06.03.2009.
Minister Sutanovac’s interview to “Vecernje Novosti”
President Tadic asked from all the state officials in our country to give heed to the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. To stand united, as the economic crisis will hit us hard. This is why absolute unity is a prerequisite says in an interview to “Vecernje Novosti”, Dragan Sutanovac, the Minister of Defense and the Vice President of DS (Democratic Party).
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Does this warning of President Tadic implicate that there are certain factions in the lines of the Democratic Party after all?
D.S. There are no disputes. DS is different from other parties in the fact that there is a tolerance for other points of view and everybody is entitled to their opinion. It is unusual to call it a dispute, as a freedom of speech and opinion is one of the legacies of the modern democracy and society.Vecernje Novosti: Who is then presenting such stories?
It is the opposition’s attempt which are incapable of delivering fresh ideas so they try to profit off possible disputes in DS. Luckily, there are no disputes in DS.
D.S. What is your relationship with Vuk Jeremic, the Minister of Foreign.
We have established very correct relations.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: And your relations with Tadic?
D.S. They are excellent.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: You were in the media spotlight as the supposed leak on the Kovacevic case. You rejected such accusations, neither does the President believe you did it…
D.S. I did not doubt for a single moment that Presidnet Tadic trusted me completely, but I am glad that he said that in public for the sake of those who at that point thought that it might have been true.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: You supposedly accused the Chief of Serbian diplomacy for launching these media attacks?
D.S. I did not accuse any one. I consider it unnatural for an anticivilizational newspaper to write primitively and a codex of values which glorify Legija and the murder of Zoran Djindjic while at the same time praising the work of any members of today’s Government.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Do you suspect any of your colleagues that they might have disclosed the secret?
D.S. No, and I support all attempts to investigate who did that.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Are the speculations that there are differences on the Statute of AP Vojvodina, and that there are two fractions-a Belgrade and a Vojvodina fraction?
D.S. there are no differences nor fractions as you called it-I am certain that we will find the best solution for Serbia, tand that DS members in Vojvodina want the best for both Serbia and Vojvodina.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Are you satisfied with the report on your work you submitted to Prime Minister Cvetkovic and President Tadic?
D.S. I am pleased that each segment of MoD is showing significant improvements and the positive energy coursing through all the system of defense. There are some thing we did not succeed in achieving in the projected time line, I am referring to the finalization of Cepotina base, but I am more interested in quality of the work done than in the deadlines. Neither did we manage to sell some real-estate which spark interest of potential buyers, but that is not our fault. I have also submitted a report dated 15 May 2007 which shows a comparative analysis, which show that the results of MoD were much better in that period than in previous years.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Do these results meet the minimal requirements?
D.S. Absolutely, my team certainly deserves a satisfactory grade. I am only cautious as to whether we will manage to achieve everything we have set out to do and to finalize the reforms MoD is undergoing. Unfortunately, no one can say for sure how the economic crisis will affect us.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: What are MoD’s priorities in 2009?
D.S. Our priorities are to continue with the professionalizing of the army, to finish Cepotina base, to make final drafts of strategic documents, to prepare for participation in UN peace operations, to further improve the material position of MoD members, to pursue the reforms of the military educational system, and to solve the status of military institutions.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Will SAF be fully professional by 2010?
D.S. Unfortunately, I cannot say for certain that we will be able to finish this process by the set deadline, as we spent the whole last year restoring the reputation of the army and reclaiming the long-lost trust into the army. Now we do have the trust, but we lack funds necessary for the resuming porfessionalization. The Ministry continues this process and this year we will admit more than 2000 professional soldiers into service.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Are you on the same page with the newly-appointed Chief of SAF GS LTG Miletic?
D.S. The new SAF GS Chief is a responsible officer with years of experience yet is modern and broad-minded, fully aware of the times we live in, and knows what control of the army entails. The Minister of Defense, as the most responsible figure, is the one who decides about policy of the Ministry of Defense and the employees implement that policy. If anyone is not happy with this concept, then they should step down from their post.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Is this Government stable or is it just a mirage?
D.S. This government is completely stable. The cooperation within the Government and all the ministries is at an excellent level and everybody is cognizant of the length of difficulties we are about to encounter this year. I do not see a point in embarking on an adventure of “toppling” the government and new elections when it is our priority to maintain the stability of the country and its economic system.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: The opposition is starting a campaign for fresh elections…
D.S. These fresh elections are absolutely unnecessary, even though we do understand the opposing parties. I wish they would persuade the citizens that they can win, and then that we all start dealing with problems which would, unfortunately for them, show that DS is the only party deserving of the citizens’ trust. We are the only ones whose ratings have been on the up in the past two years.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Are you receiving any information regarding the searches made by the Military Security Agency after Ratko Mladic.
D.S. It is essential that we have established a harmonious atmosphere between civil and military security services which we have lacked for a very long time. Not only does this cooperation give hope that we will finally bring to a successful close our cooperation with the ICTY but thanks to the people leading these security services, we have gained a new quality in the security system, which is even more important to the citizens than the possible capturing of Mladic.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Yes, but without Mladic in ICTY, there is no EU, and that is your party’s mainUPPERHAND.
D.S. Mladic is certainly our priority over all priorities of these services and this is something we are working on.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Is the ruling coalition showing any ambition to initiate the process of joining NATO?
D.S. We have not considered that subject. The Government’s stance is to remain the memerb of the Partnership for Peace which provides enough framework for cooperation with the Alliance.
WITH MILETIC IT IS GETTING BETTER BY THE DAY
VECERNJE NOVOSTI; What is your cooperation like with LTG Miletic?
D.S. We have established an excellent cooperation. General Miletic is a man of vast experience and broad views. The whole atmosphere in the system of defense is much better now.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI:Has the reputation of army been restored after the disputes you had with General Ponos and his public statements and accusations he made?
D.S. I am trying to get a feedback in the whole defense system on a daily basis and I have not yet encountered anyone who is dissatisfied with the new promotions in the army. This time the generals with good reputation have been selected.
THERE IS NO JUSTICE IN THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: How did you react to the verdicts to the former military leadership in the Hague?
D.S. It is inappropriately drastic sentence when at the same time Ramus Haradinaj and Naser Oric become exonerated and are even allowed to practice politics again. Hardly any one in Serbia can have trust in that Tribunal and that it can serve the justice.
