President Milanović congratulates soldiers on Armed Forces Day: Let’s nurture our alliances and friends, but first and foremost our Croatia, which you have created
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović hosted an official reception on the occasion of Croatian Armed Forces Day, Croatian Army, and the 31st anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army.
“Happy Armed Forces Day! Thirty years have passed, and it’s good to repeat certain truths”, President Milanović began his address, reminding the guests that Croatia freed itself alone without anyone’s help. “We freed ourselves, you freed us, on your own. No one persuaded you, no one encouraged or helped you. The Croatian Army is the one that made peace possible in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and only then NATO bombers. For this you have not been properly rewarded. We have waited for years to joint NATO and the European Union. Croatia was defended by a very small number of good people, a very small number”, President Milanović noted.
Talking about relations between states and peoples, he said that it’s a matter of constantly proving and convincing one another to avoid war. “How it looks when war erupts and a bigger state attacks a smaller one by surprise and deceivingly, we are witnessing this these days. We are somewhat far from that war, yet we live with it on a daily basis”, President Milanović underlined, and said that we must first of all take care of ourselves and be aware that we owe maximum loyalty to our allies and NATO.
“National interest is something that the state and its leadership must recognize. It must be continuous and cannot change from cycle to cycle – it’s the only way to achieve it, to reach a consensus, the lowest point of understanding, which is important to us, which makes us a nation that shares community spirit and a joint history. Not arrogance, not hatred towards anyone, but simply reality”, the President stated.
He pointed out that this was a year of certain important and good acquisitions in terms of material conditions and equipment for the Croatian Armed Forces. “This should be welcomed. However, we must know that defence systems are unrealistically costly, and so is their maintenance, therefore we must maintain a balance, and we must have, not everything, because it’s not possible, but a bit of everything”, the President stated, adding that politics decides this and “must look beyond the horizon, it has to consider long-term interests”.
He further referred to the state of affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina saying things aren’t good. “How things are evolving and in which direction they’re heading – isn’t good and should be mentioned in every place. If we were united in this matter, we would quickly find a solution to the problem without noise and commotion. I won’t tire in my efforts”, the President noted. He added that on the official website of the European delegation in Sarajevo threats are made against the Croatian side “to one party, the largest party, but only to one of thirteen parties. Threatening language is used to warn that something will be done to them if they don’t knuckle under. I realize pressure is part of politics, but I wonder in whose name they’re speaking, in the name of which member?”, the President stated, and called for dialogue and agreement.
“A lack of dialogue always leads to war, misunderstanding, arrogance. There will be no war here, but years, good years are being lost. Years for success, for development are being lost. Let’s move forward, let’s go further, let’s nurture our alliances, our friends, but in the end and first and foremost for ourselves and for our Croatia, which you have created and which should live happily and successfully”, President Milanović stated in concluding his address.
At the official reception held in the Office of the President, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces presented members of the Armed Forces and former members of the Frankopan Battalion with decorations, ranks and commendations.
He presented a total of 15 decorations to former members of the Frankopan Battalion and one decoration to the unit. The Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon for displayed bravery and heroism in the Homeland War was presented to retired Brigadier General Mladen Mikolčević. For displayed heroism of its members in the Homeland War, the Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski was presented to the Frankopan Battalion. Bruno Zorica was decorated with the Order of Ban Jelačić for extraordinary successful command of Croatian Armed Forces units and for outstanding military service in their formation.
The Order of the Croatian Trefoil for extraordinary service to the Republic of Croatia in a state of war was presented to Vinko Čabraja, Nenad Kamenar, Josip Niković, Darko Štrobilius and Nikola Vukadin. The Order of the Croatian Interlace for extraordinary contribution to the development and reputation of the Republic of Croatia, and the welfare of its citizens was presented to Goran Bek, Stipe Ćavar, Siniša Golub, Sergej Matulić, Mario Mišić, and Milan Petrlić.
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces decorated members of the Croatian Armed Forces as follows: the Order of Ban Jelačić for extraordinary service to the formation and development of the Croatian Armed Forces to Colonel Dragan Baturina and Colonel Senka Vučić. The Order of the Croatian Trefoil for extraordinary service to the Republic of Croatia in a state of war and in special circumstances in peace to Colonel Tomo Bagarić, Lieutenant Colonel Nenad Telebec, and Commander Damir Tolić.
The Order of the Croatian Interlace for extraordinary contribution to the development and reputation of the Republic of Croatia, and the welfare of its citizens was presented to Colonel Robert Huf, Colonel Milan Slavica, Lieutenant Colonel Vedran Ivančić, Lieutenant Colonel Ivica Pocrnić, Lieutenant Colonel Marin Tudor, Major Miroslav Karaula, Sergeant Major Zvonko Artić, Master Sergeant Alen Solo, and Staff Sergeant Mario Pastuhović.
For extraordinary service and outstanding engagement displayed during a life- and property-saving mission, President Milanović presented the “EXCEPTIONAL UNDERTAKING” Medal to Sergeant Nikola Lukić.
On the occasion of Croatian Armed Forces Day, Croatian Army Day, and the 31st anniversary of the formation of the Croatian Army, one hundred members of the Croatian Armed Forces have been promoted. During the ceremony, the President presented the rank of colonel to seven lieutenant colonels: Davor Banek, Darijo Klarić, Valentina Ključarić, Silvana Kovačić, Andrija Križanić, Zvonimir Rogić, and Ruža Stipić.
For achieving above average results in carrying out set tasks, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces presented commendations to: Colonel Davor Stipetić, Colonel Mato Tomašević, Captain Dario Bilješković, Sergeant Major Merica Ivić, Master Sergeant Drago Matjašec, and Master Sergeant Dragan Svetić.
Speaking on behalf of the decorated, retired Colonel Bruno Zorica said that the decorations, recognitions and ranks are a tribute to all the Homeland War defenders who were killed, deceased and those living. “As war commander of Frankopan Battalion, we experienced the most difficult battlefields from eastern Slavonia and Baranja to the south battlefield. We were driven by honour, pride and loyalty to the homeland. Today in peace we must pass on these values to younger generations so that they never forget the sacrifices of their parents in the Homeland War”, retired Colonel Zorica stated.
Attending the ceremony in the Office of the President were the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj, Commander of the Croatian Army Lieutenant GeneralBoris Šerić, Commander of the Croatian Navy Rear Admiral Ivo Raffanelli,
Commander of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defense Brigadier General Michael Križanec, Commander of Support Command Colonel Mladen Fuzul, commanders and officers of the Croatian Armed Forces, Director of the Security and Intelligence Agency Daniel Markić, Chairperson of the Defense Committee of the Croatian Parliament Franko Vidović, General Police Director Nikola Milina and a delegation of the Police Directorate, representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, Chief Firefighter Commander Slavko Tucaković, Vicar general and envoy of the Military Ordinary Rev. Marko Medo, former Defense ministers and Chiefs of the General Staff of the CAF, representatives of defenders associations, members of the Croatian Generals Association, and representatives of the academic community.
Alongside President Milanović were the Head of the Office of the President Orsat Miljenić, the Head of the Cabinet of the President Bartol Šimunić, the Adviser to the President for Defense and National Security Dragan Lozančić, the Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić, the Adviser to the President for Education Jadranka Žarković, the Secretary General of the Office of the President Dinko Suton, the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, the Special Adviser to the President for the Economy Velibor Mačkić, the Assistant Adviser to the President for the Economy Martina Ciglević, and the Head of the Military Office in the Defense and National Security Cabinet Rear Admiral Predrag Stipanović.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Dario Andrišek