CorD Magazine No.42 by CorD Magazine

Strengthening unity H.E. Paulo Tiago Fernandes Jeronimo da Silva Portuguese Ambassador in Belgrade

Both Kosovo & Europe Božidar Ðelić Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia

Paris in the Soul Alain Boyer Renowned French artist exhibiting at Belgrade’s French Cultural Centre

interviews opinions news comments events www.cordmagazine.com

October 2007 / Issue No. 42 / Price 170 RSD

Voices of Reason

Cord, October 2007

36 Society

Politics & diplomacy

Clarification required

Interview: British Ambassador H.E. Stephen Wordsworth

Both Kosovo & Europe

Strengthening unity

Interview: Portuguese Ambassador H.E. Paulo Tiago Fernandes Jeronimo da Silva

Continuing Ðinđić’s policies

Interview: Božidar Ðelić, Deputy PM of Serbia

Ethics of Print

Seeking justice

CorD B2B

Interview: Dörte Weidig, Chairperson of the Executive Board of ProCredit Bank in Serbia

Interview: Bogoljub J. Karić, President of the Power of Serbia Movement

Details divulged

CorD lays bear the contract on concessions for the Horgoš – Požega motorway Managing Director Ana Isaković, a.isakovic@cma.co.yu Editor in Chief Mark Pullen, m.pullen@cma.co.yu Art Director Darko Staničić, d.stanicic@cma.co.yu Editorial Contributors Tatjana Ostojić, Ivica Petrović, Vojislava Vignjević, Pat Anđelković, Sonja Ćirić, Alex Papke, Danijela Milosavljević Photo Jelena Mandić, Stanislav Milojković, Časlav Vukojičić, Jelena Seferin, Nemanja Savić, CorD Archive, Tanjug Translators Dejan Zubac, Tijana Pejčić, Milica Kuburu-Jovanović, Momčilo Drakulić Editorial Manager Jelena Vignjević, j.vignjevic@cma.co.yu Subscription & Web Ivan Lakatoš, i.lakatos@cma.co,yu

4 CorD / October 2007

Faces & Places – images of the key happenings of the past month Tales from the Big Plum – Pat Anđelković demystifies Belgrade Ivica’s Edge – An alternative look at trends, fads and phenomena

Interview: Vladan Batić, MP, President of the Demo-Christian Party

Business & CURRENT AFFAIRS

Positive legacy

64 68 70

CorD looks into the upcoming formation of watchdog body the Print Media Council of Serbia

Business news summary and CorD Club news

Developing with dynamism

Interview: Aleksandra Radetic, Mmd Director of Public Relations

Sales MANAGER: Sanja Zimonjić, s.zimonjic@cma.co.yu General Manager Ivan Novčić, i.novcic@cma.co.yu Financial Director Snežana Batrićević, s.batricevic@cma.co.yu Printing Politika AD CorD is published by: alliancemedia Knjeginje Zorke 11b, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 308 99 77, 308 99 88 Fascimile: +(381 11) 244 81 27 E-mail: cordeditorial@cma.co.yu www.cordmagazine.com ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliancemedia 2007

Culture

72 74 76

Micro-Narrations – announcing the 48th October Salon Strictly Jazz – A look at the upcoming annual Belgrade Jazz festival Odyssey on the Danube – the Danube Odyssey project sails into Belgrade

78 80

Paris in the Soul – Interview with visiting French artist Alain Boyer Culture News & Calendar – a look at what’s ahead in the world of culture

Leisure & Lifestyle

86 90 94

Fashion review – Luna fashion

Roman legacy – Destinations recommended by CorD and TOS Auto talk – which of these top cars takes your fancy?

Comment

Chaotic harmony Ruined Army HQ building classed as a cultural monument

Whenever I looked at the General Staff buildings, or entered one of them, I had the strong conviction that they were indestructible. That was until 1999. But even then I never thought that those buildings were some sort of cultural monuments, even symbolically. I suppose I was wrong. By Ljubodrag Stojadinović,

Politico-military affairs commentator, Politika Daily

remember one of the possible definitions of culture, according to which culture is “everything that is in history, conceived in the human spirit and made by human hand”. This might be right; it may apply to the rather general determination that the army is mostly part of the irrational human spirituality. Therefore, over time, the General Staff (GS) buildings became both a symbol and a blot on the landscape of Nemanjina Street, some sort of metaphor for ravines and rivers, post revolutionary eternity, red brick as the new criteria of mass culture. Although the buildings have outlived their idea, they have rather outgrown their creator in terms of steadfastness of style. At one moment, they jumped out of the bottomless spiral of

“ I’ve started to consider all that to be eternal, because the military HQ on Nemanjina Street could not fall apart by itself, and it would be ludicrous for anybody to demolish those edifices when we have already started to see those buildings as a permanent part of Belgrade?”

6 CorD / October 2007

singing social realism, and became the obligatory stone cascade in the street through which you somehow get to Belgrade. More through Nemanjina than Balkanska. Up Balkanska come terrified provincials, slowly and carefully, catching their breath before their encounter with Terazije. Through Nemanjina, the arrival is more relaxed, through the wider route where vehicles flow in chaotic harmony. And when the passer-by gets to the Miloševa and Nemanjina crossroads, everyone is slightly anxious about swooping down those terrace-stairs, cut from bitter red marble, I suppose from Vis or Vencac; the miracle of an idea which could be copied from new mythology. Have I already said that I’ve started to consider all that to be eternal, because the military HQ on Nemanjina Street could not fall apart by itself, and it would be ludicrous for anybody to demolish those edifices when we have already started to see those buildings as a permanent part of Belgrade? And they were also doing fine, by sticking stubbornly to their reddish gorge at Šumadija’s gate. However, the General Staff HQ is the symbol of military power everywhere, and its people, offices, operative centres and communication knots are always military targets. When the palatial buildings of dark red marble were hit, the marble shrieked and bitterly flew off in the different directions of the noisiest crossroads in Belgrade. Stairs, mosaics, lifts and ceilings fell down, the underground operational centre was hit (I suppose with a concrete bomb), windows and doors flew out, people died both inside and out. Yet the buildings remained, distorted and without their rough elegance, but still strong on their foundations. They have been standing there with scars and without eyes for eight years now, bearing witness even to themselves on the disposition of culture and vandalism, the traces of constructors and demolishers and everything that can touch the human senses. And emotions too, why not?! That gorge in Nemanjina Street seems as though it has widened slightly, people still pass by and watch the evidence of what happened and think about what will happen. Will, therefore, a new business building, hotel or nursery school emerge on that spot and on the same foundations? It is not known and it cannot be known. Can those scars be conserved? As a sign of the constancy of destruction, perhaps they can become one of the strangest, strongest meetings between the cultures of East and West, in the cynical harmony of construction and destruction. n

Diplomacy

Clarification Interview: H.E. Stephen John Wordsworth, British Ambassador to Serbia

required British Ambassador Stephen Wordsworth may have only spent nine months in Belgrade so far, but he is far from new to the region. Moreover, with fellow Contact Group ambassadors of the U.S., France and Germany, all new arrivals, Ambassador Wordsworth finds himself among the longest serving ambassadors in the Contact Group formation in Belgrade. This month CorD speaks to the experienced British diplomat about his experiences in the region, the issue of Kosovo and bilateral relations between Belgrade and London.

8 CorD / October 2007

By Mark R. Pullen; Photo: Jelena Seferin, tanjug, gloria look at Ambassador Stephen Wordsworth’s curriculum vitae shows that he is certainly more qualified than many to comment on the region of the Western Balkans. Having served on secondment as a political advisor in the NATO European Military HQ from 1994 to ’98, during the first three years of the NATO-led mission in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Wordsworth went on to lead a Foreign Office unit helping to coordinate London’s response to the refugee crisis in and around Kosovo in 1999, before becoming the head of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Eastern Adriatic Department from 1999 to 2002. It was during this time that he paid his first of numerous visits to the Serbian capital. As the ambassador explains, “I first got involved with the Balkan region when I started working for NATO on secondment as the Deputy Political Advisor to the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), based in Mons, Belgium. My original focus was the Partnership for Peace, but from the middle of 1995 until I left in mid-1998, the Balkans was about 75 per cent of my job. The NATOled operation in Bosnia was the first thing that the Alliance had ever done for real; until then, NATO had only practiced and exercised.”

n How do you think NATO actually did when they were finally called into action? r I think they did very well, bearing in mind that it was something quite different from what NATO had planned for, for forty years or more. There were lots of new issues which came up. I think people realised just how important it was to keep the military and political tracks very, very close together – principally because commanders were dealing with local mayors and politicians all the time, and facing new situations where they had to be able to respond. It was a difficult thing to do to start with, but I think the people on the ground did very well. Giving an example of the numerous logistical difficulties faced by NATO back in the mid-‘90s, Ambassador Wordsworth explains: “The operation was launched in December that year [1995]. The weather was terrible and I remember that the U.S. forces were building a bridge across a river, in order to get their forces into place. But the river just kept getting wider and wider, because of the awful rain, and the bridge just kept getting longer and longer.” n How did NATO manage to separate the rival factions on the ground in Bosnia so successfully? r We took a decision, quite deliberately, to go in very heavy with something like 50,000 troops, heavy artillery and tanks. We hoped not to have to use much of it, but the first task of the NATO-led force was to separate the different factions – a task that would be made far easier if those factions could see that our forces were vastly ‘heavier’ than anything they had, and thus they felt no temptation to resist. This worked perfectly.

Commercial ties strengthening n How would you characterise bilateral economic relations between Belgrade and London, and what efforts at promoting trade and investment are being exerted by the Embassy? r Our trade and investment relationship is developing well. Overall trade this year, up to the end of July, was 27% up on the same period last year. The figures are still not as big as we would like them to be – this is not a region that many British companies are familiar with. But the Serbian Embassy in London, and we here, have set up local business groups to spread awareness and provide support for new entrants to the market.

Ambassador and Mrs Wordsworth & their dog, Max, pictured at the British ambassadorial residence in Belgrade. Photo Gloria

n What sort of an impression did Bosnia leave on you when you actually went there? r I went down for the first time in early ’96. It was pretty shocking, I must admit. I was flying over villages where one end of the village was absolutely normal, while the other end had been totally trashed. And this wasn’t because there’d been fighting there, but rather because one lot of people had been pushed out of that area by the other. This happened all over the country. Again travelling by air, this time through the hilly country of Bosnia, I saw little hill farms that were miles from the nearest town or village, but had nevertheless been destroyed. What struck me was the sheer bloody-mindedness needed to trek all the way out into the country and up into those hills to destroy farms, simply because the owners were of the wrong ethnicity for that particular region. On the ground in Mostar, I crossed the temporary steel-rope bridge that had been erected, while below me Hungarian SFOR engineers were pulling pieces of the former fantastic bridge that had been there, in order to see if anything could be reused in the reconstruction. What struck me, again, was the wanton destruction. And, as I say, it’s important to remember that it wasn’t only one side doing it. The investment put into Bosnia since 1995 by NATO and the EU, in an effort to get it right, has been huge. From our point of view, this is only part of the even bigger investment in the wider region as well, which is aimed at seeing the entire region stabilised. CorD / October 2007 9

Diplomacy

“ I see no reason why Serbia cannot initial its Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU this autumn. The negotiations have made good progress and I welcome this because it sends a positive signal to Serbia’s people and to potential investors.” r There are lots of phrases around which people don’t necessarily understand, or which are being interpreted differently by different people. Part of this process is to look concretely at what is being offered. If you want these people to accept autonomy, then you must explain what that really means. So these negotiations are a chance to be very clear. In the last round of the Ahtisaari process in Vienna, what the Serbian side were essentially saying was that the Albanians could have self administration, but with Serbia having responsibility for foreign affairs, defence, monetary policy – the higher levels of human rights and so on. And that was also their position in the first round of the new negotiating process. We’ll have to see what else comes out in the next few months.

n The issue of Kosovo is perhaps the final piece in the puzzle that will bring that much-needed stability to the entire region. Turning to this issue, wouldn’t you agree that the Ahtisaari Plan is now a dead duck? r No. It is still the only plan on the table. What we have now is a process of negotiation. The Russians, and a number of other people, have said that they felt we needed a bit more time for the parties to try to reach an agreement. So we now have the process led by the ‘Troika’, under the leadership of the Contact Group. This is essentially about giving the parties themselves the chance to come forward with whatever ideas they may have. If they don’t accept the Athisaari Plan, which of course the Serbian side doesn’t at this time, then we will have a discussion about what else can be put on the table. Currently, the basic problem remains: the starting positions of the two sides are absolutely opposed and we just can’t see a real compromise between autonomy, on the one hand, and independence, on the other. Supervised independence is a sort of compromise, because it gives the Kosovo-Albanians less than they ideally wanted, and they have accepted that. But the Serbian side clearly wants something different, and we’ll just have to see what new ideas they have. n Have the Serbian leadership properly explained this notion of ‘more than autonomy, less than independence’; Mr. Rücker [UNMIK Chief] told me he doesn’t know what it means? 10 CorD / October 2007

n What struck me when I went down to Priština was that these people do not profess to be Kosovars, but rather are proud of being ethnically Albanian. So aren’t we really just seeing here the creation of a second ethnically Albanian state, bordering Albania, on Serbian territory? r No, because this would not be a purely Albanian state. We are determined to see, as part of this process, effective guarantees for the Serbian minorities and the other minorities who have also suffered a great deal. Kosovo should be a multi-ethnic community, which is precisely why we’re not willing to discuss the idea of partition – because many of the Serbs live in the south and we don’t want to see them driven out or encouraged to leave. It’s important that those communities stay where they are. Our understanding from our people in Priština is that most of the Serbs who are now still in the south want to stay there if they can. And we need to find a way to encourage them to make a judgement that they can stay, because they live in areas that house the most important sites in terms of history and culture. n You may not wish to discuss it, but the partition you just mentioned is being thrown around as an option. Serbia itself couldn’t put it on the table, because of the Constitution, but do you think somebody else might put that option forward seriously? r One thing that both parties have agreed on in this process is that they don’t want partition. That was also the position of the Contact Group from the beginning of the whole process. Back in October 2005 the Contact Group set a series of guiding principles for Maarti Athisaari, which he followed very closely, and one of those was that notions of partition were not to be encouraged. n Hypothetically, if 90% of the population of Yorkshire wanted to break away from England would they be granted independence? r Yorkshire is a very hypothetical example; Scotland or Northern Ireland would be better. n But Scotland and Northern Ireland are not provinces of England. r The fact is that if a significant majority of the people clearly and consistently expressed their will to gain independence, then they could not be ignored.

Diplomacy

Supporting ecological efforts: Ambassador Wordsworth and the Mayor of Savski Venac, Tomislav Đorđević, pictured planting a chestnut tree at the Belgrade Grammar School on St. David’s Day, 1st March, this year.

Photo Tanjug

n Do you think that if and when we do see a final decision on Kosovo, this will be the end of it; i.e., we’re not going to see new lobbying for Preševo, etc.? r One of the reasons we think that discussion of the partition of Kosovo is a bad idea, is because of what it could and would encourage elsewhere in the region. I’ve been down to Preševo and Bujanovac a couple of times, and on both occasions we were saying, both to the local leaders and the press and TV down there, that “whatever happens in Kosovo, this area is part of Serbia”. However, people did keep saying to me “if there’s partition in Kosovo, could there be partition here too?” to which I simply responded by repeating that we do not support partition in Kosovo. n You have spoken publicly about the accession of Kosovo here in Serbia, as did Messrs Gowan and Polt before you. Does your mandate include a directive to encourage the Serbian people to accept the loss of Kosovo? r Firstly, we do understand the sensitiveness of the Kosovo question and are aware that many people in Serbia feel very passionately about this issue. In practical terms, however, although UN Resolution 1244 talks about Kosovo as part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, it made clear that Kosovo’s final status was open, and Kosovo was taken away from Belgrade’s control and put under the administration of the UN and has developed separately for eight years. Moreover, when you look back at the history of what happened in 1998 and 1999, you can understand why the Kosovo-Albanians feel the way they do. According to all the information which can be found on the website of the UNHCR and elsewhere, half of the entire population of Kosovo was driven out and forced into refugee camps in Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro. I was in Kosovo cleansing …people here say to me: “yes, we saw the reports at the time, but those people were all actors.” But, of course, they weren’t actors… this ghastly process saw the expelling of around 859,000 people – according to the UNHCR 12 CorD / October 2007

EU integration I see no reason why Serbia cannot initial its SAA with the EU this autumn. The negotiations have made good progress and I welcome this because it sends a positive signal to Serbia’s people and to potential investors.

London at that time, dealing with the humanitarian aspects of the British Government’s contribution to handling that crisis, and I went to the biggest refugee camp – in Macedonia – and saw the situation for myself. Unfortunately, that reality is simply not recognised here. At the time that was because of the propaganda of the Milošević regime, but it hasn’t been adequately corrected since then. As such, people here will say to me: “yes, we saw the reports at the time, but those people were all actors.” But, of course, they weren’t actors. The UNHCR’s website still has all the reports from the first half of 1999, some of which described on an almost daily basis the numbers of people they were handling, noting that people were being shipped out from Priština on ‘special trains’ organised to take them to the border and dump them in the rain and mud. On one occasion – 2nd April 1999 – as many as 25,000 were expelled in one day. The camp I went to contained tens of thousands of refugees. This was a ghastly process that saw the expelling of a total of around 859,000 people – according to the UNHCR’s figures on the numbers they received and dealt with in the three countries. To say to those people that they can go back, but in a few years they’ll have to once again accept the authority of Belgrade – which many of them, naturally, associate with the atrocities – is very hard to imagine as being possible. None of this is to excuse what happened when the Albanians did go back, which was – in some cases – to subject Serbs and Roma to great violence, and ultimately drive many of them from their homes. Now we are seeking to get away from this cycle of violence by implementing something that will actually work. As I have said, if the two sides can agree on something different this autumn, then fine, but if not then we will turn to the only detailed plan we have: the Athisaari Plan for supervised independence. EU – Kosovo clause I think the Kosovo situation has to be resolved, and before Serbia can actually join the EU, which is a fair few years away yet, we need to know what is actually joining the EU. Will it be Serbia with Kosovo or without?

Diplomacy

n What’s the difference between independence and supervised independence? r The supervision aspect of the Ahtisaari Plan is a reflection of the fact that we understand very well that Kosovo is not an entity, or a state if it becomes one, that ought to be left to run its own affairs. There needs to be security, provided both by local structures and a NATO-led force; the EU needs to be very closely involved, with a law and order mission on the ground; and we need to have some senior figure, a bit like the high representative in Bosnia, with the power to overturn any bad decisions of the local authorities. n And the people of Kosovo will accept that? r They’ve said they will. Indeed, their parliament has adopted resolutions supporting the Ahtisaari package, even though some of them didn’t like bits of it. For instance, numerous political figures in Kosovo were strongly opposed to the provisions on the Kosovo security force: they felt it was restrictive and they wanted to form a full army, but the Ahtisaari Plan says that they will not be allowed to do so. There is no need to do so anyway, because their security is already guaranteed by the NATO-led force on the ground. n Do you think that the entire region of the former Yugoslavia needs to see the setting up of a truth and reconciliation

Britain’s role: global vs. euro? n The U.S.’s image has certainly gone down hill in recent years. Would you agree that, by association, the UK’s post-9/11 ‘war on terror’ policy has weakened the country’s position in Europe and weakened the country’s image globally, i.e. with such a dominant economic and social position regionally, wouldn’t Blair’s government have been better advised to devote more time to exerting its influence over Europe rather than engaging in war in Afghanistan and Iraq and, ultimately, reaching serious disagreements with French and German allies? r There is no doubt that our role in, for example, Afghanistan and Iraq, has been controversial. But we believe there were good reasons for those decisions, and that, in the end, they will be seen to have been right. And while they have been controversial operations, and have absorbed a lot of resources, they haven’t deflected us from other priorities, in the EU and elsewhere. Just recently, for example, we reached agreement with our EU partners on some really ambitious targets for carbon reductions – and of course we still play an important political role globally through our permanent membership of the UN Security Council, and in this region through the Contact Group. 14 CorD / October 2007

commission that will help the people of all the former republics understand exactly what went on where and to whom? r I think that there’s a great lack of understanding in the region, and I do think we need to see some process aimed at helping people really understand what happened – what was done in their name, what was done to them, what the consequences were, etc. This is because it’s very hard for the people to understand what needs to happen now if they can’t understand what happened ten years ago. The information is there, via reports of organisations like the UNHCR and others, but most people don’t access that information and we end up with a very one-sided picture on all sides; the governments are still not giving people the full story. The ideal, I suppose, would be one day to have a single school history book in all the countries of the region, telling the story of what really happened and ensuring that young people have an accurate account of the former country’s break-up. That’s something that needs to be worked towards, because you can’t achieve real reconciliation between the peoples and countries of this region until everybody accepts what was done to others in their name, and what was done to them in the name of their neighbours. The fact is that many people suffered appallingly in this region, and we need to reach at least some common level of understanding on what actually happened. n EU integration and acceptance of Kosovo’s independence are not inextricably linked at present. Do you think this will remain the case, i.e. does Serbia have to accept the loss of Kosovo in order to move forward, or can they simply ignore it? r I think the Kosovo situation has to be resolved, and before Serbia can actually join the EU, which is a fair few years away yet, we need to know what is actually joining the EU. Will it be Serbia with Kosovo or without? Where are the borders and how far do the responsibilities of Belgrade stretch? So, we certainly need to have clarification about the future of Kosovo. We haven’t moved to conditioning in terms of saying that Serbia must accept this, that or the other as a precondition to joining, but I think we would need clarification on the status of Kosovo before we could welcome Serbia as a member of the Union, simply because we would need to know precisely what is actually joining. n But Cyprus was allowed to join despite no such ‘clarification’ on what was joining the EU? r Cyrpus is indeed an example. But I think, on the whole, most people would say that this is not something we would like to repeat. I think also that because Cyprus is an island, the whole problem is self-contained, whereas here the risk is that not resolving the issue of Kosovo could lead to the destabilisation of the entire Balkan region. n Putting Kosovo aside, let’s talk about Serbia’s Euro-Atlantic integration process. The Serbian Government is expecting to complete SAA negotiations by year’s end and achieve full EU integration by 2012. Do you think this is a realistic target, and what would you say is needed to be done in order for Serbia to move forward? r I see no reason why Serbia cannot initial its Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU this autumn. The negotiations have made good progress and I welcome this because it sends a positive signal to Serbia’s people and to potential investors. For a full signature, however, every EU member must put its name to the agreement individually, and that’s when the question of full cooperation with The Hague tribunal will be really important. Serbia needs to do all it can to demonstrate to the Chief Prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, that it is co-operating fully, before she moves on from her job at the end of this year. n

politics

Both Kosovo Božidar Đelić, Deputy Serbian Prime Minister

& Europe This September was a month for summarising the initial results of the Government of Serbia after its first 100 days. And so, somewhere in between the end of SAA negotiations, a visit to Lisbon and preparations for the expected arrival of ICTY prosecutor Carla del Ponte, busy Deputy Serbian Prime Minister Božidar Đelić managed to find the time to speak with CorD.

By Tatjana Ostojić; Photo: Stanislav Milojković n In your opinion, how has the Government of Serbia performed in its first 100 days? r Significant progress has been made regarding all five priorities, first of all in terms of Kosovo and Metohija. When the Government was formed Ahtisaari’s plan was on the table. According to some, that plan should have been quickly adopted by the UN Security Council, leaving only minor formalities separating us from the complete independence of Kosovo. Today, we can recognise the great success of our diplomacy in gaining support – not only from the Russian Federation, but also from a number of important European countries and other nations around the world. Indeed, we have gained support for our positions all around the world; so much support that we now have a round of talks that have just been opened, and where instead of a single negotiator – who, unfortunately, showed a certain degree of subjectivity at times – we have three of them. The EU has also delegated one of the most experienced diplomats at its disposal – Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger. This shows how seriously the EU is treating this issue. In the last couple of days, the issue of Kosovo has been among the key topics discussed by the EU Council of Ministers, where agreement was reached on the importance of the issue. During our visit to Portugal, which is now presiding over the EU, President Tadić and I were told that Portugal and Europe wants the EU to be even more active in that process, and that one of the problems that has led to so many difficulties on this matter is derived from the fact that Europe has let others deal with that issue. The second priority is acceleration of European integration. Only 28 days after 16 CorD / October 2007

constitutional respect n Will there be presidential elections by the end of the year or not? r One should respect the Constitutional Law, and our constitution prescribes that the presidential elections should be announced by the end of the year, and so shall it be. Those suggesting that the constitution should be violated can do so themselves. They should present their arguments in favour of breaking the fundamental law of our country; a constitution that was the topic of a very broad consensus and was confirmed by the majority of our citizens. by the end of the next year, that would be a fantastic success. Our third priority is co-operation with The Hague Tribunal [ICTY]. During the first two weeks of the Government, two Hague indictees were extradited. Mrs. del Ponte gave a very positive report to the European Commission and the Security Council, and we believe that after her visit on 21st September she will give a positive report by the end of the year. Expectant Đelić is confident of SAA signing by year’s end

the formation of the Government, negotiations started; after just 100 days into the Government’s term, negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement were drawn to a close. This is a key agreement, the first and simultaneously the last that we will sign with Brussels before entering the EU. The Agreement covers the whole sixyear period starting from 2008. I expect the [SAA] agreement to be initialled in the first part of October, and if we continue to improve our co-operation with The Hague it will be signed by the end of the year. That was confirmed by European Commission President Barroso to Prime Minister Koštunica, as well as being confirmed by the President and Prime Minister of Portugal, as well as the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs. In comparison, Montenegro harmonised the Agreement last year, initialled it in March and will sign it in October. That speaks volumes about the speed of Serbia and, if we exclude the 13-month break in negotiations, Serbia has completely negotiated the Agreement in under nine months, which is the quickest time to date. The dialogue we have established with the European Commission has allowed us to begin a process that, following the signing of the Visa Benefits Agreement on 18th September (and its implementation from 1st January 2008) will lead us to the White Schengen list. The Prime Minister of Italy and former Chairman of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, has just sent a very clear message to the European Summit in which he stated that Serbia should not be pushed, but should rather be shown her European perspective. If we acquire candidate status

n Do you really think that Carla del Ponte will give a positive report? r The latest indications are that a number of people in the Tribunal think that co-operation has been sluggish in a way. I am sure that during her visit to Belgrade – and she is preparing herself very well at an operational level – we will deliver all institutional-level information to her. Moreover, one of her representatives is in the team managing operations, which ensures that we’re not a black hole: they’re completely informed and, of course, we’re open to any of the Tribunal’s suggestions on ways we can do things better, more efficiently or differently. There is no dispute about that, and there is total consensus in the Government that this co-operation should be brought to a close and that the remaining indictees, those suspected of the most heinous crimes, be apprehended and extradited to The Hague Tribunal. On the other side, who could have known that General Đorđević would be registered as a worker in Budva, Montenegro, for

three years when everybody said that he was in Russia? This just goes to show that this whole process is not easy. The fourth priority is the fight against crime and corruption. Here we have also seen significant progress. A day ago another gang of cigarette smugglers was apprehended, and prior to that a group that had operated 12 years ago were arrested. Difficult things are happening within the University, but it is necessary to show that crime doesn’t pay and that our country is united in its resolve to deal with this problem. In the meantime, the parliament has ratified the Agreement on Co-operation of Police Forces in the South Eastern Europe. Last but not the least, is the fight for a better standard of living. Salaries have grown by 15.5% in real terms since the beginning of the year. Now, with an average net salary of €320 per month, Serbia has twice the

CorD / October 2007 17

politics average salary of Bulgaria, which is in the EU, and our citizens have higher salaries than workers in all the countries of the region with the exception of Croatia. Of course, this still doesn’t relate to ‘high’ salaries or big pensions, but it does means that we can already see a better life ahead. The economy has grown by 8.9% this year and is the fastest growing in Europe. Backing that up is the growth of services; the construction industry is growing by 50 per cent; investments On the up Deputy PM Đelić expects investments are increasing and, despite there not €2.5billion in 2007 being a single major privatisation so far this year, we have received investments we see that that claim is simply untrue; of €1.8billion – that is 70 per cent more than investors continued to rush towards our last year. We expect a total of €2.5billion country. The JAT privatisation process has worth of investments this year, and we have started: the Advisor has already been apmajor tasks ahead of us, particularly in the pointed and the privatisation of JAT’s techinfrastructure domain. nical parts has already started, and we now I think that, all told, this Government’s have interested parties. results for the first 100 / 120 days are good. Furthermore, we have completed one This Government is specific because of difficult, but necessary, task: the liquidation the way in which it came to power. That of Zastava Employment and Education. said, it seems to me that this is the first time This saw 4,500 people – all of whom had that specific arrangements have been made received redundancy payments – formally for the benefit of our citizens. For instance, start working where they were actually we promised to rescind the tax on first home working during the time they were regispurchases, and we have done so; we promtered as employees of Zastava. The compleised to provide direct payments of €100 per tion of that task now leaves room for the full hectare of planted land, and we have done privatisation of Zastava itself. so; we promised to decrease VAT on IT We have decided that during this govhardware and software from 18 to eight per ernment’s mandate the companies EPS and cent, and we have done so. We are also well Airport will not be privatised, nor will Telaware of what we haven’t done regarding the ekom. Well, we can say that there will not further support of our country’s population be a majority privatisation of Telekom. policy, but that is because this represents a One decision we need to pass is if, and if major long term problem. We promised to so how, NIS [national petroleum company increase income levels from 65 to 100 per Naftna Industrija Srbije] shall be privatised. cent during pre-natal pregnancy leave. We haven’t done this yet, but we are working on That is a big decision that we didn’t make in it. We promised to change the Pensions Act, the first 100 days of the Government, but I in order to harmonise the growth of pen- expect that it will be made very soon. sions with the growth of salaries, and this n What will the signing of the Stabilisashall be completed by year’s end. tion and Association (SAA) Agreement n The nation waited a long time to see the actually bring us? formation of the Government, and many r People ask what’s new there. Firstly, all were of the opinion that during that peri- the trade benefits we have received from od everything stopped functioning. How the European Commission can currently be is the government functioning today? cancelled in an instant. But once you have r If we look at the amount of investments, signed the Agreement there is a stability

Kosovo

ICTY

Serbia will not allow herself to be pulled into this very nonEuropean dilemma of preserving territorial integrity. Serbia wants both to keep Kosovo and to enter Europe.

co-operation with The Hague Tribunal will remain an issue until the remaining indictees are extradited. Our citizens shouldn’t have any doubt about that.

Between 65 and 72% of people in Serbia want EU membership. But, when you ask if they’re prepared to change their living habits, only 33% express willingness.

18 CorD / October 2007

which lasts six years. That is some stability for our economists. However, the Agreement is so much more important simply because it is a prerequisite for the next step, which is the granting of EU candidacy status. Once we have that status, the remaining two parts of the European budget that are currently unavailable to us will become accessible. These pertain to funding for agriculture and funding for regional development. The European budget has earof marked €190.9million for Serbia for the year 2008. I expect that by 2009 we will see the tripling or quadrupling of that budget allocation. My dream is to see Serbia achieve an annual budget allocation of a billion euros by the end of the mandate of this Government. This is particularly because during that period Bulgaria will be receiving €1.6billion, which will leave our country in a detrimental position despite the countries being of similar size. n What does Serbia need to do to gain EU candidate status? r I can say that the co-operation with The Hague Tribunal will remain an issue until the remaining indictees are extradited. Our citizens shouldn’t have any doubt about that. The other thing is that we have to harmonise our legal framework, just like all other countries. This amounts to some 60,000 pages of regulations. Besides that, our citizens have to accept the necessity of change, and that is accepted only formally. Between 65 and 72 per cent of people in Serbia want us to join the EU. However, when you ask them if they are prepared to change their living habits, only 33 per cent express willingness; more than half of the others are unwilling. I disagree with those who say that perhaps we don’t have to fully enter the EU. This is not true. However, I do agree that the process of European integration is more important than the actual act of accession. n Is the question of Kosovo a condition for the granting of candidate status? r It is clear that those two processes and issues are unrelated. In Serbia, there is a paranoid hunt for even the briefest statement of even the lowliest clerk from a foreign country who will confirm a thesis of linkage between those two issues; a notion that certain special considerations are required, relating to Kosovo, in order for the European integration of Serbia to be accelerated to a certain extent. I can say that this is not required and even if it was this wouldn’t be accepted. Serbia will not allow herself to be pulled into this very non-European dilemma of preserving territorial integrity. Serbia wants both to keep Kosovo and to enter Europe. n

Diplomacy

Interview: H.E. Paulo Tiago Fernandes Jeronimo da Silva, Portuguese Ambassador to Serbia

Strengthening

Unity The Portuguese Presidency of the EU Until year’s end, the reigns of the EU will be in Portugal’s hands, as the Iberian nation faces the challenges of the Union’s rotating presidency for the third time in its history.

20 CorD / October 2007

he last time Portugal held the EU presidency, back in 2000, the southern European nation set in motion steps to improve the Union’s much-needed co-operation with Africa, and now again Portugal is addressing this very issue. But this is just one of a host of hot topics that are being addressed during Portugal’s presidency. n According to the official document ‘Priorities of the Portuguese Presidency’, “this is a moment for action. It is essential to improve the functioning of the EU through the reform of the Treaties in order to ensure better implementation of the Lisbon Strategy and more efficient external action.” How do you plan to achieve the consensus necessary for Europe to improve its functionality? r This sentence clearly states the three main goals pursued by the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union. The reform of the treaties emerges naturally as the highest priority. It is nowadays more than evident that the EU needs a new treaty and the European Council delivered to Portugal the mandate to call an IGC to carry out this task until year’s end. There was consensus within the European Council to provide the Portuguese Presidency (PP) with a clear and precise mandate: the new Treaty will be neither a Constitution nor a substitute for the existing Treaties. As matter of fact, this new Treaty is just going to amend and to complete the existing treaties with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the enlarged Union, as well as the coherence of its internal and external action. Concerning the other two goals, there was no need to try and reach a consensus: on the one hand, 2007 is the first year in which all the instruments of the Lisbon Strategy are being applied in a concerted manner. We all think that now is the right moment to prepare the new cycle that will be launched next year and the PP is working with the European Commission and with the forthcoming Presidency in these preparations. On the other hand, the motto of the PP, “A stronger Union for a Better World”, is also very consensual. In fact, this maxim has a double meaning: first, that the EU needs to make the necessary reforms and to adopt new policies in order to become stronger both in institutional and economic; and second, that the Europe must contribute with all its means

“ Employment remains one of the main concerns of all the EU citizens. For these reasons, the Portuguese Presidency is engaged in promoting a large debate on the role of employment policies, methods of coordination and social protection.” to improve the world situation, which implies to projecting its own values in an increasingly interdependent world and to maintain a high level dialogue with the leaders of all countries and organisations around the world. n In line with the SISone4ALL proposal, Portugal aims to open the way for the abolition of border controls between Schengen area Member States before the end of its Presidency. How are you planning to achieve this? r I dare to say that this goal is practically achieved. Since 1st September all the countries operating within the Schengen are able to have access to their common database, due to the complete implementation of the Portuguese project SISone4ALL. At this moment, we already have a system encompassing 24 countries that are linked to one another and during this month the evaluation of the proper use and good knowledge of the Schengen Information System will be done in each of the states now in operation, to confirm the opening of terrestrial and maritime borders at the end of the year. For the Portuguese Presidency this represents a real success because we do believe that the free movement of people is actually one of the cornerstones of the European Union.

leisure life

Host city

fond feelings

I must confess that I enjoy spending my free time in activities and hobbies which are normally performed at home.

Belgrade is a friendly city for the foreigners who live here and for the tourists who are visting in increasing numbers.

After almost three years in Belgrade, I feel actually much closer to Serbia in general and to Belgrade in particular than when I arrived here.

n The impact of modernisation of public administrations on competitiveness and growth are being examined during the Portuguese Presidency, while particular attention is being paid to the internal EU market and the fight against tax evasion and fraud. Could you tell us in more detail how these issues are being addressed during your country’s presidency? r Your question refers to several important and complex issues. It would be difficult for me to enter in detail on them without being very long. Nevertheless, I can tell you that the PP is paying particular attention to the issue of the modernisation of public administrations, because this modernisation always has a strong impact on competitiveness and on economic growth, besides being one of the most important tools to improve the health of public finances, as it allows more efficiency in the fight against tax evasion and fraud. As far as the internal market is concerned, the PP will take further steps towards completing it, in order to ensure that it functions smoothly on a level playing field. The European Commission is due to present a review on the Single Market Policy by the end of the year, including the new Single Market Strategy, and the PP intends to open the debate on it as soon as this crucial communication of the European Commission is presented. n Portugal is set to mark the 10th anniversary of the European Employment Strategy with a debate on the role of employment policies and methods of coordination, with the central aim of promoting the creation of more and better jobs. Having once been the poorest country CorD / October 2007 21

Diplomacy

Defining Lisbon-Belgrade relations Bilateral relations between Portugal and Serbia may be assessed as frankly positive at all levels. As a matter of fact, there was not in the past any particular factor favouring the closeness between the two countries and even so these relations are quite good; better than one could expect, taking into account the geographical distance between them and some less favourable historical vicissitudes. They are positive relations as I said, but are very far from having reached the wished level of excellence, particularly in the economic field. in the 15-nation EU, how has Portugal’s own employment levels improved over recent years? r Actually, in the past Portugal faced serious problems related to unemployment. Over recent years, due mainly to the improvement of the country’s economic situation and as a result of a more consistent policy with regard to worker’s training, favouring namely the mobility, it was possible to surmount some of these problems. Yet, Portugal, as other EU countries, is still feeling great difficulties in this particular field. Employment remains one of the main concerns of all the EU citizens. For these reasons, the PP is engaged in promoting a large debate on the role of employment policies, methods of coordination and social protection. A central concern for Europe must be job creation, and in fact quality job creation, in areas of great potential for growth. The issues debated in the framework of “flexicurity” will also be on the table, as part of the current debate on it at the European level. The discussion will centre on the possibility of finding common principles to underpin a strategy incorporating the need for both flexibility and security. n The development of a European perspective for the Western Balkans has been a central feature of the EU’s agenda. Does Portugal now intend to further the EU accession processes of the western Balkan countries (specifically Croatia and Serbia), and will your presidency specifically address Turkey’s progress in line with the EU enlargement plan? r In line with the decisions and commitments of the 2003 Thessalonica Summit and the Salzburg meeting of 2006, the Portuguese Presidency is working to ensure the Union’s continued commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans, namely by supporting and consolidating the various Stabilisation and Association Processes which are being negotiated with the countries of the region and making this European perspective more tangible and concrete, inter alia by promoting peopleto-people contacts through visa facilitation agreements, in parallel with readmission agreements. As far as enlargement is concerned, the PP feels that the reform of the Union should facilitate the fulfilment of existing commitments which must be fully 22 CorD / October 2007

respected; therefore, accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia are progressing under the PP in accordance with the provisions set out in the negotiating frameworks. n The issues of climate change and sustainable energy models remain priority actions through your presidency. How will Portugal try to tackle these issues further; are any new direct initiatives addressing the matter? r Climate change is one of the great challenges for the future and remains a high priority for the EU. The Portuguese Presidency will pursue the necessary preparatory works within the EU for the United Nations Conference on climate change and on 24th September, the Prime Minister of Portugal, José Sócrates, as President of the European Council, will be present and will deliver a speech at this high level meeting summoned by the UN’s Secretary General. There are more and more frequent and devastating occurrences that clearly require a common approach and adequate response mechanisms. In this particular field, the PP is also paying a close attention to water scarcity and

“The first Summit between the EU and Africa was organised under the Portuguese Presidency in 2000, and Portugal would like to give a concrete follow up by organising a second one”

drought issues. Concerning the adoption of sustainable energy models, the PP is trying to make this concept more concrete and operational and to consolidate the EU’s leading role in the process. n September saw the staging of the European Neighbourhood Policy Conference in Brussels. Is Portugal set to further address the issue of deepening relations with these countries, through specific initiatives implemented during its mandate; hypothetically, could some or all of these countries (Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine) eventually become full members of the EU, or is the Union ultimately restricted by its own geography? r The European Neighbourhood Policy was created in 2004 with the aim of strengthening relations between an enlarged EU and its neighbours through the establishment of a privileged relationship, both politically and economically. The ENP remains different from the process of enlargement even though it does not preclude, in regard to our European neighbouring countries, a possibility of further developing that relationship. With Russia, who is not included in ENP countries, a Strategic Partnership is being developed through the creation of four common spaces. The PP attaches great importance to further developing this relationship and therefore is planning a Summit with Russia for 26th September. Under the PP, there will be also a Summit with Ukraine on 14th September, being this high level meeting one of the top priorities for our common policy agenda. Relations with the Mediterranean region are also one of our main goals. Increased dialogue will include areas of common interest such as migration and conflict prevention. The 9th Euromed MFAs Meeting will be held in Lisbon in early November. Particular attention is being given to the Middle East Peace Process. The Portuguese MFA, Luis Amado, is going to visit the region this month in preparation of the Peace Conference that is due to be held next November. n In an increasingly globalising world it is no surprise that the Portuguese Presidency aims to see implementation of the “Global Approach to Migration”. Do you believe there is a general misconception within the EU regarding the need for economic global migration and, if so, how should this best be addressed? r As you mentioned, migration is one of the major global issues for today’s agenda. The PP believes that EU dialogue and partnership with countries of transit and origin of migration flows has to be

Diplomacy r Africa and Europe have a recent history of missed opportunities. The first Summit between the EU and Africa was organised under the Portuguese Presidency in 2000, and Portugal would like to give a concrete follow up to this high level meeting by organising a second one, also in Lisbon, during its present Presidency. It’s time for the two continents to develop a Joint Strategy to allow them to act together and solve the common problems in a swift and more appropriate manner. The EU has a consequent and robust co-operation policy and the African countries are among the first beneficiaries of this policy, which is mainly oriented to help these countries to reach a sustainable development. Nevertheless, the PP does believe that a political dialogue between the leaders of the two continents is also crucial and unavoidable.

intensified and should not be restricted to illegal issues only. We have to have a holistic approach. Therefore, it is our intention to promote debate on issues such as legal migration channels, integration of migrants and health policies, in connection to development policies and readmission. To this end, among other initiatives, the PP will host a high level conference on legal migration and a Euromed Ministerial meeting on migration issues (mid November). n The commencement of Portugal’s EU presidency was marked by the first ever EU-Brazil Summit. How important a partner is Brazil to Portugal generally, and when do you realistically expect an association agreement between the EU and the Mercusol group of Latin American nations to be signed? r For several reasons, Brazil is a major and strategic partner for Portugal and we do believe that it will also become one for the EU in the near future. The First Summit between the European Union and Brazil, which took place in Lisbon in July, set the launching of a new strategic partnership, thus marking the beginning of a new relationship. Brazil has developed a growing socio-economic projection (including on energy and climate change) and a role in the international scene, specifically in the Latin-American region, by promoting regional integration and political stability in South America. These are some of the aspects which allow Brazil to stand out on an international level, thus justifying 24 CorD / October 2007

Belgrade Appreciation I didn’t have real preconceptions of Belgrade and Serbia. Of course, I was following the evolution of the country situation from abroad and so I had at least some more or less defined notions on the present political environment. But, to tell the truth, I arrived in Belgrade mainly with expectations. Expectations that, I can say now, were not frustrated. After almost three years living in Belgrade I feel actually much closer to Serbia in general and to Belgrade in particular than when I arrived here. I guess I was able, during my stay here, to learn how to appreciate properly and completely what was offered to me. the establishment of this Partnership. Due to the large convergence of values and interests between Europe and Latin America, the PP is also devoting special attention to the negotiations on an agreement between the EU and Mercosul. Nevertheless, I am not in a position to say when this process of negotiation, which is being re-energised, will be completed. n Lisbon will host the summit between the EU and Africa during its presidency. What tangible steps will be proposed to ensure the EU and Africa can take advantage of the many mutual opportunities available to them?

n The global public have been focused on the Portuguese police since the disappearance of little British girl Madeleine McCann and the constant vigil kept on ETA suspects fleeing from neighbouring Spain. Is Portugal going to use the presidency to put some security issues on the EU agenda, particularly in terms of greater inter-police co-operation and the implementation of the EU Strategy on Counter-Terrorism? r The PP intends to continue work regarding not only inter-police co-operation, but also increased efficiency in co-operation between justice systems and police, especially in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. At the same time, protection of fundamental rights have to be guaranteed, namely in regard to protection of personal data. Europol and Eurojust have been good examples of this co-operation. Further judicial co-operation is needed, in particular with regard to the mutual recognition of decisions. As far as the police cooperation is concerned, particular attention will be paid to preventing biological terrorist attacks (what is called “bio preparedness”) and the issue of security of explosives. n What did Portugal learn from its last presidency in 2000? r European Integration is a work in progress. To lead this process for six months is always very rewarding for a Member State and a real source of teachings. The last PP in 2000 was also in this particular domain very positive for the country. Nevertheless, European Integration is a very dynamic process and the reality changed significantly during the last seven years and so some of the valuable lessons we were able to take from this exercise are now more or less outdated and in great measure no longer appropriate for the present circumstances. n

Politics

INTERVIEW:Vladan Batić, MP, President of the Demo-Christian Party of Serbia

Continuing Ðinđić’s policies For Vladan Batić, president of the Demo-Christian Party of Serbia, the period when he was Serbia’s justice minister – in the cabinet of late Prime Minister Zoran Djindjić – was the most striking period in his rich political carreer. He particularly emphasises the results achieved in his Ministry at that time: the full computerisation of the administration of justice, the renovation of around 80 buildings, and an increase in judges’ salaries to around €500 per month.

By Vojislava Vignjević; Photo: JELENA SEFERIN atić cannot yet comment on the work of the current Justice Minister, Dušan Petrović, but as he emphasised at the beginning of his interview for CorD, he will certainly be better than the former Minister, Zoran Stojković, who set the judiciary backwards to the period of Slobodan Milošević’s rule.

n You re-entered the Parliament after joining the coalition with Čedomir Jovanović’s Liberal Democratic Party. As the oppositional group of parties, what do you insist on in the Parliament? What did you have success in? r Considering the balance of power and the kind of cohabitation which turned into a coalition between the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party of Serbia, it is hard to expect some capital move forward. But I have to say that the Parliament itself, as you can see, has somewhat atrophied. Even before the beginning of the work of the Parliament, we tried to act regarding some subjects, especially in the campaign 26 CorD / October 2007

against the adoption of such a monstrous Constitution, which even the Government itself doesn’t know what to do with. After that there followed what followed: the constitution of the Parliament, and we were particularly active during the renowned debate about the adoption of some resolutions regarding the status of Kosovo, which we were opposed to for reasons of principle. Namely, Kosovo is a lost cause regardless of how much the administration claims that it is part of Serbia. Time will show that we were right, because our policy is that we cannot again create the practice and policy according to Milošević’s matrix of spite and defiance, quarrels and conflicts with

the whole world, which is in fact happening now. We also can’t put everything on the Russian card and then expect somebody to be kind to us. We reacted to a whole series of violations of the Constitutional Law and are still pointing them out: for instance, the non-establishment of the Constitutional Court. We have, though, managed to ensure that former JUL member, Zoran Balinovac, does not present the new Law on the State Administration on behalf of the Government. …I think that we have managed to articulate a different policy, a policy which is completely different to the governing coalition’s policy and the policies of the Serbian

the same, and whether or not Russia recognises it is less important.

No faith in Priština-Belgrade negotiations: “Those direct talks will be talks between two deaf and mute sides.“

Radical Party and the Socialist Party of Serbia, by continuing something which I could call the policy of Zoran Đinđić’s Cabinet. n How do you appraise the first 100 days of the new Government? r When you listen to the Prime Minister, or deputy PM Božidar Đelić, who has allowed himself the luxury of claiming that they are the first true democratic Government – offending the memory of Zoran Đinđić by so doing so – it seems that Serbia is the land of milk and honey, despite the fact that life refutes that every day. However, I think that it is important to say that there has been no capital progress in any segments in the first hundred days of the new Government. The Government claims that there has been progress, because the agreement on association and stabilisation “might” be signed, which will bring us closer to European integration. But it will not be progress even if they sign that agreement, considering that Albania signed that agreement four years ago. n The signing of this agreement will be difficult if we do not see the establishment of full co-operation with The Hague Tribunal, will it not? r Of course. And there is no co-operation because this administration does not want to arrest Ratko Mladić. I don’t think that this administration will ever extradite Mladić and Karadžić. I am sorry, but the most sought out goods in Guča were those bearing the faces of Mladić and Legija. That is the Serbia which Koštunica is proud of. However, Koštunica does not surprise me – he is xenophobic, introverted, he hates Europe, he hates America and he lives in his autistic life of the past. What surprises me is the Democratic Party. Because of the cohabitation with such a policy and coalition with them, DS is the greatest disappointment for me… In general, the fact that we still have not signed the Stabilisation and Association agreement is not only a sign that the admin-

istration is making all the wrong moves, but also a sign that Serbia is being punished because of such a policy, and the political elite which creates, promotes and implements such a policy. n Russia has stood behind Serbia on the Kosovo issue. Do you think that this is genuine support? r Great powers take care, firstly, of their own interests, and not those of others. It has almost become a platitude that Koštunica has given Putin a free hand in resolving the Kosovo issue. It seems that Russia will save our cradle when they failed to save their own – Kiev was the capital of tsarist Russia and is now the capital of Ukraine. That is all empty rhetoric, and we are there merely to serve for bargaining purposes. Just remember the big topics during the bombing. We were watching the archive recordings on RTS of the Russian navy fleet, which apparently set off from the Black Sea towards the Adriatic to prevent the NATO bombing… and never arrived, how come? Therefore, if great powers agree regarding the defence shield, which is the main topic for them, the Russians will say “brother Serbs, we are sorry, we have tried everything” … America wants the whole European Union to recognise an independent Kosovo, our neighbours will do

n The forthcoming presidential elections have become the stumbling block between the coalition partners, particularly because of the Kosovo issue. The Democratic Party of Serbia demands that the elections be postponed until the status is resolved, while the Democratic Party wants elections to take place regardless of the solution for the Kosovo status. Could the Government collapse as a result of this issue? r I predict an ugly scenario. After the declaration of the independence of Kosovo, diplomatic relations will be broken with the U.S. and the other countries which recognise Kosovo, the Government will fall because the Democrats cannot participate in it and the new government of national unity will be established, made up of the Democratic Party of Serbia and the Serbian Radical Party. n So, everything revolves around Kosovo? r Of course. It is better for the Government that Kosovo is on the agenda rather than the economic or social situation in the country, which is catastrophic. I do not have to mention that we are far from being a legal country or that we are further and further from the European Union because of Kosovo. This administration has declared the pres-

CorD / October 2007 27

Politics

“ Kosovo is a lost cause, regardless of how much the administration claims it is part of Serbia.Time will show that we were right, because our policy is that we cannot again create the practice & policy of Milošević’s matrix of spite...” ervation of Kosovo as the major issue by claiming that Ahtisaari’s Plan is dead. Yet it remains to be seen whether it is dead or not. The Contact Group said ’try to agree’, but there will be nothing out of that. Those direct talks will be talks between two deaf and mute sides. It is clear to everybody that this is just prolonging, buying time and that the end is in sight. And, instead of seeking other alternatives, the division of the province for instance, nobody here even thinks about that… n Anti-American rhetoric is again at work where certain Ministers excel and even go that much further and demand the legal prevention of the possibility of Serbia becoming a NATO member, because NATO wants to establish its own country on our territory? r That is the continuation of Milošević’s policy; the matrix is completely the same. You see, from day to day they are managing the campaign against America, one minister, the other one, the spokesman, all with the thesis that it is now clear why NATO bombed Serbia – in order to create a NATO state on our territory etc. etc. However, I have a prize-winning question for all those patriots: what would they do to get Kosovo? Do they think that tens of policemen and soldiers should die there? How much does that cost? Do they have sovereignty in Kosovo now, because they allegedly want sovereignty on paper or effective power in Kosovo, which they have not had for eight years. What does Serbia have in Kosovo? Nothing. Where are our borders? Where our border guards are; near Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa. What would those patriots say if the Albanians said “Okay, we will stay in Serbia and participate in the Serbian Parliament.

Then we would have around 100 Albanian MPs in the Parliament and we would listen to the Albanian language. Would Koštunica and the others accept that? Of course they would not. So, be fair and say openly where things stand, because all this is empty talk and playing with other people’s lives and the continuation of Slobodan Miloševic’s rhetoric and policy. n According to your pessimistic scenario about the government of national unity, isolation is again waiting for Serbia. Is that right? r Yes, because in that case the story about Europe is only a dream. In that case we would have the official recognition of that

parliament in action

signs of life for plan

conditioned support

We reacted to a whole series of violations of the Constitutional Law and are still pointing them out: for instance, the non-establishment of the country’s Constitutional Court

This administration has declared Kosovo as the major issue, claiming that Ahtisaari’s Plan is dead.Yet it remains to be seen whether it is dead or not.

As long as DS remains beside DSS, whose crypto-nationalistic rhetoric is recently even stronger than that of the Radicals, we will not care about Boris Tadić.

28 CorD / October 2007

coexistence which already exists between the Democratic Party of Serbia and the Serbian Radical Party – Koštunica would remain the Prime Minister and Nikolić would become the President of Serbia, or vice verse. The opposition would be left with two possibilities: unite under the Democrats, as the biggest party, under the condition that this party returns to Zoran Đinđić’s path, or to declare the moratorium on political parties’ acting. If this scenario takes place, God please let me be wrong, that will be the hardest period since the establishment of the democratic opposition in Serbia. n Let’s return to the elections. The Democratic Party has already announced Boris Tadić as the candidate for the presidential elections. Will you support him? r We won’t if Koštunica supports him. If they have made some deal, we will not support that, they can carry on. As long as the Democratic Party does not move away from the Democratic Party of Serbia, whose crypto-nationalistic rhetoric is recently even stronger than that of the Radicals, we will not care about Boris Tadić. n

Politics

Stumbling blocks

Although the Constitutional Act stipulates that presidential, provincial and local elections be held by year’s end, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) is seeking to delay them, using as an argument of national-patriotic reasoning that a solution to the final status of Kosovo should be reached prior to elections. In the meantime, the Democratic Party (DS), which does not favour the delay, announced Boris Tadić as its presidential candidate. Just 100 days into the mandate of the new government, such opposing views are evidence of the deep divide that has arisen within the coalition, despite their public claims of successful teamwork. By Vojislava Vignjević uch messages as “either Kosovo or NATO” from Democratic Party of Serbia officials, as well as demands for elections to be postponed until after the status of the province is known, can be seen as an attempt to take the largest possible share in the local government from the Democratic Party. With DS calling for elections by the end of the year, and DSS stalling for as long as possible, some have taken the position of announcing the elections by the end of the year, but holding them in spring. At Koštunica’s disposal are two options – one moderate, and one extreme. The first suggests a deal with DS about a united candidacy in the local elections and support for Tadić in the presidential elections. This would enable Koštunica’s party to achieve victory on the municipal level – something it has failed to do so far. Such an agreement could be interpreted by the harder wing of DSS as the party willingly surrendering to DS, making such a move unacceptable to them. Predictably then, the party will appease these elements and continue to take the extreme approach. By continuing to stall on calling the elections until after the Kosovo status is announced, Koštunica has time to negotiate a better position for the party, which at the moment is getting only 10 per cent of the vote. Just as he did last

30 CorD / October 2007

spring in the formation of the government, it appears that Koštunica is holding out on the potential coalition until the last moment. In the meantime, sound-bites of “Kosovo or NATO” are ringing in the patriotic ears of Radicals and Socialists active in the struggle for Kosovo and opposition of Euro-Atlantic integrations. The question of whether Serbia should become a member of NATO is only being posed by one party, in the view of Dragoljub Mićunović, President of the Political Council of DS. As this issue is not currently being discussed with international representatives, Mićunović’s view is that it is only surfacing in the name of party interests: “This story is in connection with the calling of the presidential and local elections. DSS wants to weaken the position of President Tadić ahead of the next elections. Tadić is being forced to say whether or not he is for admission into NATO, and then the campaign would be built on that if an agreement with DS isn’t reached about a pre or

By continuing to stall on calling the local and presidential elections until after the Kosovo status is announced, Koštunica has time to negotiate a better position for the party

post-election coalition at the local and provincial elections,” asserts Mićunović. As a more dangerous consequence, he notes an entrance into a grey zone where the constitution and laws are not followed. According to him, an agreement is therefore needed between the leaders of the parties about the elections dates, pre-election or post-election coalitions and increase of trust without blackmail and excesses that bring into question the work of institutions, namely the parliament. Vesna Rakić Vodinelić, an expert in constitutional law, agrees with this assessment and argues as well that the matter of Kosovo is being used as an excuse to postpone the elections. “The messages from DSS are especially astonishing because that party verbally insists on legality, yet now it is openly calling for a breach of the Constitutional Act”. The dilemma “either Kosovo or NATO” leads to the question of whether it is endangering our further European integrations. In

Sound-bites of “Kosovo or NATO” are ringing in the patriotic ears of Radicals and Socialists active in the struggle for Kosovo and opposition of EuroAtlantic integration.

The EU will be interested in Koštunica’s consideration of Radicals and will no doubt use its authority to prevent the creation of the Government of National Unity.

Dragoljub Mićunović: “We will not allow the importance of the proEuropean orientation to be diminished.”

that sense, there is a red line for the Democratic Party that it will not cross, emphasises Mićunović: “We will not allow the importance of the pro-European orientation to be diminished. I don’t see any way to avoid the elections if the Constitution is followed and I hope that DSS understands that. The statements that Kosovo is more important than anything mean the suspension of the Constitution and that’s a very dangerous thing”. Deputy-President of Serbia Božidar Ðelić insists that Serbia “will not go into any kind of isolation or confrontation” concerning the solution to the question of Kosovo, while DSS is still pushing forward the standpoint of voting on it in the Serbian Assembly. The official stance of DSS is that it would be best if all relevant parties would support the proposal of DSS for the parliament to pre-emptively pass a decision that Serbia cannot join NATO if the U.S. or any other member of that military alliance recognises the independence of Kosovo unilaterally. That was heartily supported by the leader of the New Serbia Party, Velimir Ilić, who finds it logical that presidential and local elections in Serbia be held in the spring of next year, because now “a battle is being fought for Kosovo” and the election campaign would take Serbia “away from solving the main problem of Kosovo”. The DSS motive for the elections to be postponed is also seen by some analysts as Koštunica considering whether to cooperate

Velimir Ilić finds it logical that elections be held in the spring because “a battle is being fought for Kosovo”

with DS or the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) in the coming years. “It is clear that the result of the presidential elections will not be the same if they are held before the solution to the status of Kosovo or after. Should they be called within the statutory term, Tadić would have significantly better chances. If, on the other hand, there is a delay until Kosovo is gone, it is clear that the voters will be under strong emotions, that they will be angry with the West and everyone in Serbia who they see as exponents of the West, which will benefit Nikolić and the Serbian Radical Party,” explains Milan Nikolić, an analyst from the Centre for Policy Studies. Former President of the Constitutional Court, Slobodan Vučetić, says that regardless of the different interpretations, logic commands that the elections must be called by the end of the year, while the second part of the provision of the Constitutional Act means that all the necessary laws must be passed before that deadline. What is the calculation of DSS in all this? Tadić’s possible bad result in elections would lead to a weakening of the influence of DS, while Koštunica would, “through patriotic whining about the loss of Kosovo”, attempt to strengthen his position. A crisis of the democratic government would ensue and a “Government of National Unity”, that is to say, of DSS and the Radicals, would result. Under such a scenario, it would be

possible for Koštunica to keep his position as Prime Minister. All in all, time will tell whether the current disagreements inside the ranks of coalition partners DSS and DS (the third partner, G17 Plus, is in favour of the elections being held by the end of the year) will grow into a deeper political crisis that may lead to the fall of the government, in which case the option of a DSS and Radical Party coalition would still be on the table. Or, in the end, will a satisfactory solution of reconciliation between DSS and DS be found after all? In the background, one must not lose sight of the influence of the European Union, which, at least according to the often repeated statements of its leaders, desires to see Serbia continue on its path to European integrations. It this context, the EU will be particularly interested in Koštunica’s consideration of Radicals and will no doubt use its own authority and potential to prevent the creation of the Government of National Unity, i.e. through supporting the coalition of the democratic parties and their government in every way. Of course, these next elections will surely indicate the maturity and a legitimisation of democracy in Serbia, which, as its main political actors are saying, is striving towards the European road regardless of how the status of Kosovo is resolved. n CorD / October 2007 31

♀ corporate women

Positive Dörte Weidig, General Manager of ProCredit Bank in Serbia

legacy With more and more women ascending to positions of political and commercial power in Serbia, CorD launches its series on corporate women. In the coming months, this feature will introduce some of the leading foreign businesswomen in the country, offering their opinions on the business environment, life in Serbia, and their recommended steps to ensure success for women in the fast-lane. This month we introduce you to Mrs. Dörte Weidig, Chairperson of The Executive Board of ProCredit Bank in Serbia.

By Tatjana Ostojić orn in Germany in 1970, Dörte Weidig is a career banker who has already amassed five years’ worth of experience in Belgrade, having arrived in the Serbian capital back in the autumn of 2002. Prior to her transferral to boost the operations of the then fledgling ProCredit Bank in Serbia, Weidig was on another pioneering five-year mission: overseeing the establishment of a financial institution in Haiti (Micro Crédit National) and serving as its general manager. Comparing her experiences in the Caribbean to her new life in the Western Balkans,

32 CorD / October 2007

Weidig explains: “Despite having all the trappings of the Caribbean, Haiti is, unfortunately, quite a difficult country. When I came from there to here it was like travelling from one planet to another. And even though the differences were great back then, they are even greater now because Serbia has changed a lot in the last five years. Perhaps the greatest element of that change is that the people of Serbia have started to look up again. “I think that back in 2002/3 it was too early after the troubled times of the ‘90s and the people seemed exhausted, drained, depressed and, most of all, introverted. This was a reflection of the difficult situation that they had endured for over a decade and were still living in. Now, although for many people the situation is still difficult, I believe that standards have undoubtedly improved on the whole and the people are certainly more optimistic and open-minded.” Though a European by birth and nature, Weidig had felt out of touch after spending so much time in the Caribbean. As such, she took time out to get reacquainted with Europe and familiarise herself with Serbia in preparation for her departure to Belgrade. She explains: “I spent my initial time back in Europe researching to update my understanding of the situation here in Serbia. Then I became very curious because I saw too many contradictory messages in the media about what was going on here. As such, before I arrived in Belgrade I was both curious and excited to see the reality. Now, five years on, I am honestly even more excited than I was back then, simply because of the way I’ve seen the people change over the course of the past five years. “As an example, my husband moved here a year and a half ago, and the way he was accepted as a foreigner was totally different to the way I was. Things have fundamentally changed; the people are truer to themselves then they were, because they are not struggling as much in their daily lives. Moreover, living here I feel like I am totally in Europe. This has nothing to do with the EU whatsoever, but rather that the people are European; I feel surrounded by curious, ambitious and very welcoming people.” n Were you here at the very start of ProCredit’s operations in Serbia? r The bank had been operating here for about 18 months when I came, but in Haiti I’d also been working for ProCredit. Indeed, I have worked for the ProCredit Network my whole career. n Really? Why? r Because I’m deeply convinced about the concept of ProCredit; a concept about building up different kind of banks in different countries, with an approach very close

Belgrade favourites

Banking on Serbia

Gender & success

My favourite place is Zemun. I love just to go there and walk. I think it’s a wonderful part of the city. My husband and I also enjoying cycling along the rivers Sava and Danube and riding around Belgrade, which is in fact a green city, though it may not appear so at first glance.

all the banks pay a price for operating in this difficult environment, but in many ways I see this as the nicest proof of the potential of the country, simply because none of the banks are giving up as everybody believes in the potential of Serbia

I cannot say that it has been any more difficult for me in Serbia because I’m a woman.This is perhaps a positive legacy of the past, because women were always employed and incorporated in the higher levels of business structures in Yugoslavia.

to people, where banking is not turned into something technical but is rather kept at a human level, represented by a human face – as opposed to, for example, Germany, where one rarely sees a human face in a bank. This, coupled with the approach used to set up new banks, has kept me convinced in ProCredit. Moreover, ProCredit’s team is second to none. This is a group of qualified, highly dedicated, and intelligent people who are able to set up intelligent systems. We don’t have a very rigid mother institution constantly dictating to us how we should operate regardless of the environment we are working in. Rather, we have great freedom to be creative when setting up an institution which best fits in the given country, whilst also operating in line with international standards and having our personal touch. We also bring to the institution our corporate values, and I’m very happy to say that my personal values overlap 100 per cent with our corporate values, which makes it very easy for me to go to the bank each morning and just be myself, as opposed to wearing a corporate mask every day in some other company. Ultimately, I have been convinced to remain with ProCredit over the years by the

continuing challenge of creatively developing intelligent banking systems, while taking responsibility for millions of accounts. n How has ProCredit advanced during your time here? r When I arrived we had a staff of 200 employees. Now we are something like 1,600 members of staff. This figure multiplied over the years as we opened new branches across the country. And no matter how much I love Belgrade, I think one has to go out of the city if one wants to really know this country. And, thanks to all these branches

CorD / October 2007 33

corporate women ronment difficult to deal with. All in all, banking in Serbia is not easy these days, and all the banks pay a price for operating in this environment; but in many ways I see this as solid proof of the potential of the country – simply because none of the banks are giving up, despite the difficult environment, because everybody believes in the potential of Serbia. All the banks have decided to be patient and wait for all the obstacles to be removed, so that they will find themselves in a Serbia that is certain to prosper, without any doubt.

Left-to-right: Mirjana Zakanji, Member of the ProCredit Executive Board, Marko Popović, Director of PorCredit’s retail operations sector, and Dörte Weidig – pictured celebrating the fifth anniversary of ProCredit’s operations in Serbia. we’ve opened across the country, I’ve been able to travel quite a lot and see places of such beauty with the most welcoming people; places in stark contrast with the busy, stressful city of Belgrade. n If you could choose, which town in Serbia would you call home? r I wouldn’t choose a town. I would go to the mountains, perhaps Tara. I think that’s the most beautiful place in the whole country. But it’s just one of many places. The whole of Šumadija is a beautiful region, and I instantly liked Vojvodina because it reminds me strongly of the region in Germany where my mother comes from. n How did you take to the job when you first arrived here? Was it hard at that time? r It was difficult in the beginning, to a certain extent, because we were faced with many of the legacies of socialist times – mainly in the legal domain, regulations, the working methods of public institutions, including the National Bank, etc. This set up didn’t ease our work in the beginning. In some instances the laws were set up in such a way that they could not be followed precisely – sometimes because they were complicated, and sometimes because they were even contradictory – and so it was literally impossible to work in accordance with how it should be. However, I think that this has also improved. As we read in the newspapers every day, there are more and more reforms being implemented, more laws have been introduced, etc. I agree that there is more to do, but a lot has been done. 34 CorD / October 2007

One has also to realise that the transition period hasn’t lasted so long here. For example, other transition countries have taken 20 years to achieve a similar level to that already achieved in Serbia; the country has advanced through transition at a decent pace and things are already much easier, i.e. opening new branches five years ago was next to impossible: it took up to a year from finding premises, to acquiring licences, to organising construction and finally opening the branch. And even then you couldn’t be sure if you had all the legal documents required. Now it is much easier. n So you think that now times are easier for banks? r Actually, I think this is a very difficult time for banks. The competition is a factor, but first of all the fact is that the working environment for banks is difficult. As we all know, the country has macro-economic problems that need to be fought. There is inflation to be fought, a trade deficit to be fought, etc., and the one institution fighting against all of this is the National Bank of Serbia, but firstly it is difficult for one institution to be the only guardian and, on top of this, the NBS has only a limited number of instruments available to fight with. As a consequence, banks are the economic agents which are the target of their instruments. I understand their policy decision, though all those decisions ultimately come at the expense of the banks. As such, operating as a bank in Serbia these days is expensive: from the mandatory reserves, which are extremely high, to regulations regarding the dispersal of loans. This makes the envi-

n What do you think about the gender and success issue? Is it easier for a man or a woman to work in the area of bank pioneering? r People tend to say that if a woman wants to have success then she has to work X-times harder than a man, but I am not sure about that. I can say that I’ve worked as hard as I can, but I think that any man would do the same. In Serbia, I think the perception of women in the business world is quite positive. I cannot say that I’ve come across situations where I’ve had a hard time because I’m a woman. Now in ProCredit Bank we have a lot of women employed as managers, and I think they’re treated the same as the male managers. There are still closed men’s clubs and closed male circles, but that’s not necessarily a Serbian thing: it happens all over the world. I think that those men need still to get used to the idea that a woman can work in a decision-making position. However, I repeat, I cannot say that it has been any more difficult for me in Serbia because I’m a woman. This is perhaps a positive legacy of the past, because women were always employed and incorporated in business structures in Yugoslavia. Perhaps not at the highest level – a male reserve – but certainly at the upper levels. n How many hours do you spend at work a day, eight or more? r Too many. I don’t know exactly. I recently made it a rule for myself not to work too much, but sometimes there is no option. You know, there’s no recipe or formula for success in any business or institution that doesn’t involve hard work and long hours. n Does that bother your husband; does he also work long hours? r He does. I think he’s more concerned about whether or not I’m happy and satisfied, and the fact is that every hour I spend here at my work is really a pleasure for me. Of course there are tasks that nobody likes that you just do because they have to be done, but overall I must say that it’s a joy. n

interview

SeekinG INTERVIEW: Bogoljub J. Karić, President of the Strength of Serbia Movement (PSS)

justice After seven years of democratic rule and three cabinets comprising more or less the same people, it is not hard to conclude that the precious transition years in Serbia have been irretrievably misused. According to research published in Belgrade’s main dailies, the Serbian capital will finally achieve the 1989 standard of living in two years’ time, while Southern Serbia will achieve it in 122 years! Today we are in an equally difficult position as that which we were in when we emerged from the war years; perhaps we’re in an even in a more difficult one – says exiled tycoon Bogoljub J. Karić, in an interview for CorD Magazine. n Mr. Karić, how did you spend this hot summer? There were media reports that claimed you had spent time in Montenegro’s Bečići resort, staying in the Hotel Splendid. r I spent the summer thinking about what I can do, in exile, for my country, my party and my nation. I’ve been working on programmes and plans, preparing my party for the forthcoming elections. Bečići was only a figment of the tabloids’ “imagination”. I

would’ve been really happy if I had been on the Adriatic coast this summer. But that was only a small part of the strategy aimed at discrediting me and my party. Unsuccessfully, of course! n How do you spend your days out of Serbia, and how closely do you follow the situation here? r I work intensely. Upon my return to Serbia, when the legal and political conditions

Karić’s famus domestic lettuce promotion During the last presidential campaign 36 CorD / October 2007

allow that, some serious tasks will be awaiting me. The Power of Serbia Movement (PSS) has shown strength and that is what makes me happy, while annoying many others who thought that they would push me aside and thus destroy the PSS. They did not succeed. What has remained is that which is indestructible – the power of ideas, vision and political constancy. We have proved our existence on the political scene of Serbia with the irrefutable fact that the PSS has been in power for almost a whole mandate in Vojvodina. Without the PSS, the stable coalitional government, led by the Democratic Party, cannot be established in the northern Serbian Province. n What interests you most when you open the newspapers or turn on the TV in a morning? r Everything that is happening in Serbia interests me, but I do not see that the winners and losers of the last parliamentary elections in Serbia thinking about anything other than their own narrow party political interests. And that worries me. There is no great difference between those in power and the opposition: being in opposition doesn’t only mean preventing the government from passing certain laws, but forcing them to do something that is in the people’s interests, not only in the interests of the leadership

and their sponsors and mentors. Strategic plans are misplaced or pushed aside because of so many affairs, so much so that one could think that nothing else happens in Serbia except scandals. n Why then, in your interview in Pravda, did you praise Koštunica despite recently stating that the charges against you, when you were deprived of ownership of Mobtel, were his direct orders? r I am a realistic politician, a patriot and a man who is not blinded by politics, i.e. I do not live from politics, but from my convictions, knowledge and ability. Politics for me is just a means of making my contribution to Serbia, my nation. My vision is that the economy stands before politics in Serbia. That is the only way for the citizens of Serbia to get through transition without being robbed and impoverished, but rather being happier, freer and richer. In each individual case, I am on the side of those who do something good for Serbia. The way in which Koštunica fights for Kosovo and Metohija, for the dignity of Serbia and our national identity – though admittedly with a seven year delay – deserves the praise I gave in the interview for Pravda. n What made you suddenly decide to leave Serbia? Did you make the decision by yourself, or were you advised to take such an option? How much influence did the fact that you politically threatened mainly Koštunica and Dinkić have on your decision to take flight? r You use two expressions which, in our language have different meanings – “decide” to leave Serbia and “flight” abroad. The right one would be the third one – I was exiled from Serbia for purely political reasons. You were right when you said that I “politically endangered” somebody. It is not important whether that refers to Koštunica or to Dinkić. The centres of power, which in fact rule Serbia, will always find support in somebody. That will last until my country becomes democratic, with the full respect for human and political rights and with European standards. Many people persecute me. I bother them for only two reasons – I became rich in Tito’s Yugoslavia, at a time when stateowned property was inviolable and private

Milanka & Bogoljub Karić will return to Serbia “when the legal and political conditions allow”

initiative was considered the ideological enemy, by working of course around the world, but also by creating the seed of capitalism in my country and also in the Soviet Union and, to some extent, in China. So, the first reason is that they have rightly evaluated that they cannot buy me. The second reason is that during the time when the whole country had to break the blockade and become involved in “prohibited businesses”, in order that the nation could survive, I was not involved in black marketing, or later in crime. However, after 2000, they needed people from the state institutions, from the top of the administration, to launder that money. And they found them! My visible persecutors are in politics and in the administration. Our current phenomenon is that there is no state without criminals, and our criminals are the only ones in the world who have their own state! My success in the elections and the trust of 630,000 voters was the reason either to eliminate me or to politically persecute me. The plan was – if they could, they would liquidate me in Kosovo and accuse the Albanians of killing me, because the Serbian Government officially accused me of “being an Albanian spy” and of working for the Government of Kosovo and spying on the Serbian Government through Mobtel, which used to be mine. That was the motive to urgently withdraw Mobtel and arrest me.

The state of the karić empire Everything we had is still at the same addresses. Many of our companies do not work at the moment, such as Astra Bank and Evropa Osiguranje, then Astra Simit and some smaller companies, but they have remained in our possession. Mobtel, as you know, was nationalised. Our big legal teams are taking care of that now, in Serbia and Europe. We did not renounce anything and so one day, when the courts become independent and the country really becomes a legal state, everything will be returned to its original state.

n Are you still in contact with your friends from political spheres in Serbia? It is well known that you were on good terms with Minister Ilić, and you were in a coalition with Mr. Čović. r Of course, if it weren’t for them, who knows what would have happened to me. I probably wouldn’t have listened to my family and left Serbia. I prolonged the decision until the very last moment. It was only when I realised that I did not have any allies among the political leaders that I decided to leave. Those people who carried out analysis told me: “you are dangerous to smugglers and criminals even if you succeed in politics, because you will insist on the implementation of the law. The politicians are angry with you because you directed all of your 630,000 votes towards the DS leader, Boris Tadić, in the second ballot. But, more than that, you took over their position in the “democratic bloc”, because you were just behind DS. There is no doubt that all those centres have their ‘accomplices’ in the state leadership”. That is the whole story. I am not in conflict with Minister Ilić. He is the way he is. He is sufficient to himself, both as a friend and as an enemy. Mr. Čović had a coalition agreement with the PSS for a long time, but just before the elections he chose a coalition with the Pensioner’s Party. They did not make it. If he’d stayed with us, I think that we would have been considerably above the census n You used to have a wide circle of business people you co-operated with. How is that situation now? r You don’t think that anybody around the world thought that the official propaganda launched was the truth, do you? We were always very solid partners everywhere we developed business in the world, and today we are accepted and very welcome. Our slogan is – in business you can cheat only once. CorD / October 2007 37

interview n What is left of your business empire in Serbia today? r It would perhaps be most correct if I said that everything we had is still at the same addresses. Many of them do not work, such as Astra Bank and Evropa Osiguranje, then Astra Simit and some smaller companies, but they have remained in our possession. Mobtel, as you know, was nationalised. Our big legal teams are taking care of that now, in Serbia and Europe. We did not renounce anything and so one day, when the courts become independent and the country really becomes a legal state, everything will be returned to its original state. n Who manages your business in Serbia today? r My two brothers in Serbia. They run all our businesses in Serbia and around the world. We’ve always had many more businesses around the world than in Serbia. I was exiled, but even if I hadn’t been I had decided to dedicat myself to politics. My eldest brother is having serious medical treatment. n How do you estimate your position in the criminal proceedings against you? Why haven’t proceedings against you and the people from Mobtel, who were detained, started yet, even though the charges were brought in January 2006? r Not a single lawyer has shown me legally correct criminal charges against me. I hope that you do not take something that somebody says in the media every now and again seriously. I presume that this is the same why the proceedings against those from Mobtel have not started either. n Is the fact that there aren’t any proceedings something to do with your agreement with PM Koštunica? r If I were to answer you positively, I would firstly bring under suspicion the claim that there are no proceedings because there is no guilt. If I had made any kind of deal I would eject myself from politics forever. I would be betraying the 102,800 members of the

Karić remains devoted to politics and the people of serbia

Power of Serbia Movement, as many as we had at the moment I was exiled. I would be betraying their hope that Serbia has the power to put an end to weak politicians, useless “experts” and organised crime, corruption and bribery. n Do you know what the investigation has found out so far and if your responsibility regarding Mobtel has been established, and do you think about when you will return to the country and be present at the trial? r As regards guilt, I have already answered you: there is none. As regards my return to the country, I am sticking to what I have said a million times – when I am able to stand trail while free. n What was the real arrangement regarding the sale of Mobtel, are there any details which are not publicly known? r Mobtel will one day become a great affair. Our motive was to find a strategic partner, because we estimated that we were not strong enough to enter the further fast technological development on our own. Our partners in the negotiations were Vodaphone and the Alpha Group from Russia. At that time the dispute before the Arbitration Court in Zurich was underway and

Mobtel

Kosovo

Elections

Mobtel will one day become a great affair… I view its sale as a political act that was harmful for the state and was carried out by part of the administration who wanted to sell it to get commission...

the only right solution for Kosovo is for the EU to accept all Balkan states at the same time.This would cut the Great-Albanian secessionism, the idea of Great Albania, but also all other ultranationalistic ideas.

Elections at all levels in Serbia will take place in the near future, including the repetition of the parliamentary elections. Serbia is now divided and is a prisoner of party interests.

38 CorD / October 2007

was in its final phase. We brought charges in order to ensure that ownership relations were established on neutral terrain. Somebody from the state was always trying to contest the ratio 51:49% for BK Trade from Moscow. The state was supposed to invest only $6.23million in cash and 44% in rights. Nobody ever managed to contest that we invested, in money and equipment, our 51%. n How do you view the sale of Mobtel? How successful was that for the state and for you? r I view it as being a political act that was harmful for the state and was carried out by part of the administration who wanted to sell it just to get commission on half of its price, while the money from the sale of Mobtel was supposed to be the source of the government’s power to extend its time in office through the NIP (National Investment Plan) to the disadvantage of their citizens. We were already stripped of power, because Mobtel was nationalised. And, of course, we are carrying on the struggle to retrieve our property, the same as all those whose property was nationalised by the communist regime. It is well known that the Norwegians paid €1.513billion even though the minimum European price per user of mobile telephony is €1,000 and Mobtel had 2.89 million users at that time. When purchasing the mobile operator of the Republic of Srpska, the Republic of Serbia paid €2,000 per user, thus paying more than €600million for 300,000 users. If Mobtel had been sold in this way, the price would have been €5.8billion! n What was the role of Martin Schlaf, as the owner of BK Trade from Moscow, in that sale? r I gave all the key information, which is accessible to the public, in the previous question. What remains is a state secret and

interview by all of the relevant political forces. Therefore, Serbia is plagued by personal conflicts and personal interests. It is not the confrontation of ideas and clashes of enterprising spirit with political minimalism that is leading the country astray.

Karić’s commitment to Kosovo: “The only right solution for Kosovo is for the European Union to accept all Balkan states at the same time.This would cut the Great-Albanian secessionism and the idea of Greater Albania, but also all other ultra-nationalistic ideas.” I would not like to comment on it. And I also do not want to disturb our legal team, who will solve this to our benefit one day. n Are you still the owner of part of the company which arose from Mobtel? r Not formally The Russians have always had 20% of that 51%. But I cannot comment on that because it would disrupt the work of our lawyers in the dispute before the international court. n When we add it all up now, have you been damaged by the withdrawal of the Mobtel licence and, if so, to what extent? r Of course. Let’s stick to the international auditors’ claim that the total damages from our business in Serbia are worth around €3.7billion. Somebody will have to pay that one day. n Considering that you were born and lived in Kosovo for a long time, and that you have lots of friends there on both the Serbian and Albanian sides, how do you see the outcome of the Kosovo issue? r I look at that from a different angle; from the angle of the Euro region, and our project that the only right solution for Kosovo is for the EU to accept all Balkan states at the same time. This would cut the Great-Albanian secessionism and the idea of Great Albania, but also all other ultra-nationalistic ideas. Of course, the defence of our historical, cultural, spiritual and state rights takes presedence. If Serbia were to remain humiliated in resolving the status of Kosovo, if its 40 CorD / October 2007

state and national integrity were to be undermined, that would be the fatal outcome of the injustice which has been directed against the Serbian nation since the day somebody accused the Serbian nation of being a “genocidal” nation. For me, it is important for Belgrade and Priština to agree regarding the status, without waiting for the international community. We are working on the subtle creation of conditions for the new coexistence of Albanians and Serbs. That is only possible through economic measures which would have an influence on the survival of the people in Kosovo – including, of course, the 200,000 or so Serbs who have stayed there and been forgotten by everybody. And the two hundred thousand Serbs and other nationalities who were exiled and who still live in central Serbia in conditions which are unfit for normal humans! n Are you informed about the disputes within the governing coalition in Serbia, and what are your expectations? r I follow everything on a regular basis and I do not see anything to surprise anybody. This government, just like the previous one, wants to rule with ministries as the “party fiefdoms”. That is fatal for Serbia. How is it at all possible to create a united state strategy within the governing coalition when they cannot even agree if they are going to obey the Constitution in the part which refers to the presidential elections? Even in countries with a smaller state tradition and knowledge, the national strategic programme is adopted

n Koštunica and Dinkić accused you of stealing the people’s money. Do you think you can still have a political future in Serbia after that? r They did that because of me, but also because of the Power of Serbia Movement, because that is the only enlightened patriotic and democratic party which gathers people of all social stratums. Our programme is close to everybody. In the economy, we see the way out in small and medium sized enterprises. Our ideas – family factories, family farms, enterprising spirit and small businesses – are understood perfectly by the people. They laughed at my lettuce promotion during the presidential campaign, while some ministers gave mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to dogs. n Your party did badly in the last elections, does that mean that your political career is over, or is your party preparing for the elections again? r You are right about the parliamentary elections. However, that did not finish my career. Rather, it directed me even more towards patient work in order to come to the possibility to show, together with my fellow soldiers, the correctness of mine and the PSS’s policy on governing Serbia. We were the first to start preparations as though the elections would take place the next day. But what is more important is that the PSS has been in power in Vojvodina for almost a full mandate – with the Democrats (DS), Vojvodina’s Hungarians and Čanak’s League. Isn’t that the true mandate of the people?! n What is your prognosis for the next elections? r Elections at all levels in Serbia will take place in the near future, including the repetition of the parliamentary elections too. Serbia is now divided and is a prisoner of the parties’ and leaders’ interests. The status of Kosovo creates great uncertainty in Serbia and will certainly be a factor in the citizens’ political decisions. In terms of its nature, the PSS is a party which supports Euro-Atlantic integration, but also has a strong state-national position which pleads for the full interests of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija, whilst also supporting the search for a compromise together with our Russian friends, the U.S. and the EU regarding the future of Kosovo and Serbia in the region and on the path to the EU. We believe and support the democratic option in Serbia. n

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INFRASTRUCTURE

Details Contract on concessions for the Horgoš – Požega motorway

divulged The latest twist in the Horgoš-Požega motorway concessions deal has seen Austrian-Spanish consortium FCC (Alpine) decide to impart half of its founding capital in the concession company to German construction firm Porr – its rival and the company that was placed second in the original tender on this deal. This month CorD presents the details of the concession contract, which has become the centre of a media affair simply because it has taken the Government of Serbia some five months to make the details of the contract public.

By Danijela Milosavljević he contract on concessions for the Horgoš – Požega motorway – issued for 25 years – determines that the concessions refer to three infrastructure sections, Belgrade - Požega, Horgoš - Novi Sad and Nov Sad - Belgrade. The concessions document, which has a value estimated at €1.5billion, was published after consultation with the concessionaries: the FCC – Alpine consortium and the Serbian Government representatives. The Government subsequently made the decision to publish annexes to this contract, but not all of them. On 20th August journalists had the chance

42 CorD / October 2007

to read 50 pages of copies of the Contract in the government building. The main reason why the contract could not be published, as the administration persistently claimed for several months, was its provision on secrecy. However, when the contract was shown to the media, journalists could clearly read that the frequently mentioned article 24.4 of the contract refers to “projects, studies, drawings, archives and other documentation regarding the construction and maintenance of the motorway”. The contract does not mention the Serbian Government’s obligation not to make it public because of the apparent protection of the author’s rights

of the Washington company, Luis Berger, which compiled this contract. Confusion also remained regarding the exact value of the concessions. When the contract was signed in March, it was claimed that this project would bring €1.5billion to Serbia, then later the sum was reduced to €1.3billion, while the official Internet presentation of Alpine Mejreder states that the construction of the motorway, with accompanying expenses for the expropriation of the land through which the motorway is suppose to go, will cost €1.1billion. On the very day the contract was published, infrastructure minister Velimir Ilić announced that the government would decide whether the annexes to this contract, with the exact details, would also be published. “Everything is as clear as day,” said Ilić, stating that around 5,000 concession projects were currently underway in Europe, and that this method presents the main way of completing major infrastructure projects in all countries. The concessions on the Horgoš – Požega motorway were issued for 25 years, but in accordance with the Law on Concessions, this time limit can be extended to a maximum of 30 years. The project should be approved by 8th October this year. The main contractor on the Horgoš – Požega motorway will be Alpine Srbije, the sister company of Alpina Majereder. As the annex determines, 15 Serbian construction companies will also be among the potential contractors. Those are: Nibens, Vojput Subotica, Putevi Užice, Energoprojekt Belgrade, Rad Belgrade, Beogradput, Tamnava Put from Ub, Balkan gradnja Belgrade, Igrapomni from Valjevo, Euro-park, Pro inžinjering, Tri omega inženjering, Ratko Mitrović, Unigradnja and Mostogradnja. The potential contractors for geodetic measuring and geotechnical research are also from Serbia. The

annex also determines the list of suppliers for materials, as well as those companies which will supply additional equipment and spare parts. It is the obligation of the Serbian Government to ensure that the expropriation of land is carried out promptly, i.e. that the concessionary receives all information about the state of each lot and its price, as well as about moving out the previous licensees from the land. The estimation of the current pay-points’ operating should be completed by 7th February next year so that they can be taken over on 31st March. The annexes determine that the last day of March 2008 is the final deadline for the concessionary to complete the financial construction for the beginning of the construction of the motorway and to establish the construction company and that on 1st April it takes over, for use, the previously built sections of the motorway in Vojvodina. The annexes define the risks and who bears responsibility for what and when. The Serbian Government will bear responsibility for four out of the 18 defined risks in the concessions for the Horgoš – Požega motorway and will share responsibility with the concessionary in the case of natural disasters. The Government will also be responsible for prompt land expropriation and will have to pay penalties for any tardiness. It will also bear responsibility if it does not allow the increase of the motorway taxes pursuant to the contract, i.e. in the case when it is obliged to compensate for any losses. According to the Contract, road tolls will be established on the basis of the European Union’s recommendations and prices in the region, and according to a specific formula which is, however, not known. The concessionary will pay the Government monthly compensation in the amount of ten per cent of the gross road toll income during the construction of the motorway. The contract determines that the road tolls may be increased in accordance with the price growth. Government approval will be needed for any other increases. It will be the Government’s risk if it does not enable the concessionary to collect the profit from the concessions on the Horgoš – Požega motorway, to convert it into euros and transfer it to the concessionary’s home

Velimir Ilić “ the Contract is public and will mean a great deal to Serbia because 28 economic branches are connected with the road construction, which means that the project will provide the charge for the development of the Serbian economy” Bojan Kostreš “ On the basis of the calculations for the road tolls alone, which are found in annex 12 of the concessions contract,Vojvodina will have to endure a loss of an additional €200million in the following 25 years”

country. The joint risk of the government and the concessionary will be the damages from natural disasters for which there is insurance, while the risk of non-insurable risks, such as terrorism and war, will be born by the Serbian Government.

Independent auditor to check contract G17 Plus has stated that this party will demand that an independent international auditing institution check the Contract on the concessions for the Horgoš – Požega motorway. “It is expected that in this way we will receive answers to how much this contract is worth, how it can be broken and with what consequences,” said the president of the G17 Plus Novi Sad local committee at a press conference in Novi Sad.

On the other side, the concessionary will bear all risks from any changes in financial circumstances, which include the change of exchange rates and interest rates, as well as the level of traffic and income from the toad tolls. Its responsibility will be to bear the risks and defects during the development of the project, exceeding expenses during construction and the plan of the quality control of the works. According to the contract, quality control will be carried out by an independent engineer, and if it is concluded that the works have not been carried out in accordance with the plan, the contractor will have to make corrections or pay damages. The closing date for the construction of the motorway is 31st December 2012. However, the publication of the annexes did not reduce the tension and while the Minister for the Infrastructure, Velimir Ilić, claims that the concessions contract will be the initial primer/charge for further investments, the president of the Vojvodina Assembly, Bojan Kostreš, thinks that the Serbian Government did not publish the most important parts of this contract. According to Kostreš, it is in those most interesting contracts, out of the public eye, where the greatest possibilities for fraud lie. “On the basis of the calculations for the road tolls alone, which are found in annex 12 of the concessions contract, Vojvodina will have to endure a loss of an additional €200million in the following 25 years,” says Kostreš. The estimation is that the total amount will be around €650million. Even though Minister Ilić was opposed to going public with all the details of this project of great importance for Serbia, after the contract and annexes were published he stated that “there was some misunderstanding regarding the publishing of the contract, but many people used the vacuum when the Government set the time for everything to be reconsidered, and after that they went on holiday”. “At that time I received strong blows, because that was something I could not decide by myself, but the government had to. The Contract is public and will mean a great deal to Serbia because 28 economic branches are connected with the road construction, which means that the project will provide the charge for the development of the Serbian economy,” said Ilić. According to the New Serbia leader, the Horgoš – Požega motorway will have the full profile of a modern motorway under concessions, and the land around it, which (with the accompanying objects) will not be under concessions, will certainly be rented out or sold by tender. It is expected that another two tenders for two new motorways in Serbia will be announced by the end of October. n CorD / October 2007 43

BUSINESS PROMO

Mini-interview: Predrag Mihajlović, deputy Executive Board President, Komercijalna Banka; NALED President

Better economic climate By Tatjana Ostojić n What are the main goals of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development? r NALED’s main mission is to facilitate dialogue between the local and republican governments, the private and not-governmental sector; to create the economic environment which will facilitate business operations in Serbia; to attract new investments and to speed up economic development. NALED’s goals are, through the careful selection of members and connecting economic representatives and state bodies at republican level, to support the efforts of municipalities and cities to improve the legal framework for local economic development through the realisation of the Alliance’s priorities, which are as follows: the stimulation of legal reforms which effect local economic development; the creation of a favourable business climate for investments and the development of companies; the NALED President, Predrag Mihajlović establishment of co-operation and efficient communication between time: in addition to Komercijalna Banka, the private, state and NGO sectors; and the the members include the ITM Group, Hestrengthening of the capacities of munici- mofarm, Lafarge BFC, Raiffeisen Bank, NIMAX, Telekom Srbija, Microsoft, HOLpalities through training and consulting. CIM, SMart Kolektiv, Media Centar, and the municipalities of New Belgrade, Inđija, n Who are NALED’s members? r The members of NALED are institu- Pećinci, Vranje, Loznica, Vršac, et al. tions and organisations from the public sector, local self-government units, com- n You recently had a meeting with the panies and enterprises, professional asso- U.S. Ambassador. Apart from this busiciations and non-governmental organisa- ness dinner, what have been NALED’s tions. Thanks to a clear vision and unique activities so far? concept, NALED has gathered high quality r During the past 12 months, NALED members, the business elite of Serbia and has developed a portfolio of activities and reform-oriented municipalities in a short services which we offer to our members as NALED’s goals are to support the efforts of municipalities and cities to improve the legal framework for economic development through the realisation of the Alliance’s priorities 44 CorD / October 2007

During the past 12 months, NALED has developed a portfolio of activities and services which we offer to our members as support in the process of local economic development.

Through co-operation with ministries & the Council for Regulatory Reform, NALED has enabled members to direct legal reforms through participation in public debates.

support in the process of local economic development. NALED’s approach to local economic development is reflected in the following activities: the certification of municipalities with positive business surroundings (the pilot municipalities of Subotica and Vranje were tested and all 10 municipalities which initially entered the MEGA programme will be tested by April 2008), the organisation of public debates (NALED forums and working meetings), the elimination of legal obstacles for successful operating (the Compendium and Council for Regulatory Reform) and monitoring and analysing legal regulations in the field of the economy (system available on the Alliance web page).

n What kind of co-operation has NALED had with the administrative bodies to date? r In the period since its official inauguration in the Belgrade City Assembly on 6th March 2006, the National Alliance for Local Economic Development has organised a series of public debates on the most important civil issues which were articulated through the NALED Forum, in which high representatives of the state institution, donors and economic actors participated as speakers. Through close co-operation with ministries (economy, finance, state administration, etc.) and with the Council for Regulatory Reform, NALED has enabled its members to direct the legal reforms through active participation in public debates, working meetings or through consulting bodies in ministries. n Which similar groups in the country do you co-operate with? r Partners which actively participate in the realisation of NALED activities include the USAID MEGA programme, the Ministry of the Economy, Cities and Municipalities Standing Conference, AmCham, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, SIEPA and the Media Centre. n

media

Ethics of Print A SCENE FROM THE PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE FORMATION OF THE SERBIAN PRESS COUNCIL

During the last month, print media houses in Serbia have been warned on at least two occasions for unethical reporting.The warnings came from the country’s two journalist associations, the IJAS and the JAS, and even Deputy Culture Minister Dragan Janjić. But this is not the first time that the print media industry in Serbia has been warned about news placement.

esides the Journalists’ Code and the Court of Honour of both journalists’ associations in Serbia, there is no higher instance that could act as a constant media watchdog, pointing out minor and gross violations of professional journalistic ethics. One of the ways in which the behaviour of the print media can be regulated is through the establishing of the Press Council – modelled on similar bodies that already exist in most developed countries. But now the creation of such a council in Serbia is near. Indeed, with the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) and the Journalists’ Association of 46 CorD / October 2007

Serbia (JAS) having passed a joint Code of Journalism last December, the formation of the Council is the next step. According to the agreement on the Council’s formation, it should initially comprise representatives of the IJAS and the JAS – and include one journalist who is not a member of either association – and be partly comprised of publishers’ representatives, and a publisher that does not belong to any of the associations. The third group comprising the Council would include three public representatives that would be selected by journalists’ and publishers’ representatives. The Council should have a Commis-

sion and Appeal Council. So far, the only unknown is the most important element: how to finance the Council. With the aim of stimulating media professionals to deal with this issue, the Conrad Adenauer Foundation recently organised a roundtable and public debate, which was attended by representatives of both journalists’ associations, independent journalists, publishers and special guests, members of the Press Council from Germany and Bosnia & Herzegovina, who spoke about their experiences. The general conclusion of the Roundtable, which, unfortunately, was only attended by a very small number of journalists, was that work should continue on the establishment of the self-regulatory body, and that a degree of assistance to journalists’ associations and associations of publishers will be provided by the state. According to Dragan Janjić, the state will play a stimulating role, meaning that it will not completely finance the Council, due to the possibility of interventions

Deputy Serbian Culture Minister Dragan Janjić

regarding decisions, but it will organise public discussions in order to try to help its quick formation. “Our mutual goal should be the improvement of the professionalism of the press, respect of the basic profession rules and expansion of media freedoms. The Ministry does not intend to finance the work of the Council itself, but has earmarked certain funds for stimulation of preparation of the Press Council of Serbia. In this way we will prevent the influence of the executive power in the work of that self-regulatory body. Our goal is to stimulate the founding of the Council. We believe that the situation in the media cannot be improved without simultaneous activity of self-regulation and regulations, because the laws alone cannot change everything,” says Janjić, adding that the media is a very important part of the society and, thus, a joint overview is necessary to bring the media’s culture to a satisfactory level. “The media in Serbia is not like this by chance. It mirrors society. We are lucky that the media in Serbia do not share diseases of the press like lack of freedom, but on the other hand, its weakness is a lack of observance of the rules of the profession. It is necessary for us to establish a selfregulatory body for media, because criticism directed towards the press is not even noticed in our country if it is not brought to

court, and at that moment we also run the risk of the smothering of media freedoms. Recently we have had a couple of drastic cases of Journalism Code violations in newspapers, and we have warned the perpetrators about them, but there is no law that can limit such things. The Ministry of Culture plans to talk with the Ministry of Justice, in order to find a way to stop gross violations of basic human rights, that are occuring ever more frequently in the media, until formation of the Press Council. In February 2005, the first Press Council of Serbia [now defunct] was founded by the Media Centre, with the support of UNESCO. It had an almost identical mission to that which the future Press Council should have – to protect the rights of the citizens, journalists’ profession and media freedom. In the annual report of that Council is the general mark of the status of media in Serbia, in which it is written that the media’s weak point is an “exaggerated tendency towards sensationalism and political

instrumentalisation of sensationalistic tone in news and reports”. According to Harry Steiner, Media Centre Belgrade Advisor, in that period the media was guilty of violating the Ethical Code as many as 400 times. “The publishing of libellous and unchecked information are the most common forms of Code violation, especially in tabloids. Tabloids in Serbia differ, in many respects, from the tabloids of Europe because they have a much greater tendency towards dealing in politics which, in relation to the circulation and our recent past, has a negative influence on public opinion. In Serbia a journalist must hear both sides when writing about disputable issues, but that rarely happens,” explains Steiner, adding that there is a trend of deterioration in professional relationships according to the basic standards of journalism, a trend which is most successfully resisted by rare journalists. “Monthly conferences, presenting data on who violated the Code and

CorD / October 2007 47

media

Press Council of Bosnia & Herzegovina Ljiljana Zurovac, Executive Manageress of the Press Council of Bosnia & Herzegovina, says that they had great problems with its implementation. “the Press Council of B&H was founded in 2000, based on the Office of the High Representative’s insistence, but in the first three years nobody took us seriously. Our criticism and warnings were sometimes published by rival media. However, after three years the situation changed. Everybody started to publish our reports; the majority of media have even introduced letter columns that they didn’t have earlier. Now I can say without any doubt that we are on positive zero. In Bosnia & Herzegovina’s media, the previously dominant hate-speech has been obviously decreased,” explains Zurovac. When the Press Council of B&H was founded there were six journalists’ associations, which were very much ‘nationally’ bent and thus divided. Hate talk dominated the media. Reader’s pleas were mostly directed towards discrimination, misinformation, privacy infringement, but especially to hate-speech. After five years the Council almost stopped working due to a lack of funding. However, thanks to donations and the efforts of media people, last year 11 main publishers and two journalists’ associations founded the Press Council of B&H, a self-regulating non-governmental body. The Council is composed of publishers, journalists and representatives of the public. The Press Council’s mission is to protect the citizens from unprofessional press reporting, manipulation of information; to protect the freedom of media and journalists from political, economic and all other influences. Ljiljana Zurovac says that Council’s mission is aggravated because citizen consciousness is not developed in B&H. “The Council protects and enhances professional standards prescribed by the Press Code, it reacts only if it notices that there was a breach of the Code and doesn’t have to wait for petition from citizens. There is no sanction, there is a requirement of the journalistic form, denials, apology or some other form. We do not accept appeals on the work of a journalist, but we deal in media and journalist profession. Also, we cannot suspend a journalist. We merely underline the case of Code violation,” explains Zurovac. According to her, the best solution for media professionalism would be the establishment of a Regional Press Council, particularly because many newspapers also have regional editions. Specifically, in the Republic of Srpska, besides two domestic journals, the most read publication is daily newspaper Blic, from Serbia, while amongst weekly editions in the whole of B&H the best selling edition is glossy Croatian magazine Gloria. how, have had a small but noticeable effect. Today changes can be seen in a decrease of explicit pornography in newspapers, less often names and family names of minors are published... Constant monitoring is a very important element in striving to secure respect of elementary rules for the respect of the journalists’ profession. Publishers, journalists, public The Media Centre’s Press Council stopped working in March this year. The archive it left behind is precious for the future Council that should be institutionalised with much wider structure in the press world. Therefore, the OSCE – in co-operation with journalists’ union NUNS – has performed a Feasibility Study for Establishing a ‘Self-Regulating Body - Council for Print Media in Serbia’ in order to see what is the mood of the publishers, editors and journalists in relation to establishing a body that should monitor and supervise their work. The Study has been compiled by Lidija Kujundžić and Snežana Smolović 48 CorD / October 2007

Green. The research included the participation of 33 respondents and 22 interviews were completed on a total of 19 print media houses. Lidija Kujundžić, NIN journalist, pointed out that the results show a sufficiently beneficial basis for the establishment of the Council. “Research results have shown majority support from the interviewees for the formation of the self-regulatory system for print media in Serbia. That is the opinion of as many as 84 per cent of interviewees, among whom were publishers, media owners, directors, editors in chief and journalists. Not only have they confirmed their readiness to support such a self-regulatory body, but they have also suggested what the Printed Media Council would exactly do, who would finance it, how it should be organized, whom it will oblige and what measures, i.e. sanctions, it would implement. According to their answers, the main challenges and possible obstacles in the work of the Council could be triggered by economic and political groups and individuals. Obstacles are also envisaged in insuf-

ficient financing, support of the public and the low level of the self-regulatory culture in the media,” explains Kujundžić. The future Print Media Council, according to that study, should have in its composition, according to the opinion of the majority of interviewees (58%), not only journalists, editors, and journalists’ association representatives, but also managers, founders, publishers, owners, as well as representatives of the public. The majority of Council members should be people from the media, consider 63 per cent of interviewees. Representatives of the public would have the right to be elected, but not to suggest, elect and relieve the Council members of their duty. Nominations of the candidates for members would come from journalists, editors, managers, owners, publishers, together with the media advocates. Council wouldn’t count less than seven and more than 18 members; as, for instance, in Finland, Slovenia, Great Britain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Sweden, etc. that would be elected for two to four years. “During election and relieving of duty of the self-regulatory body members, it is necessary to have in mind the peculiarities of the domestic media market and controversies that followed formation of regulatory body for electronic media. Pre-defined and completely transparent selection of members, whose professional reputation and interests will not compromise the work of the Council, is of key importance to secure support of the professional, but of the public in general,” notes the Feasibility Study. Almost 80 per cent of interviewees consider that the Print Media Council should have the right of direct sanctioning, while they mostly think of the moral sanctions. Therefore, the Council should openly publish its decisions in all media, but primarily in the papers to which that decision pertains. In order to secure respect for Council decisions, one of the methods is the signing of an agreement with the media, in order to secure co-operation and mutual responsibility. “Those are just accessory mechanisms which are far from the self-regulation essence and desired level of unity, which is necessary in order to move the print media from complete chaos to regulated market, where you know who is a fair player, and who pays the fine because of dirty dancing,” say Kujundžić and Green. No precise date has been set for the establishing of the Council. We can be certain that its introduction and implementation will be a lengthy process, but everybody hopes that the Council will act to positively enhance the professionalism of the print media in Serbia. n

BUSINESS

B2B

Representatives of Delta, Piccadilly and the Bulgarian and Serbian governments, gathered at the acquisition contract signing

Delta buys Bulgarian Piccadilly erbian company Delta has signed an acquisition contract for 85 per cent of the capital of Bulgarian retail chain Piccadilly. The value of Piccadilly – the second largest trade chain in Bulgaria – has been estimated at €80million. Dragan Filipović, General Manager of Delta retail, said that the purchase of Piccadilly means that for the first time a company from Serbia has entered its capital into the European Union market. He added that Delta plans to invest €70million in construction of 20 new sales objects into Piccadilly chain of facilities in the next two years. This will create employment for a 1,000 workers. According to the Delta plan, over the next four years Piccadilly will become the greatest retail chain in Bulgaria, with a 20 to 25 per cent market share. Filipović also announced planned greenfield investments in construction of hypermarkets and shopping centres in Bulgaria, as well as that Delta Holding plans to expand its operations on the Bulgarian market by investing in the construction of real estate. “Delta Holding is among the top five companies in the region, and we plan that Delta Maxi, which acquired the second largest chain in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Tropik, two months ago. This should take the leadership position in the retail sector,” insisted Filipović. According to Stefan Kosev, General Manager of Piccadilly, “The full price that the Serbian company will pay for Piccadilly shall be determined in 2009, after a transitory period in which the activities of the two companies will be synchronized”. Predrag Bubalo, Serbian Trade and Services Minister, said that this investment in Bulgaria will open up the possibilities for manufacturers from Serbia to place their goods on the EU market through the Delta Maxi retail chain.

50 CorD / October 2007

Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Nihat Kabil, expressed his satisfaction at the implementation of the biggest Serbian investment in Bulgaria, and said that “economic co-operation with Bulgaria, a member of the European Union, mitigates the journey of Serbia into European integration”. Trade chain Piccadilly currently has 11 supermarkets – located in Sophia, Varna, Burgas and Veliko Trnovo – and covers around 15 per cent of the market. Preparations are under way for the construction of three new facilities.

Third phase of acb he second phase of work on Airport City Belgrade – Serbia’s first bespoke business park – was officially completed in September. To date, a total of €50million has been invested in ACB’s development. Speaking on 6th September at a festive high-level reception to officially launch of the third phase of ACB’s development, Gili Dekel, CEO of ACB, said that so far four buildings have been completed, covering a total of around 40,000 square metres. Each following phase, Dekel explained, will see an additional €20 to 30 million invested. ACB is due to be completed within four or five years, by which time it will cover an area of 120,000 square metres. The park will also house a top class hotel, residential facilities and homes. Also speaking at ACB’s reception on 6th September, Božidar Đelić, Deputy Serbian Prime Minister, reminded respected guests and gathered journalists that this is one of the biggest greenfield investments in Serbia and the whole of Eastern Europe.

The Deputy PM also noted that the OECD proclaimed Airport City Belgrade as last year’s biggest greenfield investment in the region. The 6th September celebration saw guests addressed by Ðelić and Dekel, as well as President of the New Belgrade Municipality, Željko Ožegović, and Arie Bachar, representing ACB owners Africa-Israel Cor. All attendees expressed their satisfaction with the exceptionally fast and successful development of this massive project, as well as with the provision of new jobs for local individuals and companies that ACB has facilitated. Deputy PM Đelić pointed out the

importance of dealing with system preconditions, such as the adoption of the Land Ownership Law, in order to create a more agreeable environment in Serbia for investments. Park of Sculptures The celebration also saw the promotion of the new project Park of Sculptures, which is aimed at supporting the local art scene. The project was intended to emphasise ACB’s leading position in establishing the new visual identity of New Belgrade. In future, sculptures of Belgrade artists will find a home within ACB for the joy and pleasure of tenants and guests. Artists will use this space to tie Belgrade’s sensibility with the values of international business parks and ACB, which is gradually developing into the gathering place of successful companies in Belgrade. On 10th September, public votes were counted and it was confirmed that an original sculpture by artist Marko Kratohvil had won the most votes. According to ACB official Marina Deleon, “although it was difficult to decide among three exceptionally inspired and very distinctive sculpture proposals, the votes of the public went to Marko Kratohvil’s design. Now this vote is to be added to the votes of the jury and of the project architect in order to conclude the contest. We hope that the first sculpture will be raised in the Avenue at the end of the year.”

B2B Herbert Stepic Receives ‘European Banker of the Year 2006’Award he Raiffeisen Manager’s Pioneer Spirit Convinced “The Group of 20+1” At a gala event held in Frankfurt during September, “The Group of 20+1” awarded the prize “European Banker of the Year 2006” to Herbert Stepic, Chairman of the Managing Board of Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG and Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB). The decisive argument for the decision, taken in March, was Stepic’s pioneering work in recent decades in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the outstanding position in the region and the dynamic development of Raiffeisen International.

NEW COLOUR MULTIFUNCTIONAL SOLUTIONS erox announces its new multifunctional colour WorkCentre 7232/7242, replacing the successful WorkCenter 7132. The new 7232 / 7242 has been designed for working groups and organisations requiring top quality black-white printing and colour prints.

face, and select a job from the monitor’s touch screen for printing. It also enables the user to see, delete or re-print the material using network user’s interface. The multifunctional device can scan to Searchable PDF. Searchable PDF consists of two layers, the first is a scanned picture, and the second is recognizable (OCR) text. So that there is a possibility to copy that text, as well as to browse through scanned documents. Representative office contact: Contact person: Albert Tedeev, Regional Manager Xerox Limited Representative Office in Serbia, Bulevar Zoran Ðinđića 48-b, 11070 Belgrade Phone.: +381 11 212 98 79 Phone / fax: +381 11 212 98 80

Ješić becomes investment advisor ožidar Đelić, deputy Serbian PM, has appointed Goran Ješić, President of the Inđija Municipality, as a Direct Investments Advisor. Ješićhas been politically active since 1996, when he established the Municipal Organisation of the Civil Alliance of Serbia (Građanski savez Srbije - GSS) in Inđija. In September 2000 Ješić was elected as a member of the Inđija Assembly and a month later he was appointed President of the Inđija Municipality. In the last three years Inđija has managed to attract more than €300million worth of foreign investment capital, and the Goran Ješić small town has even hosted a concert of world famous group the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ješić will now be tasked with strengthening co-operation with foreign investors. Source: FoNet, Beta

Herbert Stepic (right) accepts the European Banker of the Year Award

With its vote, “The Group of 20+1” – which is an association of leading international economic and financial journalists at the seat of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt/Main – for the first time awarded the distinction to an Austrian banker. At the gala dinner, which was attended by Petra Roth, the mayor of Frankfurt, as well as by high-level representatives of Germany’s and Austria’s business community, Wolfgang Kirsch, Chairman of the Board of DZ Bank, paid tribute to Stepic’s pioneering spirit, saying: “It was Herbert Stepic’s unique accomplishment that he clearly realised the historic opportunity that arose when the Iron Curtain came down. And, like no other person, he seized the opportunity with determination and consistency. It is his achievement that has made RZB and Raiffeisen International truly European banks.” Stepic is regarded as “the pioneer and expert on Central and Eastern Europe”. 52 CorD / October 2007

Presenting of the new dual-beam laser system enables the new WorkCentre to print at much better quality. “Thanks to that, and the affordable price of the WorkCentre itself, plus the low costs of black and white printing, the new device fulfils the main requirements of the buyers who need occasional colour printing, but avoid purchasing colour printers and tend to buy black and white ones because of price,” says Albert Tedeev, Regional Manager of Xerox Balkans. The new WorkCentre 7232 / 7242 has a printing speed for colour prints of 10 ppm, instead of the 8 ppm of WorkCentre 7132, and the speed for black & white printing is now 40 ppm, compared to 32 ppm of the 7132. A new high capacity inserter will increase the load to 2,000 pages, ensuring that the new machine will be able to process a total of 4,720 pages. The new device is characterised by the Xerox Extensible Interface Platform™ (EIP), which enables access to software applications of documents through users’ interfaces, in order to improve efficiency of work and to minimise the time spent next to the device. WorkCentre 7232 / 7242 supports XPS (XML Paper Specification) representing document format created by Microsoft, and also marketed in cooperation with Microsoft Vista. The users can save their printing jobs in the WorkCentre 7232 / 7242 from the printing driver or network user’s inter-

LOHER MOVES PRODUCTION INTO SUBOTICA erman company Loher is set to move the whole production of wind-generators to Subotica. Co-operation with German Loher started four years ago through Ištvan Sekula, Manager of Subotica Loher, when the deal with Subotica Sever collapsed due to failure to observe deadlines and insufficient quality. Helmut Oster, Loher owner, decided at that time to open up in Subotica his windgenerators’ factory. Just last year a million euros was invested into new programmes and production lines in Subotica. Source: Večernje novosti (Evening News)

Vip in Macedonia erbia’s third mobile operator, Vip, commenced commercial operations in FYR Macedonia in September through the emitting of a signal covering the whole country. Macedonian Vip operator is a member of the Mobilcom Austria group. It was awarded a license for the third operator in Macedonia at the end of March this year, for a 10-year period with the possibility of automatic extension for another 10 years. The Vip operator has set aside €10million for the license, and one of the obligations of the agreement is the securing of 80 per cent coverage for the population over a four-year period. The Vip operator stated that the company will invest an additional €50million in network and services. To date, Vip has employed 120 Macedonian experts and contracted Agreements with more than 100 local companies. They started work six months after the license was granted, which was two months after the operator under the same name started work in Serbia. Mobilcom Austria, a member of Telecom Austria, operates in Croatia as Vipnet, Bulgaria as Mobiltel, and in Slovenia, in co-operation with Si.mobile. Other members of the group are Mobilcom Austria’ and ‘Mobilcom Liechtenstein’. Source: Hina, Banka magazine

Gala Water’s Mioni Factory opened he new Mioni factory for natural mineral water officially opened in Mionica, near Valjevo, on 5th September. The factory was formally opened by Serbian Economy and Regional Development Minister, Mlađan Dinkić. Speaking at the opening, Minister Dinkić said that the future of economic development in Serbia lays in greenfield investments, because they employ new workers and stimulate growth of the country’s total GDP. The Mioni factory covers an area of 7,000m2 and €20million has been invested in it so far. It is equipped with the most modern German bottling equipment. The factory currently has two autonomous lines for water bottling and a capacity of 12,000b/h in PET packaging and 6,000b/h in non-returnable glass packaging. It currently employs 40 workers.

Still water from Mioni factory, which is sold on the market under the name Aqua GALA, is of extraordinary quality, containing the ideal balance of magnesium and calcium, which are necessary for proper functioning of the human body. Analysis has been performed at prestigious laboratories and health institutions in the country and abroad.

Robert Ferko, Vice President of Delta Holding for Food Production, said: “Our goal is that Aqua Gala should occupy one of the leading positions in Serbia in the segment of still waters, and that the next year should see its launch on the regional market. We also plan to expand the factory’s assortment next year with high quality juices. We shall invest an additional €5million to that end.“

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Union of arts: New Audi A5 and Opera Prima Donna Dragana Del Monako he most modern auto centre in the Balkans - Porsche Belgrade Ada continues to go a step ahead of all the others in our market. By a series of attractive actions and new services, this house, which is also automobile dealer for VW group, gives example to the others in the domestic market how you can always give something more to the customers. Porsche Belgrade ADA does everything in order that this salon should grow also into the place of socializing for all who love Audi automobiles and know to cherish the right

B2B Column: BALKAN TALKING By David Dowse

Profiting from responsibility Can we make a profit, and still get to heaven?

54 CorD / October 2007

art. Place of meeting of the top notch technology and supreme art. Approaching art In accordance with the Audi brand - not only a leader in technology and innovation, but also a pioneer in the field of promoting art and cultural values - the Management of Porsche Belgrade ADA opted that the promotion of the new model A5 should follow the same spirit. It was with this in mind that the guest of the A5 promotional gala (held on 29th August) was renowned Opera Prima Donna Dragana Del Monaco, who has been selected as extraordinary artist and Prima Donna of the National Theatre Opera, also known around the world. Del Monaco was selected simply because she is a reflection of the sophistication of the Audi brand, which is characterised by its dedication to extraordinary design, and dedication to art in many fields. The constant develop-

uring over 18 months in this wonderful, challenging and seductive region (where does the time go?) I have attended a large number of business meetings. I recall many moons ago, in a different life, in London, attending some training called something like “More Effective Meetings”. Probably there was a book being promoted…. Anyway, like most good training, a couple of things stuck in my mind. One of them was that the trouble with most meetings is that there is no meeting involved; all too often, a meeting is simply a disorganised collision of individual agendas. Another point – and perhaps the most useful – is that if you are planning a meeting with more than four people, and, God forbid, if it is scheduled to last more than one hour, you may just as well forget it. Your chances of achieving anything tangible are very slim indeed.

ment and progress of Audi can be compared to the development of top artists. Sporting, sophisticated automobiles have always attracted artists. One of the main reasons is that such automobiles are created under the vigilant eye of the artist Walter de Silva, famous designer, who stands behind many automobile masterpieces. Even de Silva himself said that the new Audi A5 is the most beautiful thing that he has designed in his career. The result is a fascinating coupe, with the lines and surfaces which play with shadows and light. Classical elegance with the harmony of proportions shows great dedication to even the smallest details. Sports aestheticism with clear functionality has been designed for modern driver. Sports dynamics united with refined elegance guarantees incomparably smooth driving. BASLER INVESTS €9MILLION IN SERBIA wiss insurance company Basler has invested €9million to establish two insurance companies in Serbia. Basler representatives note that this investment is Switzerland’s first financial greenfield investment in Serbia. They also announced that they plan a long term presence in the Serbian market. “Basler deals in all kinds of life and non-life insurances, except voluntary pension and insurance from self-responsibility”, said Vladimir Medan, Chairman of Basler Serbia administration. Basler insurance is part of Swiss Baloise Group (Baloise Holding). It operates in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Croatia. In 2006 it made a turnover of €4.2billion. Source: B92, Beta

So, there have been many meetings, some productive, others less so. But almost every meeting I have attended here has had one important thing in common: somewhere on the agenda there has been an item called CSR. It is the new the Holy Grail of the Boardroom. Large academic books have been written about it, and gather dust on the shelves of top executives’ offices. Esteemed lecturers tour the world talking about it. Large international corporations have whole web sites dedicated to it. There are manuals. There are mission statements. There are more guidelines than an EU deputy commissioner could shake a pen at. But what is it? Like most complex concepts, the whole, mighty edifice of Corporate Social Responsibility theory and practice is actually founded on a very simple and easy to

SECOND LICENSE FOR FIXED line operator? ew licenses for fixed telephony can be expected in 2008, say those in charge, after SBB applied for a license for that job. Telecommunications Minister Aleksandra Smiljanić says that the second license for fixed telephony will be allocated on tender. Fixed telephony is currently under the monopoly of Telekom Serbia. According to Smiljanić, the Ministry still hasn’t received the request of SBB Company for allocating the license for rendering fixed telephony services, but it has been informed about that request from the media. “There is a danger that cable operator, Serbian broadband (SBB), will take over “better paying customers” and by that disable “Telekom” to cover costs for rendering unprofitable services,” said Smiljanić, adding that market analysis is under way as a result. Smiljanić also said that she is informed with the requests of the companies for introduction of voice over IP (VoIP), which would be enabled with the Republic Telecommunication Agency (Ratel) completes Rule Book on that field, which is in compilation.

Slovenian Tuš builds in Vranje lovenian trade chain Tuš has won a 3.6 hectare lot in Vranje for lease. The site will be used to house a new mega market. According to the local media, the Slovenians will pay for the lease of land next to Koštana factory 120 million dinars. Source: Beta

understand basic truth. It is present in all the world’s major religions. It is well understood by aboriginal cultures and those living close to the land; “You get out what you put in.” “We reap what we sow.” There are many ways to say it, but all the roads lead to Rome. So, actually, it is deep in the psyche of each of us – even the hardest nosed, most bottom-line driven Chief Executive. The best new thinking about business insists that companies who look no further than simply ‘putting something back into society’ for good PR purposes, or to impress the public and stakeholders who influence their business short term, are missing the point. There is a large body of evidence to show that – surprise, surprise – doing the right thing actually brings greater rewards. Real, tangible rewards – in sustained profit and growth; in staff and

Growth in all business segments of Piraeus Bank Serbia n the first half of 2007, Piraeus Bank has achieved outstanding business results and growth in all business segments compared to 2005 when it started operating in Serbia. Key indicator of successful business operations is the increase in total assets to 418.4 million euros in late July of 2007, with a growth rate of 315 percents compared to 100.6 million euros in late 2005. Market share of the Bank in total assets of Serbian banking sector in late July 2007 amounted to 2.4%, which is 116.2% growth, compared to 1.11% in December 2005.

customer loyalty; in improved stakeholder relations. Major lenders and investors are even beginning to offer preferential rates to those who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to the community. It begins to look as if it really is possible to make a good profit and still get to heaven. The new Serbian Government has, quite rightly, included Sustainable Development at the heart of its policy platform. This makes total sense, if nothing else from the impetus it will add to Serbia’s rightful ambitions for EU parity, if not full membership as the country emerges into some future sunlit highland. So, as the year that finally put global warming on the global agenda turns into an uncertain Autumn, business in Serbia has some important choices to make and some major strategic opportunities to explore. There is a great deal to be done if the badly

Piraeus Bank has approved loans in total amount of 248.5 million euros, which represents a 312.8% growth compared to 60.2 million euros in late 2005. Market share of Piraeus Bank in total loans has been increased from 1.2% in 2005 to 2.7% in late July 2007. In July 2007, Piraeus Bank operated through a network of 36 branches and sub-branches (45 by the end of the year), and employed 476 banking experts. With an aim to improve overall business operations and enlarge its offer, two new business companies, Piraeus Leasing d.o.o. and Piraeus Rent d.o.o., started operating. These Companies are founded by Greek bank “Piraeus Bank” S.A., as is the “Piraeus Real Estate” company, which will start operating within the year.

bruised confidence of a cynical Serbian public in private enterprise is to be fully restored – but the prize is a big one. Any company – be it a foreign investor or an ambitious Serbian business – which now enthusiastically embraces a real, sustained CSR programme, will reap the rewards for many years to come. Those that do not will suffer the consequences. Now, surely, that is something worth having a meeting about. n David Dowse is South East Europe Regional Manager of Mmd Corporate, Public Affairs & Public Relations Consultants. Mmd is the recent recipient of a special award from the PR Society of Serbia for the best CSR Communications Campaign of 2007, which it won for its B92 Safe House project campaign. CorD / October 2007 55

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ALPHA BANK BREEDS NEW LEADERS ccording to rule that “Leaders can not be born, but they should be developed” Alpha Bank has started with new segment of internal management education with purpose to educate and develop the new generation of young leaders. This September, Alpha Bank has started with the brand new, up-to-date training program for managers and supervisors in its Training and Career Development Centre.

organization, about retail and corporate products and services. Alpha Bank nurtures its front-line staff members, as they represent the mirror of the Bank, but they also take great care about their Top Management line and their leadership advancement, which are seen as the pillars of the Banks business.

which seven are under factory facilities. Eterna also owns a rest home in Zlarin in Croatia, which is currently under dispute between Eterna and the Croatian Privatisation Fund which, according to Eterna management, has illegally disposed of that object. Source: Beta

HP Demo Centre opened ompany Hewlett Packard (HP) has opened a new HP Demo Centre in Belgrade. The facility, which is twice the size of the previous exhibition space in the old exhibition salon, houses a large number of devices from the group for graphics and printing, scanners, as well as digital photocameras.

NEVENA PURCHASED BY BULGARIAN COMPANY eskovac-based Nevena has been sold at auction in Belgrade to Bulgarian company Bulcvet for CSD181million. The starting price for Nevena, which was fought over by four bidders, was CSD34.2million. The companies debts amount to more than CSD502million. Bulcvet has also acquired company Metalac Ivanjica from Ivanjica, for the starting price of CSD13.2million. Source: Beta

Milan Zrnić, HP’s IPG Country manager, and Vesna Rakić, HP Marketing Manager

Serbian companies at the Food Fair in Moscow he participation of Serbian companies at the Food Fair in Moscow, which is held from 18th to 21st September, has been secured by the Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA), with financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry. Twelve Serbian companies will participate in the fair. They include: Fruitland, Slovan-progress, ITN, Jugprom, Medoprodukt, PIK Južni Banat, Nektar, Navip, Rubin, Winery Čoka (Coka Winery), Vujić Valjevo and Wulf Inter-Export. Serbian companies shall present themselves in two national stands, with two specialisations: for fruits and vegetables, and for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Source: B92

Highly educated trainers were introducing the Alpha Bank “apprentices” with the new approach to management and team building. In the modern equipped training centre managers were taught how to avoid stress, motivate people and develop trust and team atmosphere. Especially interesting and quite entertaining were different “role playing” exercises, played among participants as the way of simulating real business environment situations. Also, the executives were acquainted with the new trends in the European financial and banking sector. The aim of this project is to improve the supervision skills of the executive staff members and to give them the new approach in leading, organizing and managing people with the purpose of creating the environment of superior client satisfaction, best company results and staff motivation. Alpha Bank’s Training and Career Development Centre, located in Glavna Street in Zemun started its operation in January 2007. Since that period many staff members have attended various trainings about Bank’s operations and 56 CorD / October 2007

SPANIARDS TO BUY ETERNA TANNERY? eather factory Eterna from Kula is likely to sold by the end of the year to Spanish company Tradelda. Vesna Maksimović, Manageress of Eterna factory, said that the Spanish company has been present in Eterna’s factory for almost six months, because the factory has some trial work for them, and added that the partners from Spain are satisfied with the tannery’s work. Maksimović said that Tradelda owns tanneries in Spain and Hungary, and that it intends to transfer the tannery from Pečuj (Hungary) to Kula, so that around 130 employees, after a couple of years of pause, can start their work again. Minor shareholders own 61 per cent of Eterna shares, while the state owns 39 per cent of the company. Eterna in Kula was founded in 1753. It covers around 18 hectares of land, out of

The portfolio of the exhibited products has been extended with products intended for medium sized and large companies. HP is one of the biggest IT companies in the world. Between August last year and 31st July 2007, the company’s operations generated revenue of U.S.$100.5billion. Source: B92, Beta EAR DONATION TO THE ROADS OF SERBIA he European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) has donated to “Putevi Srbije” (Roads of Serbia), a special vehicle for checking bridges and two laboratories for testing asphalt quality. The General Manager of Putevi Srbije, Branko Jocić, says that the EAR donation, worth a million euros, shall add to better quality and safety of the roads in Serbia. Christos Gofas, Acting Head of the Office of the European Agency for Reconstruction in Serbia, said that the EAR has set aside around €100million as assistance to Serbian infrastructure, adding that the assistance is intended to assist Serbia on its way towards European integration. Source: Tanjug

Gacek appointed EBRD country manager he European Bank for Research and Development (EBRD) has appointed Hildegard Gacek as its new country manager for the Serbian Office. Gacek has 25 years of experience in international banking. Prior to her arrival in Serbia, she was Manageress of the EBRD’s Romanian Office for five years. Gacek is a Master of International Trade and Business Administration. She speaks German, English The EBRD’s and French fluently. Hildegard Gacek Before joining the EBRD in 1998, Gacek worked with the German DEG and UBS in Zurich. EBRD’s outgoing country manager for Serbia, Dragica Pilipović-Chaffey, has been appointed as the EBRD’s manageress for Poland and the Baltic States. To date, the EBRD has invested more than €1.2billion in Serbia, through 73 different projects in the field of infrastructure, the financial sector and SMEs. Source: Beta

Merkur opens centre in Novi Sad lovenian trade chain Merkur opened a new trade centre, worth around 10 million euros, in Novi Sad on 21st September. The new Merkur is set to employ around 70 people. In the centre that shall spread over 9,600 square metres, buyers will be able to purchase available products from the programme “merkurdom” (Mercury Home) intended for equipping homes and gardens, as well as the production program “merkurprofi” (Mercury Professional) intended for craftsmen, repairers and companies. Merkur is planning to open another centre in Belgrade and Novi Sad next year. Source: Beta

AKRIPOL INVESTS €1MILLION IN SERBIA lovenian Akripol shall invest a million euros in construction of a factory in the Vojvodina municipality of Kovačica. Robert Krvavica, General Manager of Akripol, said that construction of the factory for polymer slabs should start in 2008. The Slovenian company for production of acryl and polymer slabs has already purchased the land in Kovačica, where it intends to construct a new plant which will employ around 20 workers in the first phase of operations. Source: Beta

Dejan Kaludjerović Exhibition n the Salon of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Pariska Street, an exhibition was held of paintings by Dejan Kaludjerović, a well known author of the younger generation who lives and works in Vienna, and was sponsored by Raiffeisen banka. Dejan Kaludjerović’s portraits are based on the traditions of hyperrealism and comic books. Kaludjerović has exhibited all over the world, and has had noticeable success.

The cooperation of Raiffeisen banka and Kaludjerović was initiated when one painting from the serial “The Future Belongs to Us”, titled ‘Bronze Couple,’ was selected to be on the cover of Raiffeisen banka’s annual report for 2006. Furthermore, the mentioned painting was purchased and will be exhibited in the head office of Raiffeisen International in Vienna, together with paintings from other Eastern European countries where Raiffeisen International has its subsidiaries. Faster money transfer he Agreement on the Clearing of International Payments, which has been agreed between the Central Bank of Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Central Bank of Montenegro and the National Bank of Serbia, was recently signed in Sarajevo by CBB&H Governor Kemal Kozarić, NBS Governor Radovan Jelašić and CBCG Governor Ljubiša Krgović. The agreement was signed during the tenth anniversary of the work of the Central Bank of Bosnia & Herzegovina. The agreement will enable the banks of the three states to effect liabilities in euros – and primarily small payments by their clients – by participating in multilateral clearing, in a much faster, more efficient and cheaper way than until now. International payments’ clearing, whose operator shall be the National Bank of Serbia, will enable payments between commercial banks in the three states in the same day.

Commercial banks will pay to their central banks only minimal costs related to communication and settlement regarding clearing, which would enable them to effect money transfers into neighbouring countries with the minimal provision. The Agreement, which has the final aim of closer integration of financial markets in signatory countries, remains open to all regional countries interested in accession. Vinoprodukt buy Ohrid winery ompany Vinoprodukt Čoka, from Subotica, has become the owner of 50 per cent of the capital of Macedonian Vinarija (Winery) Ohrid, as a result of recapitalisation. Seat of the winery will remain in Ohrid, and new wines will be flowing by the end of the year. Company co-owner of Vinprodukt Čoka, Željko Knežević, said that the company will invest a minimum of €1.2million in the winery in Ohrid. He added that they also plan bigger investments. He said that the winery in Ohrid, the second owner of which is Ohrid Company Eko Invest, has a capacity of five million litres. He added that they have started investing into new production, in order to increase the capacities to around ten million litres a year. Source: B92, Beta

MT:S INTERNET TWICE AS FAST rivate and business users with a need for constant, quality Internet access are more and more opting for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscribers Line) - quick, asymmetric and safe access, with flow of 256/64KB/s -price (monthly subscription) is just 999 dinars; 0.5 Mbit/s1208 din; 1Mbit/s-.1,811 din, and ADSL 1.5 Mbit/s costs 2,415 dinars, simultaneously leaving the telephone line free. The strategic option of Telekom Srbija is broadband Internet access. As such, the company offers numerous benefits, but also innovations. As of September this year, ADSL access speeds for all users have been doubled, without any change of price, the installation fee has been abandoned, and the request for introduction of ADSL can now be arranged by phone, calling 9813, as well as through webportal www.nadlanu.com.

CorD / October 2007 57

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SMECA regional promotions raditionally SMECA participated in VI International Conference on Export Promotion organized by Hrvatska banka za obnovu i razvitak (HBOR) was held under the auspices of the Government of the Republic of Croatia in Dubrovnik in September. The Conference attended the President of Berne Union Mr. Lars Kolte, Deputy Secretary General Mr Lennart Skarp, as well as representatives from regional Export Credit Agencies. The contacts have been made with Croation Enterprises that have investments in Serbia and future cooperation has been proposed. At the 71st International Fair in Bari, Fiera del Levante, SMECA took part in Development Forum with its programs. The Fiera del Levante mainly serves the large Central and Southern Italian market though its activities extend to the Balkans and the Mediterranean Area. Forum participants were Agencies that promote economic development. Exchange of opinions and experiences within the region is valuable as the level of development and problems are alike.

B&H ratifies CEFTA and introduces customs duties Just a day after ratification of CEFTA, the B&H Parliament has adopted a law on its implementation, which introduces customs duties for meat, milk and some other products from Serbia and Croatia. Slobodan Puhalac, Bosnian Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Minister, invited MPs in Dom naroda (Home of Nations) B&H who should confirm this law, to reject it, because “it isn’t good for B&H”. Source: B92, Beta Autumn in Novi Sad Fair he Novi Sad Fair has prepared 21 days of fair activities for the autumn season. In 17 fairs in six terms, exhibitors from the country and the region shall represent products and services from all around the world. Tourism fair and Lorist shall be held from 9th to 14th October. Following is the Automobile Fair, from 23rd to 28th October. From 6th to 9th November the Second International Investments Fair – Investexpo -- will be held. This event will see numerous business and expert meetings, as well as promotions within the Master Congress Centre.

Vip signs up star singer partnership has been established between Vip mobile and singer Aleksandra Kovač. The partnership commences with Kovac’s Vip Tour, which will see a series of concerts held in Niš, Subotica, Belgrade and Novi Sad. For the beginning of co-operation, Kovač wrote and composed a corporate song for Vip mobile entitled “Tvoje reči vrede više“ (Your words are worth more).

New Doncafe factory ompany Doncafe has opened a new factory in Šimanovci worth over €10million. The new factory, which was formally opened by Serbian president Tadić, has an initial processing capacity of 18,000 tonnes of coffee, but this capacity

Aleksandra Kovač and Vip mobile director Alexander Sperl

is set to reach 33,000 tonnes in the next phases of development. The complex spreads over an area of 33,500 square metres, while the main building covers 8,000 square metres. The Strauss Group has been present in the Doncafe Group company since 2002, when it purchased a 40 per cent share. Since May 2005 Strauss has been the sole owner of Doncafe. Since the entry of Strauss, over €50million has been invested in Doncafe. Plans are for Serbia to be the production centre for South-Eastern Europe, from which coffee should be distributed to other countries of the region where Strauss operates.

58 CorD / October 2007

Doncafe’s new Šimanovci factory is opened by Serbian President Boris Tadić

New investment fund ew investment fund, Focus Invest, has started operations. A public invitation for payment of investment units per nominal price of CSD1,000 lasted from 20th to 29th August. During ten days, CSD123million was paid by 203 parties – 92 per cent of which were private individuals. The current status of net property of the Fund is CSD135million with 228 members. From 7th September, the fund started investment activities, and a one per cent growth in the value of the investment has been achieved in the first month: according to the last nominal price of CSD1,010.68.

HOLCIM HAS INVESTED $90MILLION IN SERBIA uring the past five years of operations, company Holcim Serbia has invested more than €90million. According to Gustavo Navarro, General Manager of the Cement Works, the highest sum has been invested in the technological process of modernisation, infrastructure and environmental protection, “much more than 85 million dollars of obligations prescribed in the sales and purchase contract“. Holcim General Navarro also Manager, Gustavo said that the Navarro company has envisaged investments of a million euros for this year, and as much in the next year, for planned investments in all segments of socially responsible operations, starting from environmental protection, work safety, through funding projects in the local community, to investment in the development of employees. Source: Tanjugv

44 Mercedes-Benz Vehicles On the Top Of Serbia ur Philosophy is very simple. We give our best for people who expect the best” – Dr. Dieter Zetsche For the first time in Serbia, customers of Mercedes-Benz SUV vehicles

have had an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of the extraordinary On Top of Serbia Event, conquering with their vehicles the highest Peak of the Serbian mountain Kopaonik, which is being organised by company DaimlerChrysler Serbia and Montenegro. On 7th September 2007, the caravan of nearly 50 Mercedes-Benz ML-, GLand G-Class vehicles started the adventure from Belgrade. The fascinating line of luxury vehicles made their first stop under the Mountain Kopaonik where the first briefing was made. Due to the fact that it was still September, tick fog did the best to assure the excitement, impressions and uniqueness of the event. Hilly roads and curves of Kopaonik had made the perfect on-road adventure, but the true excitement started the next day. 1976 meters of altitude were conquered! 44 vehicles climbed on Suvo Rudiste on minus 3 degree. Ice, snow, wind, curves and stones were the perfect tool to test the Mercedes-Benz tradition in safety during the driving down hill. Thanks to the technical support of experts from After Sales and Services department who were standing on the key points explaining the next steps and the reactions of the superior systems in the vehicles, everything went perfectly smoothly, even when the things got rough. Mercedes-Benz commitment to enhanced road safety, based on innovative technologies and outstanding accident protection, ensured the customers to test all capabilities of their vehicle. Excitement and adventure, great care off all Mercedes-Benz Team members and Management, cozy and friendly atmosphere created this unique feeling that off limits possibilities are easily achievable with Mercedes-Benz.

Some of the 44 Mercedes vehicles participating in DaimlerChrysler’s On Top of Serbia event

EBRD approves €45million he European Bank for Research and Development (EBRD) has approved a line of credit worth €45million to Victoria Group. This marks the biggest loan that this bank has approved to one private company in Serbia to date. The credit is intended to finance working capital for the harvesting of agricultural products and increase of energy efficiency. Credit beneficiaries are Victoria Oil and Sojaprotein. A part of the total credit, amount to a subtotal of €40million, will be used for financing the working capital needed for the harvesting of agricultural products, that is, procurement of raw materials, like sunflower and soy. Meanwhile, the remaining five million euros will be used for increasing energy efficiency, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions and energy savings.

Five years of Lafarge BFC arly September saw company Lafarge BFC mark five years of successful operations of the Lafarge Group in Serbia. Today, Lafarge BFC has an annual production of over 1.1 million tonnes of cement and is the leader in production. In the first five years Lafarge has invested €62.5million into reconstruction and modernisation of Beočin factory. Currently construction of new clinker silos is in the finalisation phase. It will have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes and be equipped with systems for dusting and a plant for loading of clinker into trucks, which would eliminate the need to store clinker in the open.

CorD / October 2007 59

B2B

US Steel Knowledge Centre educating Belgraders eptember saw John P. Surma, President and Chief Executive Director of the U.S. Steel Corporation, ceremonially opened the newly restored Svetozar Marković University Library and the U.S. Steel Knowledge Centre. Surma opened the library and centre in the presence of numerous distinguished guests, including the Karađorđević Royals, the U.S. Ambassador in Serbia, members of the Board of Directors and officials of U.S. Steel Corporation from America, Slovakia and Serbia, the Dean of Belgrade University and employees of the library.

Steel Serbia Knowledge Centre – a facility which will address the cultural & educational needs of students. “We believe the University Library will become a place of gathering for all students who want to enrich their knowledge through creative programmes and gatherings with their peers. We hope that the noble goals of Carnegie will be achieved through the activities of the centre,” said Surma. Mobile use on the up T:S claims that the number of mobile phone users in Serbian has increased by around 700,000 in 2007 so far. Through regional linkage with the mobile telephone operator in the Republic of Srpska and in Montenegro, MT:S has linked over six million users into one network. As a positive result of that linkage, the mobile telephone network of the Republic of Srpska has received 70,000 new users, so that it now has in total 705,000 users. Moreover, in less than two months of operating as the third mobile operator in Montenegro it has acquired over 97,000 users.

Highest growth per investment unit or the first year of operations, the first private pension fund in Serbia Delta Generali has marked the highest growth per investment unit of 22.5 percents. Delta Generali voluntary pension fund after a year from its foundation has attracted trust from more than 32,255 members, and the total revenue it has earned for its members reached 45.2 million dinars. Property of Delta Generali Society for managing voluntary pension fund during the first year has been increased for more than 2.5 times from the starting 195.3 million dinars to the current 496.2 million dinars, that is, 6.2 million euros.

Indian firm & government sign IT park memorandum erbian Economy Minister, Mlađan Dinkić, and Embassy Group CEO, Jitu Virwani, have signed a memorandum of understanding that sets out the conditions for the construction of an IT park in the Vojvodina municipality of Inđija. The initial stage of the park’s development will involve an investment of U.S.$60million and create 2,500 jobs in the process. Dinkić said that IBM and Hewlett Packard have already expressed interest in the new IT park, adding that its export possibilities are at about U.S.$2billion per year. “These estimates are based on data and experiences of the Embassy Group, which has similar IT parks in Bangalore, India and in Malaysia,” Dinkić said during the ceremony at the seat of the Serbian government. In the next five years, the size of the premises and the number of workers are planned to increase tenfold. Dinkić explained that once the park is finished it will be the biggest facility of its kind in Europe. Overall investment should then come to some U.S.$600million, and would represent the largest ever greenfield investment in Serbia.

Jelašić re-elected central bank chief he Serbian Parliament has approved a second term for Radovan Jelašić, incumbent National Bank of Serbia (NBS) governor. Jelašić’s candidacy was put forward by the Finance Committee, at a proposal by his party, G17 Plus. His election today ended a two-day debate in the parliament, where opposition MPs from the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) mostly took part in the discussion, disputing Jelašić’s candidacy and asking that he should come to the parliament and answer questions from lawmakers. The governor, however, did not attend either session. The opposition criticised the way Jelašic was proposed for a new, five-year term,

ERST INVESTS A MILLION IN NEW TECHNOLOGY rste Bank has invested one million dollars into new technology aimed at accelerating the growth of the Bank in Serbia. Erste Bank in Serbia has announced that it has started implementation of the intelligent network of financial services, that is, of a unique network of data, sound and video, of the information technology company Cisco, into which it invested a million dollars. The new technology will connect different channels of the bank - operations through local affiliates, ATMs, contact centres, phones and Internet banking into one network platform. This will enable the bank to optimize its strategy by providing a unique overview of the client and his needs. Source: Beta

F Over the summer, U.S. Steel has invested around $250,000 in the adaptation of the interior of the library. Within this investment, the main entrance hall, the main hall of the students’ reading room, the Library gallery, and the first floor hall, have all been fully renovated. Speaking about the connection between the University Library and Andrew Carnegie, king of steel and one of the founders of U.S. Steel, Mr. Surma said: “We are honoured to celebrate the past and the future of this mansion tonight. The library was built 81 years ago with funds gifted by the Foundation for Peace of Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie, one of my predecessors, was a man with a vision, whose humanity was of a great importance to U.S. Steel. 100 years ago he realised that libraries are not only educational institutions, but centres for gathering. While educational technology was changing during that time, libraries were representing a cornerstone of our community.” Surma stressed that renewal of the library’s interior had been completed in Carnegie’s spirit. He also noted that the fact that the Great reading room had been dedicated to him was an honour that he would have appreciated. The U.S. Steel President announced the commencement of work within the U.S. 60 CorD / October 2007

and his results at the helm of the central bank. In addition to the ruling coalition, MPs from the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians also voted in favour of Jelašic.

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State of Limbo September 2007 /

Issue No. 41

B2B Interview

Developing Aleksandra Radetic, Mmd Director of Public Relations

with Dynamism From frontline war, to public diplomacy, to corporate PR. This month CorD speaks to Aleksandra Radetić about her dynamic career and the development of PR in Serbia. CorD fter a brief internship at Reuters Television back in 1992, Aleskandra Radetić found herself thrust into the dangerous environment of open war. And, despite being a young lady with limited media experience at the time, she managed to advance to the level of senior producer, responsible for coordinating four television crews and picture editors in the battlefields of Bosnia.

n Was your job made harder because you were a young lady in what is essentially a male-dominated environment? r It was quite hard. The crews under me comprised cameramen and sound assistants who were all tough, very experienced guys from the ranks of the then Radio Television Yugoslavia. They’d worked all over the world and now found themselves receiving orders and directions from me. This was quite challenging, firstly because I was young and a female, but also because I was invading what was traditionally a man’s job in our society. But we proved very successful. For example, when U.S. troops first entered Bosnia on 1st January 1996, our small crew got the scoop early that morning, taking the first pictures of the troops entering Bosnia and shooting two or three exclusive stories while our competition was soundly asleep. n As a ‘Yugoslav’ you must have been deeply personally affected by the wars tearing your country apart. However, as you were then working for Reuters you had to remain professionally neutral. How did you cope with that? r That was very difficult but, in the end, television news agencies are very specific because they are just sending pictures and providing two or three sentences covering the main facts. This material is then taken by the broadcast houses and accompanied by wire reports or other editorial material and developed into their own stories. It was difficult trying to be objective, but my personal motto is ‘be objective and fair’. If you haven’t seen something, you 62 CorD / October 2007

may not know that it’s happened. As such, you always try to present the information as accurately as you perceive it. It’s always important to back off and exclude the emotions as much as possible; if you saw people fleeing or even people killed it obviously becomes very difficult to put emotion aside, but you have to because otherwise people

“Serbia’s return to the EU integration path has increased travel opportunities and possibilities for international practice, which in turn has strengthened the development of PR in our country...” would lose trust in you and, ultimately, it would become impossible for you to do the job anymore. n Was it really possible to remain objective when covering war in your own country? r By then Bosnia was no longer in my country, so it was possible to be objective to a degree. However, working in Kosovo during the NATO intervention was more difficult, because it was happening in my own country. There it became extremely hard at times to remain objective, particu-

larly when what you were really seeing and filming didn’t necessarily correspond with whatever story was being given by the officials. n Ultimately, working in that environment and dealing with the levels of media liaison bureaucracy led you to your next career move… r Yes. There was an opening for an assistant in the projects and public diplomacy section of the Embassy of the UK in Belgrade. At the time I was freelancing for the Associated Press, but I really wanted to give this a go: having lived a year during high school in the UK and having worked with major British broadcasters and journalists during my time at Reuters, I felt accustomed to both the English ways and language. They obviously agreed that I had sufficient experience because I got the job and within 10 months I’d advanced to the head of the projects and public diplomacy section at the embassy. That was extremely satisfying because normally this high-ranking job would be performed by a diplomat and would not be open to local staff. n After five years with the British Embassy and a brief spell at the UNDP in Belgrade, you took the decision to move into the world of corporate PR. What inspired that lateral move? r I was intrigued when I got the call from Mmd. At that time, the private sector wasn’t at the top of my list of priorities, but once I met the Mmd team and regional managers, I started to realise that my personality, knowledge and experience were all better suited for this fast-moving dynamic sector than they had been for the UN. n Having come out of six years of working in the heavily controlled and restrictive structures of the British Embassy and the UN, how are you now adapting to this new challenge?

Mmd’s first team: David Dowse and Aleksandra Radetić

Aleksandra with UNICEF Ambassador Ana Ivanović as part of an Mmd campaign (left) Aleksandra with British IFOR troops in Bosnia (below left)

target audiences, and if you think cleverly and creatively the job is more of a challenge than a problem. n How well have the foundations of Mmd been laid in the five years that preceded your arrival? r When it arrived in 2002, Mmd was the first international PR consultancy to arrive in Serbia. As such, we have a natural advantage of having been able to establish ourselves and our relations with the media in several fields – from daily newspapers, to business publications, lifestyle magazines, radio, TV, new media, etc. The team here has all the required elements: youth, dynamism and experience, which has helped us to spread our influence and expand on the foundations of media relations. What really matters in this industry are personal relations, be that with the media or be that with anybody else you need to work with, i.e. the government, NGOs, corporations, etc.

r I consider myself a natural leader, able to steer a team and accept both the praise and criticism of clients. Here I love the dynamism of the job: no two campaigns are the same; there’s no copy-past option. Even the same campaign with two different clients would work differently because of the different personalities of the clients and the contrasting audiences being addressed. n You’ve come in at a time of new challenges in the media sector in Serbia, with regulatory development, the corporate media sector growing rapidly and numerous competitors entering the fray. Mmd has the advantage of being on the scene for quite a few years and, indeed, is now celebrating its 5th anniversary in Serbia. How are you facing these new challenges at Mmd? r We try simply to remain creative and ensure our clients continue to look good; we

“when U.S. troops first entered Bosnia on 1st January 1996, our small crew got the scoop early that morning, taking the first pictures of the troops entering Bosnia” try to ensure that there is complete understanding between our clients, who have put their trust in us, and their target audience. We are well aware of the new challenges posed by the changes in media regulations, and more and more activities are considered as marketing – as opposed to straight PR – but we mustn’t forget that the big difference between marketing and PR is that marketing is one-way communication, while the beauty of public relations is that it is about establishing a dialogue. One’s reputation is built on the basis of that constant communication with clients, stakeholders and

n How would you say that the sector has developed over the past five years? r The PR sector has gone through several phases in our country, from the amateur, self-help phases, to the rising numbers of highly professional, educated PR managers of today, taking the leading role of communicators able to shape public opinion. Serbia’s return to the European integration path has increased travel opportunities and possibilities for international practice, which in turn has strengthened the development of PR in our country and defined it as one of the essential tools of any successful business. Corporate communications, public affairs, crisis communications – these are the usual types of support provided by the consultancies. They are also highly recommended, as they define long term strategies in the market. This is particularly important when we have in mind that the list of stakeholders has expanded during the past five years and that, besides media, it now includes all those that can influence business of different companies – directly or indirectly – e.g. government (central and local) NGOs, business community and others. More importantly, companies that do hire consultants for professional support in communication are very often aware of those facts and the agencies that are engaged for consultancy services do not only write and distribute press releases and build media relations, but also provide a strategic and pro-active approach. n CorD / October 2007 63

Faces & PLACES

Rasim Ljajić, Serbia’s labour and social policy minister, and Tim Bainbridge, Regional director of Save the Children, pictured on 18th September at a British Ambassadorial residence reception to mark the signing of the agreement “Working together for Child Protection” and to launch Save the Children’s new plan.

H.E. Igor Furdik, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic in Serbia, pictured in conversation with Messrs Aleksandar Popović – Serbian Energy Minister – and Predrag Bubalo – Trade & Services Minister – at a 6th September reception marking Slovakia’s Constitution Day.

Vlade Divac, Serbian basketball legend, and his wife Snežana, pictured at a 10th September press conference to mark the end of Divac’s playing career and the start of the biggest humanitarian action on the Balkans – to be realised through the newly founded “Foundation Divac”.

Mr. Eduardo H. Moguel, Charge d’ Affaires a.i. of Mexico, (right) welcomes H.E. Stephen Wordsworth, British Ambassador in Serbia, to a 17th September reception marking the 197th anniversary of the proclamation of the independence of Mexico.

Dejan Stojaković, Audi sales director, and Maja Babić, Audi marketing manager, pictured on 29th August at a festive promotion of the new Audi A5.

64 CorD / October 2007

Australian Ambassador, H.E. Clare Birgin (centre), welcomes the Australian tennis team to Serbia at a Hyatt Regency reception on 17th September, ahead of their Davis Cup clash against Serbia.

Left-to-right: Zoran Lončar, Serbian Education Minister; Predrag Bubalo, Minister of trade & Services, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder of the Art of Living Foundation – pictured on 17th September at the opening of a Raša Sekulović photo exhibition chronicling the life and works of Mahatma Ghandi in the National Bank of Serbia’s Slavija building.

Deputy Serbian PM, Božidar Ðelić, and CEO of Airport City Belgrade (ACB), Gili Dekel, pictured in conversation at ACB on 6th September during a celebration to mark the completion of the second phase of construction, and announce the commencement of the third phase, of Serbia’s first ever bespoke business park.

Egyptian Ambassador, H.E. Adel A. Mohamed Naguib, is welcomed to a 10th September Hotel Continental reception by Libyan Chargećd Affairs Nourddin O.M. Abuliad. The reception marked the 38th Anniversary of the 1st September Revolution of the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

A.S. Babar Hashmi, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of Pakistan, is welcomed to a Turkish Armed Forces Day reception at Belgrade’s Aeroklub on 30th August by H.E. Ambassador Hasan Servet Öktem (centre) and Colonel Yücel Keleş, Turkish Military Attaché in Belgrade. CorD / October 2007 65

Faces & PLACES

Malaysian Ambassador Mr. C.H.Saw and Mrs. Jenny Saw, welcome Turkish Ambassador, H.E. Hasan Servet Oktem, to a 31st August reception at the Malaysian ambassadorial residence in Dedinje. The festive reception was held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Malaysian National Day.

H.E. Anatoliy Oliynyk, Ukrainian Ambassador in Belgrade, pictured alongside his wife, Mrs. Zoya Oliynyk, at a festive Hyatt Regency reception on 12th September to mark the Independence Day of Ukraine.

Celebrated French painter, Alain Boyer, pictured addressing guests at the opening of an exhibition of his works at the French Cultural Centre’s Mediatheque in downtown Belgrade on 10th September.

The musical trio Simenuti pictured entertaining guests at an unusual birthday party at Belgrade’s Diplomatic Club. The party, to celebrate the 60th birthday of Predrag Vujović, saw Mrs. Slobodanka Vujović ask friends to offer donations to the orphans of the Dragutin Filipović-Juša Orphanage, as opposed to giving presents to her husband. The party, attended amongst others by Momo Kapor and Dan Tana, saw €1,200 raised for the children of the orphanage.

Crown Prince Alexander II, flanked by Prince Philip (left) and Crown Princess Katherine (right), addresses state officials and Belgrade’s business leaders at a White Palace reception on 7th September. The reception, dubbed “Let’s Identify Future Leaders”, was held in honour of “the successful and proven members of our business community, as well as those whose time is yet to come.”

66 CorD / October 2007

NEWLY ACCREDITED H.E. Cameron Phelps Munter, Ambassador of the U.S.A. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service of the United States, Ambassador Munter served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Prague (2005-2007) and Warsaw (2002-2005). During this period, he also volunteered as the first team leader of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mosul, Iraq (2006). Before that, Ambassador Munter was Director for Central and Eastern Europe at the National Security Council (1999-2001), Executive Assistant to the Counsellor of the State Department (1998-1999), Director of the Northern European Initiative (1998), and Chief of Staff in the NATO Enlargement Ratification Office (1997-1998). Earlier he held the posts of Country Director for Czechoslovakia (1989-1991) and Staff Assistant in the European Bureau of the State Department (1988-1989). Previous overseas postings included Bonn (1995-1997), Prague (1992-1995), and Warsaw (1986-1988). Ambassador Munter holds a doctoral degree in Modern European History from John Hopkins University, and also studied at Freiburg and Marburg universities (Germany) and Cornell University.

H.E. Arthur Koll, Ambassador of Israel Prior to arrival in Belgrade, Ambassador Koll was Director of Projects in the Israeli MFA Division for Central Europe & Eurasia (November 2005 onwards). In 2003 he gained an MA in Political Science from the University of Haifa and subsequently served (2003 to ’05) as an instructor at the National Defence College (ND). Born in Romania in 1956, he immigrated to Israel in 1964. After completing military service (1974 to ’78; demobilised rank of captain) and obtaining a BA in Geography from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1981), Koll took a two-year cadet course at the ministry and went on to become a Fellow of the Rothschild Foundation. He served as Consul in Atlanta, Georgia USA (1985 to ’89), before transferring to the Public Affairs Division and becoming Political Advisor to the Foreign Minister (1990 to ’92). In 1993 Ambassador Koll headed to London, where he served as Counsellor for Public Affairs. Between 1997 and ’99, Koll held the post of Director of International Affairs Department at the Centre for Political Research, and then Director of Projects Department at the World Jewish Affairs Bureau. Koll, who is a married father of three, speaks Hebrew, English and Hungarian.

H.E. Kari Johannes Veijalainen, Ambassador of Finland Born 7th September, 1948, Ambassador Veijalainen gained an MA (Law) from the University of Helsinki in 1973 before joining the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. With the MFA, Veijalainen has served as Attaché and Second Secretary within the Ministry (1976 to ’80), Second Secretary at the Embassy of Finland in Paris (’80 to ’83) and Second Secretary at the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo (’83 to ’85). Between 1985 and ’91, Veijalainen held the post of Senior Government Secretary (ILO affairs) with the Ministry for Social Affairs and Health, before becoming a political affairs Counsellor in 1991. The ‘90s saw Ambassador Veijalainen serve as Deputy Executive Secretary, OSCE Summit Meeting Secretariat in Helsinki (1992), Press Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Paris (’92 to ’94), Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Brussels (incl. WEU, NATO/ Partnership for Peace) from ’94 to ’97 and Director of the MFA’s Middle East and Northern Africa Directorate (’98 to ’03). Prior to arriving in Belgrade, Mr. Veijalainen – who is married to Anneli Veijalainen and is a keen golfer and tennis player – served as Ambassador in Tel Aviv (’03 to ’07).

H.E. Mette Kjuel Nielsen, Ambassador of Denmark Born 9th May 1956, Ambassador Nielsen, gained an MA in political science from Denmark’s University of Aarhus in 1983, before immediately pursuing her career with the Danish MFA. For seven years, from 1983 to ‘90, Ambassador Nielsen served as Head of Section, Desk Officer for Asia, within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1990 to ‘93 she served as First Secretary at the Danish Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, before returning to Copenhagen to take up the post of Head of Section in the Security Policy Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (‘93 to ’97). Turning her hand to the Balkans for the first time in her career a decade ago, Nielsen served as Political Advisor to the Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (‘97 to ’98), before becoming Deputy Under Secretary for Defence (International Affairs) within the Ministry of Defence(‘98 to ’01). Prior to her arrival in Belgrade, Ambassador Nielsen spent six years (’01 to ’07) as Head of Department for Russia, CIS and the Western Balkans within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. CorD / October 2007 67

society

Tales from the Big Plum

Dining Serbian Style “You’re moving to Yugoslavia? But there’s nothing to eat down there!” Spoken like a true Frenchman – that was the opinion of one of my Parisian friends some 30 years ago when he learned I was leaving Paris (incomprehensible in itself) to be married and live in Belgrade. And I suppose, given his country’s history of unrivalled (that’s my opinion!) cuisine, he had spoken the truth.

Many do now cater to foreigners, serving brunch, hen I arrived, the most exotic foreign food for example, where you will find „hemendeks“ and was pizza, and even that was hard to find. So, „bekendeks“ (ham & eggs and bacon & eggs) on having no other choice, I swallowed my pride and the menu. But whether you’re here for the long or memories of haute cuisine and, ever the adventuress, short term, you should adopt the „When in Rome“ set out to discover what the local cuisine had to offer. attitude and try to eat like a Serb. Besides, you’ll be After a few meals at local state-owned restaurants the centre of attraction at your next cocktail party (there were hardly any private ones then) in smokeback home when offered one of those little sausages filled rooms under neon lighting – where waiters on a toothpick and remark, „Oh, the ćevapčići I had would just flip over the tablecloth to hide stains in Belgrade were so much tastier.” A conversation – consuming variations of the same meal of grilled stopper, to be sure. meat and salad, I reached the sad conclusion that Serbs, like most people, love to eat and be very dining out would be pretty much déjà vu no matter merry, but what really gets a typical Serb’s gastric where I went. Fortunately, my mother-in-law’s home By Pat Anđelković juices flowing? Good old, down-home Serbian food, cooking renewed my spirits and faith in Serbian which is pretty stick-to-your ribs fare and, if you’re culinary arts, but unfortunately also added a few a vegetarian you may find yourself in dire straits while eating pounds to my then-chic figure. I became as conditioned as one out. Same goes for you vegan readers, since the abundant juicy of Pavlov’s dogs, unaffected by my husband’s words „Let’s go meats are often filled or slathered with kajmak, the buttery out for dinner,“ and salivating at, „Let’s go to my mother’s.“ cream skimmed off the top of boiled milk, or topped with sour (How many daughters-in-law can get excited at that prospect?!) cream. If you have high cholesterol, you’ll need to have a lot of Well, if you’re reading this in Belgrade and have looked will-power to stick to your diet. around town even a little, you’ll realise some things have Meat, then, is the main staple of a typical Serb’s diet. After changed. Belgrade guidebooks and periodicals abound with his wake-up stimulant of a sugary-sweet tablespoon of slatko, advertisements for many foreign restaurants, each trying to (whole pieces of fruit in heavy syrup), a Serb will set off for outdo the other. Though the number (and some say cuisine) work around 8 a.m., sometimes earlier, then pause around 10 to of Belgrade’s foreign restaurants can’t compare with most step out for a breakfast (doručak) of burek, an oily Phyllo dough major European cities, you could still dine in a different one pastry filled with soft, white cheese, spinach, or (no surprise) every night of the week for a while before closing the circle. ground meat, washed down with yogurt and perhaps a Turkish coffee. After work comes Lunch (ručak). Ideally, this will consist of a homemade “kuvano jelo” or casserole dish like mućkalica (a vegetable/meat baked stew), ground meat eggplant or potato mousaka, or punjene paprike/tikvice (rice/meat stuffed peppers or zucchini). Serbs drool over domaća jela or home-cooked meals and praise grandma’s village cooking with reverence. If he does decide to go out, it will be for something not easily or efficiently prepared at home: grilled meat or meat roasted over coals, usually served with roasted potatoes (often placed to bake below the meat to absorb the fatty drippings) and lots of chopped raw onions. Knives and forks are on the table, but many Serbs love to eat fresh roast meat with their hands, smacking their fingers in enjoyment. Unless you know the meat has just been taken off the spit, it could possibly be served to you cold, since it’s easier then to cut off the fat, always a puzzler to me, since so much grilled meat is often wrapped in Serbian bacon, which is 90% fat. Such lunches and dinners will be washed down with beer, white wine spritzers, and/or various brandies, especially plum (šlivovica). A word of caution: any item on the menu marked “leskovački” (Leskovac style) is spicy HOT!! Dinner or večera is a light affair (thank God), consisting The Serbian diet could trouble those with high cholestoral of some sliced kobasice (sausages, usually smoked and of 68 CorD / October 2007

course best if homemade) or other cold cuts, along with the ever-popular ajvar (a sweet pepper & aubergine spread), and a selection of Serbian cheeses. If some is leftover from lunch, some bean soup might do, or else some baked beans (prebranac) that can be warmed up or served cold. A glass of wine or beer, a little TV, then off to bed. Serbian cheeses merit a special word. De Gaulle is reputed to have said of France, “Any country with 300 cheeses is ungovernable,” and although France can claim more varieties, Serbia can hold its own with its selection of white cheeses that differ in taste, consistency, and texture if not colour, though Serbia does produce some hard yellow smoked or unsmoked cheeses. (Whether or not Serbia is ungovernable or not would be the subject of another column.) It’s definitely worth taking a casual stroll though one of Belgrade’s popular open markets. Buy yourselves a lepinja (big, soft bun) and walk through the cheese section. They will pretty much look all alike to you at first. Language won’t be a barrier, just keep smiling. The sellers, sweet, kerchief-coiffed peasant ladies from nearby or not even so nearby villages) will proudly offer you a sample of their product to enjoy on your bread. You’ll soon see that even among the creamier, easier-to-spread cheeses you have a great

pork meat, head, shank, and/or hock, best consumed, so they say, with lots of sour cabbage and šlivovica. No wonder. When offered some, I always decline, but my hostess replies, “Oh, but you haven’t tried mine! Then I do, and reconfirm my opinion. Watch out too for beli bubrezi on a restaurant menu alone or hiding along with some mixed grill. These “white kidneys” are bull testicles, and an entire festival devoted to the joys of munchng bull balls, the Mudijada, or Testicle Cooking Championship, takes place every August in Serbia (www. ballcup.com). No meal in Serbia is possible, and I mean that quite literally, without bread. I’ve seen panic set in several times at my home when I’ve forgotten to buy bread, and my grumbling husband sets out in a huff for the grocery store. No bread should ever be thrown away either, but placed in a bag in some convenient location (on a dumpster’s handle, for example) to be picked up by the less fortunate for their own use or to be fed to their chickens. Much bread is now produced by trendy bakeries, but many served puffed-up imitations of the original, heavier, yeasty Serbian breads. A quick word about manners, in the home and out. Serbia is a land of warm-hearted people, where hospitality is the

“Serbs, like most people, love to eat and be very merry, but what really gets a typical Serb’s gastric juices flowing? Good old, down-home Serbian food, which is pretty stick-to-your ribs fare and, if you’re a vegetarian you may find yourself in dire straits while eating out.” variety in taste, and after a few such strolls you’ll be able to tell almost at a glance which ones you like and which you don’t. You’ll also find wooden buckets or round, metal pans of buttery kajmak here, too. Since the Turks had occupied this part of the Balkans for 500 years, their influence is obvious in Serbian pastries like baklava and the ever-popular ground walnut stuffed baked apples, tufakija, whose name never fails to cause a snicker. Orasnice, cresent-shaped cookies made from ground walnuts, sugar, and beaten egg whites, are classics, and every sweet-loving Serb knows just where to get the best ones (i.e.) not too chewy and not too brittle. Regarding sweetness, I’ve always noticed that Serbs have a higher tolerance than most of us in the West. My husband complains that my classic butter icing is much too sugary, but will then go on to wolf down suva pita (literally “dry pie”), which is a baklava-type pastry soaked in honey...dry it isn’t. Serbs love their palačinke (pancakes), especially stuffed with ground walnuts or spread with chocolate and covered with whipped cream. A heart-stopping number of butter and eggs go into rich, Serbian torte, or cakes. Serbs also happily devour several things that don’t hit the spot with many palates, like the popular hard to say and even harder to swallow aspic dish, pihtije, made out of low quality

utmost obligation of every host, where courtesy requires that the guest be offered more than he can eat or drink and where everything will be done to make him feel at home. This is especially true in the rural areas where the hospitality is taken very seriously. Sometimes the overenthusiastic hosts’ hospitality is overwhelming, but, since it is done with best intentions, you will have to adapt and enjoy it. It’s the housewife’s duty to feed; it’s yours to eat. In all probability, you’ll be packed a little something to take along home with you. When eating out, the host pays. It’s polite to offer to chip in, but you’ll be turned down. It’s understood that you’ll treat next time. If only having drinks, each person usually buys an entire round. For your birthday, it’s common practice to treat your guests to cake and drinks, rather than having them treat you. No matter where or what you’re eating, I’ve consistently noticed that hardly anybody uses napkins, especially cloth ones. Napkins often stay right where they were when you started the meal, or else are used and then placed wadded up on the table. I still haven’t managed to train my husband to use a napkin properly, but in his defence, he’ll remind me that when the crowned heads of Europe were eating with their hands, King Lazar (famous for having lost to the Turks in 1389) was using a golden fork. But I’ll bet he didn’t use a napkin.! n CorD / October 2007 69

society

Ivica’s edge

Real Belgrade For years there have been heated debates concerning when Belgrade “resembles itself” the most. As it is with any other antagonism in Serbian society, so is this one characterised by raging ‘kafana’ debates, but fortunately this conflict is very harmless and as its only consequence is that it leaves a damaged ego now and then.

elgrade likes to be spoken of as a when speaking over the telephone instead of cosmopolitan city, and that it truly is. The asking too loudly “Is Mika there?” and they traditional openness is sometimes the subject of yell at you if you tell them that they’re wrong. ridicule, but it cannot be denied that Belgrade “True Belgraders” know where to buy good accepts newcomers without restraints and that wines and they don’t drink “Jelen” beer out of Serbian hospitality is something that most a 2 litre bottle. If you do not fit into some of foreigners notice first. Of course, it happens that the mentioned rules, then you fall among the someone on the street doesn’t speak English, group of those suspected of spoiling the famous there is a moody expression on people’s faces Belgrade spirit and who should be barred from sometimes, but that doesn’t interfere with the entering the city. overall impression of a pretty good dose of openness. Still, all these could perhaps be shortowever, that’s not how things are done in By Ivica Petrović lived tourist impressions. One could say that democratic and civilized countries. You an eternal topic for the citizens of Belgrade is could say, therefore, that true Belgraders are a discussion about newcomers and what their influence is leading a constant struggle to return to the right path those of on the spirit of the capital. Serbia is a small country, and them who went astray, and in so doing save Belgrade from no matter how well known a phenomenon of a large city is, total ruin. When you start a conversation about that subject, Belgrade is practically the only real big urban centre and, one of the first things that you will hear will be how Belgrade therefore, basically the only choice for those who wish to looks completely different at different times of year. Of be as close as possible to the media, cultural institutions, the course, this does not refer to weather, but to everything that highest political echelons and business opportunities. a large concentration of people does for the atmosphere of Like any other metropolis, Belgrade is magnetically the city itself. The favourite theory of “true Belgraders” is attractive to the rest of Serbia. In that sense, we can only that the city resembles itself the most during summer. Like repeat well known phrases which go for any other similar city any other big city, Belgrade is also full of seasonal workers, of the world; about hundreds of people arriving here every students or, in short, people who are in it due to various day in search of their dream, about how a big city is a city circumstances and who use every opportunity to go back to of big chances and how succeeding in Belgrade is a great their hometowns. Summer is for the most part a time when challenge. That practically means that after a few generations a whole army of students, businessmen, people who are it is already difficult to tell who is “a true Belgrader” and who here only because they have to be here, leave the city and is a newcomer. The structure of the population is changing go back to where, by definition, their home should be. To literally with each moment and so these discussions are many, such an empty Belgrade represents actually the true mostly a waste of time. However, anyone who arrived in picture of its inhabitants and the realistic impression that you Belgrade at least a day earlier considers himself more of a should get. The facts are on their side. The city is half empty, citizen of Belgrade than someone who arrived a day later and public transportation too, the streets lose the familiar city that is already enough to spark a juicy argument. However commotion, cultural institutions, parks, and everything else dangerous some arguments may be in Serbian society, this looks like cheap horror movies in which a town suddenly one definitely falls into the more harmless group: a bruised becomes deserted in the face of a mysterious danger. The fans ego, some shame, an apology of the type “I didn’t mean of this theory recognise only this Belgrade as the true one and it like that” are for the most part the end result of such an they will explain to you at length how you can only get to exchange of opinions. know the real spirit of the city when these people, who only Most of those who have spent more than a few months in make the city crowded during the year, leave. Belgrade consider themselves sufficiently qualified to judge The truth is exactly the opposite. Only after the holiday those who arrived after them. If you tried to establish what season is over, when the army of students start moving again makes someone “a true Belgrader” you would get a bunch and when all the institutions start working does Belgrade of complicated rules, unclear explanations, questionable truly look like itself. You can tell that the summer is over by moral and ethical values, simply put, a collection of useless different signs: long queues for buying schoolbooks, start of theories. “True Belgraders” drive aggressively and fast, the school year and the suddenly louder voices of children they give their seats to old people in public transportation, in public transportation, theatres announcing their repertoire they say “thank you” and “excuse me” when it’s necessary, for the next season, the public buses can’t be entered without they don’t listen to turbo folk and they go to the theatre at martial arts knowledge and of course the inevitable tanned least once a year. “True Belgraders” introduce themselves complexion of those who are returning from their summer

70 CorD / October 2007

The favourite theory of “true Belgraders” is that the city resembles itself the most during summer. Like any other big city, Belgrade is also full of seasonal workers, students or, in short, people who are in it due to various circumstances and who use every opportunity to go back to their hometowns. Summer is for the most part a time when a whole army of students, businessmen, people who are here only because they have to be here, leave the city and go back to where, by definition, their home should be.

holidays. The two faces of the same city are an interesting contrast: the city that during the summer is like any other Serbian province suddenly becomes a bustling European metropolis. For some people’s tastes and standards, Belgrade is still too noisy, definitely too dirty, sometimes truly unbearable, but the start of every autumn is a sign that life within it still breathes with full lungs.

Even those who are full of criticism at its expense, and those who grumble how Belgrade has become intolerable for normal life, don’t have the time to deal with that anymore. Simply put, there’s too much good fun, too many excellent cultural events and too much relentless pace for one to truly desire the return of an empty town in which the main summer pastime is waiting for everyone to come back. n CorD / October 2007 71

CULTURE

Micro-Narrations The 48th October Salon

According to the words of Art Historian Svetlana PetroviÄ&#x2021;, from the Belgrade Culture Centre, the special charm of the October Salon comes from focus on the Asian stage, so the Serbian artists and lovers of modern art can see many works that we have so far only heard about.

72 CorD / October 2007

lready for the fourth year in a row, the concept of the leading manifestation of modern art in Serbia, the October Salon, has been allocated to one of the world famous custodians. Last year the Art Manager was Rene Block, renowned German custodian, while this year it is Lorand Hegyi, one of the most important European custodians, currently Manager of the Modern Art Museum in the French city of Saint-Etienne. The October Salon, this year being staged for the 48th year in a row, started this year with an exhibition in the Yugoslav History Museum on 29th September. It is set to draw to a close on 11th November. Lorand Hegyi’s concept is called „Mikronarativi“ (Micro-narrations) and is composed of three parts. According to organiser Svetlana Petrović, from Culture Centre Belgrade, the special charm of the October Salon this year comes from a focus on the Asian art scene, so the Serbian artists and lovers of modern art shall be in a position to see many works, which they have so far only heard about. “The October Salon this time deals in a very intimate, personal story. Lorand Hegyi’s concept has been dedicated to intimate feelings and dealing with oneself. “Those things are always complex, because everything derives from feelings coming from within ourselves. Micro-narratives are an attempt to redefine the artistic practice again and again in the multitude of complex socio-cultural events, while they reflect one typical post-utopia state of our contemporary era and offer one new, credible and modest way of reading. Politeness, tolerance, flexibility and empathy are the moments of one new poetic modesty strategy, which helps in envisaging and evaluation of direct small reality. Artists that put in the middle of their work those nuances and intimate details of direct reality and sensible details and, thus, contribute to more intensive empathies are considered important for modern artistic practice,” explains Petrović, adding that this is completely different in relation to last year. “Last year’s Salon was very ambitious and activated a large number of spaces in the city. Rene Block envisaged the concept of politically-engaged art with a much greater number of video works. This year the number of video works is smaller. “ The first part of the exhibition is simultaneously the biggest “Temptation of Small Realities – Micro-Communities” presenting artists from the middle and younger generation. The second part of the exhibition is called “Urban Crossroads – New York, Paris, Seoul”, which will present a senior generation of artists featuring great names on the world stage of modern art. “In this part we represent artists from

The October Salon Founded in 1960 with the idea to become an exhibition of the best works from the field of fine arts, just seven years later the October Salon saw the inclusion of applied art. The October Salon today, almost half a century later, is the most important manifestation of visual art in Serbia, and due to its status and duration, it represents an important segment in researching Serbian modern art history in the 20th century. The Salon concept is decided by a council comprising renowned experts

A work of just one of the 80+ artists to feature this October

three different continents, from three metropolises, which are frequently evaluated as references for art strategies of younger generations. Three big cities also represent three different cultural traditions and social organisation systems, which are adopted by many artists in today’s global culture and are increasingly transferring them into other culture centres. “Belgraders will have an opportunity to see names like Christian Boltanski, Fabrice Langlade, Matthew McCaslin, Richard Nonas, Dennis Openheim, as well as artists from South Korea like Kimsooy and Chun Sung-Myung,” says Petrović, adding: “It is very interesting that Seoul has been selected for the third culture capital. This year a slightly bigger number of South Korean artists shall be presented, which is precious for Belgrade because we haven’t had a chance to deal in art of that country. This is the first time that those three cities have appeared as culture centres in Belgrade and that is very important for us.

in the field of visual arts, like art historians, fine art critics and artists. They are appointed by the City of Belgrade Assembly. The Council elects a jury, which awards three awards for the best creations in the Salon. Since 2004 the October Salon completely changed its concept and structure and became an international exhibition through which Belgrade was listed in the international calendar of artistic events. The founder and patron of the October Salon is the Assembly of the City of Belgrade. The third part of the exhibition, entitled “Re-Taking Grounds – Working in Immediate Relations“. Besides foreign participants, the audience would be in position to see the works of Serbian artists, famous ones like Mileta Prodanović, as well as the younger ones. “The Belgrade audience likes the October Salon very much, which is represented by the number of visitors which increases every year,” says Petrović. “Modern art isn’t always so attractive and communicative towards the public, but the Salon doesn’t share those problems. Domestic artists, since the Salon has been internationalised, have recognised it as the brightest spot in the cultural offer of Serbia in this moment, due to promotion and the possibility to see that work, and that people will talk about it. Participation in the October Salon has become an important event for this milieu, and an important addition to the professional biography of an artist. I am very glad that Rene Block has recognised potentials in our artists Radoš Arsenijević and Aleksandar Dimitrijević and offered them further cooperation,” continues Petrović. Testimony to the fact that the importance of the October Salon is growing is provided by the event’s internationalisation, which ensures it has slowly started to emerge on the world stage of great exhibitions. Festival organisers say that a larger number of foreign journalists have been announced for this year, which will assist the Salon not to stay in Belgrade, but to go abroad. The exhibition „Mikronarativi“ (Micronarrations), which will include the works of over 80 artists from the whole world and Serbia, shall be represented in several exhibition spaces in public places. Besides the Yugoslav History Museum, Belgraders can see the other events in three galleries: the Belgrade Culture Centre, in the Legate House and Public Bath. Two additional public places have been activated, all coupled with guidance through exhibitions and workshops. n CorD / October 2007 73

CULTURE

Strictly

Jazz The 23rd Belgrade Jazz Festival

rom 24th to 29th October, lovers of jazz music in Belgrade shall have an opportunity to see performances of the likes of Dee Dee Bridgewater, Brad Mehldau, Maria Joao, Gianluigi Trovesi Ottetto and many others. It seems that this month the whole of Serbia shall dance to the rhythm of jazz music, which was the idea of the organisers three years ago when they decided to renew the festival that had ceased to exist in 1991. The 23rd Belgrade Jazz Festival, according to the list of confirmed artists, is slowly approaching the former shine and glory of the pre-war festival it has replaced. Upon completion of this year’s festival on 29th October, the visiting musicians will take a wander around several Serbian cities as a jazz festival road-show. In the first year of the revamped jazz festival, the event was held only in the halls of Belgrade’s Dom omladine, while in the second year it spread to the larger halls in the city. Today, in its third year, the City Assembly which founded the festival has restored to the festival the status it had before the wars: it has become an event of special importance for Belgrade, shoulder to shoulder with the likes of FEST, BEMUS and BITEF. According to Festival Art Manager, Vojislav Pantić, this year’s festival under the motto “Strictly Jazz!” should create an atmosphere that ensure that jazz is again 74 CorD / October 2007

Avishai Cohen will delight Jazz lovers this year

perceived as an attractive and live part of Belgrade’s cultural life. “The clear institutional support we received this year has enabled us to take care of the contents and quality of the programme, not about commercialisation. We want to present essential things from the modern world of jazz to the Belgrade public, and to represent groups that are simultaneously participants in all global jazz events. We want to bring the artistic vibe from the world jazz festivals to Belgrade,” says Pantić, noting that the echo of the festival in three years has surpassed his expectations. “Promoters started with the

organisation of jazz concerts; jazz clubs have been activated and are constantly being played, and a couple of festivals in the country have harmonised their schedules with Belgrade, because of the gueststar musicians who would also appear in those towns. I sincerely hope that soon the time would come when the festival visitors wouldn’t find it interesting who is coming to festival, but they shall believe in the organisational team of the festival and shall come to check less known, but quality names of the jazz stage. The Festival shall be held this year in six halls. Although the organiser is Dom

Gianluigi Trovesi to feature

Maria Joao to thrill Brad Mehldau will be one of the highlights of this year’s festival

Belgrade Jazz Festival Art Manager,Vojislav Pantić: “ When we started this story, we couldn’t envisage how many jazz music lovers we have, because in the ‘90s the jazz scene almost disappeared from this city. In the first year we were surprised with the size of audiences, then we went to larger halls, and were again surprised because almost all concerts were again sold out. This year I am sure that everybody will ask for one more ticket because, besides a good programme, ticket price is affordable,”

Dee Dee Bridgewater to star

omladine Beograda (Home of Belgrade Youth), due to the building’s renovation concerts planned to happen there have been moved to Dom sindikata (Labour Union Hall). Besides there, the visitors could be in a position to enjoy jazz music in the hall of Kolarac Foundation, the Theatre on Terazije, Sava Centre, Rex Cinema and in Bitef Art Café, where, as was the case last

year, off programme groups shall play and jam sessions shall be held. “When we started this story, we couldn’t envisage how many jazz music lovers we have, because in the ‘90s the jazz scene almost disappeared from this city. In the first year we were surprised with the size of audiences, then we went to larger halls, and were again surprised because almost all concerts were again sold out. This year I am sure that everybody will ask for one more ticket because, besides a good programme, ticket price is affordable,” says Pantić, adding, “it is our responsibility to reconcile generations and tastes for music, to have programmes also for older Belgraders who attended the previous festival, but also for the younger generation that grew

up with new technologies.” Until finalisation of this edition, nine participants in the main programme have been confirmed. Besides those already mentioned, “Saxofour” shall come to Belgrade, a quartet of saxophonists from Austria, the Avishai Cohen Trio from the U.S. and the Marc Duet Trio from France. Audiences shall have a chance to see two appearances in the main programme and one off-programme show each evening. Besides the foreign ones, the Festival will also include performances by domestic jazz musicians, of which the Vasil Hadžimanov Band has already confirmed its participation. All in all, the event ensures that Belgrade will be coloured with jazz this autumn. n CorD / October 2007 75

CULTURE

Odyssey on the Danube COMMUNITY-SHIP

Belgrade found itself along the route of a river bound international art community in September when the Dutch vessel Favourite made her way into Belgrade with a cargo of international artists; artists who use the common space of the ship as they wend their way from country to country, interacting with the public and spreading a message as part of their travels. By Sonja Ćirić he Danube Odyssey project was initiated by the International Institute for Mediterranean Theatre (IITM), which promotes the idea of bringing the ‘art’ of the Mediterranean, itself an amalgamation of widely varying practices and influences, and spreading it to include a wider European cultural space. The execution of the Odyssey project took place onboard the Dutch ship Favourite from 3rd to 15th September. Stretching along the long, historic European river as it visits many countries, the Odyssey explores the unique cultural offerings of each nation, while presenting the product of its own artistic endeavours. This year the Favourite set sail from Vienna, travelling through Slovakia and Hungary, before arriving in Belgrade en route through Romania and Bulgaria.

The International Institute for Mediterranean Theatre was founded in 1990 in Madrid, when Jose Môn Leona, a Spanish drama professor, poet and theatre director, established the organisation as a way to join thespians, artists, journalists, politicians and managers of cultural institutions from Mediterranean countries in an effort to form a body that would give, both through its professional work and informal activity, creative answers to contemporary problems. The IITM issued a manifesto on its founding, setting forth its justifications and future involvement in the community. Arguing for the role of Mediterranean theatre in contemporary society, the Appeal from Merida states: “If we accept that culture, as well as critical and active memory, plays a role in creation of one solid and democratic Europe, then Mediterranean

CUCO PEREZ is sailing across Europe as part of the Danube Odyssey

76 CorD / October 2007

tradition shows as a basic value, especially its stage expression, from which derive, since antiquity, philosophical and political debates, and types of spectacle that lay at the root of the identity of all Mediterranean people.” This year’s Odyssey was the third instalment of the IITM project, the first two having been held in 2001 and 2003. In the first Odyssey, a Romanian aircraft carrier was used to make its journey, and although the vessel of choice was an equipped military ship, the artists set out with a message of peace. With the entrance of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU this year, another stimulus was given to open the Mediterranean space eastwards to the Danubian countries. “When we became a part of this project, we didn’t believe that the Mediterranean would make it to the Danube,” says Nebojša Bradić, Manager of the Belgrade Drama Theatre and the project’s host in the Serbian stopover. In bringing the sea to landlocked countries, still floating the idea that a boatload of artists, over a hundred in all from 24 countries, IITM has recognised the Port of Belgrade and given the city a unique perspective on its riverfront property and the connective powers it has. Formally, Serbia and Montenegro have been members of the theatre network since 1996, over which time they’ve had the opportunity to participate in conferences that bring together cultural representatives from across the wider region for discussions on tolerance and co-operation. One such programme, initiated by Vladimir Jevtović, IITM Chairman for Serbia, called Maslina (Olive), will this year be held for the 10th time. Jevtović says: “It has been scheduled in Milan, and on this

occasion will gather students from Israel and Palestine for working sessions, as has been done on previous meetings with students from Serbia, Albania, Croatia, etc. Maslina is a chance for co-operation between students from countries which, due to different political disagreements, do not co-operate on those levels. I think that this project is most important in that we all come from countries with different statuses, cultures, orientations, but we are linked by Mediterranean culture in some way. It enables us to gather all those counties that otherwise wouldn’t be gathered, as though they stand under one umbrella.” For this year’s Odyssey, Favourite has been a moving stage for shows, workshops and debates. The Serbian travellers on Favourite were actor Siniša Ubović, who participated in the poetry marathon, narrating the poetry of Serbian poets in different languages, and violinist Bogdan Đurić. In Belgrade they were joined by another group of Serbian artists. Percussionists from Stanković Music School, professors and former and current pupils from the respected percussion department greeted the ship as it arrived in port to a concert comprising of adopted classic compositions and modern drum core cadences. The response to this greeting came from French ensemble Syblema Diffusion, percussionists who use African and Asian influences on their melodic drumming, providing in turn the first cross-cultural exchange the project set out to achieve. Back on shore,

Choreographer Marie-Claude Pietragalla (above) and the Dutch veesel Favourite (below)

Having seen what the country has to sing about, dance about or write poetry about, artists, musicians and travellers gain valuable insight into its culture, while Serbian artists can interact with their counterparts from abroad in a true cross-cultural exchange. more exposure to local culture greeted the new arrivals, with string-quartet Kornelje and local ethno-influenced Kal playing their unique brands of music. Bringing a rock-and-roll attitude set to the backdrop of traditional Balkan-Roma musical traditions, Belgrade’s Kal stormed onto the European world music scene last year. In exposing a wider audience to its music, Kal has contributed to a new understanding of Roma culture in Europe, helping to change stereotypes but still maintaining strong and important cultural signifiers. The evening, land-based portion of the Odyssey’s visit took place at the Belgrade Drama Theatre, in the dance Jesenje cveće (Autumn Flowers), choreographed by Marie-Claude Pietragalla and performed by

dancers from the National Theatre, Konstantin Kostjukov, Ana Pavlović and Sanja Ninković. Marie-Claude Pietragalla was the first ballerina of French Opera, then taking the position of managing the Marseilles National Ballet, and forming her own dancing troupe a few years ago. The evening programme also included a short ballet-poetic play La memoire et la mer by Leo Ferre. Performing with her was actor Richard Marten, dancer Julien Derua, and violinist Didier Lockwood in a play that originated during travel on the Favourite. In the second part of the programme, Romanian actors Maja Morgenstern and Tudor Isidor presented the text Rubajat from Omar Kayam, the Persian poet and philosopher who lived in the eleventh and

twelfth centuries. It was a poetic recital and a metaphysical contemplation where two entities are counter-positioned inside the poet. The next day on Knez Mihailova Street, the ship’s International Orchestra gave a concert. The orchestra, formed at the beginning of the Odyssey, is comprised of musicians from 13 countries. They write and play original music inspired by the traditions of their countries of origin, as well adding certain Oriental sounds melted with those from Northern Europe. They were led by Kuko Perezu, a long time follower and researcher of music of Mediterranean cultures. On the same date a debate of poets and politicians was held, gathering politicians and poets from different participating countries, with different cultural heritages. They discussed the means needed in order to stimulate exchange and dialogue between poets and political representatives, and about methods in which this meeting can open up new ways for society to co-operate. After only two days though, the Favourite continued on its voyage of discovery through “the Mediterranean”, no doubt taking with it some influences from Serbia. Having seen what the country has to sing about, dance about or write poetry about, artists, musicians and travellers gain valuable insight into its culture, while Serbian artists can interact with their counterparts from abroad in a true cross-cultural exchange. n CorD / October 2007 77

PARIS CULTURE

Interview: Alain Boyer, painter

IN THE SOUL With the exhibition of painter Alain Boyer at the French Cultural Centre’s Mediatheque this October, Belgraders have a chance to see this artist’s impression of Paris in a style reminiscent of painters past and brings the City of Lights to the White City. The exhibition has arrived thanks in part to the patronage of Madame Terral, wife of the French Ambassador to Serbia, who became a follower and promoter of the work of Boyer.

By Sonja Ćirić lain Boyer started his painting career in the studio of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. His paintings are on the verge of abstract art, his colours remind us of the colours of Nicholas de Stael, and strictness of his composition shows the influence of Cézanne. In his soul he is, as he says, a real Paris dweller. Already displayed in the French Cultural Centre’s windows on Knez Mihailova Street, the paintings of Alain Boyer provide a closeness and clarity to their inspiration: that of Paris observed through Boyer’s eyes.

n What about Paris inspires your paintings? r In my paintings, I try to express impressions that arise on the occasion of a certain landscape, some light, but also due to some action that reflects the atmosphere that impresses me. Because I live in Paris, and Paris is a mine of impressive topics, the biggest part of my painting pertains to Paris. 78 CorD / October 2007

unknown area, an old house, or a river flowing towards Sofia through the hills. I still do not know what I will paint, I will think a lot about all the things I’ve seen, but I’m certain I’ll paint something. This two-day trip has enabled me to have only a superficial impression about Serbia and Serbs, and a foreigner as I am, due to all the changes in your history, culture, religion, it is difficult to understand your country.

I can also observe several times during a day a landscape I want to paint, to see it in every time of the day, under different lights. And, of course, I can choose the best, the thing which shall portray the idea in the best way. When I travel, that moment should be captured, an impression should be remembered. I hope that I would be given chance to paint topics from Serbia, because I just had a chance to travel a little bit around it. n Have you taken away any impressions of Serbia that you would like to paint? r I’ve seen monasteries, they are lovely of course, and Niš, and a small village in the hills on the road to Sofia, where there is a small artistic colony established by your famous painter Nadežda Petrović. I’ve seen many landscapes. I do not care for portraying some monument in a picture: I think photography is better for doing that. What is important to me is aesthetic and a sentimental impression left on me by the things I see. Maybe that is a hilly landscape in some

n We traditionally look at Paris as a centre of contemporary events in culture and art. Does your decision to paint landscape and to use oil on canvas, so, classic a subject and technique, mean that they are coming back into fashion? r Of course, there is evolution, changes in the taste for art. But I think that the artist does what he wants to do. Personally, I do not participate in modern schools, and I disagree that painting is dead; that only installations should be done. I don’t have anything against installations, but I don’t see myself expressed in that art form. Maybe one day, but for the time being that hasn’t happened. I have some paintings, works I haven’t brought to Serbia, which are more abstract than those exhibited. In the topic I have selected, I was interested in light. Drawing and colour had less importance than light, which resulted in abstract painting. But, I didn’t believe in that, and it is important to me to express what I feel. In all those pictures there is a dose of reality... n Yes, obviously, but you didn’t draw a landscape because of landscape, but because of your emotion aroused by that landscape. Therefore in your paintings buildings are not significant, but your emotion, and that is obviously mitigating the strictness of realistic style...

r You are completely right. You should not compare proportions and perspectives of the landscapes I have painted with the proportions on the painting. The landscape, as you see it in the painting, is what it looks like in my head. Somebody else would feel that completely differently, I know, but that’s the way it should be. n People in your paintings have faces, but not eyes and other parts of the face. Why? r Because the people I have portrayed aren’t there because of the portrait. They participated in the impression that is important to me. I think that you thought of the painting of a parade with red flags, that is the celebration of the 1st of May on the Republic Square in Paris. There are always some social events there. The thing that made an impression on me was the appearance of that 1st May in the morning, the weather was nice, and the people in the parade were carrying red flags, were in a good mood, and I had an impression that they believed in their ideas in the way people believed in communism in 1918. I do not share their ideas, but my picture does not present any political contents. In short, those people do not have the need for eyes, they are there as a group symbolizing a mood. Maybe at some time, because of something I want to describe, it might be necessary to portray a personality. n Do you think of the commercial effect of your work while painting? r No! I am sure that if I even thought about that I would do something that would deform the things I want, and I would work more, doing the same things, which I consider bad. To be honest, I am lucky in relation to other artists, because I don’t have a need to sell my paintings to survive. That is a great happiness for me. I do not feel the burden of survival and therefore I paint only for joy. That is, I have to admit, a great privilege. n Can one live in Paris from painting? r It is not easy to sell a painting in Paris, just as it is not, I am sure, easy in other places. Therefore I think that it is difficult everywhere to live from painting, except, of course, if you achieve the status of a famous

The painting Soir d’été is featuring among the exhibition’s works

painter. But, when the painter is young he has many difficulties. It is necessary to find a gallery that would accept him. Now this is a little bit easier due to the Internet, there are websites offering sales of paintings. There are artists selling solely through websites, which makes the situation easier. But, I think that it is better to see the painting alive, in the gallery. I think it is important if someone can take care of the artist, to promote him. Someone has played that role for me, I was very lucky to meet Mrs. Terral, wife of Mr. Terral, current French Ambassador in Ser-

Painting isn’t dead

Surviving on art

Appealing art

I don’t participate in modern schools; I disagree that painting is dead; that only installations should be done…I don’t see myself expressed in that art form.

It is not easy to sell a painting in Paris, just as it is not, I am sure, easy in other places.Therefore I think that it is difficult everywhere to live from painting

I’ve seen some interesting things in a couple of galleries in Knez Mihailova Street, here in Belgrade. In Niš I saw a nice exhibition of old Serbian painters.

bia. She is very interested in painting, she helped me, found a gallery in Paris, and she also helped me to make an exhibition here. So, if it wasn’t for her, I surely wouldn’t get to know your beautiful city. n What is the process of getting displayed in a gallery in Paris? r There are lots of galleries in Paris, most often they specialise: some are for instance interested only in abstract art from a certain period, but there are also many small galleries that do not have such a determined profile. The problem is to sell at least one painting, because sales serve as a reference, as a possibility to make a gallery owner interested. I’ve seen some interesting things in a couple of galleries in Knez Mihailova Street, here in Belgrade. In Niš I saw a nice exhibition of old Serbian painters. If you have such an exhibition, and you have an audience for such art, your market already has one prerequisite. The second is economy. I think that the artworks market is linked to economy: in order to purchase a painting, CorD / October 2007 79

Culture News SERBIA PHOTOGRAPHED BY MOBILE PHONE ational Geographic magazine in Serbian is set to implement a project entitled “Serbia Photographed by Mobile Phone” during the next four months.

Jean Tibode will feature at bemus

Photographer Vladimir Tatarević will make a three-month journey around Serbia, starting on 20th September, aimed at making a photographic reportage about Serbia using only a cell phone camera. National Geographic readers will be in a position to follow up the trip on a special page dedicated to this project, to vote for photography of the month and to participate in the rewarding quiz, and the action will also be presented on a special web-page within the official National Geographic magazine’s website. BELGRADE MUSIC FESTIVITIES – 39TH TIME elgrade Music Festivities (BEMUS) will present a series of top domestic and foreign artists from 5th to 19th October, according to the choice of new Artistic Manager, famous Violinist and Concert-Master of Munich Philharmonics, Sreten Krstić. The concept of the 39th BEMUS is based on top performers and expected major interpretations of music from all eras and genres - compositions in wide scope, from important creations from Baroque, Classicism, Romanticism, to Orthodox spiritual and modern jazz and movie music. The programme will have its formal opening on 5th October in the Sava Cen-

80 CorD / October 2007

tre with the concert of the Symphonic Orchestra and RTS’s (Radio Television of Serbia) chorus, led by Conductor Bojan Suđić, with Luba Orgonasova (soprano) and Marjana Lipovsek, one of the best mezzo-sopranos of today, as solo singers. BEMUS will close in the Sava Centre with a concert of famous Russian chorus Glinka, under the conductorship of Vladislav Cernushenko. Sreten Krstić says that in a very short time “something with real quality” has been achieved, adding that he has himself heard many of those artists, and that the Belgrade audience will hear “top quality”, and that he would set aside String

kans tour, which will also see concerts performed in Skoplje and Zagreb, Sylvian will appear with three excellent musicians: pianist Takuma Watanabe, Bassist Keith Lowe and Drummer Steve Jansen. The last performance of David Sylvian is a 17-minute-long ambience play “When Loud Weather Buffeted Naoshima”, which should render the listener a feeling of walk around the Japanese island of Naoshima. The piece has been compiled as an order for the Fukutaka Art Museum Foundation on Naoshima Island. The group Japan originated in 1974 in a London suburb, and members of the group were inspired by groups like the New York Dolls and Roxy Music, as well as by the music of David Bowie. After achieving limited popularity with albums “Adolescent Sex” and “Obscure Alternatives” (1978), which were more guitar oriented, the sound of Japan group more clearly profiled itself in the direction of experimental electronics, discretely announcing a neo-romanticism trend.

The Eben Quartet to play Kolarac

Quartet Eben – set to play in Kolarac Hall on 8th October, as well as the Klatz Brothers and Edison Kordeiro, whose concert is on 7th October in the Yugoslav Drama Theatre. Krstić adds that he tried to expand the programme, adding to the classical also other kinds of music by introduction of crossover concerts of jazz and classics, as well as a performance of the musical Les Miserables. DAVID SYLVIAN IN BELGRADE avid Sylvian, former lead singer of influential British new wave group Japan, is set to perform in Belgrade’s Dom sindikata on 15th October. Music played by Sylvian is pervaded with the most different influences and genres, including jazz, ambient music, electronics.... In the pending mini Bal-

David Sylvian is to rock Belgrade

At the beginning of the ‘80s, with albums “Quiet Life” (1979), “Gentlemen Take Polaroids” (1980) and especially “Tin Drum” (1981), Japan reached its artistic and commercial pinnacle. “Tin Drum” is considered to be one of the most inventive pop albums of the ‘80s, and there is also a song “Ghost”, based on which the group Japan is even today known to the wide public. The group split in 1982, practically on the top of their career, and Sylvian started his successful and challenging solo career after two years, with the album “Brilliant Trees”. Concert tickets are available at the ticket office of Dom sindikata (Labour Union Hall) and Dom omladine (Youth Home).

Culture Calendar

QUATUOR EBÈNE Monday, 8th October, 8pm, Kolarac Hall GIDON KREMER & KREMERATA BALTICA Tuesday, 9th October, 8pm, Kolarac Hall Jazzy Bemus Tuesday, 9th October, 11pm, Belgrade Drama Theatre In cooperation with the Embassy of the USA THE ATOS TRIO Wednesday, 10th October, 8pm, Belgrade Philharmonic Hall In cooperation with the Goethe Institut Belgrad Veronika Holcova’s works at October Salon ANNUAL EVENTS The 48th October Salon 29th September to 11th November Guest Art Manager: Lorand Hegyi Founded in 1960 with the idea to become an exhibition of the best works from the field of fine arts, just seven years later the October Salon saw the inclusion of applied art. The October Salon today, almost half a century later, is the most important manifestation of visual art in Serbia. 32nd European Children’s Gathering “Joy of Europe 2007” Friendship Gathering, 1st – 6th October 2007 Belgrade’s theaters, galleries and city squares will be the scenes of “Friendship Gathering”... the performances will be spectacular. Opening of the Exhibition, 1st October 2007, 7pm – 8pm Belgrade Children’s Cultural Center Art Gallery The best Children’s works of the 8th International Arts Competition “Joy of Europe” Carnival, 1st October 2007, 11am – 1pm From the Belgrade Culture Center to the City Hall Gala procession through the streets of all the pariticipants Gala Concert, 5th October 2007. 5.30pm The gala Concert will take place at the Sava Centre Concert Hall, introducing the best acts of children’s performances... Gala Concert will be broadcast live by the National Television involving all the children that take part in the festival... it will be a lot of joy on the stage as well as in the audience... International Belgrade Book Fair 22nd to 28th October Presentation of domestic and foreign book production and buying and selling of copyrights. In addition to the publishers, the Fair is attended also by booksellers and wholesalers, librarians and many authors at their book promotions. (Halls I and XIV). 82 CorD / October 2007

Belletristic literature, Religion and theology, Practical books, Antiquity books, Children’s books, Computer books and periodicals, Literature / scientific books Participating countries: USA (host country), Angola, Belorussia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and UK. Prizes in five categories are given every year: Publisher of the Year, Publishing Project of the Year, Best Edition, The Most Beautiful Book, Children’s Book of the Year. 23rd Belgrade Jazz Festival

the Mark Dikre trio will star at the Jazz Festival 24th to 29th October 39th BEMUS – Belgrade Music Festivities 5th to 19th October Opening performance: RTS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR Friday, 5th October, 8 pm, Sava Centre RUSSIAN BRASS – Brass Quintet of the soloists of the St Petersburg Philharmonic Saturday, 6th October, 8 pm, Belgrade Philharmonic Hall Jazzy Bemus Saturday, 6th October, 11 pm, Terazije Theatre BILBIL PILE NE POJ RANO Sunday, 7th October, 12pm, Ethnographic Museum Jazzy Bemus Sunday, 7th October, 11pm, Yugoslav Drama Theatre

2nd October, Belgrade Arena One of the most prominent singers of his generation, and particularly eminent in the operas of Verdi and Puccini, his operatic career has encompassed over 60 roles on the stage and in the recording studio. He gained fame with a wider audience as one of The Three Tenors along with Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti in a series of mass concerts that began in 1990 and continued until 2003. Carreras will perform with Belgrade Phillharmonic orchestra in Belgrade Arena. In its prime, Carreras’s voice was considered one of the most beautiful tenor voices of the day . The Spanish critic, Fernando Fraga has described it as a lyric tenor with the generosity of a spinto having “a noble timbre, richly coloured and sumptuously resonant”. This is particularly true of the middle range of his voice. Fraga also noted, as has Carreras himself, that even in his youth the

the Atos trio to perform as part of Bemus Made in Silence: EDIN KARAMAZOV, lute and electric guitar Thursday, 11th October, 8pm, Belgrade Philharmonic Hall Peter Sadlo, percussions, & The Via Nova Percussion Group Friday, 12th October, 8pm, Kolarac Hall PUPPET THEATRE, BRATISLAVA Saturday, 13th October, 11am, Boško Buha Theatre Sunday, 14th October, 11am, Boško Buha Theatre ALEXANDER RUDIN, violoncello & MUSICA VIVA Sunday, 14th October, 8pm, Kolarac Hall BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC Monday, 15th October, 8pm, Kolarac Hall In cooperation with the French Cultural Centre EMIGRE’S WALTZ MULTIMEDIA CONCERT Tuesday, 16th October, 8pm, Yugoslav Drama Theatre In cooperation with the Embassy of the USA BELGRADE STRINGS Wednesday, 17th October, 8pm, Kolarac Hall LES MISÉRABLES Thursday, 18th October, 8pm, Opera & Theatre Madlenianum Production of Opera and Theatre Madlenianum CHOIR GLINKA Friday, 19th October, 8pm, Sava Centar In cooperation with Sava Centar CONCERTS Jose Carreras – World famous tenor performs live in Belgrade

high notes of the tenor range were always somewhat problematic for him, and became more so as his career progressed. Carreras was also known for the beauty and expressiveness of his phrasing and for his passionate delivery. These qualities are perhaps best exemplified in his 1976 recording of Tosca with Montserrat Caballe in the title role and conducted by Sir Colin Davis. According to some critics his assumption of the heavier spinto roles such Don José in Carmen , Don Carlo , and Alvaro in La Forza del Destino La Forza del Destino put a strain on his naturally lyric instrument which may have caused the voice to prematurely darken and lose some of its bloom. Nevertheless he produced some of his finest performances in those roles. As the critics wrote “Switching effortlessly from the lyric poet Rodolfo in La Bohème a few weeks ago to the heroic poet Chenier, the Spanish tenor’s vocal artistry held us spellbound throughout.” . Of his 1985 performance in Andrea Chenier at La Scala critics wrote that Carreras dominated the opera “with formidable concentration and a cleverly refined vocal accent that imparts to this spinto role an overlay of intensity lacking in his essentially lyric tenor.”

Bryan Ferry – famous British singer and former leader of Roxy Music

The audience will be able to see works by Urueta, Tarago, Orduno, Marado…and others. Rebeca Dortmer Ilustrations

7th October, 9pm, Sava Centre MUSE – popular contemporary UK rock band 7th October, Belgrade Arena Indexi and friends – concert dedicated to the late great Davorin Popović and his Sarajevo-based band 14th October, 8pm, Sava Centre Paco De Lucia - famous Spanish classical guitar player performs flamenco and classical music 18th October, 8.30pm, Sava Centre THEATRE, BALLET, OPERA Ballet: Zorba the Greek 30th October, 8pm, Sava Centre Ballet by Mikis Teodorakis - Serbian National Theatre, Novi Sad Theatre: Les Misérables Premiere: 18th October (as part of BEMUS), Theatre and opera Madlenianum Directed by Nebojša Bradić Starring Zafir Hadzimanov, Bojana Nikitović, Katarina Žutić, Srđan Timarov... ART EXHIBITIONS Alain Boyer’s images of Paris French Cultural Centre - Belgrade (until 20th October) French Cultural Centre - Novi Sad (1st to 15th November) Mexican Art of the 20th Century 16th October to 9th November, Cervantes Institute, Belgrade On the occasion of celebrating Mexican Independence Day, the Embassy of Mexico in Belgrade, together with Institute Cervantes, presents an exhibition of the Mexican art of the last century. Paintings, drawings, oils, graphics, etc., created by the most prominent Mexican artists of the 20th century.

From 23rd October - French Cultural Centre, Belgrade Rebeca Dortmer (born in France, in 1971) graduated from the High School of Applied Arts in Paris. She has illustrated numerous books and cooperated with many French publishing houses. CHINESE EMBROIDERY 24th September to 14th October Museum of Applied Arts Exhibition presents 60 objet d’art, dresses, fashion accessories, etc. In cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade

Young Diplomats Association -- YDA October 2007: events Marine House Party Saturday, October 6, 2007, 9pm3am The US Marines host weekend parties (drinks available, music, great chance to socialize) at their house in Dedinje. The party will be at 54 Tolstojeva. Bring your ID to get in the door. Canadian Embassy Happy Hours Friday, October 12 (5:30pm - 8:30pm) and October 26 (5:30midnight) Halloween!! Halloween party is October 26; costumes are optional but of course add to the fun. The Canadian Embassy hosts regular Friday night happy hours. Make sure you bring you ID to get in. You will receive up to two free drinks with their Beaver card, which is used to purchase drinks and costs only 1000 RSD. The happy hours take place on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. YDA Happy Hour October 10, Wednesday, 6pm 10pm (1800-2200) Veprov Dah (Scottish Pub) Strahinica Bana 52 This is a restaurant as well as a bar, with food and drinks available. YDA Happy Hour October 24, Wednesday, 6pm The Dark Is Rising

FILM PREMIERES Stardust

Directed by Matthew Vaughn Starring Ian Mckellen, David Kelly, Sienna Miller, Michele Pfeifer In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. The Brave One

Directed by Neil JORDAN Starring Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Naveen Andrews, Mary Steenburge A woman struggles to recover from a brutal attack by setting out on a mission for revenge.

Directed by David L. Cunningham Starring Alexander Ludwig, Jonathan Jackson, Amelia Warner, Gregory Smith, Emma Lockhart, Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, Christopher Ecclestone A boy’s life is turned upside down when he learns that he is the last of a group of immortal warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the dark. Rendition

10pm (1800-2200) Rakia Bar, Dobracina 5 Come and try new varieties of this popular beverage. Bowling at Colosseum Bowling Center in Zemun Saturday, October 20, 3pm - 7pm (15h-19h) Located at Dobanovacka 56, Zemun (near the Zemun football club stadium) This will be our first monthly bowling event. The bowling alley has 10 new bowling lanes, 2 billiards tables, 3 Sony playstations, and Italian restaurant with fast food and sandwiches. We will meet at the location and form teams depending on the number of people who arrive. The price per hour/lane, and will depend on the number of people in each lane. Prices are very low. For example, the cost per lane is 1140 dinars per hour, divided by the number of people in that lane. If you have 4 people in a lane the cost is less than 300 dinars per person. Shoe rental is included in the price. For more information on the YDA and events listed, contact the YDA via email at yda-serbia@ hotmail.com Marti A CIA analyst questions his assignment after witnessing an unorthodox interrogation at a secret detention facility outside the US. Princess of the Sun Directed by Philippe Leclerc Voices: Coralie Vanderlinden, David Scaruzza, Arnaud Leonard, Catherine Conet, Philippe Allard Animated feature film PALAZZO ITALIA: Film Programme COMMEDIA SEXI 4th October, 6pm Directed by Alessandro D’Alatri Starring Rocco Papaleo, Michele Placido, Stefania Rocca, Paolo Bonolis, Fabio De Luigi, Elena Santarelli, Sergio Rubini, Margherita Buy QUO VADIS BABY? 7th October, 6pm Directed by Gabriele Salvatores Starring Angela Baraldi, Gigio Alberti, Claudia Zanella, Andrea Renzi, Luigi Maria Burruano, Elio Germano

Directed by Gavin Hood Starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin, Peter Sarsgaard, Christian

UN SACCO BELLO 11th October, 6pm Directed by Carlo Verdone Starring Carlo Verdone, Mario Brega, Renato Scarpa, Veronica Miriel, Luciano Bonanni, Filippo Ciro, Sandro Ghiani CorD / October 2007 83

Culture News Exhibition of Miroslav’s Gospel iroslavljevo jevanđelje (Miroslav’s Gospel), the oldest Serbian manuscript in Cyrillic, was exhibited from 20th to 23rd September in St. Sava’s Temple in Belgrade, as part of the European Heritage Days manifestation.

41ST BITEF SUCCESSFULLY HELD amous Israeli dancing troupe “Batsheeva” opened the 41st Bitef on 15th September with the play “Three”, in choreography of Ohad Naharin in the Sava Centre Grand Hall. Until 30th September, the main programme of several Belgrade stages and another ten plays are to have been staged by performers from Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Finland, Russia, Croatia, Germany and Serbia. BITEF co-selectors, long-time Bitef Art Director Jovan Ćirilov and young Theatre Director Anja Suša gave this year’s Festival of new theatre tendencies a subtitle “I to je pozorište” (This is Also Theatre).

countries of the world (70 foreign artists and 16 from Serbia). The youngest artist at this year’s October Salon is 25-year-old Marko Stojanović from Negotin. The youngest participant, 25-years old Marko Stojanovic from Negotin, Stojanović is set to represent his work “Novi goblen” (New Needlepoint), which is the product of several months of work, that resulted from the motives of minimalistic, geometric and abstract art masterpieces of Maljević, Mondrijan, Fontana, Albers… all the way to monochromic canvas of Ivo Klajn, which demolishes every sense of relationships.

Kimsooja’s Beggar Woman is among October Salon’s works

MIROSLAV’s gospel exhibited as part of european heritage days

The representation of Miroslav’s Gospel lasted 72 hours and was shown as part of the programme organised by the Society for Construction of Saint Sava’s Temple in Vračar and the National Library of Serbia. Miroslav’s Gospel is a unique cultural monument, and it has been listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The gospel was written in the first quarter of the 12th century for Prince Miroslav, elder brother of Simeon Nemanja. This is explained in the writing on the last page in the book. According to its composition, Miroslav’s Gospel is a religious service book in which the texts have been arranged according to masses during the church year. The text was written using a quill in two columns in black ink, while the majority of headings were written in red. It contains 296 ink-sketched miniatures, which have been coloured by a brush in red, green, yellow and white, and decorated with gold. The gospel’s initials are very variegated, starting from those with geometrical interlacing, through combinations of geometrical and plant interlacings, to those containing elements of plants and real and fantastic animals. A certain number of initials contain human images, and some of them even complete compositions. 84 CorD / October 2007

this year’s BITEF has proved a hit event once again

Chairman of the jury awarding the Grand Prix “Mira Trailović”, and Special Bitef Award, was Norwegian Dramaturge and Art Director of “Black Box” theatre, Christian Selton, and members of the jury were also Russian damatist and playwright, Olga Muhina, Hungarian Theatrologist, Laslo Upor, and domestic representatives – Visual Artist Milica Tomić and Director Miloš Lolić. The founder of the BITEF Festival, the City of Belgrade Assembly, has set aside 34million dinars for the Festival, while the Ministry of Culture earmarked a further 13million dinars. 48TH OCTOBER SALON nternational 48th October Salon in Belgrade shall be held from 29th September to 11th November under the title “Mikronarativi” (Micro-Narratives) and shall present a total of 86 artists from 13

Exhibition areas of the 48th Salon are the 25th May Museum, Belgrade Culture Centre (co-organiser), Legacy House and Public Bath Belgrade, where the world of artistic micro-poetic stories shall be told using pluralistic media (pictures, sculptures, installations, wall paintings, photographs, video works, performances). With documentary photographs featuring a pair of lions decorating gates of houses, reflecting the private need for beauty, opposed to icons of avant-garde art, Mileta Prodanović tries to inconspicuously ask a question, through intertwining of “high” and “low”, what is the precious thing in modern art. Young artist Hana Rajković shows us a pencil on paper drawing from her series “Logori” (Camps), while sculptor Petar Mirković will show interest for collision of modern aestheticism, intertwined with historical heritage and everyday human life on the façade of Belgrade Natural Sciences-Mathematics Faculty, as a “stage” of modern man’s life. The founder and patron of the October Salon is the Belgrade City Assembly. Friends and sponsors of the Salon are the Ministry of Culture of Serbia, Art In Culture, Arts Council Korea, SUK-CHIL KIM, Solares - Fondazione delle Arti, Meridian Bank - Crédit Agricole Group, U.S. Embassy in Serbia, French Culture Centre, Austrian Culture Forum, Telenor and Commercial Vehicles Volkswagen.

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

Bilećka 57, Belgrade, Serbia Tel: +381 (0)11 39-721-83 Fax: +381 (0)11 39-555-55 www.hotel-n.co.yu E-mail: office@hotel-n.co.yu

Salaš 137 Medjunarodni put 137 21233 Cenej, Serbia 021/ 714 497, 714 501, 714 505 salas137@genco.co.yu www.salas137.co.yu

Hotel „Union“ a.d. Belgrade, Serbia Kosovska 11 tel. + 381 11 3248 022 fax + 381 11 3224 480 www.hotelunionbelgrade.com office@hotelunionbelgrade.com

HOTEL ROYAL KRALJA PETRA 56, BELGRADE tel. +381 11 26 26 4 26 toplice@net.yu www.hotelroyal.co.yu

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Leisure & Lifestyle

Roman legacy 90 CorD / October 2007

Felix Romunliana is packed with ancient treasures like this mosaic floor

This month,TOS and CorD welcome you to the ancient town of Felix Romuliana, a UNESCO World Heritage site By TOS; Photo: RAŠA MILOJEVIĆ n eastern Serbia, near Gamzigrad and Zaječar, lie the ruins of the third century AD town of Felix Romuliana, which was constructed at the behest of Roman Emperor Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximimianus (Cesar from 293-305, Augustus from 305-311) and dedicated to his mother Romula. Covering an area of six hectares, research has revealed the remains of a royal

palace, church estate, early Byzantine settlement and Middle Age town. One of the special attractions of Felix Romuliana is represented by the site’s multi-coloured floor mosaics, pillars, sculptures, basreliefs and artefacts made of pink granite and green porphyry from Peloponnesus – particularly the sculptured bust of Gallerius, with triumphal crown on his head, and the golden imitation of laurel wreath, which resides in the National Museum in

Zaječar and is constructed of the hardest Egyptian red porphyry. Gallerius’s crypt is even located above the town on the Magura elevation. The Gamzigrad Imperial palace of Felix Romuliana covers an area of 6.5ha and is surrounded by a protective system of twenty towers, inside of which lie the remains of an older system with four towers. Excavations that started in 1953 have shown that within the ramparts there are several palaces and temples and a sacral complex consisting of two crypts and two tumuli has been discovered on the hill of Magura. Chronologically, Gamzigrad can be tracked through six periods: a prehistoric settlement from the II and I millennium B.C.; a Roman estate (villa rustica) from III century AD; an imperial palace from the CorD / October 2007 91

Leisure & Lifestyle

With discovery of the title Felix Romuliana in 1984, it was confirmed that the Roman emperor Gallerius, who was born in coastal Dacia, built a residence on the site and named it after his mother Romula – Romuliana. end of III and beginning of IV century; a church estate from IV-V centuries; an early Byzantine settlement from V-VII centuries; a Medieval town from XI century. The most important period in Gamzigrad’s history is the time of construction of the imperial palace by the end of III and beginning of the IV century, when two fortifications were constructed with objects inside them: palaces, temples, military and buildings for guests, warehouses, etc. With discovery of the title Felix Romuliana in 1984, it was confirmed that the Roman emperor Gallerius, who was born in coastal Dacia, built a residence on the site and named it after his mother Romula – Romuliana.

Gallerius was born around 250AD, the son of a Barbarian mother and herdsman father. He was noticed by Diocletian, who adopted him and proclaimed him for Cesar. In 306 Gallerius became Emperor of the Roman Empire. He intended to retire in 312 from power and spend “peaceful old age” in his residence, but in 311 he died during a trip to Sophia and was buried alongside his mother at Magura. Burning of apotheosis was completed there an act by which the mother and son were transferred from this world to the realm of the gods. Between 1989 and 1992 at the Magura location – some 1,000 metres east of the main gate of Romuliana on a dominating

Useful information Tourist organisation of the Zaječar municipality Nikole Pašića 4 19000 Zaječar Phone: 019 421 521 www.toozajecar.co.yu 92 CorD / October 2007

hill – a complex of sacral objects was uncovered. The find included two imperial mausoleums, two co-sacral monuments (tumuli) with stakes for burning sacrificial offerings and apotheosis of the Emperor Gallerius and his mother and monumental tetrapillon. The municipality of Zaječar is situated in the central part of Timočka krajina and covers the Zaječar ravine of the eastern part of Crna reka (Black River) and the northern part of Knjaževac ravine, as well as the southern parts of Negotinska krajina. Zaječar’s municipal territory is surrounded by the slopes of Mount Deli Jovan in the north and the slopes of Stara planina (Old Mountain) in the east and south-east along the international border with Bulgaria, and in the south and southwest by the Lasovačka Mountain with a branch of Mountain Tupižnica, and in the west with Ježevica and branches of Veliki Krš (Big Rock). Zaječar covers an area of 1,069 km2 (around 15% of the total area of Timočka krajina). The town of Zaječar, as the geographical, administrative, commercial, political and cultural centre of the municipality and Zaječar county, is situated in the Zaječar ravine (between 43°54’ and 43°42’ of northern geographic latitude, 22°07’ and 22°24’ eastern geographic longitude and at 137 m absolute altitude), 11 km from the border with Bulgaria, between the riv-

Excavations that started in 1953 have shown that within the ramparts there are several palaces and temples and a sacral complex consisting of two crypts and two tumuli has been discovered on the hill of Magura. ers and on the estuaries of Crni (Black) and Beli (White)Timok. The town was primarily built on the right bank of Crni Timok, but eventually spread to encompass the territory of Kraljevica Hill. Over time it spread over the left bank of Crni Timok and towards the west. The town lies at the crossroads of arterial roads Paraćin - Zaječar – Kula (from this arterial direction branch off roads towards Vidin and Sophia), Paraćin – Zaječar – Negotin - Kladovo - Romanian border, Paraćin – Zaječar – Knjaževac – Niš and Negotin – Zaječar – Knjaževac – Niš. Arterial directions towards Vidin and Sophia are, besides the arterial road Belgrade – Donji Milanovac – Kladovo – Negotin still the only and the shortest road

The Imperial palace of Felix Romuliana covers an area of 6.5ha and is surrounded by twenty towers

Anicent pillars are all that remain of this Roman hall

between Europe and the rest of our country towards north Bulgaria and Southern Rumania, and further on towards the Black Sea basin, which gives Zaječar a special international importance. As a settlement, Zaječar was first mentioned in the Turkish census of 1466. Today

The most important period in its history is the time of construction of the imperial palace

Between ‘89 and ‘92 a complex of sacral objects was found, including two imperial mausoleums

Zaječar is a centre of Timočka krajina, of the region in Eastern Serbia with extraordinarily variegated and rich tourist offer. Interesting geographical destinations, archaeological localities, historical monuments, monasteries, spas, caves etc., make this region one of the most interesting in Serbia. Natural beauty and inexhaustible possibilities to feel something new – unseen and unfelt before, often mystical – attract all those who were not here before, as well as those who have become regular visitors. Zaječar, as a centre of this region, is well known among archaeologists because of the famous Felix Romuliana, but also due to the fact that all roads to Timočka krajina go through Zaječar. n CorD / October 2007 93

Auto Talk

C-Class Estate The new Mercedes C-Class Estate offers unrivalled spaciousness, plus exemplary safety, optimum comfort and tangible agility. The new Estate adopts the C-Class Saloonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customer-focused concept for the design and equipment lines with a choice of three models - CLASSIC, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE

94 CorD / October 2007

BMW 6 Series Coupé / Convertible The new edition of the BMW 6 Series Coupé and BMW 6 Series Convertible, successful the world over and built more than 75,500 times so far, are strengthening the position of the Coupé as the leading 2+2-seater in the luxury segment in both technological and dynamic terms, and reinforcing the sporting, modern and exclusive features of the Convertible.

Chrysler Town & Country The all-new Chrysler Town & Country is correctly defined as a modern-day “multipurpose vehicle”. Its lineage dates to the large estate vehicles of the1930s. Town & Country’s characteristics are sophisticated design, generous seating, ample cargo capacity and tasteful interior wood-trim accents.

The Fiat Linea The Fiat Linea is a three-box Segment C saloon that gives a new interpretation of styling, practicality and enjoyable driving, all for an extremely competitive price/contents ratio. Fiat Linea, a 4-door saloon, is sleek and elegant, but with generous dimensions that put it at the top of its class. The same attention went into the styling of the interior, where the lines are harmonious and balance well with the exterior, creating a friendly, light-filled environment that provides an amazing amount of room and superior comfort, where ergonomics and space for the driver and passengers are concerned. CorD / October 2007 95

Auto Talk

The new Audi A4 The new Audi A4 is a sporty car with superb presence on the road; it takes Audi forward into a new dimension on the midsize car market. The engines that power the saloon, both TDI and spark-ignition – in all cases with direct fuel injection – combine effortless power with high efficiency. The dynamic running gear and the use of many technologies, taken directly from the large-car category, are evidence of the brand’s lead in technical know-how. The new Audi is a new way to drive. It will reach the market at the end of December 2007.

96 CorD / October 2007

Dodge Journey The All-new Dodge Journey. This all-new vehicle takes the practicality of a minivan, the capability of a sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the overall efficiency of a passenger car and blends all the best attributes of each into an all-new “right-sized” crossover for the Dodge brand

THE NEW SEAT TRIBU A concept car that offers a preview of upcoming models. Three drive modes: Urban, Sport and Freerun; a tough, compact and truly sporty image. The Tribu once again demonstrates SEAT’s enormous potential to create and develop new models. Its design reflects the SEAT brand’s genes and its “auto emoción” slogan.

The Fiat Bravo Sporty as a GT; spacious as a saloon; sensuous as a coupé. The Bravo has style only the Italians can do. Sporty in looks and by nature, a choice of powerful diesel and petrol engines lie under the beautifully streamlined bonnet. Open the door and the Bravo’s spacious, refined interior plays host to the latest in-car technology, from precision climate control to a voice-controlled music system. And, behind the scenes, a wealth of classleading safety features and the highest 5-star Euro NCAP safety award keep you safe on the road. Bravo indeed.

Honda Accord Sport Special Edition The Accord Sport Special Edition: a car which has everything you’d expect from the Accord, plus a little bit extra. It’s all in the details. The Accord Sport Special Edition doesn’t shout or scream or boast. It still looks like an Accord from the outside. And feels like one on the inside. Smooth, luxurious, quiet, understated. But take a closer look around the Sport and you’ll notice the difference.

CorD / October 2007 97

HOW TO…

…Book tickets online for all events?

It is now possible to book and pay for tickets for all kinds of domestic events via the internet at www.tiketservis.com. This site provides full listings of all upcoming events and tickets can be paid for by credit card and delivered to your home or office anywhere in Serbia.

CROSSWORD

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

…Get food delivered day and night?

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

…Find party caterers with a difference?

When organising any kind of party, function or reception, hiring the services of a quality caterer is an important element, allowing you to save time, relax and enjoy your celebration. However, finding something original, creative and slightly exotic is even more important and is no mean feat in Belgrade. But fear not, the team at Iguana Restaurant are here to cater for your alternative catering needs for any event – from children’s parties, christenings and family celebrations, to weddings, seminars, office parties and official receptions. Contact Iguana, Bozidara Adžije 30, on 011 2443383 or 063 7448690.

…Install broadband cable internet?

Is your Internet connection too slow? Help is at hand from Serbia Broadband, which is now providing fast and reliable cable internet connections. 24-hour, phone-line-free connections available, as well as cable television with extra Pay-per-view options. A modern call centre, equipped with over 60 lines, is available anytime on 011 3305252.

…Fix anything?

…Find an English-speaking dentist?

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

…Make yourself understood?

Find yourself frustrated by your inability to say simple things in Serbian? Here at CorD we are endeavouring to make your stay in the region a tad less alien by providing a few simple phrases that will help you make yourself understood: è I’m in Belgrade on business/holiday è Ja sam poslovno/na odmoru u Beogradu. è My car has broken down. I need assistance. è Pokvario mi se auto. Treba mi pomoć. è Could you recommend a good restaurant nearby? è Možete li da mi preporučite dobar restoran u blizini? è What’s the best way to get to the British Embassy from here? è Koji je najkraći put do Britanske Ambasade odavde? è I have an 8 o’clock reservation in the name of Bloggs è Imam rezervaciju za osam sati na ime Blogs. è I’ll be back in five minutes/half an hour. è Vraćam se za pet minuta/pola sata. è What do you do for a living? è Čime se bavite? è When does the bus to Novi Sad depart? è Kada kreće autobus za Novi Sad? 98 CorD / October 2007

HORIZONTAL: 1. a mountain in Serbia, south east from Kruševac, 2. the first man by the bible; a town in Srem, 3. place in Bačka, near Kula; medley (literary), 4. a distinguished roadrunner bird from New Zealand; grand master (abb.); personal pronoun, 5. car sign for Iceland; a famous football club from Madrid; sign for nitrogen, 6. sign for neper; a gambling game, 7. a plant that is grown in greenhouses, 8. banking stocks, shares in the assets of a limited company (plural); older (abb.), 9. chemical symbol for oxygen, has the girl overeaten?, city code for Split 10. sign for lead; sign for krypton; a river in Bosnia, a confluent the Sava river on the right side, 11. a big bowl made out of clay; a Spanish basketball player that plays in the NBA, Pau; 12. place in Bačka, near Kanjiže; anchorage device on the water, buoy, 13. a place in Kosovo VERTICAL: 1. a room plant with nice and smelly effloresces; a part of Belgrade, 2. Goodbye in Spanish; reverse pronoun; a big bowl for liquid, 3. a river that flows through Belgrade; a country in Asia; priest, 4. multitude; a mountain in Šumadija; sign for molybdenum; a sigh for radius; 5. a part of Belgrade; sign for Siemens, 6. sign for erbium; common name for the vehicle in which the police transfer the arrested; rough, 7. US president, George; a person, individual; strong snow flow, 8. a Turkish steam bathroom; personal pronoun; unfulfilled wishes (figure), 9. service on the border; railway knot in Šumadija Solutions - horizontal: jastrebac, adam, ruma, sivac, šar, moa, bm, mi, is, real, n, n, lutrija, sadnica, deonica, s, o, sita, st, pb, kr, una, ćup, gasol, orom, bova, leposavić Solutions - vertical: jasmin, dorcol, adios, se, bure, sava, laos, pop, tma, rudnik, mo, r, cvetni trg, s, er, marica, aba, buš, lice, usov, amam, ja, snovi, carina, stalać

For any problems that may occur at your property or residence, call Belgrade’s leading property management professionals and handymen, Hauzmajstor, on 011 3034034. Services range from small repairs to full contracting of all property needs, specializing in embassies and places of business. 24-hour service and insured contractors.