President Milanović in Požega: We have to manage the Croatian Army as with the most precious resource, not expose it to unnecessary risks
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović attended a swearing-in ceremony of the 33rd generation of soldiers enrolled in voluntary military training in the “123rd HV Brigade” Barracks in Požega.
A total of 161 soldiers including 123 men and 38 women enrolled in voluntary military training took an oath in Požega. The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces told them that they solemnly swore to uphold the highest values of the Croatian constitutional and democratic order. “Not to a person, not to an individual, not to the government, not to politics, but to that which represents the foundations and the connective tissue of this state, if you wish, to this people, this nation. This is unchangeable, this is permanent”, the President stated. He further told them that many will accept the military calling noting that it is no ordinary profession but something more than that.
“You are joining the Croatian Army at a time when the world is in commotion and ceasing to be what we perhaps have taken for granted in the past thirty years. In that big world, utter confusion and whirlwind, we are a small state, a small people, a small nation on a lovely but vulnerable spot in Europe. A state no one has given anything to in the past thirty years, not so much as even a kind word”, President Milanović stated, adding that this is no reason to be frustrated, because we aren’t.
“All that we have, all that you have – has been won fairly, without mistakes, to the pride of all of us. No one gave anything to Croatia. We asked, but they didn’t give, we had to take things by ourselves. Such is the army and the state you represent. Continue with its traditions and experience there where others stopped. Literally carry the Croatian rifle on the Croatian shoulder as once Croatian political leaders such as Stjepan Radić said before anyone else”, President Milanović told the soldiers.
“The Croatian pocketbook will finally be ours to keep, the process is somewhat longer and more difficult, but every country’s independence and power, besides its army and an attachment to the same ideals and fundamental values, are reflected in how independent and sovereign it is financially. We have to fight for our pocketbook, for our money, for our place in this great, often lovely, but insecure world. And I believe with minimal human casualties or none at all”, the President underlined.
“This is a matter of being clever – not to stick our nose where it doesn’t belong, to learn from our mistakes, omissions and from the adventures of our ancestors not so long ago, to be aware that we belong to the western civilizational and political circle, because we do, not make enemies, and not instantly rush at anyone’s signal that could lead to tragedy. We have to move cautiously, if necessary cunningly and in our own interest, in the interest of the Croatian homeland. That is the motive and the message I have for you. The task of those of us who are governing this country, of politicians, is to use and manage the Croatian Army as with the most precious resource. And that means that it is always in motion, not to overburden it and expose it to unnecessary risks”, President Milanović stated in concluding his address.
Alongside President Milanović were the Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić and the Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas