Darren Mowrer

Dan Meyer

Period 2

February 10, 2000

Radio Announcer: Welcome to our weekly broadcast on World News.

On June 28, just one week ago, the nephew of Emperor Francis Joseph and heir to the throne, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, and his wife, Countess Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo. Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Slavic terrorist group Black Hand was arrested at the scene. The government of Austria-Hungary has accused the Serbian government of encouraging anti-Austrian feelings and intentionally creating unrest. Of course, Serbia denies any involvement in the assassination.

Our first guest today will be Borijove Jevtic, a member of the Black Hand who was arrested with Princip immediately after the attack. We are at the prison and he has agreed to an interview. Later in the program, Austrio-Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Berchtold, will provide us with details of the negotiations between his country and Serbia.

Announcer: Thank you for agreeing to this interview. First, tell us why this plot was instigated at this time?

Jevtic: As everyone knows, conquest, intrigues, and treacheries built the old Austrio-Hungarian Empire. Our lands and our people have been controlled by other countries for generations. All we want is our freedom to be with our brothers. The archduke has done nothing to help us and then he has the nerve to come to Sarajevo on a day of so much importance to our people.

Announcer: What makes June 28^th a special day?

Jevtic: On this date the Ottomans conquered Serbia in 1389. On the same day in 1912, our country was freed from Turkish rule, but our brothers in Bosnia are still not free.

Announcer: Did the attack go as planned?

Jevtic: Not exactly. When the motor cars first drove from the station they were going very fast and there were too many Serbians in the crowds. We did not want innocent people to be injured. Some of us did throw our grenades, but the archduke was not hurt.

Announcer: What about the fact that Countess Sophia was killed?

Jevtic: That was not part of the plan, but it could not be helped.

Announcer: There are reports that Serbian officials helped with the weapons and transportation. Is that true?

Jevtic: I have no knowledge of the planning of the attack. We just did what we were told. Everything was there for us.

Announcer: You are in the same prison as Princip. How is he? Is he sorry?

Jevtic: He has tuberculosis, and he is very sick. He has been in chains since his arrest. He is not sorry about what he did, except maybe for killing a woman. As a Serb, it was his duty. He will be transferred to another prison soon.

Announcer: Our time is up. The prison officials are coming to return Jevtic to his cell. We’ll be back after these announcements with our next guest.

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Announcer: Welcome back. We are here with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Berchtold. Thanks for being with us today. What is the official position of your government about the assassination?

Berchtold: The emperor and our entire country are deeply saddened by the death of the archduke and his lovely wife.

Announcer: But what is your position about the Serbian government.

Berchtold: The Royal Serbian Government has done nothing to suppress the criminal activities directed against the Monarchy. The writings in the press, the participation by officials in subversive activities, unhealthy propaganda in its schools: it has allowed this to continue unchecked. The dreadful consequences were exhibited to the whole world on June 28.

Announcer: Do you really believe that the Serbian government actually was aware of the planned assassination and did nothing?

Berchtold: The emperor does not say that the government actually knew about this particular incident, but they have allowed this dissension to grow. Our sources tell us that the assassination was planned in Belgrade, the murderers received their weapons and bombs from Serbian officers, and that the transportation was arranged through the Serbian frontier authorities. Our information confirms that these subversive groups were determined to "separate certain portions of its territory from the Austrio-Hungarian Monarchy."

Announcer: Can you share with us some of the demands that Austria-Hungary will be making of the Royal Serbian Government?

Berchtold: I cannot reveal all of the aspects of the document that will be submitted to the Serbian government, but I can share with you some of the key points. Our government is asking that Serbia "proceed at once to the dissolution of the Black Hand to confiscate all of its means of propaganda" and those of any other associations involved in harming the Monarchy. We are also requesting that Serbia allow us to "institute a judicial inquiry against every participant in the conspiracy" and to arrest "with all haste" those officials that are implicated in this affair.

Announcer: Do you think it likely that the government of Serbia will comply with these demands?

Berchtold: I can in no way predict what their response will be. We are awaiting a reply.

Announcer: Are there other demands?

Berchtold: There are more details, but I have stated the major points. We are requesting that the Royal Sebian Government formally publish that they will abide by the conditions of Article 25 of the Treaty of Berlin, in which they agreed to "desist from the attitude of protest and opposition which she has assumed with regard to the annexation since October last…and to live on the footing of friendly and neighborly relations" with Austria-Hungary in the future.

Announcer: There are many observers that believe that the Russian government is secretly supporting these rebels. The Russians are trying to use this issue as a "weapon against central Europe" so that by uniting the Balkan states into an alliance they can weaken the military power of the Triple Alliance. Is this the position of your government?

Berchtold: I will not comment on position of the Russian government at this time. The situation is a volatile one, and I do not choose to comment without proof.

Announcer: One final question. One of our reporters received a copy of a confidential communication from Emperor Franz Joseph to the Kaiser. Let me read you some excerpts from that letter. "It is no longer an affair at Sarajevo of the single bloody deed of an individual but of a well-organized conspiracy….It is impossible to prove the complicity of the Serbian government, nevertheless it cannot be doubted that the policies leading to the reunion of all the Southern Slavs under the Serbian flag is favorable to crimes of this character and that the continuance of this state of things constitutes a constant danger to my house and my realm." Is this a fair statement of your country’s position?

Berchtold: I believe that is a fair statement, but I would like to add that is our hope to "bring about reasonably good relations with Serbia" and we offer only "good will and the spirit of conciliation."

Announcer: Thank you Mister Foreign Minister. That’s our program for today. Join us next week at this same time.