Interview with the Head of the General Staff for "Vecernje Novosti"

The message of our military is clear – Serbia will fight terrorism. This should be known by everyone who is trying to plant the seeds of fear among our citizens and cause instability in any parts of our state.

This decisive message was sent by Chief of the General Staff of Serbia general Ljubisa Dikovic, after the recent murder of a gendarme in the Ground security zone which awoke fears of terrorism. The Head of our Armed Forces claims that our citizens’ security has not been endangered.

Has the security at the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija been reinforced?

– After the attack on the Gendarmerie, I talked with the KFOR Commander and asked for greater engagement of their forces. I asked them how civilians got hold of automatic and semi-automatic weapons and who stood behind the terrorist attack. General Farina showed great understanding and condemned the attack. We have agreed on intensifying joint patrols.

Can we expect a security crisis in Kosovo and Metohija, and the region?

– Security situation in the region is relatively it is negatively affected by religious and national extremism, and the international network of organized crime. It is further burdened with consequences of the economic crisis and illegal migration of people. The problem of the status of Kosovo and Metohija is an important issue for the entire region and the greatest challenge for Serbia’s security.

You will be the commander of the great military parade on October 16 in honor of 70 years since the liberation of Belgrade in the Second World War and the centenary of the beginning of the Great war. Do you have the time for preparations?

– Preparations are in full speed. Around 3,000 members of the Armed Forces are preparing for this event, with joy and pride. Finishing practices and preparedness checks will take place on October 12-14.

Will the Serbian Armed Forces be properly presented to the citizens and foreign guests at the parade?

– This will be a magnificent event, one that has been deserved by citizens of Serbia, members of the Armed Forces and particularly our and Soviet heroes who liberated Belgrade in 1944 and the glorious Serbian Military from the Great War. The parade will begin with an honorary artillery salvo. Infantry and motorized echelons will perform a defile across Boulevard Nikola Tesla from Usce, and aircrafts will fly across the space from Kalemegdan. The Riverine Flotilla will sail down the right bank of the Danube, towards Zemun, manning the rail. Visitors will also see an airborne landing at the “Eternal flame” monument in Usce.

Will cooperation with the Armed Forces of Russia endanger our relations with armed forces of Western countries?

– Military cooperation between Serbia and Russia does not endanger our membership at the Partnership for Peace, nor does it disturb the activities we conduct within this program. Serbia also cooperates intensively with US, especially with the National Guard of Ohio, and with a number of countries, members of the EU. International military cooperation with all countries, whether they are from the West or from the East, has a stable basis in Serbia’s neutrality.

Serbia signed an agreement on strategic partnership with Russia. What are the results of the military cooperation which has long been at the lowest level?

– For us, cooperation with Russia in the field of Defence is very important. Russia is not only a great force, but also a country with which we have a historically confirmed and culturally founded friendship. For several years, we have been working on improving the cooperation. We also expect a returning visit of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and a joint exercise in Serbia.

Do you feel pressures at the Armed Forces for Serbia to give up its military neutrality in the context of the new geo-strategic changes?

– When it comes to the military, there have been no pressures. Similar questions are frequent and the interest has been on the rise, but that is normal. What is relevant for us are only the decisions of the authorized institutions of Serbia.

ARMY THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE

Aside from new aircrafts, what are the procurement priorities?

– The Serbian Armed Forces has procurement plans which are executed accordingly to the security risk estimations. Important projects cannot be funded from the budget. This is the case with systems for the Air Defence and Air Force. It should not be forgotten that our strength lies in the Army. There, a project titled “Model of soldier equipment M21” is the priority, together with the continuation of modernization of the existing systems.

The end of using our “MiGs” is not far. Does the state have understanding for the problems with the fighter aviation?

– “MiGs” are flying thanks to the remarkable way the members of the Serbian Armed Forces handle the technical equipment which is at their disposal, which decreases the negative effect of its age. It is encouraging that the authorities understand the issue and are trying to solve it.

R. Dragovic
D. Milinkovic