15.09.2011.
Minister's interview to Novi magazin
Any kind of violence which could disrupt the current situation in Kosovo raises concern and can be destabilizing to Kosovo and Metohija and the region in general I'm afraid that if there is violence in the north, it could be a lead to problems in the wider area, as Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac states for Novi magazin.
Under the Constitution, Kosovo is still part of Serbia. is there an option to use deploy the armed forces and use force to protect the Serbian people?Our attitude is to fight for Kosovo through peaceful and diplomatic means. Never before have the so-called authorities. Kosovo tried by force to take over in the north. If they tried to force the institutions, our response would have to be much more serious and forceful, and certainly that would be in that situation when we would have to make some very difficult decisions. I believe that no one wants the situation to come to that. We draw attention to such possibilities and I think we have the consent of our friends from the international community to seek a solution in the talks, even those with whom we disagree on the status of Kosovo.
Would this "difficult decision" be coordinated with KFOR and would imply the presence of the Serbian Army in the north?
That depends on relations with KFOR, and any situation. We cooperate with KFOR in the framework of Resolution 1244 and the Kumanovo Agreement, which committed both sides. Members of the Army of Serbia shall have regular meetings with representatives of KFOR, the last one held in Pec. This is the only way that we can influence the events in Kosovo. Unfortunately, since 2003. when on the 29th July the Russian forces withdrew from Kosovo, we have not had the same opinion of other participants.
What do you think of the recent statements of Russian Ambassador Alexander Konuzin that the Russians withdrew from Kosovo when they saw that the Western countries, under the auspices of the international presence, were working in favor and to speed up the independence of Kosovo?
Mr. Konuzin explained that the Russian Federation did not want to participate in something that had already had a foreseeable end. It seems to me that this was the moment when the Serbian public and political elite had to understand the message. If the Russians withdraw believing that the outcome was known, Serbia should have reorganized that and tried to seek other solutions
How did you realize the failure to adopt a presidential statement at the UN proposed by Russia?
Presidential Statement adopted at the UN is based on strength and power of the arguments of the applicant. The world political scene is where all trade offs and agreements are made", we must be aware that there is no room for love and tradition,as each country is trying to protect its interests in real time..
During the Parliament session you reminded of the exodus from Croatia after Operation Storm, when over 200,000 people on tractors came to Serbia. Now, do you fear that it might not have the Serbs from Kosovo?
I personally do not believe in that scenario but I am not so naive as to think that there are not those who think that would be the fastest way to resolve the problem. We can not repeat the mistakes from the past, whenever we tried using blocks on the road, and using force it backfired. If we can learn something from our not so distant past, that would certainly be how others have managed to win the support of others, while we lost the support of those with whom we have historically been linked in difficult situations.
There are indications that the crisis in Kosovo used by criminal organizations and criminal interests are masked as patriotism while criminals on both sides cooperate with each other. What do you know about this?
I believe that no citizen of Serbia who pays taxes, would support that Serbia should deliver five times more petrol than the needs of the citizens of northern Kosovo. This means that one end a large quantity of petrol goes to the Albanians, as criminal interests rise above all ethnic interests This fact shows that today, patriotism is measures in liters of gas, millions of euros, and this is not a fight for Serbian interests in Kosovo. It is well known that Kosovo has been a sort of a black hole in Europe for decades now, cross-border crime such as drug smuggling, sex trafficking, illegal migration, arms proliferation are the first things that spring to mind when Kosovo is mentioned. But we should not talk about which side has more criminals, but to do everything so that this will not happen.
Why is intellectual and political elite in Serbia not talking about this?
The Serbian political elite has fallen into disgrace and come to be in a non desirable position. Today I have the impression that all media are competing with one another trying to criticize the Serbian elite, while the elite has not yet offered any real solutions, but usually responds with criticism. The fact is that Serbia does not recognize its intellectual ability to do something but always falls back on using it as an excuse the Serbian tradition, history ... Is that to say that only our ancestors were smart when you have smart Serbs today, as well?
Albanians from southern Serbia have announced protests against the deterioration of their position. Does the crisis in Kosovo could spill over to the south of Serbia?
Albanians have in the past few years shown that they are very disciplined, they respect the hierarchy, their leaders and share the same stance as their leadership. We individuals are motivated by oil and interest from Kosovska Mitrovica say that they no longer respect the President of Serbia, the government and ministers. I do not think the south of Serbia may be a conflict as 2,001th year. Then there was a buffer zone of 25 kilometers between the army and Serbian police and KFOR on the other. There various terrorist groups found refuge from where they harassed the Serbs but that is not the case any more.
Can you honestly say whether both "Kosovo and the EU is feasible "?
I am convinced that this policy is possible. When I say Kosovo I do not refer to acres in Kosovo but, above all, the people. If there are no Serbs in Kosovo, then we cannot claim it as ours.I recall that President Boris Tadic in 2006. bravely said that Kosovo is clearly much closer to independence than receiving substantial autonomy. It was a moment of great truth, but it is obvious that those who were decision makers did not have the capacity to understand what was happening then, he was attacked even though they themselves knew that he was right.
Most parties have already begun in some way election race. What kind of motto will DS start the election campaign with ?
I think we will first make a serious analysis as regards what we have promised an what we promises we kept. We will have to be self-critical, but also to take into account the fact that it was not us who sold Mobtel for 1. 7 billion EUR, nor were in power during the biggest global economic crisis that has shaken the economies much stronger than Serbian economy. Serbia has a lot of potential for development. We have signed free trade agreements with Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, CEFTA agreement ... we are only an hour flight away from the EU, we have the lowest corporate taxes in Europe and our salaries are quite low. Despite the fact that we are given subsidies and incentives for foreign investment, there has not been as much investments as we wanted and all this tells us that there is a systematic error that must be corrected. I think we should redefine the tax policy in a way that is stimulating for those who did not come to Serbia, only to be personally enriched, but to strengthen their companies and employees. We see individuals pulling their money from companies, they shut them and destroy the people who work. Also, it is obvious that there is a lack of confidence in our legal system, in which corruption has become unbearable to the extent that foreign investors are afraid to engage in "adventure" of investments in Serbia. This is not a job that can only be solved by the judiciary or the police, but the system must be accessed and to make laws that will prevent any discretion. Upon arrival at the place of the minister, I abolished the discretion of the department that I lead. Previously, ministers had such opportunities, so even been awarded and apartments.
In public there is a strong perception that corruption is systemic and that the DS has people who are supposed to fit because of corruption scandals?
Deal with the problem of corruption within the ministry that I lead, and it came to analyzing the situation in other sectors. If so, who knows it needs to solve. It is a question that needs to be addressed systematically and preemptively. The Ministry of Defence, we had a lot of activity in terms of fighting corruption and we ourselves have cleaned their ranks, what is the public informed.
If DP is thinking about who are her preferred coalition partners in the future?
Until the election is still a lot of time. At this point, thinking surely someone with whom he could enter into an agreement, and I do the work that I started to be able to say that the Ministry would meet all the promises and even beyond.
Does it seem that the Serbian Progressive Party took the slogan of the Democratic Party and Europe and Kosovo?
SNS has a major problem with defining their political ideology. It is not enough to have a meeting with Stefan Fule and stand in line to get into an EU embassy in the reception to be European. The fact that six months ago the party leader on hunger strike said that the opponents have people who do not shrink from anything that came to power. I think it's recognized and Europe. On the other hand, it is good that at least the rhetoric of change and hope that their electorate to understand that there is no life without the EU and further integration.
As you look to the analysis by which DS and SNS could make the government?
It is difficult to connect incompatible.
Do you really think that everyone in your party?
I believe that the vast majority think in that way, but certainly there are those who think about the existential and personal survival. The citizens of Serbia have entrusted us with a mandate to change, not to rule in their personal interest.
Is it true that the DS Nikolic influenced to leave the Serbian Radical Party as stated in one of the cables published by WikiLeaks?
DS is definitely influenced Tomislav Nikolic, the frustration that he has of Boris Tadic's Democratic Party and politics that wins elections. Certainly he wanted to take part of that policy, and that was at odds with his past in the SRS.
In one dispatch you published the former U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter praised as a reformer, someone who is strong in the DS and who may have been the opponent of President Boris Tadic. Do you feels when you read about how Americans perceive?
There is no international respect for what we do in ministry, we are recognized as the reformers and to receive congratulations from around the world. I will not be an opponent Boris Tadic never, but I will do my job the best they can.
What do you think of the Serbian-American relations?
During Milosevic's influence that is still part of the citizens of Serbia think that we are America and its allies have always been enemies. After Serbia, the largest number of Serbian monasteries and Serbs, is in America, the largest number of Serbian scientists to achieve in this country, most Serbs have held senior positions in the USA right ... And, let me remind that the largest rescue operation in human history pilot was the mission Halijard in Pranjani when the Serbs saved American pilots.
And U.S. officials to forget about our alliance ...
It is true, but always lower river flows into the chamber. From experience I can tell you that emotions in politics should not exist. The only emotion politicians should be to make good for their country and citizens.
If the DS again be the centerpiece of the new ruling coalition if you see yourself in the same place?
All plans are currently linked to the proper Ministry of Defence, but I realize that one can not bind his career for one position.
A few years ago to talk about Euro-Atlantic integration, and now the only European. Most people are against joining NATO, but has one of those who do not like this alliance, but have a rational view that it would be good for Serbia. What is your view on this?
The world's largest reformers were to adopt because the will of the majority. On the contrary, have imposed their ideas and vision of the majority and the end of the road showed that those who were protovili accept a result that is good. I think that Serbia should look to their interest and the interest of its citizens. And, the interest of Serbia is to be as close as possible to stronger alliance with those who are most powerful in the world. The fact is that whenever you fall into crisis just one of them seek help in order to resolve the issue. It's time to be important important because the only way we can help ourselves and others. It will say in a frank discussion on every citizen of Serbia.
Slovenia is the decision of joining NATO in the referendum passed, Croatia adopted a decision by the Government. In what way Serbia should proceed?
In Switzerland, a referendum is called the "two traffic lights," but let's not compare ourselves with countries where there are many more educated people than in Serbia. Vuk Karadzic that if he worked spelling reform, conducted a referendum, 99 percent would probably vote against the Serbs. So last year and reforms of Kemal Ataturk in Turkey. Today, we are proud of Vuk, Ataturk and Turks. In crisis situations, leadership is important and I think the politicians and the surgeon should look for the result of "operations" are good. I guess a better surgeon than the patient knows how to operate.
We're losing something military neutrality?
Certainly it will cost. Just to see how countries are progressing faster than the allies of Serbia. We do not want to take risks, while at the same time should be respected as those who are seriously engaged as allies. For example, Croatia has 330 soldiers in Afghanistan and we wonder how that is the European way open to them.
Members of the Army of Serbia this year for the first time participate in multinational operations under the mandate of the EU. Is there a possibility that one day and take part in an operation under the mandate of NATO?
At this point, do not talk about it. It is likely that this will be a reality in the future, the following term or any other government. Who then is managed land, is to realize that interest, which the Army has already realized.
As if we reached the point where for the further professionalization and modernization of military needs more money. Is there a chance to get to the funds?
We just need to budget for 2008 because this year we received 170 million euros less than in the year. For that money we could buy six new aircraft, what have purchased since 1986. After the reforms that we implemented, I think it deserves to invest money in weapons and military equipment because it is not necessary only to develop human resources. In the 21 century battle beat and light weapons and the heart of the hero.
On the missile test site in Bulgaria Shabla attention of President Tadic has attracted Russian missile system S-300. Whether you are thinking about renewing and missile technology acquired when it will be a new multi-purpose combat aircraft squadrons?
Considered and the Air Force, air defense systems, radar systems, we need tractors. These three items are the most expensive and the technique takes the longest. As for aircraft, it is now difficult to predict, but we are serious about purchasing the plans.
Are we going to choose the means of production Russian or western?
The decision was not made.
Whether it comes to lack of political determination to fracture what we want or is it something else?
Not a question of political commitment but rather the cost. It is important to the issue of pilot training, maintenance ... total price, not only the price of the aircraft.
When are we going to get the hammer from the U.S.?
As in all things the most complicated part is the one who is in Serbia, which depends on us. I believe that they will get the mandate of this government.
Much has been written about blocked defense industry jobs in Libya. How was really developed the cooperation with Libya?
Our defense industry exports more to Belgium than in Libya, but no Otome newspaper said. Libya's beautiful memories through which we recalled the eighties and we wanted to reaffirm, and the reality is that we sold Iraq $ 300 million or 85 million U.S..
Where is still considering building military hospital?
When I became minister of defense, I saw that there was significant unused capacity of the military industry. I started as a "salesman" for the world to lobby for our defense industry and when I concluded that there is a chance for military infrastructure we have entered into talks with Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, and now we hope to Angola, with the idea of doing something again which have been recognized, and that the military infrastructure - ports, airports, hospitals ... Crown of the job would be the construction of military hospitals which would be linked to our MMA, where to train their staff, our physicians to go there, it would be useful for building and for medicine. Critics who wonder why they engage in the promotion of our industry to make an order that the strong economy, the citizens happy and stable state the basic assumption of a safe society and state.
