Public statement by the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, in which he presented the names of persons he would like to see as candidates for the Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro (AVCG) to an international official, I perceive as an institutionally and legally problematic act, which sends a message of political interference in the strictly defined competencies of the Minister of Defense.
With these words, the Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović (Democrats) commented for "Vijesti" yesterday's message from the head of state, saying that he would like to see a battleship captain at the helm of the Armed Forces of Montenegro. Darko Vuković.
"I think that this is a man who enjoys a great reputation among the soldiers themselves, that he is one of the most educated people in the army, that he was at the head of the Montenegrin Navy, and that precisely because he wanted to do things right, that he was, unfortunately, dismissed by the previous regime, that he graduated from high military schools, including the American one, that he speaks several foreign languages and that this would be a good signal for the Armed Forces of Montenegro that it is moving in the right direction," said Milatović in Podgorica, at a press conference with the President of the European Council. Antonio Kosta.
Krapović said that he respects the institution of the president, but that he feels a responsibility to point out certain actions that, in his opinion, do not contribute to "a responsible attitude towards the Constitution and the Law, nor towards the Armed Forces of Montenegro." He noted that, according to the Law on the Armed Forces of Montenegro, it is the exclusive competence of the Minister of Defense to propose a candidate for the first man of the army to the Defense and Security Council.
He recalls that last year, "in accordance with the law and with respect for the professional integrity of the proposed officer", he sent "a single proposal" to the Supreme Command, and that he repeatedly refused to reveal the identity of that candidate, "out of respect for the institution, the Council and the officer himself", in response to media questions.
"In this context, bringing the name of the battleship captain Vuković to the public, especially at a time when Captain Vuković has already met the legal requirements for termination of service and when we discussed it in a responsible and correct manner, is not a contribution, but rather unnecessary politicization and exposing officers to personal and political bidding. Especially since Captain Vuković, unlike some others, accepted it with dignity and as an officer," Krapović stated.
The Minister of Defense said that he also believes that it is inappropriate to point out that someone was dismissed or persecuted, while at the same time remaining consistent in refusing to remove from the system those who carried out those persecutions. This is precisely what, he claims, was done in the case of the current Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Brigadier General Zoran Lazarevic, where Milatović did not consent to the proposed dismissal, "but with his decision left in the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro an officer who is clearly linked to political persecution."
"At this moment, more than ever, we need institutional restraint, mutual respect and a clear commitment to legality. Therefore, I call on all stakeholders not to make the names of officers public, not to undermine their honor and to respect the procedure. The Armed Forces of Montenegro are a pillar of sovereignty and a symbol of the state. Finally, as the Minister of Defense, I confirm before the public and the citizens of Montenegro: no one who is not proposed to the Council in accordance with the law will be the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, because that is neither formally nor essentially possible," said Krapović.
"Vijesti" announced yesterday that Lazarević's service will end on June 8th, and that the Minister of Defense will not, according to unofficial information from the newspaper, change the proposal he submitted last year - that the candidate for the new Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro be a colonel. Miodrag VuksanovićKrapović, as "Vijesti" has learned, has in the meantime submitted a new proposal for the dismissal of Lazarević.
The conflict between the two began after the minister submitted a request to the Council at the end of August last year to remove Lazarević from the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro due to the assessment that a generational change and rejuvenation of the officer cadre were needed. The Supreme Command rejected this because there was no consensus among its members on this. The three-member Council decides unanimously, and Milatović opposed Krapović's proposal, saying that he would support the dismissal of Lazarević when he was told what the brigadier general had not done properly, or what he had done wrong. The remaining two members, the heads of the Parliament and the Government Andrija Mandic (New Serbian Democracy) and Milojko Spajic (Europe Now Movement), supported Krapović's request.
The Minister of Defense subsequently annulled the decision that extended Lazarević's term of service until June of this year in 2023, noting that the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro met the conditions for termination of service, i.e. that he had over 40 years of insurance service and was 55 years old. However, Krapović's decision was annulled by the Government Appeals Commission.
Simultaneously with the (first) request for the dismissal of Lazarević, Krapović submitted a proposal for the appointment of Vuksanović, but the Supreme Command did not consider the issue.
Vuksanović is the National Representative of Montenegro at NATO Headquarters in Mons, at the Allied Command Operations (ACO). He graduated from the Military Academy in Belgrade, the Command and Staff College in the United States in 2011, and the National Defense College in the United States in 2016. Among other things, he once held the positions of Commander of the Training Center of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in Danilovgrad and Chief of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Department (J-2) in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro. The Chief commands the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro and army units, is responsible to the Minister, and is a professional officer.
Milatović's associates "found" Vuković
Milatović announced yesterday that he would inform Mandić and Spajić about his position on who should lead the Armed Forces of Montenegro. He added that he hopes that a decision will be made on the issue that will be in the interest of the military.
"I repeat, it is very important that we have clear criteria. I think it is very important to look at regular promotions in the army, because those who were exclusively promoted regularly probably did things right, unlike some who skipped certain steps through extraordinary promotions," the head of state said.
According to unofficial information from "Vijesti", Milatović came across Darko Vuković's name through his cabinet associates, whom he asked to suggest a man who could lead the Armed Forces of Montenegro, based on clearly defined criteria (expertise, experience, etc.).
Bonus video:
