SAF is closely monitoring the situation on Kosovo and at the south of Central Serbia and has fully elaborate plans for different scenarios, stated the Chief of SAF General Staff Lt. Gen. Zdravko Ponos in his interview to FoNet news agency, stressing that at this moment, however, there are no conditions for deploying any of these units.

“The perception of people leading this country does not envision any serious deployment of SAF which could concern the citizens of Serbia. However, this is not out of the option”, emphasizing that SAF should be ready for various situations”.

Reminding that in democratic societies the armed forces do not choose what but how to do what they have been ordered by those in power. Ponos, with respect to the possibility of declaring Kosovo independence, answered that the Armed Forces had not yet received any orders which involve combat deployment.

“The Armed Forces have not yet been assigned any concrete tasks nor have been ordered to plan any missions”, added Ponos specifying that at the moment there were no signs of possible threats to those aspects of country’s security the Armed forces are responsible for.

Underlining that the situation at the south of Kosovo and the Ground Security Zone is under control, Ponos announced that in case these indicators of threats appear, our units would react firmly and with resolve the same way KFOR are expected to respond on the other side of the administrative border line in similar situations”.

According to his words, SAF have already elaborated deployment guidelines in GSZ based on experiences of some European countries, which were not accused of excessive force, as was the case with UK during military deployment in Northern Ireland.

Speaking of the Kosovo problem, Ponos made an estimate that it was relatively peaceful and stabile, but with the possibility of violence soon escalating, which events in previous years confirm.

“The situation is prone to quick changes which would make it difficult to control”, he said, reiterating that KFOR had given its reassurance that all preventive measures were being taken.

In Ponos’s words, the statements of some politicians or the writings of some media that already a sound of clanking weapons could be heard in case the Kosovo independence is declared, do not affect the armed forces, which is founded on an ordered system of command and subordination.
The armed forces do not react to statements given by some politicians to the press”, said Ponos, while rejecting the possibility of some political parties influencing the Army, as it is completely unacceptable in a democratic society to have parties “ swaying and meddling with the management of the Army, to suit their interests” which never happened before.

“It is my belief that the Armed Forces have managed to leave that kind of influence behind in the last few years, not because it wanted to, but because the political situation made it impossible”, explained Ponos.

Speaking about Euro Atlantic Integrations, he expressed his pleasure with to-date professional cooperation with NATO within PfP.

However, he regretted Serbia not yet having taken full use of Pfp potentials, since the non-existence of security and information Exchange Agreement with NATO make it impossible for SAF to make full use of all opportunities PfP presents.

In response to the question on Euro Atlantic integrations, Ponos made it clear that this is a question the state deals with not the Army, and that Serbia’s political leadership has taken the stance that Euro Atlantic integrations are currently possible only within PfP.

However, with respect to a growing cooperation with US Forces, Ponos stated that there was a political-legal framework in the form of Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which SAF are using in order to reach high professional standards.

Through the Serbia-Ohio National Guard cooperation program which last a little over a year now, both sides had some good experience, and had established professional relationship and mutual trust.

“Our professional interest is to cooperate with those who are the best”, Ponos stressed, saying that “Americans certainly have a very high standard”.

As for the ICTY, Ponos reminded in his interview, that SAF were burdened by the heritage of previous decade, but that with its to-date relation, actions and participation in the work of the state Action Plan have dispelled any doubts that they might be hiding ICTY fugitives.

There are no more accusations on account of SAF, which, in POnos’s words had taken technical measures, including those such as search of SAF compounds, even the abandoned ones, thus striving to dispel any doubts that any of ICTY fugitives are hiding within SAF.

Referring the SAF plans for 2008, Ponos said that no greater radical cuts were planned, nor is the downsizing of military personnel, especially the linear ones planned.

There will be no downsizing in SAF in the future due to ranks or age but solely due to competence and attitude to work, explained Ponos, pointing out that the military profession in Serbia is rather degraded.

“There is a general feeling that the Armed Forces are like an unwanted child in the society, whose parents give him money so they wouldn’t have to have him around”, was Ponos’s illustration of the society’s attitude towards the Army, emphasizing that the Army had done so much in the previous period which was almost a “mission impossible”.

In 13 to 14 months the Army has done so much transforming the units, without “whining about the lack of funds”, said Ponos announcing the social reform.

There is so much to be done in the training system, but also on the modernization plan, said Ponos, announcing another important thing, that is, introducing a NCO corps, since these are the part of the army training relies on.

Ponos advocates introducing active reserve, explaining that the general idea is for SAF to have a professional core, as well as employing men on contract basis who will be ready to answer the call promptly.

“There is nothing worse than a large, underpaid standing army, which as such becomes a growing risk for the society”. Ponos warns.

As regards the budget and military budgetary costs, Ponos made a comparison with Croatia, which allocates some 40,000€ per soldier while Serbia allocates less than 14,000 € if only 46 % of the budget were to be allocated in 2008 like in 2006.

A solid military budget projected for 2008 and totaling 812.5 million € is very important.

Continuing his interview Lt. Gen. Ponos gave his estimate that it is not all in the number of men and the equipment, rejecting any critics on reducing the number of tanks.
SAF have opted for 4 tank battalions with 53 M-84 tanks in each, as these are the best tanks in the region, while Russian T 72 would stand in reserve for repair, and the obsolete T 55 would be completely withdrawn from use.

With these 212 tanks, Serbia is better equipped than Hungary, Austria, Croatia and several minor surrounding countries put together,” specified Ponos reminding that even UK had decided                                        to reduce the number of its tanks by 400.