28.02.2009.
Minister's interview for "Press"
THE VERDICTS OF ICTY WILL NOT CAUSE CRISI IN SAF
In reaction to the verdict which sentenced the former military-police management to a total of 96 years in prison has only added insult to injury and has undermined the credibility of ICTY even further.
Sutanovac adds that SAF have received the news solemnly but with great pain. The first man of the Ministry of Defense also adds that he is certain that this verdict will not cause a crisis of morale in the army”“It would be very hard to find anyone in Serbia who could possibly understand why such a harsh sentence has been dealt! Especially if we take into account that in Haradinaj and Oric have been exonerated.
To be more precise, how did the SAF GS receive this verdict?
We took this hard! There are many active generals in SAF who worked with the sentenced generals, who did not support their actions, and there are of course those who supported them, yet I am certain that none of them gloated over this. On the contrary!
What is the atmosphere after the verdict?
-All members of the army is conducting themselves with dignity, performing their duties. They are all committed to their daily routines. I sincerely hope that we will never see our officers sentenced so harshly ever again!
Do you fear that this might cause the morale to break up in SAF or that people might show less interest in the military profession?
-No, of course, not! Certain generals have been used as puppets, so they were engaged to give political speeches. Some of them did what they were not supposed to do as the commanders of the army. SAF is functioning on a completely different principle today. This is why I do not expect that this verdict would have such a bad effect on SAF.
What should be our next step with the ICTY?
Cooperation with the ICTY is our duty so regardless of everything that has happened in the last few days we must fulfill our obligations.
D. Isailovic.
