Inside the Mind of the Serbian Radical Party

Der Spiegel has an interview with Tomislav Nikolic, leader of the ultra-nationalists in Serbian politics. Excerpt below:

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Doesn't Serbia realize that ignoring reality is only hurting Serbia and, especially, the Serbs in Kosovo? You as a realist should understand that Kosovo will never again be a part of Serbia.

Nikolic: Who says? We will use our veto to prevent Kosovo from becoming a member of almost all world organizations.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Which is a fine strategy to force Kosovo to become part of Albania. By taking such a step, Kosovo would automatically gain membership in those organizations.

Nikolic: Don't count on it. Otherwise there will be war in Europe. Or do you think that Bucharest will sit on the sidelines should the Hungarians in Romania demand to become a part of Hungary? It is not us but Europe that needs to face reality. For precisely these reasons, there are many countries in both Europe and elsewhere in the world which will never recognize the precedence of Kosovo.

Doesn't sound good.

Be sure to also read Marko Attila Hoare's (historian and blogger of Greater Surbiton) analysis of what is going on in Serbia.

They told us that the Serbian people were not like other Europeans. They told us that the Serbian people were so outraged over international recognition of Kosova’s independence that they would turn their backs on Europe and rally behind the nationalists. They told us that Serbia and Europe were parting ways because of Kosova. They told us that the Serbian people were crazy.

They were wrong.

At least people are standing up and say no to the Serbian Radical Party.

Serbia: Don't turn back.