ARTEL GEOPOLITIKA
Belgrade,
November 7, 2002
Introduction
Two years after the October transfer of
power in Serbia, the political and economic state of the country and the nation
are even worse than before October 5 (Yugoslavia having already become
collateral damage), and we face the destruction of what little is left. Most
citizens are either unaware of this or turn a blind eye to the facts, believing
that would shield them from ghosts and fears, probably weary of a decade of
stress, countless "moments of destiny," political crises, undeclared and
unrecognized wars, humanitarian bombing, lustration and "education." For those
unaware of the impending Golgotha (as Prof. Emil Vlajki recently termed it), we
will try to give a short assessment of current affairs and indicate what awaits
us in the near and distant future. Aware of the risk that events could prove us
wrong, we hope they do. Most of all, we hope for a change in international
circumstances to our favor, as they were shown to have crucial influence on our
country.
Though we realize that such an ambitious task can take up volumes,
respecting the time and patience of our readers we will try to be specific and
concise.
Foreign Policy
Even though the current government
lists as its greatest success our return into the international community and
cooperation with the world, supposedly now enjoying the full respect of foreign
partners - the very people who were demonizing and bombing until just recently -
the situation is rather different.
Since toppling the former government, the
current regime has accepted every foreign extortion and demand and given up our
continuity of UN membership (which will have long-term negative consequences).
It still persistently accepts and implements all foreign dictates, without any
consideration or regard to our vital national and state interests, placing our
country into an even more inferior position, weakening its defense and
forestalling possibilities of autonomous existence and development. Meanwhile,
instructed by its Western mentors, the current regime bombards us daily with
propaganda aimed at weakening any cohesion of our society. By manipulating
history, fragmenting identity, culture, and traditions of our people, and
placing upon us the guilt for events for which others - the West, first and
foremost - are much more responsible, they aim to disorient the citizens and
engender a collective apathy. Low voter turnout in the recent presidential
election indicates they have succeeded to a degree.
Even though the West
hand-picked, financed, and trained terrorists and separatists, and promoted them
in the media while threatening, cajoling and extorting us on their behalf with
the sole purpose of destroying the former Yugoslavia, they now blame us for it
all. And not just blame, but put on trial. They even rewrite history and teach
our children in schools that we deserved the bombing, even though it has been
condemned by most of the world and even many citizens of NATO countries.
All
of this is aimed to weaken our mental immune system and turn us into a
shapeless, clueless mob unable to realize what is being done to them, let alone
do anything about it. Thus confused, we would not realize the long-term negative
implications of events, designed to turn the clock two centuries back and wipe
us off the Balkans and European maps as a country of any influence, at which
point we would be denied any opportunity for development, economic or otherwise.
Yet we look on with resignation, or even approval, in our erroneous belief that
the world is praising and supporting us. We consider agreeing with the policy of
our own destruction a great success.
Let us mention just some so-called
successes of our foreign policy:
- By renouncing our continuity, we agreed that
the FRY (est. 1992) was a new country, which means it could be ruled responsible
for aggression against Croatia and Bosnia, and genocide against their
population. We should not doubt the likelihood of this verdict, because Hague
prosecutors will "prove" anything their masters (US and UK) tell them to. The
process is already in court, and if we are found guilty, we would be required to
pay enormous war reparations to these two former Yugoslav republics and recently
manufactured sovereign states. Aside from the fact that this would be absolutely
untrue and fabricated, how could we pay the reparations if we cannot survive as
it is? There would be other negative consequences as well.
- On the issue of
our former common homeland's succession, we have accepted almost all demands of
other republics, giving up property of Serbia acquired prior to entering a union
with other nations (which were then ruled by foreign empires), all in the name
of some undefined pragmatism and abstract cooperativeness. Who had the right to
do that, and on whose behalf? History will judge.
- Without exception, we
have obeyed the diktat of foreign powers, without regard to the dignity of our
people, our state, and our nation. To the illegal and illegitimate tribunal in
The Hague, we have delivered a former president, forced another president to
testify, and it seems a third president will be on his way there as well. We
believe this world record in submissiveness and self-abasement will be hard to
match. Tribunal's investigators freely travel around Serbia and pursue their
victims as if this state did not exist. No one can guess who might be the next
sacrifice to the court, but anyone intelligent might wonder why our children
would serve in the military to defend their country, when that country can send
them to foreign tribunals for doing their duty. Given that all who fled the
draft were given a general amnesty, why would anyone answer a call to
mobilization if the country became endangered in the future? God forbid we have
to test that notion. Even though The Hague Tribunal indicts people at will,
without valid accusations or reliable witnesses, this is understandable; it is a
political court, persecuting those who defy the only surviving world empire. But
if extradition of one's citizens to foreign courts were legitimate, why would
the US try everything to ensure their military personnel would not be tried by
such courts?
- Even though the Belgrade regime is completely loyal to the US
and the EU, the Western position regarding Kosovo has not changed at all. Kosovo
is still sailing towards independence, Serbs and non-Albanians are still
murdered and expelled, while Americans calmly build their new military bases,
closing their eyes to crime, destruction of churches and monasteries, and
seizures of property. Our government does not even bother to object, while some
of its high officials have much more understanding for American arguments and
interests than our own. The way things are, obviously the US is only waiting for
the right moment to "reluctantly" accept the final separation of Kosovo,
supposedly under pressure of Kosovo's inhabitants (ignoring, of course, the role
of violence in establishing the current majority). Our government, if it remains
the way it is, will find a way to give its blessing while officially issuing
words of condemnation to calm down the public opinion and those who were
expelled by the terror of Albanian separatists.
- Relations between Serbia
and Montenegro are no better than they were under Milosevic. Before October 5,
2000 they were poor supposedly because of Milosevic and his undemocratic regime.
Why do they remain poor still, and why does Montenegro persist in its separatist
aspirations? Despite the alleged European insistence on a joint state, which the
proposed Charter (and that term reveals what sort of union they have in mind)
makes anything but a state, it is clear that Montenegro's separation actually
has Western support and approval. Everyone reasonable knows that the separation
of Serbia and Montenegro will have long-term negative consequences for both.
Also, the infamous Charter does not even mention Kosovo, and it is pretty
obvious why. The three-year probation period will likely serve another purpose,
for example, to undermine Serbia even further in Sandzak and Vojvodina, while
dismantling the Army and other institutions of government. Then no one would be
able to stop the final and complete destruction of Yugoslavia and Serbia.
Western plans would be fully realized, and we would suffer a total defeat after
two centuries of struggle marked by our ancestors' bloody self-sacrifice,
horrible persecution and pogroms, injustices and betrayals. If someone
disagrees, they should answer the following questions:
- Why is it, now that Serbia has a
"democratic" government that favors everyone's national interests except its own
and gladly obeys all foreign demands, separatists in southern Serbia, Raska
(Sandzak) and Vojvodina are thriving and escalating their provocations? Their
constant "problems" are obviously only waiting for a green light by foreign
sponsors to begin using the already proven methods of separation.
- Now that
we are partners, "democrats" and "friends," why would the US and her vassals not
allow Serbs to return to Kosovo? What about the institutions: our military,
police, judiciary? It would be no special favor - all of this is written in the
UN Resolution 1244, which they ought to comply with. Or is it only Iraq that
should comply with UN resolutions? Anyway, why haven't they created law and
order in the province? They have over 50,000 troops there alone, not to mention
police, civilian officials, non-governmental and other organizations…
- Now
that our government wants to join the Partnership for Peace, why do NATO and the
US still incessantly pressure our military, fabricating affairs intended to
undermine it? If they really cared about our partnership, shouldn't they
strengthen and support our military?
- Why does the US insist on revising
the Dayton Agreement to create a unified Bosnia, even though the Serb Republic
is powerless and Bosnia is a direct foreign
protectorate?
- Why is
our country threatened with sanctions and denied entry into the Council of
Europe, even though our government has done everything that was demanded, and
when no domestic issue is resolved without interference or participation of
foreign powers in one way or another, often at the expense of our own people and
country?
- Finally, why is our economy being destroyed and sold off to
foreigners, even though it survived the wars and sanctions, and has remained
better than the economies of surrounding nations?
Finally, a word about our diplomacy, as it is the
first line of defense of our country and its national interests abroad. The
quality of this defense is obvious looking at our diplomats. Though the former
government employed many political appointees, it at least kept many Foreign
Service professionals. The current regime has broken all barriers in
disrespecting this difficult and complex profession. Incompetence has now spread
to all levels, from Ambassadors and minister-counselors to advisors,
secretaries, accountants and even chauffeurs. Without discussing specific
details, it is clear that our once-strong and respected diplomacy, despite the
setbacks during the collapse of Yugoslavia, has never been worse. Party loyalty
is the foremost criterion of employment, followed by family connections and
personal loyalties. Professionals who excelled at anything during the former
administration have been either sacked or sidelined. We doubt that anyone
currently employed in Foreign Service knows exactly what our state and national
interests currently are. As it is, they've probably copied the relevant sections
from American and British policy papers.
All of these issues pose the question about the real intentions
motivating the US and NATO. What are the reasons for their behavior, or their
ultimate goals? What are our interests, and how do we intend to defend them?
To provide an answer, we need to establish why our country and the Serbian
people are still considered an enemy, and why our vital interests and national
defense are continually under attack.
One answer is obvious: because their
actions are motivated by their own long-term strategic, political, military and
economic interests, not our well-being. They consider our position relevant only
as far as the degree of resistance we can offer, or if we will agree to assist
in our self-destruction by putting the interests of others before our own. It
would be justified to ask what our options would be in such circumstances. If
confrontation is not the solution, surrender will certainly not lead to
salvation, but only to defeat and misery. In any case, it should not be called a
"success."
Internal Policy
On October 5, 2000, "dictatorship"
was replaced by "democracy."
What has really changed?
After years of
patriotic fervor, fateful decisions, sanctions, isolation, wars, bombing,
demonization and extortion, we were hoping for peace and prosperity. What we got
was more accusations, scandals, lustration, persecution, witch-hunts, oppressive
political correctness and propaganda the previous regime would envy. The dust
raised by current authorities hides all the fatal decisions they are making,
which lead us ever farther from our vital national and state interests,
entangling us in integrative processes whose costs far outweigh their benefits.
They are selling off our country and its riches for petty change. They even
approve the further carve-up of our territory. This is not even a "d," let alone
"democracy."
While during the previous administration the state media and
political leaders spoke of their opponents as mercenaries America and NATO -
which turned out to be right in many cases - we also had a plethora of
opposition media, including TV stations, and numerous non-governmental
organizations, round tables and clubs. They all harshly criticized the
government and blamed it for all sorts of things, most of all corruption, wars
and isolation of the country. Realistically speaking, although the former
government was accused of repressing the media, most of the media supported the
opposition and strongly opposed the government. Today's situation is
considerably worse. There are practically no media supporting the opposition.
Almost all act like a chorus, attacking the former regime without measure or
taste, and support all sorts of "purification," mass firings, imprisonment,
seizure of businesses and property, everything the current government does or
intends to do. The citizens should decide how democratic that behavior really
is. Besides, some government officials and many such media openly advocate bans
on certain political parties. After that, nothing should be too surprising.
On the other hand, leaders of the governing coalition constantly accuse each
other of things that would have long since forced even remotely honest people to
resign in disgrace. Which part of that is a media circus and which a real
conflict, the citizens should decide. Still, it is undisputed that they forget
all their arguments and overcome their differences the moment boss Montgomery
reminds them their job is to do his bidding, not pretend they are a real
government.
Relations within the country are worse than ever. DOS is
conflicted, and has split into at least two factions. The SPS has gone one-up,
and is currently split into three. SPO seems unable to recover from its
self-imposed isolation. Serbian Unity part hovers around 4-5% of the vote, while
the Radicals are ascendant, probably as a consequence of popular discontent with
the new government and the current situation.
The federal parliament is also
worse than ever. Montenegro is still represented by a bloc that lost the
elections at home, and had switched in 2000 from being a Milosevic ally to a
partner of DOS - exactly what Milo Djukanovic and his DPS were until then. If
this did not decide the political future of the country, it would all seem like
a burlesque. No one takes such a parliament seriously, nor is it capable of
doing anything meaningful. It is as if everyone is just waiting for its
abolition.
However, instead of resolving the serious issues and problems of
the country and the people, such as defense, security, unemployment, standard of
living, development and so forth, all the current government offers are
scandals, conflicts, mutual accusations and excuses. Of course, everything is
blamed on the former government and those among us who supported it with their
votes. The mosaic is completed by inevitable characters of Biserko, Kandic, Vuco
and others, who criticize and advise from their academic and globalist vantage
points, almost pontificating at us to repent - as if that would lead us to
salvation from the chaos and widespread poverty we live in. Dignity has already
been forgotten.
Crime and political murders are thriving instead of
disappearing. If the former government was blamed for such events prior to
October 5, who is to blame now? Could nothing be done, nothing resolved in the
past two years? If so, why? Was it really the former government's fault, then,
or is this something typical for all governments or even unrelated to them?
The parliament in Serbia, usually the basic instrument of democracy in a
country, dances to government's tune. It votes, decides and schedules sessions
whenever the Prime Minister tells it to. Yet we were taught the Parliament
controls the government, not the other way around.
Foreign advisors and
experts are everywhere. Economic and natural resources are being sold off. Banks
and state institutions are abolished or destroyed. Foreign-owned banks,
supermarkets, companies, workshops and offices are opening everywhere, yet all
doors are closed to our entrepreneurs. How many Slovenian stores and companies
can be found here, and how many of ours over there?
Most laws in effect
during the previous government are still in force.
There has been no new
Constitution, nor other meaningful laws, that would "democratize" the country
and the political relations within. Once again it has been demonstrated that
criticizing the government from the opposition was easy, but implementing
reforms once in power was something quite different. Perhaps because the
circumstances change so much. Absolute power bothered the opposition while it
was the opposition. Now that they are the government, they find it useful.
In
Serbia today, most citizens feel deep disappointment and apathy. The state has
been taken over by chaos, willful abuse, nepotism, closed-mindedness,
persecution, poverty, unemployment and crime. Anesthetized by phrases about a
bright future and the inevitable road to Europe, where they eagerly await us
with open arms, we all sink ever deeper into ruin. No one is even thinking of
asking the people whether they want the Euro-Atlantic integration, nor of
telling them what they would gain or lose from it. These are serious issues,
normally decided by referendum elsewhere.
The Economy
Economic circumstances in Serbia are
also worse than ever. Although paid analyses by subsidized or pro-government
agencies offer soothing statistics, and cabinet ministers are trying to convince
the citizens they are really much better of - they just can't seem to see it,
really - a large number of people has been utterly impoverished, so suddenly
that their bare existence has come into question.
Instead of the abundant
foreign aid that had been lavishly promised in order to topple the former
government, instead of rising living standards, economic revival, foreign
investments, and new jobs, all Serbia got was total economic deterioration.
Instead of aid, we were forgiven part of our debts, which had illegally
accrued during the sanctions and our frozen UN membership.
A drastic drop in
the standard of living is obvious, not only in the increased costs of rent,
electricity and telephone, but also the cost of services that were free until
recently: education, health care, etc.
The economy is completely blocked,
not only because there is no capital investment, but also because of widespread
privatization (i.e. plunder) that is threatening every enterprise. It is fully
justified to wonder why anyone would try doing any business, when the government
can sell their enterprise tomorrow regardless of whether it is profitable or
not.
Foreign investments are nowhere to be seen, nor will they be any time
soon, because the political, economic, and even legal circumstances in the
country are unstable. Tales of foreigners eager to invest in Serbia are empty
talk. Foreign investors have enough trouble trying to sell their products
because of hyper-production, so they would only need us as a potential market.
Even if they buy some enterprises, they will likely end up like similar cases in
neighboring countries: closed, so the investors could sell their own products -
or alternately, used to make their products, not ours.
Instead of new jobs,
we got mass layoffs. Less so for political reasons (revenge, though officially
it does not exist), and mostly as a "wise" economic cure for our accumulated
ills. The extent of layoffs is so immense, that the impoverished population and
blocked economy are threatening to become a chronic condition, one that would
increasingly threaten the country with popular unrest.
If Serbia, tired of
wars, conflicts and accusations, gave up resisting foreign assaults and
sacrificed its dignity, commitment to truth and many of its vital interests for
the sake of promised peace and prosperity, then it has been harshly deceived. It
got neither peace nor prosperity, nor will it have them any time soon.
Conclusion
If any of the above could point to
consistent conclusions, stemming from an analysis of the present situation and
indicating the further developments in our country, such conclusions would
necessarily be as follows:
The US and Western powers will continue their
policy of fragmenting our territory, supporting the secession of Kosovo and
Montenegro, unrest in Raska and separatism in Vojvodina, blaming us for it all;
mostly the previous government, but indirectly this one as well, until they
reach their ultimate goal: a new international conference to decide the final
borders of this territory (ours, if we may say so), to finally resolve the
problem in this part of Europe. Of course, they would be led by the "best of
intentions," since we could not resolve them ourselves and Europe is in a rush
to move ahead, and has no time to wait for some savage Serb and other
primitives. America will reluctantly yet magnanimously accept the solution,
though it officially "opposed the change of borders in Europe," as if it hadn't
changed many of them already, specifically in the former Yugoslavia. Like good
disciples, we will accept everything they propose - that they will propose a
solution is a given - by which we would formally and legally renounce our own
territories, interests and history. It would be done "democratically," almost
voluntarily, though "in presence of authority"(that is, the US and Co.) Once we
agree, there will be no room for second thoughts. In a few years, they will of
course claim that they had not really wanted any of this, but that we insisted.
We will be left with the pashalik of Belgrade, which we have feared all these
years.
Naturally, this will not be the outcome or a confirmation of any
"conspiracy theory," but if anyone becomes suspicious, it would be explained by
their "paranoia" and "obsession with history." For this would be our "democratic
will," and "our own decision," hard but courageous, as honored representatives
of the world would put it, and of course in the "interest of civilization." That
way, we will all fit under that one plum tree the Tarabic prophets mentioned.
Since we are already experiencing declining birth rates because of apathy and
poverty, and many are emigrating abroad, it doesn't seem like the plum's shade
will be crowded, either. Besides, there will surely be some foreigner thereabout
to organize and instruct us - in our best interest, naturally.
In order to
get there, we will have more scandals, dramatic "conflicts" in and around DOS,
schisms, new witch-hunts and persecution, new self-accusations to the joy of our
enemies (and we do have them, though some refuse to see it), resolutions of
minor issues, but never the key ones (and that will not be an accident), and of
course, the wholehearted "help" from outside friends. The more aid we get, the
more impoverished, unemployed and helpless we will be. Just the way they want
us, if they need us at all. Why do we need any of this? Will we widen up by
then, and somehow save ourselves from the Tarabics' plum tree?
The way
things are right now, only God, or a change in international circumstances,
would help us. Wise people say, "God helps those who help themselves." If God's
help depends on us, then we fear it is already too late. There is only hope that
things will change to our benefit. It is a weak hope, but history has always
been full of surprises.
