President Milanović Warns of Government’s Lack of Concern for Army Needs: Minister Banožić tended to his and not the soldiers’ needs
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said on Friday that nothing had been done to solve the housing problem for Croatian soldiers, but that the Minister of Defence Mario Banožić did make sure that his own housing problem is solved.
After a ceremony celebrating the 29th anniversary of the foundation of the Honorary and Protection Battalion and “Saint Valentine” Military Chaplaincy Day, President Milanović said that nothing had changed in view of meeting the army’s needs, assessing this as a “big nothing” and recalling that two years ago he gave his consent to the Government’s housing plan for the soldiers.
“Nothing came of it, that was two years ago. It is a problem in the army, for people who travel, who are poorly paid, who are leaving. This jinx (Banožić) shelved that, but he remembered to tend to his needs in the meantime,” said the President.
He added that the minister sought the opinion of the Commission for Conflict of Interest in order to pay for “that flat in Gundulićeva that he furnished nicely with teddy bears,” making reference to the state-owned apartment that Banožić granted to himself, for which he was fined 7000 kunas by the Commission.
The President again warned that the Croatian Army also needs ammunition, which is difficult to obtain.
He again also commented on the fact that the Honorary and Protection Battalion, whose task is to protect the Commander in Chief, is still without a commander after Banožić “criminally” retired Colonel Elvis Burčul. He said that in the last year or more, he occasionally approves appointments following the minister’s consent, but that a number of positions remain unfilled.
“He hopes that I will occasionally agree to an appointment that suits him. He will give his consent for it, but an entire stack of appointments and proposals of the Chief of the General Staff is sitting in the drawer. If that is not greed, thievery and abuse, then I don’t know what is,” he said.
Commenting on a ban on turbo-folk concerts in Pula and Osijek, the President said that he does not like that music but would not ban anyone from listening to it. Venue owners are free in operating them if they don’t jeopardise public interest or fundamental freedoms, he added.
“We also had the Thompson concert in Pula ten or more years ago, and some disputed that as well. I wouldn’t ban most things,” the President said, adding that he does not like the culture of exclusion and violence on social media. “I said what I think about turbo-folk music – it should be suppressed with every legal means, but I would let them sing there. They have an audience. Half the HDZ (ruling party) listens to that,” he said. (HINA)