At the risk of going off topic some things need to be said regarding the Montenegrin independence vote.
Firstly some general points from a Serbian or Belgrade perspective. Serbia is independent although nobody would know it. In fact people seem utterly non plussed about the entire situation. This morning I was searching for something in the manner, facial expressions of step of my fellow citizens, but nothing, not a sausage.
So whilst last night we watched delirious flag waving scenes, patriotic songs being screetched and general jubilation on our television screens most of us on this side of the border couldn’t care less.
One cant help in dabbling in some ameturistic (or as I call it ‘armchair’) quasi psychological analysis wondering if Serbian citizens are hurt by this last and final slap in the face. Being rejected time after time by former Republics cant do the national psyche any good right? Thats if you believe in the concept of a national psyche. The argument might continue like this – and even after Serbia turfed out Milosevic (after all we were led to believe that Djukanovic and company had a problem with Milosevic, not Serbia) and even though Serbia didn’t sabre rattle or threaten Montenegro or encourage Serbian unitarists in Montenegro to resist, it still wasn’t enough to persuade the majority to continue the partnership with Serbia.
This brings me onto a number of more personal opinions (or rants) regarding these types of armchair theories. Above all (and repeat this again and again, I do) people are (or should be) concerned with their own futures. That means a persons priority is having a job, being well paid, having a decent health service, that their children are attending good schools and so on.
So, seeing as absolutely nothing will change in Serbia why should people be thinking about the national pysche? Even if in some minds there is a sense of being wounded by rejection there are far, far more important things to be concerned with.
So, lets turn the question around. If we generally agree about the most important things in life then should we not be asking what Montenegrin independent supporters were so hysterical about?
For a start Montenegro is already de-facto independent, in terms of all the important sectors including economics. This means that almost nothing real will change. Of course a new flag, national anthem, coat of arms, perhaps registration plates may alter but these aren’t concrete things and there is as much scope for deterioration as improvement.
So, my general view is that all these symbols are a distraction from real issues, time spent discussing what kind of flag should be used is a welcome time out for those in government who would rather not talk about the state of the economy or health sector.
But, there is also a danger of being too up tight about all of this by those with similar views to my own. Do we begrudge a night of happiness or celebration to a section of a population even if we know it is all pretty meaningless and that nothing will change? Do I not irrationally support Red Star Belgrade delighting in their success even though in reality it will not improve my life one bit?
But then I cant help feeling a little angry when I see the patronising way some well intentioned internationals look at countries that go independent ‘ahhh give them their little country, look at those little happy (primitive, identity obsessed’ – they think) people, let them enjoy their happiness’.
Worse still when you see pictures of James Lyon, Balkan chief of the International Crisis Group, in the pro independence headquarters reveling in happiness with tears in his eyes, well anybody rational would want to reach for the bucket. What on earth was he so emotional about? (Surely his paycheque wasn’t that high?). No, I suspect that Lyon was thinking exactly along the lines of the former paragraph and assisted by alcohol fooled himself so well he actually started to believe the vote meant something for the ‘little people’.
I could write plenty more about but will resist the temptation. However, will say this – it is a good thing that one side won the vote beyond the so called grey zone – 55 percent plus. If the result of the vote was in the grey zone my bet is that both sides would have claimed victory and the agony of the state union would have continued.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
good post!
I was in montenegro on referendum day. I talked to entusiastic independentists, but I also talked to people that voted yes but were sad that both countries were spliting because thay had links with serbia.
I am sure that on the side of the NO, different degrees of convictions existed also.
»»»But then I cant help feeling a little angry when I see the patronising way some well intentioned internationals look at countries that go independent»»»
I totally agree with you. I hate that kind of patronizing. I am from a small country myself, so I think that most people don’t understand what it is to be a small country.
also, about expressions of national identity, they are not necesserily bad, they have an important role. I am very curious to follow the evolution of the montenegrian identity after independence.
greetings, cão rafeiro,
aka sarah franco, Portugal
Bg Anon,
Enjoyed your recent commentary on your view about the Crna Gora-Serbia split. I’d be most interested in your opinion about Yugoslavia losing its coastline, albeit it’s only 199 km. Largew affect on the psyche, or does it really matter as long as free access is allowed?
And what happens with the Navy? To be sold off or mothballed?
“So, lets turn the question around. If we generally agree about the most important things in life then should we not be asking what Montenegrin independent supporters were so hysterical about?”
Maybe it’s because they don’t want to be associated with the name Serbia, whatsoever! Maybe it’s for public relations, and saving face if that’s even remotely possible?
So, let me turn this question around and ask you: Why do you have trouble understanding that nobody wants to be in the same country with Serbia, besides Serbs?
Always nice to see a rational analysis of the situation. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
BG Anon, Viktor, et al.,
I wonder what you guys think of all the “Yes” coalition leaders and Montenegrin politicians suddenly saying that “Karadzic is Serbia’s fault.” To me, this blame-shifting flies in the face of the facts, and is equivalent to a boxing suckerpunch after the round is over. Plus, it makes it harder to put pressure on Montenegro if they shape the media opinion that Karadzic is actually another Serbian issue/problem.
Keep up the good posts. I added a link to your blog from mine. Maybe see you in Belgrade in August.
BG
“Although he indirectly recognised the independence of Montenegro, Vojislav Kostunica did not congratulate its people.” (b92)
Another opportunity missed for our prime minister to show some sign of good will.
New Serbian words for today which may come in handy: dole vlada!
viktor,
I suppose Kostunica isn’t still informed that it proper to congratulate, but we should also concider the fact that maybe he still isn’t informed that Montenegro is really going to separate.
albanians are taking over your country, so beware and say good-bye to KOSOVA the cradle of your pathetic civilization.
anonymous this isnt the place to make childish comments.
If you have a serious point to make about Montenegrin independence you are welcome to do so.
On the issue concerning Kostunica and Serbia generally it would be sensible for Serbia to be the first to recognise Montenegro and not to drag its feet.
Greetings to Sarah Franco. I hope you had time to visit Belgrade too.
bg anon, thanks for a great post and perspective so many in the West don’t usually see. I’m going to add this blog to my blogroll.
I only get to Belgrade infrequently these days (a consequence of finishing graduate school and looking for jobs…;-) to visit friends, but if we get the chance, it’d be a pleasure to meet you and your blogging colleagues. Keep up the good work!