Vuksanović issues order: Soldiers prohibited from expressing political beliefs

The Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro (AVCG), Miodrag Vuksanović, has issued an order prohibiting members of the Army from expressing political beliefs, making public statements without the permission of the Minister of the Army, and engaging in entrepreneurship, "Vijesti" has learned.

This was done after Social Democrat MP Nikola Zirojević said in parliament yesterday, during a debate with Defense Minister Dragan Krapović, among other things:

"Let me say to all members of the Army and the security sector - all of you who carry Montenegrin flags and who cheer for Montenegro will be rewarded when the government falls. Loyalty to the state will not be forgotten. Not to any party, loyalty to the state demonstrated by members of the Army of Montenegro and the Police Administration and the National Security Agency" and every other state institution.

He made this statement while referring to members of the Military Police who were suspended after attending a protest held immediately after the parliamentary elections on August 30, 2020.

Vuksanović, referring to the Law on the Armed Forces of Montenegro (Article 40, paragraph 7), issued an order stating that persons in service are prohibited from expressing political beliefs and cannot be members of a political organization.

Also, "Vijesti" has learned, soldiers are prohibited from making public statements, without prior approval from the minister, regarding the composition, organization and formation, training, combat readiness of the Army, readiness and mobilization, equipping, weapons and military equipment, the use of Army units in international forces, command and control in the Army and the defense system, as well as decisions of the Council.

Vuksanović's order prohibits soldiers from establishing companies and engaging in entrepreneurship, but also from being presidents or members of the management or supervisory body of a company.

Yesterday, in a dispute with Zirojević, Krapović said that "his security personnel did not open car washes and wash ministry vehicles in them," alluding that such a practice existed among some of the former ministers.

The Ministry of Defense today called on all political actors to refrain from statements that, as they said, could undermine trust in the institutions of the system and the professional integrity of members of the Army.

"Yesterday, a lot was heard in the Parliament of Montenegro, a large number of untruths, incorrect information and half-truths were said. However, one message that was sent to 'all members of the Army of Montenegro and the security sector' is particularly problematic. The message was very clear and stated in the tone that all those who violate orders, who work according to the political agenda of the former regime, and today's opposition will allegedly be rewarded when the government changes. It is particularly worrying that such statements can give the impression that there is a desirable or undesirable political or national orientation within the Army, even though all its members are under one flag, the flag of Montenegro," the statement reads.

They called Zirojević's statements a call for a coup.

"This is a dangerous message, especially when it is heard in the highest legislative house of Montenegro, which is that allegedly some, for acting according to the opposition's political agenda, will be rewarded when there is a change of government. Dangerous because the essence of this message is clear, considering the fact that it is actually a call to resist legal orders issued by authorized professional military personnel, which means only one thing, and that is a call for a coup," the statement said.

If the Ministry of Defense sees the call to carry the national flag and cheer for Montenegro as a call for a coup, then that is "their serious diagnosis," Zirojević replied.