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

A sharp break in Western Balkans policy

An Administration that favors stability over security, fails to mention democracy and the EU, and…

23 hours ago

The best available alternative is the EU

Accession of Montenegro and Albania would help the EU stake its claim to leadership of…

3 days ago

Montenegro in the final lap

I am going to repeat that hope that Montenegro will be an EU member in…

4 days ago

Trump is making America weak again

Trump touted the Beijing meetings as maybe "the biggest summit ever." That's his usual hyperbole.…

2 weeks ago

Trump is losing two wars, one is in Iran

This clip reveals two things about Trump. He has downgraded his goals for the Iran…

3 weeks ago

International mistakes in Bosnia and Kosovo

The international community, as it used to be called, could be generous. It also makes…

3 weeks ago