As they point out, this is a difficult and unacceptable incident that cannot be relativized or justified.
“This is not a matter of “private attitude”, but an open misuse of uniforms and state symbols for the promotion of ideologies that are deeply opposed to the values of modern Montenegro. We especially emphasize that the Honor Guard is not an ordinary unit. She continues the tradition of the famous Montenegrin Perjaniks and represents the face of the state in front of citizens and international partners. Precisely because of this, its members are expected to have the highest level of professionalism, dignity and loyalty, as well as the ability to represent the country and the identity of the Montenegrin soldier in the best way. What we saw represents a direct humiliation of that tradition and seriously compromises the reputation of the Army of Montenegro,” they state.
As they point out, the fact that a recording of the presence of a non-commissioned officer of the Army of Montenegro at the founding assembly of a political party in Tivat was recently published, which grossly violates the principle of political neutrality of the armed forces.
“The silence of the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff regarding these cases, as well as the absence of clear information about the measures taken, represents an unacceptable disregard for the public and further undermines trust in the institutions of the system. The fact that a significant number of young officers, educated at prestigious military academies abroad, left the Army of Montenegro in the last two months is particularly alarming. This is a staff that represents the foundation of the future development of the defense system, and the public has been deprived of explanations about the reasons for their departure. Combined with the previously mentioned events, this indicates serious reasons and deep systemic problems that require the urgent attention of the Defense and Security Council,” they added.
That’s why they ask Minister Dragan Krapović – how was the announced “vetting” in the Army of Montenegro carried out, if such individuals are part of an elite unit such as the Honor Guard?
“Were the criteria applied selectively and on what grounds? We particularly point out the danger of selective application of standards, as a result of which officers of Montenegrin nationality suffer undeserved sanctions or leave the Army themselves. Is this the goal of the vetting, which is apparently carried out unilaterally and represents a serious collapse of legal security and trust in the system,” they ask.
They demand from the Ministry of Defense an urgent and complete determination of the facts related to all the mentioned cases, identification and sanctioning of responsible persons, transparent and timely information to the public, and consistent, impartial and non-selective application of laws and military regulations.
“Otherwise, the responsibility will not only be individual, but also institutional, including the highest leadership of the Ministry of Defense. The Army of Montenegro must be a symbol of honor, unity and loyalty to the state, and not a space for ideological deviations, political instrumentalization and the collapse of the fundamental values on which modern, civil Montenegro rests,” they concluded.
