words were Mongolian for “condensed milk”. (Does John Prescott know that?) Last night there was an apparent change of heart. Ukraine came second after awarding Russia 12 points, its highest marks. “Ukraine just wants to make absolutely sure the old electric and oil keeps running,” said Wogan. In 2003 Britain’s failure to get a single vote was widely seen as punishment for the Iraq war. Last night we came joint last despite Andy Abraham singing his heart out. Now tensions are rising over suspicions of “bloc voting”. Last week Wogan claimed that eastern European countries had banded together to prevent western ones from winning. He declared that an “iron curtain has descended across Eurovision”. Iron, but with a taffeta lining. The Eurovision contest began in 1956 with such high hopes. It was yet another scheme, along with Jeux Sans Frontières and the Common Market, to unite the continent after the horrors of war. If we could only sing along together to the jaunty sounds of popular music, went the theory, we would live side-by-side in perfect harmony. Or as close to perfect harmony as Eurovision’s performers could manage. Gatherer identified three blocs that account for about a third of all votes. The biggest is what he calls the Balkan bloc: 11 countries that include Turkey, Albania, various bits that used to be Yugoslavia,

Although the eight Nordic and Baltic states form a so-called Viking Empire, there is no western European bloc for the UK to belong to. You will not find the Belgians voting for an Irish turkey. But we don’t really care about all that, do we? No, we want oddball Finns singing heavy metal, we want a couple of outfits that look like an explosion in a sequin factory. Like last year, we want transvestite singers from Ukraine singing in pidgin English: “Hello, hello everybody! Me English don’t understand! Let’s speak dance!”

Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Hungary. Next is the Eastern bloc of eight countries, including Russia, Poland and Ukraine. (Given the degree to which some of the countries within the Balkan and Eastern blocs hate each other, perhaps Eurovision does indeed break down barriers.)

single political will, so that approaches to the transit policy are harmonized and a fundamental step to implement profitable projects both for consumers and transit countries is taken. “I am convinced that our goals and the legal base should be agreed on the principles of the Energy Charter,” the President noted, adding that

UKRAINE AND GEORGIA SUGGESTED CREATING OPEN BALTIC-BLACK-SEACASPIAN ENERGY SPACE

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said this during the opening of an Energy Summit in Kyiv. “Ukraine and Georgia are suggesting for consideration the idea of an open BalticBlack-Sea-Caspian energy transit space,” he said. Viktor Yushchenko asked participants in the meeting to unite their efforts at a high level and demonstrate a

relations between all of the partners in the energy sector should be transparent, fair and mutually beneficial.

REUNION OF SOUTH AND NORTH OSSETIA MAY COST RUSSIA

IZVESTIA TAIMURAZ MAMSUROV, Head of Russia’s North Ossetian republic, and Eduard Kokoity, president of the breakaway South Ossetia, have proposed reuniting the two republics. What will Moscow do about their appeal? Georgia is too busy with parliamentary elections to comment, but Russia should consider all the pros and cons. The two presidents have made their appeal at the right time, with Moscow and Georgia exchanging blows and the Ossetian issue one of the Kremlin’s aces. Besides, the Kosovo precedent gives Russia a free hand in the issue of breakaway republics. In the past, the borders of states that became independent after the collapse of socialist federations, such as the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, were considered inviolable, but Kosovo has created a new precedent. If Albanians can secede from Serbia, why cannot Ossetians get their freedom from Georgia? President Mikheil Saakashvili has rejected the Moldovan scenario, which provides for refusing to join NATO in return for Russian assistance in restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity. He is eager to join the bloc, whereas Russia has apparently decided that if Georgia wants to become a NATO member, it will have to do it without Abkhazia and South Ossetia.These were the pro arguments, but there are also reasons against the reunification of the two Ossetian states. It will be extremely difficult technically to separate South Ossetia from Georgia, because the breakaway republic is a patchwork of Georgian and Ossetian villages and enclaves. It cannot be divided between Georgia and Russia without ethnic cleansing or starting a civil war against Georgians, and neither solution is acceptable. Russia must also think about the price of the possible reunification of South and North Ossetia. It is one thing to support a republic that is actually independent of its parent country, and it is quite another matter to legally recognize its secession or include it into Russia.

SWEARING ON THE QURAN

The first Muslim American congressman offers his thoughts on the American Muslim community’s involvement in the political and social life of the US, Mohamed El-Sayed listened in Perhaps Congressman Keith Ellison is the best- known United States congressman in the Arab world. His popularity could be attributed not only to the fact that he was the first Muslim American to be elected to Congress, and the first African American to be elected from Minnesota, but also because the Democratic- Farmer-Labour Party representative refused to be sworn in on the Bible, insisting on taking a ceremonial oath of of-

fice on the Quran -- the personal copy of Thomas Jefferson, which he borrowed from the Library of Congress -- in his first appearance in Congress. “It wasn’t a violation of the American constitution, since Article 6 states that there is no religious test for fulfilling the requirements of an elected office,” Ellison said in reply to a question by Al-Ahram Weekly during a video conference from Washington, which was sponsored by the American Embassy in Cairo. “The Quran is the book that inspires me and which I read every day,” he point-

ed out. Offering his thoughts on the conditions of the Muslim community in America and the challenges facing it, Ellison sees that political life for US Muslims is better than many might suppose in the Arab world, where America’s image has taken a beating after the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the horrifying stories told by Arabs released from Guantanamo Bay. “The Muslim community in the US is still in its infancy or embryonic stage,” he said. “There is no body stopping American Muslims from taking part in politics, but they always lacked organisation and leadership,” he added. However, he argues that most people in America “are good-willed, and when an attack happens, people from all faiths come together and try to help correct the problem. And we are trying to reach out to those people.” Ellison pins high hopes on Muslims’ active participation in social and political life. “Overwhelmingly, Muslims in America are rising to the challenge of civic engagement at a level we have not seen in the past, and they are responding positively to such a challenge,” he concluded. CorD / June 2008 97

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

CorD AND THE TOS INVITE YOU TO TAKE A TRIP TO SERBIAN VILLAGES

Village tourism, also known as rural, eco, ranch, farm, sustainable, ecological, green, and ethno tourism, is gaining ground in Serbia, which holds great potential for its development in Europe. Serbia enjoys an excellent geographical location, and can offer visitors diverse landscape, healthy food, rich folklore, traditions, cultural heritage, as well as fascinating and hospitable hosts. 98 CorD / June 2008

here are plenty of opportunities to enjoy village holidays in Serbia. Pristine nature, fresh air laden with the scent of haystacks, flowers, pines, and pastures, along with its clean streams and rivers, plus its wild flora and fauna make Serbia an ideal holiday spot. Guests can idle for days surrounded by peaceful landscapes, take part in various activities, and go for long walks through fairytale-like villages, a delight for both the young and old. Visitors can ride horses, climb mountains, pick forest fruit and medicinal herbs, play soccer, volleyball or basketball, bathe in rivers and lakes, or choose to lend their hosts a hand in preparing meals, or perhaps join them in the fields or farm work. Others may wish to learn something about

old but still useful handicrafts. In any case, visitors will reminisce about traditional gatherings with local food, stories, and toasts long after they return home.

Vojvodina region - Salaši The best time to visit Vojvodina is in the fall. The rich colors and the bountiful harvests attract tourists from all over, even those who come for just a day. The best way to get to know authentic and rural Vojvodina is to stay at one of the traditional ’salaš,’ (plural ’salaši.’) Salaši are selfsufficient farms with a house surrounded

SERBIAN MOUNTAINES Kraljevo is an attractive tourist town. Its lush mountains Kopaonik, Goč, Čemerno, Radočelo, and Golija are rich in various game for hunting, and are also known as being excellent alpine ski terrains.

by traditional structures such as a barn, silo, and/or corral. At one time there were thousands of salaši. Over time some were amalgamated into villages, while many were abandoned and subsequently disappeared. They have been revived over the past few years to re-

turn to their traditional function of producing healthy organic food. Since rural tourism is now becoming a potential longterm tourist trend, they have been added to Vojvodina’s list of tourist offerings, and are now at the top of the list. Čenej’s salaši are the most significant and make up a unique group. They are located approximately twenty kilometers from Novi Sad, in the Bačka area of Vojvodina. The first written mention of Čenej was more than 750 years ago. In this huge area of Bačka, the layout of the village, farm houses, barns, and tools used in cultivation has not changed much over time. It used to be that salaši were designated by numbers since there were no street names. In Čenej the best known salaš is number 137, which has thirteen rooms, all authentically decorated. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from old traditional recipes to specialty dishes to international cuisine. Indeed, an authentic ambiance prevails. Some rooms have old-style

VOJVODINA

VAJAT

MONASTERIES

In Vojvodina, stay at one of the traditional ’salaš,’ (plural ’salaši.’) Salaši are self-sufficient farms with a house surrounded by traditional structures such as a barn, silo, and/or corral.

The family home was the hub of existence, and young married couples moved to small cottages on the homestead (’vajati’) and helped with daily farm chores.

The spiritual and secular seat of medieval Serbia, it is surrounded by several monasteries: Studenica, Gradac, Pavlica, Sopoćani, Žiča, Đurđevi Stupovi, Ljuboštinja, Kalenić...

furniture, and none have television sets. There are half-day and full-day organized tours of Čenej. A day at a salaš can be made truly worthwhile by active participation in the host family’s traditional life. Some activities offered include a ride in a ’fijaker’ (horse-drawn carriage), a winter sleigh ride, bicycle rentals, and horseback riding. There is also the option of participating in and learning about traditional crafts.

Užice region Renowned for its history and natural attractions, the region of Užice lies approximately 200 kilometers from Belgrade. On one side of Užice are the slopes of Zlatibor mountain, and in the other direction, picturesque villages are surrounded by pastures and wooded hills. The village of Kremna is located 235 km south of Belgrade between two famous mountains, Tara and Zlatibor. Kremna, at an altitude of 750 to 850 meters, is about 10 km from Mokra Gora. Dr. Radovan Kazimirović describes this village as follows in his book “The Prophecy from Kremna”: “Kremna’s setting resembles a garden spotted with evergreen trees, boasting endless harmony with the wind and flourishing wildlife. Everything in Kremna shines, oscillates, and is alive with joy and gladness. Its horizon is crisscrossed by Šargan and CorD / June 2008 99

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

Čigota, which resemble huge flowerpots full of evergreen woods, and reveal endless views reaching as far as Durmitor and Avala...”

Kraljevo region Kraljevo region lies in central Serbia 175 km from Belgrade on the banks of the Ibar river near its confluence to Zapadna Morava at the crossroads of the railway and Belgrade-Skoplje and StalacČačak-Požega highways. It is the administrative, cultural, traffic, and commercial center of the Raska region. Kraljevo has a long and turbulent past, visible by its numerous cultural and historical landmarks that date from medieval and and more recent times. Thanks to its favorable geographical and commercial position, its rivers where many come to fish, several spas in the vicinity (Mataruška, Vrnjačka, Bogutovačka, Jošanička), its mountains, the Ibar beach, the old fort Maglič, and monasteries (Žiča, Studenica), Kraljevo is an attractive tourist town. Its lush mountains Kopaonik, Goč, Čemerno, Radočelo, and Golija are rich in various game for hunting, and are also known as being excellent alpine ski terrains. 100 CorD / June 2008

KREMNA Everything in Kremna shines, oscillates, and is alive with joy and gladness. Its horizon is crisscrossed by Šargan and Čigota, which resemble huge flowerpots full of evergreen woods, and reveal endless views reaching as far as Durmitor and Avala...”

Studenica is located 63 km from Kraljevo and 255 km from Belgrade along the Ibar highway. Studenica’s surroundings are known for a pleasant climate, extraordinary natural attractions, and the clear water of the Studenica river abounds with fish, especially trout. The spiritual and secular seat of medieval Serbia, it is surrounded by several monasteries: Studenica, Gradac, Pavlica, Sopoćani, Žiča, Đurđevi Stupovi, Ljuboštinja, Kalenić, and Petrova church, as well as numerous spas: Vrnjačka, Gornja Trepča, Mataruška, Bogutovačka, and Jošanička.

Gornji Milanovac region Situated in Serbia among the Maljen, Suvobor, Rajac, Rudnik, Jesevac, Vujan and Kablar mountains, this town of-

fers some of the country’s most breathtaking vistas. Rudnik is arguably the most impressive, with nine peaks rising over 1,000 meters. At the base of these splendid mountains are mineral springs and tiny villages, all of which are quaint tourist destinations. Koštunici, Rudnik, Savinac, Vraćevšnica, Takovo, and Leušići each beckons to travelers with their unique townspeople and their down-home hospitality, while the mineral springs of Mlakovac, Svračkovci, Savinac and Brdjani draw visitors with mystical promises of rejuvenation and healing. Not to miss is the monastery Vraćevšnica, built in the 15th century. It lies just off the road that winds toward Gornji Milanovac from Kragujevac. Koštunici is home to the “Andjelija Mišic” ethnographic museum as well as “Prodanovićeva magaza,” a museum of history.

Lučani Lučani lies in the mountainous part of western Serbia better known as Dragačevo. The area is full of luxuriant farmlands, rich forests, and pastures best known for producing excellent wild raspberries and healthy herds of cattle. Dragačevo abounds with cultural and historical monuments. Hidden amidst the rolling foothills of Ovčar are the Trojice and Sretenje monasteries. In the tradition of artistic enclaves, Lučani is a haven for painters, sculptors and weavers. In Guča there is a gallery exhibiting the work of Dragačevo’s self-taught painters and sculptors, and in Dolnji Dubin has a co-op where women weavers gather to share stories, compare work, and sell their wares.

Kosjerić With charming rivers, green plains, planted fields, and flowering meadows, the Kosjerić region in western Serbia-136 kilometers from Belgrade and halfway between Valjevo and Užice-is an ideal place for a village holiday. With over one is located in the hilly and mountainous hundred cultural and historical landmarks, Zlatibor area in southwest Serbia, 30 kilthere is much sightseeing to do before and ometers south of Užice. after leisurely meals accompanied by exThe life of village people was centered cellent wines in a tranquil country setting. around one’s family and the work that needMionica (Kosjerić) is a small town of ed to be done to survive in the countryside. fewer than 250 inhabitants, whose main The family home was the hub of existence, source of income is cattle breeding and and young married couples moved to small fruit farming. Not surprisingly, this small cottages on the homestead (’vajati’) and village is well- known for its high-quality helped with daily farm chores. Here you plums and tasty plum brandy. can see a family home with its adjacent cotKosjerić village lies on the outskirts tages, milk house, barn, corncrib, earthen of Kosjerić, just along the foothills of the stove for baking, beehives, shed for drying Drmanovina and Crnokosa mounČenej’s salaši are the most significant and make tain ranges. Visitors up a unique group.They are located approximately to the area will be twenty kilometers from Novi Sad, in the Bačka pleased to find that area of Vojvodina.The first written mention of local households love taking in tourists, and Čenej was more than 750 years ago. providing them with plums, and a large pot for making brandy. an authentic home-stay experience. Scenic and accessible, the Drmanovina Stables for horses and other livestock were landscape is covered in leafy green vegeta- located away from the yard. Also on display tion. Apart from hiking, hunting, and bird- are many authentic furnishings, tools, and watching, there is always the city center to devices used in the 19th century. In a clearing in the woods there are two small cotbe enjoyed. With an Olympic-sized swimming pool, soccer fields, and tennis courts, tages for summer accommodation and two shepherds’ huts, one of which can be taken a variety of entertainment awaits. along to the fields so that shepherds could stay near their grazing animals. Also located in the village is a church Life as it was in the 19th century moun- dedicated to St. Peter and Pavle dating tain village of Sirogojno has been pre- from 1764, and an old village graveyard. served and reconstructed in the Museum In order to revive and maintain local arts of National Architecture, an open-air mu- and crafts traditions, some of the facilities seum encompassing an entire village and have been converted into workshops and consisting of several homesteads, work- souvenir shops, as well as lodgings for shops, and a village church. Sirogojno guests.

Zlatibor Sirogojno

Don’t miss NOVI SAD Čenej – Salaš 137 Begeč – Salaš Cveja Senta Gornji breg – Pension „Kraljica voća“ The Queen of Fruits Sombor Bački Monoštor – „Šomođvarac“ SUBOTICA Palić – Cvetni salaš UŽICE Kremna – The Household of Ruža Ivanović GORNJI MILANOVAC Gojna Gora – The Household of Boško Mijailović The Koštunići Complex – The Household of Stojka Obradović LUČANI Guča – The Božanić Family Household KOSJERIĆ Mionica – The Household of Mileta Luković ZLATIBOR Rožanstvo – The Household of Dragan Melović Sirogojno – The Household of Dobrivoje Milić Kraljevo Lopatnica – The Milojević Household CorD / June 2008 101

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MB Imagine stylish air conditioner Price: 646 eur Using the innovative auto roof shutter system, this unique air conditioner automatically seals off to prevent dirt infiltration when not in operation. Samsung MB stylish air conditioner provides you with the excellent harmony of beauty, technology and wellness. And with the good sleep’s Mode, you can experience a pleasant and comfortable sleep to enjoy a brand new day ahead. key specifications Auto Roof Shutter DNA Filter MPI (Micro Plasma Ion) Good Sleep’s Silver Coated Evaporator Deodorizing Filter S-Inverter (Optional)

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102 CorD / June 2008

LCD-A series Imagine aesthetic performance Price: 32’’ - 1255 eur and 40’’ - 1780 eur This model you can reach in next dimensions: 19’’, 22’’, 32’’, 37’’, 40’’, 46’’, and 52’’.With the intention of setting a new standard in design, Samsung injected a unique, environmentally friendly dual technology and created the stunning Crystal design of A series of LCD TVs. Because it is not paint based, this innovative system has led to more natural, emotionally inspiring designs that connect true craftsmanship and modern design. The originality and feel of the Crystal design motif makes a truly unique TV that owes its inspiration to the beauty of blown glass art. key specifications Resolution: 1920x1080 Full HD Ultra Clean panel (40’’, 46’’ 52’’) LCD 100 Hz Dynamic contrast: 50.000:1 (40’’, 46’’, 52’’) Teletext: Mega TXT level 2.5 Digital tuner iDTV type R81 Series Imagine dramatically distinctive design Price: 32’’ - 695 eur and 40’’ - 1036 eur This model you can reach in next dimensions: 23’’, 32’’, and 40’’. The HD ready R81 series combines advanced LCD technology in an award winning elegant design with which it sets a new standard for LCD TV design. Performance is up to the minute, with outstanding Dynamic Contrast Ratio, a High Definition (HD) ready display and enhanced multi-connectivity for all your digital devices. The new HD ready R81 range has a beautiful elegant design with flowing curves that will make this LCD the centre piece of any living room. But the R81 is not just a pretty face, the new range boasts new enhanced technology and up to three HDMI sockets for superb connectivity. Advanced features like Movie Plus, Wide Color Enhancer and Game Mode ensures the R8 range is the perfect mix of design and technology. key specifications HD Ready SRS TruSurround XT 3xHDMI Movie Plus, DNIe Auto Wall Mount R86 Series Imagine dramatically distinctive sound Price: 32’’ - 669 eur and 40’’ - 1004 eur This model you can reach in next dimensions: 19’’, 23’’, 26’’, 32’’, 37’’, and 40’’. Advanced LCD technology combined with refined design completely satisfied all your needs for pure quality and elegance. As a creator that never says no to challenges, Samsungs developed further LCD R81 series and created a new one - HD ready R86 series. Refining existed performances - up to the minute, outstanding Dynamic Contrast Ratio, a High Definition (HD) ready display, R86 series implemented Digital TV tuner. Samsung made the quality of sound as high as the quality of picture is, and made a whole perfection for you, and again proved to be the master of creations and technology innovations. key specifications HD Ready SRS TruSurround XT 3xHDMI iDTV tuner Movie Plus, DNIe Auto Wall Mount CorD / June 2008 103

TECHNO TALK HT-BD2 Imagine home theatre solution with blu-ray Price: 975 eur The concept of the perfect home-theater-in-a-box is born. Samsung HT-BD2 is the first unit that provides you audio-video experience at the highest top level. Besides it supports the new Blu-ray format, HT-BD2 promises richer and stronger sound. Consumers can now enjoy the Full HD 1080p cinematic video quality with an immersive audio experience that takes watching movies to a whole new level. The top audio presentation is reached with 7.1 channel HD reciverspeaker system which supports Dolby TruHD and dts-HD Master Audio format. A fully powered subwoofer with output power of 1100 W keeps movie and audio fans satisfied; as intuitive functions brings it extremly easy to use. Disc player is dominant with its 24-frame playback, 1080p out, HDMI 1.3 and the reproducting of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, and DTS-HD. With its slick, piano black design and blue backlight LED accents, BD2 augments both the audio presence and visual aesthetics of home theatre. Once again, Samsung has won CES price for the inovation and design. key specifications Total Power : 1100 Wireless ready Full HD support HDMI with Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) 7.1 Dolby Digital Blue LED backlight

P76 series Imagine the thrill of the action without leaving your home Price: 4140 eur This model you can reach in next dimension: 63’’. 2007 saw SAMSUNG introduce our first FHD 1080p Plasma - the P76 series. Featuring three HDMI connections, Ultra Filter Bright and 15000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio combined with the 1920x1080 resolution creating a sensational picture, the P76 really keeps you in the heart of all the action. key specifications Screen Size : 63” Aspect Ratio : 16:9 Resolution : 1,920x1,080 Contrast Ratio : 15,000:1 Full HD DNIe (Digital Natural Image Engine) SRS TruSurround XT YP-S5 Imagine unforgettable party with your friends Price: 128 eur SAMSUNG’s new S5 offers the same musical freedom in a slimmer, sleeker and more compact form - YP-S5. The portable 14.95mm slim player has built in slide our speakers. Boasting 1.5W stereo output, these speakers can fill your room with your favorite tunes. Or for a more private experience, use SAMSUNG’s EP-150 earphones for bass enhancement or Bluetooth wireless stereo headsets for wireless enjoyment. With built-in slide out stereo speaker you can share your music where you want. It is ideal for your hotel room or even beside the pool. Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP (advanced audio streaming) and AVRCP – remote control via Bluetooth and HFP (Hands Free Profile) for using the S5 as a speaker phone wirelessly. Amazing sound provided by 1,500mw output stereo sounds enough to fill a room. Bundled EP-150 earphone bass enhanced earphone. DNSE 2.0 for superior sound quality, so it can be reproduced the way it was intended through sound personalization, user equalizer settings and bass extension. 1.8” color LCD display The S5 has a color LCD display for video, JPEG files. key specifications Capacity: 2 GB, 4 GB Bluetooth USB memory Microphone (integrated) Voice and FM recorder 104 CorD / June 2008

BD-P1500 Imagine design inspired by classical beauty Price: 295 eur One of the newest invention of Samsung is now available in the face of Blu-ray DVD player P1500. Perfect image and cinema sound quality are just few things upon which BD-P1500 is recognize by. This classically designed device supports 1080p Full HD playback as well as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD HR which uses to reproduce the best quality sound and picture over 7.1 sound system stereo. key specifications Supports MP3, WMA,VCD, SVCD, JPEG, MPEG4, DivX HDMI Optical and Coaxial digital audio outputs Component video output DVD-FP580 Imagine design inspired by nature Price: 59 eur The ultimate in class of DVD players, FP580 transforms your apprehension of perfect image. From the trend-setting black to its pebble design, Samsung has once again set the standard that only others can hope to imitate. Inspired by pebble in nature, DVD-FP580 reveals the elegance of unique design with cutting-edge technology. Besides, a magnificent sound emission takes high definition to a whole new level. Your home can look as good as it sounds thanks more than impressive design and wealth of features device. Then all is up to you - just enjoy great picture and sound.. key specifications Supports MP3, WMA,VCD, SVCD, JPEG, MPEG4, DivX HDMI Progressive Scan www.stav.co.yu F96 Series Imagine thinking big Price: 3500 eur This model you can reach in next dimensions: 52’’, and 70’’. Full HD ready F96 series with Super Clear panel and never seen contrast up to 500.000:1 is one of the Samsung technologically top innovations in the area of LCD TVs. If you had ever dreamed to watch your favorite movie feeling you are becoming part of the picture you are looking at, Samsung F96 series provides you this rare opportunity. Elegantly designed, created to perfectly fit in every space, F96 becomes not just the centre piece of your living room, but of your life style. key specifications Full HD, Super Clear panel Dynamic contract up to 500.000:1 SRS TruSurround XT 3xHDMI Movie Plus, DNIe Auto Wall Mount CorD / June 2008 105

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

Musicians – Successful Serbian Cultural Ambassadors

We know more or less everything about the accomplishments of our sportsmen abroad, especially our tennis players, than we do about the accomplishments of our artists, who are equally important Serbian ambassadors. BY NOVO TOMIĆ

omposer Ana Sokolović might have long remained unknown in Serbia had it not been for an ordinary copyright problem. She wasn’t able to get in touch with the poet Miroslav Antić’s wife for permission to perform a composition for her solo opera ‘Love Songs’ at its premiere in Toronto on March 25th of this year, based on verses of the poet’s ‘Blue Star.’ Fortunately, her opera

106 CorD / June 2008

was nevertheless performed, and Serbs found out that they have another compatriot out in the wide world, of whom they can be proud. Ana Sokolović was born in Belgrade in 1968 where she later completed her composition studies, and has lived in Montreal since 1992, working as guest professor at the prominent McGill University. In Canada she earned her reputation as one of the leading composers of her generation. In 2007 Ana received the prestigious Prix Opus and was declared

Composer of the Year in Quebec. Prior to the Prix Opus, she had received several other important recognitions: CBC Radio’s Grand Prix, and an award from the Canadian Council for the Arts, the country’s most important public cultural institution. She is among those composers whose works are regularly performed at concerts. Two years ago, her opera ‘The Midnight Court’ was performed in London’s Covent Garden. In Serbia, however, her works haven’t yet been performed, but most likely will be this November at the International Review of Composers in Belgrade. It is interesting that Ana Sokolović is not the only Serbian composer living, working, and gaining reputation abroad. We’re not talking about those like Ivan Jevtić, a world-re-

Milena Kitić

Gordan Nikolić

RETIREMENT Mezzosoprano Milena Kitić (Pasadena), who announced her retirement from the opera scene at the peak of her career just when the doors of several big opera houses opened to her.

compositions and CDs are published by fa- living in The Netherlands where she went on mous houses in France, Switzerland, Sweden, a scholarship from the Dutch government in USA, Germany and Japan. Nor do we speak 2001. Composing is her only profession. This about about Isidora Zebeljan, whose composi- year she received a commission from the fations are commissioned by some of the great- mous Dutch festival ‘International Gaudeamus est performers in the world, like the famous Music Week 2008,’ an important promoter of ensemble ‘Academy of Saint Martin in the music in Europe. It concerns a composition for Fields’ (‘Song of a Traveller in the Night’), piano four-hands. The 2008 Holland Festival, and whose operas have their Singers are keeping up with the rest. Baritone Željko premieres in Lučić, a former train dispatcher in Zrenjanin, sings in Europe or on opening night the world’s greatest opera houses– the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, San at great opera Nemanja houses (‘Zora Francisco Opera, and Opéra Nationale de Paris. Ljubinković’s D,’ Amsterdam Trio ‘Hiroshima’ and Vienna 2003). The two of them are, af- which is just as important and just as big, ter all, Belgrade’s citizens. In addition, Vuk and similar to our Bemus, has also ordered nowned composer whose works have been Kulenović, a professor at Princeton who a composition for which Jasna has planned performed and are performed by such great is formally a member of the Composers’ 23 wind instrument players and a vocal solonames as Maurice André, André Navarra, Association of Serbia, hasn’t come to Serbia ist, the famous soprano Claron McFadden. In Gérard Caussé, André Henry, Manfredo for a long time. April 2008, her composition created on comSchmiedt, Pascal Gallet, Gene Pokorny, Instead we are talking precisely about those mission for the Archipel Festival in Geneva Stephen Burns, Roberto Gatto, Roberto composers who are true Serbian ‘art expatri- was performed, and last year she received Duarte, Eric Aubier or Eric Fritz, and whose ates.’ Jasna Velicković, for example, has been the important Irino Award for chamber music, named after a famous Japanese composer. In November at the International Review KULENOVIĆ VELIČKOVIĆ PARANOSIĆ of Composers in Belgrade, one of her comVuk Kulenović, JasnaVelicković has been Milica Paranosić is a positions written for two pianos tuned differprofessor at the famous a professor at living inThe Netherlands ently by a quarter tone will be performed for Juilliard School where Princeton who is composing is her only the first time. she is also one of the formally a member profession.This year she Several Serbian female composers known founders and producer of the Composers’ received a commission from for passing their musical skills on to young of the annual electronic Association of Serbia, the famous Dutch festival music festival ‘Beyond people are working successfully in America. hasn’t come to Serbia ‘International Gaudeamus the Machine.’ Milica Paranosić is a professor at the famous for a long time. MusicWeek 2008. CorD / June 2008 107

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE

Aleksandar Madzar

Sreten Krstić

Juilliard School where she is also one of the PROMINENT SOLOISTS founders and producer of the annual electronic music festival ‘Beyond the Machine.’ Then there are numerous performers who have spread out across the world, taking the Also noteworthy are Katarina Miljković, lecstage as soloists or members of famous ensembles. Among them we should name above turer at the New England Conservatory of all those who are prominent soloists, like the pianists Aleksandar Madzar (Brussels). Music in Boston, Natasa Bogojević, professor of composition at DePaul University in Chicago, where she lives and teaches piano and composition at her private school ‘Musica rector of the Hector Berlioz Conservatory and, formed by ensembles like Ensemble Modern, Natasha,’ and Aleksandra Vrebalov, who lives perhaps most important, he is the founder of Nieuw Ensemble, ORF, Steierischer Herbst/ and works in New York and whose music for the artists’ association ARSIS (1999), which Musikprotokoll Graz or Nouvel Ensemble the 2004 ballet ‘The Widow’s Broom’ is regu- contains a Vocal Theater and performs old Modern. larly performed on Halloween by the Festival music in stage form, and which often features All those mentioned here can boast that Ballet Providence, and who composed for the in its repertoire compositions from Serbian their works have been performed by worldAd Libitum Ensemble, Merkin Concert Hall and Byzantine artistic heritage. Damjanović class musicians, and it should be pointed out Zoom Series and Jančić Fund. Added to these is a very famous and esteemed composer in that all of them, with the exception of Ljiljana should be other very famous performers such as France. Jovanović and Vera Stanojević, finished their Miloš Raicković, long since a resident of New Ana Mihajlović, however, and Jasna studies in Belgade or Novi Sad, which in its York, Vera Stanojević, professor of composi- Velicković, live in Amsterdam. Her compoown way speaks about the quality of our mution at the Ohio State University and a gradu- sitions were also included in the program of sic college education. ate of the Moscow Then there are numerous performers C o n s e r v a t o r y In 2007 Ana Sokolović received the prestigious Prix who have spread out across the world, tak‘Tchaikovsky,’ ing the stage as soloists or members of faOpus and was declared Composer of the Year in and Ljiljana mous ensembles. Among them we should Quebec. Prior to the Prix Opus, she had received Jovanović who is name above all those who are prominent soliving and work- several other important recognitions: CBC Radio’s loists, like the pianists Aleksandar Madzar ing in Boston (Brussels), Natasa Veljković (Vienna), and Grand Prix, and an award from the Canadian and who studied Jasminka Stancul (Vienna); violinists Stefan Council for the Arts. composition in Milenković (New York), Nemanja Radulović Cologne with the famous Mauricio Kagel, al- the festival ‘International Gaudeamus Week’ (Paris), and a former Serbian musical wonthough her work is little known in Serbia. in Amsterdam (1991 – ‘Story II,’ 1998 – ‘Full der Ilija Marinković (Vienna); cellist Ksenija Composer and conductor Aleksandar Auto Shut Off,’ 2004 – ‘Imploro Grazia’), and Janković (Cologne); mezzosoprano Milena Damjanović, who started his composition she also received the Irino Award in Tokyo Kitić (Pasadena), who announced her retirestudies in Belgrade but completed them at the in 1998 for her piano concerto ‘Mundus ment from the opera scene at the peak of her Paris Conservatory, has been living and work- Sensibilis.’ Violinist Djuro Zivković (1975) career just when the doors of several big opera ing in Paris for more than 20 years. He has settled in Sweden’s capital where he has al- houses opened to her. Then we have the memearned a series of recognitions in France, and ready achieved a reputation of a respecta- bers of large world ensembles who have been his works were played on French radio when ble composer and performer. The young- known for a long time: the violinst Sreten he was still a student. He has founded sever- est composer is Marko Nikodijević (1980), Krstić, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra’s conal orchestras and festivals and initiated mu- who has just finished his specialization at certmaster, and Gordan Nikolić, concertmassic seasons in smaller towns. Damjanović has Stuttgart Music School, and yet his com- ter of the London Symphony Orchestra. conducted the Rennes Orchestra, has been di- positions are being commissioned and perThere is a whole range of Serbian musi108 CorD / June 2008

Ksenija Janković cians. Violinist Ana Milosavljević is in New York, guitar player and composer Dušan Bogdanović is in Geneva, guitar player Svetislav Madzarević is in Cologne, mezzosoprano Dunja Simić is a soloist for the opera house in Bremen, violinist Srdjan Grujić, concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra ‘Dusan Skovran,’ is in Freiburg, cellist Ivana Poparić is in Amsterdam, pianist Jana Ackun is in Berlin; mezzosoprano Katarina Jovanović, whom many see as the successor to the great Monserat Caballe, is in Paris; sister pianists Lidija and Sanja Bizjak are also in Paris; pianist Miona Babić is in Trieste; guitar player Maja LeRu-Obradović is in Geneva; violinist Maja Avramović plays in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra while violinist Jovana

Natasa Veljković

Nemanja Radulović

PARIS Composer and conductor Aleksandar Damjanović, who started his composition studies in Belgrade but completed them at the Paris Conservatory, has been living and working in Paris for more than 20 years.

violinist Slobodan Mirković has been playing first violin in the Zurich Opera Orchestra for more than 30 years. Singers are keeping up with the rest. Baritone Željko Lučić, a former train dispatcher in Zrenjanin, sings in the world’s greatest opera houses– the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, and Opéra Nationale de Paris. The

him, a sure sign of this artist’s value. Of course, not everyone has been mentioned in this short summary. As far as we know, there are precisely 110 Serbian musicians performing around the world with great success, and one could assemble a complete large symphony orchestra using them. Without a doubt, that orchestra would definitely be a world-class orchestra!

As far as we know, there are precisely 110 Serbian musicians performing around the world with great success, and one could assemble a complete large symphony orchestra using them. Vukusić, sister of Natasa Veljković, plays in the Odense Symphony Orchestra in Denmark; pianist Tatjana Ranković has been in New York for a long time; guitar player Voja Ivanović is in Athens; clarinet player Jovan Milosević is in Vancouver; violinist Vesna Stanković is in Vienna while violinist Nenad Daleore plays in the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and cellist Maja Bogdanović has chosen Paris as her permanent place of residence. She is soon to go on tour in Japan, where violinist Nenad Ljubinković has enjoyed popularity for several years now. There are two conductors as well: Premil Petrović in Berlin and Aleksandar Marković, a former Karajan scholarship holder in Vienna. Let’s recall two veterans as well: Violinist Radana Vranešević only recently has retired from the Verona Opera Orchestra, while

bass Miroslav Nikolić is bringing his career to an end in the Berlin Opera, and the mezzosoprano Milijana Nikolić is becoming increasingly famous in Italy and Australia, where oboist Dejan Kulenović is also gaining fame, while Nebojša Jovan Zivković is indeed formally living in America, but enjoys a world reputation as a virtuoso on the marimba and percussions. ‘Yamaha’ created a special unique marimba for CorD / June 2008 109

Beach Shop This summer Accessorize offers the perfect one stop shop for all your summer accessories. Mix and match bikini sets in graphic 70’s hippy and retro prints are key this season, with ‘Ibiza party’ as the main inspiration behind the collection. Choose from triangle, bandeau or structured cup bikini tops to match with tie-side briefs or boy shorts. Beach cover-ups are the perfect way to add glamour and style. Kaftans, floaty halter-neck dresses and jewel embellished sarongs come in a variety of palm and graphic prints. This season the Accessorize footwear range combines key staple sequin and bead embellished flip-flops with more directional styles. Statement jewelled sandals, soft twisted leather thongs and metallic Grecian gladiator styles are ideal for keeping your feet cool but more importantly looking pretty! Team with a straw trilby, floppy sunhat, or oversized sunglasses to complete a look that’ll leave you feeling hotter than a heat-wave!

HOW TO...

…Get food delivered day and night? Fancy some take-away food, but not sure where and what you can get? Check out the website www.donesi.com. This innovative site, available in both English and Serbian, lists restaurants by type of cuisine and provides details of the menu on offer, including prices, location, delivery zone and working hours.

CROSSWORD

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

…Go skating?

…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 3064 000. Find out more information at www.royalfamily.org.

…Hire a limousine?

Luxury transportation is available from Limousine Service. With their luxurious, stylish and glamorous vehicles, Limousine Service will ensure an unforgettable ride for those choosing to hire one of their cars. Make reservations by email, fax or phone. First-time riders should visit the centre in person with valid ID. Subsequent trips can be booked 48-hours in advance over the phone or via email. Contact Limousine Service on 063 1235555 or visit them online at www.limoservis.co.yu.

…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 of Serbia & Montenegro’. If you happen to be a member of this organisation, or similar affiliated foreign organisations, you can receive special terms. All relevant information can be obtained 24-hours-a-day by calling 9800 or 24 19 555, or via the website at www.amsj.co.yu.

…Find an English-speaking dentist? Sick of being unable to explain just how much your tooth hurts to your Serbian dentist? Why not try out the services of dentist Katarina Gačić, a fluent English speaker. Contact Katarina on 064 3390527 or via email on katarina_gacic@hotmail.com.

…Make yourself understood?

Find yourself frustrated by your inability to say simple things in Serbian? Here at CorD we are endeavouring to make your stay in the region a tad less alien by providing a few simple phrases that will help you make yourself understood: Is this your responsibility? Da li je ovo vaša odgovornost? Where was this manufactured? Gde je ovo proizvedeno? Is there a hotel in this town? Da li postoji hotel u ovom gradu? I would like to buy some milk and cheese? Želeo bih da kupim mleko i sir? When does the train to Zagreb depart? Kada polazi voz za Zagreb? Serbia has great nightlife, if you know where to look Srbija ima dobar noćni provod, ako znate gde da ga potražite 114 CorD / June 2008

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 HORIZONTAL: 1. Mountain in Eastern Serbia, 2. Honey in honeycomb, – Invention, 3. Pieces of meat roasted on barbecue – Dalmatian woman’s name, 4. Name of writer Andrić – Automark of Ruma – Symbol for erbium, 5. Necessary spice – Lady scientist of world renown, double Nobel prize winner, Maria – Auto mark of Italy, 6. Energy sign – Serbian writer, Ćamil, 7. Hill above Topola on which is located the mausoleum of Karađorđević Dynasty, 8. Tiring work, exhaust – Sign for meter, 9. Sign for imaginary number – Spells, sorceries – British drama writer, Bernard, 10. Same letters – Tenth and 14th letter of Cyrillic script – Southern fruit, pomegranate, 11. Result of bees’ work – Name of Russian Actress Obrascova, 12. Place in Fruška gora – Famous German lady skater, Kristine, 13. Place in Srem, near Pećinci. VERTICAL: 1. Beating each other, fighting – Bat, 2. To the left side – Municipal tax (abbr.) – Sweet Spanish wine, 3. Frequently drank drink, made of brewed barley – Tropical disease triggered by disturbed digestion – Product of burning, 4. Weeping willow – One thousand ares (plural) – Symbol for gallium, 5. Railway (abbr.) – Town in Serbia on river Lim - Mark for neper, 6. Symbol for nickel – Waking up at dawn – Name of French composer Delib, 7. In the back – Member of an European nation – Nerve, 8. Nickname of singer Predrag Gojković – Initials of writer Cankar – Trench, 9. Place near Mladenovac – To be forced. SOLUTION: Tupižnica, inflow, device, mixed grill, Ane, Ivo, RU, Er, so, Curie, I , E , Sijarić, Oplenac, hardship, m , i , spell, Shaw, šš , ilj, pomegranate, honey, Elena, Irig, Erat, Šimanovci.

If you find your desire for skating frustrated by the salt and grit laying on Belgrade streets this winter, why not visit one of Belgrade’s skating rinks and enjoy warming refreshments while you skate the day away? Belgrade’s Olympic-sized skating rink at ‘Hala Pionir’ is open to the public year-round, and also stages ice hockey events and figure skating competitions. During the winter months, the fresh air skating experience is provided at the romantic setting of Kalimegdan fortress. Situated beside the basketball and tennis courts, Kalimegdan’s skating rink is open throughout the winter months and offers skating to music, as well as a snack bar.