Moved East

[markowe]

In a word, yes.

If are planning to travel to Serbia and you want the long answer to the question, here is a rehash of what I wrote to one member of the forum, and I think it applies in general:

I have seen a lot of protests and demonstrations come and go in Serbia, and my feeling is that this business will be no different: sentiment is just NOT as strong as you might be lead to think by watching the news. Your average Serb just does not feel so strongly about the whole issue as to make them want to do the kind of stuff you saw on TV last night. That was a tiny minority, who always come out for this kind of thing and can hardly wait for an "excuse" for a fight. Minutes after the police have cleared the streets of rioters, you see normal pedestrians and traffic move right back in as if nothing much had happened. Pretty par for the course in Serbia!

Your average citizen of Belgrade, and outside for that matter, is likely to be perfectly amenable towards foreigners and is unlikely to start venting his or her spleen at you. Frankly, you are far more likely to get into trouble in an Essex pub on a Friday night!

Most "normal" Serbs feel indignance and a sense of humiliation at the whole Kosovo secession, and that certainly brought them out in great numbers to protest, but it is not enough to make them start persecuting foreigners or anything like that.

Just follow the advice the embassies are giving - don't stick out too much and don't get into any discussion about politics (it's not worth it, there is far too much emotion involved, you couldn't have a rational discussion) and there is NO reason for you not to come to Serbia.

So we look forward to seeing you!

Mark
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[markowe]

"After events last night, please exercise extreme caution when travelling in Serbia. There are no reports of British individuals being targeted but the possibility cannot be ruled out. 30E [number plates issued to British companies in Serbia] or UK vehicle registrations may be more at risk. Please follow Travel Advice for updates"

Well, sounds a bit dramatic - I am not sure that things are as bad as this makes it sound, but driving around in a British, or other Western car is not really "lying low". Just use your common sense, and don't walk around with a sign on your car, or on your t-shirt saying, "I'm British, me", or "Freedom for Kosovo" and you will be fine.
_________________
Odista - professional English and Serbian translation services.
Odista - prevod na engleski prepustite Englezima!