Turok
09-17-2007, 02:45 PM
The chief of the Serbian army yesterday warned of potential security risks and ethnic tensions in the Balkan region if the status of Kosovo is determined without Serbia's consent.
"If it is not solved with the mutual agreement of Serbia, it could trigger some other problems in our region, even outside our region," Lt. Gen. Zdravko Ponos, Serbian Chief of General Staff, told the Turkish Daily News in an exclusive interview in Ankara where he held meetings with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Yasar Buyukanit Tuesday.
Kosovo, which is officially Serbian territory, has been under United Nations administration since 1999. The ethnic Albanian majority wants independence whereas Belgrade strictly opposes separation. A recent report submitted to the United Nations foresees self-rule for Kosovo but the U.N. Security Council has failed to agree on a resolution due to Russia's objection. Political talks are still underway but the pressure being applied on Belgrade by the European Union has increased in recent months.
Last week, a statement by the Kosovo minister of the Serbian government threatening to use military force if Kosovo's independence is recognized drew criticism from all over the world. But Ponos ruled out the use of military force and said there were no military preparations for that.
"For Serbia, Kosovo is first of all a political issue, and we are ready to work as much as we can to solve this problem and to find the best possible solution for the future. We are ready to be politically and diplomatically involved, not militarily. This problem cannot be solved through military means," he said.
However, the top Serbian commander said that the solution must be found through compromise. "Ethnic tension can spark again if the political process is not handled on the basis of compromise. I hope all sides are confident in this respect. We have to serve the best interests of our region."
Not in interest of our region'
Ponos further expressed his worries on the security situation in the region.
"The future status (of Kosovo) should be sustainable," he said. "For that, the solution should be acceptable for all of us. It is not only political and military issues for Serbia but it is a regional one. If it is not solved with the mutual agreement of Serbia, it could trigger some other problems in our region, even outside of our region. It is not going to be in interest of the regional countries. It is not up to me to mention some other regions but especially our Turkish friends can understand our worries."
There are many disputed territories in the Caucasus and Balkan regions. Georgia's South Ossetia, Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh and Moldova's Transdinester are among those. Many international observers argue that Kosovo's independence will also trigger the split of such regions from the states they belong to.
Praising Turkish attitude
Asked about the Turkish position on the Kosovo matter, Ponos praised the Turkish government's stance saying that the "Turkish attitude is not based on pure national interests, but it is based on respectable principles. Serious countries behave that way. They show that they especially understand our situation very well. I really appreciate that." There are around 50,000 ethnic Turks living in Kosovo.
Mladic problem to be solved
The chief of the Serbian army also responded to questions on fugitive former Serbian General Ratko Mladic, who was indicted of crimes against humanity by an international court.
"Our constitutional role is not to try to find criminals or the suspects but anyway, military forces, the intelligence services are engaged to solve this problem of international interest. There is no doubt that Serbia will hand him to them (International Criminal Court of former Yugoslavia). There is no problem on that. So, the political readiness is there. We are just waiting to complete the technical problem, which is finding those accused persons."
Ponos said he can't give a certain time frame for solving this problem and added, "no one can say that it can be solved in a certain period of time like within three or four months. It might be solved tomorrow or in six months. You never know." He also emphasized that Serbia will solve this issue not because of pressure by the European Union but because of its national interest.
Historical rapprochement with Turkey
Ponos' visit to Turkey was a first between the armed forces of the two countries. "So, it speaks for itself," Ponos said while describing the importance of his encounter with Buyukanit. "First of all, the purpose of this meeting is to enhance mutual trust and confidence building; secondly, to discuss the security situation of our region; and finally to explore further possibilities of military cooperation. There could be opportunities interesting for both sides. The Turkish air force is one of the largest in the world and (Turkey) is a much respected NATO member whose military education and training systems are the best in the world."
Ponos said in return Serbia can share its expertise in military medical education. "And also, we have a lot of capacity in the military industry, defense industry in artillery, infantry and ammunition production."
He said Serbia is eager to sign a wide defense cooperation agreement with Turkey. "Both sides are ready for closer ties. We want much better ties between the two armed forces," he said. Ponos referred to the rivalry between the two nations in the past and said: "It made me very happy to see that both of us (Buyukanit) are oriented for the future. We can learn a lot from history but we cannot be hostages of history."
Support for NATO bid
Ponos also said that Buyukanit extended Turkey's support to Serbia in its bid to join NATO. "At this point in time, our intention is to become a very active PfP (Partnership for Peace) member. We are very much engaged. We are very grateful for the support from the Turkish side; we are grateful for receiving support from such a respected country. Our effort will be to do everything that is required to prove active membership," he said.
"If it is not solved with the mutual agreement of Serbia, it could trigger some other problems in our region, even outside our region," Lt. Gen. Zdravko Ponos, Serbian Chief of General Staff, told the Turkish Daily News in an exclusive interview in Ankara where he held meetings with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Yasar Buyukanit Tuesday.
Kosovo, which is officially Serbian territory, has been under United Nations administration since 1999. The ethnic Albanian majority wants independence whereas Belgrade strictly opposes separation. A recent report submitted to the United Nations foresees self-rule for Kosovo but the U.N. Security Council has failed to agree on a resolution due to Russia's objection. Political talks are still underway but the pressure being applied on Belgrade by the European Union has increased in recent months.
Last week, a statement by the Kosovo minister of the Serbian government threatening to use military force if Kosovo's independence is recognized drew criticism from all over the world. But Ponos ruled out the use of military force and said there were no military preparations for that.
"For Serbia, Kosovo is first of all a political issue, and we are ready to work as much as we can to solve this problem and to find the best possible solution for the future. We are ready to be politically and diplomatically involved, not militarily. This problem cannot be solved through military means," he said.
However, the top Serbian commander said that the solution must be found through compromise. "Ethnic tension can spark again if the political process is not handled on the basis of compromise. I hope all sides are confident in this respect. We have to serve the best interests of our region."
Not in interest of our region'
Ponos further expressed his worries on the security situation in the region.
"The future status (of Kosovo) should be sustainable," he said. "For that, the solution should be acceptable for all of us. It is not only political and military issues for Serbia but it is a regional one. If it is not solved with the mutual agreement of Serbia, it could trigger some other problems in our region, even outside of our region. It is not going to be in interest of the regional countries. It is not up to me to mention some other regions but especially our Turkish friends can understand our worries."
There are many disputed territories in the Caucasus and Balkan regions. Georgia's South Ossetia, Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh and Moldova's Transdinester are among those. Many international observers argue that Kosovo's independence will also trigger the split of such regions from the states they belong to.
Praising Turkish attitude
Asked about the Turkish position on the Kosovo matter, Ponos praised the Turkish government's stance saying that the "Turkish attitude is not based on pure national interests, but it is based on respectable principles. Serious countries behave that way. They show that they especially understand our situation very well. I really appreciate that." There are around 50,000 ethnic Turks living in Kosovo.
Mladic problem to be solved
The chief of the Serbian army also responded to questions on fugitive former Serbian General Ratko Mladic, who was indicted of crimes against humanity by an international court.
"Our constitutional role is not to try to find criminals or the suspects but anyway, military forces, the intelligence services are engaged to solve this problem of international interest. There is no doubt that Serbia will hand him to them (International Criminal Court of former Yugoslavia). There is no problem on that. So, the political readiness is there. We are just waiting to complete the technical problem, which is finding those accused persons."
Ponos said he can't give a certain time frame for solving this problem and added, "no one can say that it can be solved in a certain period of time like within three or four months. It might be solved tomorrow or in six months. You never know." He also emphasized that Serbia will solve this issue not because of pressure by the European Union but because of its national interest.
Historical rapprochement with Turkey
Ponos' visit to Turkey was a first between the armed forces of the two countries. "So, it speaks for itself," Ponos said while describing the importance of his encounter with Buyukanit. "First of all, the purpose of this meeting is to enhance mutual trust and confidence building; secondly, to discuss the security situation of our region; and finally to explore further possibilities of military cooperation. There could be opportunities interesting for both sides. The Turkish air force is one of the largest in the world and (Turkey) is a much respected NATO member whose military education and training systems are the best in the world."
Ponos said in return Serbia can share its expertise in military medical education. "And also, we have a lot of capacity in the military industry, defense industry in artillery, infantry and ammunition production."
He said Serbia is eager to sign a wide defense cooperation agreement with Turkey. "Both sides are ready for closer ties. We want much better ties between the two armed forces," he said. Ponos referred to the rivalry between the two nations in the past and said: "It made me very happy to see that both of us (Buyukanit) are oriented for the future. We can learn a lot from history but we cannot be hostages of history."
Support for NATO bid
Ponos also said that Buyukanit extended Turkey's support to Serbia in its bid to join NATO. "At this point in time, our intention is to become a very active PfP (Partnership for Peace) member. We are very much engaged. We are very grateful for the support from the Turkish side; we are grateful for receiving support from such a respected country. Our effort will be to do everything that is required to prove active membership," he said.