Kosovo greatest challenge - army chief

Kosovo greatest challenge - army chief

"The greatest security threats are ethnic and religious extremism, international networks of organized crime and illegal migration of people motivated by economic, political and security problems. Another risk is the participation of citizens of Balkan states in armed conflicts in the Middle East," Dikovic said.

The recent terrorist attacks in France "clearly show that the security environment has changed and that modern society is vulnerable when it comes to new and asymmetric threats," the general added.

"The threat of terrorism in Serbia has so far exhibited in Kosovo and Metohija and in southern Serbia. Current estimates show that the probability of organized terrorist activities in Serbia is small, but individual terrorist acts are not ruled out. The fact is that Serbia with its capacities and cooperation and coordination with international partners can contribute to the prevention of possible terrorist activities. By setting up a permanent working group for the fight against terrorism at the meeting of the Bureau for Coordination of Security Services, held on January 9, chaired by the prime minister, our country has shown that this issue is approached by all relevant institutions with great care, to ensure the safety of citizens," stated Dikovic.

As for the recent accusations against him presented by the Humanitarian Law Center (FHP) NGO, which claims that he committed war crimes in Kosovo in 1999, Dikovic said that "any sort of media accusation and media trial is not an institutional category."

Speaking about the armed forces, Dikovic noted that more than 10,000 "professional soldiers" have so far joined its ranks.

According to him, much of the army's equipment is not at the technological level he wished it was:

"However, the fact is that the Serbian Army has shown countless times that it is capable of achieving outstanding results with the equipment at its disposal, often surpassing the specifications envisaged by the manufacturer. At the (October) military parade citizens saw a part of the war equipment shown during the previous parade, in 1985. But it was still in perfect condition in terms of safety and combat readiness, while a part of it was modernized within our own capacity. This speaks about the attitude of the members of the Army toward the equipment entrusted them, and that it pays to invest in the Army," said Dikovic.

The chief of the General Staff also stated that there are plans to add new reconnaissance equipment, optoelectronic assets, equipment for air surveillance and reporting, and flying and parachute equipment.

Dikovic noted that the Serbian Army does not participate in NATO missions.

"We are engaged in seven UN missions and four EU missions, where there are currently 328 of our members. We are in missions with members of the armed forces of Germany, Spain, Italy, Slovakia and Hungary. The question of whether Serbia should join any military or political alliance is not decided on by the military. Our Constitution clearly defines the position of Serbia, hence its army."

Dikovic described cooperation between the VS and KFOR as "fair and professional," and added:

"It takes place in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement and is adorned by mutual trust and respect. The common task is to ensure a stable security environment and conditions for the normal life of citizens. In order to maintain a stable security situation along the administrative line we insist on a greater number of simultaneous patrols - so far we've had around 2,750 - especially in areas where criminal activities have been registered such as smuggling, illegal crossings and illegal cutting of trees. Meetings at all levels are held regularly, and the commander of KFOR and I have excellent communication."

Asked how he viewed the potential formation of a Kosovo army, the general said that KFOR was the factor that guarantees a stable security environment in Kosovo and Metohija, while other institutions there posing as security have neither the mandate nor the capacity.

Speaking about regional cooperation, he said: "Military cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans is of great importance for the stability and security of the region, but also for the expansion of relations of mutual trust which has been scarce in the years after the breakup of Yugoslavia. The Serbian Army gave in the past and gives a great contribution to this, because it, by defining priorities of international military cooperation, acknowledged the importance of improving cooperation in the region. This cooperation is being developed in the framework of regional security initiatives, participation in joint exercises, exchanges and training of officers at various schools. Members of armed forces from the countries in the region are trained in our centers, and one of the priorities is also military economic cooperation and development."

Asked to comment on the speculation that he will resign, Dikovic said that "as long as there are visible results it makes sense to hold office."

"The General Staff is an institution that has existed in Serbia since 1876 and it has had 43 colonels, generals, and dukes at its helm. Some of them were chiefs of the General Staff for less time than I have been, some for longer. One becomes and ceases to be the chief of the General Staff by a decree of the president of the Republic of Serbia, on the proposal of the minister of defense. When one is doing some work in the army conscientiously, when one has ideas, achieves results and takes on responsibility, there's no going back, only forward," concluded Dikovic.