BELGRADE, Oct 24 (Hina) - The fact that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e. a company called "Jugoimport SDPR", sold military equipment to Iraq and trained the Iraqi army, is still the chief subject matter among the Serbian
public. The company's director, General Jovan Cekovic, and an assistant to the Yugoslav defence minister, Ivan Djokic, have been relieved of their duties due to this latest scandal.
BELGRADE, Oct 24 (Hina) - The fact that the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, i.e. a company called "Jugoimport SDPR", sold military
equipment to Iraq and trained the Iraqi army, is still the chief
subject matter among the Serbian public. The company's director,
General Jovan Cekovic, and an assistant to the Yugoslav defence
minister, Ivan Djokic, have been relieved of their duties due to
this latest scandal. #L#
Serbian Premier Zoran Djindjic was quoted by the news agency
"Tanjug" as saying on Thursday that the scandal was yet another sign
that the law on civilian control of the military was not being
enforced, and that this should be the task of the incumbent Yugoslav
President, Vojislav Kostunica.
Djindjic said that at the moment, when the world was being polarised
into countries which condemn and those which support terrorism, it
was very bad to be classified in the latter group in any way.
Kostunica branded the entire scandal "as yet another attack against
myself, the Army of Yugoslavia and the federal authorities," and
advocated that "a risky and extremely irresponsible business
venture, which actually boils down to the overhauling of older type
plane engines and not the sale of up-to-date arms, should not be
tendentiously presented as a political orientation."
The Yugoslav head of state believes this case cannot drastically
damage the country's reputation. According to him, more damage can
be caused "backbiting and accusations among federal bodies," which
occurred immediately and in a synchronised manner in both republics
(Serbia and Montenegro).
Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic said at a news conference
that Yugoslav Federal Premier Dragisa Pesic and Defence Minister
Velimir Radojevic should also resign owing to this scandal.
Pesic, however, believes there are no reasons for offering his
resignation. If there was any trade with Iraq, then it was carried
out without his and the knowledge of the federal authorities, he
added.
The replaced director of the Jugoimport company, Cekovic, said in
interviews to two local dailies that there was no scandal, and
claimed that his firm had not sold weapons to Iraq. He accused
Serbia's Vice Premier Nebojsa Covic of exaggerating the importance
of a document which was planted by someone and stated that
Jugoimport took part in the transfer of 'MiG 23' engines to Nigeria
via Tripoli.
"We didn't sell anything, as our military industry at the moment
stands no chances where high technology and up-to-date combat
systems are in competition," Cekovic said. On Wednesday, following
an order from the Yugoslav government, Jugoimport closed its office
in Baghdad.
(hina) ms sb