ALO! 22 January 2011
INTERVIEW: ALEXANDER KARAGEORGEVITCH, THE CROWN PRINCE
I HOPE THAT ESTATES WILL BE GIVEN BACK
By Vasilije Popovic
Solution for frequent political crises in the country, but also for better international image, could be reestablishment of the Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy. Would that happen, even the Crown Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch could not tell, but he emphasizes in his interview with Alo that his “duty” is to serve the state and the people.
The Royal Compound in Dedinje has had more money from 1945 till 2001, than today.
Are you satisfied with the influence you have in Serbia today?
Even in countries which are constitutional monarchies, the monarch does not have influence, this is the privilege of politicians in the government. The Monarch is the symbol of stability, unity and continuity of the country.
You live at the Royal Palace, but properties confiscated by communists were not returned to you. Will it be returned in a timely manner?
The Karageorgevitch family property is still illegally confiscated by state. I hope that this will be resolved positively by the law on restitution. I also hope that everyone else who had their property confiscated will have the situation resolved.
There was much controversy about financing you receive from the state?
The controversy about this exists, unfortunately, only in the Serbian media. The main problem after 2001 was the absence of the administrative ground for the adequate maintenance of the compound which is a protected monument of culture. When I say maintenance, I mean on the level as it was done from 1945 till 2001. I hope, and I have reasons to believe that this administrative obstacle will be resolved very soon.
It was recently reported in the press that you were forced to dismiss members of your staff due to a bad financial situation?
The whole country is going through difficult times, due to the global economic crisis. Like the government and other institutions, we were also forced to reduce the number of employees, and it was a very hard and sad for me.
What are your contacts with Serbian politicians? Does anyone of them seek your advice or oppinion on state or national issues?
My doors are always open, and it is up to them if and when they decide to ask me for advice.
With whom among politicians do you have the highest level of cooperation?
The basic principle of Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy is political neutrality. There are no favourite political parties.
What kind of relationships do you currently have with Vuk Draskovic?
My relationship with Vuk Draskovic, and all other politicians, is based on that principle.
Do you think that your Serbian is a hindrance to better communication with the people of Serbia?
My Serbian I am proud to tell you is better than many think. Of course there are difficult words like in any language. I think you can imagine there are a few people who negatively wish I did not speak any language.
Do your sons, Princes Peter, Philip and Alexander, speak Serbian?
They have made great strides ahead with our language.
Have you ever regretted the decision to come and live here?
I love my country, but I regret only that I was not allowed to come earlier.
WE PAID OFF MONTENEGRINS
There was a controversy regarding the Montenegrin Prince Nikola Petrovic who is your blood relation. Do you think that your grandfather King Aleksandar made a mistake when he expelled King Nikola in 1918?
This whole issue is a result of poor knowledge about the historical facts. The government of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croatians and Slovenians in fact protected Petrovic family from some decissions taken by Podgorica Assembly in 1918, where some hasty decisions were taken without any outside pressure. All members of the Petrovic family were compensated with 42 million dinars in 1927/28, partially in cash and partially in monthly portions. All members accepted and signed this agreement. Monthly payments stopped in 1945. You can not blame any of Karageorgevitch for that.
OR – OR
Democracy or Monarchy?
Both democracy and constitutional monarchy, don’t you know that nowadays those two are hand in hand like in Sweden and all the other constitutional monarchies?
Zvezda or Partizan?
Both Zvezda and Partizan and our national team.
Manchester or Arsenal?
Fun to watch.
Cricket or polo?
Tennis, basketball, water polo, volleyball, all sports in which we were the world champions.
Tadic or Nikolic?
I respect both of them
English or Serbian?
Serbian and English.
BROZ GHOST AT THE WHITE PALACE
Josip Broz also lived at the White Palace. Are you still haunted by his “ghost”?
There are no ghosts in Dedinje compound, only the remnants of history from 1922 till present. I invite you and your readers to come and check this.
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