Soloist From the ‘Three Terrors’

The Republic of Serbia has a new Minister of Culture, although it was not evident that a new one was needed. The name of Nada Popovic-Perisic’s successor is Zeljko Simic. This young and successful official used to be President Milosevic’s advisor, and the fact that Mr. Simic was a good advisor is evident when looking even ‘from an airplane’, especially NATO’s ‘non-military’ one, which cruises above Kosovo... Besides, Mr. Simic was the deputy prime minister in the federal government at the time of its great economic success, when the famous promise of the wisely advised Milosevic, concerning the ‘Swedish living standards’ was delivered. In the mean time, as a keen lover of sport, Zeljko Simic found both time and will to deal with the problems of Yugoslav waterpolo. It was precisely under his leadership that our national team reached the lowest point in its more recent and successful history. These of course are only segments of this statesman’s rich political biography, containing some of the things which undoubtedly recommend him for the job of Minister of Culture. Besides, just like any self respecting intellectual, Mr. Simic published a number of unreadable, although sedative books. Allegedly, there are people who actually read them - in their entirety! - although this is something which still needs to be proved.

This Minister is rarely upset, but it is at those rare moments that he expresses the full extent of the talent which recommends him for the ministerial post. For example, at one point Mr Simic was most upset with Bogoljub Karic (it was at the time when the relations between Mr Karic and President Milosevic were at a low point), who - surprise, surprise - is now a minister in the same government! and with Alexandar Tijanic, the former boss of Mr. Karic’s Television channel.

During the last couple of weeks, Zeljko Simic was mainly engaged in uncovering and combating ‘treason committed by the so-called independent media and their role as the fifth column’, and in the process delivered some solo parts which made him an equal member of the famous ensemble ‘the three terrors’: Seselj-Vucic-Simic. That is why the ‘left-right’ government is the perfect venue for the expression of his numerous and diverse abilities.

Therefore, Serbian culture has got a new minister. Although Serbian culture has proved to be admirably tough, I wouldn’t bet a penny that it will outlive the new minister. No one responsible could possibly be that optimistic.