This third performance of the play called "Imposition of the "people's will"" currently playing across Ukraine, is so boring that it hurts.

Premiere, which coincidentally was performed in my country on 5th of October 2001, had at least some suspense. Million people on the streets of Belgrade. Skirmish with the police in front of the parliament. Mystery of the Milosevic's next move and army's position, were adding "spice" to this living theater.

However, directors and cast directors, far away in Washington and European Capitols, were not so excited – they knew the script. They limited themselves to barking about "democracy" and how people should "defend their votes" usual crap in situations like that.* Same goes for executive producers sitting in western embassies and George Soros' offices in Budapest and Sofia. They worked hard and put a lot of money in the project. Formula for success in any production.

"Leading role"

True, directors were not completely satisfied with casting of leading role. Vojislav Koštunica, leader of DSS (Democratic party of Serbia) was never under their full control. "Moderate nationalist" they labeled him at the time**. Before bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 he presided his "van party" (all members could travel in one van) and was rather colorless member of otherwise very motley political scene. His star begun rising during the bombing when his party was issuing statements condemning both Miloševic and the West on daily basis. That resonated with majority of the people, since they wanted petty dictator off their backs, but not bombs on their heads.***

Digression No. 1
When I pointed out on Koštunica's rising star (during the bombing) to my good friend, journalist working for media funded by US congress, he dismissed the idea that Kostunica ever can became political factor in Serbia. What journalistic instinct! If American congress take media it is funding seriously, no wonder they are so badly informed.

Directors' first choice rather would be Zoran Djindjic, pragmatic and dynamic leader of DS (Democrat party). But he couldn't pass audition by the people; who couldn't (in little more than a year) forgive/forget his fleeing the country and even shaking hands with Gerhard Schroeder while German planes, for the first time since WWII engaged in the war, bombed Belgrade for the second time in 20th century. For the sake of the truth it should be said Djindjic was not afraid of "friendly" bombs, but of killers on Milosevic's, i.e. state payroll.

So they settled for the supporting role for him, but he was the guy to deal with. I'm very close to think that he promised to control "the star".

Digression No. 2
How much Koštunica was part of a deal I simply don't know. His later behavior showed serious cases of dementia and acute lack of information on anything that matters. There was a story going around; how on the question of the State Department officials during discreet meeting with Serbian opposition leaders in spring 2000 in Szeged (Hungary): "What you (i.e. your party) need? How we can help" Koštunica replied that they don't have enough computers, 4-5 computers would be helpful. Having in mind that it was the time when almost every opposition newspaper/magazine was depending on tons of paper paid by – courtesy of State Department, not to speak about financial support for opposition parties and resistance movement, one wonders was Koštunica complete idiot or (possible) he didn't want to "attach the strings". Hey, they are plotting the fall of regime and the guy is asking for 4-5 computers!

Anyway, Djindjic, as everybody knew, had much more than a supporting role. Behind the curtains he was striking deals with whomever he could, including infamous Legija, head of Red berets - paramilitaries turned to "official" special forces, for simple reason nobody had guts to disarm that bunch of war and simple criminals, thought to be loyal to Milosevic. Gentleman who is the prime suspect for assassination of, yes you guess, Djindjic himself.****

Property masters and stunt coordinators

OTPOR – or Resistance movement took the job of property masters and stunt coordinators. Actually, the whole "velvet rose or whatever" revolution was largely under the banner with clenched fist – Otpor logo.

What to say about OTPOR?
For my own selfish Machiavellian reasons I supported them (after all I wanted to see Milosevic's back, just as the, let's get it straight, majority of Yugoslav people)*****. They were young (it was student movement), ready to take risks (lot of them were harassed, detained and beaten by police, Milosevic's wife was calling them terrorist in spite they preached and practiced non-violent resistance) and, what was most appealing to their supporters, they were not (at least not publicly) after the power. Their appeal was coming from the fact that they were NOT political party. They had no "front man". Of course they didn't – they were property masters and stunt coordinators after all.

Their campaigns were clever and humorous, graphic design good, and message clear (although their political views remained very unclear).

For me to support them was not to be blind on what was happening. Living in Budapest at the time, and being friend with one of their man who came to the city during the 1999 bombing, I had pretty clear picture who was paying and training them. Well, I don't want to exaggerate my "role" in toppling Milosevic or connections with Otpor. My "role" was limited to drinking beer and discussing politics with mentioned friend, on daily basis, sometimes joined by the guys from different "NGOs" who were training them, and sometimes by foreign journalist turning to Otpor for help in order to get Yugoslav visas. Milosevic's regime, xenophobic as every dictatorship, refused to grant visas to many journalists, so Otpor was organizing letters of guaranties with which they would apply for "private visit" visas, concealing the fact they are journalists. There were interesting characters in that bunch, like retired US Army colonel who is spending his retirement days in globetrotting and training organizations like Otpor, or Finnish journalist -- she could drunk both of us under the table any time, to mention just two.

Of course, Georg Soros' Open Society Institute had its role in that scheme. Other friend of mine, whose transformation, from one nationalistic party official to high ranking executive in mentioned institute (i.e. big promoter of "democracy") was rather interesting, told me how guys from Otpor made good impression on him. That good impression had weight in hard cash, of course, courtesy of "altruistic" Soros.******

Otpor guys were taught tips and tricks of civil disobedience, networking, demonstrating etc. Do you know if you don't take battery of your mobile phone out it can be used as listening device?

Digression No. 3
One of Otpor's (intended) campaigns was a celebrity campaign. It was rather unsuccessful one. It would consist from posters of celebrities wearing Otpor T-shirts. I spent 11 and 12 of June "grounded" at home on alert (I was and I still am resisting to own mobile phone), because my friend had a firm promise from her majesty's ambassador David Landsman in Budapest, that he will persuade Sting to be photographed in Otpor T-shirt. I was to take those photos. Needless to say "photo session" with Sting never took place.

Back to the review of the performance.

Push a little bit harder

No, it's not quote of Janis Joplin. It was instruction by the police to demonstrators in front of the parliament – "we can't just let you in, you have to push harder". Eventually, people "hungry for democracy" pushed hard enough to break pathetically weak cordon of policemen surrounding parliament. They looted parliament building and set part of it on fire. Most of the election documentation was burned so nobody would be able to establish were demands of the opposition justified or not.

Just for reminder – dispute was whether the second round of election should be held or not. Opposition claimed outright victory (more than 50% of votes), Milosevic claimed there should be second round (he admitted Kostunica got more votes, but less than 50%). On simple and logical question if you are so damn sure in your victory, why not confirm and seal it in the second round? Opposition's answer was that it was matter of "principles". Sure it is ALWAYS about principles. God spare me from politicians' principles!

So, parliament was looted and burned. Acquaintance of mine who "saved" computer from burning building, was later complaining that he can't break the password which renders it unusable. Apparently he forgot the saying "stolen – damned" (oteto –prokleto in Serbian), and yes, he was Otpor activist. Opposition was very proud, actually everybody was very proud that except one fatal casualty (girl fell off the truck carrying protestors) it was completely bloodless revolution. Even CNN and BBC were praising people of Serbia for achieving regime change without bloodshed.

However, the whole performance didn't achieve the catharsis. What catharsis? Well, let's say lynching Milosevic together with his family members and political allies would be a nice touch. Or at least arresting them and after revolutionary trial of Chausescu type, putting them in front of shooting squad. Don't get me wrong I am not violent person, nor violence apologist, but getting rid of Milosevic and comp. would spare that country a lot of troubles in the future.

But it was not meant to happen. It was not in the script. After all production was not made to make lives of Yugoslavs easier. Nobody promised them honey and milk. Those who were fully or partially aware of West's meddling in internal politics just hoped that what is following must be more carrots and less stick.
Naive people...

Epilogue

In June 2001 I spent few days in Budapest. I stayed at friend's place. No, not the Otpor guy. Otpor guy was in Belgrade ever since 5th October 2000. Enjoying the fruits of revolution, occupying few functions and working for American company (read good salary). I was guest of mutual friend of ours.

One room of his apartment was full from bottom to the top (and it was typical old Budapest flat with ceiling 4 meters high) with Otpor T-shirts, banners, beakers, mouse pads, stickers and badges. "They left it here", friend told me, "It has not much use any more..."

Circus left the area...

Personal note

I must admit pragmatist or should I say opportunist in me was tempted to end my emigration after regime change in Yugoslavia. It was not small temptation – my late father's friend (my acquaintance) was Djindjic's deputy, high school time friend was president of Vojvodina's parliament, one long time friend and colleague became managing director of TV Novi Sad (the same house I left emigrating), and my best man (who came to Istanbul to be my witness on my wedding) became editor in chief of the same TV. Well with friends like these, opportunist in me was whispering, it wouldn't be too hard to make "fresh start" (third in my life).

But I had problems with the idea. Rational one, based on political instincts, was that I felt that beast of nationalism / chauvinism is not dead, just temporarily subdued. Second was ethical, I was in emigration while the people of Yugoslavia were going through the hardships of Milosevic's regime, therefore I didn't feel comfortable to claim "piece of cake" on the party celebrating its fall.

I rejected the idea, and I am not sorry.

Replay in Georgia 2003

Georgia was slightly revised script. It was not about presidential, but parliamentary election. Except Shevardnadze's last moment escape from parliament building after it was stormed by democratic mob the whole thing was predictable.

Elections, which returned pro-Shevardnadze parties to power were quickly proclaimed as fraud by "trustable" OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe). Directors in West barked their evergreen lines supporting the "will" of the people and similar rubbish. And people went to streets to "defend their votes".

Surprise, surprise, do I see Otpor logo in Tbilisi or they are showing footage of Belgrade 2000? Yes, I see lot of them and it's definitively not Belgrade it is Tbilisi. How sad. They were recycling leftovers from Yugoslav "revolution". Executive producers were more stingy this time.

There was two leading roles Mr. Mikhail Saakashvili ("elected" president to be) and Mrs. Nino Burjanadze (speaker of Georgian parliament). Latter brought some elements of Shakespeare's King Lear. She performed nice stubbing in the back of her political father. But that didn't made play any better.

After Shevardnadze's resignation, Mrs. Burjanadze promised free and fair elections, and in the same breath explained to world what Georgians really wants – "to be a member of Atlantic alliance and European Union as soon as possible" (sic).

"Free and fair" presidential election was held in January this year. By margin of 97% of the vote second protagonist of "revolutionary circus" Mr. Mikhail Saakashvili was "elected".

Wow, that's what I call free and fair election results!

However OSCE didn't see any problem with that. Am I wrong or Saddam Hussein had very similar margin?

Ukraine 2004

Script became boring. It lost all connections with reality. True, the colors (properties) are more colorful than in previous performances, which just shows the interest of executive producers, but it lacks dynamic despite of mass scenes. Above all it lacks good looking actors (in any sense).

The acts are too long and despite we still don't know the end I doubt that average consumer of mainstream media is biting his fingers to find out what's new in Ukraine. Maybe that's a new approach. Exhaustion is the name of the game.

Speaking of exhaustion I am exhausted and disgust by this democratic thuggery and meddling in someon's else's business.

So I'm going to finish with verses of Khalil Gibran:

Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpetings,
and farewells him with hootings,
only to welcome another with trumpetings again.

* Some of that official lines were very applicable in electoral mess in USA few months later. But no any politician in the world had guts to incite violence among disenfranchised voters in Florida.

** Label will change few times from moderate to hard-liner and back, depending on against whom he is running in some other elections.

*** Strange people, and they are not alone, look Iraqis are the same.

**** When Milorad Ulemek – Legija (nick name meaning "Legion", he acquired spending few years with Legion Estrangers) and his bunch of [war and organised] criminals decided that Djindjic is too soft for "insensible" demands of the West, regarding deliver of war criminals to international kangaroo court in Hague (some of them probably on the list of that institution), they killed him (March 2003). In the twist of events, my fellow Serbs, irrational as they are, suddenly realize that they adored Djindjic (he was always at or near the bottom of public opinion polls) and making myth of the most pragmatic politician of that country in last 100 years started and still is going on.

***** The problem was (and still is) that different people wanted him toppled for different/opposite reasons. While one segment of society hold him responsible (and him alone) for all the bad on Balkans in previous decade because of awaking the beast of nationalism, others found him not nationalistic enough. Needless to say neither were completely right nor completely wrong.
Can one expect something good when the guys with so opposite views unite in order to take power?
Having in mind what that society had been through in previous 12-13 years, and complete absence of any respect for democratic processes, no wonder that five years after "(r)evolution" country looks like it looks now. Just day before yesterday assassination attempt(?) was made on president of Serbia Boris Tadic.

****** Before moving to Istanbul (July 2000), I asked my friend if Soros has any programs in Turkey. "Are you nuts? Don't forget he's Jew, why should he help the Muslims" was the answer. It didn't make much sense, since he was very active in almost all the "stans" which became independent after the collapse of Soviet Union, and those countries you can hardly call non-Muslim. Anyway Soros' loath towards Turkey diminished since then, and he has a few programs here – as I know connected with "freedom of press".