Is The Road to Europe Clear For Serbia After Mladić Arrest ?
Much has been written about Serbia’s entry into the EU being apparently conditional on handing over alleged war criminal Ratko Mladić.
The Netherlands in particular has led the public onslaught, blocking Serbia’s options with arms crossed until President Tadić up-scaked the search for Mladić.The stakes were clearly high for Tadić and even the most charitable voice must see curious convenience in Serbia pulling Mladić out of the bag at the very time when pressure is increased and EU hot-shots visit Belgrade to discuss Serbia’s candidate status.
Media Calls In Experts And Former Adversaries To Evaluate Mladić Arrest
The modern media landscape is primed for major news developments like the arrest of Mladić. No longer is something just a development, it has to prompt a ‘breaking news’ announcement and all the bells and whistles that come along with it.
The unravelling of major news stories provide perfect material for back-to-back reports on the 24-hour news channels, encouraging reports to camera from outside non-descript buildings and reason to raid the archives for footage to loop over interviews with a seemingly endless list of commentators and experts.
Channel hopping in recent days has thrown up interesting analyses and reactions to the arrest. Commentators and experts all want to have their say. Authors, politicians, state leaders, NGOs, lecturers, Balkan regional ‘experts’ and former military commanders have all been cropping up on TV.
Montenegro Gay Pride Cancelled, Claiming Lack of State Support
Homophobic attackers struck in Podgorica just hours before organisers of Montenegro’s first Gay Pride had to cancel the event claiming lack of state support. Podgorica Pride – scheduled for May 31 – has been indefinitely postponed due to the apparent lack of state commitment or support for the LGBT population in Montenegro, organisers said on Tuesday.
Hours earlier, members of the organising committee had been attacked after leaving a concert of around 600 members of the LGBT community, friends, supporters, many of whom came with their families and children. The concert by Croatian band Lollobrigida was organised by Juventas under the banner ‘Love is the Attitude’, as part of their third year of activities to support to mark International Day Against Homophobia. Violence had erupted earlier at the concert, when tear gas was thrown.
Royal Rights to be Restored in Montenegro?
Montenegro’s former royals could be returned to some of their past glory, if a draft bill backed by descendant Prince Nikola Petrovic-Njegos (right) is adopted by the country’s parliament.
The Petrovic dynasty ruled Montenegro for more than 200 years until 1918, when it was toppled by the Serbian Karadjordjevic dynasty. Deposed King Nikola died in exile in France.
