Borisav Jovic

JUL is a big mistake

"Our people find it difficult to accept that two members of the same family can be leaders of two political parties. And not only parties, since, due to their aspirations, everything looks a bit like a dynasty"

From whom did he, as the chairman of the joint presidency of Yugoslavia, first hear of the military intervention in Slovenia: "I think I learnt about it from the media-the press"

About reasons for writing his book: "...My intention was to document the facts, for the sake of history. I would like the historical judgment to be objective, in spite of our mistakes and illusions."

About the inconvenience which the book caused him: "It did cause me some inconvenience because after the publication of the book our leadership, in my opinion unjustifiably and undemocratically relieved me of all my duties. In spite of this, I consider the book to be more important than my function so I do not attach much importance to the dismissal."

Why was he dismissed: "It would be very ungrateful of me to speak about things which they did not like. You would have to ask them. No one told me. I was not present at the meeting when they discussed my dismissal. It was only after that meeting that the party secretary told me that I have been dismissed because of the book.... In theory, it is not possible for the General Council to relieve anyone of his duties in the way it has been done in my case. It can only be done at a Party Congress. Some of those who attended the meeting later told me that President Milosevic simply suggested for 'comrade Jovic to be relieved of his duties in the General Council'. Everyone consented, and that was it. I think the procedure was undemocratic and it could damage the party".

Why did he quarrel with Milosevic: "Mostly because of JUL. I thought that SPS, as the strongest left wing party should try and gather around it all who are close to the Left. If anyone else wants to form another Left-wing party, its his own business, but we ourselves should not create and promote one, since this weakens our own position and works against our interests. That is why I argued that the creation of JUL is a big political mistake. In any case, at the last election, Union of Communists failed to win a single seat in parliament. This means they have little public support and are in desperate need of ours. Such an ally is nothing but a burden. I had nothing against such a party being formed independently of us. Instead our officials received orders to take part in the promotion of another party, to support it, even let it use our premises...It went so far that at one stage JUL received more coverage in the media than our party. Another reason why I objected to the creation of JUL was the fact that its leader is President Milosevic's wife. Our people find it difficult to accept that two members of the same family can be leaders of two political parties. And not only parties, since, due to their aspirations, everything looks a bit like a dynasty.

About how Mira Markovic hit back: "Personally, Milosevic never said anything against my book. Mira Markovic was first to criticize it. It was all clear - the book appeared last October, then there was Dayton, followed by Mira Markovic's attack on my book in 'Duga'. Then Milosevic returned from Dayton, two days later called the meeting at which I was dismissed practically without a vote on the issue. In spite of everything, the book can not be erased, it exists. I do not think I have hurt anyone in the book, not even Milosevic. It is true however that in the book Milosevic has been portrayed as a human being just like everyone else, suggesting he is not a god and thus not infallible. If some consider that a mistake, I can not accept it".

Aleksandar Tijanic

"Serbian journalism is full of moral clowns, there are no more so called broad spectrum journalists. They are divided along political lines, tearing each other apart"

About why he accepted the ministerial function: I could not refuse the offer and then in ten years time have to explain to my children how maybe I could have done something , but instead, for the sake of my own comfort decided to remain an analyst... I have no illusions and I am almost certain I won't get out of this thing alive, though when I see children without hope, I don't see how I could remain a sage with a pen.

About the real freedom of the media in Serbia: "Belgrade still has the greatest media freedom amongst all former Yugoslav states. If you like I can prove that mathematically, by analysis, by looking at the number of TV stations and kilos of printed press.

About press legislation: "As far as I am concerned I would very much like to translate some foreign press legislation and present it before parliament. I think existing legislation is quite decent and problems lie in its enforcement rather than legal theory.

About links with the Democratic party: "...During the last campaign I helped the Democratic party with a few tips. I don't know if this had any impact on them winning twice as many seats as they had before, but I suggested the slogan 'Honestly', and advised them on media promotion. They were very grateful. They considered me the best Yugoslav journalist and the best expert on political marketing. When I was dismissed from TV Politika, for, among other things helping the Democratic party, I found myself, at the age of forty five on the street, with two children, without any money, in a country in ruins. The day I was sacked, my friend Djindjic told the press that he "doesn't know why they sacked me, that he has incomplete information' and that he will issue a statement on the following day. I could not believe my ears. Vuk Draskovic issued the most decent statement stating that although he doesn't like me, he still thinks I am the best at what I do.

About the comment that "maybe life really is a lonely battle", though - on Milosevic's side: "...People who suggested me for the job obviously had enough courage to do so...they risked more than I. I can leave this function tomorrow and say that at least my intention was good but others did not want any changes. The biggest puzzle for me still is the idea that the regime accepted my appointment more readily than the opposition."

About party leaders in Serbia: "...As far as my cooperation with the authorities is concerned, which is the objection I most frequently receive from the opposition, I would say such objections are hypocritical. Apart from Voja Kostunica, there is not a single opposition politician who did not, at some point, at least negotiate with Milosevic about forming a coalition. Therefore, all prominent party leaders negotiated with the Socialists and at the same time kept accusing all others of treason. That is what happened to me. However I do not see the Socialists as werewolves but someone who bears the greatest responsibility for getting this country on the right path, or face the consequences."