President Milanović on Police Day: Help People Who Are in Trouble, but Guard the Croatian Border
The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović hosted a reception on the occasion of Police Day, and presented decorations to police stations, and to active and retired personnel of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
Congratulating Interior Ministry personnel on the Feast of St. Michael, their patron saint, President Milanović focused on two points in his address. “The first is what happened thirty years ago when the Croatian police, not by inertia, but by enthusiasm and a feeling of obligation toward the homeland, were among the very first to stand in defense, the first generation of young Police Academy cadets. A war followed, aggression, arson, killings, shelling – without the police there would be nothing. There are many people present who used to be in the force, did their share, disappeared in the whirlwind of war, some were never found, many of your own, glory to them!”, President Milanović stated.
He further told them that the police officers who took part in the Homeland War were not in defense of the homeland, and explained that anyone can act as the bulwark of the homeland, not even being aware of it. “You were among the few who were on the command bridge, who were at the helm of the homeland, whether or not you were direct commanders or simply there was no one to assume the command bridge. That was reserved and left to the few, the best, the small number of right people who make the difference in every crisis. Thank you! That shall not be forgotten!”, the President noted.
Guarding the Croatian border is the second point President Milanović emphasized. He said that three elements are necessary for a state’s existence: people, state authorities, and a territory on which this power is exercised – a demarcated state territory. “Borders are no joke, regardless of Schengen, borders exist for those reasons, to be able to execute functions that are vital. My call to you in these complex times is to help the needy, those who are in serious trouble, those who really need a helping hand, who need asylum. That’s not easy and it’s not mechanical. You must be perceptive, sometimes strict, smart, clever, never perfidious, and we will value your work in those terms, at least I will”, President Milanović stated.
He noted that there would be pressure and genuine need from international organizations to help people, as well as manipulators who should be unmasked. “The Croatian border is something for which your friends, colleagues and fellow fighters died, about which we, this Croatian generation, are especially sensitive. And that’s what Croatian citizens expect from you. Be smart, you have the resources. I hope we won’t lose you because of too low salaries. We can’t be left without key people, services and support, and to prevent that, it’s necessary to plan,” President Milanović said.
“Guard the border, because it’s not good when the army must go to the border. That’s war or cold war. We don’t want that. You are helping so that it doesn’t happen. Tomorrow we will enter Schengen, we will be even more open and I hope that, as a small and flexible state, but also as a small, delicate national community, we’ll know how to deal with that. That’s not simple,” said President Milanović in concluding his address.
On the occasion of Police Day, President Milanović decorated police stations as well as active and retired Interior Ministry personnel. For bravery and heroism displayed in the Homeland War, the Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon has been awarded to Marko Lukić.
The Order of Duke Domagoj with Ribbon has also been awarded to the Vukovar Police station for the bravery and heroism of its members displayed in the Homeland War. The Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski has been awarded to Police stations in Kutina, Novska and Sunja for deeds of valour in the Homeland War.
Colonel Vlado Čulina has been awarded the Order of Ban Jelačić for extraordinary command of Croatian Armed Forces units, and for outstanding military service in their organization. Mladen Todorić and Mario Mihaljević have been awarded the Order of the Croatian Interlace for outstanding contribution to the development and reputation of the Republic of Croatia and the well-being of its citizens. For participation in the Homeland War, the Homeland War Memorial Medal has been awarded to Ivica Huzjak, and for honourable and exemplary service the Homeland War Memorial Medal has been awarded to 136 members of the Ministry of the Interior.
Also congratulating the Ministry of the Interior personnel on Police Day besides President Milanović were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović, and Member of Parliament Ante Deur on behalf of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament. On behalf of the decorated Vlado Božić, Chief of the Vukovar, delivered a thank you speech.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan