Army chief singles out tasks carried out in GSZ

The Serbian Army (VS) is this Monday for the first time markings its day on April 23 - the newly established Army Day. In an interview for the Belgrade-based Press tabloid, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic said the country's military was its "pride, and its firm defense from terrorism". Army chief singles out tasks carried out in GSZ Dikovic is confident that in case of "attempts to spill over terrorism", the army "will be strong enough to prevent it": "My advice to anyone thinking about something like this is not to play with endangering the security of Serbia through terrorism, or in any other way. The first mission of the army, the reason we exist is to protect the security of the Republic of Serbia and that's the purpose of everything we do. We are open to cooperation on all issues, but we're also ready to answer to our unique role." "The Serbian Army's operational capabilities are at the required level. We carry out a large number of regular tasks, I would single out those related to the Ground Safety Zone (GSZ), as well as training of individuals and units, and national and international level drills," said Dikovic. The GSZ is located along the administrative line between Kosovo and central Serbia. On Monday, the army will mark its day with a central ceremony in the town of Leskovac, southern Serbia. Beside Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic, it will be attended by Acting President Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, and other top officials. In Belgrade, the day will be marked with an honorary salvo from artillery weapons on the Kalemegdan Fortress. April 23 was chosen as the new date for Army Day to commemorate the start of the Second Serb Uprising against the occupying Ottoman Turks. Dikovic, who rarely gives interviews, will today also be a guest on B92 TV, and has already spoken for state news agency Tanjug. In this interview, the general pointed to the situation in the Ground Safety Zone where he said the VS was an important actor of stability. According to Dikovic, the army "responds to all provocations coming from Kosovo Albanians in line with relevant regulations, as confirmed by the good cooperation with KFOR in establishing, besides the joint patrols, a hotline to make communication more efficient when incidents break out". Commenting on the reforms in the VS, Dikovic said that the main goal of the process that had started ten years before was an army that had less soldiers than previously, but was technically better equipped and more professional and ready to respond to all security threats, protecting the country's interests. The defense system currently counts about 36,000 people, which puts the VS "at the very top of regional armies given the country's population". Stressing the importance of the presence of VS members in peacekeeping operations, Dikovic said that the first line of defense of the Republic of Serbia was abroad. He said that international military cooperation was beneficial to the country's foreign policy and contributed to improving Serbia's international position and image. (Tanjug) B92 Tanjug Press

Army chief singles out tasks carried out in GSZ

Diković is confident that in case of "attempts to spill over terrorism", the army "will be strong enough to prevent it":

"My advice to anyone thinking about something like this is not to play with endangering the security of Serbia through terrorism, or in any other way. The first mission of the army, the reason we exist is to protect the security of the Republic of Serbia and that's the purpose of everything we do. We are open to cooperation on all issues, but we're also ready to answer to our unique role."

"The Serbian Army's operational capabilities are at the required level. We carry out a large number of regular tasks, I would single out those related to the Ground Safety Zone (GSZ), as well as training of individuals and units, and national and international level drills," said Diković.

The GSZ is located along the administrative line between Kosovo and central Serbia.

On Monday, the army will mark its day with a central ceremony in the town of Leskovac, southern Serbia. Beside Lt. Gen. Ljubiša Diković, it will be attended by Acting President Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, Defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac, and other top officials.

In Belgrade, the day will be marked with an honorary salvo from artillery weapons on the Kalemegdan Fortress.

April 23 was chosen as the new date for Army Day to commemorate the start of the Second Serb Uprising against the occupying Ottoman Turks.

Diković, who rarely gives interviews, will today also be a guest on B92 TV, and has already spoken for state news agency Tanjug.

In this interview, the general pointed to the situation in the Ground Safety Zone where he said the VS was an important actor of stability.

According to Diković, the army "responds to all provocations coming from Kosovo Albanians in line with relevant regulations, as confirmed by the good cooperation with KFOR in establishing, besides the joint patrols, a hotline to make communication more efficient when incidents break out".

Commenting on the reforms in the VS, Dikovic said that the main goal of the process that had started ten years before was an army that had less soldiers than previously, but was technically better equipped and more professional and ready to respond to all security threats, protecting the country's interests.

The defense system currently counts about 36,000 people, which puts the VS "at the very top of regional armies given the country's population".

Stressing the importance of the presence of VS members in peacekeeping operations, Diković said that the first line of defense of the Republic of Serbia was abroad.

He said that international military cooperation was beneficial to the country's foreign policy and contributed to improving Serbia's international position and image.