Prince rescued from Bosnian reality

Prince rescued from Bosnian reality

By Muris C.

SYDNEY — On January 26, as a representative of a Bosnian organisation, I was invited to the lunch given in honour of Prince Charles in the Old Parliament Building, Parramatta Park.

During the lunch I got the chance to exchange a few words with Prince Charles. When I introduced myself as a Bosnian, he said: You must be very fortunate being in Australia?" My response was: I am very unhappy with the situation in my native country. There can't be any happiness for us while Bosnia is being destroyed and Bosnians annihilated."

"Yes, but you probably enjoy a high ethnic and religious tolerance in Australia."

"In Bosnia we always have had a unique example of ethnic and religious tolerance, the model for all other countries. And we still get it. The fact that our neighbours have always been annoyed with that very tolerance is not our fault. Likewise, the fact that we are attacked doesn't mean a change in the character of our state, our people and our future living."

Finally, he accepted: "Yes, it is a terrible tragedy. It is really appalling what is happening there."

"It is. And, therefore, we expect all people with a conscience to raise their voices and do something in order for the aggression and genocide in Bosnia to be stopped. And you are certainly in a position to do something."

Prince Charles raised an eyebrow and hesitated for a moment with his response. At this moment he was tapped on the shoulder by an accompanying minister, introducing another (important) person to him. Turning to the other side, he glanced one more time towards me, as if he wanted to tell me something. I didn't get a response. [From BosNet, via Pegasus.]

From GLW issue 130