Interview of the Minister of Defense, Dr. Vlado Popovski, for the Daily Newspaper "Nova Makedonia"

Interview of the Minister of Defense, Dr. Vlado Popovski,
for the Daily Newspaper "Nova Makedonia", from 09.-10. February 2002

The Spring Offensive Is (Still) Possible

From recently, it is often discussed about the reforms in the Army of Republic of Macedonia, in which the so-called brigade model of structuring is the leading segment. Unlike the former so-called corps model, the brigade model has a different function. What does it mean?

The brigade model means dynamism of the military formation of the ARM, increased mobility, and improved efficiency in all of its different levels. Simultaneously, this reform step leads to so-called "shortening" of the levels in the commanding system, so that instead of the previous four degrees or levels, it now consists of three: the Commander-in Chief, the General Staff, and the brigade. In that way, there is a simplification of the structure of the combat units, unlike the corps structure, which as a huge military formation had an inert structure.

In the project of brigade model of organization, within the framework of that structure, two brigades for quick reaction located in Stip and Kicevo are planned. They would be combined armed forces, powerful to cope with the risks of the security, such as the ones we had in the course of the previous year, as well as risks which if do appear in Republic of Macedonia in future, it is real to assume that would be of the same character. Those would be brigades, which would have great power and capability for coping with the type of war we were facing during 2001. Apart from that, the Army in its formation would have components such as the military air force, artillery units, organized armored units…

It means that the Army should be able to perform two levels of capabilities: to respond adequately to the risks such as the ones we were facing with last year, and to have the power to prevent any other factors of endangerment.

Some time ago you have stated that the security forces of Republic of Macedonia have "low level of efficiency" and with your (re)arrival to the head position of the Ministry of Defence, you would personally intercede in favor of rapid elimination of such not at all pleasant "qualification".

One of the major tasks that I would like to announce in the following months would be the intense training of the personnel with the military-technical equipment that we possess, so that we could achieve a greater level of training of the Army in comparison to the previous year. Parallel with the new reorganization of the ARM, interoperability in the segments of our Army should be accomplished. At this point, we can conclude that certain capabilities of ARM are on a respectable level, in the sense that some branches of the army are equipped with good staff and similarly. If we have in mind the moment that the whole Army system cooperates and acts under the joint command with the police forces of Republic of Macedonia, it means that the interoperating between these two segments should be trained and practiced in simulated situations, and that something is wrong, but that there is a low level of effectiveness of our security forces in general, simply because the technique and the defence mechanisms were obtained during the crisis. Therefore, we were caught untrained for that equipment.

On the other hand, we could talk about an inert scheme, formula, or organization of the military forces. Those characteristics, fortunately, were not crucial in the previous period because the forces have carried out their job effectively and with great self-sacrifice. However, in the forthcoming period, the devotion must be raised to a higher level, because if we have a greater self-sacrifice of the security forces, then less force for better effect is required. Therefore, significant amounts would be spend in this period, and in future as well, in order to retain this level of training.

What do the variants of 16000 peacetime, and 60000-wartime personnel mean, and how do these variants correspond with the commenced activities for professionalism of 50 percent of the ARM? Can the budget withstand it and to what degree?

The peacetime variant is with 16000 people, whereas the wartime variant has personnel of 60000 people. One half of it would cover a professional staff and the other half recruit staff. Within the framework of the idea of professionalism of 50 percent of the peacetime contingent, the process is proceeding relatively well. The advertisement for employing professional soldiers is constantly open. Therefore, if Republic of Macedonia does not have financial resources from the budget, there should be a reserve variant. For example, the restaurant management within the frameworks of ARM should be self-financing or likewise. For that reason, the projects from this field should be based on five-year plan for realization of these activities.

It is said that ARM has a good will to cooperate with the armies of Bulgaria, SRJ, Greece, and Albania. How does this "good will" effectuate?

That good will is manifested through the protocols for cooperation, exchange of experiences, as well as joint assessments of the general security in the region. At this point, this cooperation corresponds best with Republic of Bulgaria. Certain activities on that field are realized with SRJ, Greece and Albania as well. For example, in 1994/95 we had had more intense cooperation with Albania. There has been certain vacuum since the outbreak of the crisis. However, the general assessment is that neither they nor we could expect a military endangerment on the security of the borderlines.

How is the plan for easier guarding of the border proceeding, after your attendance on the ministerial summit in Antalia, Turkey, and does it refer to the most sensitive parts of the state border with Albania and Kosovo?

On the summit of the defence ministers in Antalia, the directions for the fight against terrorism were set, which after the events from the 11 September have acquired global dimension. It means that have been established programs and activities, through joint cooperation, exchange of information and experiences directed towards all the forms of terrorist activities, which through violence would endanger the security of the countries in the region. A special structure of organization for planning of the activities for the antiterrorist fight located in Turkey was initiated. In that sense, the plan and activities are referring to an easier securing of the mentioned parts of our border, where the cooperation and aid from the NATO-forces has an important role.

How would you recapitulate the recent visit to Republic of Bulgaria?

It was a regular visit for rounding the protocol for cooperation between the two countries. I have clearly stated both both in Sofia, and here in Skopje, that that protocol does not refer to procurement of weapon, because Republic of Macedonia already has it. That part of the protocol predicts training activities, exchange of experiences and information between the structures of the two armies concerning the security of the region.

The mandate of NATO-forces in Republic of Macedonia expires in March this year. The visit of Lord George Robertson to our country is closely connected with this issue. Does Macedonia need continuation of that mandate?

The anticipated continuation of the mandate of "Amber Fox" is a good suggestion or a good idea, which in great degree would influence the further successful conducting of the peace process and reducing of the tensions, as well as provide returning of the security forces in the crises regions. That mandate is sophisticated and well set so that it does not violate the sovereign rights of Republic of Macedonia. It should continue until the complete return of the trust and the peace, which were disturbed during the crisis.

One radical political leader of "ONA" has occupied the Tetovo village Sipkovica, sending certain signals from there, and the other, as a leader of a political party of the Albanians in Macedonia in Skopje and Tetovo, portends federalization of the country. How should this radicalism, which is a direct threat of the security and sovereignty of the country, be parried?

It could be parried with the peace process, established by the Ohrid agreement, which tightens the space and possibility for further spreading of these threats of the security and sovereignty of Republic of Macedonia to every radical and radicalism. It would be achieved by elimination of all the previous weaknesses in handling with the crisis. Such radicalism would then subside, because the Peace agreement from Ohrid is the "limit" of that process, which eliminates any form of violence.

Both you, as a Minister of Defence, and the Prime Minister have pointed to "the possibility of a reprisal of the military crisis in Macedonia", contrary to all the activities for implementation of the Ohrid Peace agreement. What are the reasons of such assessment?

There are certain elements and indications for such thing to happen, although not with such dimensions as before. Those risks remain in future because of the presence of the illegally accumulated weapons and the aggressive disagreeing of the local leaders of the "ONA" after the disarmament. There are certain assessments that around 3500 members of this formation are still in possession of weapons. If it comes to possible endangerment of the security and sovereignty of Republic of Macedonia, ARM will react immediately with all the capacities.

How does the "Zan Mitrev case" affect the Ministry of Defence, and what is your part in all of it?

As a Minister of Defence, I have inherited the case for the equipping of the cardio-surgery of the military Hospital, which has 66000 m² using space. The former Minister had a so-called preliminary agreement for opening of a private cardio-surgery "Philip the Second" with Mr. Zan Mitrev. It is a rental agreement for taking the space and equipment under lease for a period of 10 years. I have signed what my predecessor had initiated as a good solution. Therefore, it means that there has not been any transfer of property. After 10 years, the Ministry of Defence would be in possession of sanitary technology and equipment, with which Dr. Zan Mitrev has already proved himself. It is not and could not be an initiation of disintegration of the Military Hospital. We have waited for such person for 15 years at least. The ones that dispute his achievements have not offered any arguments to prove the opposite. Therefore, I, as a Minister, will not participate in any bickering about this issue.