This publication was supported by the Austrian Federal Chancellery (BKA) from Funds for Cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries.

This project was made possible with grants from: PHARE Democracy Programme of the European Commission; European Commission Program to Support Democracy and the Peace Process in the Republics of the Former Yugoslavia.

The Council of Europe contributed funding to this project in Albania and Croatia.

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) contributed to the project in Slovenia.

The Open Society Institute (OSI) supported the participation of Greek Helsinki Monitor in this project.

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© 1998 by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) All rights reserved

a b mariana lenkova editor

‘hate speech’ in the balkans

The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF)

ETEPE

1 2 table of contents

Preface Aaron Rhodes ...... 5

Part I : General Presentation ...... 7

Introduction Panayote Elias Dimitras ...... 8 ‘Hate Speech’: (Re)Producing the Opposition Between the National Self and the ‘Others’ Nafsika Papanikolatos ...... 10

Part II : Summaries of National Reports Mariana Lenkova ...... 29

Reporting on the Monitoring of ‘Hate Speech’ in the Balkan Region ...... 30 Albania ...... 31 Bosnia ...... 35 Bulgaria ...... 36 Croatia ...... 39 Greece ...... 43

Special Section: The Imia/Kardak story ...... 65 ñ The Apotheosis of Hate Speech: The Near-Success of (Greek and Turkish) Media in Launching War Panayote Elias Dimitras ...... 65 ñ The Greek-Turkish “Imia/Kardak” Crisis in Dates Vasiliki Neofotistos ...... 69 ñ The Greek Media on the Imia/Kardak Conflict Vasiliki Neofotistos ...... 71 ñ The Turkish Media on the Imia/Kardak Conflict Ferhat Kentel ...... 77 Kosovo ...... 81 Macedonia ...... 84 Montenegro ...... 86 Romania ...... 88 Serbia ...... 96 Slovenia ...... 108

Appendices ...... 109 Media Monitored ...... 110 The Media Scene in the Balkans in 1995 Mariana Lenkova ...... 116 Contributors to this Volume ...... 124 Contributors to the Project ‘Media Freedoms and Hate Speech in the Balkans 1995-6’ ...... 125

3 4 preface

The “role of the media” -a common concern of media in the West- is not yet well-explored although shamefully abused in post-totalitarian societies, some of which are still less “post” than “totalitarian.” But given especially the well-documented relationship between ethnically-motivated slaughter in the Former Yugoslavia and media propaganda, e.g. by Mark Thompson in Forging War (London: Article 19;1994), the topic has become an important one to human rights organizations like the IHF that seek not only to report on human rights violations but also to promote, at the local level, the political and moral values that support the respect for human rights.

The notion of a transnational media-monitoring project based in the Balkan Helsinki Committees, focusing on the problem of “hate speech,” emerged in the IHF Secretariat in 1993, thanks largely to the efforts of Liselotte Leicht. It took considerable time to develop it fully and to put together a funding structure that would allow us to support this work in eleven different countries or provinces. The IHF is deeply grateful to those sponsors, which include the PHARE Democracy Programme of the European Commission; the EU’s program to Support Democracy and the Peace Process in the Republics of the Former Yugoslavia; the Council of Europe; the Austrian Federal Chancellor’s Office (which made possible the publication of this volume); and the United States Institute of Peace. The Greek project partner was supported by a grant from the Open Society Institute (OSI).

We are also grateful to the Helsinki Committees and other NGOs that took part, and especially to the colleagues in Greek Helsinki Monitor who took on the challenging task of distilling the national reports and analyzing their contents, and writing this report. I also wish to acknowledge with thanks the efforts of Therese Nelson, whose portfolio as Legal Counsel included management of the project; Dardan Gashi, who assisted as a Consultant, and Sylvia Hordosch. In the latter phases of the project, Brigitte Dufour, Legal Counsel; Jennifer Lincoln-Lewis, Researcher; and David Theil, Financial Officer have all worked hard to administer this complicated project.

While our reason for organizing this project was to generate documentation by giving civil human rights organizations the means and a framework within which to monitor hate speech in the media, our ultimate goal is more ambitious. The result of our work is more than a record of hate speech. It is a mirror reflecting the kinds of ideas and feelings that are expressed in hate speech, and their cultural and historical context. Although translated into and thus in a sense homogenized into the English language, this report conveys the taste, the texture, the interior moods of the language that incites racial and ethnic violence, the rejection of international human rights standards, and contributes to violations of human rights in the Balkans.

In constructing this mirror, which is of course not a large or perfect one, we invite not only our colleagues in the Balkan media but all members of our societies to take a hard look. Hate speech in the media inspires ethnic hatred and prejudice, but also feeds upon their presence among the population, the media “market.” If the “consumers” of the media reject hate speech, it will recede. If professional journalists distinguish between fact and opinion, and indeed act professionally by rejecting the role of conduits for nationalistic hate speech, human rights and peace will have a better chance everywhere.

Aaron Rhodes Executive Director International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

5 6 part I

general presentation

panayote elias dimitras nafsika papanikolatos

7 general presentation

Introduction formation in the region (early 19th century) to this very day, there has been an almost The wars of the 1990s in the former systematic will to refuse the existence of Yugoslav republics shook European public the neighbor nation in the Balkan opinion. It was thought that, since World peninsula. The Illyrianist movement in its War II, only ‘third world’ countries and/or Pan-Croatian form (19th century) authoritarian regimes were barbaric considered all Southern Slavs as Croats. It enough to resort to violence to solve their was reciprocated (in the 20th century) by a problems; European countries were denial of the existence of separate Croat thought to be exempt from such savagery. and Slovene identities by Pan-Serbian Then came the Yugoslav crisis, and the nationalists like the inter-war Radicals. West woke up to a dreadful reality. Likewise, the Bulgarian distinct nation was challenged by Croats, Serbs and Greeks. Not only was war used to (re)define the Serbian nationalism also considered post-Yugoslav configuration of that part of Albanians ‘lost Serbs’, who had become Southeastern Europe; it was supplemented ‘savages’, and ‘their nationalism was the by atrocities against non-combatants product of Austrian and Italian intrigue’. (rape, ethnic cleansing, etc.), which the The latter view was shared by Greek ‘civilized’ West thought were no longer nationalists too, who contested the possible. The bewildered public opinion existence of a separate, non-Greek had forgotten -to be more accurate, the Albanian nation. Naturally, the irredentist opinion makers had chosen to make the Croat and, especially, Serbian nationalism publics forget- that all these excesses had had no room for the Bosnians, demeaned been the ‘trade mark’ of the ‘other Balkan as ‘Asians, unstable, perverted’ etc. wars’ of the early 1910s, fought with a Likewise, Serbs, Bulgarians and Greeks similar aim - definition of the post-Ottoman have never come to terms with the configuration in the region. In fact, in an presence of culturally distinct interesting comparison with the recent Macedonians and Vlahs in the area. The Balkan crisis, the ethnic cleansing at the Macedonians have been considered as time was precipitated, if not outright ‘Southern Serbs’ by the Serbs, ‘Western motivated, by the Great Powers’ ill- Bulgarians’ by the Bulgarians, and conceived scheme to ‘manage’ the ‘Slavophone Greeks’ by the Greeks, who in Macedonian problem following the Ilinden the 1990s have regularly called the uprising. Through it, they had called for Republic of Macedonia with the demeaning ethnically homogeneous administrative name ‘a Skopjan statelet’ and its regions to be drawn within the ailing inhabitants - ‘Gypsy-Skopjans’, ‘Balkan Ottoman Empire. Gypsies’, ‘Skopjan Vlahs’. On the other hand, the word ‘Vlah’ has often had a Atrocities at the mass level, though, cannot pejorative meaning among Croats and happen unless the masses are Albanians (derogatory for Serbs) and appropriately motivated. For a Bulgarian to Greeks (meaning ‘coarse’). butcher a Greek, or for a Greek to rape a Turk -while both felt that they were thus Only when the wars in former Yugoslavia carrying out their ‘national duty’- these reached their height did many people peoples had to be indoctrinated to ‘love to discover that similar systematic hate and hate to love’ their enemies, which deprecation of the (potential) enemy had in most cases meant all their neighbor been in the workings of the mass media of nations or competing ethnic groups. In the -still supposedly coexisting- Croatian fact, from the early days of modern nation and Serbian federal republics. So, the Croats and the Serbs, were conditioned to

8 general presentation

‘remember’ what they had been told to has also been responsible for the editing of ‘forget’ under Tito, i.e. the Ustasha and the book. In the country reports, we have Chetnik atrocities in World War II. They inserted a special section on the had then been ‘informed’ that such actions Imia/Kardak crisis between Greece and started being repeated, and were thus (not included in the project) Turkey where ready for the first ‘hot war’ in post-World not only was ‘hate speech’ abundant but War II Europe. the media played a crucial role in the development of the crisis: there we have The problem has not been confined only to been able to also reproduce a related these two countries. Throughout the presentation of the Turkish media coverage Balkan region, the media are producing of the crisis. We are grateful to our Turkish such ‘hate speech’, that the publics are colleague Ferhat Kentel who graciously being conditioned to support any new allowed reproduction of his analysis here; conflict that may arise. Public opinion to Adamantia Palidis who diligently polls, in fact, indicate that there is hardly assisted the GHM research team to carry any people in the area which has out the challenging task of writing this widespread positive feelings for any of its report; and to the Open Society Institute neighbors, as they almost all have, for (Budapest) for its sustained support to the example, for many West European peoples. work of GHM that has made possible the undertaking of projects like this one. This widespread alarming trend in the Balkan media led the International Helsinki Panayote Elias Dimitras Federation for Human Rights (IHF) to Spokesperson launch its perhaps most ambitious regional Greek Helsinki Monitor program to date: monitoring (between August 1995 - May 1996) the ‘hate speech’ produced by the media in all countries of the region. The IHF aimed not only at providing to the extent possible a comparable data basis in these countries, but also at using it, or seeing it used by all other interested individuals or institutions, so as to raise awareness to this phenomenon and its consequences on the way democracy functions in each country, as well as on national and regional security. The short period of the project and the large number of teams involved unavoidably led to unequal results: some country reports were more extensive and more complete than others; and this is reflected in the presentation here of the final report prepared by a research team of Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM).

Nafsika Papanikolatos explains the reasons of ‘hate speech’ and summarizes its main tendencies in the region; while Mariana Lenkova gives summaries of the country reports made available to her, while she

9 general presentation

hate speech’: (re)producing the explained in the research conducted by the opposition between the national Greek scientists, “describing national «self» and the «others» identity means also describing and evaluating the ‘others’.” This is why, as this nafsika papanikolatos study of Greek primary schoolbooks tells us, “a structural element of a national In an excellent study of history, geography identity is the existence of the ‘other’.” and language schoolbooks, a group of National identity is thus shaped through a Greek social scientists concluded that the double process: “structuring and original source which makes people differentiating, of incorporation and susceptible to nationalism, to the exclusion.” The process of constructing authoritarian mentality and, therefore, to the “we” in opposition to the “others”, as ‘hate speech’, is education. In modern it is explained, “requires archaic societies the fundamental «mechanism of operations” which utilize rudimentary cultural homogenization in the shaping of generalizations, functioning as crude a collective national identity» is provided means of detachment which will later by the institution of education1. Not all provide the basis for opposition.2 National, persons are prepared to accept or even are religious and linguistic stereotypes are able to communicate in a language which among the most visible examples of ‘hate may be compared to George Orwell’s speech’ that function as means of 1984, called «newspeak». Nevertheless, differentiation and exclusion in the process we must recognize that not all people are of national identity formation. able to defend themselves from becoming conditioned to conceptualize the world ‘Hate speech’ is a moment in the process around them in languistic images which of forming national identities and its violate the principles of liberty, equality, intensity varies depending on historical, solidarity and human dignity. A language of social and political circumstances which a limited vocabulary which permits one to may provide the conditions for establishing get rid of the ambiguity and the uncertainty a more or less inflated national “self” as in human coexistence and communication. against the “others.” For example, a highly This is achieved through the use of very homogeneous idea of the nation provides precise discriminatory and selective always greater need for ‘hate speech’ vocabulary which tries to legitimize reproduction to maintain that homo- negative thinking about all those who are geneity; on the contrary, a national “self” not «us», those who are the «others». ‘Hate which integrates to a lesser or greater speech’ as we try to show in the examples degree the “others” without negating used in this report is limited precisely to them, requires, of course, less the aid of such a language. This language in fact ‘hate speech’ to maintain a degree of reflects the type of national identity a identity . We will not try to explain here people develops, the level of cultural, why in some countries historically ‘hate ethnic, religious homogeneity that is speech’ (re)production has been less cultivated in order for the national “self” to essential the opposition of the national “prove its uniqueness in relation and ‘self’ and the ‘others’. contradistinction to other nations.” As it is It is important to reevaluate ‘hate speech’

1 Frangoudaki, Anna and Thalia Dragona, eds. What is our fatherland? Ethnocentrism in education, Alexandria publications, 1997 (in Greek), pp.12-13 & 25. 2 Ibid pp.14-16.

10 general presentation

(re)production in the media, and understanding” that a society has reached, particularly in respect to the very idea of “whether [its] national identity is strong freedom and pluralism in the media. In enough in a way that it does not require to other words, it is necessary when we protect itself defensively” and is therefore interpret ‘hate speech’ in the context of sufficiently tolerant, non-aggressive and national identity formation, to evaluate the respectful of the right to be different,4 can conditions within which it develops. The be usually traced by examining carefully conditions of freedom in that particular the messages conveyed by the media. country and the notion of freedom which Civil society in order to defend itself from develops in the context of ‘hate speech’ as the (re)production of images of an an essential moment in the formation of ethnocentric society by the media must the national ‘self’. The national identity reinvent the concept of citizenship. This that was (re)produced by the educational can be achieved by educating people to be process and the ‘hate speech’ which it less tolerant to ‘hate speech’ reporting, to requires is most often reproduced and the authoritarian tendencies of propagated by the media. This is why it is ethnocentric education and culture, which necessary to examine the media critically mine individual and social responsibility. as conveyors of an open and tolerant Civil society must become less passive and national consciousness or a defensive, uncritical, as the authors of the above non-tolerant and hence aggressive national study suggest, towards authority and the consciousness. It is important to add that generators of messages. This of course while totalitarian societies may be more suggests that citizens begin to participate viable to nationalist ideology and therefore actively and take themselves the to ‘hate speech’ vocabulary, precisely responsibility of critically examining what because they have cultivated and exploited is conveyed to them in the name of the so to its limits the “us-against-them” called ‘national interest’. In other words, as mentality,3 nevertheless, they should not the participants in a roundtable on the be viewed as providing a monopoly in the language of hatred concluded, it is (re)production of ‘hate speech’, or as it is necessary that the negative system of more correctly referred to, to the “the values be opposed by a positive one based politically correct language”(ibid.). As on tolerance. This can only be a result of several recent studies have proven, promoting civil society and developing societies which have not gone through a democratic institutions.5 Nevertheless, it totalitarian process, but on the contrary are must be noted that this cannot be recognized as being democratic, were established once and for all, but, as it has found to have mass media which provide been proven even in Western democratic abundant reports using ‘hate speech’ societies, it is a process which ought to be vocabulary. And, of course, as this report constantly regenerated. shows the Greek media is such an example, which proves how much ‘hate speech’ is linked to the continuous process 1. Denial of existence of minorities or even of “national self understanding.” of ethnicity, stress on homogeneity (Frangoudaki) The level of “national self

3 Patrick Moore , “The language of hate”, RFE/RL, Newsline, Vol. 1, No. 165, Part II, 21 The roundtable took place on November 1997 in Croatia 4 Frangoudaki et al. op.cit pp. 18-25. 5 Moore, “The language of hate”

11 general presentation

We have observed that the media in the establish and protect the homogeneous monitored countries (re)produced ‘hate nation-state. Another source writes of the speech’ with different intensity and, eventual “Croatization” of Muslims and therefore, manifested it in different ways. Serbs who have not left Croatia. In Greece Oftentimes, those manifestations can be the media try repeatedly to deny the interpreted and placed in more than one existence of a Macedonian ethnic minority distinct group since it is very hard to draw or the existence of a distinct Macedonian a strict line between that which may be nation, which they call a “contemporary defined as denial of existence, use of accomplishment of the Americans and pejorative terms, or negative images, their Filipinos.” Besides, they also question attacks on activists, NGOs or the West. the credibility of all international Cases are interrelated and the same remark organizations’ and U.S. Department of may be interpreted to be more than one State reports on human rights which manifestation of ‘hate speech’. mention the presence of minorities in Greece and which are labeled as ‘anti- ‘Hate speech’ in its most explicit Greek hysteria’. At the same time, the manifestation, and at its most intense level, media reproduce the national ideology of is the denial of the very existence of the non-existence of a Turkish minority in “others” as such within the borders of a Greece, since, the latter is recognized only particular state, that is, the negation of the as a religious minority (Muslims). existence of minorities be they religious, cultural or ethnic ones. In this case the media attempt to stress the imaginary 2. Negative images of foreign Balkan concept of a fully homogenous society. peoples The negation of the existence of “others” may also go beyond the borders of a Another manifestation of ‘hate speech’ are particular state, which brings forth the national, religious, linguistic and other denial of the existence of certain ethnic stereotypes. While in this case it is not a identities. For example, the Montenegrin question of denying the existence of media, following the official attitude of the “others”, what we have are deprecatory Belgrade ones, are highly hostile towards descriptions in order to minimize or even Croats, Muslims and Albanians. They to debase and humiliate them to such a therefore consider the Bosnian nation degree so that the non-recognition of their “non-existent”, “all Catholics of respective rights and their treatment as Montenegro [are] Serbs”, while the non-beings is ‘justified’. Through such Slovenian media speak of the negative images of the “others,” the media “‘Slovenization’ of Slovenia”, which implies function as mechanisms which its homogenization since it is not yet differentiate and exclude the “others” and considered ethnically pure. The Serbian thus participate along with the dominant media are repeatedly being sarcastic about educational institutions in the production the “Farce of the Bosnian nationality” and reproduction of the image of the implying the non-existence of such a national self, the dominant national national identity. The Albanian media deny identity. Negation of the others does not the very existence of minorities in Albania always work directly; it may go through a and they speak of a “compact ethnic state.” disproportional presentation of the In Croatia the media suggest that the national self as superior to all others, borders between Croatia and Serbia should which as a logical consequence ‘justifies’ “remain closed for the next 50 years”, and in the eyes of the general public opinion that a “Chinese wall” should “be erected the inferiority of all “others.” It is important between the two states” in order to to note that all pejorative terms used by

12 general presentation the media may have multiple meanings “acerbic” attitude towards all “former depending on when and where they are Yugoslavs,” which they try to justify by used. The significance must be sought calling upon what they consider their always in the historical and sociopolitical “ingratitude” and “materialism” context within which stereotypes are Derogatory words as “blood thirsty produced. terrorists, separatists, etc.” can be found quite frequently. So the people of Zagreb The Montenegrin media, for example, may are called “BURGHERS THIRSTING use “Ustashas” both as a pejorative name BLOOD” [capital in the original], while for Croats and in labeling independence- there are also references to “Croat neo- oriented Montenegrins. Elsewhere, in the fascism”, “jihadian Muslim terroristsMuslim same media, “Muslims” in general are terrorists in Sanjak.” Separatist projected as having “a slave attitude Montenegrins are said to have pulled a towards God”, while the Sarajevo Muslims “separatist wild shot” while Croats, are are called “Mujahedins” or even “Muslim pejoratively characterized as “Ustashi.” terrorists”. The pejorative term we find The slaughters “of humans” are “the ‘trade most often for the Albanians in the media mark’ of the ustashi. Both old and young.” is “Shiptars” who “not only were unable to At the same time, since the Serbian media live in peace with the Serbs and the are extremely sensitive towards the Macedonians” in the FRY but “even dislike Albanians of Kosovo, as well as towards all the 5% Catholic minority of their “former Yugoslavs”, they intimidate and nationality.” threaten the readers with images of a “massive settlement from Albania, a In the Slovenian media, which are demographic explosion and pressure extremely sensitive towards foreign against Serbs and Montenegrins,” in order residents in Slovenia, especially those to create “an ethnically pure space, that is coming from former Yugoslavia, we often conditions propitious for the emergence of find pejorative and anti-Serb characteriza- Greater Albania. Similar reasons, (...) govern tions: “Whatever you give them [the Serbs], the Hungarian authorities and the Islamic they will not be satisfied. This is a logic fundamentalist Izetbegovic.” which is going to stop only when [the Serbian beast] gets it on its fingers”; or, The Macedonian press on the contrary elsewhere, “Dragana will not wear a besides using pejorative terms to describe Chetnik uniform.” Another example of Greeks, Bulgarians and Albanians, who are pejorative language against a people as a “liars” “dishonest merchants” etc., will collectivity is the one often used by the often undertake the building up of a media in Kosovo: “the USA and Germany national image which presents are financing ‘Ustash’ [pejorative for Macedonians as being superior to all of Croatian] militants.” The Romanian media, their neighbors, who are also their in turn, refer with pronounced hostility potential enemies: “We [the Macedonians] towards the Hungarian minority, especially belong to the most intelligent nation in the towards its party (UDMR). Many of them worldWe made the world literate.”; “We are also openly anti-Semitic: “Is Hungary are numerous. There are 500,000 Europe’s cheeky gypsy?” or, “Hungarism - a Macedonians in Albania, two million in bag of venom on Europe’s body” and Bulgaria, a million in Greece(...) not to even,“Jesus was crucified by the Jews in 6 count the Diaspora.” hours; Romania was crucified by the Hungarians in 6 years” . A negative attitude towards the Albanian immigrants in Greece which has been The Serbian media have an openly expressed by a certain part of Greek

13 general presentation

society, often has lead Albanian media to Serb.” Or pejoratively, “The hey Slavs”, or be particularly negative towards Greece “‘their’ [the Serbs’] pre-historic Christmas.” and Greeks in general. Similarly, there is a The following excerpt sums up most of the strong tendency to be negative towards negative feelings cultivated by the Serbian people in general because of the Croatians against the Serbs even more deterioration of the conditions of life for explicitly: “One could ask the question Albanians in Kosovo. Such a negative about the fate Serbs created for themselves. predisposition in the media, which some The insanity they demonstrated, the nazism times may reflect a certain reality, while it they enveloped themselves in, the can be explained it can not be justified. cowardice which poured out of them, the Nevertheless, we consider exemplary double-facedness which adorned them cases of ‘hate speech’ when, as a both in times of war and diplomacy, the consequence, media are lead to collective lies with which they praised themselves, generalizations, negative images of a the blood-thirstiness for which they praise whole people. Thus the Albanian media themselves even in their literature.” On the present modern Greeks as being other hand the Croatian media present in collectively “banal in their slyness” and “in equally pejorative terms Macedonians as a every aspect [they are] the negative side” of collectivity: “they are short, dark, and the ancient Greeks. The media also speak generally good-for-nothing ...not especially ironically of Greece as “the cradle of civilized.” democracy,” while the attitude of the Greek state in respect to the Albanian Greeks’ extremely suspicious attitudes immigrants is presented as “tyrannical” towards Turkey have led to the production and “barbarian.” Another Albanian source of reports on the latter country and its which transmits a negative image of all people, which are impregnated by what those who do not conform to the may be defined as a defensive nationalism national(ist) images of a collectivity, tells and an inflated hysteria that characterize a us that it would provide someone with national “self” which perceives itself in a shelter according to that person’s answer state of insecurity and weakness. The to the following questions: “First, if he Greek media in that sense function as hates the Kosovo Albanians or not, mechanisms for annihilating, through secondly, if he agrees that Kosovo is part of various forms of ‘hate speech’ and Albania, thirdly, if he is against the fleeing of discreditable descriptions they employ, Albanians from Kosovo.” imaginary enemies. In part the extremely negative image of Turkey and the Turks in The Croatian media present without any the Greek media can be traced far back to reservations a very colorful and explicitly the antagonistic relations of the two pejorative statement made by a represent- countries, which have dominated their ative of the radical Croatian Democratic respective histories and have led to the Union, who describes Serbs as being: Greek imaginary construct of Turkey as its “much shorter than Croats; with small, eternal enemy threatening its territorial unintelligent and conic heads and all their security and even its cultural and religious complexes and crimes they commit are the homogeneity. Recent studies have shown result of those physical features.” Therefore, that the frequent presence of ‘hate speech’ the conclusion is that “Croats, as a superior in the Greek media may be traced to the race, would win in the end.” Elsewhere, society’s relationship with its Ancient past. the Serbian people, collectively, are Also, the Greek Orthodox Church has described negatively, for example, “One played in the past and continues to play, to cannot trust the Serbs even when they a lesser degree, today an important role in speak the truth. I am glad that I am not a the development of modern Greek

14 general presentation consciousness, a consciousness that feels an islet of ours”, “Imia - the new Manzikert highly insecure towards other cultures and for Europe.” Pejorative descriptions of the religions. In fact every religion different “other”, the Turkish people collectively, from Orthodox Christianity is seen as are used generously; a few examples dangerous for the nation and especially for suffice: “crooked Tourkalades”, “Memetia”, the Greek youth. “scalawags,” “blusters,” “thugs of the region,” “omnivorous,” “hordes of The Greek media consenting to this barbarians of the East,” “Asian slayers,” retrogressive general attitude was the only “butchers of our region.” In the same way European one which wrote superlatives Turkey was seen as: “eastern hyena”, “Saka about the “courageous Orthodox” Serbs. It Zoulou” or nurturing an “Asian and Islamic did it not because of an ethnic affiliation barbarism.” Another instance of ‘hate towards them but strictly because of the speech’ reporting using quite strong sharing of common religious values. Thus pejorative characterizations of the “others” the Greek media have exaggerated in the Greek media can be found when interpretations of the Yugoslav war as reading the descriptions of all those who being an attack by the Catholic Church and opposed or questioned the Serbian Islam against Orthodoxy. This vicious activities during the war: “Westerners, in circle of defensive nationalism producing an admirable accordance with Attila, ‘hate speech,’ which in turn produces Hitler’s heirs, and the Muslims everywhere, aggressive nationalism that often leads to massacre a people - hero of the anti-fascist even more intense ‘hate speech,’ has not struggle and deeply Christian.!”; “The new decreased with Greece’s participation in fascism has decided to wipe out the brother European institutions. Moreover, Cyprus, Serbian people”; “The Ushtasha -according the Imia/Kardak crisis, the independence to an old Serb- are the greatest fascists since of Macedonia, and the presumed attack the world was made and so are the against Orthodoxy in the context of the Americans and Germans who help them.” war in ex-Yugoslavia, have all contributed Using the past to justify the interpretation to ‘hate speech.’ The latter has become of the present is a quite common method almost uncontrollable now, coming even of Greek media reporting: “a murderous from media which in the past had avoided NATO operation which has been ordered using such negative stereotypes. In respect by the powerful of Islam, vengeance of the to the Imia/Kardak crisis the Greek media Huns from neo-imperialist Germany, the ‘exploited’ abundantly the word Ushtasha slaughterers of Croatia, against “provocation,” which permitted Greece to the two peoples who dared humiliate the perceive itself as the victim while Turks Axis. The Greek and the Serbian” were viewed as the aggressors, henceforth legitimizing all pejorative remarks about them. Some examples: “provocative action 3. Negative images of immigrants, religious of Ankara”, “provocation from the landing and ethnic minorities of Turkish commandos”, “unprecedented Turkish provocation [as] the Turks laughing The negative images that the media and exchanging provocative jokes removed (re)produce in order to differentiate and the Greek flag”, “provocative mission” exclude the “others” and confirm national “daring provocation.” Greece is described identity are most often directed towards as being “humiliated”; and to make sure minorities and immigrants. Thus the that the message was received we find greatest victims of ‘hate speech’ are ethnic, appeals to history so that images from the religious and linguistic minorities, along past justify the action which ought to be with the immigrants whose presence taken in the present: “Turkish crescent on compels the constant reaffirmation of the

15 general presentation

dominance of the national identity. When negative images of the Albanian ethnicity. the existence of an ethnic minority is not We read about: “students of Albanian entirely denied, the means to blur the real nationality from the Faculty of Philosophy state of affairs related to the recognition of in times of demonstrations of the Albanian equal rights for its members, is by attacking separatists, secessionists and nationalists it in pejorative terms and collective have directly attempted to turn the faculties generalizations. Religious minorities face a into bastions of the ideological dogma similar situation and their rights are called the ‘Kosovo Republic’”; “Serbs in infringed the tighter happen to be the Kosovo and Metohija are continuously relations between the state and the under the pressure of the Shiptar majority’s religion or the official religion. In [pejorative for Albanian] separatists”; this case again through pejorative terms “Turkey and Albania aim to manipulate the and generalizations their faith is degraded ‘Shiptars’ and the Muslim secessionists in in opposition to the faith of the majority, the FRY”; “aggressive Arnauts [pejorative either because it is viewed as an opponent for Albanian]”;“‘Arnaut’ actions against the or as non-faith, meaning not deserving Serbian population have been conducted recognition as such. Linguistic minorities with the aim to expel the Serbs and to seize perhaps appear more easily adaptable to their mobile and real estate using the dominant structures of the national maltreatment, intimidation and killing”; identity but they always are viewed as a “Serbs are supported by history, while foreign body since they have ‘Shiptars’ - by ethnogenesis. ‘Shiptars’ aim characteristics (linguistic ones) which are at having numerous offspring and at presented pejoratively making them unable providing mutual brotherhood help.” “the to participate equally in the enjoyment of highest birth rate in Europe is in Kosovo and their right to receive, for example, Metohija, which is due to the secessionist education in their mother language. policy of the self-proclaimed Albanian Immigrants, on the other hand (and this is leaders.” On the other hand Albanians a case which in our research concerned equally (re)produce their ‘hate speech’ only Greece), are targets of ‘hate speech’ against the Serbs whom they call: “the not so much because they shake the image Shkja”, “Slavian-Chetnik”, “Slavian- of a homogeneous society as in the case of Communist-Chetnik” or “National- minorities, but because they question the Communist regime” certainty of a dominant national identity, since they introduce parallel identities The positions of those Slovenian media, which can neither be integrated nor which are explicitly anti-foreigner and anti- ignored as such by the dominant one. minoritie oriented, can be summed up in the following two statements: “Human In Kosovo the Serbian media “recycle” the rights for the non-Slovenes are as a rule image of the “separatist” Albanians again harmful to the Slovenes.”; “Clean this and again, developing a climate of Country of Southerners [from ex- suspicion and tension between the two Yugoslavia]. Non-Slovenes to be tested.” communities and fertilizing feelings of insecurity in the Serbians. All this as a In Bulgaria, coexistence with the Turkish consequence makes them more vulnerable minority and the Roma is generally to ‘hate speech’ directed against the considered inescapable, because their Albanians. In the context of this vicious numbers are significant and they cannot be circle of feelings of fear mongering and ignored. Thus the production of slighting degradation it is easy to see the terms and collective generalizations is very participation of the Serbian media in the frequent in order to cleanse the threat production and reproduction of the which the presence of these major

16 general presentation minorities poses over the ideology of a such as the Word of Life Evangelists are homogeneous society. The Roma is the called “soul bastards”, while they are group which, in this country, is more than accused for all sorts of conspiratorial any other one attacked verbally, sometimes activities in order to justify all the pejorative even physically, because in fact it is the adjectives used against them. “YOUNG less willing to adapt to the conditions of PEOPLE FROM WORD OF LIFE WORKED the dominant culture. As a consequence, it WITH NOXIOUS CHEMICALS TO PAY FOR becomes, as in most other Balkan THEIR BELIEF” [capital in the original] countries, the most vulnerable group “Evangelicals’ orgies”; “The Gurus from since it is the least capable of explooiting Word of Life are Turning our Children into the means provided by society to defend Janissaries.” Fear mongering about the its human and minority rights. This is why spreading of Islamic “sects” and Islamic in the case of the Roma the ‘hate speech’ fundamentalism in Bulgaria most often in employed is exorbitant. The usual contrast to the reawakening of the suggestions are that all its representatives Orthodox religious traditions can be are “not simply criminals but born sadists”, frequently found in the media: “the foreign which are followed by exaggerated missionaries spread among Bulgarian negative images and collective Muslims the most dangerous Islamic generalizations such as: “A MOTHER WAS branch, which calls for ‘sacred war’ against BAKED ALIVE IN AN OVEN”; “A ROMA all other religions”; “The Islamic BUSINESSMAN TORTURES THE WOMAN fundamentalism and the sects crucify the FOR HALF A DAY, CUTS HER EARS”(capitals Bulgarian traditional values.” Other more in the original);“Gypsy Boys Chopped Two modern religious sects are demonized by Old Men with an Ax for a Lump of Cheese”; the media in order to annihilate their right “Railway Robberies - New Vocation of the to even be recognized as religions: Gypsy Gangs”; “Laying siege to trains and “SCIENTOLOGY - the realm of evil”; “Satan robbing them have become traditional followers will disseminate universal death occupation of whole kins of the dark- in the era of Aquarius”; “dark sects are skinned”; “A Gang of Gypsies Rape a preparing collective suicides and mass Youngster”; “Every third offense in Bulgaria slaughter in the new year.” Religious is committed by Gypsies” On the other intolerance against the new “sect” is so hand, concerning the Turkish minority, its strong that even in a textbook approved as members are criticized for “ethnic a teaching material by the Ministry of turbulence” or “anti-Bulgarian politics”. Education in December 1995 one can Besides being an ethnic minority, the Turks read: “In recent times the non-traditional of Bulgaria are also Muslims and are religious sects are being persecuted in attacked with negative images pertaining many West European countries. Coercion to religious minorities. The threat they of predominantly young people and pose to Bulgarian national homogeneity is propaganda of social passivity, in double - ethnic and religious. Thus we read combination with use of psychotropic in the media that: “Islamic Activists Secretly methods (for example ‘brain-washing’), Gathered Children Near Pamporovo”; poses a serious threat to society and “Thousands of Dollars for the Preparation national security.” (The Sects - Soul Hunters of the Massacre in Bulgaria.” by Georgi Stoyanov).

Like all vulnerable and immature There are two major ethnic minorities in democracies having yet a very low level of Romania - the Hungarians and the Roma - democratic consciousness, tolerance who are the victims of the stereotypical towards religious “sects” there is almost characterizations produced and repro- non-existent in Bulgaria. Therefore groups duced by the media confirming society’s

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intolerance towards these groups. We also Gypsies are the first suspects for any crime, find pronounced anti-Semitism and although oftentimes they have nothing to religious intolerance towards Muslims. do with it.” The Romanian media also Thus, Bela Marko a hero of the Hungarian produce and reproduce strong anti-Semitic minority, is claimed to be Romanian, “An feelings which shows the perpetuation of arrogant renegade whose ancestors’ name the stereotypes of the Jews typical of the was Marcu [a Romanian name]” while it is communist period: “the World Jewish also said that the path to Christianity for Government!.”; “Israel, you Will Perish By the Hungarian minority goes through their Your Own Hand”; “Jews Abuse Romanian Satanism: “In Oradea, Hungarians become History Again”; “Jews Must Not Interfere Christians(...) through Satan.” The media with Other Countries’ Policies.” Religious do not hesitate to terrorize public opinion intolerance, mostly manifested against in order to make it feel attacked by the Muslim believers in Romania, is another Hungarian minority thus preparing an anti- source which often leads the Romanian Hungarian climate: “the demolition and media to danger-mongering and defensive devastation of the churches and the priests’ attitudes towards “others,” leading to homes, the expulsion or assassination of negative images: “this Oriental wave is - the schools, the Hungarization of the consciously or not - an aggression against names of people and localities, the the Christian civilization.” replacement of the Romanian language by the Hungarian one are actions promoted Anti-Albanian stereotypes in the Serbian obstinately by the Hungarian nationalists.” media are very frequent as indicated above. Serbian media, expressing always the The Roma, just like in Bulgaria and in all general spirit of public opinion, combine other countries producing negative images religious and ethnic intolerance. Thus we of them, are attacked usually because this read that from the “Evangelical church minority is the least able to defend itself. Stephen Bell. Allegedly the Baptist Thus one reads in the Romanian press missionary of the European Christan such collective generalizations and Mission and a student of Shiptarology in pejorative language: “Criminality among Pristina (who was filed as an English agent Gypsies”, they “break all records in the field as early as 1985), Bell has included about a of criminality”, they “steal, rob and attack hundred Shiptars in his espionage Romanians”, “wealthy Gypsies stole even network.” Most frequent are those candies”, they are unclean, while manifestations of intolerance towards the “commonsensical people comply with the minorities in the Serbian media, which hygiene rules to be observed in any lead to allegations of cleansing, of a hospital” while those “in Buzau do not homogeneous society. For example we want jobs, but social assistance money.” read, “Other ethnic communities in these The negative feelings towards this minority lands are undesirable, redundant.” are so strong that there are even pejorative characterizations with an explicitly racist Media in Bosnia-Herzegovina are chara- content: “Four little niggers [Roma].” The cterized by negative images towards degree to which the Roma are portrayed different nationalities in thecountry, negatively is evident in the very traditions depending on who owns the medium and of Romania which are then transmitted and the national identity which struggles to reproduced by the media: “according to an define itself [e.g. Serbian media write old saying ‘you eat like a Gypsy, behave like against Bosniaks and Croats, or Muslims a Gypsy, dress like a Gypsy’ therefore - ‘as and Catholics; Bosnian media - against guilty as a Gypsy’” Elsewhere, we even read Croats and Serbs, or Catholics and media’s admission that, in fact, “The Orthodox, and Croatian media - against

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Serbs and Bosniaks, the Orthodox and the pejorative characterizations and collective Muslims]. This vicious circle of national generalizations are the Serbian followed by identities trying to defend and impose the Muslim minority there. For example themselves by producing negative images reporting on Serbian soldiers is colored by of the ‘others’ leads to the following strong anti-Serbian stereotypes: “Mr. Cicak stereotypes and pejorative characte- gave the journalists a picture of the Greater rizations: “balije” [pejorative name for Serbian beasts, who allegedly cry before Muslims]; “poturice” [convert to Islam]; fleeing from Croatia. Every reasonable “Turks”; “Islamic fundamentalists”; “Djjhad person knows that they cry from happiness, soldiers”; “Islamic terrorist forces”; looking forward to the hospitality of the “Mudjahedins” ;“Bosniaks are a handful of international war criminals a la Milosevic, lepers who will respect the Croat Arkan and the Chetnik leader Seselj.” laws”;“there will be no Croats, no Tiurkey, but only the Republic of Srpska.”; “When The Greek media have started producing the wolves from the mountain of and reproducing a prominent feeling of Trebevicdecide to start, the Turks will “Albanophobia” among the Greeks since remember who the Serbs are. When the the arrival of a significant number of Serbs start from all sides, there will be no Albanian immigrants in Greece. In fact, if Muslims alive”; “balije [are like] we look deeper, we will see that plague”;“when lies and the Serbs are “Albanophobia” in Greece is more a Greek concerned, their is no possible mistake. media product than a reflection of social They are all liars (...) The more they lie, the and political attitudes. The Greek media more they are Serbs(...) The bigger the lie, have cultivated a high level of tolerance to the better the Serb(...)”; “Ustasha” ‘hate speech’ directed towards Albanian [pejorative for Croats; the pro-fascist immigrants, putting aside the fact that until collaborators during WW2.] When recently there used to be no institutions in necessary even a superiority attitude is Greek society, which were ready to invoked to annul the significance of all prepare both sides for a harmonious “others” in order to affirm the national self: coexistence. ‘Hate speech’ produced by “The New York bankers hate us, the Serbs, the media, in turn, reproduced more because we are the best European nation prejudicial attitudes towards Albanians, and the cornerstone of the European leading to antagonistic and negative civilization(...)” relations between Greeks and the Albanian immigrants and, in turn, between The Macedonian media primarily Albanians and Greeks in general and the reproduce and cultivate negative images of Greek minority in Albania in particular. Of the numerous Albanian minority in this course, negative images in the Greek country, thus treating this minority with media are not directed only towards the suspicion. For example, we read that, Albanians but also towards all immigrants. “Albanians push Macedonia into war.”; “the So we read in the media: “Albanians ‘have Shquiptar [Albanian] parties in the choked’ Imathia”; “the bestiality of the government which, after a finger was given Albanian thugs”; “Greece is about to come to them, took the whole hand and are now under Albanian occupation(...)”; “The reaching for the head.” But we also find the Greek state is obliged to (...) uproot them reproduction of inter minority feuds: and cut their legs off.” An example of how “Political parties of the minorities [Albanians political parties and the government have and Turks] want a tax in blood from us, the participated in and enhanced the Macedonians-Muslims.” production of negative images and fear mongering about immigrants in general In the Croatian media the major victims of and Albanians in particular, is the

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statement made by the leader of the official license etc., etc.” There is no hesitation to opposition M. Evert in Parliament: “The reveal the origins of this fear mongering; foreigners make up 6% of the workforce at so we read in the media the release of the the expense of the unemployed Greeks. In Holy Synod of the Greek Church: “all these addition, most of them are not insured and ‘religions’ and organizations aim at the thus deprive the insurance system of fading of the national consciousness of revenues. This situation cannot and should their victims.” According to Father not go on any longer. It has to be stopped Nektarios “it is surely a deed not only of at once. We are determined for that”. At Satanists but also of other Atheists and another occasion we read: “The country is other Jehovah’s Witnesses, who respect flooded by torrents of foreigners”; “most of neither the icons nor the churches.” On the them choose to join gangs and the Mafia in same line we read: “the war has overtly big cities. In this way, they earn more been declared by the enemies (...) of the money faster.” On the other hand, the idea faith, the history, the nation (...) Boetia has of providing immigrants with education in even been acclaimed the ‘capital’ of their language is an anathema since it Jehovah’s Witnesse, one is for sure: that would threaten the Greek nation. they are not kidding. It is time we (the “Albanian schools in GreeceSuch an act Greek Orthodox) stop kidding ourselves.” however, not only opposes our national interests,undermining of our national The only internal minority which is openly interests.” As in most Balkan countries, in a target of multiple derogatory spite of its participation in European characterizations and collective institutions and considering itself a generalizations by the Greek media are the democratic state, Greece remains strongly Gypsies, since all other minorities are intolerant towards religious minorities, ‘non-existent’ and the contradictions with especially in view of the entanglement that the Muslims of Thrace leave little room for persists between the Greek state and the the wide circulation media sources to Orthodox Church. Hence, besides the engage in ‘hate speech’ production that established religious faiths - Catholics, may provoke tensions between Greece Protestants and Jews - who are often and Turkey. Thus, we read for example, victims of the Greek media’s negative that: “Gangs of gypsies rape, steal, kill. images because they threaten the national Murderers in Athens”; “Terror everywhere. faith, the smaller and less known religious Effusion of crime. The gangs (...) of Gypsies “sects” are attacked mercilessly and there shoot to kill”; “The revenge of Gypsihood. is no limit to the negative images that are The unrestrained gangs knock about and invented to nullify them as such. Thus remain at large”; “EL.AS should not back KEFE, or the so called Scientologists, is off. (...) It is obliged to clean up this place presented to be“a dangerous heresy”,“a from the scums of society who murder and school of murderers”, “an organization of rape (...) There is no more latitude(...) hallucinations”, “an international gang with Cleaning up and extermination of all these money, sex and suicides”, “a terrorist- rascals in whichever convenient way.” destructive organization which incites the(...) extermination of every opponent.” Greek public opinion is intimidated by the 4. Attacks against minority activists media with images such as: “Hundreds of dangerous parareligious organizations Other manifestations of ‘hate speech’ are ‘recruit’ youths. Destroy families. Organize media attacks against minority activists, ‘armies’. Threaten lives. Insult Greece, who are often called agents of “mother” moral principles, the Church. Apply insane country, autonomists or separatists, thus methods. Evade taxes. Operate without bringing forth suspicion and hostility

20 general presentation towards the minority in question. So we read for example about the In the Bulgarian media, for example, we “Rainbow autonomists”, “an read about “foreign agents”: “Turkish unprecedented provocation of the agents conspiracy in the Rhodopes mountain.” of Skopje”, a “pro-Skopjan, anti-Greek The Serbian media, following the official small band.” Less frequently, but as a line, calls the leaders of the Albanians of means to mobilize the public against Kosovo “secessionists” and “terrorists,” in Turkey which is manipulating the Muslim order to awaken defensive and aggressive minority, we read about “Fears about feelings amongst the Serbian population. provocation in Thrace(...) (...) foreign secret There is talk about the “Shiptar services intend to create a hot spot in secessionists” an expression used often by Thrace and the target of a potential many Serbian newpapers; it is deprecatory provocation will be the dense Muslim in a double sense - against an ethnic group minority, which is already under and connoting secession. In Romania, mobilization under instructions from the media express an openly hostile attitude Turkish consulate in Komotini.” towards the Hungarian minority, especially towards the latter’s party - UDMR. “The government in Budapest employs in 5. Attacks against NGOs, journalists, Transylvania a kind of chauvinism which intellectuals proves to be now, in UDMR’s [Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania] ‘Hate speech’ against independent policies, the same incurable disease”; “The journalists, intellectuals and NGOs who Hungarian State - Instigator of UDMR’s question both the status quo and the Anti-Romanian Actions”; “The UDMR national myths is frequent among media in terrorists ”; “the Hungarian minority the Balkan region. In contrast to the media unjustified separatism, following purely of mature democracies where conflict and political interests” ; “the devil’s disciple[the opposition are recognized as an element of UDMR leader, a clergyman] proposes can policy and society, media in ex-communist you believe it? - HUNGARIAN AUTONOMY or ex-socialist states tend to have an IN TRANSYLVANIA!”; “The insolence of heightened sensitivity and emotional Hungarian leaders goes beyond the sickest prejudice, which take the form of ‘hate imagination”; “UDMR Neo-Nazis Shout”; speech’ concerning independent “Functioning according to the conspiratory intellectuals and actual or alleged ex- principles of the Mafia and Freemasonry.” communists. The former are attacked The collaboration between different because there is a lack of democratic minority leaders is another image often consciousness and therefore a lack of presented by the Romanian media, in tolerance for a diversity in opinions, while order to create a sense of national the latter cannot be viewed in any other insecurity among the Romanians: “The way than as carriers of the authoritarian Gypsy chief Dan Voiculescu, followed like a consciousness of the past and therefore servant by the Jew Florin Bratescu”; any metamorphosis which they may have “Gypsies and Jews ...have schemed to undertaken is viewed suspiciously. In fact, subdue the Romanians by making use of the passion for a complete rejection of the various plans and means; but with the past, as the only alternative to its abolition same goal: to enslave Romanians in every aspect of everyday life, naturally economically speaking, to annihilate their leads to adverse authoritarian and freedom in their own country” In Greece, prejudicial attitudes, which hamper the the media targets the public opinion process of democratization. through fear mongering about the leaders of “the so-called Macedonian minority.” The more totalitarian the previous regime

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has been, the more absolute the rejection observe an absence of democratic of the past and therefore the more consciousness in the form sensibility intolerant are the media towards the views towards authoritarian tendencies in politics of democratic intellectuals who do not and society which opposes the idea of a praise the new “good society,” or of ‘good society’ rid of conflicts and accepts intellectuals who are suspected still to be opposition and debate. affiliated with the ideology of the old “good society” that failed in its project. The A characteristic example of intolerance to dominant imagery is that of a society rid of media pluralism can be observed in the conflict, which is called a “democratic” media of Montenegro where we read that and “open market” society. The idea of “the EU has estimated a long time ago how democracy as a continuously developing much each one of our independent media process of social and political institutions costs.”; “little money is given in exchange is still quite foreign and the media cannot for strict obedience to the foreign bosses”; but reflect this democratic immaturity “the work of such media is not worth more which still provides fertile ground for ‘hate than that.” speech’ directed against the idea of freedom of opinion, or freedom of speech. Most Balkan media demonstrate great difficulty in tolerating the alternative NGOs, independent intellectuals and opinions and practices of NGOs. Thus in journalists are, therefore, viewed as “spies” the Romanian media “the Romanian and «traitors» by the media of societies Helsinki Committeee” is attacked for seeing which have not yet had a sufficient practice Hungarian party representatives because of the democratic rules of freedom of this could “could only smear, once again, speech and of participation in matters of Romania’s image in the world, for interests civil society. In addition societies that ‘we overlook’.” In the Serbian media engrossed by nationalist feelings NGOs, we read an anti-NGO and an anti-West independent intellectuals and journalists report about “Hosts of all sorts of cannot be viewed in any other way but as ‘rapporteurs’ perambulate Sanjak these “traitors” to the national cause and days. With the help of the local ‘protector of supporters of foreign interests. So we have human rights’ Sefko Alomerovic [the Chair two factors leading to ‘hate speech’ against of Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in an autonomous and pluralistic civil society Sanjak] they spread blatant lies about Serbs in the Balkan region: firstly the habits of and the status of the Muslims in Sanjak.” the authoritarian inheritance and secondly Bulgarian media, employing very direct the defensive and aggressive national self anti-NGO negative images, tell us that: that we encounter so often in the area. “[The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and The Human Rights Project are] “profiteering In the Balkans we encounter a lack of a from the ethnic intolerance in Bulgaria.”; democratic consciousness which in the “Different pseudo Liberals and pseudo post communist states is not only a human rights defenders like the notorious product of nationalist ideology (as is the Mr. Krassimir Kanev [the Chair of the BHC] case of Greece) but of the authoritarian are regularly inventing fabrications to leftovers of the previous regime, making incriminate Bulgaria in front of the world democratic attitudes more difficult to and to gain his foreign salary.” acquire and enhancing nationalist passions, which appear to replace the Serbian media of Bosnia attack all Serbs ideological unity which used to provide (to who chose other than the nationalist path. institutionalize) the previous authoritarian So we read that “[The Serbs living in the regime. In the Balkan media we can still government-controlled areas are labeled

22 general presentation as] «traitors», «Alija’s Serbs.» and an anti-European attitude: “For the Media intolerance in Albania towards all European Community it does not matter that may recall images of the past is very that the lady representing Article 19 in strong. Thus there is an abundance of ‘hate Tirana has some obligations to the chiefs of speech’ directed towards the Socialists and the leftist press in Albania because she has the independent intellectuals [we are slept for a long time in their houses.” The dealing with the 1994-95 period when the Croatian media’s sensitivity is strong when Democratic Party was in power]. We read it comes to the accusations against alleged thus, that: “Serbia spends hundreds of war criminals. They provide an occasion thousands of dollars in Albania to finance for Croatian nationalism to be reproduced dogmatic leaders of the Albanian and for the low level of democratic opposition, former PLA leaders and the consciousness to be confirmed through newspapers ‘Koha Jone’ and ‘Zeri i reports on NGOs, intellectuals and the Popullit.’”; “When the Democratic Party alternative media: “There is no doubt that a asked for independent newspapers, large campaign for putting Croatia on the Sigurimi created ‘Koha Jone’ through which court bench has been launched in the it intended to intimidate the public opinion international circles recently. Allegedly and, at the same time, to guarantee Serbia there are violations of human rights and the its own newspaper in Albania.” rights of national minorities here. The basis Independent intellectuals and NGOs are of that campaign was presented by the suspected of being foreign agents or ex- International Helsinki Federation for communists: “The Enemies of Albania.”; Human Rights (IHF)”; “The people who “Ambassadors of Soros, instead of true have defamation as their purpose, cannot ambassadors of the Albanian culture”; do anything else but make trouble. Ivan “Fatos Lubonja denied our identity”; “[The Zvonimir Cicak [Chair of the Croatian Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC)], ex- Helsinki Committee, CHC] is involved in agents of Sigurimi [the Albanian Secret personal forgeries, gargling in the quicksand Service] persons with corrupted Cicak makes insulting stupidities, spreading biographies”; “[the aims of the AHC’s leftist, demagogic, moldy phrases and member Arben Puto are] a) to defend with trying to add new elements to the old, but all possible means the Communist crimes permanent accusation of alleged Croatian and their authors(...) and the persons who genocide”; “The fact is that Cicak’s work for are against democracy today; b) to profit this Committee is not -to put it mildly- at all materially from this committee as much as Croatian”; “always the same people from possible” ;“According to a recent document Croatia work in ‘sister’ organizations such Arben Puto has the role to undermine our as the Balkan War Report, the Aspen democracy through his organization [the Institute, the Helsinki Committee, the Anti- AHC] which, through a partly underground War Campaign, Press Now and Pax Christi activity, works on the eve of the elections treat the state as an African one, while every for the communists’ case.”; “Judas Arben.” normal person sees that it is European. will About independent journalists and anti- make a mountain out of a molehill. Look nationalisst intellectuals we read that they how they have succeeded in transforming are “Graphic excrement.”; “Bollino President Tudjman from a participant in the [‘Gazeta Shquiptare’] is well known for anti-fascist war into an ‘Ustasha!’ just defamation and Stalinist attitudes”; “[the overnight”; “Mr. Banac. Just some five or six journalists of ‘Gazeta Shquiptare’] are months ago the latter was a serious ready to sell not only their mother’s candidate for the office of President of the language but even themselves”; “Racists as Republic. Instead of that, he was offered Bollino have to be expelled from Albania.” the position of Parliamentary Minister of There is also a combination of anti-leftist the Serb minority in Croatia”; “states eight

23 general presentation

points for Cicak’s and Banac’s insults process of democratization and the against the Croatian people because they development of a democratic equate the genocidal aggressors - the Serbs consciousness, while bringing forth a - with Croats and other non-Serbs against ‘justified’ arbitrariness and intolerance of whom Serb savages committed the most the authorities and the public opinion. terrible crimes ever seen in history.” In Montenegro, in accordance with the It is interesting that Greek media, mostly official Belgrade position, the media due to national, cultural and religious frequently provides examples of ‘hate insecurities, have a high level of ‘hate speech’ against the international speech’ against independent intellectuals, community, which is seen as “plotting journalists and NGO’s that have a non- against Serbs and Montenegrins.” We read ideological or non-chauvinistic attitude that Bosnia exists as an independent state towards Turkey and speak of the Republic due to the West or that Serbs were attacked of Macedonia and of the existence of both by the West and the Vatican. “Do minorities in Greece. Thus we read in these wretched people know that even the reports with negative images, that “Some Austro-Hungarian empire didn’t succeed in native ‘flowers’ [pejorative ironic term in creating the non-existent Bosnia”; “ in the Greek] like some Pan. Dimitras end the Serbs would be very similar to the [spokesperson of Greek Helsinki Monitor], Kurds.”; “The Vatican’s conspiracy against were very welcomeprobably overdid it in the Serbs.” The Kosovo Serbian media, in his talk, presenting our country as the the same line, victimizes the Serbians. We biggest minority oppressor in the Balkans”; read that: “the USA and Germany are “In a well-governed state, people like Nikos financing ‘Ustash’ [pejorative for Croatian] Dimou [a well-known writer and member militants”; “German officers and soldiers of the Advisory Council of GHM] would participated together with American have been arrested long ago”; “Didn’t instructors and consultants”’; “For Dimitras hear anything about the centuries the Vatican has been plotting barbarities of 1955? Or is he by any chance against the Orthodox Serbs, under the straining at a gnat and gulping down the pretext that it fights against schismatics, camel? (...) Only devious people and criminals, etc”; “so the Pope and Broz have hypocrites would waive the comparisons.” struggled against the same enemy - against the Serbian people, against the Serbian state and culture” ; “the Vartican, the 6. Attacks against the West American administration and the Fourth Reich have trampled down all civilized Another common use of ‘hate speech’ is norms of behavior against the Serbian employed in attacking the West, for Orthodox nation”; “the barbaric example in suspecting that it provides bombarding of civil and military targets in agents and participates in plots against the Republika Srpska, [which] clearly indicates interests of the nation in question. In many that the aim of the USA and its allies is not cases the origin of such negative images of simple revenge but the total annihilation of the West lies both in national insecurity the Serbian people” The Serbian media and in the communist ideology of the “big present an image of the whole international brother” who plots and decides the destiny community, especially of Germany and the of the world. However, the important thing USA, as “plotting to exterminate the brave is not whether what are defended are the Serbs”, while Catholicism and Islam are remnants of a logic that belongs to another “the masterminds” of the above mentioned time or a visible or invisible nationalism. plot. We read that, “The Drina is the Croat The consequence is that it hinders the dream, and the Vienna-Islamic goal:

24 general presentation fundamentalists and Catholics, Muslims bench has been launched in the and Croats, are jointed in one federation in international circles recently”; “The Washington”; “200,000 Krajina Serbs its Hungarian Jew, Soros, and various other enforced migration might well have been anti-Croatian, anti-human and anti- coolly typed on the political computer of Catholic organizations are poisoning our some baron in the West with the idea to youth.” construct his peace”; “It is a misconception that hired guns are usually Americans. Their Greek media saw a Western, mainly hands are clean: they get the UN, local American, bias in favor of Turkey during conscientious citizens, universalistic the Imia crisis: “With American backing the intelligentsia, fundamentalists, and when (...) game in Imia. Made in the USA”; “the this is not enough, they take plances, and Allies [are] Pro-Turkish (...) Pilates”; “anti- rocketsNazi, American, Terrorist, Greek and a lot of times pro-Turkish the Organization”;“The special UN reporter for Europeans’ attitude”; “filthy American plan human rights first and foremost is the with Turk executioners”; “the Americans Vatican’s and Germany’s man of confidence fell in love with Ciller but they want to a.k.a. vehement anti-Orthodox”; “The screw us; go to hell, you perverts!”;“the Hague Tribunal has made it clear to the national humiliation in Imia is THEIR DEED Serbs that in the contemporary world there which they will bitterly regret.” Similarly, all can be crime without punishment, or action which is actually or apparently in punishment without crime, depending on favor of Macedonia is a consequence of what the powerful say.” the “ puppets of American diplomacy in Macedonia.” The war in ex-Yugoslavia is Romanian media present an image of a interpreted entirely from the Serbian or the Western takeover of the country Orthodox point of view. Thus we read reminiscent of the communist period about “a major provocation, the murderous vocabulary: “never have our intelligence shelling of Sarajevo”; “A conspiracy of the services been so powerless and paralyzed West’s secret services is behind the by foreign agents, never has the Romanian slaughter in the market of Sarajevo, but also been so scoffed at by all these foreigners behind the respective one which took place who rob us and plot to tear our country to last year”; “When NATO wants to bomb pieces”; “The historians can also offer Serbia, it will drop a bomb in Sarajevo, kill documents to persuade the US that it is some people and then bomb”; “The new against historical truth to incriminate fascism has decided to wipe out the brother Romania in the Nazi-Fascist Holocaust Serbian people” ?”; “The Ushtasha - Museum; against historical truth is also to according to an old Serb- are the greatest declare marshal Antonescu a war criminal”; fascists since the world was made and so “NATO and the UN turn into Mafia gangs”; are the Americans and Germans who help “Soros Foundation - Horrible Sink of Orgies them.” NATO is presented as “a useless and Criminality”; “Soros Foundation - organization of insane politicians and Stinking Gutter of Sex Orgies and militaristic criminals (...) Which anthropoids Criminality” are these hot-headed dwarfsworms.” The Greek media reflect the official sensitivity Croatian media follow official positions in towards the Turkish minority (recognized criticizing the West for being responsible only as Muslims) and reproduce ‘hate the campaign against its war alleged speech’ images which imply plots, agents, criminals or for the Soros Foundation, conspiracies etc.: “The Turk agents of MIT which is considered to epitomize anti- who pretend to be the ‘offended’ Muslims Croatianism. “There is no doubt that a large of W. Thrace were received even by (...) campaign for putting Croatia on the court generals in Ankara!”; “these deplorable

25 general presentation

rascals, wherever they areGreece will throw found out that, especially yesterday [25/3] out of her soil, of her area, any scum who nothing happened on the rocky-islet” Or, wishes to plot against her national similarly, from another source, “Oh, no independence and honor” (statement by and again no! This time the Turks went too PASOK MP E. Yannopoulos). “An exercise far (...) To put in doubt the reputable of blackmail about Thrace. NATO and the analysts of [the TV stations] ‘MEGA’, Turks conspire”; “NATO undermines ‘Antenna’ (...) (as well as of a lot of Greece’s national independence.” The newspapers) who insisted vehemently all conclusion of the Greek media is that these three days that we were to have a ‘hot minorities in Greece are an invention of incident’ in Imia on March 25? Well, this international human rights organizations goes far beyond any limit! (...) Next time I and the U.S. Department of State reports: request that the whole Turkish battle plan “despicable report of the State Department be ‘on air’ so that they would know exactly on the(...) oppressed minorities in Greece”; what to do. Let’s say that this time there “on human rights which are allegedly was (...)a lack of coordination” and this is oppressed in Greece”; “Anti-Greek hysteria why “the goats on Imia are still waiting for against our country via the report on human the Turkish ecologists.” At another instance, rights”, because “the State Department again in the Greek media, we read about sees minorities-ghosts.” the Satanist burning a church; something which never took place as such.: “Satanists burn the churches!”; “ The Satanists prepare 7. ‘Hate speech’ based on “non-facts” human sacrifices!.” What followed was an almost invisible denial a few days later, in Another manifestation of ‘hate speech’ is the small print of only two newspapers, information based on “non-facts” which where it was stated that the police had usually afterwards are not denied although already established that the Orhomenos they have been disproved by facts. The church had been burned down out of intention was naturally to mislead public negligence, while no progress was made in opinion. This kind of false information is identifying the causes of the second fire. non-information because it is not based on real facts, but, rather, the objective is to Simalarly, the media first wrote of “Saint produce more or strengthen negative Michael and Gabriel in the flames of attitudes that may exist towards a group of Satanists” ; “An invasion of Satanists in a persons or an individual. Such “non-facts” cemetery.” Later it was admitted that “the can appear whenever the event is still firemen did not find any symbols of going on and information flow is still not Satanists in the remains of the fire and complete; in order to limit it to a particular consequently the arson was attributed to point of view, “non-facts” are added to the common -impious- criminals.” So when it existing information. In Greece, for became obvious that the Satanists had not example, during the Imia crisis the media committed those acts, the related played a strong role in danger-mongering information was published by some about apparent events in Turkey which had newspapers but took up less space in the never happened. We read in the Greek columns than their alleged implication in media in those days that in Turkey, “Radio the aforementioned incidents did. We read and television channels during the national that it was caused by a “vandal of the three-day festivities were full of: ‘the Turkish cemetery has psychological problems”; “ provocation in Imia is expected exactly on Satanists are three minors”; “Juvenile the national holiday’ (...) ‘Provocation by burglars”; “played a jokea gaudy one (...) the Turks on Imia on March 25’ (...) But, Unfortunately [some] newspapers, showing when the stories were running, the viewer absolutely no scruples, reached the‘panic

26 general presentation and agitation everywhere in Salonica [the Serbs] were living in Knin’ Tudjman because of the Satanists’ and other such compared Serbs to ‘cancer destroying the things.” Croatian national being at the very heart of Croatia’.”

8. ‘Hate speech’ provoking violence The Greek media, on the other hand, speak of the lost lands in the past projecting ‘Hate speech’ is sometimes employed in irredentism: “There are no lost fatherlands order to provoke violence, conflict and to but only unredeemed fatherlands and we imply irredentism. Consequently, it is should keep this in mind.” During the Imia obvious that ‘hate speech’ produced not crisis, the Turkish journalists’ activity on only by media but also by state authorities the islet was defined by the media in can contribute to a climate of manipulated exaggerated terms, in order to exclude any intolerance in which acts of violence, doubts about who the aggressors were: persecution, and arsons can take place. “landing,” “invasion,” “agents’ assault.” Raising aggressive intentions seemed to be In Croatian media, for example, we get an in those days the Greek media’s objective: uncritical presentation of the Croatian “Let’s stand up at Thermopylae”, “Ciller for President openly suggesting that the Imia? We for Constantinople () which is conflict between Serbs and Croats is beyond any doubt Greek”, “let’s answer irreconcilable, thus implying the with new Thermopylae, Marathons and justification of violence towards the Serbs: Salamines.” In any case, both feelings of “‘Croatia’s future was not safe, while they hatred and instigation to violence are

27 implied.

28 part II

summaries of national reports

mariana lenkova

29 summaries

monitoring and reporting on country during the same period of time. ‘hate speech’ in the balkan region The reports also investigated incidents in which specific instances of human rights abuse and violence appear to be related to In August 1995 the International Helsinki ‘hate speech’ in the media. Federation for Human Rights (IHF) embarked on a major documentation It should be stressed that the monitors project to monitor the presence of ‘hate were human rights activists (almost speech’ in the press and broadcast media exclusively people from the respective in the Balkan region. The overall goal of the Helsinki Committees), so an important project was to contribute to the aspect of the project was for it to be a development of responsible media which training exercise for these activists and not reflect the fundamental principles of a scholarly or professional research of pluralism and tolerance. media analysts. Due to this, the final products from the monitoring in the The specific objectives of the project were: different countries are rather dissimilar. Thus the more experienced teams 1. To build the capacity among non- produced comprehensive and in-depth governmental human rights reports, while others were less so. organizations within each of the countries/provinces to recognize, The GHM team, on the basis of its own systematically monitor and understand extensive reports, the two interim reports ‘hate speech’; it produced in December 1995 and in 2. to create a record of specific cases of March 1996, as well as on the basis of ‘hate speech’, especially where it national reports subsequently made appears connected to actual violence; available to it, undertook the challenging 3. to raise the consciousness of the task of writing the final report of the population about ‘hate speech’ and its project. link to intolerance, hostility and possible violence towards the targeted One should be aware that the book must individuals or minority groups within be read as ‘glimpses’ of hate speech, and the specific country and towards the not as an exhaustive study. This was due to population of a neighboring country. the fact that, as said above, some teams did more comprehensive reporting than others; The monitors were collecting and and that, for technical reasons unrelated to documenting ‘hate speech’ directed the national teams’ abilities, some monthly against four target groups: 1) individuals or reports from some countries were not minority groups (ethnic, political, religious, available to the authors of this book. For cultural, etc.) residing within the country; some countries, both shortcomings 2) populations of a neighboring country; 3) concurred. Hence, no one should compare human rights activists, anti-nationalist the intensity of hate speech between any opposition parties and independent two countries based on the extent of their intellectuals; and 4) journalists. coverage in this book.

On the basis of this material the monitors Even in such a situation, though, the main produced a series of reports which trends in the media are well pronounced. documented ‘hate speech’ in the individual Still, the best approach would be to read countries/provinces on a monthly basis this report in addition to the other work on placing it in the context of political the Balkan region, produced by other developments which have occurred in the teams.

30 albania

Greece have guaranteed to you? Why do you ask for schools in Gjirokaster, Delvine and The coverage that this neighbor gets in the Saranda at a time when these towns are Albanian media is usually related to the compact, totally Albanian?”; “You do not problems of the numerous Albanian have the right to say that you have immigrants in Greece. “For the names we contributed to soften the tension between are changing now we shall think over our two neighboring states, because at the tomorrow.”; “45,000 names changed”; time when the chauvinist Greeks, members “Greece incites the forgetfulness of the of those obscure circles which rule that Albanian names.” [The article treats the country today, tortured our immigrants case of the Albanians who change their putting lit cigarettes and napalm in their names in order to have it easier to be body(...)” (T.D, 25/11). allowed to go to Greece and to find a work there.] (R.P, 3/8); “In this world there are All these bring forth the following not only respectful Greeks.” (R.P, 12/9). conclusion: “The speculations of Greek chauvinism with the words ‘We are the On the other hand, there are the issues cradle of democracy’ are now proverbial. concerning the Greek minority in Albania, Wise people know that the present day which consequently involve Greece as Greeks have nothing to do with the ancient well. “If Greece really intends to honor its Greeks. On the contrary - the former are in soldiers who were killed during the Second every aspect the negative side of the latter. World War, it can take their bones and put Even their slyness, being much more banal, them in a new pantheon in Athens, while in is different from that of Ulise. They speak Albania will honor only those who died for with pride in the name of ‘the cradle of Albania.” [the article is accompanied with a democracy’ but their state’s activity is an caricature of a card player who holds three example of tyranny, and their relationship cards: the minority card, the Orthodoxy with the Albanians - a sign of barbarity.” card and the card of emigration, i.e. Greeks (E.D.K, 23/1) play against Albania with these three cards.] (A, 5/10). Serbia The party supported mainly by the Greek minority is subjected to mockery and Serbia is generally seen in the context of hatred: “The President of the Association of the difficulties that the Kosovo Albanians the Gypsies held at the conference that encounter. Thus the attitude of almost all 120,000 Gypsies are faithful solders of the Albanian media is openly hostile both PBDNJ [the minority party Union for the towards Serbia itself [“To give shelter to the Defense of Human Rights]”; “considering Serb refugees in Albania? This is that there are only 60,000 Greeks in Albania unacceptable”; “Before I would have made this party risks to change its base of support him three questions: First, if he hates the from the Greek minority to the gypsy Kosovo Albanians or not, secondly if he minority.” (A, 17/11); “The conference of agrees that Kosovo is a part of the Albanian, the anti-Albanians.”; “PBDNJ puts itself out thirdly of he is against the flee of the of law” (B.I.K, 23/11); “PBDNJ - an Albanians from Kosovo. According to his instrument of OMONOIA.”; “Albania is not answers, I would have given to him shelter multiethnic; it’s a compact ethnic state or not.” (G.S, 1/8)], and towards anybody from Tivari to Preveze, from the Adriatic to who dares have a more tolerant opinion. Skopje.”; “A tribute [the conference] for [“The humanism of Ceka [the leader of the falsifications of history and the truth(...)”; Democratic Alliance, who suggested that “What do you want more than what we Serbian refugees from Krajna be accepted

31 albania

in Albania] plays for the Serbs.”; “(...) his it more difficult to rule over Kosovo.”; “We, [Ceka’s] cosmopolitanism as a politician who are in the Secret Police, are at the and his statement that he is ready to give service of the Socialists, the opposition and shelter to a Serb refugee at his home sounds Serbia, which supplies the money. Serbia very shivering(...)” (R.D, 16/8); “The alliance needed the ‘Koha Jone’ daily from the very with the executors of the crime” (R, 9/8)]. beginning, so it supplied money especially “The Attack” - a poem by the most well at the moment of the inception as an known Albanian writer Mitrush Kuteli full independent newspaper. The money of hate against the Serbs and Montenegrins received by ‘Koha Jone’ used to come in where the word “shkjah” with a very abundance from Serbia some years ago, pejorative meaning is used - was published whereas now it is rich enough with the in E.D. (4/8). money it has received, becoming the first newspaper in Albania thanks to its In January the negative image of the Serbs nourishment by Serbia. Hence, there has was enriched with one more accusation: always been a good relationship between “The Socialists and ‘Koha Jone’ are financed Serbia and Albania’s communist system by Serbia”; “Hundreds of millions per year (composed of Socialist opposition spies, of for the Albanian Communists. The secret ‘Koha Jone’ and ‘Zeri i Populllit’). There has police [Former Albanian Sigurimi] takes the been a good understanding between the money from Serbia in order to finance the Serb and the Albanian communists. It has Socialist deputies and the ‘Koha Jone’ started a long time ago and belongs to an daily.” (A., 24/1); “in the last few days an ‘historical’ tradition. In the context of this ex- Sigurimi agent has told him that huge understanding, the Albanian communists sums of money are coming from Moscow, have been puppets of Serbia and Serb through the Serbs, to reach the Albanian policy since Kosovo is a big problem for the Socialists and the ‘Koha Jone’ paper. Serbs.” (A, 30/1); “We are referring to the Through this money the Communist world fact that we, the Albanian communists, leads the spying activity against the ‘Albania’ have always been strangers and devoid of paper and controls the policy of Tirana’s human sentiments. We have been government.” (A, 24/1). A whole series of compelled to always play the roles of articles followed, all of them implying puppets which the Serbs ordered us to Serbia as the ‘bad guy.’ “USD 20 million recite aloud. This pressure led to an from Serbia to destabilize Albania.” (A, abnormal and destructive coexistence, for it 25/1); “The report of the Zanoni Press has always represented a situation devoid Office, published in the ‘Albania’ yesterday, of freedom, a situation in which suffering discloses the greatest political scandal in from domination was an obligation for us, Albania. The report indicates that Serbia in the same way as you suffered from it spends hundreds of thousands of dollars in when you tried to impose it on others. The Albania to finance dogmatic leaders of the Albanian people have been tortured by us, Albanian opposition, former PLA leaders while the agents and we - the officials of the and the newspapers ‘Koha Jone’ and ‘Zeri i regime - have been tortured by the Popullit.’” (A, 25/1); “When the Democratic Yugoslavs, to whom we were compelled to Party asked for independent newspapers, obey in the name of the Albanian people. Sigurimi created ‘Koha Jone’ through which The Serbs have always bought us, the it intended to intimidate the public opinion communists, and we have always sold and, at the same time, to guarantee Serbia ourselves out for their money in order to its own newspaper in Albania.” (R.D, 26/1); keep alive our delirium of power and “Serbs invest in the Socialists in order to wealth, which ran counter to the interests keep Kosovo.” (A, 27/1); “Had Albania of the people.”; “The Serbs have set their been stronger, the Serbs would have found eyes on Albanian prosecutors and have

32 albania tried several times to buy them but have composed of] “people nostalgic of the not succeeded. We, from the Socialist past”, “secretly connected with the Socialist opposition, are still trying to buy the Party”, “ex-agents of Sigurimi [the Albanian refugees of the present Republic. In fact, we Secret Service]”; “who are interfering in the - the agents - have been ordered to bribe affairs of justice.” (R.D., T.D.); “The open some prosecutors in Fier and bias on the part of nostalgic of the past Gjirokaster(...)” (A, 1/2) people, as well as the presence of persons with corrupted biographies, are not to the benefit of an institution [the AHC] that NGOs, Independent Journalists, symbolizes the respect for human rights in and Intellectuals Albania.” (A, 22/10); “[the aims of the AHC’s member Arben Puto are] a) to Most of the monitored media showed a defend with all possible means the tendency to use defamation and hate Communist crimes and their authors(...) speech against individuals, just on the and the persons who are against democracy basis of the latter’s political beliefs and today; b) to profit materially from this activities. “The Enemies of Albania.”; committee as much as possible” (R.D, “Ambassadors of Soros, instead of true 12/12); “If any sneak pretends that this kind ambassadors of the Albanian culture.”; of paradox [the defense of the persecuted “The speech of Fatos Lubonja concerning people by their persecutors] is in Albania was banal and very offending. He accordance with the democratic rules, we denied our identity.”; “offending for the will answer that they are in harmony with dignity of the country”; “Albanians sold to the shame of democracy. Kristin fon Kohl, the foreigners.” [after Fatos Lubonja’s who does not know the situation in Albania speech at a meeting of intellectuals] (A, and can fall into the traps of A. Puto who 29/9); “This man [independent intellectual appeals for human feelings toward a Edi Rama] who shows himself today as if criminal like Nexhmije Hoxha or a thief like being a sinless priest cheated shamelessly Fatos Nano.”; “According to a recent the French people when Albania was a document Arben Puto has the role to bunker and now, when Albania is trying to undermine our democracy through his gain its dignity, is lying again.”; “Since organization [the AHC] which, through a Albania does not facet the problem of the partly underground activity, works on the national pollution from the aggression of eve of the elections for the communists’ minorities, we are not appealing to be case.” (L., Dec.); “For this chameleon chauvinist nationalist. The fact that Albania which has extraordinary capacities to has persons like Rama and Lubonja is not change his face(...)”; “there are people who enough to encourage nationalism in order have seen with their own eyes his face of a to balance them.” (A, 3/10); “Look at the cannibal(...)”; “Judas Arben [Arbet ‘famous’ intellectual [Edi Rama], the ‘giant’ Puto](...)” (R.D, 21/1). of Albanian culture who tried to show to France and Europe how cruel was the fate, Various journalists were also subjected to which forces him to live in a country hate speech. “Graphic excrement.” [about without dignity, cultural tradition and the writings of the independent journalist history, like Albania.” (R.D, 4/10). Frrok Cupi who supported Ceka’s statement on the Serbian refugees] (R, The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), 16/8); “From a Fascist newspaper to a Mafia member of the International Helsinki one” [an article against ‘Gazeta Federation, did not escape from this Shquiptare’] (R.D,6/8); “The newspaper of defaming campaign either: [the AHC is Bollino [‘Gazeta Shquiptare’] is well known for defamation and Stalinist attitudes.”

33 albania

(R.D, 17/8); “The humiliation of the (A, 12/3). There were also explicit insults Albanian language is an uncivilized act of directed to the representatives of the Bollino and his group (fighting unit) of organization: “The persons [in a pejorative speakers of Albanian.” (R.D, 3/8); “[the sense, like ‘the creatures’] from Article 19 journalists of ‘Gazeta Shquiptare’] know are now openly declaring themselves as even the prostitute’s and blackguard’s philanthropists of the leftists press(...)”; “If slang(...) they are ready to sell not only their for the honorable lady, the leftist journalists mother’s language but even themselves(...)” are more politically and aesthetically (R.D, 3/8); “Racists as Bollino have to be agreeable than the others, this is a matter of expelled from Albania.” (T.D, 22/9) female taste which has nothing at all to do with the funds of the European Community(...)”; “For these reasons the The International Community representatives of Article 19 in Albania are not credible(...) because everyone may A seminar, organized by the international think that they are concerned only when organization Article 19, got a one of the drinkers of Fidelli’s cafe, who predominantly negative coverage in the accompany the honorable Article 19 pro-Democratic Party papers. “SEMINAR representative during and after drinking are ONLY FOR LEFTIST JOURNALISTS”; “For attacked(...)”; “For the European the European Community it does not Community, it is not important that the matter that the lady representing Article 19 lady representing Article 19 in Tirana has in Tirana has some obligations to the chiefs obligations to some chiefs of the leftists of the leftist press in Albania because she press in Albania, because she has slept with has slept for a long time in their houses.” them for a long time(...)” (A., 12/3)

Table of media initials: Rilindja Demokratike (R. D.); Gazeta Shquiptare (G.S.); Zeri I Popullit (Z.P.); Koha Jone (K.J.); Aleanca (Al.); Republika (R.P.); Rilindja (R.); Albania (A.); Tribuna Demokratike (T.D.); Balli i Kombit (B.I.K.); Liria (L.); E Djathta (E.D.); E Djathta Kombetare (E.D.K.); Alternativa SD (A.S.D.); Populli Po (P.P.); Dita Informacion (D.I.).

34 bosnia

Muslims one pass judgments concerning a whole nation. It wouldn’t be serious. But, when The Bosnia Muslims are presented through the lies and the Serbs are concerned, there open hate speech in most of the Serb is no possible mistake. They are all liars. language publications, as well as in some From the child to the old man. From the Croatian ones. Stock words like: “balije” primitive peasant to the Patriarch Pavle and [pejorative name for Muslims]; “poturice” his axons. They are all liars(...) The more [convert to Islam]; “Turks”; “Islamic they lie, the more they are Serbs(...) The fundamentalists”; “Djihad soldiers”; bigger the lie, the better the Serb(...)” (H.R, “Islamic terrorist forces”; “Mudjahedins” 19/8); [The Serbs living in the government- (S.R.P, August) are the ones usually controlled areas are labeled as] “traitors”, employed. Open threats like the following “Alija’s Serbs” (S.R.P, August). are not the exception, but rather, the rule: “Bosniaks are a handful of lepers who will respect the Croat laws, otherwise they will Croats cease to exist(...)” “(...) now this is the Croatian state, not Herzeg-Bosnia. If Balija The Croats also get their share of hate [pejorative name for Muslims] do not speech. They are usually referred to as accept this, they will cease to exist.” (C.TV “Ustasha” - the pro-fascist collaborator S.M, 20/1). “there will be no Croats, no during WW2. (S.R.P, August). Turkey, but only the Republic of Srpska.”; “When the wolves from the mountain of Trebevicdecide to start, the Turks will The International Community remember who the Serbs are. When the Serbs start from all sides, there will be no Depending again on which national group Muslims alive.” (S.R.P, September). Thus speaks, different external enemies are the conclusion comes that “balija [are like] condemned. Thus for the Serbs everything plague”, so “life is impossible with balije”; is to blame on “the Vatican-Islamic “(...) it is better to live as a refugee than to conspiracy” (S.R.P, August). This live with them [balije]”; “it is impossible to conspiracy involves almost the whole live in Alija’s state(...)” (S.T.P, February- international community. As Dragosh March) Kalajie, Vice President of the Committee for the protection from the Den Hague Tribunal, says “The Den Hague Tribunal is Serbs not a real Tribunal. It expresses the position of the USA(...) The New York bankers hate On the other hand, when Muslim or Croat us, the Serbs, because we are the best media write about the Serbs, the same European nation and the cornerstone of the hateful generalization (with a changed European civilization(...)” (S.T.P, 24/2) target) come to play. “How often could

Table of media initials: Hrvatske Rilec (H.R.); Glas (Gl.); Serbian Oslobodjenje (S.O.); Oslobodjenje (O.); Vecernje Novine (V.N.); Serb TV - Pale (STP); Croatian TV - Studio Mostar (C. TV - S. M.); Srpski Radio - Pale (S. R. P.).

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Roma 7/10). What can be more convincing than the following story, which brings forth the This group has an almost daily presence in strongest possible hatred towards all the Bulgarian media. The usual suggestions Gypsies. “A butcher impaled his lover”; are that all its representatives are “not “the sentimental romance between a gypsy simply criminals but born sadists.” That is and a Bulgarian woman ended with a why the reader is faced with horrifying barbaric murder”; “the beastly dark- pictures like the following: “A THUG FROM skinned butcher impaled his sweetheart, THE TOWN OF ISPERIH COMMITS stabbed her face and her naked body with a VICIOUS MOCKERY WITH A RELATIVE OF kitchen knife, and in the height of execution HIS, A MOTHER WAS BAKED ALIVE IN AN bit off her breast” (T, 31/10) OVEN”; “A ROMA BUSINESSMAN TORTURES THE WOMAN FOR HALF A DAY, CUTS HER EARS” (24 C, 2/8). “Gypsy Boys Turks Chopped Two Old Men with an Ax for a Lump of Cheese” (168 C, 20/8). “Railway There are two basic lines of reasoning Robberies - New Vocation of the Gypsy employed by the media while discussing Gangs”; “Laying siege to trains and robbing issues related to the Turkish minority. On them have become traditional occupation the one hand they present the danger of of whole kins of the dark-skinned.” “Gypsy economic and political domination of the gangs of 20-30 people every day ransack Turks in the Bulgarian areas in which they trains loaded with cigarettes, electronics, are the majority of the population. “Dogan etc.” The article concludes with a [the leader of Turkish minority’s party - the generalizing comment about the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, MRF] unmotivated cruelty of the Roma: “If they Threatens with Ethno-crisis”; “Tatarchev cannot pinch something, the robbers give [Bulgaria’s Chief Prosecutor] is Passive”; way to their spite by breaking and cutting “ethnic turbulence”; “anti-Bulgarian whatever is left.” (24 C, 30/8). “A Gypsy politics” (N, 29/10); “(...) the outlook of the Raped an Orphan; the incident is not an creation of some ethnic, religious or party exception due to the fact that the orientated investment or privatization orphanage is next to the Roma funds. Quietly are some people preparing neighborhood” (S, 27/9). “A Gang of to do it, others are just announcing their Gypsies Rape a Youngster”; “Gypsies will intentions. The MRF demonstrates it with Drown the Town of Pernik in Blood to an extraordinary arrogance. Moreover, this Revenge on Raiko Krasta” (N, 20/9). “A party is not hiding its intentions to exploit Perverse Gypsy Makes Porno Photos Using the mass-privatization to establish Schoolgirls” (24 C, 15/10). Thus the idea economically autonomous regions from that Gypsies and Bulgarians cannot live the places where our countrymen the together is introduced and recycled again Muslims live.”; “In the respective and again. “The Gypsy Paradise is Hell for companies [eventually privatized by the the Bulgarians”; “Another Battered Soul, Turkish minority] there will be no jobs for How Long?”; “tortured Bulgarians who live Bulgarians and probably the Bulgarians will in Gypsy ghettos” [and] “do not dare to go refuse working there. This will lead to an out in the Gypsy paradise”; “arrogant unprecedented migration wave of ethnic Gypsies” vs. “helpless Bulgarians.” (A, Bulgarians, who will lose their livelihood in 25/10). “Every third offense in Bulgaria is the region, in return the Turkish population committed by Gypsies”; “an act of revenge will increase in absolute number. In other against the Gypsies on the part of the words these Bulgarian territories will be Bulgarians, victimized by their attacks” (T, taken over by ethnic Turks.” (D, January).

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On the other hand is the ever-present threat of Islamic fundamentalism. “Islamic Moreover, the new religions are feared, Activists Secretly Gathered Children Near because of their supposed influence on the Pamporovo” (D, 22/8). “Thousands of decision makers of the country. “Sects Dollars for Preparation of the Massacre in detain Bulgarian intellectuals and statesmen Bulgaria”; “Bulgarian Muslims are the New with sex related discredits”; “People from target of Muslim Extremists” (168 C, 18/9). the elite of our society fall into the sects’ clutches. Shameful materials about Apart from that the media stress their politicians and their families are expected suspicion on Turkey’s role in regard to its to appear.” (S, 23/11). “The Mormons co-patriots outside its borders. “Turkish exported three hundred thousand archive conspiracy in the Rhodopes mountain” (S, microfilms”; “every second Bulgarian has a 1/11). “Kurdzhali [a Bulgarian town where file in the archives of the Mormons in Salt many Turks live] is arming itself with Lake City.” (K, 15/12). organized deliveries from Turkey” (S, 21/11). As a result of all this, the situation The Islamic “sects” are not forgotten is seen as particularly bothering, because either: “the foreign missionaries spread “The MRF can shed someone’s blood on among Bulgarian Muslims the most account of the elections in Kurdzhali” (D, dangerous Islamic branch, which calls for 27/12) and because “The Bulgarian Turks ‘sacred war’ against all other religions” (168 will demand autonomy before the year C, 18/9); “The Islamic fundamentalism and 2000” (K, January). the sects crucify the Bulgarian traditional values” (N.T, January).

Religious Minorities Some other, even more “obscure” cults are also presented as “centers of the ultimate Media are openly hostile to any religion evil.” “The Psycho-Center SCIENTOLOGY - other than Orthodox Christianity. The the realm of evil”; “undermining of souls Evangelists from Word of Life are called through God’s name sacrilege.” “The sect “soul bastards”; “on account of a single [Scientology] has already set up branches right [freedom of religion] of several dozens in Bulgaria” (NS, 15/10). “Satan followers of misled boys and girls, the rights of the will disseminate universal death in the era whole nation and of the state may decline of Aquarius”; “dark sects are preparing (K, 18/8). Thus the reader learns that collective suicides and mass slaughter in “YOUNG PEOPLE FROM WORD OF LIFE the new year” (24 C, 30/12). [are] WORKED WITH NOXIOUS CHEMICALS TO PAY FOR THEIR BELIEF” Keeping all this in mind, it is not surprising (24 C, 21/8). “A village in the Rhodopes that the following textbook was approved shrieked its complaints against Evangelists’ as a teaching material by the Ministry of orgies” (D, 23/8). The following accusation Education in December 1995. “In recent is the most frequent: “The Gurus from time the non-traditional religious sects are Word of Life are Turning our Children into being persecuted in many West European Janissaries.” (N, 19/9). Oftentimes the countries; they are being outlawed and papers do not specify which religion they subjected to legal repressive action on part have in mind, because the mere label that of the law-enforcement bodies (police, something is a “sect” is enough to prosecution, security services, etc.) influence the readers. “A Nine-year Old Nevertheless, it had been a long time before Boy was Kidnapped by His Sectarian restriction upon the activities of non- Mother” (N, 28/9). traditional religions, had been exerted in this country, a fact which allowed the latter

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strike stable position in Bulgaria. Coercion Minority Studies and Intercultural of predominantly young people and Relations). propaganda of social passivity, in combination with use of psychotropic Moreover, the people who work for these methods (for example ‘brain-washing’), organizations are “traitors of the national poses a serious threat to society and interests”, because “The human rights national security.” (“The Sects - Soul activists [from the BHC] accused once Hunters”, a book by Georgi Stoyanov). more our country that it allegedly discriminates against people due to their ethnic belonging” (T, 6/11). “Different NGOs, Independent Journalists, pseudo Liberals and pseudo human rights and Intellectuals defenders like the notorious Mr. Krassimir Kanev [the Chair of the BHC] are regularly The NGOs are seen as spies of foreign inventing fabrications to incriminate states, which have unlimited funds for Bulgaria in front of the world and to gain his financial support. “Obviously the activities foreign salary” (24 C, 20/12). “It seems that of such organizations [The Human Rights rights and freedoms are more essential than Project] serve somebody’s interests” (D, our national security” (168 C, 1/8). 8/8). “[The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and The Human Rights Project are] “profiteering from the ethnic intolerance in The International Community Bulgaria”; [follows an ironic suggestion to] imprison only criminals with a certificate Some international organizations also get for pure ethnic origin, so that the European negative coverage in the Bulgarian mass monitors be sure that we [Bulgarians] are media. “Amnesty International Sobs In Vain strict in observing the Gypsy rights.” (T, About Beaten Gypsies in Bulgaria” (T, 7/10). 4/9). “Foundation dissipates dollars for “If Soros went to Turkey and Israel to ‘open’ research”; “unthinkable spilling of money”; them, he would be chased and kicked out”; “distributing money to Gypsy children to “a liberal brothel reigns in Bulgaria. Bulgaria party and, so called, go back to school” (D, is not governed by Bulgarians and for the 13/12; against the International Center for benefit of the Bulgarians” (168 C, 1/8).

Table of media initials: 24 Chasa (24 C); 168 Chasa (168C); Dneven Trud (T); Noshten Trud (N.T.); Zhult Trud (Z.T.); Standart (S); Nedelen Standart (N.S.); Kontinent (K.); Novinar (N.); Demokratsia (Dem); Duma (D); Bulgarian National TV - Channel 1 (BNT-1); BN TV - Channel 2 (BNT-2); Nova TV; Bulgarian National Radio Program ‘Horizont’.

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just wanted to steal that money. Yuck! Those were wonderful times! Winter would come. In that winter we celebrated New Serbs Year, and Santa Clause brought us presents. Santa Clause’s face would never appear Serbs receive some of the strongest before December 28th , in case anyone negative coverage in the Croatian media. would ever think that we celebrated ‘their’ Even the Croatian President openly says [the Serbs’] pre-historic Christmas.” (H.S., that “‘Croatia’s future was not safe, while F.T, 22/12); “This is why the hey Slavs’ hurt they [the Serbs] were living in Knin’ feelings had to be redeemed on New Year’s Tudjman did not hide his relief at the fact Eve. It had to be made clear to everyone that the Serbs had left Krajina, stressing that that this was ‘Serbian land,’ so Serbian his appeal to the Serbian population during young men can do whatever they please the Storm military operation was made there(...) All these years we have been only for the world’s sake. He compared listening to traditional folk music (it was Serbs to ‘cancer destroying the Croatian understood that ‘folk’ referred to Serbs national being at the very heart of Croatia’ only). Every year we watched Mijo Aleksic and concluded that ‘There is no return to and above all - Ckalja. He was a real hey the past.’ He did not ask them to return. He Slav with a cocked ‘sajkaca’ or, at times, ironically bid them ‘bon voyage’, bidding with a greasy French beret - a merry, stupid, them farewell with many harsh, ugly and but tricky Serb from head to toe, a man most inappropriate words for a politician, whose personality embodied the victory of allowing vengeance and hatred to flow out the Serbs against the Croats” (H.S, 29/12); from his mouth.” (N.L, 3/9) Similar racist “Communism is perfect, they used to tell qualifications are made by other politicians us, but the people are not good, because as well. “Serbs are much shorter than people are not perfect. The people had to Croats; with small, unintelligent and conic be changed, removed, killed, because they heads and all their complexes and crimes were not perfect and therefore - they were they commit are the result of those physical unable to implement perfect communism. features. Croats, as a superior race, would And those people were us. And that is how win in the end.” (N.L, 29/8, a statement by we have waited for years for our Messiah, Tudjman’s personal representative Sime lived in hope, which slowly faded, in order \odan, one of the radicals of the Croatian to understand why we had to undertake Democratic Union); “One cannot trust the such a long and narrow tunnel. At the end Serbs even when they speak the truth. I am of this communist tunnel, the Serbs waited glad that I am not a Serb. I am a mutt - I for us, shot at us, threw missiles, grenades, have German, Slovak and Croatian blood, bombs and knives at us, destroyed, burnt but not one bit of Serb blood, and that and killed not only our hopes for a better makes me happy.” (H.S, March). socialist future but also us” (H.S, 26/4).

Indeed, the usual attitude is that Croats are On the basis of all this, the following superior to Serbs, while Former Yugoslavia generalizations are made: “One could ask is seen as a “mother” to the Serbs and an the question about the fate the Serbs obnoxious “step mother” to the Croats. created for themselves. The insanity they “Croats could be easily put off by: ‘No, you demonstrated, the nazism they enveloped cannot have it!’ And the wonderful state themselves in, the cowardice which poured which fed them, would not give the money out of them, the double-facedness which to the Croats. No gratitude on the part of adorned them both in times of war and the Croats! The hey Slavs [pejorative for diplomacy, the lies with which they praised Serbs] allowed them to work at the Serbian themselves, the blood-thirstiness for which seaside during summer, and these Croats they praise themselves even in their

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literature. All this put them into the position Macedonian singer living in Croatia], why of negotiators who are not on even ground. didn’t you marry a Macedonian? Is it They wanted to be this, they did not want because they are short, dark, and generally to be on even ground. Until now, they have good-for-nothing(...)? Ljupka, what always considered themselves to be above differences are there between Croatians and all the others. However, they became Macedonians? They say that Macedonians something altogether different. The insane are not especially civilized.” (C.T, 1/1) On opponent, whom some wish to use for the other hand comes the following their advantage, and others have already statement, which openly advocates ethnic learned to evade, because of his cleansing of the non-Croats. “We have incompetence. Such an opponent, whom often been accused of wanting a Greater both sides support, so that he does not Croatia. God Forbid! Such a Croatia would tumble down.” (Vs, 25/7) include Iran, Karantanija, White Croatia, Crakow (...) What we want is a real Croatia Even the future bilateral relations between with its borders being Subotica - Zemun - Croatia and Serbia are seen through the Drina - Sandzhak - Boka Kotorska. We don’t “magnifying glass” of hatred. “On this want, therefore, anything too big. If our occasion we should add that Croatia and Croatian Muslims today do not wish to be Serbia must normalize their bilateral Croats, they will wish to be one day. One relations. They must recognize each other, must have patience. And those Serbs, if they but to their ‘Cece’, ‘Brene’, and ‘Tijanice’ had stayed in Croatia - they would all be the Croatian borders should stay closed Croatized within one or two generations.” forever. And that should be established by (S.D, May) law for at least the next 50 years. Let them sell their philosophies of ‘no one is to blame’ and ‘why did we need this’ to the The International Community Romanians, Bulgarians and Greeks. But between our two states a Chinese wall Whenever different countries and must be erected. On the Danube and in the organizations raise their voice against middle of the Bokakotorska bay. And that violations of human rights in Croatia, the should be done as soon as possible and media postulate that “There is no doubt should stay forever(...)” (H.O, 1/1); “In that a large campaign for putting Croatia on reality there is only one minority lying the court bench has been launched in the behind minority rights - the Serbian one. international circles recently. Allegedly The latter actually has refused to accept its there are violations of human rights and the status as a minority and regardless of their rights of national minorities here. The basis numbers, the members of this minority see of that campaign was presented by the themselves as a majority. Behind the ill-will International Federation for Human Rights concerning the return of the Serbs, the (IHF), released to the public on September Croats, helpless and undefended, hear how 1. The report is based on the findings of the they would be forced to accept the return UN monitors and presents facts about the of the treacherous Serb bandits, who fled ‘systematic destruction and theft of Serbian after their defeat.” (H.S, 3/5) homes and public buildings’ and makes hypotheses about the existence of ‘mass graves in the Knin cemetery.’ The statement Macedonians and other nationals also contains the testimonies of individuals from Former Yugoslavia who have witnessed maltreatment and killing of Serb civilians during and after the Some of the former “sister” nations are not Storm military-police operation. It is further spared from the negative attitude of the said that the IHF obtained its information Croatian media either. “Ljupka [a from the Croatian Helsinki Committee.”

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(H.O, 10/10). War Crimes in the Area of Former Yugoslavia’(...) Under a mask of high aims Some newspapers are even more hostile in and alleged CHC autonomy, Cicak makes their comments on the supposedly good- insulting stupidities, spreading leftist, will advice which is given to Croatia from demagogic, moldy phrases and trying to abroad. “Topich considers the comparison add new elements to the old, but with a similar ‘district’ in Berlin ridiculous, permanent accusation of alleged Croatian because there are only Germans in Berlin, genocide(...) On the wings of this Cicak- while in Mostar there are two nations. ‘If Krapac edition, in which they have involved this thing which Koschnik wants in Mostar some young, they say talented composers were possible, why doesn’t he, Kinkel, and of sick melodies, all these fly out of Croatia others go to Switzerland and make mixed into the warm circle of the international cantons of Germans, French and Italians?’ public, which has never been as thirsty as There they have only pure national cantons, now, after the settling of war accounts. but when they come here they wonder why They are thirsty for Pilate’s type washing of we don’t want mixed cantons. I wonder the hands. Here, at home, it is a matter of why they have to be surprised by our sadism in tandem. Crossed-arm sadism. attitude. Or maybe they consider us About the perversion of war voyeurism. members of some tribes!?” (V.L, 12/8); From that comes the sweet delight in “Thus, in its desire to be the leading force advance of a trial. This is just one step from influencing the future of Southern Europe, the lynching” (V.L, 12/8); “The fact is that Britain is interfering with the internal Cicak’s work for this Committee is not -to political affairs of Croatia, searching in put it mildly- at all Croatian and is different them the possible formal explanation of its from the work of Vladimir Sheks, who own political actions (...) The so-called founded the Croatian Committee for ‘Zagreb crisis’ is one such explanation” (Vs, Croatia as far back in time as in 1988 (of 19/5); “The Hungarian Jew, Soros, and course, without any salary), and whose role various other anti-Croatian, anti-human in founding this organization in democratic and anti-Catholic organizations are Croatia is completely ignored.” (V.L, 3/5). poisoning our youth.” (V.L, January) The position of the people working at these organizations is found extremely NGOs, Independent Journalists, damaging for the country because “(...) and Intellectuals always the same people from Croatia work in ‘sister’ organizations such as the Balkan In harmony with the idea of the War Report, the Aspen Institute, the international conspiracy against Croatia, Helsinki Committee, the Anti-War NGOs which dare smear the good image Campaign, Press Now and Pax Christi? And of their country are accused of being well- yes, they simultaneously take each paid traitors. “The people who have opportunity to attack our government in defamation as their purpose, cannot do power? Europe would not have any idea anything else but make trouble. Ivan about some evictions, if all those Zvonimir Cicak [Chair of the Croatian organizations together did not make such a Helsinki Committee, CHC] is involved in big deal out of them and then promoted personal forgeries, gargling in the their cause through various petitions and quicksand. Every day in every way, he is political lobbying. A government which blowing things up in order to get hold of refuses to play by their rules bothers them. more and more, but he immediately turns They treat the state as an African one, while everything around him into mud. His latest every normal person sees that it is achievement is summarized under the European. In the name of ‘equality,’ which common title ‘International Tribunal for they are so fond of, they would like to

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control the major media, the intellectuals, people commit is the fact that they defend and to force the authorities not to take the human rights of the Serbs inside and carefully considered self-defensive outside of Croatia. “So that this interview measures. Unfortunately, our authorities leaves an even better impression on the sometimes do that, and that is exactly what Polish readers, Mr. Cicak gave the they want. They will take advantage of every journalists a picture of the Greater Serbian occasion and will make a mountain out of a beasts, who allegedly cry before fleeing molehill. Look how they have succeeded in from Croatia. Every reasonable person transforming President Tudjman from a knows that they cry from happiness, looking participant in the anti-fascist war into an forward to the hospitality of the ‘Ustasha!’ just overnight” (Vs, 17/5). international war criminals a la Milosevic, Arkan and the Chetnik leader Seselj. Not Even the well-known intellectual Ivo Banac accidentally, Cicak tried to further blacken is accused of being a “blind weapon” in the the present Croatian government chosen hands of foreign interests. “When Mr. by a majority of the Croatian people just Banac is in question, the work-provider before the October 29th elections” (V.L, [referring to Soros] should this time tighten 12/8); “His [Cicak’s] activity for the his purse-strings a bit more. Namely, the Croatian Helsinki Committee is in uncovering of the dangerous disease which accordance with his ‘turnaround’. He daily is biting this work-receiver who has accuses Croatia through periodic interviews intellectual strength, in conjunction with in domestic and foreign press, statements, the market offer made by the work- discussions, round-tables () He has provider, have radically diminished the transformed himself into a virtual grant made to Mr. Banac. Just some five or contradiction of himself - into an extreme six months ago the latter was a serious denunciator of Croatia and a fighter for the candidate for the office of President of the ‘human rights’ of Serbs” (H.O, 6/5). Republic. Instead of that, he was offered the position of Parliamentary Minister of And last, but not least, the media publish the Serb minority in Croatia” (H.O, 10/6); some extreme statements which carry “(...) states eight points for Cicak’s and reminiscences of the Dark Ages, as an Banac’s insults against the Croatian people interview with Milan Ivkocic. “As because they equate the genocidal conservatives we believe that people are aggressors - the Serbs - with Croats and not equal, just as nations are not the same. other non-Serbs against whom Serb savages That is why we would like to create the committed the most terrible crimes ever conditions for women’s return to their seen in history.”; “To those who constantly traditional role tied to the home, so that invite us to pardon criminals and their gender differences are respected. In this we associates I suggest they come with rolled- differ from the leftist feminists. That is why up sleeves to the smoking ashes left behind we are going to break up such meetings of by the Serb fascists in Croatia so that they theirs (...) We are against all those feminist sober up from pardoning and take the and pacifist groups because we suspect that appropriate court proceedings against these their members are the enemies of the criminals, as is be the practice in developed Croatian state who, just until yesterday, Europe, in America, and in the rest of the were communists or Yugoslavs. We would moral and civilized world.” (Vs, 6/6). like to intimidate, even though we are not terrorists in the sense that we will not open An especially serious “crime” which these fire on every person who does not have a

Table of media initials: Vjesnik (Vs); Vecernji List (V. L.); Novi List (N. L.); Slobodna Dalmacia (S.D.); Glas Slavonje (G.S.); Hrvatsko Slovo (H.S.); Feral Tribune (F.T.); Hrvatski Obzor (H.O.); Croatian TV (CTV).

42 greece clear conscience, but he is a good Croat” teaching of the Greek language” (AP. 22/9, (N.L, 9/1) p. 4). “The efforts of all Albanian govern- ments aim at the complete de- Albania Hellenization of the ethnic minority through attacks against the areas of the The approach of Greek media when it Orthodox religion, language, history, comes to covering Albania can be traditions etc.” by leading to the summarized in one word “Albanophobia.” “strangulation of Greek education in This is true both as regards the coverage of Albania” (AP. 1/9, p. 6). the relations between the neighboring countries, as well as of the situation of the The day following the snag in the Greek- numerous Albanian immigrants in Greece. Albanian talks, there was a plethora of information associated with incidents in The talks between Greek Foreign Minister Greece in which Albanians were im- Papoulias and his Albanian counterpart plicated: “Albanian illegal immigrants ‘hit’ Sereki about the educational rights of the villages in Imathia [in Northern Greece]” Greek minority in Albania, in early (A.T. 2/9, p. 14); “Albanians ‘have choked’ September, were not fruitful. This Imathia” (K. 2/9, p. 7). However, “Tirana provoked the media to speak of should learn that Greece is never black- “intransigent” (SKY 1/9), “narrow-hearted” mailed nor does it tolerate offenses. The (ET1 1/9), “particularly provocative” (MEGA time of the whip has come” (AP. 2/9, p. 4). 1/9), “inflexible if not offensive” (E.T. 5/9, p. 6), “rigid” (A. 3/9, p. 1) behavior of Mr. The rebellion of the inmates in the largest Sereki, his “attitude of conceit and prison of the country in Korydallos, in mid- arrogance” (AP. 2/9, p. 4), making him November, which started with the assault appear as “an irrational and insolent of a drug addicts’ group on the pharmacy neighbor” (AP. 2/9, p. 4), “cruelly negative” and resulted in the detention of prison (E.T. 2/9, p. 5) when he “insisted(...) like a guards, was presented by the media as tyrant on the matter of the Greek minority’s “the dominance of both the ‘law’ of brutal education in Albania” (ETH. 2/9, p. 4). “The violence as well as of the bestiality of the Albanians’ inadmissible and totally anti- Albanian thugs and the Greek ‘godfathers’ democratic positions which nevertheless of the night” (AP. 18/11 p.13). “In the proved to be like ‘reinforced concrete’” prison the problems are caused mostly by (E.T. 3/9, p. 18) constituted a the Albanians” (ETH. 17/11 p.14), “armed “premeditated humiliation by the with (...) drills, knifes, iron bars and pieces Albanians” (E.T. 2/9, p. 9) since the of broken glass, the almost 300 Albanian Albanian Foreign Minister “arrived with the inmates of Korydallos play a leading part in mask of a good neighbor” (E.T. 1/9, p. 6) the acts of violence. What is more, most of only to transform himself to an the juvenile prisoners have fallen victims to “untrustworthy” man (ETH. 2/9, p. 4), who outrageous maltreatment, even to sexual had only one purpose: “Papoulias, do learn one” (AP. 17/11 p.14). Moreover, “the to read” (A.T. 2/9, p. 6). Albanians, brandishing the knives, do not want to hear anything about bringing the “The Albanians became insolent!..” (AP. uprising to an end” (AP. 19/11, p.14), and 2/9, p. 6) is the only conclusion which the “they spread fear and panic among the media could draw after “[T]he Tyrants of others” (ETH. 18/11, p.14). In the light of Tirana, by the most impertinently manner the above gruesome picture it is only which springs from the obscurantist regime natural that readers are offered the of Hoxha, did not allow after all the following a multiple-choice quiz: “Is it bad for an Albanian lifer to rape a juvenile Greek

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in custody? a) Not at all, for the sake of the building of a horrifying enemy in the strengthening of the relations between the face of the Albanians. The death of four two peoples; b) We deserve it because we people and the injuring of four more, after took Argyrocastro away of them in 1940; c) a fire had broken out in a house in Vyronas No, as long as it will not lead to a serious in the early hours of 11/12, was considered relationship. Is it allowed for a juvenile by the great majority of the monitored Greek in custody to resist his Albanian lifer Greek media to be a “holocaust by Albanian rapist? a) We have never heard of such ‘mobsters’” (K. 12/12 p.7); “a wild mass inhumanity; b) Shame on him to hurt a execution by the Mafia of Albanians” AP. poor foreigner like that c) It is brutal 12/12 p.1); “The Albanian Mafia gets out of racism!” (EL. 19/11 p.96). hand” (N. 12/12 p.1); “the dreams of eight Albanians were trapped in the nets of the There were some dissident voices which Albanian Mafia” (N. 12/12 p.16), as “the did not join the “choir of hatred.” “Racism? way this mass killing was done proves that Racism of course” (EL. 20/11 p.9). “There is it was organized by the Albanian Mafia” racism which is no longer latent but open. (ANT1 11/12). And as if these comments Which has affected the nadir of prisons, but were not enough, the papers started also the higher spheres of the intelligentsia. “injecting” the public with warning that Racism which constitutes a propaganda “Greece is about to come under Albanian object by the media out of frivolity (only?) occupation(...)” (E.T. 14/12 p.8); (...) We do not tolerate the contemptuous “Yesterday’s atrocious crime is almost reference to the people (...) We do not nothing compared to what daily happens tolerate the segregation between Greek and with the ‘Albanian Mafia’, all these tramps foreign inmates (...) Because if we let who dashed out of Albania’s galleys. (...) another segregation pass between them What are we going to do with them? The and into our conscience, then not only will thing is flaring up dangerously!” (ETH. the attempted disorientation by the 12/12 p.22); “the Albanians have turned godfathers achieve its purpose but also Athens into a jungle. We feel completely something worse will be achieved: the defenseless” (AP. 12/12 p.15); “The action increase of intolerance by geometrical of the Albanian Mafia has gone over the top progression. And the other will then be (...) The Greek state is obliged to (...) uproot only the other and not our man at all. But them and cut their legs off. And then, wrap didn’t fascism and nationalistic hysteria them up and send them back to where they begin somehow like that? (A. 19/11 p.3) came from” (AP. 15/12 p.12).

When PASOK’s MP D. Vounatsos said that However this hysteria did not overcome all “There are no lost fatherlands but only the newspapers. “From where can we unredeemed fatherlands and we should gather that the hideous crime in Vyronas is keep this in mind” (Mega 25/11), a deed of the ‘Albanian Mafia’? Is it possible Eleftherotipia was the only paper which to regard the indications, conjectures and disapproved of it “That is, let the areas the claims -of obvious expediency- of the inhabited by Greeks become parts of the Police as proofs, which produce Greek State, let us conquer Constantinople, unequivocal titles and unequivocal reach Kokkini Milia [in Asia Minor], let the decisions?” (EL. 13/12 p.30); “The marbled king [last Byzantine emperor] rise perpetrators are still unknown. Probably Al- from the dead and the likes. Aeraaa [war banians as the first testimonies insinuated. cry of Greeks against Italians in World War But they could also be Greeks (...) No matter II] (...)” (EL. 10/11) how the clamorous race-flatters insist, malice is not written on some racial genes In December the media kept working on nor is it completely absent from some other

44 greece ones, i.e. ours. And if a human turns into a this “explosion of the primitive right-wing” wolf for his fellow-human, his race is not to (EL. 11/5, p.24) of Mr. Evert who “with the blame for this nor are there criminals by racial attacks against the illegal immigrants birth and civilized by birth” (K. 12/12 p.1). [undertook] the role of Le Pen” (A. 11/5, Another story which stirred the Greek p.16). “Let us hope that our various neo- public in December was the “mass escape fascists will understand that they were not of Albanians from the prison” (A.T. 18/12 given a blank order to ‘take the law into p.48). The ferocious beating of the fugitives their hands’” (V. 12/5, p.17). “Fascism, after their arrest, as it was presented by racism, and populism go hand in hand. television stations, provoked the indignant They lurk in ‘reliable political and social reactions of many of the papers: “Excess institutions.’ And then, the -isms are even zeal or thuggery the beating of fugitives more dangerous. Because they take the after their arrest?” (R. 19/12 p.23); “No form of both a political stand and an invocation of the violent or tough character opinion which may carry away the ignorant of some Albanian inmates justifies such people. All those who do not know that brutal barbarity and excessive zeal of unemployment is not dealt with violent degradation!” (N. 18/12 p.16); “Those gory exclusions, but with radical changes in the Albanians who were dragged like animals in production process” (EL. 11/5, p.24). a slaughterhouse by executioners, may be in prison for a loaf of bread, two tomatoes, a forgotten overcoat. They may even be Bulgaria murderers, but which legitimacy gives the right to the barbarity of the men in uniform The Greek media did not have many emerge brutal, arbitrary and provocative?” articles on the northern neighbor. Apart (EL. 18/12 p.20). from the usual references to the economic plight of the people there, the only openly The Leader of the Official Opposition M. negative comments had to do with Evert said in the Parliament: “The foreigners different Bulgarian leaders. “The Bulgarian make up 6% of the workforce at the President against the rapprochement with expense of the unemployed Greeks. In Greece” (K. 1/11 p.1); “Zhelev blackmails addition, most of them are not insured and [us] with Turkey”, “the fact that the thus deprive the insurance system of Americans do not want the strengthening revenues. This situation cannot and should of Greek-Bulgarian relations at Turkey’s not go on any longer. It has to be stopped expense caused the statement by Zhelev” at once. We are determined for that” (A. (ETH. 12/11 p.17). He is “anti-Greek” (E.T. 10/5, p. 16). In the same context, we read 9/11 p.17), “pro-American” and “does not the following comments: “The alarm conceal his sympathy for the American pro- sounds in the nests of the extra sensitive Turkish plans” (A.T. 27/11 p.5) since “he is ‘windfuckers’ [anemogamides in Greek] ill-disposed towards Greece, claiming that (...). The supposedly progressive windbags the improvement in the bilateral relations have to understand that, after all, Greeks do disturbs Ankara” (ETH. 20/11 p.5); “It was not owe a thing either to the Albanians or not the first time that our ‘friend’ has to the Romanians or to the Poles or to the distanced herself from a ‘pro-Greek’ policy” Russians who arrive here for work and food (K. 3/11 p.9); “The expanded Greek- (...) The country is flooded by torrents of Bulgarian cooperation is being developed foreigners” (E.T. 14/5 p. 4); “most of them on a -also- precarious substratum. The choose to join gangs and the Mafia in big relation is not affected by the partner cities. In this way, they earn more money Athens but by the interposing Ankara. faster.” (E.T. 13/5, p.18). Here again there Athens’ obligation to keep her eyes open were some media who opposed strongly

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on Thrace is rendered equally evident” (A.T. band” (AP. 10/9, p. 15); “Greece is finished 16/11 p.4). To cut it short, there are only (...) a ceremony of Bulgarizing Florina (...) “stubs from the Bulgarians!” (E.T. 12/11 unprecedented preaching of hatred against p.26); “Headache of (...) equal distances. Greeks from the pro-Skopjans who admit New problem with Sofia’s ‘double talk’”(N. that they made a party seeking separatism” 9/11 p.3); “Zhelev’s crude blackmail (ST. 13/9, p. 1). towards Greece” (E.T. 21/11 p. 17) “Despite Reportedly, then, “the inhabitants of the friendship ‘attack’ by Mr. Stefanopoulos Florina were horrified (...) as they had not in Sofia, Zhelev insists.. Turkishly” (N. seen a sign in pro-Bulgarian characters in 23/11 p.5). their city since the time of Nazi occupation in 1941” (AP. 7/9, p. 8). “The declaration of the Vronteros’ Commune President, Mr. Macedonia Vassilis Tsepas, is characteristic of the climate that prevails in the area: ‘If they Whenever the issue of the existence of a think that we here are going to let our Macedonian minority in Greece is borders move south to Olympos, they are addressed, the impression that “the mistaken. We will arm ourselves to keep Skopjans have put forward an irredentist Greece in the place it deserves from its long demand for their(...) ‘minority’ in our history” (A.T. 7/9, p. 7). On the same day, Macedonia, when it is known that there are the offices were broken into and the sign neither ‘Skopjan Macedonians’ nor any was stolen. similar minority in Greece” (A.T. 9/9, p. 47), prevails. Besides, “there was never a On the whole, the print media stressed the distinct nation of Macedonians, it has never “provocations of the pro-Skopjans” making been mentioned anywhere and it does not use of headlines like: “Invasion of Slavs in exist. (...) This is a contemporary Florina” (A.T. 7/9, p. 7); “Pro-Skopjans ‘accomplishment’ of the Americans and raised their heads” (AP. 7/9, p. 8); “Slav their indigenous Filipinos in Skopje and in provocation by Rainbow AP” (E.T. 12/9, p. Athens.” (A.T. 9/9, p. 4). 10-11); “Uprising against Skopjan agents” (E.T. 13/9, p. 27); “Florina became a Although the cultural expression of the powder keg” (E.T. 15/9, p. 17) ethnic Macedonian minority is not tolerated, the Macedonian minority party Consequently, the hate speech produced Rainbow inaugurated its Florina office on not only by the media but also by the state September 6, with a sign in both Greek authorities contributed to a climate of and Macedonian. This action was manipulated intolerance in which acts of characterized as “an invasion of Slavs in violence, prosecutions, as well as arsons Florina” (A.T. 7/9, p. 7); “an unprecedented took place. “Such scare-mongering provocation of the agents of Skopje” (E.T. evaluations, such doomsday rhetoric 8/9, p. 9); “an insolence of the Rainbow poison the climate in the Greek border autonomists” (E.T., 10/9, last page); an area, they give the impression that a new action “of the members of the so-called ‘Western Thrace’ is emerging in Northern Slavomacedonian [sic] organization Greece, and they aim at dynamiting the Rainbow” (MEGA 7/9); “of the puppets of rapprochement with the neighboring American diplomacy in Macedonia” (R. country” (A. 8/9, p. 12). “Do the authorities 15/9, p. 3); “of teleguided provocateurs of believe that all these actions against Greek Gligorov’s irredentist regime in Florina” citizens are within the constitutional (E.T. 13/9, p. 4); “a provocation of the well- framework? Or do they believe that the known pro-Skopjan, anti-Greek small prosecutions do not expose the country internationally? (...) It seems that the spirit

46 greece of New York [where Greece and Macedonia This country is almost non-existent in the signed an interim agreement the same day Greek media. It was mentioned just when the Rainbow offices were set ablaze] will part of the media monitored presented not affect Florina for quite some time(...)” “four Romanians” (MEGA 2/4) as suspects (A. 15/9, p. 12). for the robbery and murder of the accountant D. Papadopoulos in early April. In later months, some of the papers started “Four foreigners killed an accountant in his an open campaign full of ad hominem office in broad daylight (...). Perpetrators of remarks against Father Nikodimos the atrocious murder are, according to eye- Tsarknias, who was indicted for witnesses, possibly Albanians or “pretension of authority” because he had Romanians” (A.T. 3/4 p.9). However, there become a member of the Orthodox Church was a dissident point of view: “They caught of Macedonia. PASOK MP S. Papathemelis the Romanians, the murderers ran away(...) said inter alia in a debate in Parliament: (...). The arrest of three Romanians, who “a(...) queer [in Greek, kinaidos: a word for were considered - without being- to be the homosexuals, with a highly offensive perpetrators of yesterday’s [2/4] ferocious meaning] priest was sent in Warsaw by crime (...) harmed the efforts for the arrest Gligorov in order to spread anti-Greek of the real murderers” (AP. 3/4 p.21). It is propaganda” (EL. 30/4 p.11). Eventually noteworthy that the disclaimer of the Father Tsarknias was acquitted on appeal Romanians’ involvement in the robbery by the Misdemeanor Court of Edesa (May and murder, was presented only in a few 8, 96). The acquittal was presented by cases: “As far as the Romanians who were some print media as “trial (...) of the well thought to be suspects are concerned, (...) known propagandist of Skopje (...) who was no evidence turned up against them” (EL. defrocked for being queer as well” (AP. 4/4 p.18); “after all (...) the four foreigners 13/5 p.10). “A Greek citizen and defrocked (...) had nothing to do with the murder and priest from the Church of Greece that were released” (MEGA 3/4). ordained him is at the same time an employee of a foreign state, hired to work against Greece! Indeed an unprecedented Serbia phenomenon called ‘human rights’” (A.T. 27/5 p.4). “An application in order to open The Greek media employed all their power (...). a Macedonian church in Macedonia to defend Greece’s valuable relationship will file the well-known corrupt to (...) the with Serbia. Most of the articles were full extreme Nikodimos Tsarknias, a former of hate speech towards the West and priest of the Greek Orthodox Church and different international organizations. The now a wandering agent of Skopjan shelling of the market of Sarajevo on propaganda (...) The essence of this case is August 28, which caused the death of 37 that the Skopjans have not got a better civilians and led to NATO’s military spokesperson of their propaganda than a reprisals against the Serbs, was presented ruthlessly corrupted person. It is natural by almost all Greek media as a provocation. that he is equally corrupted in other “The launching of the long prepared activities as well (...). Corruption is one operation “Deliberate Power” had as a thing, personal particularities is another(...)” pretext a major provocation, the murderous (A.T. 11/5 p.13). shelling of Sarajevo” (ETH. 7/9, p. 2); “A conspiracy of the West’s secret services is behind the slaughter in the market of Romania Sarajevo, but also behind the respective one which took place last year” (AP. 8/9, p.

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18) Germany and of their collaborators, the Ushtasha slaughterers of Croatia, against Moreover, “with half-words the revelation the two peoples who dared humiliate the that the Serbs are not implicated in the Axis. The Greek and the Serbian” (A.T. dropping of the shell in the market of 10/9, p. 19). Sarajevo [is reported]. (...) In this case, it is a provocation. When NATO wants to bomb There were few skeptical, if not outright Serbia, it will drop a bomb in Sarajevo, kill dissident views: “who is giving the right to some people and then bomb” (SKY 1/9). whom to assert unequivocally from Political Spring MEP, Ms. K. Daskalaki, kilometers away that the shell in Sarajevo mentions: “The airplanes from the other was dropped by the Muslims or the Bosnian side of the Earth mercilessly bomb the Serbs? As if any other possibilities do not Serbs, for whom there is the ‘certainty’ (I exist. As if all Muslims just as all Bosnian wonder how?) that they dropped the Serbs are completely `under control’” (A. famous shell (for the other one, the old 13/9, p. 6). “Because of the fact that one, the one of Muslim origin, there is millions of uninformed viewers are daily complete silence, and we have covered it invited to take a stand on disputes like the up very well), and they kill women and Bosnian one, the stereotypes of the good children which, since they are Serbs, it and the bad ones, the Catholics and the don’t matter very much” (K. 3/9, p. 4). Orthodox, the Croats and the Serbs, the According to this reasoning “the friends of the West and its enemies are Westerners, in an admirable accordance forged rather easily” (EL. 3/9, p. 41). “This with Attila, Hitler’s heirs and the Muslims year the headquarters of Greek everywhere, massacre a people -hero of the disinformation have decided to resurrect anti-fascist struggle and deeply Christian. the retracted hoax [that an EU report And they put the firearm on our temple: claimed that the February 1994 shelling of Back off!” (E.T. 5/9, p. 4). “The new fascism the Sarajevo market was done by Muslims] has decided to wipe out the brother Serbian and baptize it reality. Against the (...) real people” (A.T. 6/9, p. 10). reality that the Bosnian Serb terrorists are the ones who besiege Sarajevo from the In such a situation, it is not surprising that surrounding hills and who, only in the first NATO is portrayed as “a useless two years, had fired 300,000 missiles on its organization of insane politicians and inhabitants. You see, in Greece we are far militaristic criminals who have fired their behind Serbia. At least there, there are missiles against Bosnian Serb civilians. (...) many more who do not believe Dr. Which anthropoids are in the end these Karadjic, when he said last year (6/2[94]) hot-headed dwarfs of NATO so that they that the 68 dead people were shop fire their missiles safely against CIVILIANS? windows’ mannequins!” (A. 8/9, p. 6). And how does mankind put up with these worms?” (A.T. 12/9, p. 3). “The Ushtasha - At the beginning of the new year John according to an old Serb- are the greatest Shattuck, US Undersecretary of State fascists since the world was made and so responsible for human rights, visited the are the Americans and Germans who help Serbian capital and made a statement that them” (ETH. 4/9, p. 35). “Some scums, “some 7,000 people are missing after the who consider themselves to be occupation of Srebrenica” (A. 23/1 p.4) by ‘progressive’, applaud a murderous NATO the Serbs. This was characterized as “a operation which has been ordered by the bomb of an American Undersecretary. They powerful of Islam, the important oil-rich got(...)a shovel for war crimes” (ETH. 23/1 states. And they satisfy the feeling of p.25), “new anti-Serbian mania” (K. 23/1 vengeance of the Huns from neo-imperialist p.1), “new anti-Serbian ‘attack’ of the Press

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(...) the international Press prefers to ‘exploit,’ once more, certain denunciations In addition, “new provocations in Imia. A about the existence of common graves Turkish warship prevented the Greek which contain victims of the Serbs from the shepherd, who was accompanied by two of ‘slaughter in Srebrenica’” (K. 23/1 p.8). our warships, from getting on the rocky- “The West is ‘blind’ to the Muslim ferocity. islet,” “a new unprecedented provocation” They are trying to present the Serbs as the (MEGA 16/3), “incident [which] marks the only ‘bad’ side” (E.T. 23/1 p.21) provocative and aggressive attitude of Turkey Turkey in the region” (statement by the Minister of the Press D. Reppas, SKY 19/3), Turkey is the country which gets the most since “every day that goes by, the Turks profound hostile coverage in the Greek become more insolent in the Aegean” media. Indicative of this characteristics is (statement by PASOK MP Karolos the near real war over the rocky islet Imia, Papoulias, E.T. 20/3 p.5). Also, the Turks which the media in Greece started and “‘locked’ the (...) doors of the Aegean!” then their Turkish counterparts flared up (ETH. 18/3 p.1), “Imia # 2 set up by the even more [See separate chapter on the Turks” (N. 18/3 p.1 title). At the same time, Imia Crisis]. “the Navy and the Coast Guard deny the(...)hot incident which the shepherd of Almost a month and a half after the incident Imia describes” (EL. 18/3 p.1). “And he between Greece and Turkey in Imia we should stop deploring us with Imia and his saw that “the escalation of the Turkish animals because - it is about time he knew provocative attitude is not a seasonal it - the country will not get involved in phenomenon” (ETH. 3/3 p.8). “Ciller’s new adventures for a barren island just because provocation” (E.T. 2/3 pp. 12-13); “a hostile this is what the bellicose and the channels ship rams a warship of ours in Imia!..” (A.T. which directed the crisis want” (EL. 18/3 2/3 p.1). “A new Turkish provocation” (A. p.20). 2/3 p.3), “dramatic and extremely dangerous incident” (A.T. 2/3 p.10), “A In such a climate the following quotes are Turkish patrol boat (...) provocatively indicative of the aggressiveness cultivated violated our territorial waters [and] rammed by the media: “new Turkish provocations. the Greek gunboat” (MEGA 2/3). “The (...) Representatives of the informal minority allegedly ‘secular’ state of Turkey follows committee which is controlled by the faithfully the example of its bloodthirsty Turkish Consulate in Komotini, met (...) founder Kemal Ataturk” (A.T. 3/3 p.10), with Turkish President Suleiman Demirel, “Ankara’s dirty game (...) for Tigris - who expressed, in his statements, Ankara’s Euphrates” (E.T. 3/3 p.32), “Turkey is now full solidarity with the ‘Turks of Western opening a front even in Thrace with the Thrace’” (E.T. 1/3 p.20). “A new agents of Komotini Consulate as the spear- provocation from Demirel. The minority head” (E.T. 3/3 p.18). “Tomorrow [the question indirectly raised by the President Turks] will reach Euboea (...) Should by any of Turkey” (AP. 1/3 p.6), “impudence is chance our (...) infallible finally make a more than enough in the prospective mistake?” (AP. 2/3 p.9). However, it was European neighboring country” (EL. 1/3 also said that “this new Greek-Turkish p.8), “the Turks seem to be determined to ‘incident’ with the warships near Imia looks escalate the tension” (K. 2/3 p.3), “The Turk more like a collision (...) But there must be agents of MIT who pretend to be the no complaint. We did not let it ride, mildly, ‘offended’ Muslims of W. Thrace were the ‘incident’ (...) Yes, yes no complaint at received even by (...) generals in Ankara! So all!” (K. 3/3 p.24). that there is no doubt any longer about what they are getting at (...) And because in

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Greece the self-explanatory things must not Greeks!” (comments by ND MP V. be omitted, we ask: ‘Have we started taking Polydoras, AP. 12/3 p.8). precautions?’” (EL. 1/3 p.64) However, the question was asked: “By the way, why is it “The Turks play with fire in Imia. They plan thought to be exasperating for the leaders to send (...)ecologist agents on the rocky of the Muslim minority to go over to Turkey, islet on March 25” (AP. 23/3 p.5), “Turkish to be received by Mr. Demirel and to care agents, dressed up as ecologists this time, about the rights of the minority? (...) Excuse may attempt to (...) feed the goats” (A.T. me, but when leaderships of our minorities 23/3 p.5), “on a standby for a new hot come to Greece, do we bring into play the incident” (EL. 23/3 p.1), “as the national same characterizations?” (EL. 2/3 p.24). holiday of March 25 comes close, the concern that Turkey will move on to new At the same time, “continuation of the provocation in the area is increasing” provocation (...) We have a provocative (MEGA 23/3). “Ankara plans provocation in attitude, let’s call it like that, at the airport the area of Imia by landing Turkish civilians, of Constantinople. The employees at the allegedly ecologists” (SKY 23/3). airport scrutinized all the pieces of luggage, insulted and subjected the wife of the Moreover, “while we celebrate the National Greek Consul in Constantinople to Regeneration, Attila 3 in Thrace, the humiliating controls” (SKY 22/3), “the Dodecanese” (A.T. 24/3 p.1 title), “the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs went far Turks, on the pretext of a serious danger for beyond any limit of impudence” (MEGA the ‘Turkish minority’, prepare ‘Attila’ in 23/3), “Ankara heightened (...) the climate Thrace and the Dodecanese” (A.T. 24/3 with an illegal control of the luggage of a pp.12-13). “Ankara is likely to ‘land’ Greek diplomat’s wife” (A.T. 23/3 p.7). “So shepherds (in reality ‘agents’) on Imia on from now on we’ll have to guarantee [the the pretext to give aid to the sheep and Turks’ security], by turning their luggage goats which are on the rocky islet” (V. 24/3 inside out and by stripping the Turk p.14). “Oh (...) no this is a provocation! diplomats and their wives to the buff, every March 25 selected by the Turkish ecologists time they wish to travel by Turk Havas to feed the goats on Imia” (A.T. 24/3 p.96), Yolari(...)” (AP. 23/3 p.9) a fact that “will constitute one more gradual provocation which will be continuously Consequently, “Our ‘friend’ and ‘ally’ aggravating until it results either in a general neighboring Turkey was a very good student concession on the part of Greece (...) or in a of Hitler (...) Should we by any chance wake confrontation. And we must get ready for up?” (R. 16/3 p.22). [What happened] “to this confrontation without defeatism, with those ‘I tan i epi tas’ [‘return with your composure and with dash” (statement by shield or on it’ in Ancient Greek] ‘Molon PASOK MP, D. Vounatsos, SKY 23/3). On Lave’ [‘come and grab these from us if you the other hand there was an ironic dare’ in Ancient Greek] Souli? Alamana? comment too: “if the goats on Imia are so Gravia’s inn? 1940’s NO? To ‘the children much of a problem, why don’t they put of Greece, the children’?” (AP. 14/3 p.22). rabbits on it?” “We inform [the Turks] that we, the Greeks, unite (...) when our country is in Furthermore, a point was made, that the danger and become a fist in order to grind danger-mongering did not reflect any actual the one who plots against us” (ETH. 12/3 fact that happened or was to happen these p.40). “And I repeat the oath of the ancient days: “Radio and television channels during Athenian teenager: ‘(...) And I shall defend the national three-day festivities were full of: the sanctities by myself and by others’ (...) ‘the Turkish provocation in Imia is expected Come on! On your feet! All those who are exactly on the national holiday’ (...)

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‘Provocation by the Turks on Imia on March impudent and unprovoked British attack 25’ (...) But, when the stories were running, against our country, and in particular, the viewer found out that, especially inside the Greek Parliament” (A.T. 13/10 yesterday [25/3] nothing happened on the p.6); “Man, look who’s talking!.. (Hey, rocky-islet” (EL. 26/3 p.8) “Oh, no and again Kid!.. Fetch a portion of (...) a solution no! This time the Turks went too far (...) To ‘Irish-style’ for the Skopje issue and another put in doubt the reputable analysts of [the (...) ‘pure from the Falklands’ for Tancu in TV stations] ‘MEGA’, ‘Antenna’ (...) (as well the hope (...) we settle our differences, as of a lot of newspapers) who insisted quickly!.. O.K. boss??? Happy???)” (A.T. vehemently all these three days that we 17/10 p.10). were to have a ‘hot incident’ in Imia on Moreover, “they came ignorant, March 25? Well, this goes far beyond any uninformed and provocative ‘the feather- limit! (...) Next time I request that the whole brained from Western Europe’, the English Turkish battle plan be ‘on air’ so that they ‘drivers’ of the Turkish armored vehicles, would know exactly what to do. Let’s say which divided Cyprus. They came, allegedly that this time there was (...)a lack of sober, since they are ‘logical’, the frenzied, coordination” (R. 27/3 p.4) and this is why in order to teach ‘realism’ to the humble “the goats on Imia are still waiting for the Balkan people of Athens” (EL. 14/10 p.28). Turkish ecologists” (N. 26/3 p.3) “British against Greece in a demonstration of anti-Hellenism and ignorance” (K. 13/10 p.1) who “developed their points of view The International Community and gave their orders with the brutality of suzerains” (R. 13/10 p.8), since they The joint session of the National Defense “reciprocated our hospitality with and Foreign Affairs Committee of the provocation” (Mega 12/10), consequently Greek Parliament with the Parliamentary they are asked “Lords(...) GO HOME!” (A.T. and Public Relations Committee of the 13/10 p.6). West European Union’s Parliamentary Assembly (WEU/PA) on security problems However, the “incendiary statements” in the Mediterranean, the perspective of (A.T. 13/10 p.6) “provoked rudely the solving the Cyprus issue, the Macedonian Greek MPs” (E.T. 13/10 p.8) who, after issue, the Greek-Turkish relations and the “having united, ‘hammered’ their foreign Yugoslav crisis in mid-October ended in a colleagues” (N. 13/10 p.7) and “held the “Greek-British confrontation” (A. 13/10 British allegations in check ‘by returning p.2). fire’” (AP. 13/10 p.10). Thus, PASOK MP Th. Pangalos “cut the ground from under All Greek media seemed to adopt the the unprepared English MPs’ feet” (EL. standpoint that “the three British did not 13/10 p.64) by referring to a “hypocritical just have a point of view different from attitude of Britain” (ET 1 12/10) since ours, which is honest and correct on the “Britain is a guarantor of the island and basis of the real facts. Their attitude was bears the responsibility for today’s situation clearly hostile. They appeared to fully - violation of the international law by accept the positions of Greece’s Turkey” (N. 13/10 p.7). He also asserted opponents.” (E.T. 14/10 p.11); “British that “we like the Serbs. We had the provocation inside the Parliament, (...) impression that we are on the right side. extremely impudent anti-Greek attack” Some people are trying to prove us that we (E.T. 13/10 p.8); “unprovoked British have to re-write history” (Mega 12/10). At ‘bombing’ of our positions on our national the same time ND MP Ms. M. Koutsikou issues” (AP. 13/10 p.10); “extremely maintained that “the use of the term Macedonia by the neighboring country is

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connected to the irredentist dispositions of mobilization under instructions from the groups of people, who come even from Turkish consulate in Komotini” (E.T. 13/10 terrorist organizations, which develop p.10). “The President of ND, Mr. Evert, theories that have nothing to do with fears provocation. Deep concern about History” (ANT 12/10). Furthermore, “such Thrace” (E.T. 14/10 p.10). an [Albanian] minority does not exist. When we were accepting Albanians, others Consequently, more voices joined the were throwing them into the(...) sea” (A.T “choir” of scare-mongers. “Government 13/10 p.6). afraid of provocation in Thrace” (EL. 14/10 p.6), “Scenarios of tension in Thrace” (R. Finally, ND MP Eu. Haitidis called the 14/10 p.6). PASOK MP Mr. St. government to proceed with “actions of Papathemelis “pointed out that ‘nothing is protest, disapproval and demand for accidental’ (...) it is certain that Thrace concrete refutation of the provocative constitutes Turkey’s strategic target” (A.T. assertions” (AP. 14/10 p.10) and “to gather 14/10 p.7) while the opinion that “the information through its diplomatic national ‘secret’ was about the creation of delegations who among these gentlemen impressions [as] it is possible that the or those of other foreign state-run [Livanis-Evert] meeting concerned organizations and media which develop domestic affairs about which both sides anti-Greek, pro-Turkish or pro-Skopjan would not want anything to be known” (A. propaganda own real estate or other 14/10 p.2) was set out. economic interests in occupied Cyprus, Turkey and Skopje!” (A.T. 14/10 p.7). “We Then the information is given that “To shouldn’t raise hell with the British MPs. Vima” [a ‘reliable’ Sunday paper with the Who showered abuse on us, in our largest circulation] publishes a story on a home(...) Besides, they are both English and plan in the form of a staff maneuver. (...) It Tories, a lethal combination. Most is substantially about a conflict scenario disagreeable from long time ago” (A. 15/10 which anticipates NATO’s intervention and p.8). almost exclusively concerns Western Thrace. The solution which will be Again in October there was a meeting proposed by the Alliance, and is no other between the Minister to the Prime but the partial autonomy of Thrace, is also Minister, Mr. Ant. Livanis with the Official included in the plan.” (ANT 14/10), as well Opposition Leader Mr. M. Evert in order as the estimation, in the same news for the latter to “pass on a grave piece of bulletin, of Howard University Professor information on a national issue [which, in N. Stavros that “NATO has been spite of the publicity given to the meeting, transformed into a lever of imposition of a was not communicated to the general new world order. (...) It is highly alarming”. public], excited imagination and The information is confirmed by the strengthened scenarios [related to] newspapers: “To Vima reveals a most apprehensions about dangerous serious national issue which the developments” (EL. 13/10 p.7). The media government is already aware of. NATO’s “recycled” the issue immediately, plan for(...) Thrace’s autonomy! ‘Conflict’ producing a whole series of frightening ‘exchange of populations’ and ‘mapping stories which were not based on any facts. out of new borders’. Maneuver on paper “Fears about provocation in Thrace(...) (...) without the participation of Greek officers” foreign secret services intend to create a hot (V. 15/10 p.1 title). “The event acquires (...) spot in Thrace and the target of a potential grave significance mainly for three reasons: provocation will be the dense Muslim Firstly, NATO is not used to carrying out, minority, which is already under even on paper, maneuver of theoretical

52 greece interest only. Secondly, the ‘maneuver on to create a Bosnia, just as they have done in paper coincided (?) with an upheaval which Serbia” (statements by inhabitants of is sustained ever since in the minority Thrace, ET 1 16/10). “I am afraid that element of Thrace (...) Thirdly, the exclusion Thrace and the Aegean are in the next order of Greek officers from the exercise indicates of priorities in the plans of the new order” that it is not merely about an innocent as (PASOK MP M. Kapsis, Mega 16/10). much as imaginative working hypothesis” (V. 15/10 p.8). At the same time, there was talk about an “insidious stab in Thrace. NATO is playing Subsequently, it was argued that “We have into the hands of Ankara.” (E.T. 16/10 p.1 to be prepared not only to express our title). “Attention! We are being set up. An wrath by ‘means of an open hand’ but also exercise of blackmail about Thrace. NATO to shatter and trample these deplorable and the Turks conspire” (AP. 16/10 p.1 rascals, wherever they are, who think that title). “So, did you say that you just did a they are going to play games in Greece. No maneuver on paper? Or on toilet paper? more games. Greece will throw out of her Ah, O.K. they said it happened within the soil, of her area, any scum who wishes to frame(...) of preventive strategy! As we say, plot against her national independence and preventive medicine on a corpse” (EL. honor” (statement by PASOK MP E. 16/10 p. 64). “We were watching over the Yannopoulos on ANTENNA 15/10). “There Bulgarians, Yankees and Dutchmen and must be a very strong Greek warning. The Germans and French sprung up. And we’d gentlemen of NATO are not entitled to play better walk out from this filthy alliance of games” (statement of PASOK MP St. idiots (...) We have to do something NOW. Papathemelis on Mega 15/10). Because these scums are not kidding!” (A.T. 17/10 p.14); “Blunt ‘war games’ by NATO. It was heard however that, “I think it is an Multipurpose suspicious scenarios” (R. exaggeration - let alone an irresponsibility - 17/10 p.1). “Games of Ottoman of To Vima, to the extent that we all know imagination. The ‘plan’ on a para-NATO that these organizations, but also the computer was commissioned by Ankara” superpowers like the USA, and probably (EL. 17/10 p.1 title); “The suspicious and Germany, make various hypothetical impudent NATO scenario is attributed to a scenarios for eventual cases of crisis. (...) A political and to a military planning” (AP. lot of the scenarios are not applied because 17/10 p.7); “Suspicious scenarios for Thrace they form working hypotheses which were hammered out behind the scenes by function as case studies for scholars and NATO circles for the benefit of Turkey” military or politicians” (statement of (Mega 17/10). Panteios University Professor Chr. Giallouridis, Sky 15/10). Furthermore, “NATO undermines Greece’s national independence” (R. 17/10 p.7). Even after the official NATO denial of the “War prelude made in the USA. (...) There is existence of such plans and the exhortation no smoke without fire. (...) It is obvious that to “remember - because we blow up these the American side envisages a stable and stories very much in Greece - that a few powerful Turkey, able to play all these roles years ago there were NATO scenarios which that various strategic brains have granted it forecast a military coup in Belgium, a from time to time” (EC.T. 19/10 p.5). country which is the seat of NATO itself” According to the international relations (Sky 16/10), the debate continued “We and military affairs expert Mr. Th. Drougos, came from Asia Minor, we were given a “the war games, because of the fact that rough time and now the Americans wish to they come from Langley, Virginia, from the bring us Turkey here? No!” “They are going CIA, and then pass through to NATO where

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simulations are made, want Thrace as the The approval of the agreement on the Eastern Slavonia of the South; that is just Customs Union of Turkey with the like the problem of Serbia-Croatia, the European Union was covered by all Greek problem of Greece-Turkey should also media since the beginning of December. exist. In addition they create Thrace now So, when the European Popular Party, the like a situation for a cushion-state, that is Socialists and the Union for Europe autonomy of the area and the union of all suggested that the Customs Union take Muslim populations in Greece-Bulgaria- effect from 1/1/1996, it was argued that Turkey.” (On the talk-show “The Time of the “Europeans dropped(...)Ankara” [the Truth” ANTENNA 18/10). Greek word for Ankara, ‘AÁÎ×Ú·’, also Information connecting “NATO’s scenario” means ‘anchor’] (A.T. 7/12 p.12); “our to a university lecture as well as European partners are masters in (...) publications referring to political Frankish hypocrisy” (AP. 8/12 p.8) as “the expediencies and party rivalries gave the partners of a (...)foolish ‘maiden’ lay the red issue a different dimension: “Scenarios carpet for Tansu Ciller [and] (...) shamelessly about the autonomy of Western Thrace sneer at Greece” (A.T. 8/12 p.6) because were discussed in a closed seminar in “they vote for Turkey with flying colors” (EL. Napoli, Italy, with the presence of NATO’s 13/12 p.1). South wing commander, Admiral Clayton Smith. Their instigator was the American At the same time, “the Yappy-Hanoum professor Michael Roskin.” (ANTENNA Turkish Prime Minister of Turkey” (AP. 18/10), “The scenario was(...) a seminar! 11/12 p.8), “Knocks around Europe” (EL. (...) Stupidity (the most lenient 6/12 p.15) “and facilitates the European characterization) reaches its zenith” (P. hypocrisy gag its conscience in the cause of 19/10 p.8-9); “Universal fire for the national economic expectations or after subornation blunder” (ETH. 19/10 p.4). “They handed on an individual basis” (Ec.T. 21/12 p.3). the American scenario with a petty political The viewpoint that “the disgraceful reasoning. First they hushed up, then(...) mobilization of Washington, Bonn, London, they ‘leaked out’” (E.T. 19/10 p.6); “After Paris” (K. 8/12 p.1), and “the tactics the EU he played with Thrace, he leaked(...) the has inaugurated for contacts with Ankara national secret to ‘To Vima’. ‘Evert the should be unequivocally condemned” pusher’” (ETH, 16/10 p.1 title); “The (Ec.T. 7/12 p.3), is vindicated by the scenario was bad, the actors were worse petition of 129 academics against the and the director was the worst” (A. 22/10 Customs Union, who, inter alia, note that p.2) “the reward of the sinful regime of the disguised military-bureaucrats of Ankara is “Finally, it is evident that the only ones who an insult to the intelligence of every free got the best of the unsubstantiated scenario thinker” (EL. 13/12 p.21). debate on Thrace, which pestered the country during the previous days, are the The approval of the Customs Union of professional scare-mongers of all kinds, the Turkey - EU by the European Parliament on supporters of ethnic cleansing in the area, 13/12 was characterized as “an exercise in the ones who fire up barbarism” (EL. 21/10 international political hypocrisy” (ET1 p.27). “Never before, to the best of our 13/12), a “Turkish invasion in Europe” (E.T. knowledge, was the question of Thrace 14/12 p.1), “provocative and inadmissible raised, let alone(...) the question of its decision of the European Parliament” (R. partition!!! (...) Now EVERYONE talks 14/12 p.3), “national defeat in Europe about(...) ‘the question of Thrace’!..” (P. [since] Turkey’s whim was satisfied” (AP. 19/10 p.9). 14/12 p.1), “the triumph of Euro-hypocrisy” (A. 17/12 p.10), “‘Baksheesh’ [tip] to Turkey

54 greece from the European Parliament” (EL. 14/12 provocative, Turkish PM Tansu Ciller, p.16-17). “The European Parliament lost a claimed that should Cyprus’ integration significant part of its credibility” (N. 14/12 into the EU be permitted, Turkey would p.3), “backed up an illiberal and annex the occupied region of the island” authoritarian regime (...) and is directly (K. 17/12 p.1). ND MP Mr. V. Polydoras provoking the democratic sentiments of the argues that given the “most insolent peoples of Europe” (EL. 14/12 p.8). “The statement [and] because we are the bloodstained Attilas enters dynamically the grandchildren of Kolokotronis, Androutsos, area of the European Union (...) under the Karaiskakis, Botsaris, Kanaris (I am the unanimous ‘oskeldiniz’ [‘welcome’ in grandchild of “captain Tsiranis”), Mrs. Ciller Turkish] of the Christian Democrats, do learn that (...) we got the message and Socialists and Radicals” (A.T. 16/12 p.10). we reply with two synonyms: ‘Ai sichtir’ [‘f(...) you’ in Turkish] and ‘Molon lave’ Moreover, the President of Political Spring [‘come and grab these from us if you dare’ (POL.AN.), Mr. A. Samaras, talked about in ancient Greek] (AP. 18/12 p.8). Also, ND “defeat of Europe, the European idea, the President M. Evert “called upon the European civilization and the European government (...) to ask from the Heads of principles for the protection of democracy States and the PMs of the EU in Madrid to and freedom” (A.T. 14/12 p.8), while the condemn the Turkish PM’s statement” KKE underlined the “provocation of first (ANT1 16/12) “otherwise the Greek magnitude which fully rewards the delegation should walk out in protest” (ET1 reactionary regime of Ankara” (A. 14/12 16/12). p.6). Characteristic are statements by Ms K. Daskalaki, POL.AN MEP: “It is all about “Turkey does not give up its Ottoman an undisguised if not vulgar hypocrisy” (ET1 tradition: it has always dreamt of the 13/12); by Mr. V. Efraimidis, KKE MEP: conquest of Europe. Either by war or “Big American capital, European capital, culturally. Because as its propagandists militaristic circles, the commercial and shamelessly and provocatively declare, only economic objectives in Turkey and from it is capable of ridding Europe of its Greek- Turkey in general (...) wanted this ‘yes’ to be Christian heritage!” (A.T. 24/12 p.10). able to back up today’s militaristic autocratic regime of Turkey” (ET1 13/12); Some dissident voices were heard though: by Mr. P. Avgerinos, PASOK MEP: “This in- “I wonder what in essence is the purpose of describable pharisaism at the European our negative attitude towards the matter of Parliament is what makes it look naked and the Customs Union of Turkey and the EU” ask for a fig leaf and that was the resolution (V. 17/12 p.13). “The Customs Union can [in which Turkey is accused of violation of turn to Greece’s advantage. Because Greece human rights]. So, do you see what a shame does not want a Turkey without any today for the European Parliament, what a democratic institutions, without any shame!” (Sky 13/12). freedoms and civil rights, without a democratic government” (P. 14/12 p.15). Afterwards, the invitation of Ms. T. Ciller in “Greece has nothing to lose but, on the Madrid from the European Council contrary, a lot to benefit from a Turkey that President Mr. F. Gonzales as well as her will approach Europe and the democratic meeting with the EU ‘troika’ on the side of ideals. So, instead of being hostage of the the summit were regarded as “the most collective paranoia of unprecedented anti- overt and provocative expression of Turkism as -unfortunately- it was this time friendship towards Turkey [from] again, the time has come for a courageous the(...)gentlemen of honor for Ciller!” (A.T. change” (A. 19/12 p.8). 15/12 p.8). Besides, “extremely

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The World Report of the State Department Transport Mr. Frederic Pena according to for 1995 on human rights, caused “the which “some problems on the safety rules intense displeasure of political and of the Hellenikon airport are noted, which journalistic circles as well as of the public concern mainly the checking of the opinion in Northern Greece” (AP. 8/3 p.6). luggage” (ETH. 23/3 p.7), was In the “despicable report of the State characterized by the considerable majority Department on the(...) oppressed of the Greek media as “Torpedo from the minorities in Greece” (E.T. 8/3 p.4) “on USA to tourism. They turn a blind eye to human rights which are allegedly oppressed provocation and help Turkey” (ETH. 23/3 in Greece” (N. 19/3 p.6). “Anti-Greek p.1 title), “sabotage (...) which is indirectly hysteria against our country via the report designed to strengthen the Turkish tourist on human rights” (AP. 10/3 p.10) because move” (ETH. 23/3 p.6). “Air terrorism and “the State Department sees minorities- US blackmail” (R. 23/3 p.1), “a brutal ghosts” (AP. 7/3 p.7), “They maintain the interference in our domestic affairs” (E.T. matter of a ‘Macedonian’ minority in 28/3 p.5), “inadmissible American Greece” (ETH. 7/3 p.10). “A concurrence of demands” (E.T. 28/3 p.15), “American lies” (AP. 10/3 p.10), “Greece, say the malignity at our expense”, “malicious and agents of Washington, ‘denies the existence stupid ‘travel instruction’”, “American dirt”, of Slav-Macedonians in the country’ (...) “a scallywag extortion” (A.T. 29/3 p.3). they saw ‘Turks’ (...) they saw(...) Arvanites and Vlachs (!)” (E.T. 8/3 p.4). “The extensive The “anti-Greek travel advisory” (E.T. 26/3 reference (...) that Greece did not allow the p.8) was characterized as “the second founding of ‘a Macedonian’ (!) cultural brutal blackmail (...) after 1985 when we center in Florina and that she is persecuting had that renowned travel instruction (...) (!) the representatives of the pseudo- and a hostile act” (Minister of Macedonians, creates a sensation!” (AP. 7/3 Transportation, Mr. H. Kastanidis, SKY p.7). Besides, according to PASOK MP Mr. 23/3), “an act of political terrorism and St. Papathemelis, the report is “offensive, brutal extortion” (the Coalition’s inadmissible and all too clear fictitious, as spokesperson P. Lafazanis, SKY 24/3). In far as Greece is concerned. (...) The addition, “the reaction of the work-people gentlemen who prepared the report must for the Civil Aviation, who talk about an understand that there are neither a Turkish organized anti-Greek plan, was immediate” nor ‘a Macedonian’ minority and decide to (MEGA 23/3): “there is a joint attack against honor the international conventions the the Greek interests and the Greek tourism” USA have signed” (AP. 8/3 p.6). “Someday, (President of the Civil Aviation Pilot we’ll have to take a stand against ignorance, (OSIPA)’s Union, Mr. N. Stamoulis, MEGA misinformation or treachery which are 24/3). “It is about a hostile act of the likely to lead us (...) to visible or even Americans against our country” (OSIPA’s indeterminate ordeals in Macedonia or President P. Alevizopoulos, ET1 24/3). Thrace” argued ND MP Mr. Pylarinos, and he suggested “the creation of a committee Moreover, “The USA is an air hostess of of great weight (...) that will investigate the Turkey “ (N. 23/3 p.1 title), “the USA pile of the vociferous violations of human convert themselves once more into an rights in the USA” (N. 16/3 p.5). Therefore, ‘agent’ of the Turkish interests” (AP. 23/3 “the two million Greeks of Macedonia, are p.2). “Revelation-shock: American sending the report of the State Department businessmen wish to sell security systems! back to Washington declaring it to be Pirates-traveling salesmen made in the USA ‘outrageous’” (AP. 10/3 p.10). behind the torpedo in Hellenikon” (ETH. 27/3 p.18-19), “Light on the backstage of The notification of the US Secretary of the USA ‘travel instructions’. Hellenikon,

56 greece target of multinationals” (A.T. 31/3 p.8), intervention of the American Congress” “Here is the secret plan of the USA who (AP. 20/4 p.5), a discussion that constitutes wish to control the airspace! ‘The skies are “the theoretical precursor of Greece’s (...) ours’!” (A.T. 29/3 p.9), “Towards the mutilation! (...) ignominy and treason are provocation of the Americans about the organized at the expense of Greece” alleged lack of safety of the Hellenikon (comments of N.D. MP V. Polydoras, AP. airport, we are entitled to cry out to the 20/4 r.8), “a new filthy plan of the USA for Yankees, GO HOME. They were not all of a Thrace. They try to boss her around! (...) sudden grieved by the security of our Clockwork bomb in the sovereignty of the airport, but wished to sell us their systems” Greek state and the stability of all the (A.T. 29/3 p.11). “These Frankish hens must Balkans” (A.T. 20/4 p.7), “a flat intervention be ashamed of their attempt to ruin Greece of the Americans within the country’s with such an economically perfidious war. domestic affairs (...), exasperating Unsafe airports [in Greece]? Out of the provocation of the imperialists” (R. 20/4 question!” (A.T. 29/3 p.18). “All right, the p.6). In addition, “even a Thrace issue at the Americans played a shabby trick on us with Congress! Unprecedented and flatly the Hellenikon airport. But what about the unfriendly is the decision of the US House European Fellows? Where is the famous and Senate Commission deal with Western community solidarity? Why didn’t they Thrace” (ETH. 20/4 p.7); “The scenarios for come out to help us with this vile taking destabilization flare up. A discussion at the place against our tourism?” (A.T. 27/3 p.3). Congress for Western Thrace!” (E.T. 20/4 p.9); “The USA: The Congress is sitting for There were few exceptions. “Not only our sovereignty! Hawks with(...) fez over don’t we do something (...) to improve the Thrace” (A.T. 25/4 p.6); “Tactics a la(...) main air gate of the country (...) but we also Imia in Thrace as well! (...) Ankara attempts commence the dearest -and so convenient- to set foot via (...)Washington. A perfidious witch-hunting. They strike us again, they approach at the State Department with the undermine us, they declare war against minority as a pretext” (AP. 21/4 p.14); Greek tourism” (N. 28/3 p.6). “How are we “annoyance about the issue on Thrace. On all so sure that our airport is safe? I am a non-existing issue the discussion at the aware of the tenet that ‘Americans are Congress of the USA” (ETH. 22/4 p.12). always wrong’ but (I whisper) IF the security “Why doesn’t the Congress of the USA deal services of Hellenikon were on the same with the rights of the Greek populations in level with the others -the most deficient? Imvros and Tenedos? Oh, don’ t be so (Last in IATA’s valuation). Should we, by any wicked now(...)” (P. 30/4 p.4), “they are chance, instead of immediately denouncing blind to pop down to Constantinople to see Turkish-American conspiracies, do what extinction of people and respect for something for the airport?” (EL. 31/3 p.16). their human rights means(...)” (ETH. 22/4 p.2). “The pseudo-trial of Thrace is neither The discussion on the Turkish minority of accidental, nor coincidental. It is a grave Thrace in the Helsinki Commission of the and dangerous provocation which is placed US House and Senate on Security and among the plans of those who consider Cooperation in Europe which was held on Thrace as Achilles’ heel of the triangle 25/4, was characterized by a considerable Aegean-Macedonia-Thrace” (statement of majority of the Greek media monitored as Political Spring’s leader A. Samaras, ANT1 “Bombshell on Thrace. The Americans 21/4). According to the Minister of National relayed(...) a dirty trick on us again” (AP. Defense G. Arsenis, “Naturally we cannot 20/4 p.1 title), “American bombshell on hide, and personally I cannot hide, my Thrace. The USA(...) gave in to the pressures annoyance and my dislike for this American of the Turks. (...) unprecedented initiative” (ET1 21/4).

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agreement for cooperation between Turkey “But, I don’ t get it! What is the American and Israel, he wrote “my mind Congress? The (...)UN or the International unintentionally goes back to the ones who Court of The Hague? And how well-based is crucified their fellow-countryman” (N. the information that the USA ‘are preparing’ 16/4), the Jewish Organization Simon a ‘package-deal’, something like a ‘new Wiesenthal requested UNESCO “not to Lausanne’ and with carefully planned accept him as an Ambassador.” (N 11/5) moves (like the one of the Congress(...)) The media instantaneously took Vasilikos’ they are setting up the scenery in(...) a side, saying “He, who is a genuine anti- perfect cooperation with Ankara?” (K. 20/4 Zionsit declines Anti-Semitism. The p.3). “Weren’t they afraid that the corridors discharge of the Israeli community from of the Congress would get stained with the this reactionary ideology forms a blood reeking from Ankara’s spokesperson? precondition for its emancipation from the They forget the fate of the minorities in obsession (or obsessions) of the past and its Turkey: of the Americans and of the Greeks harmonious reintegration, not only in the who were slaughtered at that time. Like the Middle East, but also in the contemporary Kurds now. With bombs made in the USA” era.” (ETH. 11/5 p.27); “the international (N. 27/4 p.39). “Obviously, the fathers of terrorism that Israel exercises against those the American confederacy (...) after they who (it itself acquires the right to) had restored the world order, decided to characterize(s) as anti-Semites, aspires to be investigate to what extent the Pomaks, the analogous to the terrorism it exercises, as a Roma and the Muslims of Western Thrace state, against the Arabs with various pretexts are equal Greek citizens!.. The provocation on the one hand but on the other -just like is cynical, brutal and coarse” (A.T. 23/4 p.4) the Nazis did against their victims, half a given that “the violation of human rights century ago. Enough (...) what do they begins and ends in the American Congress” want? Us not to judge? Not to think? Or (ETH. 24/4 p.2). Therefore, “NO to the maybe not to exist?” (N. 13/5 p.14); “This American intervention. OUT WITH THE intentional effort to characterize as an anti- AMERICANS FROM WESTERN THRACE, Semite whomever is not a Zionist is very FROM THE AEGEAN, FROM THE BALKANS” dangerous -and in the case of my (R. 25/4 p.3). “Greece gives - and does not insignificance it is just cheap. However, in take - lessons in matters of the pursuit of the case of ‘Kana’s mistake’ it means the democratic and human rights” (E.T. innocent dead children! For them did ‘God, 24/4 p.2). who is one and only one for all of us’ exist or is possible that they were ‘children of an And now the counterpoints. “We inferior God?’” (N. 16/5 p.10) consumed another ‘national treachery’ (...) carried away by the convenient trap, we did not care to inform and to get informed of NGOs, Independent Journalists and what this Commission was about, what its Intellectuals competence was, whether it has ever debated on matters favorable to Greece, Attacks on Greek Helsinki Monitor’s stands and finally what the conclusions for the and personally on its members, particularly minority were” (K. 30/4 p.1). “(...) But, why in April, were present in many newspapers. should a country which argues that it “Panayote Dimitras [GHM’ Spokesperson], guarantees equality before the law for all while participating in a European committee citizens, fear debates?” (EL. 23/4 p.30). on human rights, spoke in favor of the operation of Albanian schools in Greece As a consequence of the article of Mr. V. with the argument that a lot of Albanian Vasilikos, in which, referring to the

58 greece immigrants dwell in our country and their 20/4 p.18) where it was mentioned that children are entitled to education in their “the minority of Thrace from the Lausanne mother tongue. Such an act however, not Treaty has imposingly increased in number only opposes our national interests, but and none has left up to the present day”, also, if carried out, it constitutes a direct GHM and Minority Rights Group - Greece acknowledgment by the Greek state of the with a letter of their Spokesperson, noted existence of an Albanian minority in our that “There is nothing more untrue. (...) country. Such an act forms a straight Unfortunately the members of the minority undermining of our national interests and, in Thrace today (...) are less than 90,000: what is more, when the official Albanian this would be confirmed if someone government denies to grant full rights in the estimated the population of the minority field of education to the people in Northern on the basis of the official results of the Epirus” (AP. 7/4 p.2, leading editorial). census in 1991 as well as the ethnological “Secret school(...) Albanian! Strange is the synthesis of Thrace’s municipalities and activity (...) of the cultural association communities. (...) It is about, a milder of Philallilia under the roof of which the school course, silent ethnic cleansing.” The operates. (...) We found on the notice board newspaper replied with an aggressive documentation that informs of seminars article, which at certain moments reaches and talks in relation to the Republic of open hate speech “Didn’t Dimitras [GHM’s Macedonia whereas in a leaflet of Philallilia Spokesperson] hear anything about the we read that the association’s training barbarities of 1955? Or is he by any chance programs were occasionally helped by the straining at a gnat and gulping down the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of camel? (...) Only devious people and Greece and the Church of Adventists of hypocrites would waive the comparisons” Keramikos!!” (A.T. 25/4 p.41). “Some native (EL. 27/4 p.18). ‘flowers’ [pejorative ironic term in Greek] which hang around in various fora, like some Pan. Dimitras, were very welcome. Religious Minorities On the basis of what the state radio of FYROM broadcast on the meeting of the Whenever the Greek media cover churches Helsinki committees in Sarande in Albania, and religious groups, other than the Dimitras probably overdid it in his talk, Orthodox Church, their attitude is openly presenting our country as the biggest hostile. The references to the activities of minority oppressor in the Balkans. (...) Let’s the Greek Center of Applied Philosophy not go nuts. There are much worse things (KEFE) which represents the Church of around us. And proposals to exercise Scientology in Greece led a significant international pressure, in collaboration with number of Greek media to characterize the organization Rainbow on Greece in KEFE as “a dangerous heresy” (ANTENNA order to solve the problems of the minorities 18/10), “school of murderers in downtown and the difficulties that the Macedonians in Athens” (AP. 22/10 p.1), “an organization our country meet with, are more dangerous of hallucinations (...) which enlists mainly than constructive” (A. 13/4 p.27); “In a young recruits whom it exploits” (ETH. well-governed state, people like Nikos 18/10 p.10), “an organization which forces Dimou [a well-known writer and member its members to cut themselves loose from of the Advisory Council of GHM] would their families and keeps them under total have been arrested long ago.” (EL. T. 25/4 control” (A.T. 19/10 p.16), “new Satans” p.5). (ETH. 18/10 p.6). In addition, Scientology is described as “an international gang with On the occasion of the publication of the money, sex and suicides” (ETH. 18/10 article “Thrace and Constantinople” (EL.

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p.10), “a terrorist-destructive organization parareligious organization ‘Church of which incites the(...) extermination of every Scientology’ even spy out at the expense of opponent” (AP. 22/10 p.6). “The Greece is investigated by the Prosecutor Administrative Court of Hamburg, in a [who] possesses a ‘hot’ document recent verdict, regards the heresy of the according to which the organization ‘Scientology Church’ as a dangerous heresy rewards one of its members (...) because for youth, society and democracy” (ETH. she ‘managed’ (...) to bring a secret report 21/10 p.13), it is a “heresy and a particularly of the Greek CIA to KEFE” (ETH. 20/10 dangerous one for the Orthodox reality” p.16). Furthermore, after the “invasion (ANT 1 18/10), whereas the people who in(...) the lodge of hallucinations” (ETH. belong to the organization are “corrupted, 21/10 p.1 title), the “onslaught on(...) the bad and dangerous” (AP. 22/10 p.6-7). well of souls” (ETH. 21/10 p.12) it ensued The accusations against KEFE by former that “the members of KEFE pay an members, relatives of those who belong to ecclesiastical(...) tax, which they call ‘tithe’ the organization and representatives of the to the mother-organization of Scientology, Orthodox church have the place of honor in the USA. In this way, valuable Greek hard in media stories, while with regard to the currency is exported illegally, while the internal methods and practices which are organization, which appears as a charitable allegedly adopted by KEFE, we read about society, evades taxes as well. The latest “details of initiations reminiscent of the investigation conducted by the Prosecutor Middle Ages” (Mega 20/10); “The parents at KEFE (...) revealed that these [heretical] of the youth who became members of the groups [KEFE and other similar parareligious ‘Church of Scientology’ are in organizations] constitute special cartels to despair. Three of them clamor in all coordinate their struggle and ‘silence’ directions: ‘Help! They lead our children to anyone who is critical of them” (K. 31/10 suicide!” (ETH. 19/10 p.12). According to p.6). “Father Alevizopoulos asserted that Father Alevizopoulos -in charge of the Holy the parareligious organizations, groups and Synod’s office for the anti-heretic struggle heresies, in order to achieve their aims, use (ETH. 21/10 p.13)- “Scientology is widely ‘methods of secret services and totalitarian known to various researchers for its reverse regimes, like those of German nazism’” (EL. ethics and its fascist methods with which it 31/10 p.51). attempts to terrorize and neutralize everyone who will dare criticize it objectively.” “The members of KEFE have to “Hundreds of dangerous parareligious endure trips in the past with the use of organizations ‘recruit’ youths. Destroy pharmaceutical products and also families. Organize ‘armies’. Threaten lives. interrogations in dark rooms and in Insult Greece, moral principles, the Church. specially prepared places of a well-known Apply insane methods. Evade taxes. hotel in Athens” (Mega 20/10). “In order Operate without license etc., etc. However, for one to become clear, that is to clean the Public Prosecutor orders raids on three himself of ‘engrams’ (inscriptions), he has particularly dangerous organizations (...) to answer to the same questions for hours. which are terrorists of conscience. Raids He is obliged to jog, have sauna, swallow against the worst which is KEFE, against the salty water(...) oil, metals and the medicine ‘castle’ of the indescribable homeopath Sp. ‘Sustaniacin’, which is on sale in capsules of Diamantidis and (...) on Krisna’s den. (...) 500 mg. However, KEFE administers to its The miscellaneous organizations cooperate members amounts which reach up to 5,000 and probably form a cartel, aiming at mg per day.” (AP. 22/10 p.7). damaging the Church. (...) Are we unprotected at the mercy of some “The possibility that the members of the ‘terrorists’ who suddenly emerge mighty

60 greece and pulling the strings? Who will apologize pens from within, with the capture that should a Greek Socko Ashahara cast parareligious organizations aim at” (AP. poisonous gas in Omonia?..” (AP. 29/10 5/11 p.24-25). “Foreign-bred heresies, p.6-7). According to Father Alevizopoulos naturally. American multinationals, “this threat will continue to exist and as Protestant lodges, Papal Trojan Horses, time goes by it will increase, unless all Anglican conventicles and Asian faiths - responsible agencies as well as the media with dark centers of administration and unite in this holy army to deliver our financing” (A.T 5/11 p.10). “So, we observe country from that danger” (A.T. 31/10 p.9). a really ‘strange alliance’ of heterogeneous and historically hostile towards each other Towards all aforementioned comments, religious and parareligious worlds, with the “The representatives of the center of Greek society, its institutions and mainly its Scientology in Greece, in a letter to the conjunctive tissue which is the Orthodox media refer to ‘slanderous, false references’ Church, as their common target” (K. 5/11 and ‘absolutely personal documents of our p.8). “In others words, they attempt to members originating from a classified make the Greek turn against his own investigation which was suddenly leaked history, which is however accommodated for the press” (E.T. 20/10 p.18). “KEFE is an to and interpreted on the basis of their organization which helps people. It has suspect aims” (K. 19/11 p.9). helped thousands of people, anonymous as well as well-known ones.” “Scientology has Since, “Country - Religion are in question” nothing - absolutely nothing to do with (K. 19/11 p.9) and “the conservative Greek masonry. It is a philosophy open to all with society is nauseated by the threat” (V. well-known aims and transparent 19/11 p.16), “a resolute dynamic presence function.” based on the Orthodox thought is required” (K. 26/11 p.12). “Let’s all understand it Consequently, it is plausible to ask, as once and for all. (...) We have for time unfortunately very few journalists did: immemorial been surrounded by tough “Don’t we have freedom and religious warlike peoples and we have maintained tolerance? Since some people wish to do our freedom with blood. So, all those (...) different things from the average, it is their who blame the ones who believe in the right. Let them enjoy their lives.” (A.T. cohesion elements of Greekness, like 23/10 p.55). “Since [Scientology] functions religion, family and, of course, the whole, at the level of human consciousness, the country, let them deliver us from the everyone has the right to be himself and ‘hostile surrounding space’ and then they believe what he believes. In any case, the will see whether or not the Greek feels like right to stupidity is a human right” (...) enjoying in a carefree way his freedom (statements of Mr. Raphailidis on at last” (K. 26/11 p.12); “the perils ANTENNA 21/10). “It is probable that our emanating [from the problem of the unorthodox conduct is activated once heresies, parareligions as well as all kinds more towards the matters of consciousness of ‘spiritualistic’ organizations] are due to the intervention of the unprincipled national, since all these ‘religions’ and who believe that their own consciousness is organizations aim at the fading of the of excellent quality” (ETH. 27/10 p.7). national consciousness of their victims. This is why the matter is mainly a concern of the In this light, “during its long history, our State and not of the Church” (A.T 4/11 country faced many times foreign interests p.18, in a release of the Holy Synod of the and states which would have liked (...) to Greek Church). wipe her out of the map! At one time this happened with weapons (...) Today it hap- However, there were few dissident voices:

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“The limits of what is permissible are parareligious organizations are behind the transgressed as soon as the exploitation of barrage of arsons in churches and the the intimate relations between State and sanctities of our race” (ETH. 28/12 p.14), Church begins, in order for the primacy to “for the captains of the fire ship of Satan (...) be consolidated artificially. The intervention the target is Orthodoxy” (A.T. 28/12 p.24- of EYP [the Greek Secret Service], the 41). According to father Nektarios “it is Security Police, the Public Prosecutor’s surely a deed not only of Satanists but also office in questions of faith and conscience of other Atheists and other Jehovah’s of the citizens, on the basis of information Witnesses, who respect neither the icons or orders given by Church elements, is nor the churches” (SKY 27/12). As ND MP unacceptable”. According to the Mr. V. Polydoras points out “the war has constitutional law expert Mr. A. Loverdos overtly been declared by the enemies (...) of “Heresy or religion are -must be- indifferent the faith, the history, the nation (...) Beotia magnitudes for the Greek State and has even been acclaimed the ‘capital’ of especially as far as the delicate issue of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, !, one is for sure: that enjoyment of some fundamental rights is they are not kidding. It is time we (the concerned” (EL. 4/11 p.26). Nevertheless, Greek Orthodox) stopped kidding. And we “what is the importance of the arguments, become serious, defending our sanctities!” when the whole debate is dedicated to (AP. 28/12 p.8). “The flames that are questions of the type: are Greeks of another burning the sacred trusts of our People to religion patriots or national underbidders?” ashes (...) are merely sparks out of the anti- (A. 4/11 p.20). Hellenic fire which approaches us (...) They should be included in the many The fires which broke out at the church of misappropriations of elements of our Virgin Mary of Skripous in Orhomenos as national identity -in the East, the North and well as at the church of Agios Nikolaos in the West. They should be added along with Glyfada, on 25 and 26 December the actions of the Vatican and the respectively, led the Greek media adopt multinational from Brooklyn [meaning the the view that “Satanists burn the Jehovah’s Witnesses] in our country(...)” churches!..” (AP. 28/12 p.15), “(...)wild (A.T. 29/12 p.4). night! Satanists decided to celebrate Lucifer by burning the church of Virgin Mary on A few days later, in January 1996, in the Christmas Day” (A.T. 27/12 p.24-41). small print of only two newspapers, we Moreover, the Church of Greece found out that the police had already representatives, “see Satanists everywhere” established that the Orhomenos church (EL. 28/12 p.1) as according to a member was burned down out of negligence, while of the Youth of the Church of Greece “these no progress was made in the causes of the people have proselytized persons whom second fire. they treat as pawns” (E.T. 28/12 p.17), whereas “the Church fears an effusion of In such a climate, when the church of Satanism. The Satanists prepare human Michael and Gabriel in the Field of Mars sacrifices!” (ETH. 29/12 p.14) and so there (Athens) are “fears of a new circle of Satanists’ was the target of arsonists in the early action” (K. 28/12 p.6) because “the cases hours of January 9, there was no doubt that of arsons of churches (...) are Satanist “Satanists burnt the historic church at actions. Anything else is out of the question. night” (Mega 9/1), “Satanists or sacrilegious Because for them, God is a scandal” (ANT1 people burnt a third church as well within 27/12). 15 days” (AP. 10/1 p.14), “Saint Michael and Gabriel in the flames of Satanists!” Given the fact that “Satanists and since “a little time ago Satanists had entered

62 greece the interior and written anti-Christian They have their eyes on the children. signals on the wall, while last winter they Nothing is sacred to them” (AP. 7/5 p.16). had set fire again with gas-bottles” (A.T. 10/1 p.22), “Satanists, who have quite When it became obvious that Satanists did recently become the nightmare of the not commit those acts, the related deeply religious Greek people, continued information was published by some their criminal work yesterday by newspapers but took up less space in the committing one more historic holly church columns than their alleged implication in to the flames” (E.T. 10/1 p.28-29). the aforementioned incidents did. So: “the vandal of the cemetery has psychological Besides, “following the recent arsons of problems” (A.T. 9/5 p.18), “the Satanists of Holly Churches by unknown Satanists” Toumba are three minors” (ETH. 9/5 p.18), (A.T. 20/1 p.20), “the continuous vandalism “Juvenile burglars behind the black magic sounds the alarm. The Satanists knock in a nursery in Salonica” (E.T. 9/5 p.27), “It about” (ETH. 12/1 p.19), “the Satanists did not take much for one to realize that threaten priests. After the arson of three the various ‘Satanists’ who broke into (...) churches from sacrilegious people or the nursery of Salonica municipality in Satanists, ‘Satan’s apostles’ grew insolent Toumba, played a joke, moreover it is a and commenced a psychological warfare gaudy one. (...) Unfortunately [some] against the Church (...) by threatening the newspapers, showing absolutely no priests that they will burn their churches” scruples, reached the point when they even (AP. 25/1 p.17). Therefore, as “the public is wrote about the ‘panic and agitation intensely puzzled (...) after the continuous everywhere in Salonica because of the arsons of churches”, the “return to the Satanists’ and other such things” (ETH. 8/5 Middle Ages” appears to be certain. (ETH. p.9). 12/1 p.19). Particularly if we bear in mind that “the firemen did not find any symbols of Satanists in the remains of the fire [of the Roma church of Michael and Gabriel] and consequently the arson was attributed to The news that a private detective “tracked common -impious- criminals” (A.T. 10/1 down little Ben [a six-year-old English boy p.22). who went missing in Kos in 1991] in the hands of Gypsies” (ANT1 12/12), caused a The ease with which the responsibility for flutter in the Greek media: “I found young incidents such as arsons in churches, black Ben in a house (...) of Gypsies!” (ETH. 13/12 magic rituals, graffiti against Orthodoxy p. 3); “the policemen proceed with their etc. is attributed to Satanists is noteworthy, investigations in the Gypsy camps in the despite the repeated refutations. During area. The Gypsies themselves (...) have May, two such incidents -acts of vandalism turned the area into an ‘impregnable in the cemetery of Heraclion in Lagadas in fortress’” (ETH. 14/12 p.18) as “the whole Salonica as well as a pentacle on the wall of issue (...) has also set the Roma and the a nursery in Salonica- were dealt with in society of Veroia agog” (AP. 14/12 p.42). the same way. We read: “An invasion of Satanists in a cemetery” (E.T. 6/5 p.11), The TV channel that so irresponsibly “Sacrilegious people broke 172 crosses. presented the story first, was asking the Satanists ‘behind’ the sacrilege” (AP. 6/5 next day “is a kidnapping inflicted on p.51), “Vandalisms on 250 graves. The Gypsies once more, though they may not inhabitants attributed the fact to Satanist be responsible for it?” (ANT1 13/12). It is and para-Christian organizations” (A.T. 6/5 certain that “the vainglory for the ‘exclusive p.46), “Metropolis of Satanism Salonica.

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news’ and the witch-hunting for the alleged “The rounds-up of the occupation years ‘success’ is unmasked once more. Anyhow, revived” (R. 21/2 p.1) if you have a blue-eyed and blond-haired son around six, do not show him around Nevertheless, we also read that “Gangs of much, because apart from ingenious gypsies rape, steal, kill. Murderers in detectives there are ingenious journalists as Athens” (A.T. 21/2 p.1), “Terror well. Be careful, the days are sly(...)” (A. everywhere. Effusion of crime. The gangs 15/12 p.16). (...) of Gypsies shoot to kill” (AP. 21/2 p.1 title). “The revenge of Gypsihood. The The police raid of a Roma camping in unrestrained gangs knock about and remain Aspropyrgos “for the arrest of the six at large” (A.T. 22/2 p. title), “they spread rapists’ gang who terrorize the north-east about terror and panic. The inhabitants of suburbs and murdered an ice-seller in Aspropyrgos with the finger on the trigger Halkida two days ago [18/2]” (MEGA 20/2) accuse the Gypsies of robberies, rapes, was castigated by the majority of the attacks” (AP. 22/2 p.17). “EL.AS should not media, as well as by the public at large. back off. (...) It is obliged to clean up this “Unprecedented violence in a police round- place from the scums of society who up in Aspropyrgos ‘ghetto’. Onslaught murder and rape (...) There is no more battalions on tents!” (A. 21/2 p.1 latitude (...) Cleaning up and extermination title).“Rambo against Gypsies. Excesses of all these rascals in whichever convenient after the fair” (E.T. 21/2 p.26). “A show of way” (AP. 23/2 p.12). “Let the hypocritical bullying at the Gypsies’ tin houses. Shame cries about ‘social racism’ stop” (A.T. 23/2 EL.AS! [Greek police]” (ETH. 21/2 p.1 title). p.4). “The cries about racism (...) are at least

Table of media initials: I Avgi (Av.); Adesmeftos Typos (A.T); Apogevmatini (Ap.); Ethnos (Eth); Eleftheros Typos (E.T.); Eleftherotypia (El.); I Kathimerini (K.); Rizospastis (R.); Ta Nea (N.); To Pontiki (P.); To Vima (V.); Economicos Tachydromos (Ec.T.); Stohos (St.); Mega; Antenna; ET-1; Sky.

64 the imia/kardak story out of tune” (AP. 22/2 p.2). “If they had raped and slaughtered your daughter, This borderline rocky islet appears to would you have had the same sensitivity?” belong to Greece as implied in the existing (A.T. 22/2 p.3). “The police forces around international treaties. The fact though that the world usually function like that, Greek sovereignty is not explicitly universally that is how it is done, they do mentioned in a document bearing the not distribute bars of chocolate. And you signature of the two countries has led would not want them to distribute bars of Turkey to challenge the status quo. An chocolate if they killed your man, if you opportunity was given when a Turkish were robbed, if they committed some kind merchant ship ran aground on the shores of offense at your expense” (Statements by of that islet in late December 1995. The PASOK MP Mr. St. Papathemelis, A. 22/2, two countries disagreed over who had the p.16). authority to rescue that ship, which Special section: eventually was detached by a Greek the imia/kardak story tugboat. As it frequently happens in such cases, the two foreign ministries The apotheosis of hate speech: exchanged notes with their contradicting claims and the matter seemed to have the near-success of (greek and been laid to rest by early January 1996, turkish) media in launching war with not one mention made in the media of either country (see the chronology below). panayote elias dimitras This silence indicated that both foreign ministries considered the matter minor As has been argued in this book and and unworthy of public attention. elsewhere, most Balkan media, with their systematic negative stereotyping and hate Then, a month after the Turkish vessel ran speech directed towards internal ashore, the Greek media revealed the story minorities or peoples across the border, and rivaled one another in exaggerating the have prepared a fertile ground from which importance of the incident and attacking serious conflicts and wars can spring or, in Turkey’s claims on the island. There is some cases, have indeed erupted. enough evidence available that this belated However, while the media have sometimes ‘revelation’ was a consequence of the contributed to if not triggered violent change of government in Athens. Reputed incidents (as in the case mentioned moderate and modernist Costas Simitis, in elsewhere in this study of the mob attack a stunning upset, won a majority in the against the head office of the “Rainbow” socialist PASOK’s parliamentary group to Macedonian minority party in Northern succeed ailing Andreas Papandreou as Greece) such conflicts and especially (the Prime Minister. Bitter loser Gerasimos post-Yugoslav) wars were usually the Arsenis, the then Minister of Defense, as result of actions of the political and military well as the nationalist-leaning rightist leaderships of the parties involved. During opposition New Democracy (ND) had the 1995-1996 monitoring period of the converging reasons to challenge the new project presented in this volume, though, PM on his ‘soft’ by Greek standards two (supposedly allied) countries - Greece position, and on his conciliatory approach and Turkey - came very close to fighting a to Turkey (and international relations in warm war, over a tiny barren uninhabited general). The fact that the matter was first islet (called Imia in Greek and Kardak in revealed by nationalist pro-ND media and Turkish). The conflict was in fact triggered that was done immediately after a PASOK and then aggravated by the media of these Mayor known for his leanings towards two countries. Arsenis rushed to plant the Greek flag on

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the islet were crucial concurring evidence. to describe any Turkish activity they disapproved of. Characteristic are the All this was not enough, though, to bring following excerpts from just one, the the two countries to the verge of war. The mostly watched, nightly newscast, at Turkish side had to ‘replicate’ for matters the height of the crisis: “new to get heated enough; and it did. Turkish provocation”, “provocative action of journalists followed by TV cameras Ankara”, “provocation from the landing emulated the Greek Mayor and went to the of Turkish commandos”, “unprece- islet to dented Turkish provocation [as] the Turks, laughing and exchanging remove the Greek flag and replace it with provocative jokes, removed the Greek the Turkish one. Their ‘proud’ channel flag”, “provocative mission” “unprece- showed that ‘scoop’ round the clock, to be dented provocation”, “unprecedented followed by other Turkish media. To which event”, “unprecedented provocation”, the Greek media replied by showing tens “Turkish daring provocation” “new of times their Turkish colleagues’ mission inconceivably provocative action”, with war mongering comments. It thus “daring provocation.” All this in the took a few days of media activity for the first fifteen minute portion against the two governments to find themselves in a background of a repetitive showing of position which they could hardly back footage in which the Turkish journalists away from as the two publics were remove the Greek flag and replace it expecting their respective governments to with the Turkish one. In the following ‘save their nation’s pride’ by keeping their month, the media reported as flag on the islet (which reportedly had ‘provocations’ either events that were never until then seen neither flags and at other times considered normal or warships, nor even living creatures except minor hostile activity, like long before for a Greek shepherd and his goats). Only prearranged Turkish military maneu- intense international, mainly American, vers; moves of Turkish troops in ‘arm-twisting’ forced the two sides to find Cyprus; incidents of Turkish patrol a compromise solution, which was nothing boats with Greek fishermen; etc. more than the return to the status quo ante Likewise ‘provocative’ were reported to 31 January. be Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller’s statements which were moreover During these days, and in the immediate deliberately misquoted to present her aftermath, most media in the two countries making claims over 3,000 Greek islands engaged in extreme hate speech and war or islands in the (far away from Turkey) mongering. From the media monitoring Ionian Sea. reports presented below (the Greek section of the IHF project and an excerpt 2. Sometimes, Turkish actions were from the Turkish part of a similar project) it reported using direct war vocabulary. appears in fact that Greek media were Turks “want an island of ours”; the much more aggressive against Turkey and Turkish journalists’ activity on the islet the Turks than were Turkish media against was called “landing,” “invasion,” Greece and the Greeks. We will summarize “agents’ assault.” When at the height of here the main traits of this hate speech (for the crisis a Greek helicopter crashed complete references, see the detailed near the islet, most Greek media reports further below). insisted, and had kept insisting ever since, that it was shot or at least jammed 1. Greek media used numerous times the by Turks. The repeated disclaimers of words “provocation” and its derivatives Greek military authorities were usually

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challenged for their veracity. A few “thugs of the region,” “omnivorous,” weeks later, Greek media alleged that “poltroons of the Turkish militarism,” NATO’s secretary general Javier Solana “hordes of barbarians of the East,” had implied that there was a possibility “scums, famished and wretched, opium of a new such incident, which drew an smokers and cowards, a mob, the most angry denial by the Organization’s hateful people in the world” [all that in spokesperson, in which he spoke of war the same text], “slayers of people,” mongering. However, while the “Asian slayers,” “butchers of our region,” speculation made the headlines, the “headhunters of the people of the East,” denial was ‘buried’ down. “animals,” “Antichrist;” and were greeted with an “Ai sihtir” [‘Fuck you’ in 3. Complementary to the above warring Turkish]. On the other hand, ‘purely’ image of Turkey, was the image in many negative prejudices were not found in Greek media of their neighbor having the Turkish press. But Greek were “humiliated” Greece. Symbols were called “palikaria” [Greek for ‘brave also used to strengthen that impres- young men,’ used disparagingly in sion: “Turkish crescent on an islet of Turkish about the Greeks]. ours”; “Imia - the new Manzikert for Europe” [reference to the Byzantine 6. Turkey was seen in Greek media as an army’s first ever defeat by the Turks, in “eastern hyena,” “Saka Zoulou,” Manzikert, in 1071]. nurturing an “Asian and Islamic barbarism.” Conversely, in Turkey, 4. Both Greek and Turkish media made Greece was called “paranoiac,” “fanatic appeals for aggressive if not heroic acts. neighbor” with a “passion turned into “Let’s stand up at Thermopylae” [where hysteria.” a small ancient Greek army stood up for a crucially long time before its 7.Greek media saw a Western, mainly ‘heroic’ defeat by a large Persian American, bias in favor of Turkey: “With contingent]; “Ciller for Imia? We for American backing the (...) game in Imia. Constantinople () which is beyond any Made in the USA;” “the Allies [are] Pro- doubt Greek”; “let’s answer with new Turkish (...) Pilates;” “the Europeans’ Thermopylae, Marathons and attitude [is] anti-Greek and a lot of Salamines” [in the latter two places, times pro-Turkish;” “filthy American ancient Greeks defeated the Persians]. plan with Turkish executioners;” “the Similar appeals were made in Turkey: Americans fell in love with Ciller but “Soysal: There Must Be War”; “but the they want to screw us; go to hell, you whole of Greece will get a slap in the perverts!” “the national humiliation in face if it goes there [to Kardak]”; “Turkey Imia is THEIR DEED which they will can overwhelm Greece in 72 hours.” bitterly regret” In Turkey, the West was on the contrary seen as pro-Greek: 5. The conflict inspired the media in both “Crises have always been to the benefit countries to make use of prejudices and of the spoilt child of the West.” pejorative terms for their neighbors. These terms were abundant in Greece, Finally, it was comforting that there was, where the Turks were called certainly limited and post factum, reaction “Tourkalades” [pejorative for Turks], to the media’s dangerous attitude in both “crooked Tourkalades,” “Memetia” countries. In Greece, Avghi, perhaps the [pejorative for Muslims], “boudala- only newspaper that ‘kept its cool’ during haivan” [Turkish for ‘lump-jackass’], the crisis, stated: “fanaticism and “scallywags,” “scoundrels,” “blusterers,” stereotypes, racial or nationalistic, are

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reproduced by television and the other “deep meaning” of the crisis. “The two mass media, creating a ‘climate’ against (...) states are not European yet. The real crisis is an external enemy.” As a result, said other in the media.” Later it added: “Some media newspapers, “public opinion believes in representatives, who see international the existence of the Turkish threat while issues as an advertising campaign, formed a national hatred becomes conscience.” So, holy alliance across the Aegean and showed “Greek television reached the edge of their resolve to turn a simple disagreement absolute lunacy.” into a war. But when the editors, for once unanimous, were about to decide who In Turkey too, the media came under fire should start the war, the United States from within. Yeni Y½zyil, which had stepped in and the crisis ended.” As a assumed a more ‘objective’ and ‘ironic’ commentator in another paper succinctly style during the crisis, quoted conclusions pointed out: “The media seem to have drawn by Le Monde and a statement by replaced the mobs in the streets” the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) about the “pointlessness” or the Naturally, the media do not function in a

68 the imia/kardak story void: the two societies are prone to be 27/1/96 drawn into such dangerous paths. To quote A crew of the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet from the Turkish rapporteur, Ferhat Kentel: landed on Imia by helicopter and after “the stronger Greece’s ‘fear of Turkey,’ the removing the Greek flag raised the Turkish keener Turkey’s ‘desire to punish,’ which one instead. is a sign of lack of self-confidence and lack of confidence in the other country, and so 28/1/96 on.” It is for that reason that this ‘incident’ A patrol boat of the Greek Navy, after a was quickly forgotten and there were no consultation with the Minister of National sustained, efficient and constructive Defense, changed the flag. efforts to help change such media attitudes which can help bring the two countries so 29/1/96 close to a serious conflict. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave The Greek-Turkish “Imia/Kardak” a verbal note to the Greek Ambassador in Crisis in Dates Ankara according to which the agreements vasiliki neofotistos that Turkey signed with Italy for the demarcation of the Dodecanese in 1932 26/12/95 are not valid because they took place in the A Turkish merchant ship ran aground in peculiar circumstances before the Second the waters of the rocky islet of Imia, east of World War. Kalymnos and south-east of the islet of Kalolimnos. Telephone talks about the 30-31/1/96 ship’s detachment followed. The Turkish Greek and Turkish forces stood against captain asked for a Turkish tugboat, but each other in the area. A group of Turks after the intervention of the Greek side, a landed on a rocky islet opposite Imia. A Greek tugboat left the port of Piraeus. Greek helicopter crashed into the sea. After a US and UN mediation, the forces of 29/12/95 the two countries withdrew from the A verbal note of Ankara in which it argued region of Imia. that the rocky islet of Imia (Kardak in Turkish) is a part of the Turkish territory. 4/2/96 Turkey’s caretaker PM, Ms. T. Ciller, at a 9/1/96 meeting with journalists stated inter alia: Athens’s answer to Ankara, in which it “There are almost 1,000 islands, islets and mentioned that according to the Italian- rocky islets like Kardak or bigger than the Turkish Agreement in 1932 and the Treaty latter. We will bring their status to the of Paris in 1947, Imia does not belong to international legal field and the fact that Turkey. they are Turkish territory” (EL. 5/2 p.4).

24/1/96 5/2/96 The ANT1 television station aired the notes Ms. Ciller, in a statement for the Hurriyet exchanged between Athens and Ankara on newspaper, declared: “Turkey is about to the occasion of the Imia incident. raise the question on the islets’ status quo; 3,000 files on 3,000 islands are being 25/1/96 prepared” (EL. 6/2 p.7). The Mayor, along with other inhabitants of Kalymnos hoisted the Greek flag on the 6/2/96 rocky islet. During a television program, Ms. Ciller mentioned that “the extension of Greek territorial waters anywhere will be a cause

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for war, if such a thing happens with a de Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Turkish coast facto action, without Turkey knowing this” guard ship chased two fishing boats that (EL. 7/2 p.18). were fishing in international waters in the region of Alexandroupolis. 10/2/96 Turkish naval maneuvers, which had 16/2/96 already been planned before the tension in The helicopter that crashed in the night of the region, began in the Aegean. 30-31/1 was pulled up. According to the statement by the General Staff of the Navy 15/2/96 “After the first examination, drillings at the A Greek fast-sailing boat which lay at back right bottom exterior part [of the anchor in the region of Imia, went away cockpit] were discovered. The cockpit is after a note of protest of the Turkish transported to the Navy Command in

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Salamina for further investigation in special ready for everything” (ANT1 25/1), since laboratories. The examination is still on.” “The Turks want an island of ours” (AP. (EL. 17/2 p.5). On 17/2, a special team of 25/1 p.1 title). “The Turks grew insolent. experts of the Ministry of Public Order, Now they lay claim to a Greek island” (AP. after examination, “excludes the possibility 25/1 p.11). that the helicopter has been hit by hostile fire. The version about vertigo [-loss of Therefore, since according to the Turkish orientation-] acquires the value of scientific political analyst Mr. A. Birand, “Turkey is truth” (EL. 18/2 p.6). preparing a note for Greece” (ANT1 25/1), “they grow insolent. The Turks ask for more 22/2/96 islands” (A.T. 26/1 p.1); “virtuous Turkey calls her Ambassador in Athens to indignation [because] the eastern hyena of Ankara for consultations. our region (...) Saka Zoulou [who] resides in Ankara (...) lusts for loot!” (A.T. 26/1 p.4). The Greek Media on the “They tried to convert themselves from (...) Imia/Kardak Conflict budalades [Turkish for ‘lumps’] into (...) conquerors” (AP. 26/1 p.9), the “hordes of vasiliki neofotistos barbarians of the East [who] in a little while will ask for Ro and will snatch Voutsaras as The “mystery-session” (EL. 24/1 p.1 title) of well” (A.T. 26/1 p.18). “Message received. the Prime Minister Mr. Simitis with the The answer is one, the only one, the well- Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Pangalos known one, the ancient ‘Molon Lave’ and the Minister of Public Order Mr. [‘Come and Take Them’]. And one more Gitonas “fired scenarios (...) of terrorism thing. IMIA (...) is one of the innumerable and Turkish provocation in the Aegean” forms that Aegeas, Ikaros, Ulysses, the (EL.T 25/1 p.6); “fears of Turkish Mermaid, the sister of Alexander the Great, provocation in Thrace” (EL.T. 24/1 p.10); Papanikolis, Kanaris, Bouboulina, Miaoulis, “fears in Athens and Thrace of provocation second lieutenant Diakos [the first dead by Ankara” (AP. 24/1 p.10). According to Dodecanese in Albania in 1940], our dead the television station ANTENNA, “the new and our living take. HANDS OFF” Turkish provocation” consists in “the claim (comments of New Democracy MP V. on the rocky islet of Imia” (ANT1 24/1). It Polydoras, AP. 26/1 p.8). all started on 29/12 when Ankara, on the occasion of the grounding of a Turkish While some point out “the excessive noise goods ship in Imia, in a verbal note to about the rocky islet of Imia” (A. 26/1 p.2), Athens “argues that the rocky islet of Imia “the hazardous proportion which most (Kardak in Turkish) constitutes part of the Greek media lent to the event” (A. 27/1 Turkish territory” (N. 30/1 p.11). On 19/1, p.20), on the other hand stories continue the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its not only that “Ankara keeps its provocative reply to Ankara, mentions that “on the stance” (MEGA 26/1) but also about “new basis of the Italian-Turkish Agreement of effusion of the Turkish provocativeness” 1932, the rocky islet of Imia [did not] (ANT1 26/1): “a Turkish frigate outside (...) belong to Turkey.” (ETH. 25/1 p.10). Sounio” (AP. 27/1 p.5).

The “provocation by Turkey” (MEGA 25/1), In addition, when on 27/1, Turkish “new provocation from Ankara” entail that journalists removed the Greek flag from “the inhabitants of our islands near the Imia -which in the meantime had been put border have been exasperated by the there by the Mayor of Kalymnos- and Turkish provocative character and they are replaced it with the Turkish flag, the action was characterized as: “New provocation”,

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“provocative action of Ankara”, Turkish naval and air powers escalate their “provocation from the landing of Turkish provocation above the rocky islet of Imia by commandos”, “unprecedented Turkish making a war of nerves” (MEGA 30/1). provocation [as] the Turks, laughing and According to an inhabitant of Kalymnos exchanging provocative jokes, removed the “we do not mind war. We will eat them Greek flag”, “provocative mission” alive” (SKY 30/1). “Our answer will have to “unprecedented provocation”, unprece- be sent through the channels of diplomacy dented event”, “unprecedented provoca- by telling them (...) very diplomatically ‘Ai tion”, “Turkish daring provocation” “new sihtir [Turkish for ‘fuck you’] Memetia’ inconceivably provocative action”, “daring [pejorative for ‘Muslims’]” (A.T. 31/1 p.1). provocation” [all the preceding are In the night of January 30 to 31, “Greece selections just from one newscast] (MEGA and Turkey reached (...) the verge of a war 28/1). “Havale [Turkish used in Greek for conflict [after] a mini-landing of Turkish ‘ridiculous’] landing!” (A.T. 29/1 p.1 title), commandos on a rocky islet opposite Imia” “Invasion of Turks” (AP. 29/1 p.1 title), (ETH. 31/1 p.1). In the same area, a Greek “Agents’ assault on rocky islet! Turkish helicopter crashed and as a result the three provocation aiming at the islands of the members of the crew were killed. So, Aegean” (ETH. 29/1 p.1 title), “Brutal during the “Night of national shame” (EL.T. provocation. The Turks humiliated us” 31/1 p.1 title) we pass from “Hours of war” (EL.T. 29/1 p.8-9), “Bairak [Turkish for (AP. 31/1 p.1 title) and the “warlike ‘flag’]-provocation” (N. 29/1 p.3). blackmail for half the Aegean” (N. 31/1 p.1 title) on to “Foggy end. The Turkish crescent However, “a patrol boat of the Navy, (...) on an islet of ours!” (EL. 31/1 p.1). All these after consultation with the Minister of comments had the underlying idea that “A National Defense Mr. G. Arsenis, changes war, even a mini-war like the one made at the flag [and] a reinforcement of the Greek the rocky islet of Imia, requires a winner forces in the area [is noted]” (N. 30/1 p.11). and a loser in order to come to an end. The “Imia is protected by warships” (EL. 30/1 winner of this confrontation is Turkey. (...) p.16). At the same time, in the verbal note The loser of this confrontation is Greece” that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SKY 31/1). “Imia, the new Manzikert for gave to the Greek Ambassador in Ankara, it Europe!” (EC.T. 8/2 p.19). “WHAT? Things is argued that “the agreements which got rough? So, what? Like hell we will Turkey signed with Italy for the demarcation baulk!” (ETH. 31/1 p.9). “Let’s (...) damn of the borders in 1932 are not in effect, them and stand up at Thermopylae” (A.T. because they ‘came about under the 31/1 p.4), otherwise “we will soon see the peculiar circumstances before the Second Turkish bairak -and not just that- on some World War’” (N. 30/1 p.11). So, “the Turks ‘rocks’ much closer (...) in Exarhia! [an area grow insolent” (A.T. 30/1 p.1). “They ask in the center of Athens]” (EL.T. 31/1 p.4). for new borders in the Aegean! The Turks The scare-mongering reached the point start a slanging match” (EL. 30/1 p.1 title). when direct hateful remarks against the “The Tourkalades [pejorative for ‘Turks’] Turkish people were made “The Turks (...) scallywags (...) the scoundrels” (A.T. 30/1 are scums. They are famished and p.18) “want to extort a dialogue about the wretched. Opium-smokers and cowards. Aegean” (K. 30/1 p.1). And the media give They are a mob. The most hateful people in the following advice: “Turkey, behave the world” (A.T. 13/2 p.18), “slayers of yourself!” (ETH. 30/1 p.1), “we will respond people” (EL.T. 8/2 p.19), “blusterers” without hesitation” (ETH. 30/1 p.4-5). (according to PASOK MP Vasilis Kedikoglou, ANT1 6/2), “thugs of the Meanwhile, “war drums [and] war fever in region” (according to PASOK MP the Aegean” (ANT1 30/1) because “the Drosoyannis), “omnivorous” (A.T. 9/2

72 the imia/kardak story p.10). The “crooked Tourkalades” (A.T. provocative attitude. There go [in Greek 31/1 p.18), “boudala-haivan [Turkish for ‘NATOI’ as in NATO] the enemies of peace ‘lump-jackass’] Tourkalades” (A.T. 31/1 in the Aegean” (R. 31/1 p.1 title). “The USA p.11), “poltroons of the Turkish militarism” overtly questions our sovereignty in the (K. 31/1 p.3), “the ‘boudalades’ of Ankara Aegean” (A.T. 1/2 p.1 title). “Secret (...) let them finally make the ‘fatal mistake’” Agreement. Plan of the Americans for the (EL.T. 31/1 p.3). whole Aegean” (A.T. 1/2 p.1 title), “filthy American plan with Turkish executioners. Moreover, “The crashing of the helicopter - We are heading for war!” (A.T. 2/2 p.1 title), a thriller. Military officers did not exclude a “the Americans fell in love with Ciller but hostile action” (EL.T. 1/2 p.28-29), “the they want to screw us. Go to hell, you helicopter was probably hit” (AP. 1/2 p.1). perverts!” (AP. 5/2 p.8), “the national “Document. Shooting down or jamming” humiliation in Imia is THEIR DEED which (AP. 1/2 p.15) even though “the Navy they will bitterly regret” (EL.T. 5/2 p.3). explicitly denied a story mentioning that the helicopter which crashed yesterday Afterwards, while we are informed that [31/1] in the sea area of the rocky islet of “the meeting of Greek and Turkish Imia received electronic jamming” (ET1 organizations on the rocky islet of Imia (...) 1/2). Despite this, “full confirmation of ‘A’. was put off” (N. 2/2 p.12), we also read Tele-jamming resulted in the fatal crashing” that “They are preparing a new surprise for (AP. 2/2 p.15). us” (A.T. 2/2 p.7): “Ankara attempts the taking of Imia without guns! It sends Turkish In spite of the fact that “it would be good (...) ecologists to the rocky islet” (AP. 2/2 (...) to avoid scare-mongering” (K. 31/1 p.1). “So much insolence baffles you(...)” p.7), the language of the media started (ETH. 2/2 p.24). “Upon my soul here is a becoming even less civilized, reaching the good chance to go with the broomsticks discourse of street hooligans “The animals, and give them the ecological beating that (...) the Antichrist. (...) And then you’ll see they deserve” (ETH. 2/2 p.6). how a landing of Greek frogmen on Tatavla [district of Istanbul] is done!” (A.T. 1/2 In that spirit, the “mobility of the p.18); “Why not? Ciller for Imia? We for occupation troops in Cyprus” (A. 2/2 p.1), Constantinople. Which is beyond any doubt during the development of the Greek- Greek! Do you have any objection?” (A.T. Turkish crisis in Imia, was interpreted as 13/2 p.18); “If the Tourkalades want, they “new provocation of the Turks this time in should come and take them. We are ready Cyprus”, “new provocation”, “new even for war, how do they humiliate us?” provocation of the Turks through the (AP. 1/2 p.9). media”, “provocative action”, “one more new provocation through the media”, “the At the same time, “Washington turns a Turks are trying to create a climate in a blind eye to the Turkish provocation” (EL. provocative way” “premeditated 30/1 p.16), “With American backing the (...) provocation” (ANT1 2/2). game in Imia. Made in the USA” (A.T. 31/1 p.1 title). But even “The Allies [are] Pro- “Ciller threatens us with war, Ciller wants Turkish (...) Pilates” (AP. 31/1 p.7), “the 1,000 islands!” (A.T. 5/1 p.1 title), a “new Europeans’ attitude [is] anti-Greek and a lot ‘hot’ provocation in the Aegean. Turkish of times pro-Turkish” (AP. 6/2 p.12), “They machine guns against fishermen” (EL.T. 5/2 should realize that Turkey landed on the p.1 title), “new provocative incident of the European Union!” (EC.T. 22/2 p.33). “The Turks” (ANT1 5/2). However, we learn that USA as Pilate” (N. 31/1 p.1), “the USA and “the information about the particular the European Union behind the Turkish incident is not characterized as alarming

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because in the particular bay where the provocation” (MEGA 6/2) go on, at the fishing was done by Greek fishermen, same time “Ankara grew completely fishing has been prohibited for many years, insolent since the caretaker PM Ciller went both by the Greeks and by the Turks” (SKY so far as to threaten Greece provided the 5/2). latter extended her territorial waters to 12 miles even in the Ionian Sea” (MEGA 7/2). “On a war footing! Ciller now wants 3,000 “New provocative and crazy statement by islands!!!” (A.T. 6/2 p.7). “The Turks keep Ciller. Even in the Ionian Sea the 12 miles files on 3,000 islands of ours!” (EL.T. 6/2 are a cause of war!” (EL. 7/2 p.18); “Even p.1), “Ciller escalates the tension in the the (...) Adriatic is now claimed by Tansu Aegean” (ETH. 6/2 p.11), “Tansu Ciller Ciller” (AP. 8/2 p.11). It should be went too far and (...) insists on appearing mentioned that no such statement was provocative” (ANT1 5/2), “Tansu Ciller ever made by the Prime Minister of Turkey, provocatively questions the sovereignty of who had simply said that her country is all rocky islets” (MEGA 5/2). “The (...) lame opposed to the extension of the Greek goat was fit to burst with frustration, territorial waters to 12 miles in the Aegean, willingly or unwillingly, to mix with the and generally ‘elsewhere.’ “With the ‘nuts’ others of the rocky islet. Otur bakalum that the (...) mad-Turkish lady has, she may [Turkish for ‘let’s see’] my lady” (EL.T. 6/2 well order a landing on (...) Dafni! [an area p.14); “We will answer (...) Tsouller [slight near Athens]” (A.T. 10/2 p.10). “For the change of Ciller’s name to remind the headhunters of the people of the East, reader of ‘tsoula’, meaning ‘hussy’ in applied the bellicose song of our Greek] with two Greek proverbs. [Follow Turkfighting grandfathers (...): ‘Did you see two proverbs which talk about a Turk? He deserves a ball [‘bullet’]. Did unimportant and unqualified people who you see another one? He deserves one are now showing off]” (A.T. 5/2 p.3). too.’” Or the proverbial: ‘Make the Turk the “Normally she should be wearing a veil and godfather of your child and hold your be locked up in the room, like a good stick’” (N. 8/2 p.24). “We will settle with Muslim, but Kemal came along -damn his them once and for all. And maybe once and father- and abolished the veil and taught for all, we will finish with them!..” (EL.T. them to wash their feet” (A.T. 6/2 p.18). 7/2 p.3). “Our people is proudly standing “(...) Karaiska-kis for coach. (...) It is not a up. Ready to ‘guard Thermopylae’” (R. 13/2 bad idea” (A.T. 5/2 p.24). “We must be p.36). armed to the teeth. (...) The Turks understand no other language” (EL. 7/2 Furthermore, “Ankara is preparing a new p.9), because “it is better to be the mother hot incident in the Aegean” “NATO and of the killer than that of the dead!” (EL. 7/2 Washington fear a new hot incident within p.10). Towards “the impudent smears of the next few days. NATO’s secretary Javier the Asian slayer” (K. 7/2 p.2), “the butchers Solana (...) divulged that all night yesterday of our region” (N. 2/2 p.4), “to the Asian [8/2] the telephones with Athens and and Islamic barbarism of Turkey, we must Ankara were set on fire”, “fears of a new on our own again, answer with new serious Greek-Turkish incident in the Thermopylae, Marathons and Salamines!” Aegean”, “fears of a new incident” (ANT1 (A.T. 5/2 p.4). 9/2); “cold war tactics by the Turks” (MEGA 9/2); “fear of a hot incident” (MEGA 11/2); And while “provocative statements about “‘hot’ incident with Turkey feared by the Aegean”, “orgy of propaganda from NATO” (A.T. 10/2) p.1); “Climate of war Turkish [TV] channels”, “war of nerves”, fever in the Aegean created by the USA and “propaganda war of nerves” (ANT1 6/2), NATO. Concern for a new incident” (N. “climate of dangerous tension”, “verbal 10/2 p.7). However “NATO’s spokesperson

74 the imia/kardak story categorically denied” (ET1 10/2) this crashing has evolved again into a thriller” information. It is certain that “some people (MEGA 17/2) because “we cannot exclude insist on scare-mongering by reporting non- the possibility that the helicopter was shot existent information” (EL. 10/2 p.8). by Turkish fire” (ET1 16/2) and “it is surmised that the helicopter was hit by the And while all this is happening, “Fever in Turks” (MEGA 16/2). “Traces from bullets the Aegean again. Big exercise of the Turks” were found. They shot down the helicopter. (AP. 10/2 p.1). “The Turks provoke with Turks murdered the three intrepid men in exercises of the Fleet” (AP. 10/2 p.5), “new cold blood” (AP. 17/2 p.1 title), “the Turks tension is expected (...) as the Turks take shot down our helicopter in Imia and out their fleet for exercises with real fire” murdered the three intrepid men in cold (ANT1 10/2), “Agony and readiness in the blood” (AP. 17/2 p.10), “The ‘vertigo’ was Aegean” (ANT1 11/2), “the Turks go on Turkish bullets! The helicopter is riddled” with the war of nerves” (MEGA 12/2), “Fear (EL.T. 17/2 p.1 title). And despite our of hot incident. Fever in the Aegean” (EL.T. informing that “the first indications speak 12/2 p.7). After all this the public is asked: about holes from (...) screws” (ETH. 17/2 “Do you know how the Turks named the p.1) and that “the experts’ report mentions exercise they have been doing in the Aegean that the holes in the fatal helicopter’s since yesterday [12/2]? ‘Constrictor’! I am cockpit are not from bullets’ (ANT1 16/2), not kidding! That’s how they call it! And “we now know that the Greek officers then, am I to blame for saying that the passed away because of a technical Turkish woman Tsouler is tamam [Turkish breakdown” (ET1 17/2), some media insist for ‘just right’] made for the Ottoman bed? on misinforming their audience: Since, when you see her, you think of orgies “helicopter ‘riddled’ by the Turks” (A.T. with constrictors. (Well, (...) Don’t you?)” 18/2 p.18), “Cause of war - the shooting (ETH. 13/2 p.9). Let it be noted that the down of the helicopter” (AP. 18/2 p.1 title). maneuvers had been scheduled quite “The Turks escalate the tension”, “Ankara some time ago, and were routinely escalates the tension this time on a reported to the Greek government. diplomatic level by recalling its ambassador from Athens”, “Turkey raised the tones” In addition “double provocation by Turkey (ANT1 22/2). “Ankara strengthens its at our country’s expense” (ANT1 16/2), blackmailing” (MEGA 22/2), “The Turks “new provocation from the Turks. They push things too far” (EL.T. 23/2 p.1 title), gave chase to two fishing-vessels of “Fuel on the fire from the Turks” (A.T. 23/2 Alexandroupolis in international waters” p.5). Nevertheless, according to PASOK (AP. 16/2 p.11), “Double Turkish MP J. Kapsis “The whole Greek journalistic provocation. Protest about the Greek world has made an error out of ignorance. presence in Imia. Violation of territorial The recalling of an ambassador (...) waters” (N. 16/2 p.8). In consequence, presupposes that the Greek ambassador “series of ‘war provocation’ in Thrace and leaves Ankara (...) There was no recalling in the Aegean till the summer by the Turks!” but a calling” (SKY 23/2). (P. 2/2 p.1 title) as “Turkish propaganda in the Balkans is rampant. Fifth phalanx with Still, there were some diverging voices. Ankara’s dollars. The primary targets are “The continuation of the ‘war in the Thrace and Southern Bulgaria” (AP. 7/2 Aegean,’ (...) with the help of the p.13). “The Turks want to make a second professional warmongers, emotionally Bosnia out of West Thrace” (ETH, 24/2 charges the atmosphere” (EL. 5/2 p.9). p.10). “Fanaticism and stereotypes, racial or nationalistic, are reproduced by television Just then “The issue of the helicopter and the other mass media, creating a

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‘climate’ against (...) an external enemy” (A. Greeks!” (K. 11/2 p.2). 4/2 p.10). As a result, “public opinion believes in the existence of the Turkish After monitoring the way in which Greek threat while national hatred becomes media presented the Greek-Turkish crisis conscience” (K. 11/2 p.8). “A metaphysical, in the Aegean, we have the following dogmatic point of view has been launched. comments to make: It leads the state, the journalists and our intelligentsia to see monolithically 1. The repetition to repletion of the scenes everything that is Turkish (...) The aggressive with Greek and Turkish ships in the line and nationalism should be turned Aegean; of the removal of the Greek down and isolated” (A. 3/2 p.16). “Ultimate and the raising of the Turkish flag on hope for all of us is to prove that apart from the rocky islet; as well as of the related (...) wearing ourselves out with which broadcast of Turkish television; in foreigners are ‘philhellenes’ [pro-Greek] combination with dramatic tones in the and which ‘antihellenes’ [anti-Greek], delivery of the news, had as a result above all we ourselves know how to (...) be “the Greek television to reach the edge

Sympathy and Aversion Towards Various Countries (Greek-wide survey by MRB, June 1995)

Country % Sympathy % Aversion Serbia 62.7 17.4 European Union 55.6 17.5 France 43.4 21.2 Russia 38.5 27.9 USA 33.8 35.4 Bulgaria 28.5 32.1 Germany 38.6 42.9 England 25.4 40.8 Albania 5.2 77.3 FYROM 4.4 85.1 Turkey 2.1 88.1

Table of media initials: I Avgi (Av.); Adesmeftos Typos (A.T); Apogevmatini (Ap.); Ethnos (Eth); Eleftheros Typos (E.T.); Eleftherotypia (El.); I Kathimerini (K.); Rizospastis (R.); Ta Nea (N.); To Pontiki (P.); To Vima (V.); Economicos Tachydromos (Ec.T.); Stohos (St.); Mega; Antenna; ET-1; Sky.

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of absolute lunacy” (N. 5/2 p.25). after tough negotiations]. The second conclusion, which is linked to the first, 2. Whichever Turkish action, considered became more obvious after the end of the unacceptable by the Greek side, was crisis: “Is the Turkish people more self- characterized with no hesitation as assured now that it proved it is the more “provocation” and was continuously heroic?” Finally, the third conclusion is and emphatically repeated as such. clearly about the role of the media during the crisis: “Were the media independent 3. The latent racism against Turkey -88.1% sources of information or agents of an of the public opinion expressed increasingly authoritarian state policy, aversion towards Turkey, in June 1995 seeking to rally society around a closed (K. 11/2 p.8 -see table below-), found nationalist ideology?” expression in the abundant hate speech against the Turkish people as well as Let us follow these lines, which look inter- against Turkey as a whole. dependent. At first glance the most The turkish media on the imia/ prominent feature is the difficulty to find kardak conflict “purely” negative prejudices. The previous reports showed that Greece was held up as ferhat kentel6 a mirror of the “average” Turkish press; this time it was not used directly in its Arguably, the number one Greek issue in negative role to boost Turkey’s self- the Turkish press was the crisis over the confidence. The show of strength helped “cliffs” of Kardak (known as Imia in the “average Turk,” brought to life by the Greece), whose location between Greek press, project an image of someone islands and the Turkish coast provoked “strong” who can “win.” This made it disputes and highlighted the issue of the pointless to talk about “the other side” two countries’ territorial waters. The crisis because talking about oneself was more flared up in January and continued in than enough. February. Its consequences, however, still fanned the fire in the Turkish press in Though the general picture was dominated March. At any rate, this crisis illustrates the by the segment of the press which took a media’s role in the escalation of prejudice, “going-to-war” attitude without much as well as the “point” of this project on “humiliation” vis-a-vis Greece and the Balkan neighbors. Greeks, some newspapers and journalists tried to go against the “bellicose” tide. The Several conclusions can be drawn (along “going-to-war” attitude is illustrated by the several lines of analysis) from the crisis following articles. which nearly sparked a war between Greece and Turkey. First, the discussion of By far the most shocking news in this the possibility of a war: “Was war really category was about journalists planting the imminent or was this a means of diverting Turkish flag on one of the Kardak cliffs. A attention from the internal crises?” [in the photo of the proud journalists was front- context of changes of government - Simitis paged in H½rriyet (2/2). “Our friends in Greece and the formation of the Ciller- photographed the Greek flag on Turkish Yilmaz coalition government in Turkey territory. This was their duty as journalists. Then they planted the flag of the owners of

6 Reprinted with the author’s kind permission from Balkan Neighbors (4/96)

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this territory in place of the foreign flag. same advice in an article headlined. Which was their civic duty. We believe that “Turkey Can Overwhelm Greece in 72 people do not lose their civic feelings upon Hours” (Sabah, 2/2). becoming journalists just as they do not lose their human feelings. We are human See also Tufan T½renc (H½rriyet, 31/1). beings, citizens and journalists at the same “[The future readers of the history of the time. Moreover, we are the best in all three Kardak crisis] will differentiate Turkey, categories.” The editor of the paper forced to live with a fanatic neighbor, from championed the cause. “Yes, we brought Greece. (...) They will see how the Greek the Kardak issue to the attention of the passion for appropriation of the whole sea Turkish people. The Greek flag is no longer between two states has turned into hysteria. flying on Kardak. We apologize if we did This particular state of mind of the Greeks something wrong.” underlies the absurdity of the Kardak crisis.”

Statements by politicians from all camps Excited, the Turkish media turned their fueled the crisis. “Soysal: There Must Be attention to the Greek media. “The Greek War.” During debates in Parliament, press, which never misses an opportunity Kamran Inan of ANAP called the Greek to cause a storm in a teacup, mobilized troops “paupers in skirts” and Ünder Sav of public opinion with the cries: ‘The Turks are CHP said: “Not only nine palikaria [Greek coming’ and ‘Turkey claims Greek land’.” for ‘brave young men,’ used disparagingly (Sabah, 31/1). in Turkish about the Greeks], but the whole of Greece will get a slap in the face if it goes Later on the idea of paranoia became the there [to Kardak]” (31/1). core of a fictional story by Serdar Turgut, known for his odd, often ironic articles The “slap in the face” is coupled with the (H½rriyet, 16/2). “Life in Greece [following image of “the spoilt child.” “Crises have an account of a day in the life of an always been to the benefit of the spoilt “ordinary” Greek citizen with references to child of the West. Athens is secretly plotting the Turkish threat] 23:47. The woman is a new crisis, hoping to benefit from it.” furious with her husband and, of course, (Sabah, 30/1). In a sense, the “slap in the refuses to make love. He blames his sexual face” came. “Mehmetcik [the heroic frustration on the Turks. His friends will Turkish soldier] landed in Kardak” (Sabah, easily understand his warped logic when he 31/1). This was done to punish “The liars tells them what has happened. While all [who] were caught out! (...) While the this is going on, no one in Turkey will so Greek Defense Ministry was energetically much as mention Greece. Some of us will denying that troops had landed on the even be having a drink at a Greek tavern.” Kardak cliffs, the private Greek channels Mega and Antena aired television pictures A statement by a retired admiral (an ex- of troops landing on the island” (Sabah, navy commander) was quoted by G½neri 30/1). Civaoglu: “Greece will not dare go to war with us.” He made a “bold” remark about Compared to the gamut of “national that country. “Beware (...) While Ankara is emotions,” “heroism”, “dignity” and in the grip of a cabinet crisis, Greece is “reasons to go to war”, directly negative playing the tough palikaria... Playing the statements were rare and can be illustrated conqueror of a cliff, the Greek government by Taha Akyol (Milliyet, 30/1). “Paranoiac is like a mouse roaring like a lion in a bid to Athens! Athens should give up its paranoiac win recognition from the public; but it is obsessions and learn to act in a civilized playing with fire” (Sabah, 31/1). manner.” Sedat Sertoglu proffered the

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The Turkish side acted out of a sense of which was supposed to boost the self- hurt “dignity” after the Greeks won the confidence of the people and Ciller, who first round by planting their flag on the was negotiating for a coalition government, cliffs. When “dignity” is at stake - the only the same newspaper (Yeni Y½zyil, 1/2) criterion for self-assertion - war and threats carried a headline “Gecmis Olsun,” a are justified. G½ngÊr Mengi (Sabah, 30/1) phrase used to express relief after avoiding claimed in criticizing Turkish journalists a danger. that “when it comes to national dignity, gains and losses do not matter. (...) The As the danger of war receded, the results Greeks must not interpret Turkey’s silence of the tragicomic crisis became as a sign that it has swallowed the increasingly evident. The media came humiliation. (...) If they do not want to hear under fire from many journalists. Yeni a profound silence as after apocalypse and Y½zyil, which had assumed a more death, they should seek refuge in the law!” “objective” and “ironic” style during the Or Sedat Seroglu (Sabah, 31/1): “One crisis, quoted conclusions drawn by Le must not play tricks on a great country [a Monde and a statement by the Association reference to Turkey] (...) One must not of European Journalists (AEJ) about the bluff a great country (...) No one can even “pointlessness” or the “deep meaning” of dare do so (...)” the crisis. “The two states are not European yet. The real crisis is in the media.” (4/2). On the other hand, some headlines referred to “danger.” “The wind of war. The Mensur Akg½n of Yeni Y½zyil (1/2) was flag-planting contest on the Kardak cliff ironic: “Some media representatives, who near Bodrum has escalated into a see international issues as an advertising dangerous crisis after the landing of Greek campaign, formed a holy alliance across the troops” (Sabah, 30/1). Or Mehmet Ali Aegean and showed their resolve to turn a Birand (Sabah, 31/1): “Politicians in both simple disagreement into a war. But when countries are glad to be in the foreground. the editors, for once unanimous, were ‘Speeches about the motherland and the about to decide who should start the war, nation are the latest fad. Sabres are being the United States stepped in and the crisis rattled.’ God save us all (...)” ended.”

Some articles focused on the two sides of G½lay GÊkt½rk wrote in the same ironic the image of the “Greek” in Turkey. Murat vein: “The lessons of Kardak. (...) Lesson 2: Birsel (Yeni Y½zyil, 1/2): “This is the right Should a world war start one day, it will not time to let the image of the ‘aggressive be after the assassination of a prince. Now Turk’ recede and hone the image of the there are much more provocative figures ‘aggressive Greek’ instead. We should than princes: the press bosses will be market this around the world to show the responsible for the war.” (Yeni Y½zyil, 1/2). Greek’s true image. (...) As to tourism (...) There will be a few Kardak cafes on the Cengiz Candar (Sabah, 1/2): “The comedy Aegean coast [on the Turkish side], Greek- of Kardak or the tragedy of Imia. (...) Two style steamed fish will be served as the ‘teenage countries,’ named Turkey and main course under the strains of sirtaki Greece, were pitted against one another [Greek dance], there will be plate-breaking over a piece of rock as large as a rich Turk’s and kasap havasi dancing [butcher’s or Greek’s living-room, inhabited only by dance]. Don’t you worry (...)” octopuses and squids. Then Washington intervened - (...) over the telephone - (...), While Ankara was satisfied with the and it was back to square one. The 72-hour outcome of the crisis - “We won a victory” - buffoonery is over for the time being.”

79 the imia/kardak story

“What a pity for stability in the Aegean they dive, make parachute jumps, land as region and Simitis. (...) Erbakan, Yilmaz amphibians and rip the Greek flag off a should learn a lesson from the brinksman- broken post to replace it with the Turkish ship policies of Simitis, Pangalos, Ecevit. No flag. (...) Those brave journalists are always one should envy Saddam.” (Mehmet alert. Those who lose dignity in the boss’s Barlas, Sabah, 1/2). Barlas targeted the office and look for national dignity in the media: “Beware! (...) The ‘flags-on-the-cliffs Aegean will provoke this war sooner or crisis,’ precipitated by the media and fueled later.” by Turkey and Greece, ended when Clinton said ‘That’s enough.’ Those ‘striving for To sum up: Though most journalists sought higher approval ratings,’ who brought the a more objective point of view and two countries to the brink of war, should “common sense” and sharply criticized unite and plant the Turkish and the Greek their colleagues, the Greek’s image flags on the White House without delay. (...) projected in the Turkish press was of a In the past the mob would plunge the man “hostile to the Turks and afraid of states into catastrophe by taking to the them.” Judging from the following, the streets and demanding territories and opposite is “unusual”: “An unusual Greek. conquests. (...) Now the media seem to While 24 out of 25 Greek MEPs voted have replaced the mobs in the streets.” against [Turkey’s admission to] the (Sabah, 1/2). Barlas was even more Customs Union, one abstained” (Milliyet, outspoken in another article (Sabah, 31/1): 15/12 1995). “These days a top-rated TV network with the largest news-viewing audience cannot It seems that on the two sides of the make five million dollars from commercials, Aegean two feelings reinforce each other. however hard it tries. But if its news The stronger Greece’s “fear of Turkey,” the provokes war, arms sales will soar by keener Turkey’s “desire to punish,” which billions of dollars.” is a sign of lack of self-confidence and lack of confidence in the other country, and so Let us end this criticism of the media with on. Despite the growing fear, however, Ahmet Altan’s elaborate writing (Yeni there were remarks like those by Temucin Y½zyil, 1/2). “In the hullabaloo contest T½zecan (Milliyet, 4/1): “Greece is asking with Greek politicians and the goats of the itself certain questions [after the end of the ‘megalo idea,’ the deficiency in our leaders Papandreou era]. (...) These doubts, which I who are behind all this was made up, thank witnessed for the first time, re-echo in every God, by our heroic media. They are more stratum of society and in every sphere. I submarine commandos than journalists: think that the Customs Union made Greek

80 kosovo businessmen forget their fear of Turkey.” treated as nationalistic and political provocation, as offense against the feelings Finally, the dualism between political of the national minority.” (J, 1/8); “Serbs in “reality,” which is guided by the sense of Kosovo and Metohija are continuously “national dignity” and has the strongest under the pressure of the Shiptar impact, and “human” relationships was [pejorative for Albanian] separatists” (TVP, formulated by Metin Toker (Milliyet, 10/11 29/9). On the other hand “that is part of 1995), who commented on Bulent Ecevit, the Greater Albanian policy and of the the “hero” of Cyprus: “(...) some believe Albanian separatists in Kosovo and Ecevit is better as a poet than as a politician. Metohija(...)” (J, 26/9) and “As it’s known, In his famous poem about Turkish-Greek money from drugs will be used to supply fraternity Ecevit says: ‘When you feel arms to the secessionist movement and to homesick, you will realize / that you and buy Serbian land(...)” (J, 29/8). Moreover, the Greek are brothers. / While he is “Turkey and Albania aim to manipulate the listening to a Greek song, look at the exiled ‘Shiptars’ and the Muslim secessionists in child from Istanbul.” the FRY. By the end of last year they had Albanians organized a meeting in which participated over 30 ‘Shiptar’ secessionists from Kosovo The situation in Kosovo is characterized by and Metohija, from the Former Yugoslav the constant collisions between the Republic of Macedonian, as well as Muslim majority of Albanians living there and the from the Rasian region.” (J, 1/1); “Two Serbian authorities. On the one hand the caimans with Hungarian registration come Serbian media “recycle” the image of the to this church every week. The food and “separatist” Albanians again and again, other goods are distributed mainly to the while the Albanian ones produce their own Shiptars, whom this church has successfully hate speech against the Serbs. “In the same converted into Catholics. We recall that it way students of Albanian nationality from was here that the young Shiptars were the Faculty of Philosophy in times of cured during the time of the so called demonstrations of the Albanian separatists, ‘poisoning’” (R.P, 17/8). secessionists and nationalists have directly attempted to turn the faculties into bastions There is abundant information on different of the ideologically dogma called the offenses of the “aggressive Arnauts ‘Kosovo Republic’” (J, 2/8); “To this, as it [insulting for Albanian]” (J, 16-17/9). has been announced, were opposed only “Around the tower where the units were Albanian secessionists. The latter, in their locked, up to 1,500 ‘Arnauts’ from own political blindness, fail to see that this Orahovac and some soldiers were gathered. is a question of humanitarian action and of But only the ‘Arnauts’ were fighting”; “Five delivering a part of the Serbian people.” (J, Chetniks were killed. After that the ‘Arnauts’ 19-20/8). burned the tower”; “‘Arnaut’ actions against the Serbian population have been The threat of secession is re-enforced conducted with the aim to expel the Serbs when one reads that “the lives of the and to seize their mobile and real estate Serbian citizens have for a long time been using maltreatment, intimidation and under the shadow of those who think that killing.” (J, 14-15/10). they have more right to live in this area. In this way every idea to build an object like Another constant topic is the ingratitude of this, an object in which in exemplary way “The Shiptar nationalists and separatists and with dignity will be given the long- [who] have been working systematically for deserved homage to the dead, has been years to expel the Serbs and Montenegrins from the municipality of Djakova.” (J,

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22/12); “this armed attack is only one in ‘Shiptar’ language” (J, 6-7/4), because “As it the series of attacks of the ‘Shiptar’ is known, the highest birth rate in Europe is separatists against the Serbian state” (RP, in Kosovo and Metohija, which is due to the 25/10), while “in Shiptarian hard times only secessionist policy of the self-proclaimed these people, whom we must accept in our Albanian leaders.” (RP, 11/12) The latter numerous meeting, have showed their are also to blame for their “baleful influence support to us and they have organized on the children who are not able to volunteer groups” (R.P, 24/8). The continue their regular education, due to the following conclusion is drawn: “Serbs are unreasonable boycott on the part of the supported by history, while ‘Shiptars’ - by Albanian minority.” (RP, 26/12). However, ethnogenesis. Serbs are driven by the desire there are articles which show that the to ensure the safety of their children, as problem is not limited to Kosovo only - regards heritage and education, while “the tension between Macedonians and ‘Shiptars’ aim at having numerous offspring Shiptars is increasing. The reason for this is and at providing mutual brotherhood the persistent desire of the ‘Shiptars’ to help.” (J, 2-3/12). That is why “The Albanian establish a ‘certain Albanian University’” separatists have to wake up very soon from (R.P, 18/10) the dream of the ‘Kosovo Republic’, otherwise they will only start an Serbs unavoidable conflict, hatred and ghettoization.”; “the civil relations in The Albanian language media are not less Kosovo and Metohija are in disorder, due to hostile towards the Serbs in general, as the continuous destructive activity of the well as against “the fascistic parties in Albanian separatists.” (J, 5/1). Serbia and the Serbian regime in Belgrade” (B, 16/8). “In 1913 when Kosova was under Historical evidence is brought in support: the Slavo-terroristic occupation of Serbia “up to now the interpretation of the ((...)) when bullet and foe of enemy Shkja phenomenon of counterrevolution in [insulting for Serb]” (B, 19/8); “but Tito, Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the with his nazi-communist and racist Slav genocide experienced in previous historical collaborators, found inspiration in the periods very often demanded justifications Panslavic bad-fame theory” (B, 7/10). All and pretexts for the Albanian separatist this is called “UNCONTROLLED SLAV aspiration. In the time of the Turkish Empire SATANISM” [title of a sketch] (B, 30/3) and before the Balkan wars it was said that the the usage of pejorative words gains Albanian rascals were the blind executors of impetus “Rexhep opened the door to the Turkish authority. As for their anti-state and Serbian commander and shot the ‘Shkja’ anti-Serbian attitude between the two with five bullets from a gun, which he had world wars, justification can be found in under his overcoat” (B, 10/10). “Slavian- the alleged oppression by the Serbian Chetnik”; “Slavian-Communist-Chetnik”; bourgeoisie. Genocide behavior of the “National-Communist regime” (B, 29/12). Albanian separatists towards Serbs (...) The part of this book speaks about the demographic bomb - the high birth rate of The International Community the Albanian in Kosmet” (J, 20/12). The attitude towards the international The issue of the “demographic bomb” is community on the part of Serbian language seen as one of the hidden weapons of the media is determined mainly by official “‘Shiptar’ separatist movement”; “Rugova’s Belgrade. Since the latter has a number of separatist top leaders”; “the media in the “basic truths,” concerning the Serbian

82 kosovo people, the media build on those. “The participated together with American resolution of the Security Council on the instructors and consultants ((...))” (R.P, occasion of the Croatian aggression in the 8/8). International relations are presented Serbian Republic of Krajina carries the deep in regard to the Serbs’ position that “For imprints of American-German influence” (J, centuries the Vatican has been plotting 12-13/8); “the USA and Germany are against the Orthodox Serbs, under the financing ‘Ustash’ [pejorative for Croatian] pretext that it fights against schismatics, militants”; “German officers and soldiers criminals, etc.”; “so the Pope and Broz have

Table of media initials: Jedinstvo (J.); Bujku (B.); Zeri (Z.); TV Prishtina (TVP); Radio Prishtina (RP).

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struggled against the same enemy - against less knowledge than the other candidates”; the Serbian people, against the Serbian “in the western part of Macedonia, state and culture” (J, 2-3/9); “the Vatican, Albanians are owners of the larger part of the American administration and the Fourth the most fruitful soil and the private office Reich have trampled down all civilized space.” (N.M, 27/8); “The impression is norms of behavior against the Serbian that many people in Tetovo lead a rich and Orthodox nation(...)” (R.P, 13/8). Thus nice life although false letters, in which Serbs are presented as the victims of “the politics belies life, are still sent from there.” barbaric bombarding of civil and military (N.M, 5/11); “Albanians sell, Macedonians targets in Republika Srpska, [which] clearly buy. The trade and private business are in indicates that the aim of the USA and its the hands of the Albanians, while the allies is not simple revenge but the total Macedonians are either workers at bankrupt annihilation of the Serbian people” (J, 2- companies or just customers.” (NM, 3/9). At the same time “the western media, December). completely in accord with the policies of some countries, have appropriated the role Keeping all this in mind, it is not surprising of international police, which yield kicks to to see openly racist statements like: “Is it the disobedient.” (J, 11/12) possible to shape our young generations Albanians into persons without any future, so that they will not care at all whether there are The largest minority in Macedonia is elections to be carried through; who people treated with suspicion and sometimes vote for; what the new winners in the even hostility. “For the citizens of Tetovo, elections would be; who will bring any this Law [the Law for the Local Self- hope that things will start getting better? Or government] is simply a step forward for everybody will search for a better life those who dream of Ilirida.”; “every abroad, leaving their living places empty till mother’s dream is her child to graduate some new comer Albanian from Kosovo or from the university, without any pain and Albania settles there?(...) A friend of mine like a hero” (M.T, 1/8); “Albanians push told me: ‘Brother, this country has become Macedonia into war.” (N.M, 10/9); “Take a one of retired persons and Shquiptars.’ look at Bosnia to see how all the great (M.S., 27/12). brotherhoods and unions end and that is how Macedonia is going to end. I claim this However, it is notable that after “Over 200 seeing the Shquiptar [Albanian] parties in Macedonians and Serbs, inhabitants of the government which, after a finger was Ognjanci, asked the Ministry of Education given to them, took the whole hand and are to annul its decision for settling the three now reaching for the head.” (D, 20/10, a classes in the Albanian language in the reader’s letter which fiercely attacks school in their village.”; “We would like all Crvenkovski accusing him of fighting for the children to attend the classes in ‘Tito’s tsardom’, while Vanco (Ivan) Macedonian”; “Today in our place, Mihajlov was fighting for united tomorrow in Yours”; “Be with us” (V, 25/9), Macedonia.). many papers severely criticized these “Fires of Hatred”; “Chauvinist Dance of The public opinion is also influenced by Village Leaders” (N.M, 23&27/9). An even articles which present the Albanians as the more positive trend was set in the more affluent and privileged part of the following article: “Two evenings ago, the population. “Taking Off the Masks in the Albanian two-headed eagle has landed on Last Moment.”; “Albanian candidates the lapels of the dress suits of a number of applying to enter faculties are required 20% highly distinguished officials from the country and the diplomatic corps in

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Macedonia. The most deserving for the Macedonia were not met by a warm express landing of the eagle is the ‘welcome.’ On the contrary, we read that Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to “these days Macedonia is full of ‘heroes’ the Republic of Macedonia, Saban Murati, from the Bosnian-Croatian battlegrounds, who arranged a reception for the and we learned with certainty that their yesterday’s Day of the Albanian national number has increased with newcomers flag which is also the national holiday in from Serbia(...) Here is a chance for our this neighboring country(...)” (V, 29/11) tourist workers to ‘save’ the season. Yet, to be honest, the effects would not be known since this is a new category of holiday Turks and Macedonian Muslims makers - tourists - evaders - refugees.” (V, 9/8) There is a tendency to juxtapose the Turks of Macedonia to the Macedonian Muslims, the latter being the ones treated with Bulgaria sympathy and affection. “Political parties of the minorities [Albanians and Turks] want a Bulgaria is constantly present in the tax in blood from us, the Macedonians- Macedonian media, especially in the talk Muslims.” (D, 22/9); “We, the shows on Radio Skopje. There was an Macedonians-Muslims, would not like Your implicit negative attitude in a N.M. article son and Your daughter(...) to be teachers in which referred to the mountain of Pirin, the Macedonian classes, to besmirch our which is in the Republic of Bulgaria, as “a clean little Macedonians through their unique Macedonian mountain”; “ Through education and classes” (D, 20/10); “For a the Macedonian Land.” (N.M, 5/8). Tiny Gaour [Turkish pejorative for ‘Christian’] Word - Tiny Turkish Stick” (N.M, 30/9). Greece

The problems in the relations with Greece, Serbs especially in regards to the ‘thorny’ name issue, are the basis for characterizations The Serbian refugees which came to like the following: “big Greeks” [with a

Table of media initials: Nova Makedonja (N.M.); Vecer (V.); Puls (P.); Delo (D.); Makedonsko Sonce (M.S.); Fokus (F.); Demokratija (Dem.); Liberal (Lib.); Glas (Gl.); Flaka e Vellazerimit (F.V.); Birlik (B.); Macedonian Television (MTV); A-1; Radio Skopje (R.S.);

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pejorative meaning]; “liars”; “dishonest the Zagreb authorities are masters of a merchants”; “Why should this ox [Greece] tricky game, a proof of which were the think that I am stupid, so as to say that the conflicts in the Bosnian-Croatian wiser one yields?”; “Greece is going to Federation.” (M.T., 13/11) recognize our name on Cuckoo’s summer [i.e. ‘never’ with a pejorative meaning]” (R.S, September). Muslims

After all this, the fact that even The Muslims are not left without being exaggerations like the following find their insulted either. “Honor is the last and the place in the media is not that surprising. greatest strong point for every Serb. He lives “We [the Macedonians] belong to the most and works for his honor and also dies for it intelligent nation in the world We made the (), while the Muslims who, apart from world literate.”; “We are numerous. There everything else have such a slave attitude are 500,000 Macedonians in Albania, two towards God, do not die for their honor or million in Bulgaria, a million in Greece(...) emphasize it(...)” (I, Jan.). They are not to count the Diaspora.” (Radio NOMA, “Mujahedins [pejorative for Muslims] in Nov.) Sarajevo”, “Muslim terrorists” (M.R, Jan.), while “ the Muslim-Croatian Federation is Croats more a product of American imagination than a real fact in post-Dayton Bosnia.” (T, The majority of the Montenegrin press 19/5) shows a tendency to stand strongly behind the interests of the “Serbian brothers,” Albanians which in turn requires the necessary hostility towards the traditional Serbian Whenever the Kosovo problem comes to enemies. The latter are mainly the Croats, the fore, the Albanians are to blame for the Muslims, the Albanians, even those everything. “The Shiptars [pejorative for Montenegrins who favor an independent Albanian] in the FRY not only were unable Montenegro and are opposed to the to live in peace with the Serbs and the Serbian war efforts, as well as the Macedonians but they even dislike the 5% international community at large. Catholic minority of their nationality. It is a The Croats are presented as evil people, proof that the movement that has existed who are supported by the Great Powers to in Kosovo for decades, which is a part of a destroy the Serbs. “the war for biological historical movement in the whole former survival of the Serbs in their century-old Yugoslavia, is formally nationalist and hearths.”; “Ustashas’ [pejorative for Croats essentially religious and Islamic.” (I.R, but also sometimes for independence- statement by Miroljub Jevtic, Ph.D.) oriented Montenegrins] terror in the valley of the Neretva has not ceased from 1941 to the present day. Ustasha multiparty system The International Community of 1991.” (P, 10/11); “Croatian gangs in Mostar” (M.R., Jan.). The international The usual picture which is drawn is that of community is warned to be extra careful, an extremely hostile world, which is led by because “one can understand the world’s “the saxophone player [the US President]” euphoria about the signing of the peace (P, 5/8) and which aims at the total agreement on the Srem-Baranja region destruction of the brave Serbian people: “a because it was done on the eleventh hour, highly sophisticated technology of brutal but experience makes us cautious because devastation brings forth most tragic

86 montenegro consequences to the people, to the science and culture didn’t come to civilians, whose past has been created and Yugoslavia to help it after the years of whose future is anticipated by others.” (P, sanctions, but to help the lagging 14/9); “Regarding the orchestrated opposition press”; “[this is done in order campaign for the investigation of war crimes to] destabilize the legally elected in Srebrenica(...)” (M.T, 3/11). government.”; “the EU has estimated a long time ago how much each one of our Europe is to blame because “Europe is independent media costs.”; “little money is already under the American military given in exchange for strict obedience to influence. America rearranges the new the foreign bosses”; “the work of such world order by making the situation media is not worth more than that” (V.N, convenient for the American military 24). industry etc.” (T, 5/12); “Do these wretched people know that even the Austro- To all this the reported reaction on the part Hungarian empire didn’t succeed in of the Serbs is more than heroic. “Besides creating the non-existent Bosnian nation the Jews, the Serbs are the only nation in and language and that the legs of the black Europe tortured by its good neighbors” (I, and yellow monarchy were broken at the issue 13); “the Serbian Orthodox resistance Miljacka and other Serbian rivers exactly for to the American Peace is a battle for this reason!” (V.N, 13/5) Conspiracy Orthodoxy” (S, February); “the theories are implicated on a number of International Community doesn’t try to different cases. “UN experts on education, help the secession only of Montenegro but

Table of media initials: Pobjeda (P.); Istok (I.); Tanjug (T.); Svetigora (S.); Istok Review (I.R.); Vecernje Novosti (V.N.); Montenegrin Television (M. T.); Montenegrin Radio (M. R.).

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also of Kosovo - the cradle of Serbian manipulate minority ethnic groups by nationality. Then will come Vojvodina’s means of decoys whom they pay royally.” turn and in the end the Serbs would be very (T.I, 23-30/11). “The Hungarian State - similar to the Kurds.”; “The Vatican’s Instigator of UDMR’s Anti-Romanian conspiracy against the Serbs”; “all Catholics Actions” (T.I, 14/12). “Laszlo Kovacs’s in Montenegro are Serbs”; “it would not be declarations are so much more ill-timed as surprising if the Montenegrin Budapest would benefit even more from Autocephalous Church asks from the the fast conclusion of the Romanian- Vatican its recognition as a Uniate church in Hungarian Treaty than Bucharest. (...) the years to come.” (I.R, April, statements Laszlo Kovacs’s interviews reveal a certain by Novica Vujosevic, Ph.D. ). However, weariness of the Hungarian diplomacy. (...) sometimes there are voices which show As time goes by, Budapest’s incessant that the relations between the Serbians complaints about the violation of minority and the Montenegrins are not that perfect rights in Romania start to lose their after all. “Directors of ‘Slovenization’”; credibility. (...) It would be an aberration “Since one euphoria has begun to subside, that no official of the European Community another one seems to start. The latter’s could assume without becoming simplified version looks like this: ‘It seems everybody’s laughing stock to place on the that you Montenegrins want to secede as same footing the rights of Chechens in Slovenians did!?’” (P, October) Russia and of Hungarians in Romania.” (A, 6/2). “Under these circumstances, a ‘new Hungary initiative’ for the ‘historical reconciliation’ appeared in the (free) market, brought by Hungary’s image as presented by the the well-known historical reconciliatory Romanian media is predominantly Laszlo Tokes, who did it as subtly and negative. “Is Hungary Europe’s cheeky cleverly as an elephant in a china shop. gypsy?” (R.M, 1/9); “Hungarians make a Practically speaking, he offered the show of themselves with their old conclusion of a ‘reconciliation and obsessions” (V.R, 6/4); “Hungarism - a bag partnership contract between the majority of venom on Europe’s body” (EZ, 23/8); and the Hungarian minority in Romania.’”; “Hungarian extremism made another “It is obviously a positive thing that Mr. victim” (V.R, 12/4). This attitude comes as Tokes was ‘in the mood’ for reconciliation, a consequence to the real (or imaginary) especially as opinions were shared as far as role which Hungary plays as regards its was concerned: some said he was inciting minority in Romania: “the government in to dissension, others, on the contrary, that Budapest employs in Transylvania a kind of he was obstinately inciting to inter-ethnic chauvinism which proves to be now, in hatred. (...) I do understand poor Tokes and UDMR’s [Democratic Alliance of his comrades and fellows - although such a Hungarians in Romania] policies, the same conflict does not exist, it must be created, incurable disease” (V.R, September). The because what would they do otherwise? Hungarian authorities continue, according How could they play the ‘defenders’ of a to well-established trends, their skillful and minority that no one offends and no one extremely aggressive propaganda with half- threatens? What would the lifeguards in truths and gross lies, promoting the idea ‘Baywatch’ do had there not been for the that Hungary is the Garden of Eden for menacing ocean - who would they save? As national minorities living on its territory. At for the idea of the ‘Contract between the the same time, they continue on the one two parties’, Mr. Tokes is at his best, as the hand to liquidate minorities by total contract should be signed by Romania and assimilation and on the other - to UDMR, that is, by the Romanian and the UDMR state that you might not have heard

88 romania of, but which must exist nonetheless as an grown by the false European democracy, a independent sovereign state, member of ‘suicidal’ political sect headed by a mad the United Nations (at least in Mr. Tokes’s ‘reverend’ Ioan Barbu Balan - The late over-excited mind). Just note how delicately Hungarian Feudalism” (R.M, 29/9). “UDMR he tries to avoid offending the Romanians is the only party that the Romanian state by speaking openly about the establishment subsidizes to fight against the Romanian of a second state on Romanian territory and state. Such an absurd situation cannot be beats around the bush with the two encountered anywhere else in the world!” signatures on behalf of the two states. (...)” (C.R, 18/10). “It is common knowledge (T.I, 1/8). On top of that “Hungarians stick that UDMR is the only extremist ultra- their noses where they should not, and they nationalist party whose policy concentrates should not do so in Romania!” (R.M, April). on calumniating Romania and the Romanians” (C.R, 23/10). “See the The conclusion that “Jesus was crucified by masquerade Debrecen, where the UDMR the Jews in 6 hours; Romania was crucified buffoons, the only participants, encouraged by the Hungarians in 6 years” (R.M, April) each other, and after a glass of Tokay wine, sounds credible when one reads about the produced only stupidities.”; “The UDMR “Hungarian paranoia and extremism” - terrorists lynched peasant Mihaila Cofariu “Hungarian espionage at the Romanian with 1201 blows” (RM, 25/8). Railway Company” (R.M, April). Still, while some papers claim that “forced ethnic The party leaders are constantly accused assimilation in purely racist bases”; because of their political behavior. “UDMR “Horrible crime?(...) But who knows representatives’ protests against the whether this forced assimilation is not best Romanian Law on Education must be taken suited to a state’s policy? To Hungary, as they are: more boycott actions, artificial decidedly! Never, though, to Romania!” unjustified activities that are prejudicial first “The ashes of the Empire darken the rational and foremost to the Hungarian minority thinking” (VR, 14/8), others support the and lead to unjustified separatism, position that “Romania and Hungary following purely political interests” (V.R, should help each other to join NATO” (A, 12/10). “UDMR insisted again on 12/4), because “The delay in concluding ‘poisoning’ the debate by misreading the the Romanian-Hungarian treaty is absurd. A provisions of the Law on education, by de- good neighborly relation, moreover, a contextualizing and minimizing the Law partnership at the Western border would be with their typical radicalism and in the best interest of Romania. As for the stubbornness (...) The UDMR provision referring to the rights of the representatives received the strong support Hungarian minority in Romania, this issue of APADOR - the Romanian Helsinki is a false problem. The provision of the Committee representatives, Ms. Renate treaty cannot go beyond the requests we Weber and Mr. Gabriel Andreescu (...) Seen must fulfill at all costs in order to ensure a in this context, the attitude mentioned peaceful life with the Hungarian minority in above could only smear, once again, Romania.” (22, 10-16/4) Romania’s image in the world, for interests that ‘we overlook’” (D, 6/9). “Accepting this anomaly called UDMR would mean to Hungarians accept a cancer to the Romanian democracy” (V.R, 13/4). The usual way of presenting the Hungarian minority in Romania is through its political The most prominent accusation, however, party. The latter is “a hybrid born and is that “Ever since its setting up, five years ago, UDMR was placed on an exclusively

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political and nationalist position; they knew ethnic criteria, by using the policy of the fait how to exploit the ‘patriotic’ ethical feelings accompli” (TVR1, 29/1). of the ethnic Hungarians in Romania. This feeling has been carefully nurtured, by All this makes some media conclude that trumpeting the dangers menacing the “Hungarian extremists are plotting to create Hungarian minority in Romania, due to the a new Bosnia in Transylvania” (R.M, 24/11). nationalist and chauvinist policy of the “The decision on the ‘Status of personal country after December 1989. (...) People - autonomy’ provides that ‘The National constituents, to be more precise - have had Hungarian Community in Romania is a enough of the moonshine and fiddlesticks political subject under the laws of the that UDMR representatives have uttered all Romanian state.’ Meaning, to make it these years and are sick and tired of listening clearer, that ‘Romania ends where the to them any longer” (T.I., 19-26/10). “Six Hungarian National Community begins.’ years of Romanian-Hungarian feud, And it pretends to have equal rights with diabolically roused and cultivated by the the longer valid; ‘state near the community’ devout UDMR politician, with the Bible is more like it! Or maybe the other way under his arm and lies on his lips”; “this round!” (T.I, 8-15/2). “To accept the ethnic- character is misleadingly perverse”; “the territorial autonomy promoted by UDMR devil’s disciple proposes can you believe it? documents would mean to put an end to - HUNGARIAN AUTONOMY IN peace and stability in Romania” (D, 8/3). TRANSYLVANIA!” (V.R, 2/11). “For six years When a UDMR leader addressed the issue now, UDMR plays everything on one card: of mixed marriages, the papers responded total segregation from the rest of the in a rather ironic way. “I am sure, however, country’s population, imposing their own that if he would, the coupling of a laws, against everybody else!”; “this Hungarian with a Romanian woman would chauvinist irredentist ethic organization is be blamed on a plot, schemed by the present in the Romanian Parliament in Romanian majority to efface the Hungarians order to get from the inside ‘rights’ that no who live and work within Romanian other minority in Europe claims (let alone boundaries. It might be possible for him, as obtain)”; “an incredible attempt to ethnic representative of an organization who isolation, unprecedented since Hitler and turned telling on people at European gates Horthy”; “bishop Laszlo Tokes, the main into a kind of banner, to complain to instigator against the Romanian state, international instances, asking them to standard of Hungarian chauvinism” (V.R, reprove sexual relations between Hungarian 12/12). “UDMR’ s whole noise-producing men and Romanian women. (...) The West team (and primarily the ever active should think harder before proclaiming Hungarian lobby from Europe) try to obtain that all Hungarians are true blue Europeans, by force unacceptable super-rights. Cleverly and I do not refer to Adam Katona’s disguised under a fake democratic declarations, but to the fact that such a big language, the arguments of the UDMR do as the UDMR meeting was could debate leadership (as opposed to the rest of the for six hours whether the thesis relating to ethnic Hungarians living in Romania) aim to mixed marriages could be supported by the set up a SEGREGATIONIST SEPARATISM, party of Hungarians living in Romania. (...) the establishment of an ethnic enclave We meant to stress once more what outside the legal authority of the Romanian aberrant peaks any kind of fundamentalism, state! It does not take a prophet to including Hungarian fundamentalism, may understand what is hidden behind the reach.” (E.Z, 15/1). “The racist anti- international flurry and wailing started by Romanian ideas that Katona Adam, one of the UDMR leadership.” (V.R, 18/1). “the the UDMR leaders, and even bishop Tokes UDMR means to attain autonomy based on endorse should come as no surprise. The

90 romania revanchist offensive in countries Toledo!” (V.R, 16/3). neighboring Hungary, coupled with the simultaneous incitement of the Hungarian In short, most of the political decisions of minority to claim all kinds of strange types the Hungarian party are looked at with of ‘autonomies’ proves to be part of a well suspicion. “UDMR organized deliberately, devised scheme.” (V.R, 22/1). with its well known dishonesty and tenacity, broadcasts in Hungarian at the Romanian Other UDMR leaders are also condemned, national television in order to humiliate the because “Wherever they go, the Romanian people on the very holy day of representatives of UDMR pretend they are Easter (...) The aggressive, biased trend of the desperate, complain about the lack of broadcast in Hungarian makes it unsuitable rights, that they are subject to ‘ethnic at a time when the audience is so high and cleansing’, while they provoke people to particularly on such a day.” (C.R, 4/4). “Why disobey the Romanian legislation in areas Did UDMR Neo-Nazis Shout ‘We Want where they are in a majority. There are Iliescu to Come’ on March 20, 1990 in Tirgu many such examples that can be seen every Mures?” (R.M, 29/12). “Functioning day.” (T.I, 12-19/4). Moreover, “The according to the conspiratorial principles of insolence of Hungarian leaders goes beyond the Mafia and Freemasonry, Hungarian the sickest imagination (...) UDMR leaders companies deplete Romania of information should ask for copyright as fast as possible and huge amounts of money.” (E.Z, March); for their innovation: absurd politics!” (T.I, “they dare intimidate and blackmail. They 29/3-5/4). “This character, with no did the same during the press conference, common sense, calls all Romanians placing the bomb on the sorest spot: criminals whenever he can, because they resuming of negotiations in the Romanian- descend from the Dacians and the Romans. Hungarian treaty. (...) They aim to attack the But who is this Bela Marko, after all? An Romanian national unitary state. There is arrogant renegade whose ancestors’ name just one political party that rejects the first was Marcu [a Romanian name], whose article of the Constitution - UDMR. (...) the forefathers cruelly and cowardly killed over moles from GDS do not dig at random; they 40,000 Romanians in the period 1848- undermine the foundation of the rule of 1849 and who slaughtered and killed other law” (V.R, 16/3). It seems that the party has hundreds of thousands of Romanians, Jews, economic objectives as well as political Slovakians and, in some cases, even honest ones. “It may seem surprising, but the Hungarians with democratic and transfer of assets, intelligently orchestrated humanitarian views.”; “Bela Marko is now by UDMR, will modify the ethnic chief editor of the ‘LATO’ magazine, configuration of the area, the Hungarians President of the Hungarian chauvinist becoming major owners even in areas where extremist party UDMR and member of the they are a minority in numbers!” (V.R, 9/4). Foreign Policy Commission of the That is why “In 1996, when PRM wins the Romanian Parliament” (T.I, 15-22/2). elections, the criminal organization UDMR “Never has the owner of a Romanian will have to pack up either for Budapest or passport succeeded in abusing his mother for the prison” (R.M, 1/9). country so industriously and hatefully, presenting it in darkest colors. Moreover, Apart from the Hungarian party, the this obnoxious character who poses as a ordinary representatives of the minority hero(?) of the Revolution has penetrated also get a piece of the negativism of the the highest levels of Western governments Romanian media. “In Oradea, Hungarians to spread his venom. (...) To put it Become Christians(...) through Satan” differently, the anti-Romanian campaign (R.M, 1/12); “the demolition and higher quality level by Don Pedro of devastation of the churches and the priests’

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homes, the expulsion or assassination of Like Mad Dogs in a Street in Nasaud” (A, the schools, the Hungarization of the 1/9). The hygienic habits of the Gypsies are names of people and localities, the also mocked at. “Such events are usual in replacement of the Romanian language by Romanian hospitals and the doctors have the Hungarian one are actions promoted become accustomed with the behavior of obstinately by the Hungarian nationalists.” our fellow nationals. The Gypsies sleep in (VR, 21/8). Still, it is refreshing to read the corridors of the hospitals where one of articles like the following which show the theirs is hospitalized. While commonsen- absurdity of the hostility between the sical people comply with the hygiene rules neighboring peoples. “The historical to be observed in any hospital, the Gypsies resentment of Romanians against penetrate even in the operating areas, led Hungarians - dating, in fact, only about 200 rather by instinct” (R.L, 24/1). years back - and which has now become obsolete is irresponsibly stirred up now. And last, but not least, the notion of the When the Hungarian minority becomes the “lazy Gypsy” is given a new dimension. scapegoat of the political discourse of the “The Guppies in Buzau do not want jobs, Power - and not just the Power - primarily but social assistance money” (V.R, 16/2). of the media (...). This is an electoral year “The Gypsies block the street with and there are few competitors who offer Mercedes cars in order to get their social anything else but hatred and revenge assistance money” (A, 12/1). Whenever against the Hungarians instead of providing there is an occasion, the papers ridicule solutions for the real problems.” (D, 19- the Roma’s claim not to be called 25/4) “Gypsies.” “Rrrom(anians) expelled from Roma the Czech Republic” (RL, 18/8). “Gher( r )man r( r )acoleaza rromi” [the author This group of Romanian citizens is employs only words which contain the subjected to constant hate speech, which letter ‘r’, which is doubled on purpose, not is based on a number of stereotypical due to the rules of correct Romanian notions. The idea that all Roma steal is spelling, but because the Roma insist that circulated again and again. “Criminality their name is spelled as ‘Rroma’.] (RL, among Gypsies”. The author is quoted as 26/8). “Gypsy imagination knows no limits saying: “the Roma break all records in the with regard to the names they give to their field of criminality” (A1, 30/11); “the Roma, children. After the migration tide to who steal, rob and attack Romanians’ Germany, they used to give their children “measures have to be taken without names such as Berlin, Dortmund, Vienna invocation, on the part of the authorities, of and others, inspired by the towns they had pretexts of powerlessness” (TVR1, 18/9, a invaded” (E.Z, 10/1). statement by a PUNR senator during a Senate session); “People have a right to Despite these “funny” sides of the know their rights, but also their duties. It treatment of this minority, it is important seems that the Roma ethnic group still has to point out that “The members of the much to learn in this respect.” (V.R, 3/2); Roma ethnic group are turned into “On their way to a wedding, wealthy scapegoats.” (Tele7, 5/3) of public opinion, Gypsies stole even candies” (V.R, 5/3). which tolerates even racist qualifications like “Four little niggers [Roma]” (V.R, Apart from that, the Roma are presented as 10/2); “Drunks, Gypsies, brats and old having an especially violent nature. people all over Bucharest” (R.L, 13/4). “(...) “Thousands of Gypsies Arrived from Costesti You will find out that the Gypsies want to Belly-Danced and Fought with Clubs and attack the state institutions.” [after the Knives” (D.T, 1/9). “Thirsty Gypsies Fought break, the story was presented like this]

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“Explosive situation in the village of Sintesti. gypsy has been excessively presented in the This locality is on the verge of the breaking media, they pass as correct, fair, do not of a new conflict between the Gypsies and stand out from the rest. Human rights are the local authorities. As they had promised, always discussed, but Gypsy rights are the Gypsies are determined to assault the regarded more or less as the rights of trees: mayor’s office and to change the mayor. they are entitled to grow, but it is their Accused for stealing electricity by empirical business how they manage to do so.” (D, methods, the Gypsies decided to stop 19-25/4) and “although the authorities state waiting for ever for the officials’ approval the full equality in rights, the notion of and to put things right themselves. They ‘Gypsy’ remains a social problem. The want to demote by force the current mayor, Gypsies are the first suspects for any crime, who did not contribute in any way to the although oftentimes they have nothing to do clarification of the situation.” (A1, 9/4). with it. (...) Society regards them with suspicion and does not allow them to There are again occasional voices against integrate, blaming them at want. To survive those who are trying to build negative and preserve their lifestyle from outside stereotypes. “PDSR Senator Radu Timofte interference. Even if they are still going to be did not know what he was talking about blamed for everything that goes wrong.” when he said that the 5,000 thieves from (C.R, 5/12). The legitimate conclusion is that Germany were Gypsy. It is a pity that he “As they are not known well enough, or are speaks without having any concrete known mostly by the behavior that places evidence. It is probably easier for him to use them in a negative light, Gypsies seem a stereotype than to think with his own unable to obey to the law. If only people mind. This is not the first time that the Roma knew how severe Gypsy justice (stator) is, are pointed out as guilty for everything that how strict its laws and how they are accepted goes wrong in this country.” (R.L, 27/11). without bargaining, the image of the unruly Romanians in general are to blame, because Gypsy would change.” (C.R, 20/4) “When society is corrupt, why should they behave otherwise? This is wrong, of course, The International Community but this way of judging comes from a long line of hasty or disproportionate judgments Many Romanian journalists lament over relating to the Roma just because they the situation of their country, because are(...) Roma. It is a fact that this sole quality “Never has Romania had such an awkward is not enough for contempt, according to an status of colony without the right to express old saying ‘you eat like a Gypsy, behave like a its opinion, never has the Romanian Gypsy, dress like a Gypsy’ therefore - ‘as diplomacy passed through such a humble guilty as a Gypsy’, isn’t that so?” (D., 19- period, never have our intelligence services 25/4). Still, the biggest share of the blame been so powerless and paralyzed by foreign belongs to the authorities because “the agents, never has the Romanian been so Gypsy cause swings from the picturesque to scoffed at by all these foreigners who rob us criminality and between uncertainty and and plot to tear our country to pieces” (C.R, humiliation in the day-to-day life. (...) I 16/9). “Some said we were a primitive believe that the image of the ‘picturesque colony in the midst of Europe, illiterate criminal’ is manipulated: he is unshaven, savages, with no faith and no God. Hosts of dark, defying;, he wears big golden rings, those who are trying to get the attention of owns a Mercedes but is illiterate. And while the crowd (...) Their masters’ way of the evil is diversified, the new criminals, and thinking is simple and very hostile to us. those who profit from them, have white Should they be left to play the giddygoat in starched collars, white complexions, elegant our own country, in the name of a manners, but, because the image of the

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democracy leading us to total submission?” honor its heroes. (...)”; “We cannot fail (V.R, 19/10). At the same time “The noticing the striking resemblance between Romanians have had enough of lying Mr. Alfred Moses’s recent indication and politicians, eating humble pie in front of the behavior of Soviet political foreign inspectors” (C.R, 23/9). That is why commissaries in Romania, who used to “Corneliu Vadim Tudor might be a solution dictate all the actions of the Romanian state to save the Romanian People from the under the communist regime.” (A, 26/2). humiliation it has been going through since “The historians can also offer documents to the December 1989 coup d’ etat. (...) In persuade the US that it is against historical four or five year’s time, Vad could save the truth to incriminate Romania in the Nazi- Romanian people from corruption, poverty Fascist Holocaust Museum; against humiliation, the Hungarian threat, the historical truth is also to declare marshal Jewish vulture good for nothings, Antonescu a war criminal.” (RL, 19/8). unemployment, and the unwelcome “NATO and the UN turn into Mafia gangs” European inspectors.” (E. Z., 4/10). (E.Z, 12/9). The synthesis of this hostility could be found in the following paragraph On the basis of all this the media feel where the “language of the street” and the justified to be hurt due to the fact that “We insult are the basic means of expression. know that each violent outburst of the “But what does the German do? He pops a Romanians was based on anti-social actions bear can, and belches happily, because in perpetrated by the Gypsies and not on his country, besides the cities devastated by ethnic hatred. High dignitaries from idiotic young people conceived in the civilized Europe wander all over Romania. public toilets of the planet, besides burnt Between two glasses of fine champagne, houses and assassinated Turks, nothing they draft unfavorable reports, such as which breaks democracy’s rules happens.”; those in which tensions that arise in places “And what does the French say, while where Romanians and Gypsies live together opening a bottle of Beaujolais (...) ignoring, are qualified as racial hatred. It is a pity that in his turn, the attacks and violent strikes in our distinguished guests do not try to his own country? Voila, mon cher, what understand objectively what the real country is this Romania of the Roma, as problems are. At the same time, we must don’t they put ROM on their license plates?, not forget the role of the state authorities in such diabolical characters, such criminals, settling conflicts, primarily by promptly such savages, all belong to Siberia, enforcing the national legislation. Because messieurs and madames!” (VR, August) Romania’s image comes from inside, after all.” (R.L, 24/1). Anti-Semitism Some well-known Western politicians and Romanian media show strong anti-Semitic international organizations are accused sentiments which are not seen in any other openly.“(...) 3. PUNR expresses its Balkan country. “Prey: Romania! Hunter: conviction that Mr. Alfred Moses’s anti- the World Jewish Government! Weapon: democratic approach does not go along White House Blackmail!” (R.M, 15/9). with the US Government foreign policy or “Israel, You Will Perish By Your Own Hand”; with the feelings of the American nation.”; “What is essential here is the hidden drama “The suggestions and comments on the of Judaism which cannot be solved, in our ‘Marshall Ion Antonescu’ monument to be opinion, by means of the obsolete raised in Cluj represent an inconceivable scapegoat subterfuge” (R.L, 11/11). “Jews interference in the capitalization of our Abuse Romanian History Again” (R.M, national history and disregard for the 8/12). “Jews Must Not Interfere with Other exclusive right of the Romanian people to

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Countries’ Policies” (R.M, 29/12). Some of governmental institutions and state the articles support the thesis of the intelligence services allow such attempts at “international Jewish conspiracy” and of manipulating the public opinion by means other openly racist notions. “The Gypsy of disguised financing from abroad.”; “You chief Dan Voiculescu, followed like a will see, you’re in hot water as far as we are servant by the Jew Florin Bratescu” (R.M, concerned” (V.R, 3/2) 5/4); “Those who have set to lay hands - by means of administrative positions - on Religious Minorities these resources are Gypsies and Jews. Gypsies and Jews (including those recently The traditional dominant role of the arrived in Romania) stand out amongst the Orthodox Church is propounded by the other ethnic groups that populate our media. That is why the latter are suspicious country and that have become integrated of all other religions, especially those alongside Romanians in the Romanian coming from the east. “On the other hand, society. [It seems] they have schemed to this Oriental wave is - consciously or not - subdue the Romanians by making use of an aggression against the Christian various plans and means; but with the civilization. (...) The (actually false) mission same goal: to enslave Romanians of the Orient to undermine Christianity economically speaking, to annihilate their tallies with our own weakness, with our freedom in their own country” (R.M, ever stronger tendency to promote a 19/4).“The Jewish Mafia is desperate to syncretic movement such as New Age, to keep Ion Iliescu’s team in power at any pave the way for a cohabitant between costs (...) because no one but this team can science and religion, etc. (...) One could guarantee the retrocession of hundreds of say, therefore, that - besides the miners’ thousands of alleged properties claimed by coming to Bucharest, earthquakes, the Jews” (R.M, 19/4). dangers represented by SRI [the Romanian The summary of all the hatred which is Intelligence Service] and PRM [the Greater “reserved” for all Jews may explain the Romania Party], another major danger is virulent attacks against George Soros [a the presence of these fake Oriental Hungarian-born American billionaire and missionaries and of the literature philanthropist of Jewish origin] and his accompanying them.” (R.L, 2/11) Open Society Foundation. “Soros Foundation - Horrible Sink of Orgies and Criminality” (R.M, November). “The Sexual Minorities famous Soros Foundation has, In spite of its international commitments, undoubtedly, a place of choice in the Romania is still a country where adult manipulation of the Romanian public consensual same-sex relations are opinion and in casting bones between our criminalized. The large majority of the parties (...) ‘NATIONAL DIVERSION’”; “the population, as well as the representatives of purely diversions goal of their schemes” the state are not in favor of decriminalizing (C.R, 9/10). “Soros Foundation - Stinking homosexuality. As a rule the media try to Gutter of Sex Orgies and Criminality” (R.M, present the homosexuals and their habits in 17/11). “If Soros is willing to put his money the worst possible light. TVR2 had its into this [opinion poll], that’s his own “Credo” religious program deal once with business. It is not so clear why

Table of media initials: Vocea Romanei (V.R.); Dimineata (DT); Adevarul (A.); Romania Libera (RL); Evenimentul Zilei (EZ); Cronica Romana (CR); Romania Mare (RM); Totusi Iubirea (TI); Dilema (D.); 22; TVR1; TVR2; Tele 7; A1.

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homosexuality. Both the producer of the until the ultimate end of ‘the Kosovo program and his guests agreed without Republic’. After his release (...) he is the gray hesitation that God made man and woman eminence of a group of former political in order that they share marriage and have convicts, all sharing his extremist views. children. Therefore, any person who However, his attachment to threats for misuses his/her body, just for pleasure, is a bloodshed shows that, no matter how sinner. Homosexuality was also called a often it pulls on the hide of a fox, a wolf is crime, and there was much lamentation always a wolf.” (V.N, 27/9). explaining that erotic pleasure, pornography and homosexuality are all due to the fact The Kosovo leaders are called “(...) Leaders that the modern man had turned his face of the separatist movement of Kosovo from God. The three participants mocked at [who] increasingly claim that their political Romania’s international commitments and designs have almost come to fruition and said that they prefer the people to remain that it is only a question of time when their healthy and outside Europe, than to dream will turn into reality. Pro-separatist integrate by paying the price of legalizing dailies often publish the statements of homosexuality. (TVR2, 10/10). The attitude former communist leaders who are of the print media is not less intolerant. obviously pulling the strings somewhere in “Damn homosexuals, it’s their fault we the background (...) waiting to see whether don’t have a Penal Code! Despite the will of they would get a Kosovo Republic or regain Gabriel Andreescu, that fine writer, President the Kosovo Autonomy from 1974 (...) Azem of Sexual Minorities in Romania awarded Vlasi has been Tito’s Youth Association with the Prize for Minorities by the leader and then leader of the Communists Hungarian Prime Minister, Gyula Horn. Such of Pristina and Kosmet. He is currently an honor for our country, for its marvelous working as an attorney, defending image in the world!” (V.R, 20/12) separatists, terrorists, drug and arms dealers” (D, 24/3). Then they are warned Albanians “(...) that our message to them is that ‘the Kosovo Republic’ and ‘Greater Albania’ can The negative attitude of the Serb media is come true only if someone destroys ten- often provoked by the conflicts between million Serbia in the heart of the Balkans Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. and in the heart of Europe.” (D, 5/11). “Disagreements and open conflicts are ever more frequent among Kosovo Shiptar The Albanian population is often referred secessionists because Warren Christopher, to by insulting words. “SHIPTARS GET the American Secretary of State allegedly ANGRY”; “Shiptar parties think that they promised Ibrahim Rugova (...) that in case are losing big cities and getting only tiny of an armed rebellion (...) America would villages” (P, 14/5). “RACIST ASPIRATIONS support the terrorists. Shiptar extremists OF ANTI-SERB CIRCLES” ; “Could anyone in interpret Christopher’s promise as a signal the world believe the nonsense that the for the dismissal of Rugova from the office Serbs took monasteries away from the as he refuses to take up arms” (P.E, 3/8); “it Shiptars” (B, 30/8). is curious that the ‘peace-making’ Shiptar line is represented by none other than The Republic of Albania is also present in Adem Demaqi. It is common knowledge the coverage of the Serb media. “Frantic that he spent 30 years in prison (3 campaign of Shiptar media against the sentences) for trying to violently overthrow accommodation of Serb refugees. Serb the system, advocating the formation of farms, houses and about 200,000 hectares illegal armed groups, terrorism and other of usurped land represented as Shiptar although the facts say the contrary” (B,

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25/8). “Whenever Albanian diplomacy’s English agent as early as 1985), Bell has ‘wheels start to screech’ and when the included about a hundred Shiptars in his winning of support and realization of espionage network” (P.E, 22/1). This comes Albanian foreign political demands is not to show that “Although everybody successful enough, the press in Tirana understands that Kosmet is an integral and includes on its ‘agenda’ the subject of inseparable part of Serbia, an internal Kosmet. After a longish lull (...) the local question of the Republic and the FRY, a media (...) accorded major publicity to the province whose degree of autonomy within message of the self-appointed ‘president’ of Serbia can be discussed without including, the non-existent ‘Republic of Kosovo’ and however, any independence, autonomy, leader of the ‘alternative’ Ibrahim Rugova and especially secession, Shiptar sent to the UN Secretary General (...) on the secessionist be-foggers will not stop ‘stirring occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the the mare’s nest’. They do it in a manner international organization.” (B, 4-5/11). which makes it clear even to political “First the Albanian authorities, then the ingenues that their only purpose is to government of neighboring Hungary, and remain in ‘saddle’ as long as possible and finally the not-to-be ruler of ‘Great Muslim thus, again only for themselves, snatch as Bosnia’ Alija Izetbegovic, protested because much as possible financially” (V.N, 22/1). refugees from the Republic of Serb Krajina, victimized by the Croatian aggression, were accommodated in Serbia (...) Albania, Croats naturally objects to refugees in Kosovo and Metohija (...) the Hungarian government - The media in Serbia present Croats as to those for whom shelter is found in brutal and ruthless people, who try to Vojvodina, and Izetbegovic - to the arrival destroy everything pertaining to Serbs. of some of them in the Raska Region, that is “BURGHERS [pejorative for people living in Sanjak(...) In other words, from the Zagreb] THIRSTING BLOOD” (V.N, 3/8). Albanian point of view, a reverse process, “The exact number of captured Serbs is not which has been at work for decades already, known, but it is estimated that in Croatian should be in order in Kosovo and Metohija: prisons languish, if they have not been to increase (...) the number of Albanians by liquidated, more than seven and a half their massive settlement from Albania, thousand Serbs. Serbs who stayed behind demographic explosion and pressure are hunted ‘touristically’ in Krajina forests against Serbs and Montenegrins, and to according to ‘see-kill’ principle” (V.N, create thereby an ethnically pure space, 18/9). “Early medieval Serb tombs - that is conditions propitious for the ‘gromile’ - found on several sites in Croatia emergence of Greater Albania. Similar and Bosnia-Herzegovina”; “Now all this reasons, (...) govern the Hungarian evidence is left at the mercy of the Croatian authorities and the Islamic fundamentalist army destroying the vestiges of age-old Izetbegovic.” (D, 26/8) existence in that area.” (V.N, 25/8). In comparisons between the two countries Other parties, outside either of the two the media state that “Serbia is a democratic sides involved in the Kosovo problem, are and civilized country, not a fascist one like present as well. “Pristina - Through the Croatia, where no one except the Croats Evangelistic church English spies monitor has any rights” (D, 14/8) and where “By all the situation in Kosovo and Metohija; the appearances, the Croats in the FRY do not most persistent among them is Stephen miss a hair from the head, and they had no Bell. Allegedly the Baptist missionary of the need to flee, except the few who left of European Christan Mission and a student of their own will, finding their economic Shiptarology in Pristina (who was filed as an

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interest in the exchange of their home for testament ever or the greatest joy? Along abandoned Serb houses. Oftentimes by with this all, one should not disregard the fraud and overnight, even our local lawyers, fact that the Leader’s assumption is taking holders of dual nationalities (...) also fared place west of - the white angel.” (P.E, 22- quite well (...) There are cases when citizens 23/1). “The London conference on the ways of Croat origin asked for the status of of creation of a climate of confidence workers on leave, went to live temporarily among the recent belligerents is already in Croatia where their children study, under way and the Croats still can’t helped by scholarships acquired in complete the destruction of Mrkonjic Grad Yugoslavia, and even fulfilled their ‘patriotic (...) Foreign ministers are determining what duty’ in the Croatian armed forces” (D, to repair first and all this while the Croats 26/1). “The de-nationalization in Croatia are shoveling pates [a type of land mines] bears all the signs of a vicious circle, in into the territories they are supposed to which the grim past is the first arbiter of the return to us.” (P, 10/12) present! The ruling party (...) imposes solutions which are shameless, to say the least. For, the chief purpose of the Croatian Muslims de-nationalization shows a deep imprint of plunder on racial grounds” (V.N, 23/1). The Muslims are presented as “jihadians “(...) That is why these elections ought to be [pejorative for Muslim] - forced to flee interpreted as the first stage of the transition head over heels” (P.E, 20/8) who “burn period, the last stage of the Croat neo- Serb villages and fire at people who have fascism” (V.N, 1/11). remained behind, and Croats set up ‘concentration centers’” (P.E, 9/8). “In line On top of all that it seems that the with the implementation of this monstrous international community is willing to plan, Muslim terrorists in Priboj and Nova support the Croatian interests, which, Varos were instructed by their superiors in according to the Serbian media, are not the former B-H to kill a ten-year-old boy of “healthy” and just. “(...) However, if the Muslim origin. The boy’s father has misdeeds of the present Croatian army are numerous relatives and is a loyal citizen of not thwarted and prevented by someone Serbia (...) This had to be done at the height (...) statisticians and other crime calculators of NATO air force operations. The same will easily prove with the ‘calm of the strategy envisages to set a mosque on fire thousand-year-old Catholic and European (...) Along with this, Muslim terrorists in culture’ that the Serbs never even (...) Sanjak have prepared yet another gory existed there. Names of towns have been scenario (...) planning the murder of several changed already so that even a Satan (a real UN observers and then represent the crimes devil, incidentally, nominated for a saint by as Serb revenge.” (P.E, 21/9). the Vatican) Alojzije Stepinac, now has a town bearing his name although it is a The other issue related to them is the purely Serb place - Dvor on the date has “Farce with the so called Bosnjak already been set, Stepinac-grad will be 99% nationality, an import for Sarajevo, just a Croat.” (B, 9-10/9). “The Drina is the Croat choice of some individuals, who are ready dream, and the Vienna-Islamic goal. This is to turn even into Bushmen in order to the historical lesson. The current reality is as achieve their personal interests” (V.N, follows: fundamentalists and Catholics, 16/3). The same paper draws the following Muslims and Croats, are jointed in one conclusion: “Since they do not feel federation in Washington. Nevertheless, it comfortable in the Muslim skin, and in remains to be guessed if Alija’s struggle is, view of their previous lives as Serbs, Turks, in fact, the opening of the last Turkish

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Croats and finally Yugoslavs, some Raska joined by the Slovenes and the Croats, Muslims would like to change once again pursuing their own interests only and their packaging label (...) now they would wishing to leave it as quickly as possible like to become Bosnjaks” (V.N, 14/3). and return to their former masters. And when others made a house for them, they The international community is accused exerted themselves to demolish it from the again of plotting against the Serbs. “Hosts foundations thinking they would get a of all sorts of ‘rapporteurs’ perambulate newer and better house, whereas history Sanjak these days. With the help of the local has shown that, as a rule, they always ended ‘protector of human rights’ Sefko up with a worse one.” (D, 1/12) Alomerovic [the Chair of Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Sanjak] There is an openly mocking attitude: they spread blatant lies about Serbs and the “OUTCAST, everyone has their outcasts, status of the Muslims in Sanjak” (P.E, 24/2). only the Slovenes and the Croats don’t. There the cast-offs fear recycling. Or is it the firmness of character which others lack? Slovenes Hardened in the Institute of St. Hierolimus? And yet, an outcast has nothing to do with Slovenia gets its share of hate speech due cast-offs because some of them would be to the fact that “(T)here is no end to the immediately recycled in Paris.” (B, 30/9- cheering in the Slovenian media after the 1/10). However, this attitude is not Croatian offensive in the former B-H and “reserved” for Slovenes only. It applies to the capture of Grahovo and Glamoc. all people which used to comprise the no Celebrating openly the successes of the longer existent Federation. “A specific Croatian army, the aggressors in the former itinerant circus of the representatives of the B-H.” (V.N, 1/8). secessionist republics of Slovenia, Croatia B-H and Macedonia, after Ljubljana arrived Apart from that, the Slovenes are seen as in Zagreb. It announces a visit to Skopje ungrateful people, who want to gain as (presumably Sarajevo, too, later on?), all much as possible from what is left from the with the intention to allegedly protect the possessions of ex-Yugoslavia. “Until a few property of the former Yugoslavia (...)”; days ago everything was different in “(Un)expectedly, dezela [Slovene: country] Ljubljana. Since the time when the seams was particularly insistent; it was the first to of history valid until 1991 burst up, Slovenia start undermining Yugoslavia, and now has wholeheartedly joined in the hawkish literally does its utmost to grab the largest chorus of the West (...) Powerful Western share of the dowry. The Slovenian leader hawks did the aforementioned because of Milan Kucan used to a large extent even his their visions of the new world distribution first official visit to ‘brotherly’ Macedonia of states, and Slovenia - in order to show it (...) to find out how the Slovenians and was more western than the West itself, Macedonians could snatch the largest slice former sub-Alpine Yugoslavs placed their of the cake in the succession (...)”; “In point bets on the diplomatic and political of fact, one can expect a great deal more strictness (...)”; “(...) it is common from the ‘itinerant circus’ of representatives knowledge that money is an important for succession from the secessionist angle of the Slovenian world-view.” (D, republics. Devious, as when they were 2/12) “On the basis of the continuity of that destroying Yugoslavia, now they are afraid first Yugoslavia, created on December 1st, again of dirty play among themselves” 1918, the second one - that of 1945 - was (V.N, 31/1). “Now the erstwhile also created. Like the first one, it was again secessionists offer a hand to the recently hateful in Belgrade. They do it, true, rather

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timidly, because in their environments, due the present day situation is described as to political reconciliation and offer of the worrying, because “The ‘oldest’ Hungarian hand to their recent enemy, they are subject secondary school in this part of the world to many attacks. In Slovenia, Croatia, was to lend support and ground for the Bosnia-Herzegovina (it is them we are idea about the establishment of purely talking about) the opposition is still against Hungarian schools which should be better any cooperation with Belgrade. Their hair than the bilingual ones only because no still stands on end at the sight of sajkaca language but Hungarian would be heard in [Serbian peasant cap], and they get goose- them (...)”; “(...) Street names, historic bumps at the mention of Serbs” (D, 16/1) dates, executions in times of war, migrations of people, bilinguals. Other ethnic communities in these lands are Hungarians undesirable, redundant.” (D, 11/9)

Oftentimes the Vojvodina Hungarians are accused of plotting against official Montenegrins Belgrade. “It is ever more evident that the Vojvodina Hungarian leaders are reinforcing Montenegrins in general are not presented their undefined borders in the northern in a negative light. However, there are part of the Yugoslav territory, establishing certain groups, which provoke the wrath of intensive links with their co-nationals from the Serbian media. “The champions of neighboring countries, if not within official autonomous Montenegro, the well-known boundaries, then in every other respect.” ‘hundred per cent Montenegrins’ rallied (D, 21/12). “Had there been slogans written round the Liberal Alliance of Montenegro, around their table, we might have read: now obviously, don’t even know what they ‘The question of Vojvodina - the question of believe in (...) [follows a list of the money’ or ‘Vojvodina wheat for Vojvodina ‘treasonous’ acts committed by members mills.’ With a little more ingenuousness, or followers of the Liberal Alliance of now we would also remember the wall Montenegro. The article ends with a gazette, maybe without the sickle and the statement that all their activities are a] hammer, but with a clear message: ‘We “separatist wild shot.” (D, 27/12) want to establish civil autonomous Vojvodina which threatens no one, helps The International Community everyone, excludes nobody, accepts everybody.’” (D, January). A very pronounced feature of all mainstream (especially of the pro-regime) Historical data are presented in a way media is their obsession with the danger which builds up hatred towards the coming from the international community, “OCCUPIERS’S BLOODY TRAIL”; “CRIMES which is plotting against the Serbs and OF HORTI’S [the Hungarian Regent] everything which the Serbs deem valuable. EXECUTIONERS”; “SAJKASKA STREET “Thus, in the wake of Krajina’s amputation SLAUGHTER”; “POGROM IN NOVISAD”; from the Serb state-making body, the USA “Having barely entered Yugoslavia, Horti’s offers a prescription for the Balkan balance hordes embarked upon mass killings and and a deal on Bosnia (...) Hasn’t the forcible deportation in order to ‘cleanse’ programmed destruction of Krajina the so called Southern Territories from the established a forced ‘symmetry’ on the Serb Serbs, Jews, Romany and other unsuitable and Croat balance pans, which has to be inhabitants and create an ethnically pure ‘finely tuned’ in Bosnia, without causing occupied territory” (D, 21/11). Still, even damage to the Muslims”; “(...) someone

100 serbia from the ‘flowery part of the world’ has - 16/8). “HIRED GUN - the NATO pact hired directly or indirectly - used a butcher’s knife by the UN (read: America) (...) Otherwise, to make a surgical cut in the Balkans. The some use another name for this type of movement of more than 200,000 Krajina killer - the world policeman. It is a Serbs and butchering of their roots in their misconception that hired guns are usually ancestral soil are what arouses the greatest Americans. Their hands are clean: they get horror so far. Europe has not witnessed the UN, local conscientious citizens, such large-scale ethnic expulsion ever since universalistic intelligentsia, fundamenta- World War II. Even greater horror is lists, and when this is not enough, they take provoked by the thought that its enforced planes, and rockets. Nothing is done migration might well have been coolly manually, they only push the button.”; typed on the political computer of some “NATO, for those who did not known what baron in the West with the idea to construct the acronym stands for, now, after all that his peace” (D, 23/8). “(...) The borders happened, it positively means the traced by Titoist authorities are often at following: Nazi, American, Terrorist, odds with tradition or elementary rules of Organization”; “(NEW) WORLD ORDER, ethnic balance. The problem is that so- from Alexander the Great to the Popes, called Europe plus the USA feverishly from Hitler to Stalin, we’ve had enough of hastened to recognize them (...) This has new orders. Therefore, it is not a new but become a matter of laws because it is us the old one, wrapped in new packaging (...) who, from the heights of ‘White Houses’, The order of the Fourth Reich packaged in establish international law, even though we whiskey, Cola, ‘Kent’ and Sacher-torte. have deep contempt for the local Those who like it are welcome to it, and inhabitants” (N.B, 14/9) This makes “Quite those who don’t - buzz off! To a camp with a number of citizens of all countries of the him straight-away, from which, instead of new world order believe that the Serbs are crematorium smoke, rises the smoke of an ugly, mean breed: barbarians, occupiers, powerful bombs filled with all sorts of criminals, rapists”; “(...) it is only later that radionuclides. The difference between the one realizes that all the killed combatants camps of the Third and the Fourth Reich is are filed ‘under slain’, and ‘under only in the speed of dying. The world can slaughtered’ all the slain civilians. And they be likened to a tired old man who can were slaughtered indeed. Because, in those barely wait to turn two thousand to go to territories the slaughter of humans was, and his grave (...) The world, let us not forget, is, the ‘trade mark’ of the ustashi [pejorative began without man; the new order offers it for Croats]. Both old and new, young.” (D, a chance to end without man!” (B, 23- 20/8). 24/9). “All concern for the ‘democratic right to truth’ has been appropriated by On the basis of these accusations, the CNN and Reuters whose celestial contacts Serbian media hold that the attitude of the were carefully preserved by NATO air forces. West is extremely unfair. “When it was all These two centers of the world power have over, everybody closed their mouth, markedly opted for the anti-Serb side and swallowing what was left after it all: more are acting directly as the agitprop of the than 250,000 Serb refugees (...) They also allied forces (UN, NATO, USA), reporting shed crocodile tears (...) many, even, only what directly serves the interests of the blissfully belched, sated and contented armed adversaries of General millrace’s after a large bite of Serb meant. As, for army” (B, 16-17/9). “It remains to be seen, instance, mistress Albright (...) even the however, whether and how will the West notorious ‘justice-lover’ Tadeusz defeat its own fascism emerging in B-H” (B, Mazowiecki could hardly come up with 14/9). such a hypocritical mouthful as that” (D,

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Moreover, the international community is local Croats who simply took them in their blamed for helping the Croats exterminate arms, so that they were left without breath the Serbs. “When (...) the American in their steely hug. There’s nothing queer Ambassador Peter Galbraith appeared on about that love: all through the war we an ustashi tank (...) After the abortive have been hearing them denouncing the cooperation with Muslims and attempts to fascist policy, but in this country! This time, obtain an army for its political conquests the expelled listened to the peace-makers from Alija Izetbegovic, by way of its Asian (...) they hardly fired a bullet (...)! That is satellite, Turkey, the USA turned to the why these individuals received them with Croats. The go-between in the creation of open arms (...) But they still don’t know an American-Croatian military alliance was how to live up to their initial promise: Germany which provided 3,000 military ‘Everything will be resolved peacefully!’ experts for the ‘Storm’ operation (...) In this Only - who will lose and who will gain?!” manner the USA has joined the war against (B, 2-3/9). “Both Richard Goldstone and his the Serbs (...) but also against the ‘blue associates slipped and said that their (...) helmets’ and the rest of Europe.”; “(...) For indictment (...) was founded on the fifty years America has been building among ‘cooperation with Croatian authorities’. By the domestic public an image of a super- placing their trust in their proteges - the power and the world’s first cowboy. This order, it goes without saying, came from entitles it, at home at least, to act the chief Center of the World Power - the simultaneously as a judge and executioner Hague judges and prosecutors erase hair- and to establish peace in the world” (D, raising information received from the 13/8). “Croatia’s Western allies not only United Nations experts, founders of the gave it the ‘pink light’ for the aggression International Tribunal for War Crimes.” against the Republic Serb Krajina, but also (V.N, 11/11) participated directly in the armed conflicts (...) NATO’s powerful military technology The USA and Germany are seen as the provided the logistic support, the soldiers main culprits in this anti-Serb campaign. under the chess-board flag were trained “(...) The purpose of this ‘Congress’ is to and led by American military instructors, convince the world that the Serbs (...) are and it is also possible that Knin was shelled the perpetrators of the genocide over the by international rapid reaction forces” (P.E, Bosnian Muslims. To add conviction to the 8/8). “The genocide offensive of the judgment, the participants in the Congress Croatian army against the people of the are notorious Serbophobes Gutman, Grass, Republic Serb Krajina continues as forcefully Boyle, Glucksman and others (...) one can as ever, under the auspices of international also find there the well-known Nazi patrons and with all the available state-of- ‘hunters’ (...) Wiesenthal and Edelmann (...) the-art military technology purchased with the Serb responsibility will be even more the help of its powerful Western protectors, convincing when it is confirmed by (...) the United States of America and Germany ‘Serbs’, the president of the Bosnian in the first place” (P.E, 6/8). “THE EXPELLED, Parliament Miro Lazovic, and the president we find fault with the others again. of the ‘Serb Civil Alliance of Bosnia’ Mirko Especially those who so ingeniously gave Pejanovic” (V.N, 4/9). “Honolulu, 31 August that name to their own straight-away. As for 1995. The USA celebrates the victory in us, the word presumably reminds us of the World War II. The USA compelled (...) to word ‘cynic’ and we like the word ‘refugee’ enter (...) the war. It ended it by better. But, although we may jostle about unnecessarily destroying civilians and two that, nobody has offered to don their hide Japanese towns with atomic bombs. The as yet. Only the ‘peace-makers’ (...) received enormous amount of dollars invested in the them wholeheartedly not counting our production of these bombs, could not be

102 serbia justified in any other way.” (B, 2/9). “Just as hatched crusaders. In the booty they are Bismark unified Germany, the US will cut snatching away there will be many a Yugoslavia. “; “The current situation was poisonous mushroom - noisy, hot, fatal - for made possible by the Russian vote in the the world’s global village only because the Security Council” (P, 2/9). “After a 30-year victims will not hope, believe and mildly long study of American democracy Dr. kick indefinitely” (D, 2/9). “(...) And, of Djundjevic points out that it is full of decay, course, for all that was not suited to the injustice, crime, violence and ruthless needs of the cultural life in Zagreb at the deception of voters, brainwashed by the time, the blame is to be borne by the Serbs media. Concrete examples of persecuted, (...) The Proves paper does not even hint arrested and killed civilians opposing the that in 1914 and 1915 Belgrade was laid free masonic machinery.” (V.N, 11/9). “The bare by the guns of those armies which the once American President Wilson got his Croats supported almost without avenue in Paris for dismembering Austria- reservation: they were active participants Hungary, is Clinton trying to earn a (and war criminals) in the Austro-Hungarian boulevard in Sarajevo” (V.N, 7/9). “German Empire, and they worshipped as the closest Aid to the Muslim-Croatian Federation - ally the Teutonic one. The road to the song ONLY FOR SATELLITES” (V.N, 15/5) The ‘Danke Deutchland’ was already being actions of the Great Powers are also paved. Sure, nobody waited for a blond condemned by “General Mladic [who nincompoop to learn that song but that the writes about the past bombing of RS and] Croatian official policy grants it right to life points out: In terms of its duration, it is and momentum. Is it fair to attribute more brutal than Hitler’s bombing of Serbivore option only to Pravas?” (D, 21/11). Belgrade on April 6, 1941 since he stopped “The West European countries whose aim the bombing on April 7 and 8 to allow for was to ‘discover the crime’ at ‘Ovcara’ and the burial of the casualties in a Christian thus accuse the Serbs of the genocide over ritual. You did not do it. Quite the reverse: the Croats, suddenly were no longer keen you fired at our church and cemetery while on financing the investigation of crimes we were burying those killed and you did against the Serbs in the territory controlled not allow us to bring them out and bury by the Croatian authorities. However, the them.” (V.N, 6/9). hushing up of the genocide over the Serbs does not, evidently, hamper the Hague And again, the Croats and the Muslims are Tribunal to file the indictment against JNA said to perform atrocious acts without any officers charging them for ‘crimes’ against punishment. “(...) Tudjman and Izetbegovic Croats’ in Vukovar even without the physical have been administered hormonal evidence ‘ about the Zenga mass grave’”; injections to strengthen their body, spirit “The only thing that matters is that all these and armed force. Tudjman’s in such a way officers are Serbs.” (V.N, 12/11). that he could become the Catholic rampart of Europe, and Izetbegovic’s - in reward for All these are seen as aspects of “the war of fundamentalists’ abstention from bombs the whole world against the Orthodox planted around American trade centers (...) Christian Serbian nation.” “The special UN Yugoslavia has been fettered and encircled reporter for human rights first and foremost with invisible barbed wire, suggestive of is the Vatican’s and Germany’s man of salvation and hope in line with the confidence a.k.a. vehement anti-Orthodox” recognizable slogan on Auschwitz gates. (P.E, 20/11). “Whereas the Muslim ranks in And we know what they are doing to Bosnia include bloodthirsty ‘Allah’s fighters’ Krajinas. A day of peace, a minute of from all four corners of the world, in Croatia blitzkrieg, munch-munch, bit by bit, head this role is played by many Germans who by head.”; “(...) The war lords, the newly- turned up as mercenaries in the Balkans.

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These ‘dogs of war’ found in the war waged fascism. We do not believe even that the on the soil of former Yugoslavia the training- Croats traveled there (for what normal grounds for base passions. Killing as a trade person would celebrate the victory over his has attracted many adventurers and has own ideology), let alone that the Russians offered them an opportunity to sow death screwed us so.” (P, 7/1). “(...) I conclude with impunity, wearing uniforms which that the future of Serb Sarajevo depends, protect them from any laws and scruples. above all, on the Washington choice Their engagement was helped by the furious between one good for Europe and one evil anti-Serb propaganda which swept the for the ideology of multiculturalism, called world at the beginning of the war. Now, at ‘the melting pot’. A difficult dilemma. least some of the accounts are ripe for Karadzic’s eyes see further: ‘A new quality ‘settling’” (D, 20/11). has never been born out of the symbiosis of Christianity and Islam. In all places where The picture becomes even more severe Islam had the upper hand Christianity when one reads that all this is done, wilted, and the Christians were reduced to because of some petty interests of the second-rank citizens. If is obvious that the powerful US which does not care about strategists of the ‘new world order’ want to the fate of the whole Serbian people. “The leave us at the mercy of the Muslims, but I American President visited the IFOR military hope (...) that Europe will not allow it. base in Tuzla only to be able to tell the Resistance to the Washington-made Balkan voters in the election campaign: ‘I was in policy is growing stronger in Europe, Bosnia!’ To demonstrate the military and demands to find some modus vivendi for political supremacy of the USA, Bill Clinton Sarajevo that would satisfy the Serbs are sent to the former Yugoslavia the elite growing stronger” (D, 16-19/1). “The Serbs officers and units of the American armed wanted to emulate the Yanks only once, to forces. Only Madonna and Sharon Stone make camps for their enemies just as the are missing to make a Balkan Vietnam out latter had made them for the Japanese in of Bosnia.” (I, 19/1-2/2). “Instead of being the USA. So that they wouldn’t help their with their families around Christmas, the homeland in war. And those camps are American soldiers look in the Bosnian mud written into the Yanks’ history as a wise for the interests which their state lost precaution. Afterwards the Yanks repented somewhere there. While Perry was and that is why they criticized Serb camps persuading them that by mounting up the so harshly.” (B, 3-4/2) pontoon bridge, they had accomplished a The international organizations and fantastic job, at least half of them thought: institutions are also seen as mere weapons what did I need all this for, why didn’t I in the hands of the powerful in the world. become a priest or a postman. But that “The United Nations, a euphemism for other half counted the money they would NATO (...) One should not advocate the take home, saw a medal swinging on the abolition of the privileges of the big ones, left pocket of the uniform and the news reel which is their right to veto. When NATO to record on a cassette, for the and the UN become one, veto will grandchildren, to see where their grandpa disappear as well. The brains of the world knocked about and earned lumbago and movement will be able to breathe freely, retirement pension”; “Why should we and at long last the Old Testamentary call of believe Nedeljna Dalmacija that the Eagleberger and of his countrymen from Russians sold the Croats two ‘Migs’. And Paris and Germany will come to reign - an that they cost 18.7 million dollars, and that eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth (see the whole deal was concluded in Moscow definition Christ’s lesson)” (B, 11-12/11). when the Croatian delegation was there to “Brutal force, the one to be used by ‘peace- attend the celebration of the victory over making’, not to say peace-exuding, forces

104 serbia in Bosnia. Only if they are attacked, of signing goes on? Never, not even to the course. Incidentally, such a force was not cruelest Barbarian god, have so many advised to be used by the then legal JNA in sacrifices been offered in a filthy altar” (T, the defense of the integral territory of the 8/11). “Dayton - a confirmation of the Former Yugoslavia. ‘Force is not humane’ mega-power of the magi of the new world the humanists and universalists said whilst order. They ignite a war and then generously boy-soldiers were killed in front of their extinguish it. It’s hard to believe - they have barracks and in the streets. The use of the turned the Dayton air-base into a Payton brutal force by IFOR is something else. Place. Happiness trickles down the grand IFOR is the representative of the commander’s face (...) New free masonry sophisticated, not of the Balkan, brutal works as machinery (...) All we can expect force.” (B, 30-31/12). “IFOR and UN hide- now from these mega-wizards is to start and-seek”; “Spanish battalion of IFOR resurrecting the dead” (B, 2-3/12). The continues to surround Tvrdos Monastery result of this situation is that “While the and disturbs and terrorizes religious people rest of this planet fears the domination of in other ways, in an effort to convince them the Western civilization, in Bosnia the eyes that the occupier is here again.” (V.N, 4/6). are wide open because of the expansion of “It is becoming increasingly clear that the the Wild West. In this sense the Western initial claims of Attorney Toma Fila that the media cartoonists were right, because Hague Tribunal was in fact an American George Julwan will become indeed the Tribunal funded by Islamic and American ‘main sheriff’ in the field, and with the help money”; “The Hague Tribunal has made it of the Chief Prosecutor of the Hague clear to the Serbs that in the contemporary Tribunal for War Crimes Richard Goldstone, world there can be crime without his 60 ‘posses’ come into a pursuit they punishment, or punishment without crime, investigate in the field, ‘hunt’ mass graves depending on what the powerful say.” (D, and arrest the suspects.” (D, 28/1). 26/3) Thus the Serb media stress again and again When the long-awaited peace treaty their conviction that there is an became a reality, it was not welcomed by overwhelming plan not only against them, the Serbian media. “Never and not one of but against some other less powerful states the Serbs has journeyed so far to sign such as well. The end of the first, genuine, an indispensable and advertised and such a democratic and unprovoked elections, was fuzzy and uncertain peace. When foreign celebrated at Skanderbeg Square in the armies trampled us under their feet, an heart of Tirana, where merry policemen unfortunate Serb hand had to sign the beat to death the members of the defeat. Didn’t General Kalafatovic sign the opposition parties. But, there is a catch capitulation of the oldest Yugoslavia, and there. The other world, the Western world, General Milan Nedic heaved upon his back which (of course) had the same problems, - and soul - his cross, governing Serbia but (of course) solved them about a century under the Germans. Both were fortunate and a half ago, reacted immediately: the enough not to meet Clinton or Kohl, those observers said that the elections were not cruel peace-lovers, those arsonists who, fair (...) and an observer from the OSCE, a when it suits them, are transfigured into certain Paul Kitsch, gave a kitsch statement: firemen. What is this Dayton? An American ‘In actual fact there was a successful military base or Clinton’s advertising TV attempt to tailor the elections results.’”; grounds for the next elections? (...) Will “Not everything is clear. If it is a successful Clinton, then, force the three Balkan attempt, and was assessed as such, then chieftains to sign peace even if their warriors the leadership of Albania should be get at each others’ throats again as the congratulated. Free elections, the EU

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observers, opposition and beatings - all this righteous claim: “It was proved once again attests to the fact that serious people are in how the unprovoked sanctions were unjust. power.”; “Elections are a dramatic event in While we were excluded from the European every country. During elections the mainstream developments, the EU had relationship between the authorities and established standards for production of the opposition grow more acerbic (...) Even eurocondoms. Without comparative data America is not an exception to that rule. from our country, the European Committee The Whitewater affair is once again very for Standards in Brussels ruled that much in the news. Hillary has obviously eurocondom should be 27 cm long and played fast and loose (...) since the 4.4cm wide. Hence the final product is Republican Party has been pressuring the practically non applicable on our market.” court, no good can come out of it. For the (P, 3/3) Clintons. To soften the odium, the first couple has resorted to the jokes that carry favor with those Americans who pay taxes, Religious Minorities eat hamburgers and think that Mauritius is the capital of New Zealand. They will adopt Regarding Catholicism: “(T)he Catholics a child. One can bet that a child will be are, therefore, ordinary Orthodox heretics, black, yellow or green (only not white) for it and the Catholic religion was invented to is a major turn on for such sympathetic allegedly cure the diseases of the earlier Americans. Of course. We shall publish a [faith].”; “A few days ago Catholic believers protest note from the US Embassy because stoned a column of Orthodox refugees. of this smear, on the very same day when Catholic believers use guerrilla tactics: they the American dailies apologize in the same strike when possible, and run when way about the way they run their articles on necessary. When it gets really thick - they’re the Balkans butcher.” (P, 2/6). Still, Serbs always on the side of the more powerful. are the biggest victim of “the international That is their genetic code. A variety of this plot.” “(...) We have learned, for instance, code is called - Latin cunning.”; “In the 7th what struggle for human rights and century A.D. yet another new faith was humanitarian actions means. Among other invented - Islam (...) Its makers affirmed things, this is the US’s aspiration to rule the that the new religion was the right religion. world. It is also Germany’s effort to be the For 13 centuries preachers have been biggest power in little Europe. It is also the inscribing in the genetic code of orthodox Turkish aspiration to return to the Balkans, believers that ‘there is no God but Allah’ Albania’s - to rule parts of Serbia, and that Islam has to be propagated even Macedonia and Greece, they are also those ‘on the tip of the sword’ if need be” (B, 19- mono-ethnic parties out to protect those 20/8). Or a vicious attack against a Catholic they call their own within the borders from monastic order: “A banned sect of the before the Trianon, it is also Austria which monastic Order of Jesuits is very active in shall never forget Sarajevo. There is also the Montenegro and its center is on the island Serb people blamed for everything, and of Lady of Charity in Krtole, near Tivat. It is even for the war in Chechnya, Mock’s led by the monks called Jesuits. Their illness, Gensher, De Michelis’ criminal activities have been outlawed even in the activities, genocide (above all), for the most democratic countries of the world, expulsion and flight of 250,000 Serbs the but here they freely preach their chief culprit are the Serbs. All the others are Machiavelian code that the end justifies the clean as a crocodile tear over which they means. They are under the direct patronage gained nothing, they say (...)” (D, of the Roman Pope and their main principle December). This attitude is perceived even is that public lies are not proscribed as long in the following funny, and yet, rather self-

106 serbia as the monk justifies his actions before God extermination of the Serbs in Croatia has (...) in private. Velibor Dzomic, Professor of been going on for a whole century, always Theology, told us that they were not only under the wing of the Catholic Church and waging war against the Orthodox Church, its crusader sword. Pope John Paul II (...), on the spiritual level, but also against the after almost a thousand years of Christian state institutions, the army and the police” divisions, wanted to bury the hatchet and (D, March). Then the reader sees that “The asked the Orthodox to forgive all the evils

Table of media initials: Politika (P.); Politika Ekspres (P.E.); Borba (B.); Nasha Borba (N.B.); Vecernje Novosti (V.N.); Vreme (V.); Telegraf (T.); Duga (D.); Dnevnik (D.); Magyar Szo (M.S.); Polimlja (Pol.).

107 slovenia

inflicted on them by the Catholics (...) And enlarged Serbia.” (D, 10/12). “Radojica yet, it is as clear as a day that the Pope Aleksic, a Serb ‘newcomer’ [used in a himself is a hypocrite because even as the derogatory sense] with Slovene citizenship exodus of an entire people goes on, the lives successfully in his own legal order. On a Pope keeps silent, confident that history is hired lot (...) at the edge of Protoroz, he built whispering in his ear about the movement a family house illegally (...) with quite a pig of the Catholic frontiers eastward!” (V.N, farm. On somebody else’s land at the edge 13/8). of the biggest Slovenian tourist center he mocks at the citizens who have built their The media also warn against the latest houses legally and imparts the stink of pigs developments in the relations between on his neighbors’ lives (...)” (S N, 5/9). When Catholicism and Islam which are seen as there are signs of problems in Serbian potentially dangerous for the Serb cause. international relations, they are met with “The Pope (...) lately denied the existence of open satisfaction by the Slovene media. “The behavior of the United States and the Muslim fundamentalism, calling it international community of the developed ‘integralism’ instead (...) And if this countries towards the Serbs whenever they fundamentalism - integralism does exist, it are has become somewhat cool. As if the is only the effect of the causes which West suddenly found out that there was no ‘provoke and feed it’.”; “The meeting in use to negotiate with ‘swine merchants’ (...)” Rome is but the latest manifestation of the (V, 6/9). “Whatever you give them [the growing rapprochement between the Serbs], they will not be satisfied. This is a partisans of Wojtilean fundamentalism logic which is going to stop only when [the single-mindedness and Islamic Serbian beast] gets it on its fingers” (D, 9/9). fundamentalists, who have already Even cultural events are not spared from established many forms of cooperation this negative attitude. “The recognition or around the world, notably in Bosnia- the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the Herzegovina, where the Franciscans are part of Slovenia will be followed by a show in strong, and whose principal partner of the Slovenia by the most popular singer from Muslim authorities is Sarajevo archbishop that state. Dragana Mirkovic - instead of a Vinko Puljic (...) The partnership between Chetnik [used pejoratively for Serbs] the Vatican and militant Islamists is meeting uniform she will wear a mini skirt. Arkan’s criticism even among the world Catholic [the alleged war criminal] wife Ceca [also a population” (B, 2-3/9). popular singer] is not coming to Slovenia yet (...) Serbian pork and sausage time at Fuzine Foreign Residents [a district in the city if Ljubijana, Slovenia] will be postponed till the Orthodox New Slovenian media are generally concerned Year (...) At her concerts in Serbia and all with the definition of the new national over Europe all the seats are sold. Three program. This program is usually thousands followers of the Serbian pop and interpreted as applicable to “pure” Slovenes folk music are expected (...) Dragana will not only, while being exclusive of the foreigners wear a Chetnik uniform, but a mini skirt, and residing in the state. The latter is particularly she will entertain the almost forgotten Yugo- true of the representatives of the different officers and other Serbs who have remained nationalities which used to comprise ex- in Slovenia after its independence, as well as Yugoslavia, and especially of the Serbs. “For a Muslim or two (...) Only Dragana, for now the Serbs, Yugoslavia has always been an [implying that war originals will also come

Table of media initials: Delo (D.); Dnevnik (Dn.); Slovenec (S.); Vecer (V.); Slovenske Novice (S.N.).

108 appendices

109 appendix 1

later]. Some Slovenes will, of course, protest Koha Jone (K.J.) - the most important against the Orthodox festivity (...) A Slovene independent paper; 27,000-30,000; businessman of Serbian origin is convinced Aleanca (Al.) - the weekly newspaper of that he could also fill Belgrade halls if he the Democratic Alliance; 6,500; succeeds in taking there Miso Kovac [a Republika (R.P.) - the paper of the right- Slovene singer of Slovene origin] (...) and wing Republican Party, which comes out the Agropop pop group. But unfortunately three times a week; 5,000; Alin Klimar, the singer of this group, is Rilindja (R.) - an independent daily supposedly afraid of a Chetnik bullet.” (S.N, financed by the Kosovo Albanians; 1,500- 9/12) 2,000; Albania (A.) - a pro-Democratic Party All the above can be summarized in the daily; 4,000-5,000; following way: “If the independence of the Tribuna Demokratike (T.D.) - the paper of Slovene nation were a real act, a revival of the section of the Democratic Party of the Slovene nation should have followed, Tirana, which comes put twice a week; namely the ‘Slovenization’ of Slovenia. In 1,000-2,000; Slovenia human rights for the Slovenes Balli i Kombit (B.I.K.) - the weekly should exist first, and only within the newspaper of the small right-wing party framework of the possibilities and interests Balli i Kombit; of the Slovene nation, human rights for the Liria (L.) - the weekly newspaper of the non-Slovenes can be realized (...) When Association of the Former Political discussing rights, it is always necessary to Prisoners linked now with the Democratic take into account that a right brings benefits Front; 1,000; to one and as a rule is harmful to another. Human rights for the non-Slovenes are as a E Djathta (E.D.) - the weekly of the Right rule harmful to the Slovenes. Almost any Democratic Front; benefit of the immigrants is paid by the E Djathta Kombetare (E.D.K.) Slovene nation as a whole(...) Mr. Kregeli Alternativa SD (A.S.D.) - the newspaper of should publicly say whether he puts as a the Social Democratic Party; 4,500; priority the interests of the Slovenes or the Populli Po (P.P.) - an independent daily; interests of the Balkan nations. Respecting 4,500; both these interests is impossible in Dita Informacion (D.I.) - an independent Slovene!” (S, 21/11). “Clean this Coutnry of newspaper, which comes out three times a Southerners [from ex-Yugoslavia]. Non- week; 5,000; Slovenes to be tested.” (R, 29/10) Demokracia - the weekly newspaper of Media monitored the Party for the Defense of Human Rights, supported by the Greek minority; Java - an independent newspaper in the Albania South of Albania;

Print media: Bosnia and Herzegovina Rilindja Demokratike (R. D.) - the daily of the Democratic Party; 6,000-6,500 Print media: copies); Gazeta Shquiptare (G.S.) - an Hrvatske Rilec (H.R.) - ‘The Croatian independent daily published in two Word’; weekly; languages (Albanian and Italian); 11,000; Glas (Gl.) - a Banjaluka-based daily; Zeri I Popullit (Z.P.) - the daily of the Serbian Oslobodjenje (S.O.) - a weekly Socialist Party; 17,000-20,000; paper;

110 appendix 1

Oslobodjenje (O.) - a Sarajevo-based Pressgroup 168 Chasa Ltd. (one of the paper; 2,000-7,000 copies; major publishing corporations) and whose Vecernje Novine (V.N.) - a Sarajevo-based attitude to all kinds of events is cynical and paper; 1,000-3,000; sensational; 300,000 copies; Dani - an independent political monthly; 168 Chasa (168 C) - ‘168 Hours’; the 1,000-3,000; weekly newspaper of Pressgroup 168 Chasa Republika - an independent political Ltd.; 150,000; monthly; 1,000-3,000; Dneven Trud (T) - ‘Daily Work’; an Ljiljan - a weekly of the Bosnian Muslims, independent daily, which is published by printed in Sarajevo, Travnik, Ljubljana, Media Holding Inc. and is characterized by Frankfurt, Istanbul; 40,000; a more pluralistic attitude tolerating different opinions; 300,000; Noshten Trud (N.T.) - ‘Nightly Work’; an Broadcast media: independent daily, published by Media Serb TV - Pale (STP) - covers almost the Holding Inc. and circulated in the whole territory of BH; started broadcasting afternoon. It covers mainly accidents and May, 1992; presents the official Serb events which have happened in Sofia; policy; 200,000; Croatian TV - Studio Mostar (C. TV - S. Zhult Trud (Z.T.) - ‘Yellow Work’; an M.) independent weekly, published by Media Bosnia and Herzegovina TV - owned and Holding Inc., which concentrates on governed by the Bosnian Parliament; its sensationalism; 100,000; daily program is 12-16 hours; Standart (S) - ‘Standard’; an independent TV Hayat - Sarajevo - a private and daily, published by Standart News Ltd. independent local TV station; since 1992. It used to concentrate on TV Hayat - Studio Free Tuzla - a private “serious” presentation of the news, but and independent local TV station; since September 1995 it adopted the so called “24 Chasa style” of presenting the Srpski Radio - Pale (S. R. P.) - covers events; 200,000; almost the whole territory of BH; started Nedelen Standart (N.S.) - ‘Sunday broadcasting May, 1992; presents the Standard’; an independent weekly, official Serb policy; published by Standart News Ltd.; 150,000; Official B&H Radio - covers the whole Kontinent (K.) - ‘Continent’; an country; independent daily, published by Megapress Studio 99 - a Sarajevo-based radio station; Inc. Publishing House since 1992. It is one Radio Zio - a Sarajevo-based radio station; of the few papers with permanent political Muslim Radio Hayast - a private radio and economic columns, which are usually station with political and religious based on information from credible programs; sources and are written professionally; Vrhbosna - the radio station of the Bosnian 70,000; Croats; Novinar (N.) - ‘News Bulletin’; an independent daily, published by Novinar Ltd. It tends to “fabricate” the events by Bulgaria emphasizing on particular issues, which often results in defamation of particular Print media: persons and groups; 80, 000; Demokratsia (Dem) - ‘Democracy’; the 24 Chasa (24 C) - ‘24 Hours’; an official daily of the Union of Democratic independent daily, which is published by Forces; 50,000; Duma (D) - ‘Word’; the official daily of the

111 appendix 1

Socialist Party; 150, 000; Croatia

Print media: Broadcast media: Vjesnik (Vs) - a daily newspaper; Bulgarian National TV - Channel 1 (BNT- Vecernji List (V. L.) - a daily newspaper; 1) - the central news bulletin ‘Po Sveta I U Novi List (N. L.) - a daily newspaper; Nas’ (8:00-8:30p.m.); Slobodna Dalmacia (S.D.) - a daily BNT-1 - the weekly political review newspaper; ‘Panorama’ (8:00-9:00p.m.); Glas Slavonje (G.S.) - a daily newspaper; BNT-1 - ‘Otzvuk’ - a talk show; twice a Hrvatsko Slovo (H.S.) week for an hour at prime time; Feral Tribune (F.T.) - a newspaper coming BNT-1 - ‘Nablyudatel’ - a program for out three times a week; political analyses; once a week for an hour Nedljna Dalmatsia - a newspaper coming at prime time; out three times a week; BNT-1 - ‘Edar Plan’ - a journalistic inquiry Danas - a newspaper coming out three on a particular issue; once a month for 90 times a week; minutes; Hrvatski Obzor (H.O.) - a newspaper BNT-1 - ‘Kanaleto’ - an entertainment coming out three times a week; show, parody of political reality; once a week for an hour at prime time; BN TV - Channel 2 (BNT-2) - ‘Chasten Broadcast media: Sluchai’ - three times a week for 15 minutes at prime time; Croatian TV (CTV) - the state-owned TV Nova TV - a private TV channel, station; broadcasting for Sofia only; ‘Novinite na Denia’ - the daily news bulletin (7:30- 8:00p.m.) Greece Nova TV - ‘Sofiiskite Potainosti’ - a ‘hot spots’ magazine; twice a week for 50 Print media: minutes; I Avgi (Av.) - ‘The Dawn’; pro-Coalition; Bulgarian National Radio Program average daily circulation of 2,167 copies in ‘Horizont’ (BNR-H) - daily news bulletin June 1995;); (6:00-6:20p.m.) Adesmeftos Typos (A.T) - ‘Non-aligned BNR-H - ‘Razgovor s Vas’ - a ‘hot spots’ Press’; center-right; 37,761; talk show; every Friday afternoon for 180 Apogevmatini (Ap.) - ‘Afternoon’; center- minutes; right; 60,278; BNR-H - ‘Nedelia 150’ - a political review Ethnos (Eth) - ‘Nation’; center-left; 50,077; and talk show; every Sunday morning for Eleftheros Typos (E.T.) - ‘Free Press’; 150 minutes; center-right; 105,809; BNR-H - ’12 Plyus Plias’ - a political satire Eleftherotypia (El.) - ‘Press Freedom’; show; every Saturday at noon for 80 center-left; 96,809; minutes; I Kathimerini (K.) - ‘The Daily’; center- Radio Express - a private radio station for right; 38,711; Sofia only; ‘Chasat na Vasheto Rizospastis (R.) - ‘Radical’; the official Nedovolstvo’ - a talk show; every Friday newspaper of the Communist Party of (2:00-3:20p.m.) Greece - KKE; 13,227; Ta Nea (N.) - ‘The News’; center-left;

112 appendix 1

111,134; the Serbian language (6:30-7:00p.m.) To Pontiki (P.) - ‘The Mouse’; weekly satirical and center-left newspaper with a Radio Prishtina (RP) - the main evening large circulation (35,956); news bulletin (6:00-6:45p.m.) To Vima (V.) - the Sunday paper which is published by the same publishers of Ta Nea which is not published on Sundays Macedonia with the largest circulation (170,607); Economicos Tachydromos (Ec.T.) - Print media: financial and political weekly magazine with circulation around 25,000; Nova Makedonja (N.M.) - daily; 20,000 Stohos (St.) - weekly nationalistic paper copies; (7,625). Vecer (V.) - daily; 20,000; Puls (P.) - weekly; 3,000; Delo (D.) - a private weekly magazine, Broadcast media: influenced by the nationalistic opposition parties; 5,000; Mega - a private TV channel with one of Makedonsko Sonce (M.S.) - ‘The Sun of the highest ratings (the 8:25-9:00 p.m. Macedonia’; a weekly, influenced by the newscast); nationalistic opposition parties; Antenna - a private TV channel with one of Fokus (F.) - a private weekly stressing the highest ratings (the 8:25-9:00 p.m. sensational coverage; 10,000; newscast); Demokratija (Dem.) - the paper of the ET-1 - a state-owned TV channel (the 9:00 Social Democratic Alliance; p.m.-9:45 p.m. newscast). Liberal (Lib.) - the paper of the Liberal Party, which appears as a supplement of Sky - a privately run radio station (the N.M. 2:00-4:00 p.m. news bulletin). Glas (Gl.) - the paper of IMRO (VMRO- DPMNE) Flaka e Vellazerimit (F.V.) - a daily paper Kosovo in Albanian; 5,000; Birlik (B.) - a paper in Turkish, available Print media: every other day; 1,000;

Jedinstvo (J.) - the only daily in Serbian, which is entirely financed and controlled Broadcast media by the ruling Serbian parties; 500-1,000 copies; Macedonian Television (MTV) - the only Bujku (B.) - the only daily in Albanian, nation-wide broadcaster with more than which reflects the prevailing public opinion 40 hours of programs daily on three in Kosovo; 10,000; channels; Zeri (Z.) - the most influential weekly in A-1 - the most important private TV station, Albanian; 7,000; limited to the Skopje area; TVArt - a Tetovo-based private TV station, which broadcasts in Albanian, Macedonian Broadcast media: and Turkish;

TV Prishtina (TVP) - ‘TV-Dnevnik’ - the Radio Skopje (R.S.) - a nation-wide radio main evening news bulletin broadcast in station;

113 appendix 1

The Ethnic Minorities Radio - broadcasts important representatives of the 15 hours a day, nine of them in Albanian; Ceausescu regime who turned into moguls Biljana - a radio station for listeners of Romanian financial and industrial circles, abroad, broadcast in Albanian, Bulgarian supporting extreme nationalist views; and Greek; Romania Mare (RM) - ‘The Greater Romania’; the weekly of the Romania Mare party, which produces abundant hate Montenegro speech; Totusi Iubirea (TI) - ‘Love, after All’; a Print media: weekly supporting extreme nationalist views; Pobjeda (P.) Dilema (D.) - ‘Dilemma’; a weekly, Istok (I.) published by a group of independent Tanjug (T.) - the FRY new agency; intellectuals, but with government money; Svetigora (S.) 22 - a weekly magazine, published by the Istok Review (I.R.) Group for Social Dialogue which started in Vecernje Novosti (V.N.) 1990 as the most progressive and democratic independent newspaper. Its circulation is small now, but it used to be Broadcast media: very influential in intellectual circles;

Montenegrin Television (M. T.) - the state-owned TV station; Broadcast media:

Montenegrin Radio (M. R.) - the state- Romanian National TV - Channel 1 owned radio station; (TVR1) - the central news bulletin (8:00- 8:40p.m.), daily; TVR1 - the main Hungarian-language Romania program (5:00-6:30p.m.), every Monday; TVR1 - ‘Viata Spirituala’ [‘Spiritual Life’] - a Print media: program which is very vocal in attacking different groups like the gays, Baptists, Vocea Romanei (V.R.) - ‘The Voice of neo-Protestants, and generally showing Romania’; the daily published by the intolerance towards European democratic Romanian government values; (11:00a.m.-noon), every Sunday; Dimineata (DT) - ‘The Morning’; the daily RN TV - Channel 2 (TVR2) - ‘Credo’ - a which reflects the positions of the program prepared by the same staff as the Romanian President, Ion Iliescu; one of ‘Spiritual Life’ and sharing the same Adevarul (A.) - ‘The Truth’; one of the characteristics; (10:00-11:00p.m.), every most widely circulated dailies; Tuesday; Romania Libera (RL) - ‘Free Romania’; it Tele 7 - a Bucharest-based private TV started in 1990 as the most important channel; the central news bulletin (9:00- independent democratic newspaper, but 9:40p.m.), daily; now it produces abundant hate speech; Tele 7 - ‘Linia Intii’ [‘In the Line of Fire’] - a Evenimentul Zilei (EZ) - ‘The Day’s Event’; political talk show; (7:00-8:00p.m.), the daily with the widest circulation; Monday-Friday; Cronica Romana (CR) - ‘The Romanian A1 - a private TV station covering 12 main Chronicle’; a daily with small-to-medium cities in Romania; the main news bulletin circulation, owned and published by (9:30-10:30p.m.), daily;

114 appendix 1

law values; Since December 14, 1994, Serbia when the Federal government took over the daily, it has become yet another regime Print media: paper cultivating an early fundamentalist version of polemical discourse; Politika (P.) - the oldest political daily, Nasha Borba (N.B.) - an independent which advocates the regime’s policy and daily, which was started in early 1995 and the values of the Serb national program; It is edited by journalists from Borba before exercised a fatal influence on the serbian the take-over; public opinion during the regime’s Vecernje Novosti (V.N.) - a loyal pro- campaign on the popularization and regime daily of the ‘yellow-press’ type; an acceptance of the values of the all-Serb ardent supporter of the Serbian national homogenization policy; program as a whole, which advocates Politika Ekspres (P.E.) - a pro-regime violent resolution of international disputes sensationalist daily with an editorial and conflicts; approach identical to the one of Politika; Vreme (V.) - the first private political One of the principal promoters of hate weekly since 1990; It is critical of the Serb speech, which tries to sustain among it national program and sets out to readers the high negative emotional demonstrate that objective and reasonable charge, concerning the real and imaginary journalism is possible even at times of enemies of the Serb national goals; crisis and war; Borba (B.) - the second oldest political Telegraf (T.) - a weekly since October, daily which used to truthfully inform the 1994, which based on the idea that the public as well as to assert humanitarian values of the Serb national program are

115 appendix 2

self-evident; communist countries. That is why the Duga (D.) - a fortnightly which is ‘the changes in the world order which started theoretical organ of the Serb view of the in the late 1980s had their crucial impact World, History, Culture and All the Rest’; on the situation here. One of the first Dnevnik (Dn.) - a Novi Sad-based things which the fall of communism newspaper, the only one in Serbian in the brought forth was freedom for the media Autonomous Province of Vojvodina; It has which till then used to be a passive weapon advocated the war policy of the regime in the hands of the omnipotent communist since the beginning of the conflict; parties. In these first years many Magyar Szo (M.S.) - ‘Hungarian Word’; newspapers and magazines started coming the only state-financed Hungarian out with the claim that there were many language paper in Novi Sad; It never joined aspects of life which need to be discussed the war-mongering campaign of the pro- in public. Some of these new media were regime media; allegedly a simple undercover to dubious Polimlja (Pol.) - the only local paper for businesses. As time passed by, many of social and political affairs in the them died out, due to lack of finance, of Municipality of Prijepolje (Sandzhak); interest, or to interference by state Slovenia authorities. The media which did survive started building their specific styles of the Print media: coverage of news and their idiosyncratic jargon. Unfortunately, most of these media Delo (D.) - a national daily; are still far away from the standards of Dnevnik (Dn.) - a Ljubljana-based daily; objective journalism, but at least they have 119,000 copies; started their movement forward. Slovenec (S.) - the daily of the Christian Democrats; 22,000; Keeping in mind all the above, one should Vecer (V.) - a daily newspaper; 192,000; not forget that from all the countries Slovenske Novice (S.N.) - a daily monitored in this Project, Greece is the newspaper, which practices the so called only one, whose recent history has been ‘yellow journalism’; 102,000; different from the history of its neighbors. MAG - a weekly magazine for the regions It was spared from communism, so one of Ljubljana and Kranj; would expect its media to be well ahead of Mladina - a weekly magazine for the the ones of the neighbors. Undoubtedly regions of Ljubljana and Maribor; this is so when it comes to the availability Druzhina - a weekly magazine of the of alternative private newspapers, Roman Catholic Church; magazines, radio and TV stations. In fact, 7D - a weekly magazine of the Vecer; this is the only country in the Balkans, Nedeljski Dnevnik - a weekly magazine of which has a number of private TV channels the Dnevnik; covering the whole country. But when it Razgledi - the newspaper if the Slovene comes to the hate speech which these intellectuals; media are capable of producing, one starts The media scene in the balkans. to wonder whether too much freedom and Summary of national reports. lack of censorship always lead to good results, when the media fail to see their role as responsible public informers. mariana lenkova Although all the rest of the countries have Until recently, the Balkan peninsula used lived through communism, each one of to be one of the places in the world which them has its specificities which are based had an overwhelming concentration of on the particular situation. That is why

116 appendix 2 looking at all the countries one after the particularly important to point out that other would make the picture clearer. here even the slightest change in the use of the name of a national group, let alone the Albania is a less advanced country as non-recognition of this group, may have regards the development of the media. An far reaching effects (e.g. the pejorative old joke said that the Albanian National TV usage of “Shquiptar” for “Albanian” or used to start and end its programs with the “Chetnik” for “Serb.”) following greeting “Hello Comrade Hoxha!” Although this is an exaggeration, And last but not least, one should bear in it is not far from the true state of affairs mind that most of the “new democracies” either. The existence of just one TV channel have already managed to change their controlled by the governing majority and legislation in order to accommodate to the expressing almost exclusively its views new conditions. Although sometimes does not make things more promising. The practice is different from the “near-perfect” situation is better with regard to the print principles enshrined in the respective media. There are many new papers, which, legislation, it is worth examining the though sometimes overstepping the limits specific texts. of proper behavior, impart diversity. Albania Although they were governed by dictators for decades, Bulgaria and Romania were In 1992 President Berisha signed the Press not as isolated as Albania used to be. That Law. The latter provoked many people is why the media there have got a stronger inside and outside the country to protest. impetus and at present they are more The New York-based Committee for the numerous and some of them give the Defense of Journalists protested against impression that they are “credible.” Of the articles of the Law, which limit the right course, there are all the numerous hate to information, especially as regards those speech producers, which are basically the related to “state secret”, “activities against ones forming the public opinion. All this the public well being”, “imparting of applies much more for the print media, information on trial proceedings”, because private broadcast ones are either “threatening of the social peace”, with limited transmission, or simply non- “threatening of democracy”, “threatening existent. It seems that governments in of the morality of the young people.” The these countries are afraid of letting loose lack of a Constitution makes it easy for the their most powerful weapon - TV - so they government to abuse of the Press Law. The postpone the introduction of national fines the editors have to pay if they break private TV networks. the Law are so high that they practically mean bankruptcy or imprisonment. The A very important feature of the media in following three lines of criticism could be Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, summarized as the main flaws of this Law: Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia is that after the disolution of ñ The existence of the article on state Former Yugoslavia, each of the new states secrets which threatens journalists with had changed, often mutually exclusive, imprisonment (there have already been national programs, which had to be four cases based on this article); promoted by the new national media. One ñ High fines (USD 1,000-8,000) which, should not forget that it is exactly in this for the Albanian standards, means place where hate speech was used as a bankruptcy for the independent “foreplay” which led to the devastating Albanian newspapers which do not get war in ex-Yugoslavia. That is why it is

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any subsidy from the state; broadcast media are under the strict ñ Lack of enough information on the Law control of the parliamentary commission makes specialists suspicious. They on the press. As regards the print media, suspect that the reason for the secrecy even though significant steps have been under which the Law is being drafted is taken there, it is still early to say that there the way in which licenses for radio are independent newspapers presenting frequencies would be given. objective information.

In November 1993 several amendments to Bosnia-Herzegovina the Penal Code were made. They deal with hate speech and defamation and make it a The effective division of the country into crime punishable with one to five years in three different parts has its direct prison to “put the public peace at risk” by consequence on the media situation. calling for hatred against members of the society or by insulting or defaming them. There are three laws, regulating the media The insult and defamation of the - The Basic Law on Information; the Media constitutional organs, the President of the Law; The Bosnian RTV Law. The first two Republic, the state and its symbols and laws are almost identical. They were representatives of other states carry adopted during the previous, the penalties of fines or prison terms of up to Socialists’, regime and are still in power. three years. Freedom of information, as well as everybody’s right to found a medium are On June 1, 1995 a new Penal Code came guaranteed. Art.17 of the two laws stresses into effect. The latter criminalizes even the responsibility of the editor-in-chief for more forms of defamation and includes an the dissemination of ideas based on the article on libel. Art. 256 and 266 of the non-respect of human rights and of the newly passed Penal Code restricts calls for rights of the citizen. The Basic Law also national hatred and incitement of national, prohibits the dissemination of hatred on racial and religious hatred, punishing them ethnic, racial and religious basis. This Law with up to ten years of prison (or fines). provides for a prison punishment of up to 60 days, or a fine of up to 1,000 Dinars. There is just one news agency for the However, this article is not applied whole of Albania. ATA (Albanian Telegraph effectively. Finally, the two laws guarantee Agency) is under the control of the Council the right of response to those who consider of Ministers and in theory is supposed to themselves targets of defamation. The offer information from all over the country, Bosnian RTV Law regulates formal as well as to inform the international public questions like the nomination of the Board, on what the developments in Albania are. of the General Manager of the RTV etc. However, it is reduced to a simple conveyer of the line of the ruling party. Present law forbids the creation of other Bulgaria news agencies, but this does not hinder Bulgaria does not have a special law on the the operation of the major western news media. After 1990 the adoption of such a agencies. Foreign press is distributed by law was a matter of intense discussions two distribution agencies - one of them both among the professionals and the funded by Greek businessmen, and the representatives of the legislative branch. other - by Italian ones. Until the first parliamentary elections the As of this writing, there is no legislation on regulations on the functioning of the private television and radio. Thus

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Bulgarian National TV (BNTV) and the expression is regulated in the chapter on Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) were torts in the respective civil law, as well as created by a special organ called “The in the Penal Code. The latter incriminates Round Table”, where all major political those deeds which go beyond the limits of parties were represented. After the 1990 freedom of expression as set forth by the elections, the Grand National Assembly Constitution, such as: adopted a special act called “Temporary Statute of the BNR and the BNTV.” This act ñ Propaganda of fascist or other anti- had the power of a normative act. The democratic ideology (Art. 108; provides decision concentrated a lot of power in the for an imprisonment sentence of three hands of the specialized Parliamentary years or a fine); Committee on Radio and Television to ñ Disclosure (Art. 145; provides for up to determine the informational policy, as well one year imprisonment or a fine); as the staff policy of the two media. It ñ Affront, defamation and libel (Art. 148; nominates the candidates for chiefs of the provides for up to two years BNR and the BNTV; it appoints the imprisonment or a fine); administrative directors and the Board of ñ Instigation to racial and national hatred the two institutions; it gives opinions (Art. 162; provides for up to three years about their program schemes and their imprisonment or a fine); informational policy. These broad powers ñ Instigation to hatred based on religion were the main reason for which after 1990 (Art. 164; provides for up to three years each change of majority in Parliament was imprisonment or a fine); followed by personal and structural ñ Instigation to commitment of crime changes in the BNR and the BNTV. With a (Art. 320; provides for up to three years decision from September 1995, the imprisonment or a fine); Constitutional Court proclaimed unconstitutional most of the texts which Art. 40 of the Constitution proclaims that provide regulations for the powers of the the media are free from censorship, while Parliamentary Committee on Radio and Art. 41 guarantees the right to information. Television with respect to the BNR and the BNTV. Because the abrogated texts were The legal regime of the private print not substituted by others, a legislative gap editions does not differ from that of the with respect to the regulation of the state owned ones, except for one relation state - state-owned electronic substantial difference concerning taxation. media appeared. The private print media are not obliged to acquire special licenses by a state organ. The basic principles for the work of the The only requirement for a private mass media are set forth by the 1991 newspaper, magazine or other print edition Bulgarian Constitution (Arts 39 through is a registration as a commercial entity 41). Art. 39 (1) sets the principle of under the Law on Commerce, because the freedom of expression. The second very activity of publishing according to this Paragraph of this article defines the limits Law is a commercial one. This, however, of this freedom, namely - the rights and the does not pose an obstacle to private not- good name of other people; the for-profit associations or foundations to propaganda for forceful change of the publish their own editions, as long as this Constitutional order; the instigation of is not a profit-oriented business. hatred; the propaganda instigating to violent acts against other people or to The statute on the private electronic media commitment of crime. The liability for differs substantially from that of the state violation of the limits of freedom of owned ones. In compliance with Art. 18

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(3) of the Bulgarian Constitution, the state dismissal. exercises sovereign rights over the national radio frequencies spectrum. The state The Constitution provides for equality of all organ authorized to consider applications forms of ownership (Art. 19), but in reality and to grant licenses for emissions is The taxation procedures are different for the Committee for Posts and Communications, state-owned and the private media. This is whose Chair is appointed by the Prime so, because the Bulgarian law does not Minister. The licenses are time limited and distinguish between a commercial entity suspension is possible in case of non- which is private media and the other compliance with the terms of licensing. commercial entities. Therefore, only the The first private radio stations started private media are subject to the general rules emissions in Sofia and other big cities in of taxation, while the state owned ones are 1992. None of the now existing private liberated of any obligations to the budget. radio stations has nation-wide emissions, although two of them have such licenses. Greece Licenses for TV emissions were granted to 9 companies. At the moment only two of Art. 14 of the Constitution guarantees the these channels have emissions, both of freedom of speech and of the press, them covering only the territory of Sofia forbidding “censorship and any other city. There are hundreds of cable networks preventive measure.” Seizure of which are functioning illegally and newspapers or of any other print medium is pursuant to the Copyright Law and the forbidden except with court order in the Penal Code, their owners are liable to both cases of: an offense against Christian and civil and criminal proceedings. Despite this any other “known religion”, or against the nobody has been sued so far. The legal President of the Republic; the publication of regulations now in effect do not forbid information on sensitive defense matters or ownership, share holding or partnership in which could threaten the territorial integrity a company licensed for TV or radio of the country; and the publication of emissions, by foreigner (a person with obscene material. Three condemnations registration outside the country or after such seizures lead to temporary or somebody registered in Bulgaria but permanent closing down of the newspapers. controlled from outside). The constitution also calls for laws to define the right to reply, as well as the conditions The number of free lancers among and qualifications for the profession of jour- Bulgarian journalists is comparatively nalist, and it allows for a law to mandate small. The relations between the journalists that the financing of the newspapers and and their employers is regulated in the magazines be made publicly known. Finally, Labor Code. The latter gives in the hands of it specifies that the press-related crimes be the state one of the most powerful tried expediently like the crimes caught in mechanism for control over the journalists. the act (flagrant dÈlit). It is provided by the special provision of Art. 328b which applies only to people The Press Law dates from 1938, though it who work in the BNR, the BNTV and the has been amended many times since. It state cultural institutions. The text provides provides for the right to reply and for for a different regime for termination of the criminal and civil suits for libel; the former, labor contract by the employer, who is not though, have short prescription periods bound with any formal prerequisites for which practically guarantee impunity in the the termination of the contract. This case slow Greek judicial system, despite the in practical terms deprives the journalists swift procedure mandated by the of any legal possibilities to challenge the

120 appendix 2 constitution. A minimum sale price for the conservative-communist coalition daily and weekly newspapers is set by the government in 1989 gave in to the intense government. Since 1988, the owners must lobbying of the newspaper publishers and be publicly known, which means that even radio station owners and allowed private press related joint-stock companies and municipal local television, including (sociÈtÈs anonymes) ought to have cable, pay-TV and satellite retransmission personalized stocks for their shareholders. stations. They also limited ERT’s monopoly to national broadcasting and transferred The Constitution excludes broadcast media the state’s control of the electronic media (along with the cinema and the record to a National Radio and Television Council. industry) from the legal protection offered However, the ensuing conservative to the print media. This exception is government introduced amendments to formulated in Art. 15, which also provides this law which practically reaffirmed the for direct state control of radio and government’s control of the state-owned television, whose responsibilities should media. Finally, the socialist government include “the objective and fair broadcasting introduced a comprehensive new law on of information and news, as well as of private media in 1995. products of literature and arts”, and “securing the programming quality Today, therefore, broadcast media in required by their social mission and the Greece officially function within the cultural development of the country.” For a framework of the laws 1730/1987 (on long time, “direct state control” was inter- ERT), 1866/1989 (on the National Radio preted by conservative and socialist and Television Council), and 2328/1995, governments as tantamount to exclusive and the ministerial decision 22255/2/1990 state ownership of electronic media. of the Minister to the Prime Minister (on the National Radio and Television Council). The extreme pro-government bias of state The state’s constitutionally-mandated owned and government controlled radio control over them is carried out by the and television led to social pressure for National Radio and Television Council deregulation, led by a group of intellectuals (ESR). ESR’s responsibilities are: to called “Channel 15” after the constitutional recommend three candidates ‘of high article. Public opinion’s favorable reaction reputation and professional competence’ to that pressure made some opposition per government appointed position on the mayors decide to start radio stations in ERT board, among which the government 1987; in turn, that forced the socialist will select one; to recommend to the government to accept the principle of non- government the dismissal of members of state owned local radio stations in the the ERT board; to advise the government 1987 law and implement it with a 1988 on granting licenses to non-state owned presidential decree. Furthermore, the radio and television stations; to issue success of those ‘free’ radio stations codes of ethics for journalists, programs, prepared the ground for non-state owned and advertisements in broadcast media; to television stations: in late 1988, the oversee the coverage of the activities of socialist government decided that the state parliament and of electoral campaigns by company ERT should start over-the-air free ERT; and to sanction the violations of these retransmission of foreign satellite codes or of other laws by the stations. television programs (having previously The state company ERT (Greek Radio and threatened to “shoot down satellites which Television) has henceforth the monopoly fly over Greek air space”); and the of only cable and pay-TV broadcasting. ERT opposition mayors of Salonica and Piraeus is a public company with the form of joint started local television stations. Finally, the stock company (sociÈtÈs anonymes): its

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only stockholder is the Greek state. tobacco products, as well as sexual services are forbidden in all broadcast A renewable, four-year license to operate media. Anyone offended by a radio or only one local FM radio station can be television program has the right to reply, granted by the government, upon the with the ESR acting as the final authority to recommendation of the ESR, to a local decide upon these matters. authority, a company controlled and managed by Greeks or EU citizens, or to a Kosovo Greek or EU citizen. Networking is allowed only up to five hours a day and after Before July 5, 1990 Kosovo used to be permission of the ESR. Transmitters cannot well-provided with media in both Serbian be used, unless they are unavoidable for the and Albanian. Radio and TV Prishtina used station to cover the whole region (locality is to broadcast along with seven local radio defined in terms of prefecture). The stations, and there were over 40 magazines emphasis of the program should be local. and newspapers. The only Albanian language daily - Rilindja - was started in A renewable, four-year license to operate 1945 but was closed down on August 7, only one local, regional or national 1990. After the suspension of the Kosovo television station can be granted by the Parliament, which was carried out during a government, upon the recommendation of declared state of emergency, special the ESR, to a local authority or to a “emergency measures” were introduced company: in the latter, no individual can and on the basis of the latter, the Serbian directly or through his/her relatives own authorities closed down the media in more than 25% of the personalized shares, Albanian, including the Albanian language and foreign, non-EU capital cannot control programs of Radio and TV Prishtina. This more than 25% of the total capital. The act was legitimized by the Law on Public companies must be reliable, and their Information (Serbian State Gazette, 19/90, members should not have been con- 29/03/91) and it authorized the dismissal demned for press related crimes. Local of Albanians working in the media. authorities and media-related experience of the shareholders are considered Although Rilindja was closed down, a advantages for the granting of licenses. No bypassing of the ban was made possible by shareholder can have shares in more than using the license of a former periodical on one stations. Programming must conform agriculture called Bujku. The latter changed to the requirements of the 89/552/EEC its profile in order to provide newspaper directive of 3/10/1989. Presidential decrees type of information. It is financed with the should specify the procedure by which profits of its foreign edition, which is 1.5% of the annual gross income (minus printed in Switzerland and Albania and taxes and contributions to state agencies) which carries the paper’s original name - of the state or non-state television Rilindja. companies is invested in Greek feature films also to be shown in theaters; and In November 1992 the Serbian Parliament 0.3% of the annual gross income is donated adopted a new Law on Information, which to two national organizations for the blind. established the Panorama Publishing and Distribution House replacing the Rilindja Advertisements in radio and television one. Panorama took over the premises and cannot exceed 12 minutes per hour, nor belongings of the older house and is now 15% of the total daily broadcasting time. charged with the printing and distribution Indirect advertising, as well as of all printed matters in both Serbian and advertisements of pharmaceutical and

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Albanian. The Serbian authorities are the appear, may be held liable for them. only ones capable of appointing and dismissing members of Panorama’s Although censorship is prohibited by the Administrative Council, of the Constitution, self-censorship exists. The management and of the general fear of possible repression or even of management. However, Bujku and some losing of their jobs puts the journalists on other publications have an entirely the alert. However, there is the bigger fear independent and censorship-free editorial that excessive criticism may endanger the policies, which are restricted by the state overall stability of the country which makes only in the form of discriminatory the journalists extra cautious. economic measures. In May 1995 the Ministry for Transportation and Telecommunication Radio and Television Prishtina broadcast in passed a decision to “clean” the Albanian, but this is done under the strict Macedonian airwaves. The official and direct Serbian control since July 1990. explanation was that the government Nowadays these broadcasts are cut down intended to stop the “totally irresponsible to the symbolic programs of less than an occupation of frequencies and the pirating hour of Serbian edited daily news bulletins, of satellite frequencies of foreign satellite which is a virtual translation of the official TV stations.” More than 80 private radio news coming from Belgrade, so they have and TV stations were closed. Many almost no Albanian audience. observers considered this act a typical form of censorship and argued that the Macedonia government aimed at closing of the media supported by the Soros Foundation. Art. 16 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of public information and the establishment of institutions for public Romania information; free access to information In September 1995 some amendments to and freedom of reception and transmission the Penal Code were introduced. of information; the right to reply and correction and the right to protect the Art. 205 (Insult) sources of information. Censorship is prohibited. However, in practice legislation Para 1 - “Damage brought to the honor or is still based on old federal and republican reputation of an individual by means of laws from the period before 1991. words, gestures and other means, or by exposure to mockery, shall be punished by According to the existing regulations, any prison of one month to one year or a fine.” person can be the founder of a media Para 2 - “The same punishment shall apply outlet. The Republic authorizes the use of to cases where a flaw, illness or handicap frequencies. The government registers and are attributed to a person and, even if real, gives “work permits” to the media. The they should not be disclosed.” Penal Code provides for imprisonment for Para 3 - “If the deeds provided for in Para 1 spreading of false news and statements, as and 2 are perpetrated by any person well as for court warnings, fines or through the written press, through audio- imprisonment for slander, revealing if visual means of communication or other personal or family matters and other means, or in public meetings, punishment offenses committed by the media. The shall be prison from three months to two chief editor, the editor, and the publisher years or a fine.” of the medium in which these offenses Para 4 - “Criminal procedures are triggered

123 ·ppendix 3

by the complaint of the damaged party.” journalists. The amendments to the Penal Para 5 - “Out of court settlement excludes Code have been amply commented upon criminal liability.” and criticized by the Romanian media.

Art. 206 (Libel) As regards broadcast media, it was only three years ago that private TV and radio Para 1 - “Public statement or reproach of a stations were allowed to operate in certain fact related to a person, which, if Romania. However, the latter cover very proven true, would expose that person to small local areas and have a limited impact. criminal, administrative, or disciplinary This situation is due to the way in which punishment, or to public contempt, shall the only legal audiovisual body, the be punished by prison from three months National Audiovisual Council (NAC) issues to two years or a fine.” the broadcasting licenses, without which Para 2 - “If the deed provided for in Para 1 no station can function. Obtaining the is perpetrated by any person through license is like a real battle. Once this is written press, audio-visual means of done, the license of the respective radio or communication or other means, or in TV station regulates the area which has to public meetings, punishment shall consist be covered, the broadcasting hours and of prison from six months to three years or the nature of the programs. Thus a station a fine.” with a license for movies and sports Para 3 - “Criminal procedures are triggered programs cannot broadcast political talk by the complaint of the damaged party.” shows. Para 4 - “Out of court settlement excludes Contributors to this volume criminal liability.”

There are other articles in the Penal Code Panayote Elias Dimitras holds a Ph.D. in which provide for increased penalties for Political Economy and Government from

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Harvard University (1979). After fifteen freedom and hate speech in the years of academic and research work in balkans 1995-6” political science, public opinion surveys and media studies, he has been working on human and minority rights. In 1992, he International Helsinki Federation for helped found Minority Rights Group - Human Rights Greece and Greek Helsinki Monitor. In 1997, he was appointed visiting lecturer at The International Helsinki Federation for the Central European University Human Rights is a self-governing group of (Budapest). non-governmental, not-for-profit organiza- e-mail: [email protected] tions that act to protect human rights throughout Europe, North America, and Mariana Lenkova is a senior in English and the Central Asian republics formed from American Studies at the St. Clement of the territories of the former Soviet Union. Ohrid University of Sofia. She has been A primary specific goal is to monitor working on human and minority rights in compliance with the human rights the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (1994- provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and its 5) and the Greek Helsinki Monitor (since Follow-up Documents. A secretariat based 1995). She was the regional rapporteur for in Vienna, commonly referred to as “the the IHF Hate Speech project (1995-7) and IHF”, supports and provides liaison among also for a similar Balkan Neighbors project thirty-four member “Helsinki commit- (1996-7). tees”, and represents them at the e-mail: [email protected] international political level. The IHF also has direct links with individuals and groups Nafsika Papanikolatos holds a Diplome d’ supporting human rights in countries Etudes Approfondies in History and where no Helsinki committees exist. In Civilization from the Ecole des Hautes addition to gathering and analyzing Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris, 1983) information on human rights conditions in and a Master’s in Political Science from the OSCE participating States, the IHF acts as a University of Ottawa (1984); she is now a clearing house for this information, Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at the disseminating it to governments, inter- Panteios University (Athens). She has been governmental organizations, the press and working on human and minority rights in the public at large. The IHF is even-handed the Greek Committee for International in its criticism of human rights violations Democractic Solidarity (1993-1997) and with respect to the political systems of Greek Helsinki Monitor (since 1997). states in which these abuses occur. e-mail: [email protected] Particularly since 1989, the IHF has also Aaron Rhodes has been Executive Director been active in promoting and supporting of the International Helsinki Federation for human rights in formerly totalitarian Human Rights since 1993. He was formerly countries by organizing education projects, associated with the Institute for Human seminars, and international projects. Many Sciences (Vienna) and Boston University. of these have been implemented by He was educated at Reed College and The Helsinki committees and other local University of Chicago, where he received a human rights organizations. Ph.D. in the Committee on Social Thought. Currently Helsinki committees affiliated with the Federation exist in Albania, Contributors to the project “media Austria, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina,

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Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, constructive in its character: along with Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, public denouncements of violations, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, suggestions and proposals are referred to Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, the governmental organs on how to Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, overcome and prevent them, in Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, compliance with internal legislation and Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the international instruments to which the United Kingdom, and the United States. Albania is a party.

Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: Address, telephone, fax, e-mail:

International Helsinki Federation for Komiteti Shqiptar I Helsinkit Human Rights The Albanian Helsinki Committee Rummelhardtgasse 2/18 Re. Ali Demi, Pall. 2, Shk. 2, Ap. 12 A-1090 Wien Tirana – Albania Austria Tel/Fax: +355-42-33 671 Tel: +43-1-402 73 87 Fax: +43-1-408 74 44 Research Team: e-mail: [email protected] Fatos Lubonja Research Team: Arben Puto Vladimir Prela Brigitte Dufour Therese Nelson Aaron Rhodes Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Albanian Helsinki Committee The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina was founded in The Albanian Helsinki Committee was 1995. It is an independent, non- founded in December 1990 (then called governmental, non-profit association of Forum for the Defense of Human Rights citizens. The goals of the Committee are to and Fundamental Freedoms). The most promote and protect human rights in important point in the program of the Bosnia-Herzegovina. Forum was the demand addressed to the authorities for the release of all the political In order to achieve its goals, the prisoners still in jail. In March 1992, The Committee’s activities include the Forum for the Defense of Human Rights following: was recognized by the International Federation for Human Rights and admitted - A systematic monitoring of human as full member. On that occasion, the rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Forum was renamed as Albanian Helsinki focusing on human rights violations Committee. and on taking protection measures; - collecting and spreading of information The AHC is independent from political about international legal practice in the parties and free of any governmental domain of human rights; tutelage. The monitoring of human rights - making proposals for amelioration of and the criticism formulated by the AHC is the state of human rights in Bosnia and

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Herzegovina including proposals for Roma victims of human rights abuses, new laws and changes to the existing Human Rights Project has the following ones; goals: - offering professional help to the citizens in the field of human rights; - to raise the human rights consciousness - educating citizens and professionals in of the Roma people, who are the most the respect and protection of human deprived and discriminated part of the rights; population - publishing regular and special reports - to advocate for the human rights of the and publications on human rights; Roma at governmental offices, - keeping a database bank; businesses, and media - contacting the media in order to - to introduce reforms in the function of promote all aspects of human rights; the Criminal Justice System that will - cooperating with national and guarantee efficient combating of international organizations in the field discrimination and racism of promotion and protection of human - to motivate lawyers to work for human rights. rights ideals - to counteract Romaphobia, hate speech Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: in the media, racist nationalistic tendencies in Bulgarian society, and Helsinski komitet za ljudska prava u Bosni i promote a more favorable social Hercegovini environment for this ethnic group Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina Human Rights Project M.M. Baseskije 10/IV - conducts, independent from official Sarajevo authorities, investigation into Bosnia and Herzegovina allegiations of human rights violations against Roma Tel: +387-71 02 45 - provides legal representation and legal Fax: +387-71-66 56 53 services on behalf of Roma victims of e-mail: Helsinki_comm.BiH@zamir- human rights abuses sa.ztn.apc.org - publicizes information about human rights abuses against Roma Research Team: - works with volunteers from the Roma community and conducts human rights Srdjan Dizdarevic training with them - advocates legislative and policy changes in favor of Roma - advocates fair coverage of Roma in Human Rights Project (Bulgaria) mainstream media

Human Rights Project is a non-profit, non- Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: governmental organization, established in 1992, which is governed by a board of five Human Rights Project members: Dimitrina Petrova, Dimitar 23 Solunska Street, 6th floor Gheorghiev, Krassimir Kanev, Nikolai 1000 Sofia Ghughinski and Rumyan Russinov. Bulgaria As a human rights NGO focused on Tel/Fax +359-2-80 61 45 or 981 50 66 monitoring the human rights situation of e-mail: [email protected] or Roma in Bulgaria and legal defense of [email protected]

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Research Team: Minority Rights Group - Greece, the Greek affiliate of Minority Rights Group Dimitrina Petrova International since January 1992. Kamelia Angelova Todor Georgiev In 1994, Greek Helsinki Monitor launched a project to prepare detailed reports on all national, ethnolinguistic and major religious minority communities in Greece Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human (Macedonians and Turks; Arvanites, Rights Pomaks, and Vlachs; Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, Protestants, and New Religious The Croatian Helsinki Committee for Movements), as well as the Greek Human Rights is a non-governmental, non- minorities in Albania and Turkey, and the profit organization for human rights, which Albanian immigrants in Greece. Besides was founded in 1992. The Committee the usual monitoring of human rights primarily concentrates its activities on the violations and human rights related trials, protection of individuals and minorities in the issuing of public statements, alone or the Republic of Croatia. along with other NGO’s, and the monitoring of Greek and Balkan media for Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: stereotypes and hate speech, Greek Helsinki Monitor started in 1997 a Roma Smiciklasova 23/II Office in cooperation with the European 10000 Zagreb Roma Rights Center. Croatia Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: Tel: +385-1-455 20 20 or 455 69 63 Fax: +385-1-455 25 24 Greek Helsinki Monitor & Minority Rights e-mail: [email protected]. Group - Greece P.O. Box 51393, GR-145 10 Kifisia, Greece Research Team: Tel: +30-1-620.01.20; Ivan Zvonimir Cicak Fax: +30-1-807.57.67 Zvonko Letica e-mail: [email protected] Luka Mitrovic web site: http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/

Research Team:

Greek Helsinki Monitor Panayote Elias Dimitras Vaso Neofotistos Greek Helsinki Monitor was founded in late 1992, following the encouragement of the International Helsinki Federation for Kosova Helsinki Committee Human Rights (IHF). A year later, in December 1993, the latter’s General The Kosova Helsinki Committee was Assembly accredited it as its Greek established in May 1990 as the Prishtina National Committee with an observer Branch of the then-existing Yugoslav status; in November 1994, the General Helsinki Committee. It was established in Assembly elevated Greek Helsinki Monitor order to express the concern and to full membership. Current Greek Helsinki commitment; the need for monitoring and Monitor members are also members of disseminating of information and of

128 appendix 4 making the international community aware Tel: +389-91-206 244 of the grave human rights situation in Fax: +389-91-119 073 Kosova. e-mail: [email protected]

In June 1991, the Prishtina Branch was Research Team: transformed into a self-standing Kosova Helsinki Committee. Alexander Damovski Meto Jovanovski The Kosova Helsinki Committee is an independent non-partisan, non-profit and humanitarian membership association of Montenegrin Helsinki Committee for citizens organized for the purpose of Human Rights defense and promotion of human rights and freedoms in Kosova, the FRY, and The Montenegrin Helsinki Committee for elsewhere in the world. Human Rights is a non-governmental organization established in October 1994. Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: The basic activities of the Committee are Komiteti Kosovar i Helsinkit dedicated to the protection and promotion Kosova Helsinki Committee of human rights and democracy. The Taslixhe I 36a Committee is engaged in the protection of 38000 Prishtina the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi- Yugoslavia religious character of Montenegrin society.

Tel/Fax: +381-38-26-153 Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: e-mail: [email protected] Crnogorski Helsinski Komitet za Ljudska Research Team: Prava Montenegrin Helsinki Committee for Gazmend Pula Human Rights Kristifora Ivanovica 3 85310 Budva Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of F. R. YUGOSLAVIA the Republic of Macedonia Tel/Fax: +381-86 53 191 After a few months of preparation, thanks +381-86 54 246. to the help of the Greek Helsinki Monitor and the Norwegian and the Swedish Research Team: Helsinki Committees, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in the Slobodan Franovic Republic of Macedonia was established in October 1994. Romanian Helsinki Committee Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: The Romanian Helsinki Committee was set Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of up in January 1990 by some former the Republic of Macedonia opponents of the communist dictatorship ul. Mito Hadzivasilev-Jasmin 18-1/6 and persons intending to act in the field of P.O. Box 58 human rights in compliance with the CSCE 91000 Skopje Helsinki Final Act and its follow up Macedonia documents.

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Helsinki Federation for Human Rights The Committee is a non-governmental, within the territory of Serbia. political non-partisan, and non-profit association. The main goals and objectives of the Committee are: Its purposes are: - the systematic monitoring and studying - to support the public education in the of the state of human rights on the field of human rights so that the VII. territory of the FRY; Principle of the Helsinki Final Act which - focusing on human rights violations has established “the right of the and taking protection measures; individual to know and act upon his/her - making proposals for amelioration of rights and duties” shall become a reality the state of human rights; preparation in Romania; of proposals for new laws, changes and - to gather and disseminate information amendments to the existing ones; concerning abuses and violations of insisting on the application of the duties human rights; the FRY has undertaken in relation to - to urge the official state authorities to international documents, its comply to their obligations under the Constitution and laws; human rights accords as well as under - continuing cooperation with related the Helsinki Final Act; professional and non-governmental - to cooperate with other similar non- organizations; governmental, local or international - offering professional help to citizens organizations. whose rights have been violated or endangered; Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: - educating professionals and citizens on the respect and protection of human Romanian Helsinki Committee rights; Calea Victoriei 120, Sector 1 - publishing regular and special reports Bucharest and publications concerning human Romania rights, developments and protection.

Tel/Fax: +40-1-312 45 28 Address, telephone, fax, e-mail: or: 312 44 43 e-mail: [email protected] Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia Research Team: Zmaj Jovina 7 11000 Belgrade Vera Campeanu Yugoslavia Renate Weber Tel/Fax: +381-11-637 542 or 639 481 Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in e-mail: [email protected] Serbia web site: http://helsinki.opennet.org

The Helsinki Comittee for Human Rights in Research Team: Serbia, founded in September 1994, is an association of citizens, a non- Sonja Biserko governmental, non-profit organization Georgije Maric which helps and contributes to the Igor Mesner realization of the goals of the International

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Helsinki Monitor of Slovenia

Helsinki Monitor of Slovenia has been active in the field of protection of human rights in Slovenia since September 1994. It is an independent social organization, a group of citizens of the Republic of Slovenia, who deal with the promotion, assertion and protection of human rights.

Its aims are: - to support, proclaim and implement the principles of the Final Act of the CSCE and other documents of the CSCE/OSCE process; - to strengthen, promote and control the implementation of the Helsinki documents in Slovenia and in other member countries of the OSCE; - to support the development of the democratic institutions, of the rule of law, of the values of universal justice, fair attitude, solidarity, human rights and basic freedoms, as well as to educate the people in these values; - to organize research and documentary activities in the field of human rights; - to monitor systematically the degree of implementation, respect for and protection of human rights on the territory of the Republic of Slovenia; - to provide aid to people whose human rights have been violated.

Address, telephone, fax, e-mail:

Helsinki Monitor of Slovenia Gornji trg 22 1000 Ljuljana Slovenia

Tel: +386-61-225 775 Tel/Fax: +386-61-1261 889 e-mail: [email protected]

Research Team:

Neva Miklavcic

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