storm - Hrvatski memorijalno-dokumentacijski centar Domovinskog ...

20
1995, 10 February
[Knin]
Th e general staff of the “Serbian Army of Krajina” forwards to the corps commands and
senior offi cers the summary of president Milan Martić’s speech on combat readiness
____________________
MILITARY SECRET
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
EXCERPT FROM THE PRESENTATION OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC MR. MILAN MARTIĆ
DURING THE BRIEFING ON THE
COMBAT READINESS OF THE SVK
(...)
In addressing the offi cers the President clearly and unequivocally pointed out the
characteristics of the current conditions in the country and the seriousness of the
imminent ustashi aggression.
Particular stress was laid upon the role and mission of the SVK, and its preparations
to meet the aggression well-prepared, and upon the importance of combat morale and
the bond between the army and the people. Bearing in mind the importance of the
questions, evaluations and positions presented by the President of the state, the General
Staff has decided to forward to corps commands and most responsible offi cers an excerpt
from the President’s presentation. Th e excerpt is enclosed to the SVK Combat Readiness
Conclusions and Mission Statement.
*
Th e destiny of the Serbian people and of our state is in the hands of the SVK. Th e
command cadre is particularly responsible. An organized and effi cient army cannot exist
without good command. Without good command the SVK would be doomed to failure
in advance.
Th e people and the SVK: the eyes and ears of the people are on the SVK.
Th e development of the army is a process. A less trained and weaker army can deliver
a lot with capable command. Commanding means dealing with problems. Today the
people of Krajina have their own army, a Serbian army, with its own offi cer corps. I
am against any mud-slinging at the SVK and its offi cers. Our goal is to strengthen the
people’s confi dence in its offi cer’s corps.
A question is circulating in public: the JNA left us in 1991, will the army [i.e., the SRY
offi cers] run away again? All the offi cers who did not run away in 1991 are here, and will
certainly not run away now - that is the answer of your commander, general Čeleketić. 30
30 Milan.
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