junge Welt, 3.3.2009
International demonstration in Belgrade on the 10th Anniversary of
NATO’s war on Serbia.
Interview with Boris Bratina. By Cathrin Schütz, Belgrade.
The general secretary of the organization ‘Narodni pokret Srbije’, Boris
Bratina, teaches philosophy at the University of Pristina, which is
temporarily located in Kosovska Mitrovica.
Homepage of the Organizers: www.1999-2009.prvipokret.org
The Serbian Government is NATO’s Puppet
Q: 24. March sees the 10th anniversary of NATO’s attack on the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. How are you commemorating that day?
In cooperation with organizations like the patriot youth
organization ‘1389’ and SLOBODA – acting in the spirit of our late
president, Slobodan Milosevic – our organization ‘Narodni pokret
Srbije’ is preparing for a grand demonstration in Belgrade.
We are supported by a whole range of patriotic groups and veteran
organizations. Furthermore a number of distinguished personalities are
wholeheartedly backing us, including generals and intellectuals such as
former Prime Minister Momir Bulatovic, former Foreign Minister of the
Republica Srpska Aleksa Buha, the Speaker of the exiled Parliament of
Republica Srpska Krajina Rajko Lesaic, ands Marko Jaksic, a leader of Serbs
in Kosovo.
Q: What is the actual purpose of this demonstration?
These days the Serbian Government as well as most of our media and
public life is controlled by Western powers. Under those circumstances it
seems essential for us to hear the voice of the Serbian people speak out
against NATO – for social justice and for the sovereignty of our nation. The
present government is NATO’s puppet, performing the role of merely
serving the interests of NATO. They do not represent the majority in
Serbia – many being scared by the painful sanctions and bombings or
demoralized under continuous pressure from NATO and the EU.
By commemorating the start of NATO’s atrocious war of attack on 24
March 1999, we hope to revitalize the spirit of our people to stand up
against NATO and Anglo-American imperialism. It is high time for us to fight for
our freedom. In this endeavour we are greatly encouraged by the
international solidarity experessed leading up to this day.
Q: From your account of the situation may we conclude that you have had
to organize this demonstration in a rather hostile environment?
Keenly aware of the public mood the present regime hardly dares forbid
the demonstration. On the other hand they have seen to it that we get no
assistance whatever from civil society or political parties – not even from
the opposition. With due regard to the significance of this anniversary we
set out to duly inform all national institutions and the parties as well as
many private enterprises of our plans, seeking their moral and material
support. But for the negative position of the Government and their
international masters only the most courageous are supporting us.
I suppose we could not trust the media to cover our efforts, but as a
consequence we are short of funds even for the busses required for
transporting the largely impoverished rural people to Belgrade on this
occasion.
Q: Might the arrangements on the anniversary of NATO’s war turn into
failure?
Our demonstration will take place at any cost! We really expect a lot
of impact from this action. It is not just a matter of waking up our people.
We trust this manisfestation of protest to further our political
position: Finally the mendacious picture of ‘criminal Serbs’ created by
NATO’s propaganda stands to be corrected.
Serbs appear to have fallen victim to so-called globalization. We
are certainly victims of imperialism, NATO wars and sanctions – but we also
have a part in the international struggle against all these evils.
The Western interests directing the political life in Serbia may see a
great danger in the revival of the spirit of resistance of 1999. On that day
we shall happily demonstrate that in Serbia we may once again stand up and
strike back!
We are going to prove to people that the true Serbia was never
isolated, but maintains the opportunity to be part of a growing family of
nations from Russia to Bolivia, with the promise a fair and equitable future
World.
We must tear down the walls of our prison…
(translated from German by Godfred Louis-Jensen and Greg Elich,
5. March 2009)
WE KINDLY ASK FOR YOUR DONATIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE DEMONSTRATION:
VKSB (Verein für Kulturelle Selbstbestimmung e.V.)
BANK: Sparkasse Starkenburg, ACCOUNT: 23290, BANK NUMBER: 509 514 69,
USE: Demo Belgrad.
IBAN: DE25509514690000023290
BIC: HELADEF1HEP