Categories: Daniel Serwer

Here is what I really said

Veljko Nestorović of Kosovo Online asked:

Q: Is it possible to get your answer to the question before the elections
in Kosovo, why at the moment there is no party (like URA in Montenegro
with Dritan Abazovic) civic options where Albanians and Serbs and
everyone else are represented, but all parties ethnically exclusive?
Is it necessary for Kosovo to “get a civic party” in order for democracy
in Kosovo to take an upward path?

I answered:

A: I would certainly like to see a civic option of the sort you
suggest, but it is difficult in a society where people are largely
segregated and ethnic identity overemphasized. The establishments in
both Pristina and Belgrade would see such an alternative as a threat.
But that is no reason for it not to happen!

Note: I did not comment on Abazovic at all. I commented on a civic alternative in Kosovo, which I would welcome. In retrospect, I should have added “I will not comment on Abazovic,” but it seems clear to me that was the case. The press that suggests I expressed approval of Abazovic is certainly distorting what I said and meant. I said nothing about him.

Daniel Serwer

Share
Published by
Daniel Serwer
Tags: Balkans

Recent Posts

Be afraid of what Trump proposes for Bosnia

An enterprising journalist needs to discover what Trump got to convince him to do something…

2 days ago

Trump finds more criminals to befriend

Lots more criminals are looking for Trump favors. If this decision betokens support to unbridled…

6 days ago

At last Trump hits Putin where it hurts

My time in Kyiv in May taught me that Ukrainians will not yield to Russian…

2 weeks ago

A tribunal that has gone astray

Hashim looked at the KLA commander with him, who scowled, and turned back to me…

2 weeks ago

How best to reduce nuclear risks

Once the war is over, getting Ukraine into NATO would be a major contribution to…

3 weeks ago

The long, difficult road ahead

The Israelis are the victors for now. With authority comes responsibility. They need to make…

4 weeks ago