Slobodan Milosevic Quotes

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About Slobodan Milosevic

Slobodan Milosevic (June 20, 1941 – March 11, 2006) was a Yugoslav and Serbian politician who served as the President of Serbia from 1989 to 1997 and President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro) from 1997 to 2000. Born in Pozarevac, a small town in eastern Serbia, Milosevic was the son of a school principal and a housewife. He studied law at the University of Belgrade, where he developed an interest in Marxism. Milosevic began his political career as a local party organizer in Pozarevac before rising to prominence in Serbian politics in the 1980s. He capitalized on the discontent among Serbs in Kosovo and Vojvodina, two autonomous provinces within Serbia, to rally Serbs against Albanian nationalism. In 1989, Milosevic staged a coup against the Communist leadership in Serbia, becoming its president. He subsequently abolished the autonomy of Kosovo and Vojvodina, sparking a wave of violence and ethnic cleansing in both provinces. In 1992, Milosevic was instrumental in the breakup of Yugoslavia, leading Serbia into the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia alongside Montenegro. Milosevic's rule was marked by repression and corruption. He rigged elections, suppressed opposition, and centralized power. Despite this, he enjoyed widespread support among Serbs, particularly those living outside Kosovo and Vojvodina, who saw him as a protector of Serb interests. In 1993, the United Nations imposed sanctions on Yugoslavia over Milosevic's refusal to withdraw Yugoslav forces from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In response, Milosevic further tightened his grip on power, leading to the brutal wars in Bosnia and Kosovo that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of over two million people. Milosevic was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. He died in his cell at The Hague while on trial in 2006. His legacy remains a contentious topic in Serbia, with some viewing him as a hero and others as a war criminal.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I have come here as the representative of Serbia and I say clearly: We will not be intimidated."

This quote by Slobodan Milosevic conveys a strong stance of defiance and unwillingness to back down in the face of perceived pressure or intimidation. It indicates his resolve to uphold Serbia's interests and sovereignty, regardless of any external pressures that might be exerted on him or his country.


"I am not a war criminal. I obeyed international law and my conscience."

This quote, spoken by former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević, suggests that he perceived himself as innocent in the eyes of both international law and his personal moral compass, despite being accused of war crimes during the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s. However, it's important to note that the interpretation of such statements can be subjective, especially when they come from individuals involved in complex political situations. The truth was ultimately determined by international courts, where Milošević was indicted for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws or customs of war, but he passed away before the proceedings were completed.


"For us, the homeland is everything."

The quote by former Serbian President Slobodan Milošević, "For us, the homeland is everything," reflects an intense nationalistic sentiment where the idea of 'homeland' or nation transcends all other aspects of life. It suggests that for this group of people, their allegiance to their country, culture, and community is absolute and unwavering. This perspective can lead to deep emotional connections and a strong willingness to defend one's homeland, often at great personal cost. However, taken to an extreme, it can also result in conflict, intolerance, and exclusionary attitudes towards those outside the perceived nation.


"The international community should understand that it cannot impose anything on Serbia."

This quote by Slobodan Milosevic asserts Serbia's sovereignty and independence, emphasizing that external powers, in this case the "international community," do not have the authority to dictate or impose their will upon Serbia. It reflects a strong nationalist stance, suggesting that Serbia must maintain control over its own affairs and decisions.


"We are fighting for our lives, for our children, for our freedom, for our future."

This quote by Slobodan Milošević expresses a strong sense of determination and urgency in the face of adversity. The "we" refers to his community or nation, who are collectively fighting to preserve their most fundamental aspects - life, offspring, liberty, and future. They're battling for survival, protecting their children from harm, safeguarding their personal freedoms, and ensuring a positive future for generations to come. This statement underscores the deep emotional connection people have with their homeland, culture, and kin, which can inspire them to endure extreme hardships in pursuit of these values.


Equality means nothing unless incorporated into the institutions.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Unless, Means, Incorporated, Institutions

At the time when this famous historical battle was fought in Kosovo, the people were looking at the stars, expecting aid from them. Now, six centuries later, they are looking at the stars again, waiting to conquer them.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Famous, Expecting, Six, Centuries

The only differences one can and should allow in socialism are between hard working people and idlers and between honest people and dishonest people.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Allow, Dishonest, Idlers

It is difficult to say today whether the Battle of Kosovo was a defeat or a victory for the Serbian people, whether thanks to it we fell into slavery or we survived in this slavery.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Victory, Say, Difficult, Kosovo

The loss of national identity is the greatest defeat a nation can know, and it is inevitable under the contemporary form of colonization.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Defeat, Nation, Inevitable, Colonization

For as long as multinational communities have existed, their weak point has always been the relations between different nations.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Always, Nations, Been, Multinational

Yugoslavia is a multinational community and it can survive only under the conditions of full equality for all nations that live in it.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Community, Survive, Nations, Multinational

NATO believes it can pick on a small nation and force us to surrender our independence. And that is where NATO miscalculated. You are not willing to sacrifice lives to achieve our surrender. But we are willing to die to defend our rights as an independent sovereign nation.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Small, Die, Lives, Surrender

It should be clear to all, after the past ten years, that NATO isn't attacking Serbia because of Milosevic; it is attacking Milosevic because of Serbia.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Past, Clear, Years, Serbia

We have no quarrel with America. We all know NATO is the strongest military machine in the world. We simply want them to stop being so busy with our country and worry about their own problems.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Worry, Want, Country, NATO

Countries under foreign command quickly forget their history, their past, their tradition, their national symbols, their way of living, often their own literary language.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Past, Living, Quickly, Command

The truth can not be drowned by any flood of false indictments.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Truth, False, Indictments, Flood

Equal and united people can above all become a part of the civilization toward which mankind is moving. If we cannot be at the head of the column leading to such a civilization, there is certainly no need for us to be at is tail.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Mankind, Which, Certainly, Column

We are not angels. Nor are we the devils you have made us out to be.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Devils, Made, Nor, Angels

It is the utmost necessity that this congress be a congress of unity.

- Slobodan Milosevic

Unity, Congress, Utmost, Necessity

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