GOGANOVIĆ: HELEZ IS UNDERMINING THE JOINT ARMED FORCES

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, NOVEMBER 26 /SRNA/ – The Deputy Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers Aleksandar Goganović told SRNA that it is high time for international partners, EUFOR and NATO, to respond to the problematic statements and actions of Zukan Helez, who, through his conduct and remarks, is undermining the joint Armed Forces.

Commenting on Helez’s statement that the Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović is a minority in the Presidency and “irrelevant” to him, Goganović assessed that this represents a clear example of disrespect for the chain of command defined by the Law on Defense. "Mrs. Cvijanović has established international credibility, and attacking the institution of the BiH Presidency in such a manner is irresponsible and unacceptable. The BiH Presidency is the supreme command authority, and all key decisions in the field of defense are adopted there by consensus," Goganović emphasized. He pointed out that the defense system requires stability and a professional approach from all officials, adding that Helez’s conduct is entirely inappropriate and harmful to the reputation of state institutions. "By his actions and statements, my colleague Helez is undermining the joint Armed Forces. This is not a path toward strengthening defense, but a path toward new crises," Goganović said. He added that BiH must rely on its proven partners. "While we depend on partnerships with the United States and European countries, my colleague Helez is sending dangerously negative signals to international partners through his actions, distancing BiH from a stable and predictable course in the area of defense," Goganović stated. He noted that some of Helez’s diplomatic contacts and initiatives in the past, such as his contacts with Iran, caused concern among certain partner countries, especially the United States, stressing that the task of the Ministry of Defense is to strengthen, not undermine, partnerships with the U.S. and European allies. Goganović emphasized that new crises in BiH must be avoided, especially within the defense system, and that it is high time for international partners, EUFOR and NATO, to respond to Helez’s increasingly frequent and increasingly problematic public statements.