18.12.2011.
Minister's interview to Press
In an interview to Press daily Minister Sutanovac said that Kosovo has to find a lasting and sustainable solution acceptable to all who live there, but also for the European Union, to which Serbia aspires regardless of the final act to postpone its candidacy status.- When you look at the system of values we have achieved in terms of standardizing administration, public affairs and legislation, as well as recommendations we received from the EU for the nomination, it is clear that we have fulfilled all the requirements of the EU to which we are closer than ever. Unfortunately, Serbia has a burden that no other country interested in joining the EU has had. Therefore we are seeking for sustainable solutions that will be acceptable to all people living in Kosovo and Metohija, and the EU as well – as Sutanovac reported to Press.
Some ministers are warning us that there will be no nomination in March. What are your personal and our international friends’ predictions?
-First I would like to stress that the date itself is not that important, but the modernization of our society: there are European countries that are not EU members, but share the EU system of values. This whole setting the date of our EU candidacy problem should not discourage us, but should motivate us to do more. It is not good to predict the date, because if it all depended on us, we would be on a much higher scale in EU.
Do you have any insight into how the events are going to develop? The president warned that we must not shoot at KFOR ...
- Opening fire on KFOR forces would be like shooting ourselves in the leg, when we are running to join the EU. The worst case scenario, as we have known for a long time, would be starting a new conflict with the international community.
The KFOR commander Erchard Drevs said that Zvonko Veselinovic was behind all the attacks on KFOR and ignition. What do you say and what kind of information do you have?
- I could not name the main actor, but the fact remains that there is a synergy of negative energy such as putting logs to enforce the barricades which is strikingly familiar with the situation we had 90-ies that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and serious consequences. The so called "weekend patriots" who go to the barricades as a tourist tour do not realize the seriousness of their actions. It's no secret that there are people who have financial interest in doing so, who have long accumulated money by smuggling and organized crime. That is the situation between the Serbs and the Albanians, and this situation suits them just fine. This is the first time that KFOR commander has explicitly named a person responsible for the attacks, which indicates that there is strong evidence. But once again let me reiterate that MoD has no video footage of the recent events.
SNS officials claims that the Veselinovic is his personal friend and war comrade. Do you think that all the events in the north are purely politically motivated?
- I see that political motives lie behind this, which will culminate in the election campaign, but those who try to profit from the Kosovo problem will pay the highest price. No one has ever profited in terms of politics on Kosovo issue nor will they now. It's time to face the real situation and offer realistic solutions. Mr. Pelevic as an exponent of the policy of 1990s does not have the political aptness of his leader Tomislav Nikolic – to see what consequences his deeds and words can bring.
On the other hand we have Pelevic who does not deny his friendship with Zvonko, while Nikolic will not give up EU from Paris. Do you see any possibility for a national consensus on major issues?
- Mr. Pelevic is there much more honest in his political attitudes honest, though I do not agree.What he says are the original parts of the SNS’s politicalprogram, and while Nikolic’s and Vucic’s declarations were intended to cause sympathy with West. If you want to be a European, then you will have some explaining to do such as why you did not support any pro-European law, the Resolution on Srebrenica or why you have moved from the street that bears the name of Zoran Djindjic,
How would you feel if you were to hand over the position of the Minister of Defense to Mr. Pelevic
- I do not see this position as a lifelong post I will be occupying or something I have the right to, but that idea would be detrimental to the system and would not only halt progress but would turn it into retrograde.. For example, in terms of military health care where we need to finish serious reform, we have established a college and university, while SNS’s programme will only undermine and destroy the system as it is.
If there are two SNS factions-one that supports Pelevic and other supporting Nikolic, does DS have two factions as well, especially after the last Central Committee session?
- There are no two SNS, or two DS factions. The SNS is Pelevic who is honest and tells what really happened. Democratic Party for years has lively internal political activity and other parties must democratize their ranks, and not exclusive to the DS now, instead of being normal, is the subject of sensationalism.
Is there division in the Democratic Party?
- No there are no divisions in DS.
There were comments that the Committee has requested Minister of Foreign Vuk Jeremic to be held accountable. You have not requested it, but I heard that you have criticized the his work ...
- During the session I was talking about where we stand and the plans for the future. I did not mention anyone in particular ... Certainly everyone should be held responsible for what they do and by the end of our mandates the results of our work should be visible.
Have you made specific conclusion and plan for the future for Serbia in the coming period?
- I have on several occasions explicitly stated that Serbia can not move forwardif we do not adopt the EU system. The economy is our most important problem. This is what I intended to do once I took up the post of defense minister, primarily to promote our defense industry seeking all possible ways, to place our defense companies and products on foreign markets. On the other hand, the goal is to make money by investing in the domestic economy, to buy our products, so we made contracts to buy uniforms for the Army from "Jumko" to buy trucks from Priboj-based FAP factory.
Have you discussed the possibility of forging an election coalitions?
- This question is non negotiable. DS will not enter into a coalition that brought the individuals personal growth, a decline in the state. It was fair to say who we do not want for our partners in the future government.
Which parties are you referring to?
- The opposition parties except the LDP.
What about pre-election alliances?
- DS will have talks with many parties, including minority parties, the current coalition partners. It's hard to go into pre-election alliance with several wheels, of which the smallest and weakest braking and moving backwards.
What about URS?
- We are the G-17 Plus, we share similar values, but we agreed to wait for election results. One can not be in the team, and belittle what team or leader work.
URS candidate is Dinkic running for as prime minister, SPS has Dacic, and DS?
- DS has always operated on the principle: think carefully before doing something. DS will come out with a timely decision. Do not make us the first time that we go out to the whole team, and to suggest the Prime Minister, because it is crucial that policy run.
What are your personal ambitions?
- It's important for me to run a good party , and that the Ministry of Defense continued its excellent performance. Most of his political and personal ambition I've accomplished. My wish is to contribute as much as politics and economy in these difficult times.
You have just returned from Algeria, what news you bring us?
- Algeria is our number one partner in the defense industry, and we expect the contract. Primarily in the field of military medicine, because it is possible that hundreds of our health workers around the clock to be engaged in Africa. From Algeria I made a call to President Tadic in the first half of next year's visit to Algeria and open site where the work of the Serbian company and sell to our knowledge. We expect and promote cooperation and business with Angola, Nigeria and others.
Dikovic- a sharp and righteous sword
This week he was appointed chief of general staff. What kind of CHOD has Serbia got this time?
- We got something that was unthinkable –to have both the outgoing and new chief of general staff sitting at the staff meeting, when General Miletic said” “I am pleased and proud: "I am pleased and proud." There and then it was obvious we created a team spirit to win. The newly appointed SAF CHOD is a military leader, a warrior, one of the most experienced officers in our army. Some people say, he is a sharp swords, but I add - and a just one as well. I expect from him that he would continue work on the professionalization raising it to a higher level.
Eradicating the crime
What are the plans of the Ministry of Defence for the next year due to the fact that you trim down the budget a lot?
- The plans include completing the airport, "Morava", building a logistics base near Nis. We will continue with professionalization, participation in peacekeeping missions ... Furthermore, we plan to continue the purchase of equipment, with emphasis on buying from domestic producers. I gave the order to be considered in the development of jeep vehicles "Zastava", which would be used for military and police. In April, a US HUMMER will arrive from the US for a special unit. Certainly one of the priorities is the fight against crime and corruption, and the effects of that work will soon see. We will continue and residential construction.
The Army and I will personally help little Milan
How did you and the SAF react to the recent Ponjiger family and will you help little Milan?
- That piece of horrific news along with the deaths of two pilots have been worst news I have heard in the past four years. Every day I think of the boy. The SAF and I personally are trying to find ways to help and we will make no show of that. Sometimes I think that the police and defense ministers should have extra payments for managing such huge systems with such professions, where you have to tell someone that their loved one has died, or when you are shocked by such tragedies, and when you have to give words of consolation, is there really anything you can say to the families?
