President Milanović Calls on Government to Urgently Secure Funds for Air Defense System
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met again today with the leadership of the Croatian Army and the security and intelligence agencies. Following the meeting, he called on the Government to urgently secure funds to develop the Croatian air defense system, because as he says, it’s the right moment to do so.
“I expect funds to be secured urgently – incomparably smaller amounts than those we earmarked for the fighter jets – in order to develop the air defense system as soon as possible with the resources and equipment it requires. This is a major issue for the Croatian national security, to purchase appropriate equipment for the air defense system that do not guarantee absolute security, but a certain level of security”, President Milanović said at the press conference following a meeting with the leadership of the Croatian army and security and intelligence agencies who briefed him once again on the investigation and new developments related to the crash of the unmanned vehicle vehicle in Zagreb.
“Now’s the right time, we’ve seen all the shortcomings that exist and the fact that we can rely on NATO, but this is the kind of decision that we make”, he added, and reminded that two or three months ago he had warned about the shortcomings when he called for the convening of a Defense Council session. “I expect the Croatian Government, now I plead and request, that funds and means be found urgently for Croatia to acquire certain air defense systems. At the moment, we don’t have any, that’s no secret. That is why three months ago I had expressed dissatisfaction with the state of affairs although that word – that the state of affairs is unsatisfactory – couldn’t have been entered in the joint press release after the meeting, which has yet to be adopted so as not to alarm the public”, the President stated.
As far as the investigation into the crash of the unmanned vehicle vehicle is concerned, President Milanović said: “An investigation is under way. In terms of the type of unmanned vehicle vehicle that crashed in Croatia, I wouldn’t discuss the details, and I would call on all the others who address the media to refrain from doing so. And especially that they don’t go there needlessly because they shouldn’t have been there on Saturday”. President Milanović added that “this specific object does not pose any threat”. Asked whether the unmanned vehicle vehicle carried a bomb as the Defense Minister had announced the day before, President Milanović replied: “We’re not at liberty to discuss this, it’s not a matter that should be discussed in public, and especially not by me, since I’m not an expert. However, I have been briefed several times by experts and advisers”.
Asked once again if there was a bomb or not, President Milanović repeated: “I’m not at liberty to say anything, leave it to the investigation. I’m aware of your need and your duty to find out all the facts, however these are matters that should not be disclosed in their entirety. As for the rest, ask those whom I told to keep quiet”.
“The decision on the fighter jets was imperative, and I welcome it, but Croatia needs appropriate air defense systems. Croatia can afford it. By acquiring it, by no means shall we become a European power, however, we will be in a position to tell our citizens that we have done everything we can to protect them”, President Milanović stated.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek