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March 24, 2000. Ivan Novkovic, Democratic Party member, former technician at TV Leskovac
A Man Can't Change Anything On His OwnIvan Novkovic was born on May 21, 1965, in Leskovac. Completed the secondary school of electrical engineering, and worked in the army from 1984 till 1992 as a meteorological technician. He left his post due to worsening situation in the country and war being waged on the territory of the former Yugoslavia at the time. Since 1994 he worked as a technician at TV Leskovac and was in charge of television production. He became known to the public when he interrupted a regular program and broadcast his statement calling on local residents to gather for a rally which was attended by over 20,000 people. Novkovic was presently dismissed and then served thirty days in prison. Following his release, he established the People's Parliament in Leskovac, and later on joined the Democratic Party. He is married - wife Vesna and six-year-old daughter Ivana. FS: How much has your life changed after the protest you initiated in Leskovac and subsequent serving thirty-day prison term? Perhaps there have been some changes in the outer world, but my life hasn't changed much because I'd been preparing myself for quite some time to do what I eventually did. Each man should take certain steps and launch his own initiative so that we could win freedom we've been all longing for. It's regrettable that we haven't savoured freedom in its entirety, but even as I pronounce that word I feel great excitement. I think it's very important and I'll be glad when I, as an individual, finally find out what it feels like and I'm quite sure that a large number of people wish the same thing as I do. FS: Do you fear for you life given that the authorities resort even to liquidations of their political opponents? Personally I don't fear for my life as I don't see any reason why it should be threatened in any way. In my view, the regime knows perfectly well, when we take a realistic look at things, that we haven't made any progress, but only incredible regression so that we've indeed hit bottom. I feel such a relief when I admit it, we've hit bottom in economic, political, mental and spiritual terms. It's nice that some pieces of paper say we've got rights and freedom, but it's all so deplorable until we're given a chance to experience that in practice. Actions should speak louder than words, and we strive to make it happen one day. FS: Three days before your action you went to see Zoran Zivkovic, the mayor of Nis, and informed him of your intentions. Why did you turn to him of all men?
FS: When you addressed the citizens of Leskovac you said that at issue was no political party but the voice of the people. After that you set up an office of the People's Parliament in Leskovac and then joined the Democratic Party. What did make you go into politics after all? This is the election year. If someone wants to do something, there's no way he could do it on his own. On the other hand, joining a political party doesn't mean that I'm not a citizen. The rest is only the matter of choosing a team in which to give his best, and in my view, the Democratic Party is a very good team. Most certainly a successful team is made up of successful individuals who, above all, have to be prepared to take responsibility and this is the key to the problems both in Serbia and the Balkans as well. FS: How do you see the Democratic Party after the most recent assembly?
FS: What is your view of the leadership concept and do you think that leaders are necessary in order to effect changes in Serbia? Taking into account our history leaders can't be ignored. When the hour of decision comes people tend to look up to their leaders. Perhaps they aren't the decisive factor, but they're very important. People are predisposed to a lesser or greater extent to become leaders, but one must eventually learn to be a leader. Every man is his own leader if he looks at things with his own eyes and uses his own head. The opposition, of course, is always in need of the citizens' support. The point is to draw the lessons from the past and turn to the future. Our opposition has a ten-year experience and at this moment it assumes considerable responsibility. This is the critical year both for the citizens and the opposition bloc because there's no more time for any excuses. FS: Misdemeanour charges against yourself and subsequent trial ended in imprisonment. What consequences do you expect on the basis of the criminal proceedings?
These criminal proceedings were speedily prepared in an illegal manner so that I wasn't given a chance to exercise some of my human rights because it seems that in this state they don't exist any longer. That's why there's no point to lament about it but we should endeavour that there be even more of them in the future. I was sentenced to thirty days in prison without any witnesses giving evidence, and indeed I wouldn't comment on this since this is already past, but nevertheless, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to see for myself how corrupt the judiciary really is. FS: Leskovac has always been perceived as the regime's stronghold. What is your view of the situation in the town at present?
FS: Thanks to you Leskovac earned the title of "the most resistant" town in Serbia. What is your vision of your town and Serbia itself in a couple of years from now?
This is the election year, or at least, it's supposed to be so. Knowing this regime there's always a possibility for manipulation. It's up to us to remain cautious, inform the public on time and take certain steps to prevent such manipulations. FS: What will you do in concrete terms bearing this in mind? What I would like to do, and that's what I'll actually do, is to talk less and be in touch with people and what they really want. This is something that all of us should bear in mind and join forces to find a way to do it in a legal, civilisational and democratic manner. The time has come to listen to the people's voice and this was something which lacked in Serbia a while ago. We're all personally responsible for our predicament which is why we should do our best to reach our goal. It's necessary that we all recognise this fact and we'll be able to sigh with relief. We might even make mistakes, but it's worth a try. There's no point in keeping silent or criticising, anyone could do that. We should raise our voice, say what we want and communicate. We don't need the regime whose survival matters more than the survival of the people. FS: A necessary prerequisite for this is that the people get rid of fear. What is your recipe for this?
Bojan Bozic
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Zoran, when I thought of him, inspired confidence. Even though I hadn't met him before I felt certain closeness to him and, to be honest, I fell back on my intuition. This is something which people rarely use, but it's indeed worthwhile. My intuition has never failed me, it helps me to perceive not only what we all see but to catch a glimpse of the future as well. I went to Nis on June 28 and, miraculously enough, although it wasn't possible for Mr.Zivkovic to see me at the time I was eventually received probably because he was intrigued as I was rather explicit and wanted to tell him in brief that something positive was about to happen in Leskovac. On the other hand, Nis was nearby, and given that I had no time to lose, my choice was to meet Mr. Zoran Zivkovic.
The party proved in practice its democratic character. There was a splendid democratic atmosphere and this gathering was a very good example to be followed by other parties, especially the ruling ones. There should be several candidates for various posts within the party and they should be elected in a democratic procedure. Nothing should be prepared in advance and never should there be fait accomplis. It is most certain that the Democratic Party is aware of its responsibility which is why it doesn't go for the changes alone. Anyway, this is one of the reasons I joined the Democratic Party. At the assembly there was one basic priority - the Democratic Party is ready to be a focal point of integration and joining forces, and it's already begun with its concrete preparations for the elections.
I expect no consequences whatsoever as there's no a single reason to pass a guilty verdict. Of course, the head of the Jablanica region may exert influence on the judiciary and he indeed eager to take advantage of it, though, I repeat, there is no reason for initiating criminal proceedings. He's a public figure and every citizen has the constitutional right to criticise the authorities. Besides, it's glaringly obvious that many people are fully aware of the reality which is utterly alarming and retrograde. 
The situation in the town is very complex, Leskovac has collapsed economically, its economy ranks near the bottom nationally. What's even more tragic is the fact that Leskovac was experiencing slight economic decline even during the period when Dragoslav Avramovic was at the post of the Yugoslav National Bank governor. Many people are jobless, and there'll be more of them. The workers in the textile industry have been offered some sort of severance pay thus forcing them to make a choice. People should think twice because it can't be that they should lose jobs and their future without making effort to overthrow the ones who've brought about such predicament.
Leskovac received this flattering title, but I'm not the only one to be credited with it. On July 5 tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets and they're the ones who made it happen. Also I'd like to see my town and the whole of Serbia with some completely new people and entirely new and responsible government. I wouldn't want to comment on the ruling coalition - their actions have proved who and what they are.
Everyone has to think about his future. When we were little we had our dreams, but it seems we've forgotten how to dream about our future. Someone's stolen our dreams. We should have a sound plan about our future, the future of our family, our friends. How on earth could we help others if we're unable to help ourselves? Our dream should be bigger and stronger than fear. This isn't much of a problem if you work on it at least for ten minutes each day. This is a serious mental struggle with our own selves, but our desire must be stronger than fear. This is the key to everything.
