LIVE TOGETHER

Skender Ljatifi, journalist (while being a guest at the O.K. radio broadcast “Live Together” on 25th of August 2001):
I would take this opportunity to quote Volter, who sad if there was no God, we should invent it. Our God at these areas is a common life. We should try with all our strengths and forces to make that God.

WHY?

The question, which is above all questions in every day’s life in Serbia, is - do we want to live normally? Thus, it is not a question if we want to live together, because it is an imperative of every multiethnic environment, but if we have strength to return to ordinary life, with no space in it for big ideas, national projects, counting and limiting after years of darkness and of hardest indoctrination.

The extremely undeveloped South of Serbia is a home for many nations, religions, and political beliefs. The thing that encourages is the fact that interethnic relations were not disturbed forever neither before nor during conflicts at the South of Serbia moreover, nor today. However, every national community, regardless to its population number, lives its own special, untouchable, and circled life, within which there is a little space for other people and their ideas. The common life of everybody living here is a necessity, and everyone agree on that, at least declaratively. Common life today is not a question of borders, size of national communities, or other partial matters. The multiethnic feature will become reality when matter of all citizens’ equality sets toward the law, when Serbia becomes legitimate state, when protection of human rights becomes moral obligation. However, a road to such thing is long and burdened with inheritances of the past. That is why dialog is necessary. We should seat around the table as soon as possible, with no conditions.
If we do not begin to talk ourselves on everything with no taboos, others would do it instead of us. Years of war showed that it was the worse of all possible solutions. It depends only on us if we shall allow such outcome.


THIS IS HOW IT WAS

PROLOGUE

1
Xenophobia, spread across Balkan areas for such long period, finally picked up its poison fruits in the past twenty years. Forthcoming days will show clearly, who sowed racial, national, and religious, and other kind of hate consciously. Hope that everything yet would be more different, more normal and more human, appeared through the smoke of Federal Parliament, but it vanished as fast as it came. Something had to be done in order not to fear of new war, new conflicts, new divisions, and destructions every day. As all other neighboring war conflict, this one at the South of Serbia showed all senseless of extremism, which when it pass, and it has to pass, leave behind only wasteland. Regardless to that if someone like that or not, every war has to end with certain compromises, which should satisfy appetites of all participating sides, at least for imaginable long period. Few people from all national communities deeply convinced that struggle for peace at the South of Serbia is worthwhile, decided to build bridges or at least to try to do that. Thus the O.K. radio’ project “Live Together” was born.
But, the work of media is neither to quarrel nor reconcile, support nor destroy, light nor extinguish, warm nor cool, as journalists were used to in the years which are, we hope, behind us. The O.K. radio, being relatively new house, the only one among electronic media at the South of Serbia came into situation on 5th of October to begin promotion of for a long time forgotten principle – do not create events, but report on them. It should continue with something, which ended a long time ago. The question was from where it should begin.
We knew nobody; we had not much support and certainly, we had no hope in receiving such. There were two people, who just came out from war, first the big one at Kosovo, and that the smaller one at the South of Serbia. The interruption of every dialogue was complete, overall, and final as it seemed at least from the distance of 40 kilometers from Vranje to Preshevo.
The first steps of the project “Live Together” were neither easy nor safe. During the first half of 2001, one could see only police jeeps and the international organizations’ vehicles at the roads for Macedonian border to Vranje. Nevertheless, step-by-step, as the time passed by, we, as all other journalist in post war periods everywhere in the world and in any time, came to the same perceptions – there was no need for all of this to happen.
The project “Live together” was created and realized as an attempt of contribution so that such thing happens and allows never again.

2
The whole story was initiated young people, as usual. After fall of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime, the Serbian social climate obligated for action. Every citizen, being a little consciousness, felt obliged to take something over. Vranje, as the whole South of Serbia of historical habit, were left out of Serbian reality – they were prisoners of somebody else’s ideas and wills. A logical reflection of distant fire, the war began naively, almost accidentally, sporadically, and imperceptibly. Until the moment when Nebojsa Covic, vice president of the Republic Government, took the things in his hands, many lives and over necessary time were lost. The Coordinating body for the South of Serbia of the Federal and Republic Government took all responsibilities on itself. Biserka Matic Spasojevic, one of three co-ministers for informing in transitional Government of Serbia, was also in Bujanovac. This former journalist of the newspapers “Politika”, and then ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia (further in text as the SRY) in Macedonia, formed the Press centre in Bujanovac in order that Serbs and thier state do not lose media war once again.
It was a time when some Serbs put blockade at the highway to Skopje so that current president of Yugoslavia Vojislav Kostunica had to appear and calm down the passions, while republic representative of the Radical Party of Serbi a (further in text as the SRS) in Parliament of Serbia from Vladicin Han spread panic among people free and unpunished. In that moment, three young men came to the editorial office of the O.K. radio on one Friday night in time of the worse news and darkest presentiments. It turned out later that they were not different from persons of same ages in nothing but in intentions. In that uncertain time, they wanted to make by organizational support of our house, a public tribune on subject which we together, from several attempts, succeed to formulate into the question – can Serbs live together with other nation?
We gave them everything they were looking for. Jet, we could not bring Saip Kamberi, Albanian chief of the Committee for human rights that night in Vranje. However, Zivota Matic, our reporter from Bujanovac, sent us recorded detailed statement of Kamberi, which we broadcasted at the tribune held in the Gallery of National Museum, with hearty help from Srboljub Dimitrijevic, its manager. Beside Marko Stojanovic, president of the High school pupils Union in Vranje, who led and directed discussion, participants were Miroljub Kostic, professor of history, and Svetislav Velickovic, president of the Serbian Committee for human rights in Bujanovac. It was only Suzana Popovic, experienced fighter against communism and one of the most important people of the fragile city’s NGO sector, who spoke with language of tolerance and who defended civil society. Within severe and even incidental discussion now, one could hear only hate, xenophobia, and even racism! We from the O.K. radio were astounded for a few next days, until we made jingle, which brought out to mockery extremely nationalistic opinions that were predominant at the tribune. However, even that jingle came to disapproval of public. “Liberal” people form Vranje commented -you are just like those. We had to show them the opposite, and in that moment the idea of wide project of interethnic dialogue arose, which later will be called “Live Together”.

3
In a mean time, as the war conflicts were more intensive, the O.K. radio engaged more in informing citizens on what was going on here for real. They still were “Siptari” (insulting name for Albanian) at the waves of state media, people was still intoxicated by the endless power. Even within the editorial office itself it was very hard to teach people to use word “extremist” instead of “terrorist”, “Albanian” instead of “Siptar” (insulting name for Albanian), “police” and “military” instead of “ours”. People listened and watched nothing but that at the programs of national and local radio-television; they read it in newspapers and books; they were taught that way since they were children! We learned to report and not to root. The direct person in the whole project was Zivota Matic, the one and only independent journalist from Bujanovac for years. He did maybe the most from all journalists who followed the war conflict from the beginning to the end to bring out the truth about it in Serbia and world. Later, when it was physically impossible for him to cover all events, Vojkan Ristic began to work for the O.K. radio. He was the one who helped us to get in touch with Skender Ljatifi, who completed the picture of the situation with reports from Albanian political scene. Although news from the line of conflicts went as break news from hour to hour, in every flesh of daily news, live from the fields, although we had the most important actors of the crisis for guests, and although we recorded their statements, we had a feeling that it is not enough, that something more has to be done.

4
In this moment, no one can tell for sure who had the idea of recording bilingual antiwar jingles and of their broadcasting in program. The signal could be heard, in that time, from Vladicin Han to Preshevo. On 26th of January 2001, series of nine jingles with antiwar messages on Serbian and Albanian began to broadcast at the O.K. radio’ waves. However, the moment when something similar to that what was going in our radio will be performed in other media was still far. That moment in other media arose after “secret dinner” of media and Nebojsa Covic, when he promised money to media for what were they supposed to do. First, only three jingles on Serbian and Albanian were recorded, supported by music from the movie “Hair”. These antiwar musical themes were chosen intentionally, because we planned to broadcast them more often. “When everything will be over, there will be only us alone –together”, so, who pushes us to where we do not want to go – tomorrow will be late”, “neither we nor you will have place to go – stop” , were first three broadcasted jingles, which will later went into the history of the war conflict at the South of Serbia. However, those days, in public opinion, but within the editorial office itself, the resistance was unbelievable. Everybody asked - Why are you doing that now, while Albanians are killing our children here in Serbia? Nevertheless, Mr. Vladkovic had no compromises – we are going forward!
We easily made peace messages on Serbian, but the problem was their translation and reading on Albanian. We turned quite normal to some of our colleagues working at Albanian electronic media. Thus, we met Jeton Ismaili, owner of the radio Toni from Bujanovac. Being young and full of energy, graduated in Pristine, he worked as correspondent of radio Deutsche Welle and Pristine’ daily news from these areas. But, in that time, he had not enough courage to go into aventure of impartial informing at own radio, being surrounded by environment which gives birth, in most cases, of every kind and radical extremists as most.
The radio Toni studio was located, together with editorial office of week news on Albanian Jehona, in rooms of private house in well-known Kosovska Street, at the third floor. We never had a chance to see steeper and higher stairs than those who led us into the reception room of editorial office. There were distant, kind people in it, but with no aff ection at all. Jeton accepted to help us gladly, but jingles had to be marked by numbers before translating because linguistic chasm gapes between our nations - recalls Sasa Stojkovic.
At field, the international community trudged deeply into the crisis of the Southern Serbia, and Peter Faith, who negotiated and forced war sides for peace, was too far from completion of his task. Covic is in Bujanovac every day, journalists from the whole world parade in the Press centre. The O.K. radio, first in Serbia, emits appeals to citizens of both nationalities to give up unnecessary and turn back to everyday works, which are enough even for generations in front of us. We are wandering all the time if someone hears us.

5
For certain time, we spent more time in Bujanovac than at home. We dropped by at Behljulji Nasufi in Preshevo, which is one of the most important Albanian leader and manager of the Culture centre in Preshevo. Being fantastically equipped by support from foreign donations, the radio Preshevo just started to work, but only on Albanian. Zecirija Neziri, editor in chief of the radio Preshevo, being quiet, solici tous and steady man, watched us in a strange way instead of answering on question does he broadcast news on Serbian. Later, as time passed by, we heard the same things that bothered us as well – personnel, personnel, personnel…There was everything – historical moment, medium, interest of listeners, but there was no personnel, which could meet these includements. Thus – the first was education and then beginning of some more serious work! People who were ready to help, saw that problem too, thus the multiethnic school of journalism in Bujanovac and Preshevo was organized. Miroslav Filipovic, who might be the most famous prisoner of Slobodan Milosevic’ regime, at least among journalists opened this school. Many people passed this school, but not much of them were ready to have a showdown with the reality. People from abroad also tried with their Danish school of journalism, with much great delay, but with similar results. The solution came by itself – we had to work with experienced wolves that eliminated their beginners’ stage fright a long time ago. However, there are few of them here left and ones, who are ready to fight against nationalistic prejudices even less. Yet, even within the hardest periods, it showed up that it is possible to gather even small concentration of reason, which would resist to extreme circumstances of the reality. If there were not Zivota Matic, Radoman Iric, Skender Ljatifi, Beljgzim Kamberi, Vojkan Ristic, and others, the project “Live Together” would neither functioned nor showed certain results. They gave their immeasurable contribution, awarely or not, because they were real professional persons and reported from fileds, impartially, rooting only for truth and accuracy.
In addition, in that moment, Nebojsa Covic entered into that game.

6
With certain exceptions, media had only includements from the Government of Serbia, which met those includements differently. The enormous donation to the local television and press, which were still under the strong control of the Socialist Party of Serbia (further in text as the SPS), provoked anger in public. However, there came the day when for that invested money something had to be done for the Government.
At the night meeting in the government’ Press centre in Bujanovac with Nebojsa Covic, who was late for almost two hours and came noticeable tired, even exhausted, there were editors in chief and their deputies of five biggest media at the South of Serbia present. Covic’s request was very clear – spots on Albanian have to be published and broadcasted in order to inform citizens that the Yugoslav army under general Ninoslav Krstic’ command will go back into the last and the most sensitive part of the Safety Land Zone.
Covic demanded this to be more often and he emphasized that there would be more money just if this job, which is of state’s importance, is done worthy.
He did not have to repeat twice – so far “defenders of Serbian national interes , “blue-chest nationalists” (the ones who punched themselves at the chest as being the biggest nationalists), with exceptions of course, began the race for money in that moment – although they accused the O.K. the most later. They were saying – everything is possible, there can be Albanian addition, broadcasting on Albanian, Ramus Hajredinaj - just give us money! Thus, idea of multiethn ic feature came at the South of Serbia through the open door by midnight, only based on one promise. Of course, today, when it is not so popular because Albanians are close and Covic is far, every one would swear that he had good intentions and big ideas. However, the truth cannot hide. If there were good intentions, the project “Live Together” would have far more big number of followers or yet bigger number of reports from the biggest ever held interethnic gatherings of “good intentions”. Nevertheless, no – we left alone. Moreover, as many experts say, the promised money never arrived.

7
Still there was some money. The editorial office worked with full power and informative program had more quality and audience every day, but it also raised the costs of radio performing. Simply, it became impossible to go further like that. During the first period until forming of the first democratic Government of Serbia, after the Milosevic’s fall, the editorial office worked with only with one computer, which even did not function as it supposed to do. We broadcasted news at every hour and ten minutes, but we were too far from Daily news. Support from abroad was necessary. With serious backwardness, the support still came. Nebojsa Ljubic, former executive director of the O.K. radio, contacted donors. He submitted letter with request for support to many Embassies, agencies, and organizations. In addition, we got lucky in the Embassy of Finland firstly. Juryi Jarviaho, the second secretary of the Embassy of Finland Republic, listened to us and promised support in sense of purchasing stronger 1000W transmitter, which was realized few months later. People from the Embassy of Sweden directed us to the Swedish Helsinki Committee (further in text as the SHC), in other words, to Ann Marie Bostrom, media coordinator of this organization, who in fact, who was the first one that helped us. She did it firstly by education at the elite Media centre in Sarajevo. It was precious and unforgettable experience for the first group of five journalists. Sasa Stojkovic, the former deputy of editor in chief of the O.K. radio said: There was war in Sarajevo too, people were killing each other the way we never did, and still today, they live in the same country and share same troubles and joys. I was in Sarajevo at the end of December 2000, when orthodox and catholic Christmas and Moslem’ feast Bajram were at the same day. It was the night for experience. Maybe that night gave birth to the project “Live Together”. Maybe it was here for always, but it just waited for initial cap to start?

8
Goran Vladkovic, editor in chief of the O.K. radio, recalls these hard days the best and remembers atmosphere within the the O.K. radio in details: On ninth of February, I had a meeting with Ann Marie in Belgrade. I had no time to complain in the way as I was preparing, because she was already well informed about us and had information, which were unknown to me even! She promised us urgent support for purchasing of the most needed equipment. I went out from the meeting at 11 hours and my car got out of order in front of the building of the SHC. Nebojsa and me, dressed in suits with ties pushed the car to the first service, where we stayed for the whole day and I paid well for the repair – I had money enough just for fuel to get to Vranje and for a roll. I began to doubt in Ann Marie’s promises; I remembered that there were many promises before but no concrete support. I even got an idea to give up of everything. For good, it was the last time I thought something even similar to that.
After several visits to the O.K. radio, Ann Marie finally convinced herself that we were serious persons, thus her organization helped us purchasing several computers and the most needed studio equipment. In a meantime, on 15th of January 2001, in 14:20 PM the first Daily news of the O.K. radio was broadcasted, which was complete innovation in local ether.
Considering the project “Live Together”, Ann Marie helped in crucially, directing us to the Media Development Loan Fund (further in text as the MDLF), American non-government organization with residence in Prague, which soon became our strategic partner.

9
However, before the partnerships become operative, the O.K. radio, after finding of foreign donor, had to pass phase of getting knowing of Serbian public with its work. Thus, delegation of the IREX came first into to editorial office of the O.K. radio, which included Dusan Masic and Tomislav Damjanovic. Everything happened a little bit sudden, especially because the visit was announced for the Sunday night – the weather was awful. We soon found out the reason for that. It was because researches on listening of radio in Serbia made by “Strategic marketing” for needs of the IREX completely covered with researches made by “Fenix media” for needs of the O.K. radio. Thus, the O.K. radio was at the first place, then several spaces, and then the next radio. In that moment, we were not even aware neither of importance of such result nor that it might be interesting for potential donors. Masic spent not much time in editor in chief Vladkovic’ “oval office”, but still enough to find out everything that he was interested on us.
Sava Tatic and Robert Klajn from the MDLF visited us soon and they were our guests first in the editorial office and then at the modest dinner in restaurant “Haremluk”. We understood each other fast, and they realized that they are dealing with serious persons, as it seemed without premeditations. This was because the project “Live Together” already functioned in practice, but the additional funds were necessary in order to further growth and development. These boys from Prague, who left the country in front of Milosevic’ wands helped us gladly. We could begin with work officially, because we were working for a long time on this project..

10
However, it is much easier to deal than to realize the support. The spring already began, the peace was attained, media’ interests for the South of Serbia decreased in the world, which was logically, and the official beginning of the project was delayed as far as the eyes can see. There were no news from Prague, and all other promises were still. Unfortunately, Goran Vladkovic, owner of the O.K. radio had only one term free for vacation – 20th of June. Three days after, while he was absent, mails and faxes from Prague became to arrive to the O.K. radio. The project was approved and contract had to be signed urgently! Of course, the whole thing was supposed to start on first of July. Although we were ready, we could not take into considerations that date at all, because there needed certain preactivities, which again requested for more time. Ceca, working as secretary, took the things in her hands. She sent the contract to Greece by fax. Vladkovic signed it and sent it back again by fax. The last steps Ceca done again, who sent several letters to Prague, with different documentation but with an explanation that we could not start at the beginning of July strictly. Nevertheless, we were all happy – it began!

11
In that moment, the time was not on our side. The main problem was credits and cast for the broadcast “Live Together”. Sasa Stojkovic, author and master of the broadcast and Marjan Stosic, technique chief made the first version of it, but nobody was satisfied with it. Vladkovic became obs tinate with the thing that everything should be perfect, so he printed even A3-formated posters in four colors, with logotype of the O.K. radio and the MDLF, with name of the project on four languages, even though this was not provided by the budget. He and Dragan Marjanovic, famous actor from Vranje and production chief in the O.K. radio, spent a whole night in making credits and cast, which satisfied all of us at the end. After all performed preparations, recordings of spots, announcements and jingles, the broadcast could begin. We could not even suspect that, after first six months of performance, we could be proud of 21 one-hour shows, about 60 15 minutes segments and 5 tribunes! Everybody helped; there was positive atmosphere within the O.K. radio these days, even over needed for acting. We have a lot more to do, but we are satisfied – we go on, because we can do much more – was the maxim in the work. We spent most time at segments of the broadcast “Live Together”. We were supposes to fulfill those 15 minutes every second day with good quality contents, and not to repeat information from regular program. Beside Stojkovic, who led broadcasts on Saturdays, people could hear voices of other masters within those segments. Thus, it can be said that the project “Live Together” is group act of the whole radio in complete.
Because of material abundance, information for broadcasts and tribunes are separated in this book, in order to be more clear and easy for use.


BROADCASTS

1
It was Saturday, 4th of August 2001. Inside of the radio rooms, there was a big crowd, as usual. However, Slavomir Kostic, independent journalist and, in that time, regional representative of the City Unions Association “Nezavisnost”, made on time. The deal was made a long time ago already, and it was Slavomir that was chosen for the first show, so that we could have a historical review of two conflicted nation’ relation. Considering his wide education, as well as his political attitudes, Mr. Kostic has imposed himself as the logical solution for the first broadcast. Being a very capable orator, he “occupied” almost 40 minute of the show, and he had no need for co speaker. The ice was broken. Here we set apart the part from what he said in the first broadcast from the serial called “Live Together”.
SLAVOMIR KOSTIC –
The first written documents on contacts among Serbs and Albanians at this area dated from the 16th century, and these were Turkish register called “defters” on tax duties of Christian population. Albanian historian Skender Rizaj, who has studied period of Preshevo’ situation thorough, also wrote about that. The more intensive settling of the Albanian population began in the 18th century. The Serb population moved from the area of Kosovo and Metohija into two big waves in 1690 under Arsenije Carnojevic, and then within period from 1737 to 1739 under Arsenije Jovanovic Sakabent. That migration movement did not reach today’ South of Serbia, where the Serb population lived under relatively tolerant circumstances, so it happened that one part of the population from Kosovo and Metohija moved toward South area near Morava River. Since the Serbs moved out from the area of Kosovo and Metohija, one Albanian migration movement from the Northern parts of Albania, known as Dokadjinjija and Mirdita, over high mountainous regions of Prokletije, Pastrik and Koritnik, paid attention more and more at Kosovo and Metohija’ ravine. That migration movement reached further until Vranje even, where the Albanians lived in the 19th century, up to Grdelica’ gorge, which is proven by historical documents. With liberation of our regions from the Turkish occupation in 1878, the Albanian population, together with the Turkish, moved out across the border at Ristovac. When we talk about these important dates that had crucial influence on relations among Albanians and Serbs, we have to mention the unfortunate invasion on the Albania in the First Balkan War, when the third army under command of General Boza Jankovic came forth into two directions toward Albania, and when we had almost 3000 victims unnecessary. The Albanian operation of the Serb’s army was criticized by many people that is by Serbs from military and political viewpoint, because it was totally unnecessary, it resulted with enormous victims and influenced on the big forces decision in November 1912, with crucial impact of Austria-Hungary, to allow the establishment of independent Albanian state for the first time in history. Ismail Cemali put the Albanian flag on one oriental building in Valonia and declared the independence of the country.
The Albanian Golgotha will never be forgotten, as well as the Conference of Bujan in 1943, but up to that time, there were no bigger ethnic conflict between two people. The thing that was kept in secret until now is the fact that Yugoslavia and Albanian made agreement on common defense in 1947, as an introduction in forming of the Balkan federation, within which the Albania was supposed to become the 7th Republic of Yugoslavian. All Greek and Italian newspapers had this agreement in for knife and their magazines were full with interested headings, such as “Yugoslavia swallowed Albania”, “Tito gained the 7th republic”; it was greeted unwelcome in the world press, simply. The Info biro resolution, by my profound conviction, was a reaction on Tito’s attempt to become master of the Balkan! After the resolution, big-Albanian winds started to blow towards Kosovo and Metohija from Tirana.
When it is about the things that were happening at the South of Serbia, two factors decided that the outcome should be as it is. The first is the government change in Belgrade, when instead of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime a new government is established, which wants to collaborate with international community, and the second is the behavior of the Albanian population, which became anachronistic having seen through the prism of European events and European currents. I truly believe that common life is possible at this region, and we should insist on it. Besides, I am adherent of multiethnic society in which we are living a long time ago. We should establish economic, cultural, and all other broken relations. Civic rights of the Albanians living at the South of Serbia in communities of Preshevo and Bujanovac must be recognized, and the Albanians have to recognize the country’s regulations as other all other citizens who admit that they are living in the state of Serbia.

2
After the first broadcast and Serbian guest, it was necessary that the second guest supposed to be Albanian. After the agreement that the leaders of the Albanian community were to be left for the later stage of the project, a list of possible co speakers shows as a completely short. We went for sure and immediately, right in that Saturday, we left for Bujanovac into offices of radio “Toni”. Naturally, Mr. Ismaili did not refuse our invitation for discussion that run not forced, but with no much passion as it usually happens when cruel professionals that knows a little of each other meet.
Among many other things, JEFTON ISMAILI mentioned this one as well -
The radio began to work on fifth of June 2001 and for now, the circumstances are the thing that keep us from making certain broadcasts, especially those that have for their objective life and subjects on multiethnic. That is the main goal, thus to influence on local public in a way that, finally after all this events, people start to think a little bit different, to see their future in life with all other people. The situation calmed down a lot after the agreement on demilitarization of the Liberating Army of Preshevo, Medvedja, and Bujanovac (further in text as the OVPMB) an after returning of Yugoslavian military forces in the area of Land Safety. Still, within the last days, certain tensions appeared again, especially after the incident that happened in village Muhovac, when two police officers were killed. However, tensions among local population are considerably lower and one can see a step toward improvement of the situation …
- Considering the name ANA, new extremists’ organization, I know that it passed firstly within the Albanian service of redaction Deutsche Welle, and then within the agency France Press, but for now it is unknown and almost nobody knows more that one single sentence that was faxed in those two redactions. Former leaders of the OVPMB rejected any connection with such organization, and even emphasized that they know nothing about existence of the organization under such name. Other countries had bigger conflicts than the conflict from this region here, but they succeeded to get over them and now, they became the most developed ones. We had conflicts of lower intensity, smaller tensions, and I hope that we shall get over all problems fast and move toward common life.

3
After Jeton Ismaili, within the next Saturday’ shows, recordings from the first tribune held in Vranje were broadcasted, and it spread in several next broadcasts, because of interested discussions and opinions, that should be given enough space. However, it seemed that, at the same time with that job, it happened that the broadcast “Live Together” stopped to care for its co-speakers, so after the first two there was a sudden break because broadcasting of some segments from tribunes. Now, after several broadcasts dedicated to tribune, this came out as a problem. The solution was found in Suzana Popovic, president of the Administrative Board of the ABC’ Centre for peace, safety and tolerance, the non-government organization that also helped overall project by its contacts, as first, which were precious and necessary for working. Popovic is one of the leaders of Anti Milosevic movement for the whole time of his ruling, but after the regime fall, she withdrew from politics and consecrated to work in the third sector completely. Conversation with her had to be recorded because she was in the late pregnancy those days.
SUZANA POPOVIC –
I think that the biggest problem for the whole region is the fact that it is undeveloped a lot. If economic life and situation become better in this region, I am sure that we would go over many conflicts and many clashes on a different and better way. People would have concrete jobs and they would be satisfied with their personal life, so there would be a little will and a time left for being occupied with matters of colors, religions and similar. Personally, that interethnic communication was never a problematic one for me regardless it was about Gypsies, Bulgarians, Albanians, Serbs, but the fact that I personally had no problems in communication does not mean that they do not exist. I have to mention that this is not just situation with our country, in our region, but it is a problem in the whole world, only it is more expressed and visible in our region that in some other places. Nor democratic America neither democratic Europe is spared from such racial, nationalistic, and religious conflicts. You can see what is happening is Ireland and America, but they found the way for controlling their conflicts. However, they are not born as such, but they are educating and building higher tolerance through school and family.
I do not expect at all that this will be solved fast and simply and that everything will be all right over the night, that we shall hold a few seminars, that there will be 5 to 6 NGOs created and that this will the way for solving all problems. That process of conflicting lasts for a long time here and, probably, if not for so long, there will be a need for halfway period to both sides and a third one to overcome their prejudices and to begin normal life. As you remember, we hated Slovenians at the whole world for the most, then we hated Croats the most, then we hated Moslems the most, and now we hate Albanians the most. As you remember, back in 1992 no one mentioned Albanians and they were not a problem at all for us, and we fought not to buy products from Slovenia, which was vague in complete. Now, as such things are served to us by means of public information, this is important to us, and there is one conclusion that, in fact, we are directed to think as somebody wants to. However, in relation to former period, the situation is much better, I see people walking in the streets freely, they – the first, second and third - are friendly to each other as something usual, which is far enough for the beginning. There are less incidents and I see they can live together, but the only thing is to prevent extremists’ ideas from both side to overrule and to start again with some conflicts.

4
We heard about Ibrahim Osmani, professor of literature in Preshevo by chance from a friend, and we immediately invited him to participate in the project. Professor Osmani went out from the hospital in Vranje that Saturday just to be the O.K. radio’ guest. He is one of the sparse Gypsies from the South of Serbia, who undertook concrete things in improving life of that population, by creating before all non-government organization under name of the multiethnic cultural centre “Narajan”, as well as by other actions such as opening of the preschool institution section for Gypsy children etc. The conversation ran unforced, because Mr. Osmani, as all other professors of his age, likes to talk sincerely and frankly. We did not interrupt him much, because every serious journalist prefers listening rather asking.
IBRAHIM OSMANI –
From the very beginning, Gypsies as nation were caught in the middle and Gypsies felt a great fear that we took with us from our ancient homeland of India, because back there we were also the last caste in the Indian social order.
Now in the 21st century we still do not have our native language in elementary schools, and if nothing is going to be done on cultural and language problems, we shall meet the loss of Gypsies identity by time. Tihomir Djordjevic, writing about life of nations in Serbia, gave a good explanation on Gypsies Djorgovci assimilation during the ruling of Aleksandar Obrenovic. Today, we have to be strong and to overcome to all pressures that lead to assimilation. I believe that soon there will be network of Gypsies’ non-government organizations in the district of Pcinja, where we shall be able to solve our individual problems. There is also the Association of Gypsies societies, which is established in 1969, but it did not much for Gypsies’ population at the education field .If we, Gypsies, unite and stay harmonious, we shall work on obtaining our political and social rights in the district, and we shall ask for our representative within the local government.
You might be familiar with the thing that we are not recognized as national minority but as ethnic group, and ethnic groups have not the same rights as national minorities have. But, it is consider that today there are about 50.000 of Gypsies living in the district of Pcinja while that number is more than 800.000 Gypsies! We asked for discussion with Mr. Covic, as we could meet him with our problems and certain demands. Will he be able to give us some support? However, he had no time for us. I think that a friendly help should be offered to Gypsies and enable them the same rights as to all other nations in this country.

5
The Press centre from Bujanovac made important role in local journalism, it gave unexpected chance to many journalists, and to “journalists”, many even made a big profit based on two nations misfortune, got a name, carrier, and money. As one says - war for one is brother for another. However, there were some serious approaches, which of course, were noticed. W ork, work, work, and objectivity adorned few people that are weighed down with worries, and one year later, they still are, worrying that truth breaks through into the world. The truth? Is there any of it in South-Serbian conflict, according to the scheme “everybody against everybody”? Radoman Iric, independent journalist from Vranje, awarded by newspaper “Danas” with prize “Stasa Marinkovic” for 2001, answers on that question persistently. It seems that his realization was turning point of the project “Live Together’ because he said things that one in the city dare not just to say loud but to listen even. However, the facts were inexorable and later, many co-speakers in the city and corridors, open their mind for a different way of situation consideration, admitting this by themselves. Iric spoke over 50 minutes and the broadcast was prolonged even over predicted one hour. Nevertheless, considering the fact that this journalist was permanent visitor of tribunes related to the project, where he brought out his ideas and projects that were of crucial importance, we take just one part from his explanation within a broadcast “Live Together”.
RADOMAN IRIC -
Situation is not great, and Albanian divided among them, thus there is radical, liberal, and civic option in their lines, or I should better not say there are different kinds of separation. During the second conference of the Albanian national parliament in Preshevo, one could see torturing situation between opposed sides – that is between ones from Trnovac and all others. People from Trnovac seated in one part of the hall, and came out as separate representative group. I wrote several times that Trnovac is ideological, political, economic, cultural, and all other center of Albanians at the South of Serbia. Many things are creating, many things are begging there and Trnovac is not ready to renounce from these positions that easy.
The solution of the crisis is a simple one – selection. No one will ask Albanians if he/she wants or not the census. The world is there, the international community is there, they always act as they were told to, and from now, they will go on in such a way. Democratic world wants to know how many of us are living here exactly, and to say how much Albanians, Serbs, and Gypsies are there; then, it will place all of that on the selection scale and there will be some new parliament. If it is true as they say that Albanians make 61 % of the total population, they will have that much committee members and of course, they will choose Albanian for the community president, for SUP head, for public enterprises and institution managers…
The creating of liberating army of Eastern Kosovo is a fact that is not just a fiction any more; wherever it is Sefcet Musliju or someone else, the liberation army of the Eastern Kosovo is the fact. That army already exists, has its followers, has armed people, and publishes its journal. By disarmament of the OVPMB, which include about 6000 people from 21000 inhabitants (the estimated number of people living in and around the Safety land area), no one dear to consider that as the end of conflicts and beginning of peace? There is great number of extremists, great number of those who think and do everything against common life here. But, I think they will not succeed in that this time due to the thing, before all, that the international community found out what is actually going on here and what are not just our and Albanians interest, but the interest of the whole world in these events. If Albanians believe much in the multiethnic police, why should not we believe in it? That multiethnic police is the first step toward some kind of final peace.

6
While the new Serbian government was weighing if it would respond to the census of population at Kosovo, there were many confusions about the same thing in the district of Pcinja too. The O.K. radio has dedicated several segments of the broadcast “Live Together” to this matter, so we were not surprised at all of the invitation we have got from Andjela Bajramovic, OEBS’ representative for the South of Serbia, during which occasion her appearance in our radio’s program was agreed. On relatively good Serbian, she was explaining all advantages of the census and was inviting displaced people to respond to it, even before the government makes a decision.
ANDJELA BAJRAMOVIC –
People are very misinformed because there is not enough information that explains what is census and why is it important to register. People are afraid that someone would register them and then deport them, send them at Kosovo by force. Yugoslavian and Serbian government said it will not be any forcible return, nor would the international community accept such forcible return. Why is it important for people to register? First, it is important for people to register so that they would be able to vote at selections in November. Further, number of all displaced persons and Serbs at Kosovo or from Kosovo has to be determined so that it can be deal with that number. Register yourself and live options opened so that you can vote and determine the number of all Serbs at Kosovo, so that you can prove that we are here, that we are staying, returning, not giving up literary.

7
The O.K. radio contacted Skender Ljatifi indirectly with help from Vojkan Ristic, his colleague from the Deutsche Welle radio’s redaction. He showed himself very soon to be great professional and reliable associate, whose supplements drew attention not just from people living in this district but the whole country. People will remember for long time the day when the O. K. radio broadcasted a statement made by Sasa Bulatovic, one of the Yugoslavian soldiers imprisoned by the OVPMB, recorded and placed at first on our radio by Skender Ljatifi. The phones got hot, there were calls from Pancevo, Zajecar, Pirot…and we gave the supplement to all free of cost. We were Serbian hit on that day at least. Of course, Ljatifi helped a lot in organizing tribunes as participant as well as translator. One should mention especially his opened attitude toward reality, which brought an anger of the powerful ones to him and to the most people who took place in the project. Being consistent in his struggle against all forms of discrimination to anyone, Europe-oriented, Skender Ljatifi is a sparse man, not just among Albanians.
SKENDER LJATIFI –
Maybe I was that lucky, I say that lucky in a changed, war sense or senseless, thus I could pass that dividing line that my colleagues from other redactions could not pass. I just pray the God that those times never come back. The only misunderstanding was made about visiting those imprisoned soldiers. I was up there with them; I visited those three weeks after imprisoning. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with this area, I was born in Preshevo, so I do not know much about area of Bujanovac, and they drove us by some jip. When we arrived up to soldiers, we recorded their statements but when a man is in someone else’s hands, he cannot make his statement on the same way when he is free. There was a little misunderstanding because I placed that soldier’s statement in public. Now, I have to mention, I asked members of the OVPBM to allow me to give a copy of the newspaper “Danas” to soldiers, and they accepted it. After that when I got back in press center, I emitted statements of soldier Sasa Bulatovic the way he made it. I used a chance and transferred the material to listeners through the O.K. radio as first, but I gave up my honorary, as I also informed editor about it. I felt sorry about those soldiers because they were in a very bad psychological condition, but that what journalism is, which has its severity as all other professions.
We started the school for multiethnic journalism in June and finished the first semester, which attended 70 beginners, including people with the university degree, secondary-school pupils, and former members of OVPMB. We are satisfied, because, before all, Mr. Miroslav Filipovic, using his authority, as well as the rest of us working on the project achieved something multiethnic. Unfortunately, when people heard that for the first time, they spoke as it was a kind of utopia, but we achieved it. We went for two principles, because we had no bigger problems with the Serbian beginners but more with the Albanians. We kept that in mind for always, the fact that tradition is dominant among Albanians, so I used my authority but I was satisfied at the end.
Albanians and Serbs that are in touch have to realize one for good that they will stay in touch as well. We shall see how it will go on, and I truly hope that we can, and we must, live together.

8
Things began to set back at their places slowly and under more and more peaceful circumstances with much less shootings; it was much easier to breath. We dedicated one of the project broadcast to opening of the Internet café in Bujanovac, which was opened by the organization OTPOR with support from the British Embassy. Sarah Prays, the first secretary of the British Ambassador in Belgrade, Rasim Ljajic, federal minister for national and ethnic rights, Milovan Coguric, secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defense and member of coordinating body for the South of Serbia, as well as members of the OUTPOUR from all national structures were present at the ceremony. However, unnaturally gathering passed in a cheerful atmosphere, and all of present spoke for the O.K. radio, which had even three reporters at the spot. We here mention just a part of Sarah Prays’ report, in which she speaks with British experience in similar situation.
SARA PRAYS -
Unfortunately, people from Great Britain had very sad experience in Northern Ireland, when two communities cannot live together, it is very difficult for us out there, and we know how hard is to solve such a situation. We are very glad that we were able to support this project for the Internet café, and it is very brave from the municipality, the government but from the ordinary people the same, from Serbs, Albanians and Gypsies who chose peaceful life that they want to live together.

9
The Albanian national parliament was founded in August, right after Riza Halimi left for three-week journey in America. It consists of committee members chose by people in parliaments of Preshevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, as well as presidents of local community of Albanian nationality from the South of Serbia. The O.K. radio has treated this subject constantly, and in expectation of September’session of the Albanian national parliament, we spoke about that with Milovan Coguric, Rasim Ljajic, and Nebojsa Covic.
MILOVAN COGURIC –
The Albanian national parliament does not exist in any legal variant, in other words, it is illegal organization, which, by my opinion, aims to make some new unstable situation at the South of Serbia. It would be better that we make better our life here together rather than forming some new parliaments, forming some new illegal organizations or making problems bigger than they really are.
RASIM LJAJIC -
I think that we achieved significant results toward stabilization and normalization at the South of Serbia. Thus, I do not want to say that we have solved all problems, but problems, which are left over, will be solving in a democratic political process. Every imprudent move in this moment could lead us in completely wrong side and could stop this process of relations’ normalization. In case that the Albanian national parliament is an attempt to form a roof institution that would gather all Albanians’ political representatives and if it is an attempt to achieve consensus into the Albanian political movement, than it is, conditionally, an internal thing that would not result in certain political implication. If it is an attempt of making some parallel institutions, than it could be an element of destabilization and that could influence on defeat of political and ethnic tensions in this region.
NEBOJSA COVIC –
Considering that parliament of the chosen people of the Albanian nationality, it is good that they make coalition between their parties and I do not see it any other way. You know, the biggest problem of this region, which moves toward democratization and run by process of integration and connection within the European institutions, is terrorism. It happens at Kosovo, it was happening at the South of Serbia, it was happening in Macedonia; it is Albanian terrorism, if I have to call it like that, and that is the biggest problem in democratization processes. Fortunately, I think that the most of Albanians are against it, and I could see that from the contacts with some of their leaders.
However, at the end of the broadcast, we had to state, contrary to politicians’ optimism, that it was “bad days’ week”, not just for this region but wider too. The Wiliem David, American general of the KFOR at Kosovo, in his long interview for newspaper Koha Ditore, warned that the spring in valley of Preshevo could be hot. Citizens of this region now wonder with right who is interested for making situation here go worse and who would bear the consequences of such events, except ordinary citizens of this region – this was what Skender Ljatifi, our correspondent from Preshevo, was wondering about in his comment.

10
In the Press centre of Bujanovac, there were many spokemen and almost all of them passed through our studio. There were some unpleasant situations, when we had scheduled guests for live broadcasting, and they did not show out from some reasons that only they know. However, it was the most hard to get to Albanian leaders and to representative of the state coordinating body, which is amazing. Mica Markovic, one of the most important people of this body at the field, still responded to our request and accepted us in his modest office at the first floor of the township building in Bujanovac. Being calm and composed man, he hardly made an impression of someone who can decide about life and death in a moment. Markovic spoke quietly, but with strength and confidence in his attitudes.
MICA MARKOVIC –
At the beginning, it was hard, but now it is getting better. I think that representatives of the Albanian and Serbian community reached a level of trust among themselves, that the safety is relatively stable and that the great progress is made in economic recovery at this area. There is about 900 million dinars invested in Preshevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja and there are plans and projects that guarantee more investments within next year. It is obvious that great number of Albanians intend to live and to come back into normal life. Unfortunately, certain number of Albanians still intends to act on inappropriate way in this region. It is completely sure and positive that the state offered and offers total integration into all spheres of this country and this society life to the Albanian community. We have to work on safety enabling, on economic recovering, providing conditions for the Serbs from this region not to move out. Both Serbs and Albanians must realize that they have to live together and that they are linked by the destiny.

11
Zivota Matic is doyen of the Press center and of independent journalism at the South of Serbia, especially in Bujanovac. For years he fought “alone against everybody”, thus he got many enemies within elite people of all national communities. The biggest is Randjel Veljkovic who still puts him on a trial although he is completely released form his work duties. However, Zivota has the biggest reputation of those dealing with crisis of the Southern Serbia among readers and listeners. He also had his sources at every side, but as he used not to bend in front of powerful people, he had many conflicts with new government too, leading even the “rebellion” against Radio television of Serbia (further in text as the RTS) favoring in the Press centre. It is said that Covic has never forgiven him for that. He works for the O.K. radio from the very beginning, first as special reporter from Bujanovac and then as “war correspondent”. He reports from hour to hour, about 10 supplements by day even. He is extraordinary associate, great man, and person that is worth of attention and respect in every way. He has done more from all of us in promoting the O.K. radio further from Vranje toward the South. He was guest in the broadcast once a week, explaining that he is too present in the program anyway. That is the truth because in segments that were broadcasted in working days, it was his supplements and live polls that were used the most frequently. However, that was the reason for the authors to consider his testimony precious. The Federal Ministry of Defense awarded several journalists for reporting from the South of Serbia, and Zivota received the Recognition from the same Ministry for contributing in defense capability of the state through objective and impartial informing.
ZIVOTA MATIC –
The truth definitely went in public, keeping in mind all past years of reporting by directive, in way that someone would like that reporting to be channeled. This time there were no interruptions, thus journalist reported from there without censure. There were some comic events, black-humored such as it was visiting Lucane by the American ambassador Montgomery, who came on spot to see what is going on. It was in the time of land unsafely area rather than safety one. Coming by highway, Wiliem Montgomery had to stop and to crawl under snipers gunshot. Therefore, even the American ambassador realized that it was not a joke and that the situation is serious. One can never know what could happen with citizens of communities Bujanovac and Preshevo, because there is permanent danger as much from Kosovo and Metohija as from Macedonia. Considering the OVPBM, I would say it is maybe dismissed officially, but the spirit of that army still appears, indicating animation of its members. Nebojsa Covic was supposed to meet with Safcet Musliu, but the second one did not have time for it, so Covic asked him in public to find a little time in order to prevent things that should never happened. I would not say, as it is some permanent peace, which can be expected in future to see.
I think that we cannot live together after all that happened and after all emotions and feeling that both have members of the Albanian and Serbian national community. Still I am optimist, regarding their lives ones next to others, with a high degree of tolerance, with respect for differences and respect for what stands for life at area, as it is the case of Bujanovac, because it is Serbian town and there are a lot more Serbs than in Preshevo. The first step in creating multiethnic society is the common police; as it can be seen through this and similar projects, we can and have to live together, in principle ones next to others.

12
Ljubisa Tosic was unexpected discovery, who showed to be a precious one later. He was interested for our project as the president of the NGO called Centre for development of Preshevo and he took part in many tribunes, gave his significant contribution in different ways, helped a lot in organizing tribune in Serbian part of Preshevo, but he just could not get his hour in Saturday’s broadcast. The movement of Serbs from Preshevo reached to alarming ratio, and it was hard to find another co-speaker informed about the problem. And so on a cold, autumn Friday, we had a nice conversation and understood each other, which was maybe the most precious thing for us in that moment.
LJUBISA TOSIC –
The situation in Preshevo is much better in relation to the period of armed actions, but it is still far from good. After breaking of armed actions, any of big promises for improving of life conditions for citizens in Preshevo did not come true. Every 15th of citizens in Preshevo is employed, and in such a situation, many started to move out from the city; thus, in the last 40 years, about 12000 Serbs moved out form community of Preshevo. Albanians mainly left to work temporary abroad and now, about 6000 Albanians are working in Western Europe. Economic misdevelopment of community Preshevo had direct influence on moving out earlier, which is the case even now, when it goes on. Situation in villages prevalent inhabited by Serbs is desperate, because there are no basic life conditions so it is hard to say that these people will stay living in Preshevo – they have no drinking water, no good roads, or phones. Now one can hear that these people are selling their national interest for a lot of money and that it will not be forbidden by prohibitions as the Socialist Party of Serbia was doing it, instead of helping these people t survive. Now they believe only in idea of selling as their salvation. Our NGO makes its efforts toward creation of one basic civic-oriented consensus together with other NGOs, which means that we will be interested for collaboration with Serbs, Albanians, and Gypsies. From the historic point of view, the co-life of Serbs and Albanians was always good, which means that there were never some big problems; I do not know if you are familiar with the facts that until late 90s there were no excesses. Therefore, we had a good collaboration with Albanians and we shared good and bad for always. Nevertheless, in this situation of national classification, Serbs being minority feel extremely endangered. The government position will be of the great importance for us in Preshevo because if Albanians that present insignificant number in Serbia have promises to get such privileges it will mean that we, Serbs in Preshevo as minority should have proportional rights in local. Regarding the current situation, I claim with responsibility that Preshevo will become ethnically clear place with Albanians as only inhabitants.

13
One of the key people at the South of Serbia is, of course, Stojanca Arsic, president of the SO Bujanovac. People will remember him as the one who overthrew authority of the SPS since 1996, although he was a member of the Yugoslavian Associated Left Wing (further in text as the JUL), its “sister” party. He did not hesitate under persuasions from the most important leaders of Republic in that time – the SPS, and before all, Randjel Veljkovic its communistic descendant, and master of Bujanovac for a long time. Arsic won even when “reds” began to lose across Serbia, but he found common language with new regime easy and goes on more stable then ever. He participated several times in the broadcast “Live Together”, and he even went live from the USA, where he spent three months at study travel, together with Albanian leaders. Here we selected his statements as during his visit to the radio, when Arsic, acting on his usual way, disputed even the legal possibility to dismiss parliaments on 24th of April and to have selection on 16th of July, which showed later as true.
STOJANCA ARSIC –
Both Serbs and Albanians consume huge energy in proving how many of whom there are, and everybody forgot Gypsies. Everybody here forget two things – transition, which is very painful and moment in which it caught us, when we have to solve problem politically of the Southern Serbia. In that sense, demands by the government of Serbia for more investments are justified, and we have to see what are the most effective economic subjects, whose goods is competitive one, so that we could help and employee more people. Then, we have to see what still functions, what could be recovered – if there are things that cannot be recovered, we should not spend our money for these. In all these segments I speak on behalf of demands from Serbs living in Bujanovac, but I can support asking for something that belongs to no one in Serbia, something that even the world can not understand, that I absolutely sure that we shell not succeed, because such behavior decreases chances to get what we can get for real.
If the South of Serbia serves to the international community as an example for peaceful solution of the crisis at one region of the world, then the international community should stand behind that project in order to help solving the crisis until the end. It means, shortly: first, economic development; second, professional functioning of the multiethnic police and third, political process that should lead to involving Albanians, Gypsies and all others living at this area in all state institutions. I think that Serbs in Bujanovac fear more of themselves than of their future. The Serbian community in Bujanovac has to be reasonable and united in everything it does. Serbs should leave behind parties’ squabbles, it should be unique Serbian list at the selections, as it happened at Kosovo; thus, there should not be any fears. Neither Albanians should worry because they will get their rights which, on the other hand, does not give them privileges but obligations to feel responsible for everything that happen at these areas in sense of economic development and safety and political stability. Such situation, status quo, is not appropriate for people; it is appropriate to certain individuals dealing with sort of speculations, to some members of political elites, to Albanian political leaders and even to some Serbian leader. When we solve the crisis, when we find out how many Serbs, Albanians and Gypsies are living here, we shall go making our efforts for other positive cause, we shall make decisions of further developing and of projects realization. Being on the head of local autonomy, we had twice much work than we had under normal conditions. On one side, there were workings usually related to the local autonomy, and, on the other side, there was realization of everything that happened for less than seven months in the past year, which included 2-3 times more hired people. It is even harder if you do not have good team; it is quite enough to lack few people, it will bring consequences to the whole team. In that moment, everybody should support the local autonomy, helping as experts. Some of them went for deposal of it and we found it very difficult to survive. When we set all clear, then they will have many things to deal with so they will have to involve. The intention is that the municipality does not become the one that dictates but the thing that will be done. Someone will have to control work of the first man having authorities. Thus, I think that it is appropriate to a part of political elite from both sides; for certain people the process starting is not appropriate. Therefore, they destabilize it making some tensions constantly, but everybody should be aware that the international community position is very clear. The message to both Serbs and Albanians is that violence at these areas will not be tolerated, which is something that everybody knows; everybody should conform to this and go on at different way.
He hopes that both Serbs and Albanians will be reasonable and to find a man or two from both communities, who would have a good reputation and I will support him and help with everything I can if they ask for help. As you know by yourself as a politician, you make your enemies because you cannot satisfy everybody.
We do not have any other alternative; we are linked by destiny to live together at these areas, regardless if we want to or not. If we do not want to like each other, still everybody can find his own interest in life environments in tolerance and mutual respect for differences, because it is a treasure. Any other option would be fateful and fatal for all three communities.

14
Who knows what we expected from the first meeting with Saip Kamberi, the most famous Albanian fighter from the South of Serbia for national emancipation and human rights? After many phone calls, we found his office in private apartment in centre of Bujanovac too modest and him as being more usual than picture we made about him. On one Thursday, we visited Kamberi’ Committee for human rights, the day when three Parliaments of the Southern Serbia were dismissed, and our host did not have any idea of the same! This fact shows the direction in which relations between state and those Albanians who are still forced to recognize it as their own will go on. However, as a real man, Saip Kamberi answered to all of our questions, although some of them were direct. He kept his cold, almost professional position all the time, but when we turned off microphones, he said few things about possible motives of the ones who, the night before that, placed in centre of the city plastic explosive of great power. Kamberi said – It is a question of motive - when there are no motives, there will not be any bombs too. He gave us long statement, from which we here present section in which Mr. Kamberi speaks about possible selections’ results, considering them, the way he said, as “pure formality”.
SHAIP KAMBERI –
We are complaining all the time on lagging of political process of Albanians’ integration, and they accused us for being destructive. It is completely unacceptable, because we were always aware that the collaboration is necessary. For the whole last year, we asked from the state to organize local selections but they are not our objective but tool, the first step toward elimination of discrimination in local autonomy. Delay of the selection during the whole year was argued by a need for population census in order to know number of each nation. Now, month before regular census, the coordinating body and other officials of the Republic of Serbia want to form new selection’ units before census’ results! We were ready to wait that census too in order not give opportunity for someone to say that one party got more, that someone helped more to ones or others… If we are going to work in interest of peace, integration, and situation stabilization, we are ready to work according to these old data, just in order to make the first step and to normalize condition in basic structure of authority, local autonomy. I think that these selections will have great importance, because it is a turning point when all that was done within past years will change. There will be great number of observers, and once when the selection’ units are determined, when positions reconcile, than the selections will present a completely formal act.
I believe that the common life is possible, but still such a life where people have mutual respect for each other should be introduced before that, in order everybody to feel safe and to have guaranteed rights that belong him according to valid regulations. However, you heard statements of certain local Serbs recently that Serbs would be endangered if the Albanian flag hoist in public. That kind of thinking and acting has to change. We want to enter the Europe, and we can do so only if we respect the European standards. I think that there are people who still want international money but are not ready to respect international standards. That will have to stop, and I am convinced that democracy-oriented strengths will win and that peace will return in the region. Considering the Albanian side, we were willing to collaborate with authorities even in the hardest period of the crisis, which obviously showed determination of Albanian politicians, political subjects and political leaders that they want to solve the overall crisis using democratic means, thus of course, respecting the current regulations.

TRIBUNES

1
Since we were just entering into the problem and were breaking a very strong wall that has being building for years we had to explain to each of planned tribune’ participants the basic postulates of the project. This is how the first document we sent at about 50 addresses looked like:
Of course, the presence of media to this event was necessary, not just regarding a promotion of the project and the O.K. radio, but due to need for breaking existing informative blockade, especially the one referred to sphere of the interethnic relations. The latest war has just been finished, but the intolerance toward members of other nations than Serbian that was systematically wormed up was present still. Listing names of those present at some stations and on some news pages seemed to be a great break through. Nevertheless, media, especially of the state, are spoiled so we turned to them. This is how typical invitation to all editorial offices looked like (example is chosen by chance):

Preparations for the first tribune were bringing to the end when somebody recalls that we should inform the police as well. We send secretary in the Police Department (further in text as the SUP), but she came back with negative answer. To hold a public meeting it was necessary to do a number of reworks and at least 48 hours that we were lacking. Still, the gathering was a closed one, so we mention that to one of the chief in the SUP of Vranje, who still asked for the list of participants. When a police officer read the list of planned participants, he said - OK, there is no problem. When we asked - Neither for us - he answered with silence and sharp look that seemed to tell more than words.

2
At the end, we brought down the list of predicted participants to the following names, with no order and intention:
Suncica Stojanovic - psychologist, Group 484, the NGO, Vranje
Suzana Popovic - Center for peace, safety, and tolerance, the NGO, Vranje
Suzana Antic Ristic - Committee for human rights, the NGO, Vranje
Nora Ahmetaj - the UNDP, office in Vranje
Radoslav Mojsilovic - Partnership for democratic changes the NGO, Vranje
Andjela Bajramovic - the OEBS mobile team’s chief for the South of Serbia
Izabela Kisic - Federal Ministry for national and ethnic communities
Dobrosav Nesic - Committee for human rights, the NGO, Leskovac
Dzemaledin Hasani - Islamic religious community, Preshevo
Fatime Aliju - Association of women, the NGO, Preshevo
Neaten Koeshal - the American NGO CHF’ office in Vranje
Miroljub Stojcic - president of community Vranje (or representative)
Stojanca Arsic - president of community Bujanovac
Slobodan Draskovic - president of community Medvedja
Divna Stankovic - Women’s center, the NGO, Leskovac
Bratislav Stamenkovic - Educative center, NGO, Leskovac
Ibrahim Osmani - professor, Multicultural center “Narajan”, NGO, Preshevo
Amet Arifi - general secretary of the Association of Gypsies’ societies of Serbia
Zecirija Neziri - editor in chief of the radio Preshevo
Skender Ljatifi - independent journalist from Preshevo
Jeton Ismaili - owner of radio Toni from Bujanovac
Demir Demirovic - committee member of community Vranje from Vranjska Banja
Ratko Selistarevic - president of the Association of Gypsies’ societies of Serbia
Dragan Petrovic - representative of “G17 plus” for Vranje
Vojkan Ristic - independent journalist from Vranje
Miodrag Miljkovic - spokeman of the Press centre from Bujanovac
Zivota Matic - independent journalist from Bujanovac
Nebojsa Ljubic - FOPORD, the NGO, Vranje
Dalibor Tvrdisic - Union of Students from the University of Pristine
Marko Stevanovic - Secondary-school pupils’ union from Vranje
Radoman Iric - independent journalist from Vranje
Zoran Ristic - director of Bureau for labor work in Vranje
Slavomir Kostic - Civic Unions Association for the district of Pcinja
Snezana Stankovic - YUKOM, office for Vranje and Bujanovac
Goran Vladkovic - editor in chief of the O.K. radio
Sasa Stojkovic - editor in chief’ deputy of the O.K. radio
Goran Vladkovic, owner of the O.K. radio, recalls these autumn days from a special point of view: Since I wanted everything to be perfect, I ordered Maksa, chief of technique, to make boxes for simultaneous translation. I called him a few days earlier, several time a day. -Don’t worry, chief, everything is under control-. At 5 hours afternoon before the tribune beginning, Maksa has being soldering two miniature boxes. I saw that we should not make it, so I ordered him to give up and to start working on the mounting of megaphones. However, it was not the end of problems; the microphones were late, Maksa and Ivan were chasing for mixets, cables and microphones, and I was going mad. I did not eat all day long so we went to buy hamburgers for all that were in the hall preparing, but mine stayed untouched. An hour before the tribune beginning, I got panic: What if nobody comes? Around 19 hours, the story began to change. At 19:20 I am satisfied finally – there were RTV’ cameras, correspondence office, journalists… I started with the introduction. At the end, for the first time after three days, I felt relaxed; the tribune was finished for me. I wondered where my hamburger was.

3
Thus, we started tribune with introductory statements and after beginning unpleasantness, the avalanche of conversations moved and last for the next four hours, for surprise! It was obvious at that hot summer night that the trouble was silenced for a very long time and when it found the space, it poured out on the round table; it had a strength that kept all participants concentrated all the time during the gathering. The fact that there were so many different people seating for the same table for the first time especially impressed participants. It should not be forgot that the NGOs are still developing in Serbia, that the independent journalism is a privilege of several people, that the remains of the crashed system are still stable enough. In that time, presidents of all communities for the South of Serbia, except Preshevo, belonged to the coalition SPS-JUL. It was interesting to hear some statements of former and today’s enemies, people who does not think the same way, with opposed attitudes in the direction of the world. Moreover, all of that with no incident, even verbal one, or personal attack! These are some statements that did not gave tone to discussion but are true picture of what was happening and talking about that night for the first time in that way in Vranje. Starting with the fact that the interethnic dialogue At the South of Serbia was interrupted and that it did not make it through until today, in practice, not even at elementary levels, The O.K. radio initiated these tribunes’ series hoping that it would contribute to dialogue beginning. Considering that