This is the text of a speech delivered by Slobodan Milosevic, then
President
of Serbia, during his election campaign in December 1992. In
particular,
look at the final two paragraphs, in which Milosevic, as so often,
presented
his viewpoint on ethnic relations and a multi-ethnic society. By no
means
are these comments unique or isolated. The sentiments appeared
regularly in
his speeches and actions.
Radio Belgrade Network
December 17, 1992
PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC ADDRESSES KOSOVO POLJE RALLY
Report by Rade Tomic from Kosovo Polje
President Milosevic was greeted by more than 30,000 people from all
over
Kosovo in Kosovo Polje. Warmly received with numerous photographs and
placards with messages of support during his third visit to this town,
Slobodan Milosevic said that Serbia will not give Kosovo away for any
price
and that support must be extended to the Albanians who are predominantly
loyal to Serbia, but are still under pressure and threatened by the
separatists. He sent a message to the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to
come
to their senses and stop quarrelling.
[Begin Milosevic recording] Permit me to greet you all wholeheartedly!
[cheering] Allow me, allow me to speak! [cheering] Allow me to...
[crowd
cheering: Slobo of Serbia!]
Dear residents of Kosovo Polje! I am very pleases that I have the
opportunity to greet and see all of you here. The uprising against the
injustice that the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija suffered under
for
decades started here, in Kosovo Polje, a few years ago. [cheering: It
is
so!] The people of Kosovo and Metohija - and especially this place,
Kosovo
Polje - had enormous merits in this, as well as in Serbia's unification,
overcoming all circumstances that hindered free development of a unified
Serbia, and abolishment of pressures that had long been exerted upon
this
nation. Here, in this town, we have heard of ethnic cleansing for the
first
time, which the Serbian nation is now being unjustly accused [cheering:
It
is so!], that had been exposed to this pressure and ethnic cleansing for
the
first time here, in Kosovo, on the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
We
have learned the slogan ethnically pure Kosovo from the Albanian
separatists. We have learned it from them for the first time and have
heard
of these ideas and this inhumane policy that was endangering this nation
and
this country from them for the first time. [cheering: It is so]
At that time, when this horrible pressure was exerted upon the Serbian
nation [crowd chanting: Slobo, Slobo!], neither Europe or the world were
concerned. There was no attention and desire to protect the Serbian
nation
in Kosovo. Everything that had been committed against the Serbian
nation
here was not disturbing them. Nowadays, they are worried by ethnic
cleansing which does not exist anywhere in Serbia and is not practiced
anywhere as the Serbian nation would never disgrace itself with such
inhumane deeds. [indistinct shouting in the background]
We in Serbia wish to have a successful and a free country. This is only
possible if we follow the policy of brotherhood and unity. [crowd
chanting:
Slobo, do not give Kosovo!]
Residents of Kosovo Polje! I wish to tell you that we will adhere to
the
policy of ethnic equality throughout Serbia. This will be the case in
Kosovo, Vojvodina, and in central Serbia, everywhere the Republic of
Serbia
has its authorities and where its citizens are making decisions. You
can be
sure of that! [cheering: It is so!]
I want to tell you not to worry! Do not worry and fret that we would
ever
give Kosovo away! [cheering, applause] Serbia and the Serbian nation
will
never give Kosovo away! [chanting: Slobo of Serbia!]
However, I would also like to address some criticism to you. We are all
worried when we hear of your quarrels, and I would like to say that we
cannot talk of the need to have worldwide friends if we are not friends
to
each other. [shouting: It is so!] Therefore, I would like to urge you,
here
in Kosovo Polje, to come to your senses and stop quarreling. [cheering,
applause] Those who argue do not need any other enemies - we have
plenty of
them without ourselves. Here in Kosovo, where the situation was the
worst
due to the Serbian disunity some 600 years ago, this curse must be
broken
and the Serbian disunity must stop. You must stop settling accounts and
confronting each other. You must do everything to develop unity, but
not
only within the Serbian nation but unity, understanding, and love with
all
those who live in Kosovo.
We know that there are many Albanians in Kosovo who do not approve of
the
separatist policy of their nationalist leaders. They are under
pressure,
intimidated, and blackmailed, but we shall not respond with the like.
We
must respond by offering our hand, living with them in equality, and not
permitting that a single Albanian child, woman, or man be discriminated
against in Kosovo in any way. We must, for the sake of all Serbian
citizens, insist on the policy of brotherhood, unity, and ethnic
equality in
Kosovo. We shall persevere on this policy. I wish you all success,
good
health, and all the best! Cheers! [applause, crowd cheering: Live
long!]
[end recording]
Serbian News Network - SNN
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.antic.org/
