Posted on 07/25/2002 1:58:02 AM PDT by Banat
Thus Spoke Djindjich (re. Serbia, attn. Balkan Front Freepers!)
It would do us no harm to remind ourselves what certain politicians were saying when they were not in power. It would also be interesting to compare their earlier statements with their behaviour of today. For this purpose, here are some of Prime Minister Djindjich's statements from his days as an opposition leader.
I will never go to Dedinye (synonym for ex-President Miloshevich's residence), nor will I fire people for different ideological views. (Blic, 2-3 NOV 1996)
We ask that the government be changed at the ballot box, not by fraud. When there is a great political tension in the country, elections are the best solution. (Blic, 10 DEC 1996)
Foreigners should know that we will not allow the sell-off of our best and most essential state companies at fire sale prices, without the control of the public. (Dnevni Telegraf, 2 FEB 1997)
The best indicator that the government is in panic is the unscrupulous misuse of the media (Dnevni Telegraf, 6 FEB 1997)
When I come to power, the first thing we (my emphasis) will do is return the money that was stolen from the citizens. (Dnevni Telegraf, 8 FEB 1997)
One thing has to be clear: it has to be known who takes responsibility for what. If the government performs unsatisfactorily, it is the fault of the President of the Government (Prime Minister). The same goes for every minister in the government, because the Prime Minister is the one responsible for them. (Blic 22 MAR 1997)
Whenever the government wants to do something contrary to the law, something that cannot be controlled, it passes a decree. (Dnevni Telegraf, 26 FEB 1997)
Of course I never went to Miloshevich's. Why is that question even asked? (Blic, 19 MAR 1997)
So what if I went to see Miloshevich? That meeting was unimportant, hence my not giving it any serious thought... (Blic, 29 MAY 1997)
There is no good government without a good Parliament (Blic, 24 JAN 1997)
Nobody has the monopoly on the opposition, democracy or reform. The sooner we realise that, the sooner we'll grow up. (Blic, 7 MAY 1997)We have to stop those who want to make a private company out of Serbia (Nasa Borba, 11 OCT 1996 / When asked recently how Serbia should be run, Djindjich answered "as a private company".)
Without control and punishment there is no normal government (Nasa Borba, 18 OCT 1996)
We want Serbia to be the national state of the Serbian people. The first Article of the new Constitution must be: "Serbia is the state of the Serbian people". (Nasa Borba, 21 OCT 1996 / Djindjich's Democratic Party is today a member of the Socialist International)
When we are in power, we will cut down the taxes that are choking our companies. We will create a cheap state that will be financed by a strong and successful economy, not by state crime and smuggling. (Borba, 17 DEC 1992)
There won't be any revenge but those who stole from the people will have to bear the consequences. They won't be tried at the Hague. They will be tried by the coming generations. (Blic, 12 SEP 2000)
VRN
Cheers!
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