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

On the agenda and off for US-Serbia

President Vucic is getting a boost. Transactions are on the agenda. Democracy, rule of law,…

2 days ago

It’s an old game. They’ll play it again

The US will try to get Serbia aligned with US objectives. Serbia will offer half…

4 days ago

How to fix what ails America

If even a handful of retiring Republicans announce that they will caucus with the Democrats,…

5 days ago

Trump and Putin have the same problem

The lesson is that powerful states should hesitate to attack less powerful ones, who will…

1 week ago

Improved, but not as good as could be

With NATO and EU membership, Kosovo won't care much about UN membership, which can't happen…

2 weeks ago

It’s an ailing America, and it won’t recover soon

No, America is no longer the America Europeans, including Kosovars, want it to be. And…

2 weeks ago