28.12.2012.
Minister Vucic's interview to magazine "ODBRANA"
RESPECTING THE ARMY
All members of the Army of Serbia have one flag, a red-blue-white tricolor Serbian flag, in front of which we swear allegiance to our country. Our job is to work with everyone in the world in the best faith, in the best way, but we always have in mind the interests of Serbia and to protect and preserve our country.
In his New Year interview to “Odbrana” Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia is committed to peace, but given that we are exposed to numerous security threats and challenges, we have to always be prepared and vigilant enough to protect our country. Minister is announcing further modernization of the army, emphasizing competence, dedication, diligence, skill and knowledge as it hallmarks. Our young men and women in peacekeeping operations are the pride of Serbia as he says and international military cooperation is seen as a bridge of friendship and trust with our more developed partners.
In open close questions, some details were omitted some, but the minister recalls an old Serbian saying think before you hop!
We were interested in his assessment of the performance of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in the past months since the formation of the new government, what our export opportunities are, what major personnel changes are, what he expects from the next and subsequent years
Mr. Minister, first of all, what are the main characteristics of the security policy the Serbian government has opted for?
Serbia is committed to peace, but given the fact that we are exposed to numerous security threats and challenges we have to be prepared and vigilant enough to protect their country. The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces act in accordance with the Serbian Constitution and the Declaration of the National Assembly on military neutrality.As for different types of security challenges the Kosovo and Metohija issue certainly poses the greatest threat, as well as everything happening there. There is always the fear and danger that the Albanians might to attack the Serbs. We hope the international factors, as well as common reason in Albanians will prevent this possibility.
At the same time, and in the southern part of Serbia there are similar security risks, as well as in some other municipalities in Central Serbia. Our job is to act with seriously and responsibly in preventive manner on all those who believe they can endanger the territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Republic of Serbia.
Accordingly, we are working to further reform and professionalize our army, further modernization is expected this year and especially next, and we expect to get a bigger defense budget, so we can be functionally better equipped than we are today. Here I have mention that I am very pleased with the way the general Dikovic is leading the Army of Serbia and its general functioning in these difficult economic times.
Serbia is neutral and will not join any military alliances? How do you see the international military cooperation now and what is SAF’s future in this regard?
Serbia has an excellent military cooperation with numerous partners. We use the Partnership for Peace program to establish the best possible co-operation with many Western countries. At the same time, I think after 12 years, we have established the first serious military cooperation with the Russian Federation. This is to confirm that we abide by the decisions of the National Assembly, and what our Constitution says.
We want the cooperation between our military and the Ministry of Defence with other ministries and armies to serve as a bridge in creating friendships while participation in a number of multinational operations shows that Serbia belongs to that responsible part of the world. Taking into account all those who wish to participate Serbian troops in peace missions shows they hold in high regard the professionalism, and knowledge of our soldiers, their ability and I am sure that this is the best way to restore the reputation of the army not only among our people but also in the international community.
Cooperation with KFOR is essential for security in Kosovo and Metohija. What effect do the negotiations we launched with Kosovo have on the security aspects?
This is the most complex security problem for Serbia which is why during my recent visit to the US I asked the U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to leave U.S. troops in Kosovo and Metohija, 780 members of USAF of them, because we think that it is very important that they remain there, and that at any moment they can protect Serb population. We have confirmation that the U.S. side will look on this favourably, before the decision of the NATO Council in February, which is very important for our country.
We also have good cooperation with German, Italian, Austrian armed forces with all those countries whose troops are stationed in Kosovo and Metohija and that cooperation is at a very professional level. Our Headquarters and our Ministry with their representatives have constant communication, there is mutual understanding and perception of difficulties and complexity of the situation, so it is very important that KFOR can guarantee peace and security of the Serbian population. Naturally, it is up to us to do all we can for our people.
How do you assess the work of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in the past?
I am never satisfied and I always want to do more. I am not a military expert so, naturally, I would not like to meddle into General Dikovic’s area of expertise, but I take this opportunity point out that I do not want the kind of division and separation that once existed between the Ministry and the General Staff, since we are all here because of the military.
My job is to secure a decent budget to see what and how to continue with finding ways to more easily obtain construction of housing for military personnel, and how to facilitate a higher income in these difficult economic conditions, so this is something I have dealt with primarily during this period.
We have organized a number of events, then meeting in the framework of international military cooperation, and we have for the first time managed to make full use of military-military cooperation and of military economic cooperation. I can safely say I am satisfied with cooperation in these aspects, though the real results will be seen not until the end of 2013 and in 2014 year.
What I am dissatisfied with is my engagement so far, so I will try to do even more in the future, as only then will I able to criticize others.
What is the position of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces in when it comes to allocations of the budget?
The budget is modest, but it really is not any smaller, not only nominally, but it is not smaller than last year’s budget. The money we set aside through certain savings we can make in the future, can be shifted to other purposes. I expect the state to allocate certain funds intended for military equipment and armaments in the coming year, as well as to make certain arrangements with some countries, in order to improve SAF’s operational and functional capabilities. I believe that we will be able to complete this process by the end of 2013.
Let me emphasize that we must look after the people. The greatest treasure of the army is not the number of tanks or guns, but its competence, dedication, diligence and skill and knowledge. But we are interested in the modernization of weapons and military equipment, therefore I hope that next year we will make no small improvements in this area.
What are the chances for new export arrangements of the defence industry? What are the advantages of our defence export?
Our advantages are that we can produce equipment and arms which fall under the so-called Russian and NATO standards. Thanks to the friendships we have gained, and in Asia and Africa, we have good access to major markets, and we can use this opportunity. But we need a lot more hard work, much greater precision, it is something you agree to fulfill all the way. With the professionalization of our defense industry and improvements made to preparations in "Jugoimport SDPR" and the Ministry of Defense, I expect that it operates as a regulated and organized whole.
In a recent meeting with the Russian Vice President Rogozin you announced a new plant and the possibility of cooperation in production and exports. What do the plans envision?
The factory in Velika Plana can produce complex combat systems and will have about 100 employees. When others seen for themselves how a Serbian factory operates, I am sure they would be interested to participate in this project.
We agreed on some other jobs, while more concrete negotiations are in progress. But as our people say it is better to think before you jump, so I will wait to see the negotiations complete.
You have just returned from the U.S., so how would you rate this cooperation?
We have excellent cooperation with the Ohio National Guard, we have excellent cooperation with the United States, the cooperation with the Russian Federation is increasingly improving. Our policy is to build bridges of friendship and a great deal of trust between us and our partners. In the future we will continue this cooperation. What is important is that we are doing this job for Serbia, not for the Russians, not the Americans, or anyone else.
We had several important meetings with the representatives of China and many other countries and in international military cooperation we have achieved the best results. From China we received some donations and we expect that the military cooperation with China will also strengthen.
How fast can we move in defence cooperation with the European Union? What are the advantages and restrictions of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy?
I see no major limitations. We have signed the protocol and shall launch this cooperation. It has nothing to do with NATO accession as it serves only to strengthen our relationship with our European partners. Serbia will cooperate with all those who base their actions on European peace and security policy of peace.
The government has sent a proposal to the Assembly for participation of the military and police in peacekeeping missions in the coming year. What further ambitions do we have there, and what are the options?
Let me be quite open, I used have some kind of doubt as to international legal and political importance of this cooperation when I was an opposition MP. But with two participants in ATALANTA operation, or there is a military medical team engaged somewhere or a team of some other kind, you cannot imagine how this kind of participation in peace operations can boost the reputation of your country, what kind of influence it has and how different it is when you do not take part in such operations.
When I visited our troops in a multinational operation in Cyprus, these young men and women are excellent, trained, responsible, serious, and they are the pride of Serbia. And what was wonderful to hear that our friends Cypriots, but also those on the other side, are extremely pleased with their professionalism. No one has any objections. It is of course a huge experience for them. We get people who are skilled and trained, and on the other hand we hereby increase the prestige and importance of not only our military, but of our country in every continent.
Our plan and intention is to continue participation in peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the UN and the EU, but I believe we can participate in bilateral peacekeeping operations, which is something the National Assembly decides on, because it is a really good and important thing for our country.
How do you see the regional cooperation in the Balkans and South East Europe? There are so many challenges. What is the most important thing in the area of cooperation?
The most important thing is to have a rational, responsible and pragmatic cooperation while it would be false to kiss and make up in excess. We must and we wish to cooperate, but it should be on a completely realistic and rational basis.
Do you have any information regarding corruption in the Ministry and the Army?
What is important is point out that it is a question of general prevention, and then to show everyone that there is rule of law, that it works. I do not think that the Germans, the English or the French are more or less corrupt by nature than Serbs. No, it is just a matter of having a better system which has instilled greater fear of committing a crime! And I think that it is important to explore all the questions at issue. It is not a witch hunt, but a process sending a clear message that we shall have zero tolerance towards corruption and we will fight it in every possible way.
This will ensure further economic prosperity and better standards of living. Effective functioning of institutions will encourage foreign investors to invest in Serbia, without having to bribe anyone so that a single crackdown on corruption will achieve more effects beneficial to our citizens.
Let the investigators, and then the prosecution and judicial authorities say what they have to say about certain and more concrete cases of corruption.
Are you satisfied with the cooperation achieved with security agencies?
Security agencies are doing their job professionally but I hope we can make it better. I'd like to see even greater devotion to work, but I do not have any special and individual complaints. They play an important role in such a complex security environment, because of what is happening in the country and the region, and because their job is very complex.
Are you ready to announce some changes?
Some changes are sure to come, but these will not be political or any such changes. Even big companies change their management in certain percentages every year, it is good to have "young blood", so some changes are welcome and there's no hard feelings. This is a rational approach to change and no deadline has been specified for these changes.
Doing such a responsible job, may I ask you, how you are doing?
I must say that I feel best when I'm here at the Ministry of Defence. My job is to work and to have a good relationship with the people who work in the ministry, especially with soldiers. I just hope that they see how much respect I have for them, just as our nation has respect and love of its army.
What was hard is to live through the tragedies that befell us; a few of our members were killed while performing difficult tasks. I take this opportunity to express my condolences to their families once again. These people are truly our heroes and they deserve our respect and our honor. That's the only thing that was really hard, much harder for those families than for me, but I was very sad. But that is the nature of the hard work the military has to perform.
What would your message be for the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays?
To all members of the MoD and the Serbian Armed Forces I wish that this year not be more difficult than the 2012, while I expect 2014 to be better than 2012 and 2013. I wish everyone good health and personal and family happiness. I want our life to be a little better in the new 2013!
