General Miletic's interview to Vecernje novosti

LARGEST THREAT COMES FROM KOSOVO
 
The economic crisis has not affected our reforms seriously and by the end of the next year at the latest, Serbia will finally have some 30000 professional military men. This army will have an active reserve, it will be well-trained, well-armed and equipped, ready to counter all challenges.

These are LTG Miloje Miletic, SAF CHOD’s, expectations regarding the new professional army, Serbia is about to get, as he states for an interview to NOVOSTI daily.

In early May, an advertisement for admitting professional men into service was posted. What number of applicants do you expect?

We expect some four t five candidates for one position. Last year we received 10.000 applications, while this year so far we have already received 4.500 applications. This is a significant increase, enabling us to have the pick of the best in order to improve our capabilities.

Will the salaries of professional soldiers rise, as they are now some 300 EUR?

Of course we are not satisfied with these figures, and this is not a sum which will enable us a professional army. But unfortunately, this is our reality now, as the budgetary funds and salaries have been frozen by the government.

Does the opening of our missions, mean an approximation of our country to NATO?

Intensifying our engagement within PfP is not a signal or a sign of preparing ourselves to enter NATO. Without being conditioned in any way, we choose which activities we want to undertake. The status of military neutrality is not treated only declaratory. On the contrary, we have made necessary adjustments both in the doctrinaire and organizational sphere. If that were not the case, our army would have looked differently.

What benefits will our country get from opening this office?

I expect it to be opened in a month or two, when we will already have better communication with the partners, better access to information, better exchange of information, expanding PfP activities.

Has there been any pressure during your recent visit to USA that our country should change its position regarding NATO membership?

No, there was no pressure. I have had a number of meetings with soldiers, and we do not talk in that manner. Both sides were perfectly aware that NATO membership was a matter of politics, and not of the army, while our declared neutrality presents no problems for successful cooperation with the USA.

Many believe that it is not realistic to remain neutral in military terms, but that NATO membership will be posed as another condition before entering EU?

Out of 192 UN members, 28 are NATO member states. EU has 27 member states, six of which are in NATO. There are a number of possibilities for integrations and cooperation with other countries, and we should not limit ourselves to NATO alone.

Are you satisfied with the level of cooperation of SAF with the Russian army?

No, I am not, as there is much room for improving our cooperation so far. Early this year I met with General Makarov, Russian CHOD, and I invited him to visit Serbia. He accepted the invitation, so I expect the visit to contribute to improving our military relations.


Have Albania and Croatia by joining NATO endangered us as military leaders in the region?

We are not building our capacities with becoming leaders in mind. Our army has developed capacities within military schooling, health care, defense industry, training…This should not be seen from the aspect of strengthening security situation in the region.

What is the largest security threat for Serbia at the moment?

The biggest threat comes from Kosovo, as this is the lair and the stronghold of organized crime.

Are you expecting a new wave of violence to surge over the south of Serbia after the decision of the Ministry of Foreign in the Hague?

To threaten with violence is an old trick used by the Albanians trying to place pressure on the international community. If the decision is not in harmony with their interests, and I sincerely hope it will not be, we could expect further destabilization and an outbreak of violence. However, KFOR commander has reassured me that his forces would prevent any possible violent act


Can these instabilities overflow into the south of Serbia and is our army ready?

The experiences we had so far say that any possible instability in Kosovo directly affects the security of the region, especially the south of central Serbia. SAF are ready and have enough capacities to provide peace in this area.


Whose initiative was it to renew talks with KFOR?

The development was such that there was the need of a high-level meeting, ad in the future they will be regular. After deciding not to support Kosovo fores during their celebration of the Epic Day held without KFOR’s approval, NATO demonstrated that he took us seriously.


This cooperation will be as successful as people in Kosovo feel safe.


Have you acquainted the KFOR commander with your concerns regarding the downsizing of KFOR troops?

Yes, as we believe that all necessary conditions are there. The positive thing is that in February we agreed that any possible downsizing should be done after a thorough analysis and assessment of security situation in the field.


What measures have you taken to curb corruption in SAF, and are there any ongoing proceedings and investigations?

We have no information whether corruption is present as we are taking all precautionary measures. After a period when SAF were in a limelight because of certain scandals, we have not had any such troubling news in a while now.


However, there remain such unresolved cases as that of Topcider…

That is in the hands of judiciary bodies, as we have no way of influencing the developments of the case. The families of these soldiers, and SAF are the most interested in finding the truth.

NO CONNECTIONS TO THE HAGUE


Did you meet with Serge Bramerz, during his last week’s visit to Belgrade? Is he still looking for Karadzic in SAF barracks?

No, and I believe that it is clear to all that SAF have nothing to do with ICTY fugitives.

MILITARY EQUIPMENT RATHER THAN A SATELITE


Will you support Minister Sutanovac who proposed that SAF take 36 million EUR worth of arms and equipment thus solving the “satellite scandal”?

I think that any soldier would give you a positive answer. If this initiative is successful, I believe it would improve SAF capabilities.

WE BELONGED IN THE PARADE


Were you surprised by the fact that SAF were not invited to the parade marking the Victory day in Moscow and have you asked for an explanation?

I believe we belonged in the parade given our role and the sacrifice in human lives we made in WWII. It is not upon SAF to ask for an explanation.