10.02.2011.
LTG Miletic's interview to Novosti
Serbian Army Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Miletic Miloje talks about the completion of professionalism, joining the NATO, the defense power of the country. We remain militarily neutral?
The Serbian Armed Forces will not join the demands of teachers, health and police to increase their income during their strike. Average incomes in the Army are somewhat under 40,000 RSD and we would gladly receive higher wages, if the government could meet our demands. But, unfortunately, we know that this is not possible at this point
After all, the military has no right to go on strike, this what LTG Miletic said in an interview to " Novosti ", and says there is no danger that the army could be misused for political purposes. - The army is completely de-politicized, its use is clearly defined by law and, when a comprehensive reform of the defense began, the army has never once fallen into the trap of becoming a political bargaining tool between certain parties, regardless of whether they are in power or in opposition. Also, the professional members of the SAF can not be members of any party.
The last class of conscripts has been admitted at the end of the year, they took the oath, so does this formally mean the completion of SAF professionalization ?
- The process of professionalization has been completed for the most part, but the reform and modernization of the Army is not yet over. There is still a lot of work to be done, especially when it comes to training and equipping the army with modern weapons.
Will there be enough money in the budget
- There is never enough money in the budget, but we'll try to use what we have as best we can. It is important that the MoD and SAF , in this time of crisis, are one of the largest employers in the country. We have employed a large number of young people, who were given the opportunity not only to ensure survival, but to thrive in their careers.
Are the financial effects of professionalization known already?
-The investments in a professional soldier may seem significant at first, but in the long run we they pay off as we can achieve significant savings. A professional soldier is more efficient, more educated, more motivated ...
Can the abolition of compulsory military service in any way jeopardize national security?
- No it cannot. We are not the first country to introduce a professional army and this will in now way compromise the security. Professional army is prepared much better to respond to the challenges and threats.
What is currently the biggest threat to the security of Serbia?
- The unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo still presents the biggest challenge This is the biggest security challenge in the region, because Kosovo is a stronghold of organized crime.
What about the situation in southern Serbia and Sandzak?
- Our analysis shows that at present there is no reason for concern and that the situation in this region is stable. We are aware that the situation in these areas are sometimes very sensitive bordering incident, but the main cause is poor economic situation of citizens who live there.
Does SAF in any way cooperate with EULEX and does it even want to be involved in the investigation of organ trafficking issue?
- Participation in such investigations is not in our jurisdiction. Furthermore, SAF has not established institutionalized cooperation with EULEX. For us, KFOR remains the supreme security authority in Kosovo, as defined by Resolution 1244 whereby EULEX representatives may attend our meetings with the representatives of KFOR, as part of the KFOR delegation, but without being able to decide.
What are the future plans of KFOR in terms of the number of their troops in Kosovo?
- Our cooperation with KFOR is very good, and the number of incidents and accident situations along the administrative line and in the GSZ seem to be decreasing. NATO's decision to reduce KFOR forces in Kosovo did not make us happy, we do not support it, as we believe the necessary conditions for downsizing troops have not yet been met and the situation in the province continues to demand a significant presence of security forces. They assure us that all future decisions regarding the reduction should be the result of thorough evaluation of the security situation.
GS DRIVES A HARD BARGAIN
What are the plans in the future, when it comes to the transfer of military facilities for the construction of housing?
- The idea is that the military premises that are Not promising for the functioning should be put up for sale, and that the funds should be used for defense reform, not only for the construction of military housing. The problem is that we have entered into a crisis and these facilities can no longer be sold, since there is no demand for them. And the fate of the affected buildings of the NATO bombing is still uncertain. It is hard to find an investor now.
Recently you attended the meeting of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, and our office in the Alliance finally has became operational ... Are we becoming closer to the military alliance?
- With the opening of our missions in Brussels, which is only in part military, we are neither closer or further away from the Alliance, but we have important information readily available, as well as useful programs, opportunity to achieve easier collaboration with partners, something we can greatly benefit from.
The Western states seem to pressure us to join the NATO?
- No, there is no pressure, our attitude to remain militarily neutral is being fully appreciated.
Can our army with the policy of neutrality still remain the leader in the region?
- Serbian military can remain neutral, but can not stay clear from all safety trends. No country is enough or strong enough to solve all problems by itself. We need the help of our partners, but that does not mean that you must be a member of a military alliance. But if we want to be part of the collective security system, or at least closer to these initiatives, we must find a model of cooperation. We do not pretend to be a leader in the region, but, according to our capacities, it seems that we are actually a leader.
Do you think that the activities of SAF in the "Partnership for Peace" are implemented to the proper extend?
- It is in our interest to make this cooperation stronger and more diverse, but it is affected by the economic situations. For now most of the costs of these activities shall be borne by our partners, and we often cooperate in the field of education, training of personnel, joint exercises, modernization of armament and military equipment.
MILITARY SUMMIT IN JUNE
BELGRADE
What is the importance of us as a strategic military partner of the conference, which will be held in June in Belgrade?
- Serbia will then organize a summit and receive representatives of more than 60 countries around the world, from all continents. CHODs or high-level delegation to NATO, PfP, Mediterranean Dialogue, the Istanbul initiative, and selected contact countries will participate I the summit. This is their way of showing recognition of the reforms we have carried out and a confirmation that we have been recognized worldwide as an attractive and reliable partner.
You are often criticized for better cooperation with the U.S. defense forces, than with the Russian army ...
- It's not true. For us, cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is equally important as the cooperation with the Ohio National Guard. None of these cooperation have supremacy. Cooperatation with the United States is mainly conducted in the field of personnel education, and with Russia on repair and modernization of our war equipment. During the visit Chief of General Staff of Russia we have agreed to promote cooperation in the fields of education, training, special units and the exchange of small teams.
In which international peacekeeping missions are the members of SAF currently participating members?
- Currently 27 of our members are participating in five missions - in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Congo, Lebanon and Cyprus. Until recently we were in Chad, Burundi and East Timor. The plan is that by the end of the year we get involved in some of the EU mission, and the first will probably be in Somalia.
JUG CENTRE
You announced the possibility of turning base the "Jug", near Bujanovac into a regional center for peacekeeping operations ...
- We made plans to make "Jug", a leading training ground for units declared for participation in multinational operations. At first the members of our military would be trained, and later, in cooperation with partners from the world, a regional center would be formed.
