SERBIAN–AMERICAN RELATIONS International Scientific Conference Proceedings LIBRARY SPECIAL EDITIONS Scientific Board Prof. Ivica Radović, PhD (Serbia) Prof. Vladimir Marinković, PhD (Serbia) Prof. Nikola Tanić, PhD (Serbia) Jonathan Fighel, PhD (Israel) Prof. Xu Mingqi, PhD (China) Shaul Shay, PhD (Israel) Prof. Ephraim Lapid, PhD (Israel) Prof. Chang Jiadong, PhD (China) Prof. John Nomikos, PhD (Greece) Prof. Liliana Popescu Birlan, PhD (Romania) Prof. Wu Xueming, PhD (China) Prof. Rastislav Kazansky, PhD (Slovakia) Prof. Teodora Ivanusa, PhD (Slovenia) Prof. Klaus Lange, PhD (Germany) Program Board Prof. Vasko Stamevski, PhD (Macedonia) Prof. Darko Dimovski, PhD (Serbia) Prof. Zoran Dragišić, PhD (Serbia) Jelena Stanojević, PhD (Serbia) Uroš Zdravković, PhD (Serbia) Editors-in-Chief Nebojša Kuzmanović, PhD Darko Trifunović, PhD Reviewers Prof. Srđan Milašinović, PhD Prof. Ivica Radović, PhD Prof. Želimir Kešetović, PhD © Copyright: 2019, Arhiv Vojvodine • © Copyright: 2019, Archives of Vojvodina SERBIAN–AMERICAN RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS National Parliament – Republic of Serbia Belgrade, September 11, 2019 Novi Sad / Beograd 2019 Co-Chairmen of the Conference Dragan Šormaz, Member of the Serbian Parliament, Head of Serbian- American Parliamentary Caucuses Vladimir Marinković, PhD, Deputy President of the Serbian Parliament, Founding member of INIS Darko Trifunović, PhD, Director of the Institute for National and International Security – INIS Opening H. E. Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia Keynote speakers H. E. Kyle Randolph Scott, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Major General John C. Harris Jr., Assistant Adjutant General, Ohio Army National Guard H. E. Ivica Dačić, The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia H. E. Nebojša Stefanović, Vice President of the Serbian Government and Minister of Police H. E. Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Defense, Serbia H. E. Mladen Sarčević, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, Serbia H. E. Aleksandar Antić, Minister of Mining and Energy, Serbia STRIDE TOWARD VALUE Oxford Dictionary researchers have stated that the past year’s “word of the year,” that is, the most often used word on the planet, was adjec- tive “toxic” meaning “poisoned.” It referred to both natural and social phenomena and interpersonal relationships. This information uniquely alerts that the tendency to destroy both natural environments and the broadest cultural values is, in fact, a global phenomenon that is in un- predictable movement and momentum. Many factors contribute to this atmosphere, but in our opinion, certainly one of the most significant is a limited or controlled supply of unlimited knowledge horizon for humans. One adjusts, through media monopolies and educational poli- cies, to accept the picture of reality that translates the basic human need for knowledge into indolent adoption of recommended norms that dull curiosity and perceive activism as a threatening tendency. A unique and striking response to this narrative is to stimulate the development of research work and face all the possible controversies and issues that can arise in the process. Also, the model of dialogue and democraticity when presenting adopted views is the most adequate form of mutual respect and tolerance which knocks the bottom out of the can- onization of any scientific advances and reluctantly rests upon axioms. The need for constant review of and doubt in existing achievements is proof that scientific discipline evolves and before them becomes void and unworthy skepticism out of malice, that is, abuse of responsibility and commitment of researchers. We believe that with these Proceedings which refer to most often tabooed and otherwise very complex relations between Serbia and the USA, the scientific community in Serbia, as well as the state supporting it, makes another great stride in the interdisci- plinary approach to shedding light on thematic and problematic strong- holds that have marked national correlations. The most significant contribution of this particular project seems visible, on the one hand, in the openness employed in its writing with- 5 out reservation due to possible criticism, and on the other hand, in the presented accountability of the pronounced that instantly unmasks any unscientific attack as an ideological mimicry of strikingly short dura- tion. This avoided the anachronous character of the manuscript, as well as its negative context in the form of a stereotype about implied “truths.” The existing contradictions of the Serbia–US relations are part of a pro- cess of reciprocal relationships that have lasted for more than a century and have had their own negative and positive implications. The ambiv- alent relationship was motivated by numerous state and national inter- ests, and a considerable number thereof was, in our view, a consequence of underdeveloped communication and the lacking need for nurturing existing cultural heritage in interrelationships. In this act, the Serbian and American social elites bear equal respon- sibility, and further research is to indicate the circumstances that have led to them and the character of their manifestation, without hesitation and with the willingness to accept critical challenging, but not belittling. That way, the burden of incompleteness and acceptable fabulations will be forced to retreat before research sharpness. Its role is decisive in the simultaneous processes of suppressing irrational projections and nur- turing of an analytical approach in geopolitical reflections. Scarce existing research into Serbia–US relations, with one of the most significant being the work by Professor Dragoljub Živojinović:U potrazi za zaštitnikom, studije o srpsko–američkim vezama 1878–1920, will be significantly enriched by the coming works. The interdisciplin- ary character of the works and different authors’ research interests indi- cate a particular satisfaction with the role of spiritus movens these Pro- ceedings can provide. Historical research, geopolitical analytics, legal contextualisation of relationships, issues of student future, new contents of the archives institution activities, bold dividing reflections, as well as other topics presented in the Proceedings, in our opinion, offer an openness in the texts written precisely to intrigue debate and initiate the affirmation of scientific interest. It is this targeted purpose that is the only way to confront approximate estimates and unfounded, but easi- ly acceptable half-truths that have neglected the holistic approach and fostered segregation of data according to their own intentions. It is also the path to, as our renowned philosopher Mihailo Đuric wrote, “true humanistic education” which “does not erase or nullify, but preserves 6 and refines national differences and peculiarities.” On this path, “no universal man who was previously not instilled awareness of a man of a particular nation, of a particular language, of a certain history, can be brought up.”1 Attached to their traditional values being rediscovered by both Serbian and American society in the main streams of their mod- ernization, they build a future ready for challenges of both many antin- omy layers and the revival of alliance and mutually aligned interests. Nebojša Kuzmanović, PhD Darko Trifunović, PhD 1 Mihailo Đurić, „Ogledalo srpsko“, Srbija i Evropa između prošlosti i budućnosti: letopis jugoslovenske tragedije, BIGZ, Beograd – Bonart, Nova Pazova 2003, p. 55–56. 7 INTRODUCTION The Serbian-American Relations Conference, that will be held in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, organized by the Na- tional Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Institute for National and International Security – INIS, is another confirmation that the re- lations between the two countries are headed in a good direction and it shows that cooperation can be brought to a level that they were when the two countries and their people were allies. It is important to note that apart from politicians and businessmen, several scientists will also be taking part which means that cooperation will extend from econom- ic and political fields to science, education, innovations, new technolo- gies and culture. This speaks volumes about how a great amount of people in the Re- public of Serbia are interested in cooperating with the USA, fully realiz- ing the importance of this country as the largest political and economic force in the world but also the strongest democracy whose values, and principles that it was founded on, include the highest standards in all fields of social life. The USA and it’s citizens create a large amount of ideas every day, as well as initiatives, businesses and innovations that benefit the whole planet. The American economy is an example of a long-lasting process, permanent progress and the growth that creates an environment for personal development, constant growth of the spirit of entrepreneurship, culture and work ethics, which creates competi- tion and new possibilities for citizens under equal conditions and equal chances to achieve prosperity, development and progress. Serbia is located in a very complex geopolitical position but is de- termined to modernize, advance and to create a quality environment for the life of its citizens. In the last 5 years, highly successful economic and political reforms have been implemented whereby Serbia today is a lot stronger and influential then a few years before, which is all thanks to President