CorD magazine 64 by CorD Magazine

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cord, october 2009

34 POlITICS & DIPlOMACy

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Comment: H.E. Jean-François Terral, French Ambassador to Serbia

POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF EUROPEAN VALUES

Farewell Interview: former Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, H.E. Hans Ola Urstad

RUSSIA NOT HINDERING SERBIA’S EU ADMISSION

Interview: H.E. Alexander Konuzin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Serbia

TOWARD A GLOBAL SECURITY WEB

SERBIA NEEDS ONE SINGLE REFORM

MANAGING DIrECTOr Tatjana ostojić, t.ostojic@cma.rs EDITOr IN CHIEF Vladan Alimpijević, v.alimpijevic@cma.rs EXECUTIvE EDITOr Mark r. Pullen ArT DIrECTOr Tamara ivljanin, t.ivljanin@cma.rs EDITOrIAl CONTrIBUTOrS Jelena Jovanović, Sonja Ćirić, Jelena Mickić, dejan Jeremić PHOTO Marko rupena, Slobodan Jotić,

Interview: Slobodan Šoškić, lawyer

CORD-LEADERS

Users want number portability

CORD-PROFILE: KAĆA LAZAREVIĆ, OWNER AND DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE AGENCY ALKA

Renting no longer pays

CRISIS AS A CHALLENGE

Jelena Krstović, Director of Delta Holding’s Corporate Communications Sector

CUlTUrE & ArT

FRESH TAKE ON THE MODERN SERBIAN BALLET

Interview: Aleksandar Ilić, ballet dancer

BLUE TRAIN IS ARRIVING Janko Baljak, ﬁlm director

52 RETURN OF THE LEGENDS

25th Belgrade Jazz Festival

60 AFRICAN VILLAGE IN BELGRADE

The Republic of South Africa’s week of culture

lEISUrE & lIFESTylE

SOCIETy

BUSINESS & CUrrENT AFFAIrS

REPRESSION WILL NOT REDUCE CRIME

Zbigniew Brzezinski: An Agenda for NATO

Mahmud Bušatlija, Advisor at the Economics Institute

WHERE FOR LUNCH?

MUNICIPALITY AS A NATIONAL PROJECT

TOS AND CORD RECOMMEND

Albanians in Montenegro

TRADERS, CONSULTANTS & FACTORY OWNERS

The biggest Serbian businessmen (part 2)

Cord Archive, Fonet TrANSlATOrS Snežana Bjelotomić, Milenko Pećanac, EDITOrIAl MANAGEr Tanja Banković, t.bankovic@cma.rs PrOJECT MANAGEr Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@cma.rs GENErAl MANAGEr ivan novčić, i.novcic@cma.rs FINANCIAl DIrECTOr Ana Besedić, a.besedic@cma.rs PrINTING / rotografika d.o.o

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Malo korzo

Serbia spa resorts

TECHNO TALK

Top Smartphones

DISTrIBUTION / Futura Plus

iSSn no: 1451-7833

CorD is published by: alliance intrenational media Knjeginje Zorke 11b, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 308 99 77, 308 99 88 Fax: +(381 11) 244 81 27 e-mail: cordeditorial@cma.rs www.cordmagazine.com

This issue is audited by

ABC Serbia

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comment

Freedom of speech

he life of a diplomat is sometimes accompanied by moments of sadness and bitterness. These last few days in Belgrade fall for me unfortunately under this category. Two recent events are indeed distorting the image I have made myself of Serbia. While I am writing these lines, my fellow countryman Brice Taton, a young man, aged 28, is still fighting for his life in a hospital bed in Belgrade. The media largely covered this tragic incident which left several young French Toulouse football-club supporters, who came to Serbia in order to support their team during the match against Partizan, to be deliberately attacked with an unprecedented violence, right in the heart of Belgrade, by a group of Serbian hooligans on September 17th. And that, even though they came in best faith to celebrate in friendship a sport’s match. The second occurrence which I would like to talk about is the Gay Pride that was supposed to take place on the 20th September in Belgrade and that had to be cancelled by its organisers following a police statement saying that they are not capable of guaranteeing security to the participants of this event. I would be lying if I did not mention the uneasiness that I felt whilst being confronted with an atmosphere of homophobia, intolerance and hatred which marked the weeks and days previous to the announced date of the event: An atmosphere of collective hysteria and political violence fabricated and sustained by the widely known factions for whom hatred, xenophobia and a misguided nationalism constitute the basis of their everyday business . But could we really expect differently from them? On the other hand, I have to say that I was unpleasantly surprised by the general absence, or the inadequateness, of the reactions regarding the threats that were announced by those factions. Threats that mounted up to invoking murder on the walls of Belgrade. Equally, I have to say that I was saddened and disappointed by the belated and often ambiguous nature of certain statements :

My most intimate conviction is that not much has to be done, just a bit more courage coming from the elites who run this country maybe, so that the Serbian society can make a big leap forward Instead of looking to distance themselves completely from the instigators of the Gay Pride and maintaining not to share ‘the same values’, and I recognise this as a right that every individual has, it would have been better if the opportunity had been taken to proclaim without any ambiguity that homosexuals have to benefit from the same rights as any other citizen including the freedom of speach, crucial so that they can demand violence and discrimination to be stopped against them.

The lynching of a foreign visitor on precisely the grounds that he is a foreigner, the wave of hatred directed towards one group just because they are different to oneself, these two events are following the same logic. Their simultaneity is consequently not merely a coincidence: when a general atmosphere of verbal hatred is tolerated within a society, one does not have to be surprised that some weak and easily affected people progress towards the actual act. In the last few days, I have often heard that Serbia is not yet ready for a Gay Pride and that it still needs more time to assimilate to ‘European values’. I am very sceptical towards the credibility of this sort of assertions, since I find them rather insulting to Serbia and its citizens. On the other hand, I was reassured to notice the amount and fortitude with which some media, civil society and intellectuals have been able to defend both the values of tolerance and respect which have to be the foundation of the social contract in Serbiaas in every other democratic society. Moreover, I was able to witness H.E. Jean-François the confusion of many when they were confronted with the turn of Terral, events, because the feeling is so French Ambassador to profound that, close to ten years after the fall of the Milosevic reSerbia gime, the Serbian society has definitely turned its back towards its old ways, such as the political violence and intimidation. In that respect, the disapproval of the enlightened social stratum as the main lesson learnt from these past few days that followed the cancellation of the Gay Pride gives place for hope. Many have understood that beyond the protection of the human rights of one group of citizens, honouring another fundamental principle was at stake : Freedom of speech, a principle the value of which Serbian people thanks to their experience are very well aware of. Following the aggressions to which my fellow countryman fell victim to, I have to say how much I was touched by the countless sympathy letters which I received from all sides, whether it came from the official side or just normal people. Additionally, the quality, devotion and professionalism of the medical team that is caring day and night for Brice Taton have to be mentioned. Finally, I would like to finish on the following words. It is far from me to ‘teach Serbia a lesson’, but since I consider myself a friend of this country, I am going to allow myself to speak frankly and honestly as an act of friendship. My most intimate conviction is that not much has to be done, just a bit more courage coming from the elites who run this country maybe, so that the Serbian society can make a big leap forward. . n

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interview |

Farewell Interview: former Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, H.E

Positive perception o f After spending nine years in Serbia, Ambassador Urstad speaks exclusively for CorD as his replacement as the new Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos, is appointed By Vladan Alimpijević

mbassador Hans Ola Urstad, expressed concern on 25 th August about the development of draft amendments to the Public Information Law, saying that the repeated use of urgent procedures posed a threat to the quality of the law and media reform. “This is the second time this year that media legislation is being processed under

in the media registry as a precondition for media outlets’ establishment and existence, as this may infringe on media freedom,” Urstad added. n What consequences do you expect the new Information Law to bring? r I certainly do not see this as the end product - new battles will be fought over this law in relation to developing a broad media strategy and further media reform in Serbia.

I have always seen a positive perception of the so-called European values here and believe that some NGOs have been very instrumental in promoting such values urgent procedures. Such a practice threatens the quality of the legislation and its implementation and could harm media reform in Serbia,” said Urstad, adding that the lack of transparency and public dialogue during the drafting of the amendments was a particular cause for concern. “Although the establishment of a media ownership registry would be a positive development, the Mission would caution against the introduction of registration

If the law, in reality, helps to make some of the garbage media more careful with what they print, that would be very positive, but should it lead to self sensorship by the serious media this would clearly be a negative affect of the present law. However, I see the law as temporary in its present form. n Do you see a difference in Serbia’s perception of European values between the time of your posting as OSCE chief in

M i n o r i t i es

P o l i c e

C orru ption

The new legislation represents a significant contribution to strengthening the multi-ethnic society.

The Serbian Police are becoming a very capable police force and this is one of the areas I am proud of.

The new anti corruption agency will be allowed to play a major role in this sector.

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bia, H.E. Hans Ola Urstad

o f European values

CorD 64 / October 2009 9

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interview |

We strongly encourage State Institutions and civil society to work together to ensure that Serbia continues to work toward principles of equality and non-discrimination Belgrade almost four years ago and now? r I arrived in Serbia close to nine years ago (first serving as Norwegian Ambassador) and I have always seen a positive perception of the so-called European values here, and believe that some NGOs have been very instrumental in promoting such values, like the European Movement, the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, the Balkan Fund for Democracy, the Centre for Civilian and Military Relations and the Centre for Regionalisation and several others n OSCE and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia signed a Memorandum of Understanding. In which ways do you see the Serbian police co-operating with police forces around the world in the fight against organised crime and terrorism? r The co-operation is extensive and constantly expanding, I would say. This is crucial in fighting organised crime, which knows no state boundaries. The Serbian Police force is modernising rapidly and becoming a very capable police force in my opinion, which is one of the areas I can say I am proud of upon leaving the OSCE Mission. We now have really close and good co-operation with the Ministry of Interior, which is crucial. n One of the most important issues for the OSCE are minorities. The new Serbian Law on National Minority Councils provides solid foundation for regulating issues. How do you see its work in practice? r It is a bit early to assess this, but I am very happy that the law has been adopted and also here we have cooperated closely with the

relevant Ministry for HR and Minorities. We welcome Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to continue supporting and promoting the rights of national minorities. This long-awaited law will regulate the competencies and elections of national minority councils in line with international standards. The new legislation represents a significant contribution to strengthening the vibrant and thriving multi-ethnic society of Serbia. I am certain that national minorities and the country will benefit from the adoption and proper implementation of this important law. n Do you think that Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s institutions are successful in fighting corruption? r No, unfortunately not yet. I hope and trust that the new anti-corruption agency will be allowed to play a major role in this sector, a sector in which Serbia has enormous potential for improvement. n Are there only technical issues standing between now and the time when visas for Serbian citizens will be abolished, or are we still awaiting some formal political decisions? r This question is not for me or the OSCE, but rather for the Schengen countries and the EU. However, I most sincerely hope that the waiting time for abolition is over very soon. n What impressions will you take of Serbia; what touched you most profoundly since your arrival in 2001? r That Serbs in general are open, friendly and very generous people. n

Belgrade Pride Parade

he OSCE Mission to Serbia, the European Commission Delegation and the Council of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office issued a statement on 21st September 2009. The three institutions stress that everyone has the fundamental right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, as well as protection from discrimination of any kind. The state authorities have a direct responsibility to guarantee the effective exercise of these human rights. Unfortunately, this weekend saw threats, intimidation and intolerance dominated over dignity, tolerance and pride. All three institutions welcomed the adoption of the anti-discrimination law by the Serbian Parliament in March 2009. In this respect, they point out the need for this crucial legal act to be fully and thoroughly implemented. Further, it is their genuine hope that the cancellation of the pride parade opens the door to a much needed dialogue on the extremist attitudes voiced by some that has had the affect of silencing others. The three strongly encourage State Institutions and civil society to work together to ensure that Serbia continues to work toward principles of equality and non-discrimination. 10 CorD 64 / October 2009

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INTERVIEW |

H.E. Alexander Konuzin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Serbia

Russia not hindering Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EU admission The upcoming visit of Russian President Medvedev to Belgrade on 20th October will have a historical character. During preparations for Medvedevâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit, CorD had an exclusive interview with Ambassador Konuzin about Russian expectations for this trip

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By Vladan Alimpijević

ince the changes of October 2000 to this day, Serbia has never had closer political relationships with Russia than right now. The slowing of Serbia’s approach to the EU, coupled with the growth of Russian economic and political influence during the Putin era and the most recent world crisis, have all served to cause greater bonding between Moscow and Belgrade. In Serbia’s new foreign policy, Russia is one of four equally authorised pillars of power. However, the government in Moscow is supportive of the Serbian opposition and in Belgrade’s political circles the opinion of a Russian ambassador has the same weight as anything said by any representative from Washington or Brussels.The renewed relations between Serbia and Russia are based more on economic and political co-operation than Slavic and Orthodox solidarity. Besides that, co-operation in the area of security is also being declared. n You recently assessed that the visit of the Russian president “will create a turning point in bilateral relations”. r Relations between Russia and Serbia have developed gradually over centuries, although periods that were neither easy nor simple occurred in the past. Even so, we were basically always together. We are all of Slavic origin, Orthodox confession; we have the same alphabet, understand each others’ languages, share cultural and historical connections, close human contacts, have the same perceptions of the most important international problems and there is enormous potential for our business and economic co-operation. We even fought alongside one another against mutual enemies. In other words, we have many things in common. Lately, Russia and Serbia have developed their mutual businesses noticeably in extremely varied areas. With that in mind, it

I do try to keep good relationships with parties that are friendly to Russia, regardless of whether they are in government or opposition.There is a whole chain of these parties that maintain partnerships with Russian parties is now necessary to evaluate the level of cooperation achieved and treaties in new areas that are common for us should be made. Moreover, the problems that both sides face – and they do exist – should be pinpointed; basic guidelines for future mutual businesses should be made. These are the main themes that presidents Medvedev and Tadić and the members of the two delegations will discuss during the visit of the Russian President to Serbia. From that starting point, I expect the results of negotiations will open possibilities for the qualitative development of multiple connections between our countries. n Following an invitation from Serbian President Boris Tadić, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is set to arrive for his first official visit to Serbia on 20th October,

Kosovo & European security

he Kosovo problem is still very much a current issue. The Russian side will confirm support to Serbia’s stance concerning this territory. I am sure that all due attention will be paid to consideration of the entire Balkan situation. President Medvedev will explain his understanding with an initiative to forge a new agreement on European security, which he has himself launched. Time will be made available to exchange opinions on global challenges and threats.

Belgrade Liberation Day. Oddly enough, that date hasn’t been celebrated for years and the streets that once bore the names of glorious Russian generals have since been renamed … r I shall be frank. I was also surprised by the humble level of the marking of this event in Serbia and I have shared my opinion with Serbs working for the Government and other public institutions, as well as others; average folk in Serbia. I am proud that my concern has been accepted with understanding, especially by war veterans. In light of the forthcoming visit of the Russian President, the embassy has been receiving a large number of letters all relating to the same wish: for the streets of Belgrade to be renamed again, with the names of those who commanded the Red Army during the liberation of Yugoslavia from fascist occupation. If I understood correctly, the government in our capital has a positive opinion on this question and I hope that future anniversaries of the liberation of Belgrade will be marked in a manner befitting this historical event. n Are Serbia’s aspirations to EU membership possible despite the special relationCorD 64 / October 2009 13

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INTERVIEW |

Russia co-operates with NATO, but it believes that its expansionist policy does not contribute to stabilisation in Europe, but rather violates the principle of indivisibility of security and contributes to the creation of an imbalance hear demands calling for the recent treaty on the abolition of visas between our two countries to be revised following Serbia’s admission to the White Schengen list. r I must express my sadness that the words and acts of some EU members are conflicting. However, that will not change our wish to expand co-operation with Serbia. I am convicted that this process is irreversible, because both Serbia and Russia are objectively interested in it - particularly considering that Serbia won’t be able to develop its economy without the already formed developments of this co-operation. I think that things should be organised in such a manner that at the point your country joins the EU our bilateral relations are not harmed. I know that this approach is widespread among Serbs.

ship with Russia - when one considers the ups and downs of relations between Moscow and Brussels? r I will never grow tired of repeating the fact that the relationships of Serbia and Russia and the EU are not an alternative, but rather the sole possibility of developing co-operation in a three-way frame that is in everyone’s best interests. Actual examples of this type of co-operation already exist and People are

contacting me with new offers all the time. In terms of the “ups and downs” of relations between Moscow and Brussels, it is a fact that these bonds are gradually strengthening and that interest exists for the development and expansion of these relations. n Not all EU members are delighted with the development of co-operation between Belgrade and Moscow. It is also possible to

n You announced that presidents Medvedev and Tadić will discuss economic, political and security issues during the visit. It is obvious that some members of the Serbian government favour reconsidering the military neutrality of Serbia and are standing for joining NATO. Is one of the goals of this visit to prevent such a scenario? r You are right. Security issues in Europe will be one of the topics that our presidents will discuss. Not everything in this region is developing in a positive way and Russia has definite opinions concerning this - first and foremost, the suggestion of President Medvedev to create a new legally-binding agreement on European security. I am, of course, familiar with the course of discussions being led regarding NATO membership, but the arrival of the Russian president in Serbia has nothing to do with that. As far as I know, this question is not currently considered topi-

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cal by the leadership of your country. They told me so personally and I have also read public statements written on this topic by Serbian leaders. n Russian oil and gas can only reach Serbia through the territories of NATO–controlled countries? r Russia does not consider NATO members hostile countries. We are developing mutually beneficial co-operation with them and many of those countries represent our priority partners in both the security domain and economic co-operation. At the same time, the organisation itself has been left behind as far as world changes go and is largely developing by following inertia and sticking to the approaches that were the norm during the Cold War. Russia co-operates with NATO, but it believes that its expansionist policy does not contribute to stabilisation in Europe, but rather violates the principle of indivisibility of security and contributes to the creation of an imbalance. In contrast, we think that Russia’s energy projects will contribute to the consolidation of unity among participating states and strengthen the overall safety of Europe. n A number of Russian investors pulled out of Serbia last year. Have you considered the terms under which privatisation contracts were agreed? r Yes, I am familiar with these events and the terms under which they took place. I don’t think that everything has been done to prevent the things that happened and I am concerned about that. Furthermore, some actions that Russian investors deem illegal took place. I will carefully follow this situation in order to prevent any discrimination against Russian companies. n Russia recently approved credit to the value of a billion dollars. However, the general public isn’t familiar with the terms. r The consideration of a credit approval to Serbia is in process and the final decision

NATO Russia does not consider NATO members hostile countries. We are developing mutually beneficial cooperation with many them.

has yet to be made. n Serbia has announced it’s four pillars of foreign policy as Brussels, Moscow, Washington and Beijing. Simultaneously, more and more speculation suggests that Serbia is reengaging in the Non-aligned Movement. What does Russia think about that part of Belgrade’s foreign policy? r Belgrade has been significantly more active in its work on the international front and we salute that. I am aware that not everyone is keen on this kind of policy and some countries are trying to discourage Serbia from, as you put it, reengaging the Non-aligned Movement. In contrast to that opinion, I think that the more friends you have, the more freedom you will get to move on the world scene. n It is common knowledge that you maintain good personal relationships with politicians from the Serbian government, but also with the country’s opposition leaders. How do you see the direction in which Serbia is going when it comes to resolving the current economic crisis?

Energy Russia’s energy projects will contribute to the consolidation of unity among participating states and strengthen the overall safety of Europe.

r You are right. I do try to keep good relationships with parties that are friendly to Russia, regardless of whether they are in government or opposition. There is a whole chain of these parties that maintain partnerships with Russian parties. Of course, during our contact we are assessing the situation in Serbia, including the economic one, and the attitudes of those who are in government and those who aren’t tend to differ when it comes to solving problems connected to neutralising the negative impact of the world crisis on the Serbian economy. There are even different points of view in the government itself, while some remedies in that area have a universal character, such as cutting state expenses, helping the real sector, lowering inflation, etc. The situation is worsened in Serbia by the fact that problems still remain from the previous political era: the reconstruction of the state sector has not been completed; the improvement of legislation is necessary and so forth. That is why this government needs an economic policy programme that will be future–oriented. And that is the prerogative of the government practitioners. n

Negotiations I expect the results of negotiations will open possibilities for the qualitative development of multiple connections between our countries. CorD 64 / October 2009 15

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interview |

MAHMUD BUSATLIJA, Advisor at the Economics Institute

Serbia needs on e Serbia needs a comprehensive, complete reform in order for investments to be drawn and the IMF to allow the continuation of the standby arrangement

clare such a law incompatible with the European law system.

By: Andrej Klemencic

ahmud Busatlija is specialised in investments. He sharply criticises privatisation in Serbia believing it had brought about the tycoon system which cripples the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress.

n Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial rating is bad. Is this a consequence of current crisis or of inadequate politics? r Rating is connected to something called country risk. And that is connected to countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political standing, among other factors. Country risk in Serbia is extremely high. Since it was first measured in 2002, it is only getting worse. This is because Serbian politics is not successfully going through period of transition and democratisation. It created an economy that is based on selling what was accumulated in the last 50 years. The money is then spent and former state property is made easily accessible to private sector. That is popularly called

n What went wrong with the privatisation process? r Privatisation was started saying that the state is not a good owner and that business will perform better in private hands. The problem is that the privatisation did not bring about re-industrialisation, but in fact destroyed the existing industry. A small group of people bought companies cheaply. What was important was the location of the site and that there were no problems with heir rights. What the firm was making was less important. The new owner would not have invested anything, but let the company close and use the investment for profitable real-estate or other commercial project. This is our true crisis, which came about before the current world crisis. Our politicians are using the crisis as an excuse. tycoonisation. The problem is that Serbian politics as a whole never reached a consensus, never showed enough determination for serious changes to take place. Serbian politicians like to say that the transition was successful, because many laws have been adopted and huge state-owned were privatised. But the laws that were adopted are in many cases in contrast to European legal norms. n Why is that so? r Because laws in Serbia do not follow a single legal principle. Europe has many laws, but they always follow the same principle. No one made us transcribe the laws we do not understand or do not know how to apply. On the other hand, no one said they will not council us on how to use them, if we have difficulties. The most recent case is the Information Law. That law fully neglects European principles as well as direct warnings by European institutions. If someone was to do a serious revision, I am sure they would find many reasons to de-

n But the government sees its negotiations with the International Monetary Fund as successful. Were the 500 million Special Drawing Rights, which the IMF made readily available to Serbia a substitute for this institution not allowing Serbia to draw the second instalment from the stand-by arrangement? r No, this is the money that comes from our membership in the IMF. Japan and China invested a lot in IMF in recent years, so there is more money available. Those are the means which are ours to use anyway. n So what will this money potentially do for Serbia? r Perhaps some of it could be put into foreign currency reserve. None of it will go into spending. n Does this mean that the IMF has been doing nothing out of the usual in its negotiations with Serbia?

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n e single reform r Well, there is the fact that the IMF agreed to raise the deficit from 3% to 4.5%. This means 135 billion dinars, but there will be another 20 billion coming from the consolidated budget, which means our deficit at the end of the year will be around 150 billion. I think that the IMF had no other option, but to accept this. We created the deficit and the IMF can not say stop making it. What they want to see is a clearly outlined set of steps how to fight it. It is important to know the following: due to our bad credit rating and the world crisis, Serbia can not take any more loans from commercial banks. So we absolutely must cut spending. But we are facing another problem: This year, investments in Serbia will drop 23% on year. That is a significant drop. Privatisation income dropped, because there is little left to privatise. The last big injection was the 400 million euros coming form NIS purchase. Investments are one of the key survival factors for an economy of the country. Now, NIS, shows Serbia’s privatisation story at a glance. The company was not sold far under the true value, which many suggest, as the 400 million did not include several hundred million euros of debt, which the new owners discovered only after entering NIS. This is fraud and it can only worsen the country risk. Galenika is probably the only interesting big company left for Serbia to sell. n Is this a no-exit situation? r The only thing which could help is a thorough reform of the public sector. One single reform. Not a patchwork of reforms, with one reform harming another. The reform would include public administration reform, public companies reform and the reform of state welfare (health and pension insurance). This

Privatisation This year, investments in Serbia will drop 23% on year. Privatisation income dropped, because there is little left to privatise.

literally means setting up a new country. You see state monopolists not making any money. This year’s budget says: income from publicowned companies. Not only are they not creating an income, but the state is financing their loss. The sector of public companies lost its market function. It serves the interests of political parties and powerful individuals. No one knows how many public companies are there. But the little statistics we have on that topic say that the number far exceeds that from the year 2000. The government then promised if will follow laws, not decrees. The first law of Đinđic government was a decree of competition ban on oil market. The government sim-

The goal of the first democratic government was to raise the quality of life ply continued Milosević politics. The time of decrees being favoured over laws continued. The government realises this, so they are announcing the guillotine of regulations. One of the products of this decree time is that you have some state companies with more board members, than they have employees and similar ridiculous situations. But the key difficulty is public-owned companies subjected to misuse of political function. Position and the opposition do this equally. If the ruling parties are misusing their power on the state level, the opposition is doing it on the local level, etc. The way out is a complete reform. It is impossible to expect from current politicians to cut the branch they are sitting on.

Market The sector of public companies lost its market function. It serves the interests of political parties and powerful individuals.

n So if someone does decide to invest, despite the situation, what are we looking at? Brownfield or Greenfield, domestic or foreign? r If there was such a thing as state strategy, then Brownfield would mean investing in the re-industrialisation. You buy a company, renovate it and aim to spread the production. As I said, many companies were eventually closed down and apartment buildings built on their site. This is the Serbian Brownfield investment story. The new Planning and Construction Law is going to legalise this process, which is a problem. Despite 23% investment drop, many apartment buildings will be built, but no new companies. n What kind of a reform can Serbia offer right now? r Right now, Serbia can offer nothing. In order to have a comprehensive reform you need a long period of planning. What ministries can do is rationalise public administration. But rationalisation can not boost development. It is an everyday necessity. If we take a pragmatic view, what does firing 10.000 PA employees bring. Let’s suppose this is a quality rationalisation and there are no consequences on the work. The cut in the cost of that much labour represents one tenth of the money which the state pays to pensions each month. But if the choice of whom and how many you fire is not well taught through, one of the consequences can be a significant slowdown of local administration. When there is a wave of firing coming, those who are the best decide to go first. The lack of vision is a big problem of Serbia’s and we can not expect any significant investments in such an environment. n

Investments Investments are the key survival factors for an economy of the country. Now, NIS, shows Serbia’s privatisation story at a glance. CorD 64 / October 2009 17

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Interview |

Slobodan Šoškić, lawyer

Repression will

not reduce crime We are talking to one of the foremost legal experts in Serbia about changes made to the penal law and the fight against organised crime

By:Vladan Alimpijević

tougher sanctions for rapists, and better legal protection for health workers and journalists. r We can discuss the need to adopt certain solutions, but the overall intention of the legislators was to increase the repression. This is not good for any society, especially when such solutions are made in haste, and under the public’s pressure that was under the impression that criminals have been let off easy as frequently reported in the media. You don’t reduce crime by increasing the oppression. On the contrary, by increasing the repression you get a society that is undemocratic and run by the police, instead of a humane and democratic one.

some – sentencing procedure or sentence itself? r The procedural regulation should not have been changed, since what we are doing at the moment is putting together a comprehensive law that stipulates the prosecution conducting investigations, i.e. for both the prosecution and the defence being involved in this process which will limit the coroner’s role. This is a new concept and the question is whether the current legislation has been an obstacle in n Serbian Parliament adopting several courts doing their jobs properly. I think not! penal laws has been overshadowed by an Courts in Serbia have a quite efficient instruuproar surrounding the Act on Public Inment to work with. With the aforementioned formation. What will be the consenquences changes the rights of both defendants and deof such Parliament’s actions? fence lawyers are limited. Lawyers r With regards to changes and supLawyers are threatened with cash are threatened with cash penalties, plements to the Penal Law and the even jail time. These are things Law on Penal Proceedings, the main penalties, even jail time.These are that are unbecoming of free, demoobjection is that they have been cratic and humane procedures. adopted without a proper public things that are unbecoming of free, debate being held and without any democratic and humane procedures n Are you saying that this law judges, lawyers, prosecutors and law professors being consulted about is exerting pressure on law it. Bearing in mind that we are talking here n We have seen that even the Supreme practices? about changes made to one of the fundamen- Court has confirmed mere five-year-sen- r Absolutely, the pressure is on both on a tal laws, this is the first time that things have tences for repeated offenders. lawyer and a defendant who is supposed to been done in this way. The public was pre- r The courts are very careful to act in the be treated as innocent until proven guilty. You occupied with the amendments to the Act on same way across the board, i.e. for sentencing cannot fight crime by allowing innocent peoPublic Information, but I think that the new to be similar for similar offences. It is quite ple to be convicted. penal regulation will have far more reaching risky to speak in general terms about this isconsequences. When you don’t have a public sue, since no two offenders are alike. Their n How prepared are judges for these debate, whichever solution you come up with motives and situations are quite different. A changes? is not good. These supplements are unclear court should be applying the rule of special r Because there was no public debate, and confusing or written in an obscure lan- prevention, i.e. it should take into considera- I doubt that they have managed to get acguage, which could make their implementation in which way will the sentence affect the quainted with the changes. This applies to tion difficult. future behaviour of an offender. There is a lawyers too. An eight-day-deadline for the range of sentences for that. law to be implemented is just too short. We need at least three months. At this moment, n Many of the changes have been long expected like house arrest, restraining orders, n In your opinion, what is more trouble- not a single judge, prosecutor or lawyer

lobodan Šoškić is raising his voice against the latest amendments to both the procedural and substantive legal regulations. According to Šoškić, these amendments will just increase the repression and take us even further from the postulates of the democratic and humane society.

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knows what is this regulation all about. n The amendments to the law are adopted at the time when the Serbian legislation is undergoing tremendeous changes, i.e. when every single judge in Serbia is waiting to see whether he or she will be re-elected. r This moment is particulary inapt. My opinion is that, by the time the judges are re-elected, many unfair sentences will be passed. This will bring all judges, even the best of them, in a very compromising situation. n In which way will the legislation reform, reducing the number of judges and a new territorial organisation of courts is going to affect the efficiency of our legal system? r It is a thankless task to give any forecasts, but bearing in mind that the number of court cases has been on the up, I think that the new network of courts with a reduced number of judges will just lead to the system clogging up. We are in for great problems in the first half of next year, with many cases to remain unsolved or badly handled. n Could this be equaled to lustration in the court system? r I wouldn’t exactly use that term, until we see which judges have been appointed because of their past work and the rulings they made oand which failed to adhere to human rights. The criteria that the High Legal Council is adhering to have some elements of lustration. Some judges will not be re-elected, but I do hope that the quality and speed at which sentences are passed will be taken into consideration. Only then, shall we get the best judges possible. n Will the new system reduce the possibilities of politics meddling into court business?

r This depends on the state of mind. If somebody has dignity, if he or she is able not to succumb to any pressures for the sake of justice

Organised crime

ou can see just how bad is the policy that Serbia is leading if you take a look at how the state has been tackling organised crime. Certain tycoons are being given huge real estate for very little money, thanks to their connections to state officials. Many affairs never end up in courts. This overall climate is conducive to higher crime rate. The state is dealing only with making the penal laws stricter, but these laws are not applicable to tycoons, judges, politicians and other members of the so-called social elite. In such atmosphere, the door is wide open to murderers, robbers and kidnappers. The emphasis is put on increasing the penalties and spectacular arrests in front of TV cameras, but this is not enough and is sometimes used to cover the organised crime. You don’t reduce criminal activities by repression and tougher laws, but by eliminating the causes and creating a better atmosphere is the society.

and legality, than this person is a true judge. If there are political pressures, any judge that doesn’t have such state of mind, will buckle. I do hope that judges will not be compelled to thank the political parties for being re-elected, since no government is here to stay forever, so it is entirely irrational to succumb to the current political powers, whoever they might be. The problem lies in the way in which courts are organised and the fact that irresponsible and slow judges cannot be sanctioned. Although the past law did envisage the possibility of a judge being relieved of his duty due to his incompetence and sloppiness, that just wasn’t the case. This is the issue of control, something that the prosecution also needs to have. n CorD 64 / October 2009 19

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REGION |

Municipality as a n Albanians in Montenegro

Tuzi is the local centre of Malesija, an area in the vicinity of Podgorica that is home to mainly ethnic Albanians and borders neighbouring Albania.

Nazif Cungu, businessman and president of the Montenegrin Democratic Party of Albanians ‘Forca’ from Ulcinj

By Ilija Despotović uzi is known as one of the biggest flea markets – not only in Montenegro, but the wider region too. Now Tuzi, as one of the municipalities of Podgorica, is about to become a ‘European issue’. This municipality is determined to break away from Podgorica – in an organisational, political and financial sense. At the end of this summer, the Tuzi municipal authorities informed foreign embassies in Montenegro of their intention, thus taking the first formal steps towards so-called ‘internationalisation’ of the ‘Albanian problem’ in Montenegro. Through their letter of intent, Tuzi leaders made it quite clear that they are seeking support, primarily from the U.S. and EU, to form their own, independent municipality. The letter was accompanied by a detailed explanation and citation of various figures, including data about the municipality’s economic resourc-

Borders Genc Nimanbegu, of the ethnic-Albanian Forca political party: “Speculation that borders in the Balkans will be changed is a thing of the past.”

es and financial sustainability. Among other things, the letter states that most of the vineyards of company Plantaža also belong to the municipality of Tuzi. Plantaža just happens to be the biggest vineyard in Europe and one of the best companies in Montenegro. The municipality also defined its borders quite precisely, with the letter listing all villages, towns, hills, streams and the River Cijevna as belonging to Tuzi. There are currently four political parties representing ethnic Albanians in Montenegro, with each of them having their own MP in the Montenegrin State Parliament. All four parties agree that Tuzi should be granted the status of an independent municipality, with the only difference being that some advocate more patience in reaching this goal. Montenegrin Albanians have urged unity on this matter, while there is even very clear (albeit unofficial) support coming from Kosovo. Priština-based political analyst Belul Becaj voiced his opinion through certain media in Podgorica in September, arguing that Tuzi ought to become an independent municipality and Ulcinj should get its own faculty. Becaj failed to mention what courses the faculty would offer, but we presume that its teachers would lecture in Albanian – an option that already exists at the University of Montenegro. The Albanian political party of the southern Montenegrin resort town of Ulcinj, known as Forca, says that the destiny of the entire Albanian population of Montenegro hinges on the fate of Tuzi. It seems that the whole problem

Greater Albania Andrija Mandić, of the Nova Srpska Demokratija Party: “Albanian separatists have been active for years on creating the ‘Greater Albania’”

is now getting a national connotation. Tuzi just has to become an independent municipality in order for Montenegro’s Albanians to claim that their national integrity and identity is not jeopardized. Analyst Becaj notes: “ethnic Albanians have never had more MPs in the Montenegrin Parliament than now”, and that “the Albanian position is quite improved” but “is still below the strategic importance that Albanians play in the stability of the Montenegrin Government”. Neighbouring Albania is officially keeping quiet on this issue for now, though Prime Minister Sali Berisha has said that there is a need for Albanians ‘to be united’ in the region, which some political experts interpreted as a form of support to Tuzi’s ‘secession’ plans from Podgorica. Berisha has also said that Albanians should not view ‘territories’ populated by Albanians (outside Albania) as ‘foreign countries’, which some media reported as Albania’s pretension towards territories of foreign countries (like Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia) that are populated by Albanians. Despite the apparent implications, Vesko Garčević, did not interpret Berisha’s statement as any kind of threat. According to Garčević, Berisha wasn’t speaking particularly about Montenegro. He goes on to say that Albania has no desire to take away any territory from Montenegro. This was also confirmed by Albanian political parties in Montenegro. “Speculation that borders in the Balkans will be changed is a thing of the past. Our future is a European one,”

Kosovization The issue of the country’s ‘Kosovization’ remains and the story surrounding plans for an independent Tuzi are often viewed in this light.

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a national project says Genc Nimanbegu from the ethnic-Albanian Forca political party. Fellow Albanian politician Vasel Sinishtaj, of the Perspective Coalition, says: “claims that Albanians will try to change the state border with Montenegro are simply not true… These are just the unrealistic plans of certain individuals, which should be left in the past.” Officially speaking, Montenegro rejects such claims. However, the issue of the country’s ‘Kosovization’ remains and the story surrounding plans for an independent Tuzi are often viewed in this light. The Montenegrin public is also divided, as was shown on the issue of Kosovo. Podgorica is often warned by opposition parties not to even think about appointing an ambassador to Priština and whichever way you turn, Montenegro’s position on the breakaway province is delicate. Kosovo is sending out messages of friendship between the two countries,

Tuzi, as one of the municipalities of Podgorica, is about to become a ‘European issue’ but Podgorica is somewhat more restrained – though it is clear that, as far as Podgorica is concerned, the Kosovo issue is over and done with and the Montenegrin government wants good relations with Priština. In order to improve bilateral relations last summer, Montenegrin authorities drew attention to the status of Montenegrins living in Kosovo, calling for their rights to be resolved. Priština responded by promising to accommodate the request. However, such polite political rhetoric doesn’t inspire confidence in the historically frustrated, ethnically mixed and geo-politically reshuffled Balkans. Hence, the idea of granting Tuzi the status of an independent municipality for, apparently, economic and administrative reasons, causes certain doubts and even fears that this could be the beginning of something ‘grander’. n

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Quotations Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to unblocking the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Arresting and extraditing Mladić is the only safe way to Brussels. Everything else is bluffing.” Rasim Ljajić, labour and social policy minister

Dignity, tolerance and pride were overshadowed by threats, intimidations and intolerance last week.” OSCE Mission, the Delegation of the European Commission to Serbia and the Council of Europe’s Belgrade office

“By ther Serbian Ministry of Interior and Eulex signing a co-operation protocol, Belgrade has acknowledged that there is a state border between Serbia and Kosovo.” Vojislav Koštunica, head of the Democratic Party of Serbia

Bearing in mind that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the third largest country on the African continent and a big energy market, I will ask President Boris Tadić and foreign minister Vuk Jeremić for Serbia to open an embassy in Kinshasa in order for our businessmen to have a place to turn to in this African country.” Dragan Marković, Mayor of Jagodina, following the official visit of the Congo state delegation to Serbia

A person is hostile to what is unknown to him. Sometimes we feel that we are so far away and we forget the moments when we realized just how close and similar we actually were. We should remind ourselves of these moments.” Mufti Muhamed Jusufspahić, following the Ramadan celebration that included dishes to suit different tastes of Belgrade citizens

We expected to be arrested, since communists that are trying to muffle us down are still in power. But they can’t touch us! They are only going to make us stronger and my message to them is: go ahead! We have nothing to do with throwing stones, torches and crowbars that the police have found. We did not plan on setting the buses carrying homosexuals on fire, like minister Ivica Dačić claims.” Damir Gajić, Obraz

You can see just how scared the state officials were that even prime minister Mirko Cvetković decided to meet with the representatives of the LGBT population. I think that this makes us quite unique in the world.” Majda Pauča, LGBT

Some members of this organisation have been arrested, but we are not talking about five, ten or twenty members, rather several thousand people that took part in violence on the Belgrade streets.” Ivica Dačić, interior minister

I should say that all homosexuals are our people. We are not talking about some kind of conspiracy against those who the police stopped. Is it smart to prohibit something? I don’t think it is, but they did receive that location, and I do not know why they didn’t make use of it, because if we exist as a whole that cannot reach agreement over elementary things, how can we know whether one location is good and another not,” Emir Kusturica, film director

All I can say is that the services are working round the clock, because we all realize that without Mladić in the Hague, there’ll be no Serbia in Europe,”

Vladimir Vukčević, War Crimes Prosecutor

Nothing will be achieved if the only result is that, for example, Nacionalni Stroj changes its name to Srpski Stroj. Police need to study these organisations—to check if they are registered, who is financing them, and whether they have ties to political parties, how decisions are made, and who the members of these organisations are”. Božo Prelević, Former Interior Minister

I am against Serbian companies coming to Croatia. Serbs have done a lot of damage to Croatians and whoever decides to do business with them will not fair well.” Željko Kerum, Mayor of Split

If I were ordered to shoot Draža Mihajlović, I would have done so, just like I would shoot myself if I had betrayed my country. Even if I knew where the execution took place and the place where he (Mihajlović) was burried, there is no chance I would ever disclose that.“ Jovo Kapičić (91), the former head of the Yugoslav secret police, OZNA

People were blackmailed because of Uroš Mišić (accused of tacking a police officer at the FC Red Star’s stadium). I have information that money was demanded to defend Uroš. A group of young men who failed to collect enough money was even beaten.” Dragan Đilas, Mayor of Belgrade

They have been given a complete insight into our operations, but, following orders from a certain minister who demanded for the Kurir daily to be shut down, they burst in and blocked the building for a whole hour

and a half so no journalists could get in or out. We are going to abide by the law, but the problem is that state officials are not.” Aleksandar Rodić, son of the owner of the Kurir daily

The fact remains that the situation that the state administration and public sector is in is quite alarming, since our public spending is 20% higher than the capacity of Serbian economy.” Miloš Bugarin, head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

I did not go to Russia to gossip about the current government, but to present my party. Russians know that the Serbian Progressive Party will definitely come into power!” Tomislav Nikolić, the leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)

Not even excellent music can save films that Kusturica made later in his career like ‘White Cat, Black Cat’. I am not writing film music, nor do I think I do that well.” Goran Bregović, composer and musician

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is no longer asking for pensions in Serbia to be reduced. Pensions will not be the topic of the discussion with the IMF in October.” Jovan Krkobabić, deputy prime minister

Optimists see this crisis as letter V. They think that the crisis has reached the rock bottom and that we are on the upward trend. Pessimists say that the crisis is shaped more like letter L, where the crisis has reached the bottom, but this flat line will be very, very long.” Dragan Đuričin, president of the Serbian Association of Economists

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Toward a Global ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI: An Agenda for NATO

Security Web In the course of its 60 years, NATO has united the West, secured Europe, and ended the Cold War. What next?

ATO’s 60th anniversary, celebrated in April with pomp and circumstance by the leaders of nearly 30 allied states, generated little public interest. NATO’s historical role was treated as a bore. In the opinion-shaping media, there were frequent derisive dismissals and even calls for the termination of the alliance as a dysfunctional geostrategic irrelevance. Russian spokespeople mocked it as a Cold War relic. In assessing NATO’s evolving role, one has to take into account the historical fact that in the

course of its 60 years the alliance has institutionalized three truly monumental transformations in world affairs: first, the end of the centuries-long “civil war” within the West for transoceanic and European supremacy; second, the United States’ post-World War II commitment to the defense of Europe against Soviet domination (resulting from either a political upheaval or even World War III); and third, the peaceful termination of the Cold War, which ended the geopolitical division of Europe and created the preconditions for a larger democratic European Union.

These successes, however, give rise to a legitimate question: What next? What are the implications and lessons to be drawn from the past 60 years? UNITING THE WEST For the last 500 years, world politics has been dominated by states located on the shores of the North Atlantic. As these states competed with one another for treasure and power, they in effect established the North Atlantic region’s worldwide imperial supremacy. But that supremacy was not stable. It was period-

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politics | ically undermined by violent rivalries among the North Atlantic states themselves. In changing combinations, Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom competed, fought, and replaced one another as the preeminent overseas imperial power. Over the course of the last two centuries, the global hierarchy changed dramatically even as the scope of the rivalry expanded, under Napoleon’s France, from oceanic control to domination over Europe as well. Napoleon’s challenge further transformed the geopolitics of the North Atlantic rivalry by precipitating the entry of two non-Atlantic powers -- central European Prussia (which later became Germany) and Eurasian Russia (later the Soviet Union) -- into the competition for the first time. A century later, World War I, which in fact was largely a European war, drew in the United States from across the Atlantic. The United States’ entry proved decisive to the outcome of that war, and the victory of the new British-French-U.S. coalition seemed to assure the continued financial and political preeminence of the North Atlantic region. That turned out to have been an illusion. France was bled to exhaustion. The United Kingdom was nearly bankrupt. The United States was still painfully ambivalent about its global role. And then Germany’s quick resurgence triggered World War II. This global conflict was only very partially won by the latest variant of the North Atlantic coalition -- the U.S.-British one -- which had to share the spoils of victory in Europe with its wartime partner (and rising rival), the Eurasian Soviet Russia. Europe’s central and eastern regions passed under Moscow’s control, and its western remnants (still divided within by bitter memories of war) became dependent entirely on the future course of the United States. In the two world wars, Europe had effectively committed political suicide. To its credit, the United States rose to the challenge. NATO was one of the two key instruments used by Washington to foster transnational cooperation in the western remnant of

ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI was U.S. National Security Adviser from 1977 to 1981. His most recent book is Second Chance:Three Presidents and the Crisis of American Superpower Europe. Although NATO was created primarily to provide such assurance against the looming Soviet threat, its political effect in Western Europe was to promote reconciliation with the former Axis powers Germany and Italy, while fostering an enduring acceptance of transatlantic interdependence. Most notable and significant in that regard was the initially difficult termination of Franco-German hostility. None of this would have happened without NATO. ENLARGING THE WEST By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Soviet Union’s officially proclaimed expectations of surpassing the United States in both economic and military power had begun to look hollow, and strains within the Soviet Union itself -- intensified by Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika -- began to mitigate Western fears that growing Soviet strategic power might make Europe

REAFFIRMING COLLECTIVE SECURITY

t was noted earlier that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty sufficed for 60 years. But is it still credible? Since European states 60 years ago yearned for guaranteed U.S. power but had no effective power themselves, that wording satisfied the basic European need. It mitigated their collective insecurity by committing the United States at a time when all knew that only the United States could respond with meaningful force. And once it did, all the others would pretty much have to follow. Now, however, the situation is different. The war in Afghanistan is a case in point. Most of the United States’ allies now feel relatively secure. It is the United States that needs committed allies in that war.

vulnerable to nuclear blackmail. In that setting, both sides became more willing to actively explore such issues as arms control, human rights, and even troop reductions. It is now easy to forget that even after the dissolution of the Soviet bloc in 1989-90 -- the emancipation of Eastern Europe, the reappearance of independent Baltic states, and the reunification of Germany -- the resented Russian army remained deployed, as during the Cold War, on the banks of the Elbe and, until 1994, in the former Soviet satellite states. What followed was less the product of strategic design than the result of history’s spontaneity. The latter is often confusing and contradictory, and yet ultimately decisive. In brief, NATO enlargement was historically timely and also the right thing to do. By the early years of the twenty-first century, the almost total geopolitical overlap between membership in NATO and membership in the EU made it clear that Europe was finally both secure and united. The closure of the prolonged European civil war meant that Americans and Europeans, in looking back at NATO’s first 60 years, did have genuine cause for celebration in April 2009. ADJUSTING TO A TRANSFORMED WORLD And yet, it is fair to ask: Is NATO living up to its extraordinary potential? NATO today is without a doubt the most powerful military and political alliance in the world. Its 28 members come from the globe’s two most productive, technologically advanced, socially modCorD 64 / October 2009 25

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politics |

Unfortunately, U.S. leadership in recent years unintentionally, but most unwisely, contributed to the currently threatening state of affairs ern, economically prosperous, and politically democratic regions. Its member states’ 900 million people account for only 13 percent of the world’s population but 45 percent of global GDP. NATO’s potential is not primarily military. Although NATO is a collective-security alliance, its actual military power comes predominantly from the United States, and that reality is not likely to change anytime soon. NATO’s real power derives from the fact that it combines the United States’ military capabilities and economic power with Europe’s collective political and economic weight (and occasionally some limited European military forces). Together, that combination makes NATO globally significant. It must therefore remain sensitive to the importance of safeguarding the geopolitical bond between the United States and Europe as it addresses new tasks. The basic challenge that NATO now confronts is that there are historically unprecedented risks to global security. Unfortunately, U.S. leadership in recent years unintentionally, but most unwisely, contributed to the currently threatening state of affairs. The combination of Washington’s arrogant unilateralism in Iraq and its demagogic Islamophobic sloganeering weakened the unity of NATO and focused aroused Muslim resentments on the United States and the West more generally.

EU & NATO Total geopolitical overlap between membership in NATO and membership in the EU made it clear that Europe was finally both secure and united.

SUSTAINING ALLIANCE CREDIBILITY The dispersal of global power and the expanding mass political unrest make for a combustible mixture. In this dangerous setting, the first order of business for NATO members is to define together, and then to pursue together, a politically acceptable outcome to its outof-region military engagement in Afghanistan. Theoretically, it is of course possible that NATO at some point will conclude (and some of its members privately talk as if they have already done so) that the effort in Afghanistan is not worth the cost. Individual allies could quietly withdraw, salving their consciences by urging that NATO issue a grave warning of its collective intent to strike back from a distance if al Qaeda uses either Afghanistan or Pakistan as a base for launching new attacks against targets in North America or Europe. However, a NATO pullout, even if not formally declared, would be viewed worldwide as a repetition of the earlier Soviet defeat in Afghanistan. It would almost certainly prompt bitter transatlantic recriminations, would undermine NATO’s credibility, and could allow Taliban extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan to gain control over more than 200 million people and a nuclear arsenal. Shortly after assuming office, the Obama administration concluded a policy review of the United States’ goals in Afghanistan. Its reason-

West & Russia It should be in the interest of both Russia and the West that Ukraine’s and Georgia’s orientation be determined through a democratic political process.

able conclusion was that a stable Afghanistan cannot be achieved primarily by military means. This goal will require a combination of a military effort that denies victory to the Taliban (and facilitates the progressive expansion of effective national control by the Afghan army) and a sustained international financial effort to improve the well-being of the Afghan people and the efficacy of the Afghan government. This is both more modest and more realistic than earlier notions of building a modern democracy in a society in which only the urban sectors are more or less quasi-modern and the rural areas are in many respects still quite medieval. This redefinition of policy would provide a realistic basis for achieving a politically acceptable outcome but for one glaring omission: it does not address in a strategically decisive fashion the fact that the conflict with the Taliban in Afghanistan cannot be resolved without Pakistan’s genuine political and military support for the effort to shore up a nonfundamentalist regime in Kabul. That full support has not been forthcoming in part because of the rising intensity of fundamentalist passions in Pakistan, especially among the rural sectors, and also because the geopolitical concerns of the Pakistani military about its country’s own security are at odds with U.S. and British sensitivities regarding India’s interests. Given China’s rivalry with India and its strategic stake in a viable Pakistan, engaging China in a geopolitical dialogue about Pakistan’s long-term security could be helpful in reassuring Pakistan regarding Afghanistan and India. India -- despite its reciprocal antagonism with Pakistan -- also has a stake in its western neighbor’s not triggering a regional upheaval. Similarly, Iran, which views the Taliban with hostility, could again play a constructive role in helping stabilize Afghanistan’s western region, much as it did in 2002. A serious effort by NATO to engage China, India, and Iran in a strategic dialogue on how best to avoid a regionwide explosion is thus very timely. Without that dialogue, NATO’s first campaign based on Article 5 could become painfully prolonged, destructively divisive, and potentially even fatal to the alliance.

China & India A serious effort by NATO to engage China, India, and Iran in a strategic dialogue on how best to avoid a regionwide explosion is thus very timely.

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ENGAGING RUSSIA The alliance also needs to define for itself a historically and geopolitically relevant longterm strategic goal for its relationship with the Russian Federation. Russia is not an enemy, but it still views NATO with hostility. That hostility is not likely to fade soon, especially if Prime Minister Vladimir Putin becomes president again in 2012. Moreover, for a while yet, Russia’s policy toward NATO -- driven by historical resentment of the Soviet defeat in the Cold War and by nationalist hostility to NATO’s expansion -- is likely to try to promote division between the United States and Europe and, within Europe, between NATO’s old members and NATO’s new members. In the near future, Russia’s membership in NATO is not likely. Russia -- out of understandable pride -- does not seek to be a member of a U.S.-led alliance. And it is also a fact that NATO would cease to be NATO if a politically nondemocratic and militarily secretive Russia were to become a member. Nonetheless, closer political and security cooperation with a genuinely postimperial Russia -- one that eventually comes to terms, like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany did before, with its new historical context -- is in the long-term interest of the United States and Europe. Hence, two strategic objectives should define NATO’s goal vis-à-vis Russia: to consolidate security in Europe by drawing Russia into a closer political and military association with the Euro-Atlantic community and to engage Russia in a wider web of global security that indirectly facilitates the fading of Russia’s lingering imperial ambitions. It will take time and patience to move forward on both, but eventually a new generation of Russian leaders will recognize that doing so is

Theoretically, it is of course possible that NATO at some point will conclude that the effort in Afghanistan is not worth the cost also in Russia’s fundamental national interest. Russia’s increasingly depopulated but huge and mineral-rich Eurasian territory is bordered by 500 million Europeans to the west and 1.5 billion Chinese to the east. And the alternative favored by some Russian strategists -- an antiWestern axis with China -- is illusory for two reasons: its benefits would be dubious to the Chinese, and the economically weaker and demographically depleted Russia would be congested China’s junior partner. A NATO-CSTO treaty containing such a proviso would constitute an indirect commitment by Russia not to obstruct the eventual adhesion to NATO of either Ukraine or Georgia in return for the de facto affirmation by NATO that in neither case is membership imminent. The majority of the Ukrainian people presently do not desire NATO membership, and the recent war between Georgia and Russia calls for a cooling-off period (which should not exclude providing Georgia with purely defensive antitank and antiair systems, so that the country does not remain temptingly defenseless). It should be in the interest of both Russia and the West that Ukraine’s and Georgia’s orientation be determined through a democratic political process that respects the national sovereignty and the political aspirations of the peoples concerned. Anything less could prompt a seriously damaging downturn in East-West relations, to the detriment of Russia’s long-term future.

THE CENTER OF THE WEB To remain historically relevant, NATO cannot -as some have urged -- simply expand itself into a global alliance or transform itself into a global alliance of democracies. German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed the right sentiment when she noted in March 2009, “I don’t see a global NATO. . . . It can provide security outside its area, but that doesn’t mean members across the globe are possible.” A global NATO would dilute the centrality of the U.S.-European connection, and none of the rising powers would be likely to accept membership in a globally expanded NATO. Furthermore, an ideologically defined global alliance of democracies would face serious difficulties in determining whom to include and whom to exclude and in striking a reasonable balance between its doctrinal and strategic purposes. The effort to promote such an alliance could also undermine NATO’s special transatlantic identity.NATO, however, has the experience, the institutions, and the means to eventually become the hub of a globe-spanning web of various regional cooperative-security undertakings among states with the growing power to act. The resulting security web would fill a need that the United Nations by itself cannot meet but from which the UN system would actually benefit. In pursuing that strategic mission, NATO would not only be preserving transatlantic political unity; it would also be responding to the twenty-first century’s novel and increasingly urgent security agenda. n CorD 64 / October 2009 27

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LEADERS Alexander Sperl, CEO of Vip mobile Users want the number portability

hould MNP services be introduced in Serbia? Mobile number portability services have existed in most European countries for many years and Serbia is one of the very few countries still without it. The results of research conducted nationally by Strategic Marketing Research agency, in co-operation with Vip mobile, show that a significant percentage of customers is considering the possibility of changing their mobile operator. Yet one of the biggest impediments for this to be realised is the impossibility of retaining one’s existing phone number. According to research, users want the number portability service as soon as possible, whilst they also insist it must work in a fast and customer-friendly way and they want the competent authorities to ensure that. Vip mobile will support the possibility of customers to retain their telephone numbers and will actively participate in the preparation of relevant regulations. It would be very welcome if the competent republic authorities could speed up the enactment of regulations for the implementation of number portability to allow this service to start by the end of 2009. Roaming – prices of roaming in Serbia compared to the EU? In my opinion, it is not regulation, but the competition that should define roaming prices. I believe that there is enough competition in Serbia and that we should provide affordable roaming services, in the best interest

of our customers. In Serbia prices for all roaming services are mostly defined between mobile operators and their roaming partners. As a member of mobilkom austria group, which operates in eight countries in the region, Vip mobile has very affordable prices for roaming services within mobilkom austria member countries. During summer holiday season, Vip also offered to its postpaid customers an attractive roaming and international call bundle for the whole region of Former Yugoslavia.. We will continue to surprise our customers with attractive roaming offers in the future. Kjell-Morten Johnsen, CEO of Telenor Roaming prices will go down

visitors stand to lose out as a result of these changes. NUMBER PORTABILITY: We’ve seen number portability introduced in many countries and it will arrive here at some point. Depending on the segment in question, it may have negligible or some impact. However, sim card loyalty today is virtually zero for users with low usage. They don’t care about the sim card and will swap it anytime, so for them it wouldn’t matter. You could argue that in some places it leads to more stictiness in the corporate segments, which could play a role. However, I think that if they have a CFO who is focused on business like mine is, then that argument would be overruled pretty quickly if there was a better deal to be had. Vladimir Lučić, Chief Officer of Telekom Srbija a.d., Commercial Affairs Division Affordable prices of our services

Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media, 1st July 2009 Cheaper texting in Europe

OAMING RIP-OFF: The roaming regime is pretty much based on a deal with the operator in the country where the user is on holiday or a business trip. There’s no doubt that some operators in some countries stand to gain a lot from roaming income. That’s a milking cow for those operators who can take advantage of that income. Moreover, it’s often the case that we have to collect the money on their behalf and then it looks like we are charging huge amounts of money, which doesn’t make us very popular. There’s no doubt that roaming prices will go down over time, but it’s clear that some of the operators in countries with huge influxes of tourists and business

EU countries and the positive or negative experiences of these countries will be of use when it comes to adopting the rulebook. Roaming: Affordable prices of our services have always been our priority. Hence, in the coming period we will listen intently to the needs of the European roaming market, which dictates our prices. For now, European partners are not contemplating changing the agreed prices for Telekom Srbija, despite the announced reduction in mobile telephony prices in Europe. To be more precise, the prices of all roaming services, i.e. voice, text messaging and data transfer, used by an mt:s subscriber in a foreign partner’s network have been stipulated in various contracts on roaming services concluded by two mobile operator partners and amending these prices is subject to negotiation. If these negotiations do take place, Telekom Srbija will certainly consider the interest of its subscribers in order to achieve more favourable prices for using mobile services abroad.

elephone number portability: we are confident that number portability will encourage real competition in mobile telephony. With regards to mt:s, the number of our subscribers is growing year-on-year and this is a good indicator that we are on the right track when it comes to our services, their quality and customer relations. Nonetheless, we expect the RATEL to adopt a rulebook that will regulate this area by the end of this year, when we will also find out more details about the implementation of this process. This service is already available in most

“A

s of today, all Europeans making calls or sending texts with their mobiles can experience the EU’s single market without borders. The roamingrip off is now coming to an end, thanks to the determined action of the European Commission, the European Parliament and all 27 EU Member States.” n

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SOCIETY |

Traders, consultant s Serbia’s ‘biggest’ businessmen (part 2)

In Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, those with a modest personal wealth of just a few hundred million dollars are also fairly influential

ne of the wealthiest men in Serbia, a figure popular with the media who amassed his wealth in the consulting business and by capitalizing on his knowledge and contacts, though one who cynics would say has exerted strong personal influence, both direct-

ly and indirectly, on the decisions made by Serbian state officials, says – on condition of anonymity – that the line separating the wellto-do upper middle class and the Balkans’ super rich from the insignificant entrepreneurs is worth somewhere in the region of 50 million dollars. “Only when a person generates 50 million dollars can he be fairly cer-

tain that he won’t go bust. This is the kind of money that will be enough to make sufficiently diversified investments that do not pose a threat to maintaining a high lifestyle and securing a good return,” says this former Serbian minister. The global standard for this magical figure is around a billion dollars. However, in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, those with a modest personal wealth of just a few hundred million dollars are also fairly influential. The most common feature of this region, which includes Serbia, is that there are a relatively small number of large domestic shareholding companies and that, aside from multinational enterprises, companies with just a single owner or majority shareholder are fairly common. Stanko Subotić is a perfect example of how a personal fortune of several billion dollars is no guarantee of survival. Several years ago, the fortune of this businessman and friend of late PM Đinđić was estimated at around $2 billion. However, court proceedings against him following accusations that he had smuggled cigarettes and his subsequent departure from the country led to most of this wealth melting away. Some sources claim that the losses and debts that his company accumulated are far higher than the company’s total assets. Aside from Philip Zepter and Miroslav Mišković, the Karić brothers, Stanko Subotić ‘Tsane’ and MPC owner Petar Matić have been constant fixtures on the list of Serbia’s richest businessmen. In the last year or so, other entrepreneurs have re-emerged on the list, or been included for the first time. These include Slobodan Vučićević, Miodrag Kostić, Nenad Popović, Đorđije Nicović, ComTrade owner Veselin Jevrosimović, Rodoljub Drašković, Predrag Ranković, Stanko Popović – the biggest shareholder in Victoria Group, as well as Radomir Živanić, Zoran Drakulić, Vojin Lazarević and Vuk Hamović.

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t s & factory owners One businessman whose total personal wealth has never been precisely estimated and who also belongs to this select clique of the most powerful Serbian businessmen is Milan Beko. Former privatisation minister of the Milošević government and Zoran Đinđić’s best man, as well as being boss and later business partner of Vladimir ‘Beba’ Popović and friend of Jovica Stanišić, Milorad Vučelić, Danko Đunić and Slobodan Radulović, was a shadow participant in several large privatisations. Beko was born in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, in 1961. He graduated from the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering and entered the corporate world first as the director and later owner of the Spektra marketing agency. Beko then established company DiBek, which traded in wood products, food and pharmaceutical goods. The company is quite successful to this day. Over 17,000 people work for Rodoljub Drašković, the King of Serbian Sweets. He is half-brother of writer and politician Vuk Drašković and is himself a former member of the Nova Demokratija political party. Drašković graduated both the Faculty of Economy and the Faculty of Technology. In the mid 1990s he successful pulled Vršacbased Vik Company out of bankruptcy, then during sanctions he lived in Switzerland where, in 1997, he set up a food processing company called DRD Swisslion. At the end of that same year he established a Serbian branch of the company and today the company’s main brand is certainly Takovo from Gornji Milanovac. In addition to Takovo, Drašković

bought Agroplod from FYRoMacedonia and a tool factory from Trebinje, which proved to be a poor acquisition – considering that he still hasn’t recouped his money from this investment. Last year Drašković bought Croatian confectionary company Euro Food Market from Sisak for €20 million, though in turn he sold his Serbian SL Gross retail chain to Croatia’s Agrokor. In addition to Swisslion and Takovo, his company owns baby food factory SL Juvitana, meat processing company SL Mitros, fruit and vegetable processing facility SL Miloduh, brewery SL Vršačka Pivara, mills, silos, a fodder factory, printing and transport companies.

The only person in Serbia who owns more arable land than Midrag Kostić, i.e. some 30,000 hectares, is Đorđije Nicović Miodrag Kostić from Vrbas in Vojvodina gained his wealth and reputation as a sugar trader. Also a figure very close to late PM Đinđić, his MK Group bought three sugar processing plants for a total of three euros and an agreement to settle the companies’ debts. Now he owns the Sunčani Vrhovi resort and Grand Hotel on Kopaonik Mountain and is one of the biggest land owners in Serbia, with over 22,000 hectares. According to his estimates, Kostić’s business empire is worth over a billion euros. He is also the owner of the

biggest yacht in the Adriatic, the Alexander V, which he bought for €28 million. The only person in Serbia who owns more arable land than Kostić (some 30,000 hectares) is Đorđije Nicović. This former banker and broker now deals in agribusiness and textiles. His family company, Irva investicije, is a group of 27 individual companies with over 13,000 employees and a turnover of €250 million in 2008. Polish Wpros estimates that Nicović’s companies are worth just over €550 million, while domestic economists estimate €750 million. Many mythical tales of Bogoljub Karić’s wealth exist in Serbia. However, once he entered politics he quickly made it onto the police’s most wanted list as a result of his shady deals involving Mobtel and AstraSimit. The Braća Karić Company still has registered offices in Belgrade’s Jevrejska Street and the only business that the company of the once richest family in Serbia is involved in is renting real estate. Predrag ‘Petsoni’ Ranković made his first riches via the Fast brand, trading in cigarettes just like Stanko Subotić. Unlike Subotić, he has never been formally accused of cigarette smuggling, though has was accused of tax evasion. Today, according to the official list compiled by the State Development Institute, his company Invej is the most successful company in Serbia, The combined profit of his companies in 2008 was over €35 million and Ranković’s empire comprises at least 12 companies: Monus, Rubin, Vital, Albus, Milan Blagojević, Medela, Ratar, Sunce, Stari grad, TV Košava, Pančevačka peka-

Stanko Subotić, Vuk Hamović, Bogoljub Karić, Đorđije Nicović, Slobodan Vučićević and Miodrag Kostić CorD 64 / October2009 31

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SOCIETY |

The proprietor of the Verano Company, Radomir Živanić is the recipient of the ‘Businessman of the Year’ award for 2007. ra and the Dunav Port. Wpros estimates his wealth at €600 million. Although he was arrested along with the members of the Surčin criminal gang as part of Operation Sabre in the wake of Ðinđić’s assassination, only a few weeks after being released from prison he announced that he was to build the Monus cigarette factory in Inđija. Despite the fact that the Serbian government had only granted permission for three cigarette factories to be built in Serbia, Ranković kept his word and constructed another one. Unofficial sources say that he forged good relations with Serbian politicians by pumping millions of euros into the search for ICTY defendants. Just like Mišković, he was kidnapped by the mafia and released after paying a hefty ransom. Aside from Predrag Ranković, one of the most clandestine Serbian entrepreneurs is certainly Petar Matić. Neither businessman has ever given an interview, unlike Mišković – who spoke for Serbian weekly Nedeljni telegraf on two occasions. Matić’s company, MPC Holding, is one of the biggest companies in Serbia. It was founded in 1989 in Croatia, where Matić was raised. He was born incidentally in Slovenia’s Maribor in September 1966 and one of his first jobs was importing footwear from Italy. After relocating to Belgrade in 1991, Matić opened four duty free shops. Following the political upheaval of October 2000, the MPC owner bought the Elektrotehna department store, the Partizanka factory and a building

Hamović Vuk Hamović, a general’s son, was born in Belgrade, in 1949.. He is the biggest electricity trader from Ukraine all the way to Greece.

that used to house the Communist Party’s Central Committee (the famous CK building), which he later used to build the new Ušće business and shopping mall. Matić also set up a Citroen service centre near Ada Ciganlija and built the iMMo shopping centre in New Belgrade. MPC Holding comprises five companies with around 1,200 employees. Owner of the Verano Group, Radomir ‘Baja Plavi’ Živanić, was the recipient of the Businessman of the Year award for 2007 and was the focus of massive media attention when he bought Belgrade Department Stores (Robne kuće Beograd) for €360 million. Živanić, affectionately known by his friends as Baja Plavi, graduated from the Faculty of Law and worked in Germany for many years. Regardless of the ongoing real estate crisis, his wealth is estimated at half a billion euros. Slobodan Vučićević was born in Prijepolje in 1962. As a graduate of the Belgrade Faculty of Economics, he went to the U.S. in 1986 and, after spending four years there, came back to Serbia with the initial capital and know-how that later served to make his company one of the leaders in the Balkans. In 1998 he set up a company called Grand Prom and created the first private domestic brand, coffee Grand, which conquered the market in a very short period of time. Vučićević also owns companies Dexy Co. and Tesito (toys), as well as Malina product. He is the CEO and the single biggest shareholder of company

Vučićević Slobodan Vučićević was born in Prijepolje, in 1962. As the graduate student of the Belgrade Faculty of Economics, he went to the U.S. in 1986.

Droga Kolinska, which also owns confectioner Soko Štark. The list of the richest Serbian entrepreneurs would not be complete without Vuk Hamović, owner of company EFT. Hamović, the son of a general, was born in Belgrade in 1949. His first working days were spent in Energoprojekt. Though he is not included in this year’s top businessmen list, he is definitely the biggest electricity trader from the Ukraine all the way to Greece. Zoran Drakulić was born in Ljubljana in 1953. He is CEO and owner of East Point Company, founded in Nicosia, Cyprus. After graduating from the Faculty of Law, Drakulić worked for Generaleksport as a sales officer and from 1982 to 1990 was the financial director of Genex-owned company, Jugo-Arab. The company was initially operational in Lebanon, but – due to the war – was later relocated to Cyprus. This was one of the first offshore Serbian companies to have covered the areas of the Middle and Far East. East Point produces and trades in ferrous and rare metals, grain, oil products, textiles, etc. The company generated most of its revenue in the former USSR back in the 1990s, while Drakulić was also known as one of the biggest importers of wheat during the economic sanctions from 1992 – 1996. After leaving Genex, he joined Vuk Hamović, who worked together with an Israeli partner in the Milnah Group in Belgrade. After the Israeli left the company, Drakulić and Hamović founded YU Point. Once Hamović departed that company, Drakulić returned to Cyprus and established East Point, well aware that he stood no chance in sanctionridden Serbia. Today Drakulić’s company boasts annual revenue of $350 million and has a share capital worth $52 million. Drakulić says that he never got any lucrative deals in the last few ‘democratic’ years in Serbia, but did manage to buy companies like Žitomlin from Belgrade, Žitopromet Bratstvo from Sremska Mitrovica, Klas from Belgrade, Beogradska pekarska industrija (Belgrade Baking Industry) and the Sevojno copper mill. n

Drašković Over 17,000 people work for Rodoljub Drašković, the King of Serbian Sweets. He is half-brother of writer and politician Vuk Drašković.

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profile

Renting no longer pays

“I

as much as 17 per cent (the then interest rate was six to seven per cent). Most clients decided to resist taking out loans and, thus, the number of customers in the real estate sector dropped by 90 per cent. Only buyers paying cash up front remained on the market and they only reresent about ten per cent of buyers. Cash buyers are now continuing to wait for prices to fall yet further before opting to buy or rent.

n the next twelve months we expect the stabilisation of the real estate market, but at the existing level and not with a return to prices that existed before this crisis.” This month we are talking to Kaća Lazarevic, co-owner and Managing director of well known real estate agency Alka, which is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its establishment.

n How would you evaluate the percentages by which real estate have fallen since 1st January 2009 and are there regions in Serbia where they have fallen more or less than average? Prices have fallen in real terms by an average of 20 per cent since the beginning of the year. This negative trend is continuing and the greatest percentage decrease was recorded between June and now, given that we are still in the crisis period. Our agency covers the territory of Belgrade and its periphery and I can only provide accurate rates for this area. That said, we know that prices in most suburbs fell by as much as even 30 per cent and that prices are generally returning, slowly but surely, to the level from the period of three to four years ago. Office buildings have been built intensively in the past few years, while many flats have been redesigned and designated as office space, without consideration for the real needs of the market. The greatest percentage of business premises were built in New Belgrade, in the vicinity of the Belgrade Arena, but many now remain unoccupied because there is low interest. Another reason for low occupancy there is also serious congestion at bridge crossings, which still have insufficient capacity to cater for Belgrade’s needs. The fall is also significant when it comes to rental prices – though in my opinion prices were unrealistically high before. Rental prices for larger apartments and rooms have fallen by 30-50 per cent, but for smaller apartments – like studios and bedsits – prices are unchanged. Moreover, business premises in commercial buildings that have been on the market long term at a price of €25-30 per square metre are now available for €10-15. However, there is very little interest in leasing office space. n What would you say are the main reasons for falling prices during the global crisis: is it poverty, stricter bank loan conditions, buyers holding out for even lower prices or simply all of the above?

This negative trend is continuing and the greatest percentage decrease was recorded between June and now, given that we are still in the crisis period. The main reason for falling property values and the fall in rental prices is definitely the world crisis and our own economic crisis. Banks reacted immediately at the beginning of the crisis, raising interest rates on loans by

Kaća Lazarević, owner and director of real estate agency Alka

n What do you expect to happen in the next six months, and a year from now? In the next six months I am expecting prices to fall further, while in the next twelve months we expect the stabilisation of the real estate market, but at the existing level and not with a return to prices that existed before this crisis.

n What advise would you offer those considering investing in business premises or private housing? My suggestion would be for home buyers to certainly buy an apartment if they want to pay a real price for it. Today it is much easier to agree a good price with the vendor – provided they have serious intentions to actually sell. ****There are very little quality bigger squaring apartments to offer, especially in old good condition building, which will never build again. ****When purchasing an apartment, one should consult a serious agency that will offer a realistic assessment of the property being considered for purchase and carry out complete control of all documentation. I would not advise the purchase of flats that are yet to be built, apartments that are half completed, or half-finished properties on sites where nothing has been happening for a few months. New buyers should avoid any risk if the building is finished and technically reviewed by insisting on inclusion of a final inspection certificate. In terms of business premises, the major difference is whether you are buying an entire building or a smaller commercial space within a building. There are a lot of completed office buildings with proper documentation on the market. The sizes range from 1,000 to 4,000 square metres and have a variety of garages. However, I think prices are still high and it is possible for them to be significantly adjusted. ****Currently you should rather buy office space of less squaring you would need only for your own business.**** Those looking to buy commercial properties for investment should be discouraged, because rent is not very profitable at the moment. n CorD 64 / October2009 33

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INTERVIEW |

Jelena Krstović, Director of Delta Holding’s Corporate Communications Department

Crisis as a challenge D

We are not giving up on major projects; we are just waiting for a better economic climate elta Holding recently acquired 100% of the second largest retailer in Bulgaria, Piccadilly. According to the director of the Corporate Communications Department of Delta

Holding, Jelena Krstović, the company has so far invested €70 million in the Bulgarian retail chain, with another €150 million set to follow. We are talking to Ms. Krstović about the way Delta Holding is handling the negative affects of the economic crisis and the

plans of this company, considered one of the biggest domestic privately-owned enterprises. n Despite various rumours circulating about how the crisis has affected Delta,

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we can see that you have a good working atmosphere here and that you look quite optimistic. r We are very optimistic indeed, but the fact remains that the crisis did affect Delta, just like any other domestic or foreign company. I have to say that Delta realised in time that the crisis was brewing, hence it adapted some of its operations and reorganised certain sectors. We were ready to bear the brunt of the strongest impact of the crisis, which is now behind us. We can say that our reaction was appropriate and that we achieved the planned business results, considering the crisis. Of course, we remain optimistic; the worst is behind us and we expect to recover by the end of this year. Come next year, we will witness significant growth in economic activities both here and abroad. n What part of this year was the worst for doing business? r Definitely the first quarter. We could already start to feel the crisis and this was the period when we’d expected large investments to be made, i.e. the investments that had been planned a year or even two beforehand. This is when we noticed a standstill. Last year’s stock exchange crash was definitely the worst period for the global economy. When it comes to the domestic economy, though, I would say that the worst period was the first half of this year. n Like many other companies, Delta has also carried out the rationalisation of its business operations. Did you focus more on saving by cutting back or even eliminating unnecessary costs? r We reorganised the company at all levels, in line with the market situation and economic crisis. To be more precise, we optimised our operations - not only by cutting back on our costs, but also in terms of personnel by increasing the efficiency of certain departments. This was the right thing to do and we

expect to see substantial results at the beginning of next year. I have to mention that the crisis was, in a way, good for our company. During the last few years we have undergone tremendous expansion, witnessing the exceptional growth of our activities, making significant investments and realising quite a few major plans. By focusing our attention more on new projects, cost optimisation took a back seat. We transferred some of our employees to different sectors, while only few of them were laid off - primarily those in sectors that were hit by the crisis the most, such as the car industry and real estate. n Many companies used this crisis to find ways of increasing their efficiency. Was it the same with Delta? r We recorded a significant increase in business activities, primarily in the retail sector. Our retail activities in Serbia went up by 14% in the first half of 2009, compared to the same period last year, while this growth was 20% in terms of the region. We undertook many activities to achieve such growth. Above all, this meant introducing substantial discounts and we plan to spend around €15 million by the end of this year to finance these discounts. We have established Tempo Express as our response to the crisis. These retail outlets are mostly used to sell private label products. Three such supermarkets were opened in Belgrade just a few days ago and we will also spend €15 million on opening new facilities. We recently opened a Tempo market in Čačak, while we are to do the same in Užice and Kraljevo. The construction of a Tempo market has already begun in Kragujevac and at the beginning of next year we will start building retail parks in Belgrade and Kragujevac and residential facilities in Belgrade, as well as renovating the Hotel Continental. n In its ranking of Central Europe’s top 500 companies, Deloitte placed Delta Maxi 101st,

Belville

elville is one of the highest points of real estate this year. Belville makes both us and the city of Belgrade proud, especially after the World Student Games. This project has 14 residential buildings, 1,858 flats and two business facilities. There are many accompanying activities planned inside the complex and Belville does offer a unique way of doing business and a whole new philosophy of living. Some 400 residential units still remain unsold, but we expect these flats to have been sold by the end of this year.

London Stock Exchange

ollowing the global stock exchanges’ collapse, we postponed floating our shares on the London Stock Exchange. As a company active in the entire region, it makes sense for Delta to have such ambitions. We are working on it and expect this project to be finalised and for Delta to float its shares on the London Stock Exchange in five years’ time.

behind NIS and EPS, but ahead of PTT Srbija, U.S. Steel Serbia and Srbijagas. r This is important information and a significant place for a company like Delta Maxi, bearing in mind that we are preceded by stateowned companies and public enterprises. We are forging ahead and will not be contented with this ranking. Next year we expect the consolidated balance sheet of the entire Delta M Group to be ahead of EPS, taking into consideration 2008 results. n Is it difficult to be in the position of working in an economic environment that is burdened by bad news and economic crises? r Being in any working position is hard, regardless of whether circumstances are more or less favourable or the working atmosphere is better or worse. The fact remains that I work in the communications sector in the broadest possible sense of the word and that the economic crisis is actually quite a challenge that will lead to new successes. This is what gives me the energy and will to overcome tough times. The result will be achieved if you believe and love what you do. It is only matter of time when the investment of labour will materialise. n CorD 64 / October2009 35

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B2B |

Growth expected next year

Eurofast Global Ltd

Your Professional Partner in South East Europe

ith fully fledged offices in Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, F. Y. R . Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro as well as a number of Anastasios Topalis carefully selected associates in Bosnia, General Manager Belarus, Kosovo, Croatia, Moldova and Ukraine Eurofast achieved a complete geographic coverage of the Region. In June 2009, in Belgrade Eurofast was awarded as the “Best Regional Business Partner Balkans for the year 2009” by Mass Media International This award resembles commitment and dedication to the South East Europe Region, as well as the motto of “Building bridges between you and the Balkans”. Our professional services range from pay-

roll, accounting, tax, legal and merger & acquisitions with considerable know-how to address various cross border issues and effectively reach an optimum level in company expansions. This year our Team in Serbia has been reinforced with a number of highly qualified professionals in accounting as well as tax and legal. Although in crisis times, Eurofast maybe the only firm in South East Europe which is still aggressively recruiting, thus showing the momentum we experience in our growth. Starting August 2009 , Mr. Anastasios Topalis was appointed as General Manager of our Orgnisations activities in the Balkans. Mr. Topalis, holds extensive experience in Management of Industrial and Commercial organizations in Greece and in SEE. During his career he participated in several projects of Business development in Balkans and is familiar with Serbian business environment as he is active as professional in Serbia since 2006.

Meter & Control obtains ISO9001: 2008 certificate

eter & Control, part of the Rudnap Group, has certified its quality management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standard, thereby gaining Certificates of Approval of counters for five new types of electrical power counters. These are the first locally produced smart counters and they are ready for integration into the remote counter reading and consumption management system. The company has invested €2 million in the development and production of new counters that are fully compliant with European standards in this area and are, therefore, competitive both on the local and EU markets. Source: EMportal

Tender for new landline operator

tender for the license of the new fixed telephone operator in Serbia should be invited by the end of 2009, according to Serbian Telecommunications Agency RATEL. The head of RATEL, Jovan Radunović, says that the deadline has been determined by an action plan and that the tender should be invited on time. The number of licenses and its price will be defined by Serbian Telecommunications Ministry. The license includes a broadband network, which will allow for the provision of internet and other services. Source: Beta

erbian PM Mirko Cvetković has said that the country can expect slight GDP growth of 1.5% next year, according to domestic and international estimates. Speaking on 17 th September at a Hyatt Regency event to promote the Southeast Europe Management Forum Bled-Kopaonik, PM Cvetković said that the introduction of structural changes to the Serbian economy and the rationalisation of the state administration are the main preconditions for Serbia’s recovery. The PM said that the main aim is to achieve economic and social goals at the lowest possible cost, stressing that the quality of services must remain the same. He reiterated that EU integration is Serbia’s foreign policy priority, adding that the global financial crisis will not affect Serbia’s activities in this regard. Source: Tanjug

$607 million in Special Drawing Rights

special allocation of SDRs (special drawing rights) worth around US$33 billion was made available to IMF members as of 9th September 2009, pursuant to an IMF decision. This allocation was preceded by a general allocation of SDRs equivalent to around US$250 billion (74.13% of the members’ quota), which the IMF approved on 28th August for all its members, with a view to providing liquidity to the global economy. Together with the special allocation of US$65 million and around $542 million approved this August, the total US balance on the RSD account of the Republic of Serbia will reach around US$607 million or 388,370,952. RSD Funds received under SDR allocations, typically used as a supplement to the official foreign reserves, are approved under favourable terms (variable interest rate currently at 0.29%) and without any conditionality normally attached to financial arrangements with the IMF. Source: EMportal

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New & improved construction subsidies

erbia’s new and more favourable subsidised housing loan programme is aimed at encouraging citizens to buy flats, as well as encouraging construction companies to employ more workers and boost the capacity of Serbia’s civil engineering industry. The government’s hosing loan programme was presented to representatives of the country’s civil engineering sector by Mlađan Dinkić, Deputy PM and Minister of Economy and Regional Development, and Oliver Dulić, Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning. Representatives of Serbia’s largest construction companies backed the government’s proposal for the programme, which will start in October this year and will include an interest-free period until 31st October 2012. According to the programme, citizens will only need to make a down payment of five per cent, while the state will provide an additional 20 per cent – at an interest rate of 0.1% – and the banks will lend the remaining 75 per cent. Source: Tanjug

Green light for pork to EU

he Serbian M inistr y of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management has announced that Serbia can once again export pork products to the EU market for the first time in 20 years. The statement adds that this is a great opportunity to develop the country’s pig breeding and meat processing industry, as well to sell surplus pork products. The adoption of the new Law on Food Safety, as well as regulations concerning all aspects of meat production and distribution, controls for the meat industry, prevention of the illegal import and distribution of meat and the establishment of critical control points during the production process have proven that Serbia is now able to produce quality pork products for sale on the EU markets. The meat processing factories that have been granted export permits are Topola, Big Bull, Juhor and Kolbis, says the statement, adding that three other meat companies from central and southern Serbia are to be granted permits soon. Source: Tanjug

Mercedes-Benz at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show:

from the SLS AMG to the three-litre S-Class

aimler takes pole position at the 63rd International Motor Show in Frankfurt with a variety of innovations. Mercedes-Benz is celebrating not one but two world premieres at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show with the launch of both the new E-Class Estate and the SLS AMG. The new etate model will become yet another strong addition to the current E-Class family from November 2009. Like the sedan and the coupe, it combines distinctive design with exemplary safety, and also has a large number of outstanding features when it comes to comfort, quality and functionality. The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the epitome of automotive fascination and advanced technology at the highest level. The super sports car is characterised by a pure design, systematic lightweight construction, superior driving dynamics and exemplary safety. At the same time, the brand with the star is marking a number of milestones on its way towards achieving zero-emission mobility: for example there is the B-Class F-CELL, which Mercedes-Benz is to start production of this year, as well as the Concept BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS, which thanks to its range extender is able to achieve a total distance of 600 kilometres. A further highlight is the Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID technology flagship, on display for the first time in Frankfurt. It has a fuel consumption of just 3.2 litres per 100 kilometres, and can drive up to 30 kilometres in purely electric mode. In addition to its smart fortwo edition highstyle special model, smart is exhibiting the model year 2010 smart fortwo cdi. The new model is significantly more powerful but just as economical and environmentally friendly as ever. Further new products and features include the smart fortwo electric drive, which is due to be produced in Hambach in France from mid-November 2009. Now in its second generation, it is fitted with a highly efficient lithiumion battery.

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B2B |

Group’s Net Profit at €128 mn and Increased Provisions

iraeus Bank Group, in the second quarter of 2009, has continued with adjusting its policies to a macroeconomic frame that remain difficult in order to strengthen its balance sheet and improve its results. The Group’s liquidity almost reached historically high levels, non performing loans increased to 4.5% yet at a decelerated rate, the level and quality of capital adequacy improved with total Capital Adequacy ratio at 11.2%. Operating cost further contained at 1%. Deposits and retail bonds reached €31.8 bn at the end of June 2009, increased by 8% y-o-y, contributing to an improved

Piraeus Bank Group Head Office in Athens, Greece

“loans / deposits” ratio of 107% compared to 115% a year ago. Equity capital amounted to €3,631 mn, loans reached €38,272 mn and total assets amounted to €54 bn, an increase of 5% compared with previous year. Net profit attributable to shareholders was €128 mn. Second quarter net profit has increased by 48% compared to the previous quarter. Net interest income of €528 mn is improved by 7% in first half of 2009 compared with first quarter. „These developments allow for an environment of conservative optimism and provide the underlined conditions that along with the efficient management and the better asset quality will enable us to exploit the opportunities from a stronger position in the future.“ – stated Michalis Sallas, Chairman of the Board of Directors. At the end of June 2009, the Group employed 13,800 people, the overall number of its customers reached 3.3 million and network reached 877 branches in 9 countries.

Srbijagas takes over glass factory

rbijagas has b e c o m e the owner of a 63.62% share of a Paračin-based glass factory. The takeover is based on a debt conversion of €34 million. Dušan Bajatović, CEO of Srbijagas, has confirmed that the glass factory will undergo restructuring in the following three years, with the aim of creating conditions to make the operation profitable. The factory’s majority owner, Bulgaria-based Rubin, will have to make investments envisaged by the privatisation contract. Source: limun.hr

Ikarbus tender fails

he Serbian Privatisation Agency says that a 2008 agreement on the public tender sale of shares of Belgrade-based Ikarbus to Russia’s Avtodetal-Service has been breached. According to a statement, the Russian buyer has failed to meet all required criteria. In an extraordinary revision carried out by the Privatisation Agency on 20th August this year, it was confirmed that salaries were last paid for February 2009 and that overall debt for the period from December 2008 to June 2009 had reached RSD142,564,409. Source: Tanjug

New bakery in Belgrade Austria’s traditional Roggenart knowledge, experience and technology in the preparation of rye bread is now with us. The owners’ desire is to provide all of us with the right, good rye bread. In German, Roggenart comes from the word ‘roggen’, meaning rye, and art, as in the kind of art. The use of rye in baking is much rarer than the use of wheat, and the reason is very simple: baking with rye flour requires knowledge, time, accuracy and a lot of experience. These virtues are unfortunately not in general use in this time of mass production, while the technology used for the production of rye bread is also more demanding than for wheat. Rye bread is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists insist that darker breads are healthier, with hard crusts and soft, moist body - just the characteristics of Roggenart bread. It’s worth noting that the very rich rye of non-cellulose polysaccharides (plant fibre), which combine with water and quickly give a sense of saturation, making rye bread an excellent choice for those seeking to lose weight and reduce fat. Rye bread is a better choice for those allergic to gluten and diabetics, contributing to the maintaining of stable blood sugar levels. A particular trait of Roggenart technology is that bread

is enriched with natural buttermilk dough. This means that, in contrast to today’s accelerated production methods, Roggenart’s baking procedure takes over 24 hours. This slow-baking procedure provides nutritional value, such as the minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron, as well as Vitamin B complex and Vitamin E. Sourdough aids digestion and has an improved aroma and taste. This bread lasts up to five days. The Roggenart range includes nine varieties of rye bread and three kinds of wheat bread, as well as a large number of sweet and salty pastries sold in the form of sandwiches or more types of pastries made in the Roggenart style. Roggenart’s goal is to be recognised as the highest quality rye bread and the best coffee in town. Addresses in Belgrade: Svetozar Markovic 22, Maksim Gorki 35 and Vojvode Stepe 178

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No alternative to IMF programme

HIP Petrohemija to resume production

eputy Serbian PM and Minister of Economy and Regional Development, Mlađan Dinkić, and NIS general director, Kiril Kravchenko, signed a protocol on strategic cooperation between NIS and HIP Petrohemija on 17th September. The meeting was held at the re-launch of production at the Pančevobased HIP Petrohemija. Source: NIS

SIEPA announces uniform design contest

erbian Finance Minister Diana Dragutinović insists there is no alternative to Serbia’s programme with the IMF – both because of loans to other international financial institutions, as well as commercial loans and the current state of the financial and foreign currency markets. Presenting the survey ‘Balance Model Has to Change’, drafted by a group of authors from the Economics Institute, Dragutinović stressed that Serbia’s taxes are not too low, considering the structure of the budget. However, she also noted that the tax system must be changed and made fairer. Speaking on 16th September, she said that this year’s deficit will most likely reach 4.5% of GDP. According to the finance minister, 35% of GDP has been set aside for investment, health and education, while the remaining 65% will be used to covers other state expenses. Source: Tanjug

Russian Railways interested in Serbia

ompany Russian Railways is interested in investing in Serbia’s rail infrastructure, according to CEO of Serbian Railways, Milovan Marković. Representatives of Russian Railways held talks with the management of Serbian Railways and expressed interest in investments and vehicle procurement. However, Marković gave no details of the potential investments. Source: limun.hr

he Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA) has announced a contest to design uniforms for the Serbian team at the World Expo Shanghai 2010. According to the statement, the contest will be open until 5th October this year and design entries should be submitted to SIEPA’s offices. The top three designs will be rewarded with sums of RSD200,000, RSD150,000 and RSD100,000 respectively and a fashion show will be held to display the short listed designs at Belgrade Fashion Week. Source: EMportal

Malta and Serbia sign tax agreement

alta and Serbia signed a double taxation avoidance agreement at the culmination of talks between Foreign Ministers Tonio Borg and Vuk Jeremić in Valletta. Dr Borg said this was an opportunity for Malta and Serbia to increase their trade exchange. Malta-Serbia trade amounted to €1.2 million last year, down from €2 million the year before. The trade exchange involved mostly cereals, printed matter, furniture and aircraft parts.

Exports account for 48% of Tigar sales

Delay on South Stream joint co.

rbijagas and Russia’s Gazprom have not registered the planned joint company for the construction of the Banatski Dvor underground gas storage facility and construction of the South Stream pipeline through Serbia. Srbijagas announced that the registration should be completed in several days, though it gave no reasons for the delay. All documentation is reportedly ready. However, according to earlier announcements by the CEO of Srbijagas, the registration should have been completed by 15th September. Source: Beta

ccording to Jelena Petković, Corporate Management Director of Tigar a.d., the company has recorded profits of RSD155 million, while consolidated results reached 112 million. The news comes after the Tigar Board of Directors adopted an interim report of the holding company, as well as the consolidated report for 21 companies, including five operating abroad. Consolidated business results are negative, as a result of the presenting business results of the holding company. Major investments were made in the construction of a new factory, Tigar Tehničke gume, at the Tigar III site, the purchase of equipment for the completion of the investment plan for the modernisation of Tigar Obuća product portfolio, as well as the expansion of the largest service and sale network, opening of new Stop & Drive service outlets and Bottega footwear stores within Tigar Trade. In the first half of 2009, the company increased footwear sales revenues by 10% yo-y. Footwear exports, which account for up to 65% of the company’s activities, increased by 22%, while local sales reduced by a fifth. CorD 64 / October2009 39

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B2B |

Serbia records sufficit in CEFTA trade exchange

he first seven months of this year saw Serbia record a sufficit in its trade exchange with CEFTA countries worth $788.8 million. This was mostly a result of exports of agriUS cultural products such as cereals and grain, as well as various drink products. Serbia mostly imported steel and iron, electric energy and non-metal mineral products. The country’s exports amounted to US$1.4 billion, while imports totalled US$616 million – meaning that the coverage of imports with exports was 228.1%. The CEFTA region is among the few regions with which Serbia has a continuous sufficit in its exchange. On the basis of contribution to Serbia’s total exports, the CEFTA market is the country’s second most important market after the EU. Source: Beta

Serbia posts 8% drop in tourist numbers

Jelašić: Deficit may still exceed 4.5% of GDP

adovan Jelašić, Governor of Serbia’s central bank, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS), has warned there is still a danger that the national deficit could exceed the expected 4.5% of GDP, equivalent to RSD132 billion, which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to. Governor Jelašić said that he did not even want to consider the possible consequences of the IMF finding that, come October, Serbia had failed to adhere to the agreed terms. The IMF Agreement is of key importance to economic stability, the economy and the living standards of citizens, the NBS governor stressed. “I am aware that the government is facing a difficult decision between the bad, the worse and the worst solution, but there is no alternative. The times when someone handed over cash for privatisations and it was easy to sit in ministerial posts have passed,” the governor said, underscoring that no pressure was being put on the central bank to print money. Source: Večernje novosti

ome 1.2 million tourists visited Serbia between this January and July, marking an eight per cent drop on the same period last year. The latest figures from the Serbian Statistical Office indicate that 828,398 of these 1.2 million tourists were domestic visitors, which is a 13 per cent down on the same period in 2008. Foreign tourist numbers grew, however: up seven per cent to 371,463. Administrative centres were the most popular destination for visitors (372,306), followed by other tourist resorts (305,165) and mountain centres (263,929). Serbia recorded 4.2 million overnight stays between January and July this year, marking a three per cent drop on 2008. Overnight stays by domestic tourists fell seven per cent to 3,298,199, while stays by foreigners rose 15 per cent to 897,154. The most popular places for overnight stays were spa towns (1.2 million nights) and mountain centres (1.1 million), while foreign visitors favoured administrative centres (557,039) followed by other tourist destinations (173,960). Source: SEEbiz

Spent nuclear fuel to be removed

adojica Pešić, Director of public company Serbian Nuclear Facilities, signed an agreement with Sergey Kazakov, Head of the Russian Federal Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, in Vienna this month. The agreement concerns the removal of spent nuclear fuel from the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Science in Serbia and its subsequent transfer to Russia. The deal also concluded financial arrangements concerning the project, with Serbia to partially cover the €25 million costs (with €11 million) that will be additionally be supplemented by donations from the IAEA, the U.S., the EU and the Czech Republic. Source: Tanjug

Vojvodina to gain three hydro plants

ojvodina’s energy development programme envisages the construction of three major hydroelectric power plants on the River Danube near Novi Sad and Bezdan, as well as construction of a third hydroelectric plant on the River Sava. Smaller plants are also due to be built on the River Tisa near Vrbas and Kajtasovo. Alternative energy resources will get special attention and, thus, the program also provides for the establishment of a fund to subsidise production based on renewable sources. Source: limun.hr

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Alpha Bank creates its savings account for children aged 7 to 18

Alpha Bank is also there to support the future of your child with the special gift – 30 EUR

re you thinking in advance? Are you wondering in what way you can provide safe future for your child and support when it is most needed? You should not worry since ‘Alpha Bank’ has created ‘Alpha Child Savings Account’, which you can use to make long term plans for your child and to be certain that when the time comes they would also be aware of the benefit. The purpose of this product is to encourage parents or guardians of children aged 7-18 to start saving and thus gradually secure the future for their children, with the safety that the Bank is offering. The product is adjusted to different levels of income, so funds can be deposited in accordance with both needs and possibilities of the client. Alpha Child Savings can be indexed in either RSD or EUR, without the applied fees and commissions. Account opening is rather simple, where the necessary documentation for the opening of the account is ID and your child’s birth certificate. Depositing of funds can be made through standing order, transferring funds from different account or directly, or by visiting one of the 166 branches throughout Serbia. Interest rates are very favourable and, as far as savings indexed in RSD are concerned, interest rates offered go up to 6, 60%. Special gift has also been prepared for young depositors as a symbolic contribution of the Bank. Hence, ‘Alpha Bank’ is giving as a present, on the first anniversary of child savings, €30, if the saving is indexed in that currency, or RSD3,000 for deposits indexed in RSD. In this way you will be able to present to your child all advantages of the savings program, and at the same time, you will teach a child that life’s goals are achieved through work and economical way of living.

New state-of-the-art Intesa branch

B a n c a I nte s a opened its first branch to be regulated by the new standards of Intesa Sanpaolo group in Serbia on 22 nd September. In an exclusive property covering an area of almost 430m 2 in central Belgrade, customers will be able to meet their everyday financial needs. In addition to standard operations with the population and in the Transaction zone, this branch - Banca Intesa’s 60th in Belgrade – will enable small business clients to access a specialised business zone. In a separate area in the branch’s entrance lobby (Zone 24), an ATM is located as well as a 24-hour electronic bureau de change. Moreover, clients can take advantage of several thousand discrete safes equipped with the latest vault facilities. “In line with its strategic orientation towards helping clients meet their financial needs under affordable and fair conditions during these times of economic crises, Banca Intesa is actively included in the state’s subsidised loan programme and, in this context, has approved almost half of all of funds realised by the whole banking sector...” said Dejan Tešić, Member of the Executive Board of Banca Intesa and Director of the Retail Division.

Aleksandrović

Gold ‘Vision’

ollowing success at the Dekanter event in London, the Aleksandrović wines have gone on to receive the highest marks at this year’s AWC Vienna. The Aleksandrović wine cellar was awarded five medals at the AWC Vienna 2009 international wine challenge, which is the second biggest event of its kind in the world and the only international wine challenge in Austria to have official support of the European Union,. Among 9,000 wines from 30 countries, the Aleskandrović cellar won one gold and four silver medals. In the red wine category, the 2006 ‘Vision’ won the gold medal, while ‘Triumph Noir’ from the same year won silver. When it comes to white wines, ‘Triumph Barrique’ (2006), ‘Triumph Barrique’ and ’Charisma’ (both 2007) were all awaded silver medals. Once again, the Aleksandrović cellar confirmed the fact that Serbia produces high quality wines that are, slowly but surely, becoming global brands. “We have discovered that Frankovka from Serbia has more pure fruity aromas and tastes, but also the depth, structure and huge potential for aging that’s unlike any other Frankovka from other European regions. I am sure that wine lovers will see for themselves that ‘Vision’ is a thoroughly authentic wine, completely different to other domestic red wines,” says Božidar Aleksandrović, proprietor of the Aleksandrović wine cellar. CorD 64 / October2009 41

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odern business practices dictate that, in order to be successful, you need to spend more and more time outside the office. Communication on the move and making crucial business decisions in any place whatsoever is no longer impossible, because access to information is now easier than ever. We live in the age when numerous technological innovations and advanced IT ideas considerably facilitate business and personal communication. One of such solutions is BlackBerry® service which joins the features of a cell phone and a portable computer into one device. Modern managers have recognized all the advantages offered by BlackBerry solution since studies have shown that, on a daily basis, a BlackBerry user may save as many as 47 minutes of the time “lost” out of the office and thus increase the efficiency by 29%. In fact, BlackBerry® smartphones allow you to bring your office along. This elegant and sophisticated solution assists you to organize your daily activities in a creative and efficient manner. By using our BlackBerry service and BlackBerry smartphones, you may have a wireless access to your e-mail, make phone calls, send and receive SMS and MMS messages, browse the Internet, and use other business and lifestyle applications. And you can do all that on the move – while waiting to board a plane, taking a taxi ride, sitting in a restaurant, etc. Ever since the first BlackBerry smartphone was made in 1997, the major attribute distinguishing this phone from other phones has precisely been the e-mail service and business communication through e-mail, because this device was designed so as to allow the automatic synchronization of a BlackBerry device and a business computer. Another advantage is that, apart from being able to read the body of the e-mail, you may also view attachments in Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Corel Word Perfect or Text, as well as attachments in JPG, BMP and GIF formats. Writing e-mails is also simplified because the keyboard is the same as the computer keyboard, and a large display offers you better viewing. BlackBerry smartphone enables a greater compression of the exchanged data, but also the highest data security standards, an organizer that is automatically in sync with your office computer, satellite navigation and much more. Telekom Srbija has ensured that, as part of its mt:s packages, its customers are offered attractive models – BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphone, BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900 smartphone and BlackBerry® Curve™ 8310 smartphone. In addition to these devices, mt:s business and postpaid customers are also offered BlackBerry® Internet Service (enabling its customers to exchange

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| faces & places |

Opening of Art Link Festival of young talents on September the 9th, supported by the Embassy of Brazil. H.E. Dante Coelho de Lima, Ambassador of Brazil. The reception on the occasion of the Brazilian National Day, September the 7th. H.R.H. Crown Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic and H.R.H. Princess Catherine Karadjordjevic with H.E. Mr. Dante Coelho de Lima, Ambassador of Brazil.

H.E. Mr. Viktor Nedopas, Ambassador of Ukraine receives representatives of diplomatic missions on September the 10th, celebrating the occasion of Ukraine Independence Day.

The reception on August the 31st, on the occasion of the Turkish Armed Forces Day. H.E. Ahmed Suha Umar, Ambassador of Turkey receives H.E. Arthur Koll, Ambassador of Israel.

H.E. Mercedes Felicitas Ruiz Zapata receiving guests on the occasion of the 199th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Independence of Mexico on September the 15th. (DSC 6415)

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Solemn Concert of the Belgrade Philharmonics dedicated to the victims of the war on September the 10th, marking 70 years since the beginning of the Second World War.

Minister of Mining and Energy of Serbia Petar Skundric with H.E. Igor Furdik, The Ambassador of the Slovak Republic at the reception on September the 8th, on the ocassion of the Constitution Day.

The opening of new Berlitz offices on Novi Beograd. Mark Harrison (HARRISONS SOLICITERS), Sasha Nikolic (BERLITZ), Mila Korugic (PIRAEUS BANK) on September the 8th.

The wedding of CorD Executive Editor Mark Pullen in Cerevic village Orthodox Church, Fruska Gora on September the 12th

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| faces & places |

Accreditation of H.E. Mrs. Mercedes Martinez Valdes, Ambassador of Cuba, H.E. Imre Varga, Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Mrs. Mercedes Felicitas Ruiz Zapata, Ambassador of Mexico and H.E. Mr. Viktor Nedopas, Ambassador of Ukraine by President of Serbia Boris Tadic.

President of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nebojsa Radmanovic, President of Serbia Boris Tadic and Premier of the Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik on the opening of â&#x20AC;&#x17E;Srbijaâ&#x20AC;&#x153; Elementary School in Pale, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Finale of the 3rd Festival of Annimation in Cacak. Winner Geza Toth

Serbia’s Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac welcome the Chinese Defense Minister Ling Guanglie.

Promotion of the book “Serbia Matters – internal refforms and European integrations“. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Goran Svilanovic.

IOM Chief of Mission Gregoire Goodstein with H.E. Haakon Blankenborg, Ambassador of Norway sign an annex to the agreement to help the fund dedicated to assisting the surplus of Serbia’s military officers.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic and Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac during the Btajnica Air Show on September the 13th.

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Art

Fresh take on

Interview: Aleksandar Ilić, ballet dancers

the Serbian ballet

Aleksandar Ilić is one of our most versatile young ballet dancers. He’s been a member of the National Theatre Ballet Ensemble for 10 years and exploring the waters of choreography for more than 3 years now By Jelena Mickić Photo: Miloš Matović

leksandar’s latest choreographed ballet “Viva la Vida” is being premiered in April on the main stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade. We met up with Aleksandar between the rehearsals to talk about his work,

career and catch up with the latest news. n We’ve snatched you between the rehearsals for your latest ballet, Viva la Vida”. How is it going on? r Work on a new piece is always both physically and psychologically taxing, but simultaneously quite exciting. This is my third choreography, however, but the first piece to be included in the official repertoire of the National Theatre. The

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premiere is on April 29th and as such a unique experience for all of us. Needless to say, any premiere always breathes fresh air into any dancers sails. “Viva la Vida” is loosely based on the life of Frida Kahlo and it is dedicated to the universal feelings of life celebration. This is a modern ballet where the dancers, all members of the National Ballet, get to explore the realm of modern dance moves and expression. I have high hopes for this piece. n You are a classically trained dancer but you’ve been nurturing an interest in modern dance through your work as a both dancer and choreographer. r Quite so. Choreography is a specific form of art. It is a melange of artistic expression, traditional trade skills, and exact mathematical phrasing. This might seem unusual to many readers, but choreography allows the artist to bring feelings and ideas into universal language of physical motion that transcends all linguistic barriers. Anyone can watch a ballet in any nation regardless of the fact that they may speak or not even understand a single word of the local language. On the other hand my experience as a professional dancer and years of movement studying have enabled me to evolve to a more contemporary stage of expression. So where does the maths come in? Well, placing movement into exact musical phrasing requires a bit of that too. n You have been casted for some major roles in the National Theatre Ballet so far, so why choreography and modern dance? r I have had the distinct pleasure of working with some of the world renowned artists and have danced in their plays. But, there can be, as is in my case, a natural progression from dance to choreography: you know, a dancers’ body ages much quicker than their mind, and the mind needs to go further when the body doesn’t listen any more. n Another modern ballet, “Ko to tamo peva” is very popular on the National Theatre stage. Every performance is sold out. I’ve watched “Ko to tamo peva” twice and both times the theatre was full with younger audience which means the young audience like dance and ballet, but maybe they’d like to see more modern and contemporary pieces. r Younger audience prefers contemporary pieces such as “Ko to tamo peva’, which happens to be is our most popular performance with which we toured South America three years ago. You are right, this ballet is very popular: the story is good, and the music is very powerful and inspiring. Actually we were all inspired working on this ballet and the interesting thing is as you said, “Ko to tamo peva” attracts a new type of audience. The play is fresh and energetic and the theme is universal. I personally like new energy, edgier and livelier approach to dance and that is what I am trying to

bring out in “Viva la Vida” too. n It is the general feeling that the ballet and some other art forms, like opera, are considered old fashioned, especially among the young generations. Ballet is dance, and is dance so dull, so not cool that it has to compete with Facebook and Big Brother for the audience? r The loyal ballet audience in the National Theatre consists of former ballerinas, retired ballet and music school professors, friends and family of the ballet ensemble members and young ballet school students who come to watch their older colleagues on the stage. The National Theatre is the only art institution in the country that has a classical ballet in its repertoire. Classical ballet itself is a beautiful and sensitive art, but like classical music it needs to be jazzed up and the same goes for the repertoire. Also, let’s not forget why theatre exists: it’s entertainment, and today there are more forms of entertainment than ever. Theatre only needs to respond to these new challenges. Bare in mind, this also goes for drama and opera. n It seems there is still an interest among younger generations for dance, as all contemporary and new performances we get to see every year at BITEF (Belgrade Theatre Festival) and “Dance festival” are sold out. r Yes, because these are new and cutting edge performances, famous companies visit Belgrade and they bring something new and fresh to our cultural scene. n What has changed since your early days, and have you achieved what you have set for yourself? r I’ve played more than 100 roles. I was lucky to tour countries and continents with many performances. I’ve gained professional and personal experiences that one doesn’t get in CorD 64 / October 2009 49

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Art are physically demanding. It is quite difficult to imagine that every morning when I go to work, I have to expose myself to exercises that are equivalent to those of Olympics athletes or professional sportsmen. A day’s work generally entails about 4-6 hours of physical training and hours of movement study and practice. Unlike the sportsmen, we are in a state-owned business where the financial rewards are not stimulating to say the least. Unlike our athletic counterparts we have no special dietitians, doctors, sponsors, various dignitaries that feed of our successes, or even the option to retire before others. Many people don’t know that there are no state benefits for early retirement. We have no insurance in case we get injured and often we have to buy our own equipment, otherwise we would have danced in shoes older than us. I wonder how many football players would agree to represent Serbia in the European Cup, running in trainers from the 1970’s. I broke my right ankle a few years ago at a rehearsal during working hours in the theatre. The insurance doctor concluded that this was a minor injury, not really worth any compensation or special attention. My only option was to ask the doctor of how many classical ballet dancers without their right ankle he had heard of. Of course I paid for the therapy myself. Unfortunately this is the state of our art and cultural politics.

most other professions that are less dynamic and more low key. On the other hand I’m in my early thirties, an active and experienced ballet dancer but in the future I’d like to pursue more a career of a choreographer and my interest for contemporary ballet is greater than ever.

n The National Theatre has been shaken with scandals lately. There’ve been many accusations flying from various sides. Many are blaming very bad cultural policy in Serbia. How does that affect the moral of your colleagues? r Actually it would be quite funny to make a play, a true comedy, of our cultural system; particularly how the finances work. Somehow, I fear the story would run from slapstick comedy into a deeply depressing tragedy. As a friend of mine would say “it would be funny if it wasn’t this sad”. But then again, culture serves as a mirror of our society. Name one aspect of our society that isn’t faced with difficulties, isn’t in a permanent state of crisis, and isn’t rocked by scandals large or small. You see, that’s why I have chosen ballet. It tends to be much more satisfying than playing politics in the Balkans and never to give up.

n Being a ballet dancer is like being a professional athlete during competitions. You always have to be in peak form and perform best. Then the rewards start coming, applauses and the audience admiration. These are moments that give the meaning to all the hard work. Are there any drawbacks? r Rightly said. The nice things from the ballet and life of an artist are the applauses at the end of each performance, the feeling that you have done a good, honest days’ worth of work. There are also the tours when you share the energy with new audiences some from completely different cultural backgrounds. On the other hand hours are long and exercises

n “Never give up” is the exactly the message that underlines your ballet “Viva la Vida”. r Frida Kahlo’s struggle was about fight to overcome difficulties, physical, emotional, painful and somber moments, and at the end to come to realization that life itself is what you make it. We all face personal and collective hardship, but like in the play, there is no reason to give up. There is always a way out and a solution tends to appear when you least expect it. At the end of the day a theatre is where people should be entertained. I’d personally like to see new and happier faces in the National Theatre Ballet audience. In fact, come see the play. You’ll enjoy it. n

The nice things from the ballet and life of an artist are the applauses at the end of each performance, the feeling that you have done a good, honest days’ worth of work

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ACADEMIA |

Interview: Jelena Zekić, President of the Chevening Society in Serbia

Becoming a Leader After taking over the presidency of the dynamic alumni organisation known as the Chevening Society, Jelena Zekić immediately set about marking a number of key anniversaries: 200 years of higher education in Serbia, 170 years of British-Serbian relations, the 25th anniversary of the global Chevening Fund and 10 years of the establishment of the Chevening Society in Serbia By Jelena Šijan n What does the Chevening Society do? r The Society is an apolitical, non-governmental, non-profit organisation that gathers British Government academics; Chevening scholars. The Society promotes the Chevening programme of studying in the UK, but also contributes to the development of science and the promotion of co-operation between educational institutions, research centres and companies in Serbia and the UK. Our vision is that of a prosperous and respected Serbia.

bers’ high degree of personal and professional achievements. Clearly the members of the Society represent our most important assets. n How do your most prominent members contribute to the work of the Society and how do you communicate? r The most prominent of our members meet in the framework of the High Chevening Society Council, which we inaugurated at the beginning of this year. His Excellency Ambassador Stephen Wordsworth is our honor-

Jelena Zekić and H.E. Stephen Wordsworth conference discussions. One such action is the outreach programme with universities in Novi Sad, Kragujevac and Niš, through which we promote the importance of transferring knowledge between Serbia and the UK, illustrated by the high academic degrees that all our members have.

n What prompted you to initiate the regional conference and what was its outcome? r It attracted nine Chevening alumni associations from the region, five of which have concluded a protocol on co-operation – thereby launching a new era in our regional activities. The Chevening Society in Serbia Our members are recipients of the was recognised as the regional leader, which motivated other orn Who are the members of scholarship and fellowships granted by the ganisations to consolidate further. the Chevening Society? UK government solely to individuals with Equally important is that the conr Our members are proud recipients of the Chevening ference resulted in the preparation exceptional academic potential for leadership Scholarship and fellowships of our joint briefing paper for Her granted by the UK government solely to in- ary member, while other renowned members Majesty’s Government. We used that opportudividuals with exceptional academic excel- include Professor Snježana Milivojević of nity to write to British Prime Minister Gordon lence and/or potential for leadership. Mem- the Faculty of Political Sciences, Professor Brown on behalf of all regional Chevening bers of our Society have proved themselves Goran Pitić, President of the Societe Generale organisations and inform our highest state in their chosen fields of interest and among Bank Managing Board in Serbia and former officials of that letter. Last, but not least, the them are officials who hold high-ranking posi- Minister for international economic relations, conference theme “European Integration as a tions in public life, as well as prominent his- Professor Petar Bošnjaković, Director of the Vehicle for Reforms” was very much explored torians, scientists, corporate directors, media Radiology Institute in Niš, and Professor Mi- in the presence of eminent speakers, Professor specialists and others. The most prominent lan Parivodić, Partner of law firm Wolf Theiss, Mihajlo Crnobrnja, Mr. Ivan Vejvoda, H.E. of our members include Milica Delević, Di- former international economic relations min- Ambassador Wordsworth, Mr. Alberto Camrector of the Serbian European integration ister and member of the Royal Council. marata from the Delegation of the European office; Ana Drašković, Citibank Serbia repCommission and representatives of foreign resentative; Dražen Maravić, Head of the n How would you assess the overrid- investors in Serbia. government’s visa liberalisation team; Dušan ing impressions from your first national Spasojević, State Secretary of Defence; Miloš Chevening conference? n Who are your partners in the country? Milovanović, Assistant Agriculture Minister; r The most difficult part of running an alumni r I have already mentioned universities, but Slobodan G. Maković, Member of the Manag- organisation is motivating members. The con- we also co-operate with the recently estabing Board of Politika daily; Vlatko Sekulović, ference was successful in precisely that area, lished British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce. former State Secretary for Foreign Economic as it helped us animate the membership and In addition, we are hoping to soon be granted Relations and many others. At the Chevening strengthen our network. Furthermore, we ini- collective membership in the European MoveSociety, we are extremely proud of our mem- tiated some joint activities as a result of our ment in Serbia and to initiate some joint acCorD 64 / October 2009 51

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Art

Blue Train is arriving

Janko Baljak, film director

I wanted to show how huge historical event impact the life of ordinary people, says Janko Baljak. My intention was not to deal with yugo-nostalgia, although it’s profitable today

pain”, “Vukovar – the final cut” and others), director Janko Baljak finally prepares a feature film. These days, he is about to finish shooting the film “Blue train”, a teenage story that will bring the audience back in the time of Tito’s death and specific political and social atmosphere of the beginning of the‘80s. Produced by Ideja, the film will present mostly young actors in main roles - Sanja Popovic, Ljubomir Bulajic and Aleksandar Radojicic among others, as well as popular actors Lena Bogdanovic, Nebojsa Milovanovic and Goran Sultanovic. The premiere is scheduled for May 2010, at the anniversary of 30 years of Tito’s death.

By Maja Vukadinović Photo: Slobodan Jotić

he day of Tito’s death was the most significant day in the modern history of former Yugoslavia. It was the date which determined the end of one and beginning of another era in the history of the ex-European country. The country started to loose the innocence in that time and the same has happened to my characters who experienced first love. After many awarded documentary films (“The crime that changed Serbia”, “Ethnically Clean”, “The anatomy of

n What inspired you to write a scenario and direct this atypical teenager movie with specific political background? r It’s a scenario I wrote more than ten years ago and, as situation is Serbia was changing, I was changing the story line. There is a lot of autobiographical, as I remember this period of my childhood, especially the atmosphere in Belgrade right after Tito’s death. Thus, the film is happening during the seven days of the mourning on the occasion of Tito’s death. Those seven days cinemas and theaters were closed and newspapers were printed with black frames. People sincerely mourned. At that time in Belgrade and other Yugoslav cities it was indecent to be happy and especially insulting to be in love the way main characters of the movie are. Anyway, from that paradox situation, I have tried to create the line of ironic, comic and tragicomic plots and to contrast private life with historical circumstances. n Why did you choose teenage film to tell a story about very important period of former Yugoslavia’s history? r I didn’t want to make teenage comedy as a genre, but I

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jovanka Broz

aljak has started to research archive footage about Jovanka Broz, and hopes that his negotiations with potential co-producer, Filmske Novosti (Film Archive), will result in a documentary about the destiny of Tito’s wife. He has found 10 hours of exclusive archive material about Jovanka Broz, and future documentary would consist mainly of this footage. Baljak says he is not in contact with Jovanka Broz, but he finds her life and destiny rather interesting in itself.

abroad. Tito’s personality is not mentioned in the film neither in positive nor in negative context. I was more interested in departure of the leader and the beginning of disintegration of the country. Also, I was not dealing with Tito’s cult and haven’t reconsidered his role in the history, since not enough time has passed to do so. On the other hand, I wanted to show how huge historical event impact the life of ordinary people.

Tito’s personality is not mentioned in the film neither in positive nor in negative context found interesting this political context. The day of Tito’s death was the most significant day in the modern history of former Yugoslavia. It was the date which determined the end of one and beginning of another era in the history of the exEuropean country. The country started to loose the innocence in that time and the same has happened to my characters who experienced first love. “Blue Train” is also a generation movie, dedicated to all who, together with their parents, sincerely cried because of Tito`s death. But, with its epilogue and destinies of the characters after the collapse of the country, this movie shows that there was much more reasons to cry in the years to come. It is also dedicated to those who spent their childhood and youth only in the years of resolution and destruction, who learn about Josip Broz on their history classes and who don’t even have an idea about the personality cult and death cult whole generation grew up with. n How do you feel about Tito’s time, and what attitude did you express in the film – nostalgic, critical or ironic? r My intention was not to deal with yugo-nostalgia, although it’s profitable today. However, I understand why contemporary artists all over former Yugoslavia are interested in Tito and his time. All these countries face transition “spiced” with economic crisis and people remember Tito’s time as period of prosperity. Actually, people idealize one time and one man who personified that time and that country. Tito is still one of the best known and intriguing brands in ex-Yugoslavia and

n Lives of ordinary people in historical turmoil characterize some of your documentaries as well. You teach Documentary film at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts. As experienced author of documentaries, how did you approach this feature film? Are there any similarities with your previous films? r During the ‘90s and at the beginning of 21st century, I made films about really dark topics such as organized criminal, war crimes and so on. For me, “Blue Train” represents a move from hard topics. I also felt a desire for working with actors. Of course, I am aware that I can’t escape from documentary approach. There’s lot of archive material in this film, but it is not dominant in the movie structure. It would be hard for me to make a movie without a political context. n It’s very difficult to make a feature film in Serbia, especially in time of economic crisis. r I believe that a trend of expensive, state-funded projects will be replaced by initiative of small, independent authors. Technology was never as cheap and available as today, and therefore making low-budget films will become a real trend. We will just see a wave of young authors. In line with this, foreign founds would like to see second wave from Serbia, directors who are not burdened so much with history and politics. People are fed up with our recent history. n

“Blue Train” is a generation movie My intention was not to deal with yugo-nostalgia, although it’s profitable today CorD 64 / October 2009 53

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Culture calendar ANNUAL EVENTS 41. BEMUS Belgrade Music Festival 3. October- 19. October Program

3. October , 20 00 Kolarac Concert Hall

11. October, Kolarac Hall, 20 00 Soloists of St. Petersburg Program-Handel , Shostakovich , Haydn , Barber Diana Bosković Concerto for Strings – dedicated to Russian composers – world premiere

12. October, 20 00 , Kolarac Hall Belgrade String Orchestra DUŠAN SKOVRAN Conductor- Christian Curnyn Katarina Jovanović, soprano Program G.F.Handel

13. October , 20 00 Kolarac Hall BALTHAZAR NEUMAN ENSEMBLE Conductor- Tomas Hengelbrok Veronica Genes, soprano Haydn, Beethoven, Mozart

5. October, 20 00, Kolarac Concert Hall

40 years of Ensemble RENESANSArs Nove, Italy, XIV century Renaissance music, Baroque Music

6. October, 20 00, Kolarac Hall

100 years from birth of Ljubica Marić Symphony orchestra and chorus RTS Conductor- Premil Petrović Lidia Biziak, piano. Free Entrance

7. October, Sava Center , 20 00

ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA Conductor: Daniel Harding

10. October Theatre on Terazije, 12 00 and 17 00 Bemus to the children SCHOLARS MINORES PRO MUSICAL ANTIQUE Early European Music

CANTUS ENSEMBLE Conductor Berislav Šipuš Contemporary Music Evening

TV series and extensive touring throughout Europe, Pookiesnackenburger also produced the highly acclaimed “Bins” commercial for Heineken lager.

19. October, 20 00, Sava Center SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS RTS Conductor- Bojan Suđić Aneta Ilić, soprano Nataša Jović Trivić, macrospore Hon Li, tenor Ivan Šarić, bas Pianists- Sonja Lončar, Andrija Pavlović, Natalija Mladenović and Tea Dimitrijević Percussionists Ensemble RTS

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Guarnerius Art Center Friday, 16. October 2009. at 20:00 MUSIC AND EVOLUTION - Michael Leslie (Australia)

15. October, 16. October, 17. October , 20 00 Sava Center

STOMP is a non-traditional dance troupe (originating in Brighton, UK) that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance STOMP, a unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, was created in Brighton, U.K., in the summer of 1991. It was the result of a 10 year collaboration between its creators, Steve McNicholas and Luke Creswell. They first worked together in 1981, as members of the street band Pookiesnackenburger and the theatre group, Cliff Hanger. Together, these groups presented a series of street comedy musicals at the Edinburgh Festival throughout the early ‘80s. After two albums, a UK

DNA and the Evolution of Motifs in Beethoven’s Greatest Piano Work „The Hammerklavier Sonata“ Lecture piano recital of the distinguished Australian professor MICHAEL LESLIE, about interpretations of Beethoven’s „Hammerklavier Sonata“ in the the key of the DNA code. This lecture piano recital is a part of international conference “Evolution and the future”, which is going to take place in Belgrade from 14th to 18th of October 2009.

NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR YOUNG VIOLINISTS - SOCIETE GENERALE SERBIA Tuesday, 27. October 2009. at 10:00 From 27th to 30th of October 2009. 31st of October - concert of the awarded contestants Competition to be held in: Art Centre

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the 1980s, having won numerous awards at local festivals, she launched her professional career at an early age, which ultimately resulted in her moving to Zagreb in 1989 to expand her career further. In 2006, she won the Dora 2006 festival with the song Moja štikla and represented Croatia at the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. Severina’s 10th studio album Zdravo Marijo (Hail Mary), mostly composed by Goran Bregović, was released in May 2008.

GUARNERIUS Founders: SOCIETY GENERAL SERBIA and Maestro JOVAN KOLUNDŽIJA. Organized by: Art Centre GUARNERIUS

Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra in October In Kolarac Hall 23. October Red cycle Conductor: Uros Lajovic Soloist: Hagai Shaham, violin Choir Obilic-Krsmanovic Program: D. Radic, J. Sibelius, M. Ravel,

30. October Blue cycle Conductor: Jonas Alber Soloist: Konstantin Shamray, piano Program: A. Borodin, S. Rachmaninov: Piano concerto No. 1, D. Shostakovich: Symphony

POP, ROCK CESARIA EVORA 6. October, 20 30 Sava Center, Great Hall

Cesária Évora, born in 1941) is a Cape Verdean popular singer. Nicknamed the “barefoot diva” for her preference for performing without shoes, Évora is perhaps the best internationally-known practitioner of “morna.” The morna is a music and dance genre from Cape Verde. Lyrics are usually in Cape Verdean Creole, and instrumentation often includes cavaquinho, clarinet, accordion, violin, piano, and guitar. Morna is often compared to the blues

Antonis Remos Belgrade Arena, 3. October, 20 30

Famous Greek singer Antonis Remos was born in Düsseldorf, Germany. He stayed there until the age of 12 and since 1982 he lives permanently in Greece. Since the age of 15 he lived in Thessalonica. In August 2004 Antonis Remos participates in the Olympic Games closing ceremony in Athens Olympic Stadium.Winter 2004, the CD single “Hamogelase” is released; music and lyrics by George Theofanous while George Ntalaras participates in the song “To mono pou ksero”.Right after that, a live album is released, recorded in the Studio Piraeus in winter 2003, containing his collaboration with the 5 great composers, Mimis Plessas, George Theofanous, Kostas Hatzis, John Spanos and Antonis Vardis. This album is so unique and goes platinum right away. November 2004 Antonis Remos starts live performances with George Ntalaras in Athens Arena.

ZZ TOP Belgrade arena, 18. October, 21 00

ZZ Top will perform in Serbia for the first time,on October 18th in Belgrade Arena,

Severina, Croatian pop singer Belgrade Arena, 17. October, 20 00 Severina’s style can be described as pop with various folk and cabaret influences.. During CorD 64 / October 2009 55

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CULTURE CALENDAR within the tour “ZZ TOP DOUBLE DOWN LIVE”. Organizer: Avalon Produkcija & Arena Beograd This American blues-rock trio from Texas consists of Billy Gibbons (guitar), Dusty Hill (bass), and Frank Beard (drums). They were formed in 1970 in and around Houston from rival bands the Moving Sidewalks (Gibbons) and American Blues (Hill and Beard). Their first two albums reflected the strong blues roots and Texas humor of the band. Their third album (Tres Hombres) gained them national attention with the hit “La Grange,” a signature riff tune to this day, based on John Lee Hooker’s “Boogie Chillen.” The only rock & roll group that’s out there with its original members still aboard after three decades (an anniversary celebrated on 1999’s XXX), ZZ Top’s music is always instantly recognizable, eminently powerful, profoundly soulful, and 100 percent American in derivation.

FiLM

Premieres in October WhiTEOUT start: 15. oktobar Thriller about U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko tracks a killer in Antarctica, as the sun is about to set for six months. Director: Dominic Sena; Cast Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht Tom Skerritt Columbus Short , Alex O’Loughlin, Shawn Doyle

CLOUdY WiTh a ChanCE OF METBaLLS start: 22. october

Directed by Fil Lord; Cast- Bil Heder, Ana

Faris, James Kan; Animated comedy The most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children’s book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain.

50Th OCTOBEr SaLOn: ThE CirCUMSTanCE-an inTErnaTiOnaL EXhiBiTiOn

djavOLja varOŠ (dEviL’S TOWn) start – 9. october Directed by Vladimir Paskaljević A series of interconnected stories taking place in Belgrade during the course of one day. A teenage girl from a poor family wants to accompany her well-off friend in her tennis lessons, but she can’t afford it. Cast: Lazar Ristovski , Mira Banjac Lena Bogdanović, Jana Milić, Nebojša Milovanović, Danica Ristovski, Slavko Štimac, Vlasta Velisavljević

arT

100 YEarS OF SErBian arT Painting in serbia - 1850 - 1950

SANU Gallery In the organisation of Belgrade National Museum 7. September- 18. October Exhibition presents 150 art pieces from the collection of Belgrade National Museum and more than 50 prominent Serbian artists. Some of them are Konstantin Danilo, Katarina Ivanović, Đura Jakšić, Paja Jovanović, Uroša Predić, Nadežda Petrović, Sava Šumanović, Milan Konjović, Petar Lubarda ...

The 50th October Salon will open on October 2nd at the May 25th Museum – and also at the Museum of the History of Yugoslavia, the Fine Arts Gallery and the Artget Gallery of the Cultural Centre of Belgrade, the Legacy House, the Centre for Cultural Decontamination and several other public spaces in the city. The concept for this year’s jubilee edition of the Salon is entitled CIRCUMSTANCE – An International Exhibition, and the exhibition will feature artists specially invited by the Art Director. Apart from the central exhibition, the programme of this year’s Salon will deal, in a number of ways and through different forms, with the overall theme of curatorial practices. The author of the visual identity of this year’s Salon is Borut Vild. A special segment of this year’s Salon will be the publication entitled Attention, Criticism!, dedicated to reviews dealing with the October Salon from its beginnings to the present day. The authors of this project are Radonja Leposavić, Aleksandra Mirčić, Gordana Dobrić and Aleksandra Estela Bjelica Mladenović. Announcing the jubilee edition of the Salon, the Cultural Centre of Belgrade will realise an exhibition entitled A Belgrade Experience: The October Salon, as part of a parallel programme of the 11th Istanbul Biennial. This exhibition will offer a crosssection of the five international editions of the Salon held up to now by way of a selection of ten Serbian artists, five of whom are award winners, to be presented at the BM SUMA centre for contemporary art from September 10th to October 16th n

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CULTURE NEWS Michelangelo works in Belgrade

riginal drawings of renaissance master artist Michelangelo Buonarroti(14751564) are being displayed in Belgrade for the first time at an exhibition in the Italian Cultural Centre that’s set to run until 15th October. This exhibition, organised with a desire to “present one of most renowned master; pieces of all time,” includes a reproduction of Michelangelo’s painting Doni Tondo, which is kept in Gallery Uffizi. This is no less than one of the key works of art for visitors to this gallery, and, being of such value, it is absolutely impossible to borrow the original painting. However, thanking solely to the intervention of the Italian Institute for Culture, the Casa Buonarroti Foundation, which takes care of Michelangelo’s rich artistic legacy, has approved a loan of two drawings that are amongst the most significant of this collection: Madonna and Study of a child, which were created for the painting Tondo Doni (Holy Family, 1503). Michelangelo’s drawing of a head, kept in integral version, and his drawing of the Holy Mother of Christ are among the rarest drawings of this great artist. They are unspoilt by time and are very highly value. Accordingly, the loan and overseas representation of these works is highly unusual and prestigious. Besides these originals, visitors of the exhibition at Italian Cultural Centre will also be able to see a reproduction of the painting Tondo Doni. This painting is one of just four remaining panel paintings of this great Italian renaissance master. Completed sometime around 1503, the work was most likely commissioned to honour the marriage of Agnolo Doni – after whom the painting was named– and Maddalena Strozzi. This work represents the monumental figures of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus and John the Baptist, as well as figures of naked boys at the back of the composition. It is also worth noting that Michelangelo designed the frame for this work himself.

Tony Parsons back in Belgrade

ne of Britain’s most renowned writers, cult columnists and former music critic, Tony Parsons, is coming back to Belgrade once again. His October visit to the Belgrade Book Fair is being organised by publishing house Laguna, which is publishing Parsons’ books in Serbian. Parsons will be in Belgrade from 23rd to 28th October and will present his new novel New Beginning at the Book Fair. New Beginning, which was published in Serbian in August this year, sees Parsons returns to the theme which made him famous, waxing lyrical on the issues of love, life and human relations. The novel’s main character is George Bailey, who undergoes heart transplant surgery and receives the heart of a nineteen–year–old. After the operation, Bailey begins to change, becoming a friend to his children, paying more attention to his wife and starting to party all the time. However, George soon discovers that being young again isn’t such fun and suddenly finds that he wants his old life back more than anything

Book Fair honours Greece

his year’s Belgrade International Book Fair, to run from 26th October to 1st November, will honour Serbia’s tradition-

al friendly neighbours of Greece. Now in its 54th consecutive year, the Book Fair will be organised under an entirely new concept this time around, ensuing that presentations will be easier to see and that the exhibiting space will be larger. Modern global and domestic publishing housing, presentations of authors, promotions and other programmes prepared by publishers will all be in line with a united approach to the event. Around 8,000 exhibitors have applied to participate in this year’s Belgrade Book Fair. Foreign and domestic mainstream publishers will be placed in the arena and pit of Hall One of Belgrade Fair, where they will present only their own editions. Hall Four will host other domestic and foreign publishers and bookstores, while the gallery of this hall will see the sale of used antique books. Government institutions will present themselves in Hall One A, while Hall One IA will be reserved for national stands of foreign exhibitors, as well as for exhibitors primarily dealing in educational publishing, publishers of literature for schools and expert texts.

Filmski susreti Grand Prix goes to Lazar Ristovski

he Naisa Grand Prix – the most prestigious award of the 44th Actors’ Achievement Festival in Niš, known as Filmski susreti – went to actor Lazar Ristovski this year for his roles in the films Sveti Georgije ubiva aždahu (Saint George Slays the Dragon) and Đavolja varoš (Devil Town). Other awards at this the most significant actors festival in Serbia included the Emperor Constantine Award for best male role (Gordan Kičić for performances in the films Čekaj me, ja ću sigurno doći (Wait For Me, I’ll Surely Come) and Turneja (Tour)), and the Empress Teodora Award for best female role (Milica Mihajlović for her performance in Čekaj me, ja ću sigurno doći.

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Winner of the Diploma for Exquisite Male Performance was Milutin Milošević for his performances in the films Sveti Georgije ubiva aždahu and Beogradski fantom (Belgrade Phantom), while his female compatriot Mirjana Karanović received the same recognition for her roles in Čekaj me, ja ću sigurno doći and Tamo i ovde (There and Here). Awards for the best supporting roles went to Petar Božović, for his part in Čekaj me, ja ću sigurno doći, and Jelena Đokić for the same production.

Belgrade Festival of Light enlightens

pean experts. Discussions were held covering light in relation to the identity of the City of Belgrade and its preservation and nourishing of cultural, architectural, urbane and social values. The festival also supported the development and promotion of quality homemade designs, emphasising sustainability of development. Participants of the festival included Vesa Honkonen (Finland), Korado Terci (Italy), Federiko Favero (Sweden), Pernila Janson (Sweden), Mitja Prelovšek (Slovenia/ Australia) and Nebojša Radivojević (Serbia). The festival was formally brought to a close by a performance of Austrian quintet Parov Stelar.

Belgrade theatre graces Berlin

his September saw the staging of Belgrade’s festival in honour of light, Beograd Svetlosti 09, from 10th to 17th September at the ‘Grade’ European Centre for Culture and Debate. The festival’s initiator and programme director was Aleksandra Stratimirović, while the event was organised by Belgrade association Kulturni Front (Cultural Front). Using artistic interventions in open public spaces, the festival included workshops, lectures and programmes for children and younger audiences, offering them new, undiscovered solutions for the development of the city and society in the context of light usage. For the broader public, the festival presented the potential of Belgrade and exerted efforts to uncover some hidden wealth of the city. Through its interesting and enlightening programmes, the festival drew attention to the significance of light, energy and the preservation of man in populated environments, representing the knowledge and experiences of both local and Euro-

elgrade’s accomplished Bitef Theatre was a guest in Berlin on 9th September to perform the international co-production Winter Gardens (Zimske bašte), directed by Bitef’s Nikita Milivojević. Winter Gardens comprises part of the ENPARTS project alongside the play Gunpowder Barrel (Bure baruta) by Dojches theatre, which is directed by Dimitar Gotscheff and was performed on the closing night of the 43rd BITEF festival in Belgrade’s Sava Centre on 26th September. Winter Gardens, which initially opened in February this year as part of the theatrical programme of the Venice Biennale, was also performed in Berlin’s theatre Haus der Berliner Fietspiele, as part of the ancillary festival programme of this year’s Berliner Festspiele. The play is dedicated to the “lost” fifth generation of young, educated people which left Serbia during the wars of the last decade of the 20th century.

The performance was followed by a cocktail reception organised by Serbian Ambassador in Berlin, H.E. Ivo Visković. In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Visković mentioned the theme of the play: the mass emigration of young people during the 1990s and the last decade, emphasising that the artistic task is just as important as the diplomatic one, if not more so.

Days of European Heritage

eptember once again saw the staging of the annual Days of European Heritage (Dani evropske baštine) event in Belgrade. The ten-day European bonanza, which is organised annually in most European countries during September, presents and promotes the cultural and historical heritage of the Old Continent. This year’s programmes were linked through the common theme of encouraging intercultural dialogue (Legacy as an encouragement of intercultural dialogue), and the city institutions, protected buildings, museums and other cultural institutions were open to visitors from 11th to 21st September. In addition to the inclusion of the city’s most significant cultural institutions, the Belgrade City Museum and other museums, Public Enterprise Beogradska tvrđava and heritage sites maintained by the City, the cultural centres of Belgrade’s local councils were also included in this year’s manifestation. Visitors were able to see an exhibit dedicated to the life of Nikola Tesla, a virtual exhibit of Roma culture, installations entitled A hundred years of Serbian art, Belgrade in the 19th century through the works of foreign artists, Manuscript inheritance in the Library of Belgrade University, Pupils’ dining table in the Pedagogic Museum, Fortresses and ruins of the fortified cities of Serbia on the Sava quayside, the visiting exhibition Neo-renaissance architecture in Budapest, etc. n CorD 64 / October 2009 59

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Art

Return of

25th Belgrade Jazz Festival

the legends

The jubilee 25th Belgrade Jazz Festival will take place from 29th October to 1st November in the halls of the Belgrade Youth Centre, Dom Sindikata and the Ilija Kolarac Foundation. By Žarka Radoja

hrough the journey from the very beginnings of the festival all the way to its future, the Belgrade audiences will be able to see some of the biggest jazz stars of today. After being absent from the Belgrade music

scene for several years, Jazz Festival is celebrating its grand jubilee – the 25th anniversary. In the honour of this jubilee, the concept of this year’s festival is envisaged as a journey through time – from the very beginnings of the festival all the way to its future. The festival will take place from 29th October to 1st November. This year’s festival participants will take the audiences from the festival’s inception, through

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The journey through the contemporary jazz scene will end with Kurt Elling, one of the best jazz singers of today to the representatives of the contemporary global jazz scene and all the way to the generations which represent the future of this music. One of the most important Yugoslav and Serbian jazz bands of all times, the Marković-Gut Sextet will remind us of the past days. The sextet will reunite exclusively for the festival opening. The sextet was formed in June 1980, by then members of the Belgrade and Radio and Television Jazz Orchestra. They recorded five albums and have had a very successful concert career both here and abroad. Another famous musician will join the sextet’s reunion – the legendary saxophone player, Jovan Miković who lives and works in Germany. When it comes to the standard jazz programme, which will open the festival, aside from the Marković-Gut sextet, one of the jazz divas of the former Yugoslavia, singer Gabi Novak from Zagreb will perform with the best Croatian jazz musicians led by jazz pianist, Matija Dedić and a string quartet from Serbia. Special guests include Croatian singer, Kristijan Beluhan and Serbian trumpet player, Marko Đorđević. Also, a band called Allstars, which continues in the footsteps of the famous Dizzy Gillespie Band, will perform. The Dizzy Gillespie Band performed back at the first Belgrade Jazz Festival in 1971. A multiple Grammy award-winners, trumpet player, Terence Blanchard, who has been doing film music for Spike Lee for years, saxophone player, Joe Lovano and singer Kurt Elling will take us on a journey through contemporary jazz. The trumpet lovers, who enjoyed last year’s fantastic concert by John Faddis, will also thoroughly enjoy Terence Blanchard’s concert, since this is the best trumpet player in the world according to this year’s survey conducted by the Jazz Journalist Association. During the twenty years of his solo career, Blanchard recorded a series of extraordinary albums, won three Grammies and was nominated for the award several times. He will premiere his new album ‘Choices’ at this year’s festival. Joe Lovano will present to Belgrade audiences his album ‘Nonet’, which was awarded by a Grammy, and evokes the golden years of bebop coming from New York’s 52nd Street. He is one of the most awarded jazz musicians of today, with over 10 first places in the category of tenor saxophone players. According to critics and the readers of the Down Beat magazine, he was declared the ‘Jazz Musician of the Year’ in 1995, 1996 and 2001. Lovano is also a Grammy winner and was nominated four times. The

journey through the contemporary jazz scene will end with Kurt Elling, one of the best jazz singers of today. According to the Down Beat, Eling is the best jazz singer for the tenth consecutive year. The Jazz Journalist Association declared him the best singer for five years in a row. The future at the Jazz Festival will be presented by an Israeli clarinetist, Anat Cohen who will perform at the Belgrade Youth Centre at midnight. Aside from the Belgrade City Hall, this year’s festival is supported by the U.S. Embassy, the French Culture Centre, as well as the Israeli, Brazilian, Dutch, Danish and Croatian embassies in Serbia. n

Joe Lovano The most awarded jazz musicians of today CorD 64 / October 2009 61

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CULTURE

African village in Belgrade

Exhibition in the Museum of african art

The Republic of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s week of culture

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his September saw the staging of the African Village event in Belgrade for the very first time, presenting the culture, tourism and business merits of the Republic of South Africa. The RSA culture week event, held at Belgrade’s Museum of African Art, included two visual art exhibitions, representations of artistic craftsmanship (later incorporated into an auctioned exhibition of applied and natural art), Zulu national dances and concerts, as well as a presentation of South African tourism and economy. The event completely took over the museum’s My Africa Gallery, opened just a year ago, covering the entire gallery. The African Village manifestation, held as part of South Africa’s globally-marked Week of Culture, was opened in Belgrade by Serbian Minister of Culture, Nebojša Bradić. The programme’s live performances were given inside the Museum and its courtyard, where 14 designers’ cottages were placed. Visitors were given the chance to see various works of art, jewellery, ornaments, craftsmanship and interior design elements, while guests could also sample some of South Africa’s rich wines. Each of the 14 ethnic cottages were manned by traditionally-dressed demonstrators, who were on hand to show visitors how to adorn themselves with the colours and signs of the Zulu, Hosa, Ndebele, Swazi, Wanda, Sotto (Kollolo and Mzilazi), Sang an and Kwan people. Entrance to the African Village was free throughout its duration, as were the performances of the Amagawe Zulu group – undoubtedly the most attractive highlight of the programme. The performances saw

The programme’s live performances were given inside the Museum and its courtyard, where 14 designers’ cottages were placed traditional Zulu dancers, renowned historically as warriors of Africa with shields and spears, dressed in leopard skin ribbons to perform their attractive dance, which is deeply rooted in the culture of the Zulu. After wowing the Belgrade public, plans for 2010 will see the African Village event present itself to the other countries of the region and their capitals: Bucharest, Zagreb and Sofia.The Belgrade African Village event was organised by the Minatar Company (Belgrade/Johannesburg), non-profit organisation Makhaya Arts & Cultural Development (Johannesburg) and the Museum of African Art in Belgrade. This event was sponsored by the Belgrade City Parliament, the Serbian Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of South Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of South Africa, the City of Johannesburg, the South African Embassy in Athens, the National Counsel for Cultural Heritage of South Africa, the Department for Culture of KwaZulu–Natal Province, the Department for Culture of the Eastern Cape Province, the Industrial Board of Johannesburg, the Association of Figurative Artists of South Africa and the Jazz Foundation of South Africa. n

international interest on south africa

ith an international interest and focus on South Africa as a result of hosting the 2010 World Cup, African Village takes pleasure in launching its Eastern Europe initiative with South Africa in Belgrade. South Africa is the largest energy producer and consumer on the continent and is a popular tourist destination. Among the main attractions are the diverse and picturesque culture, the game reserves and the highly regarded

local wines. It may be argued that there is no “single” culture in South Africa because of its ethnic diversity. Officially, the country recognises 9 primary cultures with 11 official languages; Pedi, Sotho, Tswana, Swazi, Venda, Tsonga, Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa and Zulu. The country also recognises eight non-official languages: Fanagalo, Khoe, Lobedu, Nama, Northern Ndebele, Phuthi, San and South African Sign Language.

By classification South Africa is a middle-income country with an abundant supply of resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, a stock exchange (the JSE Limited), that ranks among the top twenty in the world, and a modern infrastructure supporting an efficient distribution of goods to major urban centres throughout the entire region. South Africa is ranked 25th in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) as of 2007. CorD 64 / October 2009 63

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Leisure & lifestyle

Where for lunch? RESTAURANT REVIEW

Belgrade’s national cuisine restaurants Malo Korzo and Majdan By Ljiljana Matejić-Vučković

he portions you get at Tomislav Ivanović’s restaurants are two or even three times bigger than at other restaurants. Ivanović is a guardian of Serbia’s national cuisine and is a perfect example of the saying that a man has eaten well if there is a little bit of food left on his plate. “Dear guests, welcome! Feel free to make yourselves at home. If you are not happy with us, please let us know. We will deal with any complaints you might have. You will have to pay only if you get a cash register receipt. Thank you!” These welcoming words on the first page of the restaurant’s menu, coupled with kind smiles and polite staff, are trademarks of both of Tomislav Ivanović’s national cuisine restaurants: Malo Korzo and Majdan. However, these are not the only traits he is famous for. One trait is displayed on an unusual billboard advertisement that won’t leave you in-

different. The billborads, positioned all over the most frequented thuroughfares in Belgrade, all carry the following caption: “Malo Korzo – Portions that are a metre long”. What is this? Where is this? What is this all about? So many questions that go through your head when you see these billboards. Many often give up on digging a bit deeper, so to speak, and only persistant individuals actually manage to find out that this is an ad for a restaurant that serves national cuisine. This inspires their imagination and they head straight for Malo Korzo. Once they get there, they are in for a great surprise: from food that takes your breath away, to the wonderful aromas and the sheer size of the portions. A portion of the finest meat dish is at least half a metre long. It is tasty, succulent and comes with many side dishes and sour cream as a must. The burgers are so big that they resemble a large pizza, while the lamb chops are of such size that they could feed a whole family. When you look at the menu you realise that portions are so big because – as the menu notes – they are for two to share

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(though you, like us, may well be of the opinion that they are sufficient for four diners to share. If you order ‘lamb cutlet in milk’ you will receive an entire kilogramme of boneless meat with half a kilo of cream. You will also get the same quantity if you order ‘stuffed pork tenderloin’. Cream included. Restauter Ivanović explains these gigantic portions: “Before I started in the catering business back in 1991, I was an enterpreneur in Peć, Kosovo. I was on the road often and ate a lot in restaurants. And I always felt hungry after finishing my meal, regardless of what I had ordered. Hence, I always ordered double portions and promised myself that if I one day opened my own restaurants I would serve twice as much food for the same price.” The promise given to himself back in 1991 has been kept to this day.

Naming the venues

True to himself, Ivanović wanted the name of his restaurant to reflect his ideas. “The first restaurant I opened in Peć was in close proximity to a hotel called Korzo, which, in turn, was named after a nearby promenade. I didn’t want to wrack my brain too much trying to come up with a different name. The hotel was big, hence it was the Big Korzo, while my restaurant was small so I named it Little Korzo (Malo Korzo). That is the secret. As a lover of gourmet food, Ivanović says that a person has eaten well if he leaves a tiny bit of food on the plate. Even his guests always leave a bite after they’ve eaten. Since he thinks that food should not be thrown away, the kind caterer has instructed his staff to pack up the leftovers in plastic containers and give it to those who paid for it, regardless of whether they specifically asked for it. Almost every single guest says ‘yes’ to this proposition. Still, those who clean their plates, regardless of the size of the portion, outnumber those who take leftovers with them, including many foreigners that live in Belgrade. When they see just how big a portion is, first they are amazed, than they say it is huge. But they still eat it; and they come again. Exclusively for our readers, Ivanović reveals a few recipes that will allow you to prepare national specialities in the privacy of your own home.

Lamb cutlet in milk

Ingredients: 1kg boneless lamb (back or breast), ½ litre milk, 400 grams of sour cream, salt, pepper Preparation: clean the meat, rub in the salt and pepper and roll the spiced meat. Tie with string and place in a dish. Pour in water and boil. When the lamb is 90 per cent cooked, discard the water, add milk and continue cooking until tender. Remove from the heat and leave to cool before cuting into rings two centimetres thick. Place on a serving plate, add a dollop of sour cream and serve warm.

Stuffed pork tenderloin

Ingredients: 1kg pork, cut in the shape of an escalope 4-5 cm thick, 150 grams of smoked ham (neck), 100-150 grams of firm cheese (thinly sliced), 300 grams of sour cream, salt, pepper. Preparation: cut the meat lengthwise to open it up, but be sure not to cut all the way through. Open the meat, add salt and pepper and place thin strips of smoked ham along the cut, followed by slices of cheese. Press the folded meat back together, press firmly and grill or fry in a teflon pan, turning occasionally. Once done, remove from the heat, serve on a plate and place the cheese on top. Serve warm and garnish with vegetables.

Ribs in sour cream

Ingredients: 500g of pork (rib meat), cut into long strips, 300 grams sour cream, salt, pepper. Preparation: rub salt and pepper into the meat and grill or fry in a teflon pan. Remove from the meat from heat and place in a deep bowl. Cover with sour cream and serve with a seasonal salad. n

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FROM THE WORLD PRESS quire a mandate. “Is it not an exaggeration that they (‘Yes’ side) have resorted to just lying in their desperation to force this thing through. The guarantees are utterly meaningless,” he claimed.

libertas founDer re-enters caMpaign fray after u-turn September 14. By Fergus Black and Fionnan Sheahan Taoiseach Brian Cowen yesterday played down the significance of Declan Ganley’s re-entry into the Lisbon Treaty referendum campaign. The Libertas founder said he had been “provoked” into re-entering the referendum debate by the “astonishing degree” of misrepresentation by the ‘Yes’ side. Three months after vowing he would not campaign in a second Lisbon referendum debate following his failure to win a seat in the European Parliament, Mr Ganley said he was back by popular demand and had decided to re-enter the fray. Libertas will begin fundraising today and hopes to raise up to €200,000. There is no money left from its European elections campaign, Mr Ganley said. A new opinion poll shows the ‘Yes’ vote holding a strong lead on the ‘No’ campaign. The Red C poll in The Sunday Business Post has ‘Yes’ on 62pc, ‘No’ on 23pc and ‘Don’t Know’ on 15pc. Mr Cowen wasn’t getting carried away with the poll results as his Government warned against complacency. “Well, to be honest, we’ve got to continue with

A new opinion poll shows the ‘Yes’ vote holding a strong lead on the ‘No’ campaign

the campaign. There are 21 days to go; we have to work hard and get out to all parts of the country and communicate a positive message. “More and more people are coming to the view that we’re stronger with Europe, that the scale and magnitude of the problems we face require us to work co-operatively with other states who can help us solve our problems in addition to our own domestic actions ourselves,” he said. Explaining his U-turn in deciding now to campaign in the second referendum, Mr Ganley said it was anybody’s privilege to change their mind. “I didn’t want to re-engage in this debate. It wasn’t something that I relished, but this is not about me. “This is about Ireland’s place in the European Union. It’s about my country, the country that I love, and it’s about standing up for the truth when people are telling huge lies and the truth does not re-

putin MuM on his future plans September 10. Moscow By Stuart Williams A confident Vladimir Putin is calling the shots ahead of Russia’s 2012 presidential elections but still keeping the world in suspense over whether he is plotting a return to the Kremlin, analysts said. Putin, who served eight years as Russia’s second post-Soviet president and has now settled comfortably into the role of prime minister, vowed he and President Dmitry Medvedev would not stand against each other in 2012. In a neatly choreographed response, Medvedev declared on Tuesday that he and his mentor Putin would settle the issue in advance between themselves. But Medvedev also did not exclude he could run for a second shot at the presidency. For any political analysts missing the smoke and mirrors uncertainty

“Putin gave a clear response to the question about the 2012 presidential elections, it will most likely be him”

of Soviet-era Kremlinology, the return of the political guessing game about Putin’s future must be most welcome. If one thing is clear, it is that the ever-confident Russian strongman will be the man who decides the identity of the presidential candidate. And for many analysts, Putin in all likelihood will choose himself. “Putin gave a clear response to the question about the 2012 presidential elections, it will most likely be him,” Olga Kryshtanovskaya, head of the Elite Studies Centre at the Sociology Institute, told AFP. “There are plenty of signs that this is the case. Putin’s men are in all the key positions and although he has strengthened the post of prime minister this has not been formalised in law.” When he handed over to his anointed successor Medvedev in May 2008, the youthful new president was seen as a puppet of his wily ex-KGB predecessor, an impression he has struggled to dispel. Putin had to the surrender the presidency in 2008 as the Russian constitution forbids two consecutive mandates but presents no obstacle to him standing again in 2012. “Putin has indicated - with his usual sarcasm - that he will be the next candidate in 2012. And Medvedev has indicated that he will not stand against him,” said Yevgeny Volk of the Heritage Foundation. “Both of them have shown that they will not let power slip out of their hands and that they will keep their tandem. From the point of view of civil society, these are cynical declarations.”

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The Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper, regarded as close to Medvedev, said that the president on Tuesday “answered in unison with Putin.... But as with Putin he did not announce any concrete result of their agreement.” Additional intrigue has come from Medvedev’s own moves to raise his profile, which last week extended to penning an article for liberal news website Gazeta.ru that slammed Russian’s predilection for apathy and drinking. The article - entitled “Forwards Russia” - contained some of the most aggressive criticism ever from a Russian leader of his country and listed a range of ills hitting Russia including “bribery, thievery and laziness”. - Sapa-AFP FM Davutoglu seeks support for Armenian reconciliation September 15, Ankara Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu meets with three opposition parties to discuss the reconciliation process with Armenia and urge them to support the two proposed protocols in the upcoming parliamentary vote. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu consecutively visited three opposition parties Tuesday afternoon to urge them to back the two agreed-upon protocols related to the Armenian reconciliation process. His tour started with the Welfare Party, or SP, which is known for its pro-Islam line. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his allies shared the same roots with the SP before they set up the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP. SP leader Numan Kurtulmuş, however, seemed to be unconvinced based on his remarks after the meeting. “It means an obvious concession. Turkey mustn’t open the border gate unless Armenia withdraws from the occupied lands of NagornoKarabakh. In order to make new friendships and gain credit in the international scene, we don’t have the right to upset our Azerbaijani brothers as the Azerbaijani-Armenian dispute has been ongoing for more than 17 years,” he told reporters. With hopes of ending century-old hostility between two neighbors, Davutoğlu continued his meetings at the headquarters of the Nothing is clear yet how the socalled genocide claims will be solved or what sort of academics should convene with what authority

main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP. CHP leader Deniz Baykal also seemed unconvinced, criticizing that the protocols are “too ambiguous,” except for the article on the border opening. “There are no signs of ending the occupation in Nagorno-Karabakh and recognizing the Kars Agreement [which defines the eastern Turkish border]. Nothing is clear yet how the so-called genocide claims will be solved or what sort of academics should convene with what authority,” Baykal said.

“Only the border-opening article depends on a timetable. There is legal binding in one hand and hopeful and wishful waiting in the other,” he said, referring to the long-awaited European Union promises. Turkey had inked an additional protocol and agreed to open its ports to new-EU member Cyprus in 2004 as a result of promises to end isolation over northern Cyprus. Davutoğlu completed his tour with talks with the Democratic Left Party, or DSP. DSP leader Masum Türker confirmed that it was a productive and informative meeting. Davutoğlu underscored how a national consensus is important and reiterated his call on opposition leaders to look closely at the protocols and provide maximum contribution to the normalization process. Downturn may cost 25 million jobs in OECD countries September 9, Buenos Aires The economic downturn will likely cost as many as 25 million people their jobs by end-2010 as the unemployment rate nears a record 10 percent in the OECD group of countries, according to a report released on Wednesday. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said 15 million jobs were lost between end-2007 and July 2009 and 10 million more could go by the end of next year despite signs the economy is picking up.

“The labor market outlook would be even worse if governments has not pursued expansionary monetary and fiscal policy,”

“A major risk is that much of this large hike in unemployment becomes structural in nature,” the report said. “The world economy is indeed recovering. We’ve thrown trillions and trillions and trillions at it and of course we’re seeing results,” OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria said. “(But) employment is the bottom line of the current crisis. We cannot claim victory because we see economic indicators going up. We should not assume that (renewed GDP) growth will take care of this,” he told a news conference. The OECD-wide unemployment rate has already hit the highest on records going back to World War Two, surging to 8.3 percent by June 2009 from 5.6 percent at the end of 2007, the annual report from the Paris-based OECD said. The latest aggregate readout, for July, is 8.5 percent. Spain, Ireland and the United States were worst hit, with unemployment rates rising by 9.7 percentage points, 7.8 percentage points and 4.5 percentage points respectively between the start of 2007 and mid-2009, it said. “The labor market outlook would be even worse if governments has not pursued expansionary monetary and fiscal policy,” said the OECD, estimating that government spending on anti-recession projects will raise total employment next year by about 0.8-1.4 percent more than would otherwise have happened. This downturn is destroying considerably more jobs than other recessions since the CorD 64 / October 2009 67

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FROM THE WORLD PRESS

early 1970s, the report says. Most of the world’s high-income countries and a few others are members of the OECD but others such as China and India are not. isolateD bin laDen courts irrelevance September 16. By: Michael Binyon Like a fading gangland boss vainly trying to rekindle his notoriety, Osama bin Laden has issued another tape promising vengeance on Western supporters of Israel. He threatened to “continue our war of attrition” if the US did not pull out of Afghanistan, halt aid to Israel

Bin Laden does not meet fellow terrorists, he cannot risk betraying his hideout, he relies on second-hand news

and throw out neo-conservatives from the White House. His “statement to the American people” raised barely aflicker of interest. For most in the West and even for angry Muslims in the Middle East, bin Laden is yesterday’s news. Ill, isolated and impotent, he spews out from his cave messages of hate that seem increasingly irrelevant. The world has changed since he sent aircraft crashing into the twin towers, even if his obsessions have not. There was a time when a videotape of his rantings was a sensation. In the first two years after September 11, 2001, his calls for global jihad inspired frustrated followers across the Muslim world and taunted the Bush administration for its failure to find him. Intelligence agents scrutinised the rocky backdrop to his videotaped rantings on al-Jazeera for clues to his whereabouts, and governments agonised over his continuing malign hold over al-Qa’ida’s global franchise. Few now care. The message has become repetitive, and Monday’s was the fourth this year. Every anniversary of the September 11 atrocities is marked by a bin Laden boast of what he did and a warning of the bloodshed he could cause again. Since 2001, he and his Egyptian organiser, Ayman al-Zawahiri, have broadcast more than 60 tapes urging war on the West and on its Arab allies. The messages have nothing new to say because bin Laden is unable to keep up with what is

happening. He does not meet fellow terrorists; he cannot risk betraying his hideout; he relies on second-hand news; and it takes time before his taped responses can be secretly delivered to the nearest safe point where they can be uploaded on a jihadist website. There is, therefore, a dated feel to everything he says. For his September 11 message this year, he referred to President Barack Obama’s address in Cairo to the Muslim world in June but said nothing of more recent events or about elections in Afghanistan. Most of the videotapes are addressed to the West and they usually offer deals: an end to violence in return for a change in Western policy. The aim is to create an impression bin Laden is dealing with the West on equal terms, that he commands cohorts across the globe and that he is a magnanimous leader intent not on nihilistic destruction but on halting the West’s unjustified repression of Islam. In fact, bin Laden knows the West pays almost no attention to his words. His tapes are broadcast largely to his followers to remind them he is still alive, has lost none of his zeal and remains the symbol of Islamist defiance of Western dominance. The new al-Qa’ida leader in Pakistan, Hakimullah Mehsud, commands more power and after the next big atrocity in Pakistan, he will be the new hero to the world’s jihadists. Bin Laden’s message has therefore had to change. At first, it focused on overthrowing established Arab rulers and removing Western forces from Arab lands, especially Saudi Arabia. AlQa’ida has found itself under pressure to take a more virulent stance on Israel and recent messages have fulminated against Jews and called for the liberation of Palestine. Disillusioned followers say the focus on Israel is a substitute for al-Qa’ida’s failure to mount a single successful attack on the Jewish state. Bin Laden needs to create the illusion that he could, at any time, order an atrocity inside Israel. Most people know he cannot. Bin Laden still carries a bounty of $US50 million on his head and his survival is still an insult to the victims of September 1. But even the US has grown tired of his tapes. There are other, more dangerous challenges to confront. uneMployeD hoMeowners coulD get financial assistance September 19. By Stephanie Armour WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is engaged in highlevel talks about providing financial assistance to homeowners who’ve lost their jobs and can’t afford their mortgage payments. The Treasury Department held meetings on the subject as recently as Thursday with key stakeholders, according to Laura Armstrong, a spokeswoman for Hope Now, an alliance of non-profits and mortgage servicers, and more discussions are planned. Proposals include getting servicers to let jobless homeowners skip some monthly payments, according to Faith Schwartz, executive director of Hope Now. Another possibility that has been discussed includes grants or loans to temporarily cover part of the mortgage costs for homeowners who become unemployed, says Paul Willen, a Federal Reserve Bank of Boston economist. “Treasury has now brought us all together,” says Jack Shackett, Bank of America’s head of credit-loss prevention, who is involved

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in the discussions. “Even if it takes Treasury awhile to get some guidance out, the talking itself is great,” Shackett says.Treasury officials declined to comment. No time line for any new government initiative has been set, says Schwartz, who is also involved in the talks. The meetings have included major lenders, economists and govern-

“Even if it takes Treasury awhile to get some guidance out, the talking itself is great”

ment officials from Treasury, the Department of Labor, Hope Now and the Federal Reserve. The discussions come after a $75 billion plan announced in March by the administration. That plan seeks to prevent foreclosures and get homeowners into more affordable mortgages but has been criticized for getting off to a slow start. But now, with unemployment nearing double digits, some economists say efforts to prevent foreclosures must also involve financial help to homeowners who lose jobs. Otherwise, they say the housing recovery could stall. Land of milk and honey September 19,. Gaza - Farmers in Palestine create amazing produce in adverse conditions – and are fighting to export them. Palestine produces some of the finest olive oils in the world, not to mention dates, nuts, tomatoes – even wine. Now, despite the conflict, farmers are finding ways to export their produce – and show the world that their country is still the land of milk and honey. I’m standing in what remains of Taysir Sadia Yaseen’s olive grove, looking up at a 12ft-high wire fence. It arrived in 2000 when the Israeli army, without any notice, bulldozed a trench on this rocky, precipitous hillside and erected it on his land, declaring it part of a “security buffer zone”. He points to the Israeli settlement that the fence protects. It resembles a suburban dormitory town, like something out of The Truman Show, only fortified and on a hilltop. It is encircled by twice the area of land and served by a new road, exclusively for the use of Israeli settlers and prohibited to Palestinians. This road in turn is guarded by another, military, road with routine patrols – we can hear army trucks whizzing by – and, finally, the fence. Before the fence was built, Taysir was the proud owner of 1,000 olive trees, which had been in his family for as long as anyone can remember. Now he is left with 400. The other 600 are lost to him – on the other side where he is not allowed access. As a Palestinian farmer, if he tried to do so, Israeli soldiers, who keep watch from an observation tower, might confiscate his tractor or arrest him. “My feelings are of bitterness and sadness,” he says. “The Israelis grabbed my land, the land we rely on for our livelihoods.” In this village of Anin, near Jenin, in the Israelioccupied West Bank of Palestine, the unemployment rate is 30% and

olive trees are the only source of income. In the desert-like landscape of Jericho I see another demonstration of the resilience and resourcefulness of the Palestinian people, most especially its women. With the help of the go-ahead Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee, a co-op of 40 women has taken over a disused date warehouse to make maftoul. Somewhere between couscous and cracked wheat in texture, maftoul is a hand-rolled grain, traditionally eaten at special occasions, which takes a whole day to make from scratch. Women sit cross-legged on the floor rubbing a mixture of local white and wholemeal organic wheat flour and salty water together with their fingers until it forms small particles, steam it, then sun-dry it in a greenhouse in a fierce 60°C heat. The technique is ancient and highly skilled. The idea of making this most traditional Palestinian speciality into an income-generating enterprise originally came from women’s co-ops in Gaza, but since 2007, with the election there of a Hamas government and the subsequent Israeli blockade and bombardment, they were forced to give up. Now in Jericho production has been restarted by women whose families have been living in the UN refugee camp Ein Al-Sultan refugee camp for over 30 years. Now the Palestinians are left with less than 12% of pre-1948 Palestine, and women make up 67% of the refugee population. “We are immigrants in our own land,” explains Hamda Blilat, who speaks for all when she says that they still hope one day to return to their original homes. In the meantime, they doggedly produce a ton of maftoul every day. Palestinians love to eat, and their legendary hospitality is boundless. Somewhat counter-intuitively, given that Palestine’s main religion is Islam, many Palestinians also like a drink. Historically Palestine has been a diverse, pluralist, tolerant culture, a mix of Muslims, Jews and Christians with Bedouin and Ottoman influences. Attitudes to alcohol are relaxed, and Palestinians make a range of beers at the Taybeh microbrewery, between Ramallah and Jericho, along with wine and brandy at the Cremisan vineyard on the outskirts of Bethlehem, an area with a history of wine-making dating back to the Iron Age.

Palestine produces some of the finest olive oils in the world, not to mention dates, nuts, tomatoes – even wine

Anywhere other than Palestine, Cremisan winery, with its magnificent chateau-like building that dates back to 1885 and its painstakingly constructed terraced vineyards, would be a heritage site with Grade A listing, and its wines – especially its “hock”, which is made from Palestinian grape varieties and resembles a good Austrian Grüner Veltliner – would earn favourable mentions in international wine magazines. But since currently Palestine is neither a country nor a state in the usual sense, it enjoys no such protection. n CorD 64 / October 2009 69

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Leisure & lifestyle

Serbia spa resorts

TOS and CorD recommend

Legendary mineral springs and mountain air. Since the Roman Epire, travelers have sought the rejuvenating effect of the Serbian forestes and waters

erbia is ranking itself among the richest areas in the world for its natural healing factors, including some 350 so far known and examined springs of different curative mineral waters, as well as over 25 health with exceptional healing and ecological

values. Mineral waters are very diversified. Basically they properties

and abundance depend from the geological composition of the area in which they are located. Springs in Serbia appear even in the regions which are over 500 m above sea level. That is exceptionally rare in the world. Springs can be categorized by their chemical composition and physical properties: acid, basic, neutral, cold, warm, hot, barely or highly mineralized, enriched with various chemical substances

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Curative Factors

he Vrnjacka Banja Spa has five springs, which are divided into two categories of medicinal mineral waters: Hot (36.5 degrees Celsius), carbon-acidic homoiothermal and Cold (14-27 degrees Celsius), alkaline, earth alkaline and carbon-acidic.

and oligo elements. Quite often, the springs are accompanied with the appearance of medicinal gases and mud, as a result of interaction of waters and soil in their surroundings. Banja Koviljaca The Banja Koviljaca spa sits at the foot of Mount Gucevo (779 meters) on the banks of the Drina River. The spa was given to the people of the Drina district by declaration of King Aleksander I Obrenovic on August 1, 1898. The spa has warm and cool springs of sulphureous (19-28 degrees Celsius) and ferriferous (14-15 degrees Celsius) waters. Owing to a combination of natural factors (salubrious thermal water, peloid and favorable climate) and the most sophisticated medical methods and highly-trained staff, the “Banja Koviljača” specialized hospital for rehabilitation affords excellent results in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of children and adults with post-traumatic conditions, locomotory system disorders, all forms of rheumatism, injuries to central nervous system, gynecological diseases, etc. Vrnjacka Banja The Vrnjacka spa is the largest contemporary health spa resort in Serbia and is an attractive centre for both holidays and recreation set at the foot of Mt.Goc (1,147 metres above sea level). Its stunning location provides a unique microclimate, which has led to the development of lush landscaped grounds providing an oasis of tranquillity and beauty for guests to enjoy and relax. Steeped in history, the beneficial effects of the Vrnjacka Banja spa springs have been known since the beginning of Christianity. Today, some of its past still remains including a Roman Well dating back to the second century. In modern Serbia, Baron Herder upgraded the Vrnjacka Banja spa in 1835 following orders from Prince Milos who wanted the spa to be on a par with the renowned Karlovy Vary spa in the Czech Republic and in 1860, the first pool and apartment was opened. Vrnjacka Banja Spa is home to six rich hot and cold-water mineral springs, which are rich in natural minerals used for rejuvenating both the body and soul. It is also home to the world’s only hot spring measuring exactly that of the human body (36.5 degrees Celsius). Surrounding Vrnjacka Banja are UNESCO protected medieval buildings, which serve as a reminder to early European civilisation. Other nearby landmarks include the first court of the Serbian Archbishop, the Zica Monastery and the beau-

You can make your visit to the spa even more enjoyable by taking a tour around the surrounding area rich in culture and history tifully frescoed Sopocani Monastery which both date back to the thirteenth century and the twelfth century Studenica Monastery all of which are nestled in the colourful Ibar River Valley. Lying Eastwards the area is also home to the fourteenth century Ljubostinja Monastery which housed the tombs of Princess Milica and of the first Serbian poetess, Jelena, while going southwards one reaches the Gradac Monastery which was an endowment of Queen Helen of Anjou, wife of King Uros 1, dating back to the thirteenth century. Entertainment is plentiful at Vrnjacka Banja Spa with a host of things to do catering for everyone. Prolom Banja The Prolom Banja spa in southern Serbia has water temperatures ranging from 26 to 32.5 degrees Celsius. Water bottled here at the spring is considered curative and is extremely popular in the country.

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Leisure & lifestyle

The spa is located near Djavola Varos (Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tower), where over 200 tower shaped rocks formed by erosion stand to create an interesting site.

remaining monuments and buildings were constructed with Turkish influence and there is an archeological museum at the ruins of Constantineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palace.

Bukovicka Banja The spa at Bukovicka Banja is located in central Serbia at a height of 236 meters. Several mineral water springs at the spa have temperatures ranging from 12 to 28 degrees Celsius. Water bottled at the spa has won awards for its quality in London (1907) and Brussels (1906), and is available in bottles both domestically and internationally. The spa is well developed with accommodation, swimming pools and sports fields, restaurants and entertainment. The spa is also noted for its large sculpture garden where works created from renowned Vencac marble can be found and where an annual festival of sculpture is held. Near the spa is the cave of Risovaca, where some of the oldest archeological traces of humans on the Balkans have been found, as well as good picnicking spots on Mount Bukulj (698 meters) and at Garasi Lake. The spa is also near the town of Topola, where the Karadjordjevic dynasty built their memorial, church and palace.

Palic The spa at Lake Palic is considered one of Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beautiful spas, having been constructed at the end of the 19th century with the intention of rivaling the great European spas. Located near the city of Subotica and the Hungarian border, the spa is set against the backdrop of the lake and has beautifully maintained parks and thick forests. Water temperatures in the mineral spas are 25 degrees and mud treatments from the lake are full of curative minerals. Accommodation and restaurants are plentiful at the spa, along with many tourist facilities for recreation and relaxation. In summer the lake is ideal for swimming, rowing and sailing, while in the winter the lake freezes over to make a natural ice-skating rink.

Spas are located either in the valleys or on the hill slopes. They are almost always surrounded with forests, meadows and orchards

Niska Banja The spa at Niska Banja, well situated in southeastern Serbia near the city of Nis, has two warm water mineral springs (between 36 and 39 degrees Celsius) and one cold water spring (17 degrees Celsius). The spa has many accommodation opportunities, including facilities to host business and congress events. Nearby Nis, the birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine I the Great, who brought Christianity to the empire in the 4th century A.D., is a large city well-known for its historical position between East and West. Many of the cities

Ribarska Banja The spa at Ribarska Banja is located in central Serbia at a height of 540 meters. The spas mineral waters range from 38 to 42 degrees Celsius. Spa treatments and long walks in its pleasant surrounds are recommended. Nearby the spa are several cultural and historic monuments, including the Lazarica church and the Ljubostinja monastery, both dating back to the 14th century. Sokobanja The Sokobanja spa, in southeast Serbia between the mountains of Rtanj (1,560 meters) and Ozren (1,074 meters), has a long history, with the spas being used by Romans and Turks who once ruled the area. Set against the Moravica River, the

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spa has hot mineral springs with temperatures from 28 to 45.5 degrees Celsius, while the rich mountain air contains gases that are known to rejuvenate the body. There are a great number of facilities at this well-visited spa, including several hotels, restaurants and athletic centers. The spas surrounding are well suited for fishing, hiking, trekking, and spelunking. Many activities occur throughout the year, including fairs of medicinal plants and folk dancing and singing. Hydrotherapy is carried out in mineral water in a number of pools with water temperatures ranging from 36 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius. Banja Kanjiža “Banja Kanjiža” has for more than nine decades developed into a modern institution for rehabilitation.It gives hospitality for those who need rest, preventive recovery and medical rehabilitation, as well as the comforts of the curing water and mud. The environment is suitable for those who seek peace, greenery and accommodation . The Rehabilitation department is equipped with the most modern equipments for Physical Medicine and Medical Rehabilitation. Mineral water and curing mud is used in the treatments of rheumatic diseases, that is after injuring of the bone joint apparatuses, as well as for recreation.Bathing and walking in the park, picnics and visiting the sights of this area make the staying here pleasant and the recovery quick. Vrujci SPA The Vrujci Spa is located at the foot of the mountains Suvobor and Maljen, between Ljig and Mionica. It belongs to the Mionica municipality and the Kolubara region. The Vrujci Spa and its area are surrounded by picturesque hills and captivating scenery of pristine nature. The Toplica River runs through the spa the name of which speaks of the existence of hot thermal water in the Vrujci Spa. The temperature

Serbian tourism

erbia is rich with thermo mineral springs whose waters, according to their chemical compounds, temperature and other properties, make it possible to treat and cure almost any illness that spas are recommended for. Because of all this, our spas and resorts hold a very special place in Serbian tourism.

of the water that springs in the very centre of the spa is 2627°C, and it falls within the category of oligomineral waters. The water is used for therapeutic purposes both for bathing and drinking. The therapeutic properties of the water and the spa mud are used for treating rheumatic ailments, sterility, sciatica, varicose veins, high blood pressure, skin diseases... The Vrujci Spa has a complex of bathing pools that are unique in Serbia because they are built right on the thermal water springs, which makes them free flowing. In addition to providing treatment for the said medical conditions, the Vrujci Spa is an ideal choice for holiday, recreation, leisure, hiking, fishing, camping and a series of other activities. It is located at 92 km from Belgrade, 113 km from Pančevo, 65 km from Obrenovac, 30 km from Valjevo, 75 km from Čačak, 170 km from Novi Sad. n

Subotica, Palić

Walk in horse carriage

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Ana Ljubinković graduated from the Faculty of Visual Arts (department for painting) in Belgrade. In 2001 she was among finalists of Smirnoff Fashion Awards. She has been designing costumes for promotion of well known brands (such as British American Tobacco) since 2003. Tijana Pavlov was born in Belgrade in 1980. She graduated from the Faculty of Applied Arts, University of Belgrade, Fashion Design department. For the past year she has been designing in the field of men’s fashion only, and she has been trying to move borders of men’s fashion in Serbia through colors, shapes and slogans. She often combines her design with compound-meaning messages in a form of prints which is one of the main characteristics of her craft. Dejana Momcilovic graduated from Royal Academy Of Fine Arts in Antwerpen, fashion department.She worked for A.F.Vandevorst, Dries Van Noten. Her A/W 2009/10 collection was shown on 25th Belgrade Fashion Week. British model-turned-designer Ana Šekularac (of Serbian origin) odoesn’t attribute her design talents to the typical childhood sources. Though still on the rise, Brits—including Emilia Fox, Camilla Rutherford and mega-star Victoria Beckham—are making quite the fuss over Šekularac’s excellent craftsmanship and striking details.

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Fashion Week in New York (MercedesBenz Fashion Week) Collection - Nanette Lepore Fashion Week in New York (MercedesBenz Fashion Week) Collection - Michael Kors

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Review the collection for spring 2010th Christian Siriano at New York Fashion Week 13th September Review the collection for spring 2010th Vivienne Tam at New York Fashion Week 13th September

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Review the collection for spring 2010th Vivienne Tam at New York Fashion Week 13th September Review the collection for spring 2010th Chado Ralph Rucci at New York Fashion Week 13th September

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techno talk |

iPhone 3GS

Price: $199- $299

irst off, Apple has supercharged the CPU of the 3GS (remember, the S is for speed), jacking up the processor numbers from 412MHz to a 600MHz. Additionally, the RAM is said to have doubled from 128MB to 256MB, the phone is offered with 16GB or 32GB of storage, and Apple has swapped out the previous graphics chip for a new version -- dubbed the PowerVR SGX -which adds support for more robust visuals via OpenGL ES 2.0. All this should mean that end users will see a noticeable difference in app speeds and loading times. Apple claims an average of 2x faster loads, though since the company has been cagey about upgrade details, it’s hard to know what the real differences are.

Samsung Galaxy

Price: $610

Samsung Jack

amsung Electronics gave the world a first look at its upcoming Galaxy handset, which runs Google’s Android operating system, at the CommunicAsia exhibition in Singapore. The Galaxy has the usual features you’d expect from a high-end smartphone: GPS, Wi-Fi, and support for WCDMA. Picking up the Galaxy, one could be impressed by its slimness. With a thickness of 11.9 millimeters, the Galaxy is thinner than both the Magic and Apple iPhone 3G.

Price: $79.99 - $349.99

he Samsung Jack has: Voice-guided GPS. Voice-guided GPS turn-by-turn driving directions, local business search and more. Wi-Fi support: Integrated Wi-Fi gives you increased in-building coverage and extra fast data connections. Highspeed data (up to 3.6 mbps) access to email, the web and more. Send live or recorded video during a phone call whether it’s a shopping tips or road trips.

Palm Treo Pro

Price: $550

ith a large color touchscreen, full keyboard, and Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Edition, you can download, view, and edit Word -and Excel®compatible files. Rehearse PowerPoint presentations. Review PDF and open ZIP files, or schedule a meeting with Outlook. Keep track of an entire conversation with chat-style messaging. Get where you’re going—and have wireless connectivity options when you get there. Find your destination with GPS and arrive easily thanks to turn-by-turn directions.

Nokia N97

Price: $450

okia unveiled the Nokia N97, the one of the world’s most advanced mobile computer, which will transform the way people connect to the Internet and to each other. Designed for the needs of Internet-savvy consumers, the Nokia N97 combines a large 3.5” touch display with a full QWERTY keyboard, providing an ‘always open’ window to favorite social networking sites and Internet destinations.

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HTC Magic

Price: $690

HTC Tattoo

Price: $580

TC Tattoo is all about you. It’s the first phone that can be customized inside and out. Decide how your phone looks, then decide what you want to look at. Texts? Twitter? Your photos? When you’re done customizing HTC Tattoo, you’ll have a phone that speaks loudly about who you are and what you’re into. So if you’re into chatting, texting, and tweeting, you’ll put all your communication widgets and apps right on your front screen. If you’re into games, you’ll visit Android Market and download all the games you want.

he HTC Magic will keep you entertained and up to date wherever you are. Sleek, stylish and exclusive to Vodafone, the Magic is powered by cutting edge technology. So web essentials like Google Maps™ and Google Search™ work brilliantly. You can create shortcuts to your favourite sites and download fun games, news feeds and widgets. Then decide where everything goes so you can get to it all easily. Love putting friends in the picture? The HTC Magic’s 3.2 megapixel camera shoots photos in sharp focus. You can admire the results on its extra large high-resolution screen.

BlackBerry Tour

Price: $200

his high-end messaging phone combines the multimedia features of the Curve with the global roaming of the 8830, plus a higher-resolution display, 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera and 3G. Other key features include video capture, 3.5mm audio jack, memory card slot, push email, QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, and GPS navigation. Tour include the small chance of the device overheating. The Blackberry Curve 8900 is often seen as the best Blackberry on the market as it does not have these issues. The BlackBerry Tour was released on July 12, 2009.

LG Incite

Price: $200

Nokia E90 Communicator

Price: $568

okia E90 works more as a communicator than a simple mobile phone. Every aspect of the phone’s performance has been meticulously planned and precisely engineered. The Nokia E90 is heavily loaded with some awe-inspiring features such as 3G HSDPA technology, WLAN, 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus and flash. The Nokia E90 comes with an integrated GPS system which helps you to locate nearby place as well as view maps.

G may release some crazy handsets on a global level, but believe it or not, the LG Incite has arrived at AT&T as what could be considered the first full-fledged LG smartphone in the States. And it’s not a bad first showing. The 3G Windows Mobile handset features a 3-inch touchscreen with full virtual keyboard and haptic feedback, along with aGPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3MP camera, and microSD port. The LG Incite boasts the latest in wireless communications technology, with domestic and international 3G capabilities, built-in aGPS and Wi-Fi® (802.11 b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0®.

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techno talk |

TomTom GO 740 LIVE

Price: €390

TomTom adds even more features to a sat-nav range that was already the best of the bunch. This 740 is the middle of three x40 versions, and gets UK and European maps. The 540 has UK maps, with the option to pick-and-mix European maps at extra cost. The range-topping 940 adds North American maps for the more serious globe-trotter. The LIVE in the name refers to a SIM card built into the device that offers up some new functionality – real-time connection to TomTom’s new HD Traffic, as well as safety camera updates, Google Local Search services, such as added POIs and fuel prices. These services are free for three months from purchase, and £7.99 a month thereafter.

Garmin Edge 705

Garmin Nuvi 250

Price: € 190

Price: €160

armin sells plenty of superb GPS devices under £100, but the Edge series is the ultimate do-it-all cycling computer. While basic speed and distance computers are available for under a tenner, no device combines sat-nav and performance measurement better or more conveniently than this tiny, waterproof device. You can upload your route and connected cadence and heartrate into your computer, see where you struggled, overlay routes onto maps and share your data with others.

TomTom ONE Europe v3

Price: €170

ffordable, well-made and trustworthy: unless you want bells and whistles this sat-nav is pretty much perfect. What do you get for your money? Features-wise, not a great deal. TMC traffic info is supported but comes only with the purchase of an optional accessory. It has no Bluetooth, and no MP3 playback. But, to gripe about this would be to miss the charm of the ONE - solid design and software. The device is well made and has a press-on suction cradle that makes other cradles seem foolishly overdesigned. No buttons on the ONE, apart from the power button, because all inputs are done via the 3.5inch touchscreen.

n inexpensive, neatly designed sat-nav that happens to offer additional travel info if you want it. The unassuming Nuvi 250 might be the very embodiment of what Garmin is trying to achieve with the Nuvi range: namely, something a little more than just sat-nav. To do this, it set up the Nuvis as travel companions, with paid-for extras like city guides, currency converters and foreign phrasebooks supplied on SD card. Useful functions, but we imagine that most consumers feel selfconscious brandishing the larger Nuvis in public. Especially in a strange city.

Garmin Nuvi 765T

Price: €360

here’s little wrong with the Garmin Nuvi 765T, but the TomTom 730 still aces it for general useability. The 765T has full European mapping, 3D landmarks, lane assist and junction view. It also comes with free lifetime FM traffic information and avoidance, which is a good thing at this price, but with one caveat. The FM TMC aerial is built into the 12v charger plug, which means you have two cables to disentangle and safely route along your dashboard every time you plug in. 80 CorD 64 / October 2009

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Navman S30

Price: €150

lmost on a par with the best value sat-nav – TomTom’s ONE – and with features that might make it more attractive to you. If Navman’s S-series is an attempt to take on market leaders TomTom, then the S30 has to be better than that company’s value offering, the ONE. And that is no small ask. The maps are good, with easy-to-read 3D turn arrows, and the spoken instructions are clear. On the right hand side of the screen, you can choose between a drop down panel of time and distance data or, by clicking on one, minimise the menu to show just one of the options.

Garmin Forerunner 405

Price: €230

ooks great for a training tool and works well, but not the easiest to use when you’re hot and bothered. Of all Garmin’s fitness watches, the Forerunner 405 is the most sophisticated, but also the most stylish. This is mainly thanks to a touch-sensitive ring that keeps buttons to a minimum, but it’s helped by a 124x95 dot-matrix LCD display that allows the 405 to display reasonably complex levels of information without having a large, multisection display like its Forerunner 305 and 205 brethren. The screen also has a user-activated blue backlight for running in the dark.

Navigon 8110

Price: €460

solidly built sat-nav with snazzy 3D smarts, but can’t quite match the class leaders. Its windscreen cradle is massive, a solid, long item that seems preposterous but actually suits most modern cars that have steeply raked windscreens and deep dashboards. If, on the other hand, you have a classic Mini, you’ll have to lean back to see the screen. But it holds solid on the glass. One gripe is that the 8110 won’t charge through its own USB port once it’s plugged into the cradle; you need to plug into the difficult-to-reach USB port on the cradle. Presumably, the TMC aerial is built into the cradle, and also needs powering.

TomTom Go 720

Price: €380

anages to combine simplicity and hitech trickery to killer effect, making it the best sat-nav for any level of navigator. The 720 is a neat, light device with just a power button, and all other operations achieved through the 4.8in touchscreen. The windscreen cradle makes a mockery of rivals, simply pushing on to the windscreen, with a balland-socket end for angle adjustment. You’ll get four hours or more from the built-in battery before resorting to the 12v charger. Charging at home is made simple by a dedicated USB dock that forms part of the PCbased TomTom HOME software package.

TomTom Go 930

Price: €510

eartily recommended, but not a massive leap forward from the previous version. As a new version of the best-selling portable navigation device (or PND) in the UK, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the TomTom Go 930 would be an easy sell. Not necessarily. Most people who want sat-nav have it. A massive proportion of those people have one of TomTom’s previous models. The two new features that are most likely to catch a buyer’s eye are advanced lane guidance and IQ Routes. The former, as the name suggests, serves to help you navigate complex multi-lane junctions with a new driver-eye view of the lanes available and which one you should be in. CorD 64 / October 2009 81

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how to... |

How to... ... surf the internet for free in Belgrade Telenor mobile operator installed wireless internet in Belgrade’s Student park. That is the fourth Telenor’s internet park, following wireless installation in Vuk Monument Park, Prolece Park, Skate Park and Studentski grad. The visitors will be able to use free wireless service by Telenor in Student’s Park for two years. ... register yourself with the police Foreigners who enter Serbia without visa, must register themselves maximum 24 hours after entering Serbia. You will kindly ask the person with whom you are staying to escort you to local municipality police station. They will be asked to present document of apartment ownership and you will be asked to present your passport. ... rent a car in Serbia CompareCarRent.com makes it easy to compare rental cars and to find & book the best car rent deal from all car rentals in Serbia. A car rental broker is an intermediary between car rental agencies and customers. Because they handle a large number of reservations they are able to negotiate a much lower price and better rental conditions than a single customer. Car rental brokers negotiate the lowest rates for rental cars in Serbia from international auto rental agencies (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National, Thrifty, etc) as well as high-quality local car rental companies. This saves you a lot of money, because as a consumer you get the same discount as big companies that rent many cars! ... register a vehicle All owners of motor vehicles who live in Serbia, both foreigners and citizens, are obliged to register their vehicles each year. Registration can be done in person at any police station or through a number of agencies. The list of relevant agencies can be found at the site www.portal-srbija.com/automobili/registracija-vozilaprenos-vlasnistva. All these agencies are ready to complete the technical review and provide insurance. The majority of agencies have Englishspeaking staff. Foreigners in Serbia can drive their car with foreign licence plates as a tourist. For temporary import there are special plates. Members of the representative offices of foreign companies are entitled to special licence plates. ...find a job in Serbia? Very useful website: http://poslovi.infostud.com/ You will see numerous jobs posts, from both international and local companies. Some ads are in English. On the same portal you will see a section “HR Agencies” where most important companies created own presentations. Unfortuantely, not all content is in English.

CROSSWORD

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS: 1. Drowsiness , 2. Vacuum cleaner, 3. Scottish writer, Walter – The name of an English ex-football player, Wright 4. Tailings – Symbol for Sulfur- Pierre Carney’s tragedy, 5. Symbol for Erbium –- Initials of poet Eric , 6. Symbol for rouble– Spanish writer, Pedro , 7. The last spring snow 8. Flat area on the mountain – Symbol for ton, 9. Symbol for Americium – sleeping – preposition, 10. Sovereign of the empire – Symbol for Carbon – B.C., 11. Country in Asia 12. Persia- distorted , 12. Weeping, moaning(pl.), 13. Animal painter. DOWN: 1. Destruction of the bacteria by heating 2. The name of writer Davicco – former president of MOK, Juan Antonio, 3. Litigation– page(abbrev.) – because, 4. American movie actor, Brad- The name of Googol’s character, Bulba – city in France, 5. Measure for land area – village near Smederevska Palanka – towards, 6. River in Germany, tributary of Danube – Summer resort in Boka Kotorskaj– former German chancellor, Helmut, 7. The name of the singer, Redding – Belgrade weekly magazine – frontal, the one in line in front of everybody else, 8. Firm, thorough, reliable – a type of semi – precious stone, 9. Two –digit number

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