First deputy PM promises "no untouchables"

BELGRADE First Deputy PM and Defense Minister Aleksandar Vucic says he will "not falter" in the fight against corruption, and that "nobody will be untouchable". Nobody will be protected either, Vucic told B92 Radio in Belgrade on Tuesday morning, reiterating his statement made on Monday that investigations into controversial privatizations would be launched "from many places simultaneously". First deputy PM promises "no untouchables" However, he noted that he "did not talk about arrests, because that's done by the police", but rather about "investigative activities". Vucic at the same time announced that today's session of the Bureau for Coordination of Work of Security Services will decide on investigations into the privatizations. This concerns all those privatizations from the EU list, said he, but also some others that the new authorities recognized as controversial. The government will persevere in this regardless of the pressure that it will suffer, the minister asserted, adding that "that is what people expect - to see someone fight for justice while those who stole are held responsible". Asked whether he "took on the role of the police (interior) minister", Vucic said he was first deputy PM in charge of the fight against corruption, that he did his job "out of his desire to help the country", and that he had "no other motive": "That is one of the most difficult jobs because you go against people who made a lot of money and who are ready to exert pressure in order to halt investigations." However, Vucic sought to reassure the public that he "cannot be bought", and that he could also guarantee that he had not been "bought" already. Furthermore, this top state official said, "nobody will be protected and untouchable in the fight against corruption", noting at the same time that such persons "existed everywhere": "People who have money, have many 'friends', and for that reason I am saying now, and I wish to tell the citizens, that those attacks will be more numerous and will come from all sides, and will intensify as this fight continues." Vucic stated that there was "no information that such people were affecting the current government". Commenting on the fact that he was often asked if he would "dare move against (Delta Holding owner) Miroslav Miskovic", Vucic again said that "nobody is untouchable, no matter who they are". "I am serious, and in this way I have put my entire career before the public to appraise." Vucic, who is also at the helm of the ruling SNS party, advised journalists to report if "somebody from the SNS took something", or otherwise found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Aleksandar Vucic (file) B92

First deputy PM promises "no untouchables"

However, he noted that he "did not talk about arrests, because that's done by the police", but rather about "investigative activities".

Vučić at the same time announced that today's session of the Bureau for Coordination of Work of Security Services will decide on investigations into the privatizations. This concerns all those privatizations from the EU list, said he, but also some others that the new authorities recognized as controversial.

The government will persevere in this regardless of the pressure that it will suffer, the minister asserted, adding that "that is what people expect - to see someone fight for justice while those who stole are held responsible".

Asked whether he "took on the role of the police (interior) minister", Vučić said he was first deputy PM in charge of the fight against corruption, that he did his job "out of his desire to help the country", and that he had "no other motive":

"That is one of the most difficult jobs because you go against people who made a lot of money and who are ready to exert pressure in order to halt investigations."

However, Vučić sought to reassure the public that he "cannot be bought", and that he could also guarantee that he had not been "bought" already. Furthermore, this top state official said, "nobody will be protected and untouchable in the fight against corruption", noting at the same time that such persons "existed everywhere":

"People who have money, have many 'friends', and for that reason I am saying now, and I wish to tell the citizens, that those attacks will be more numerous and will come from all sides, and will intensify as this fight continues."

Vučić stated that there was "no information that such people were affecting the current government".

Commenting on the fact that he was often asked if he would "dare move against (Delta Holding owner) Miroslav Mišković", Vučić again said that "nobody is untouchable, no matter who they are".

"I am serious, and in this way I have put my entire career before the public to appraise."

Vučić, who is also at the helm of the ruling SNS party, advised journalists to report if "somebody from the SNS took something", or otherwise found themselves on the wrong side of the law.