P. Gajdoš: We will adopt all possible measures, including personnel measures, to prevent service personnel from participating in ʽSlovak Recruitsʼ
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- Date: 03.08.2018
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The SVK MOD will adopt all possible legislative measures to prevent service personnel from participating in the activities of such groups as the ʽSlovak Recruitsʼ. “If needed, we will adopt effective personnel measures, including dismissal from the Service of the soldiers participating in such activities,” said Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš today (3 August) in a press statement at the MOD.
According to the Minister, it is alarming that this group presents itself publically through its military hierarchy, standard terminology, training with military elements whilst using military clothing and different weaponry. “I see it as a serious problem that the ʽSlovak Recruitsʼ has publicly voiced doubts on the tasks and functions of the State security entities in protecting State interests,” stressed the Minister. In his own words, through its activities the group is striving to replace the State functions in the field of defence and security, which it has not only presented in public on several occasions but also demonstrated in practice. “We are taking the situation seriously, we are active and we act. Our expert teams are already working on legislative amendments to relevant Acts that fall within the scope of the MOD,” emphasised Head of the MOD.
CHOD Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko gave his full support to the measures being taken by the MOD leadership. “It is absolutely naïve to believe that the tasks performed by the Armed Forces on the basis of legislation may be just taken over by any private entity without the support of the State. Such activities presuppose unity of effort in the defence of the Slovak Republic and at the same time may be easily misused against our national interest and security. Bearing in mind that the existing risk of service personnel getting actively involved in such activities may grow to become a threat very quickly, both to the Armed Forces and the Slovak Republic, we are currently taking a whole range of measures at the level of SVK Armed Forces Command and are cooperating on introducing legislative amendments.” Lt Gen Zmeko further noted that the measures will apply to personnel work, compliance with the Code of Ethics and Obligations of Service Personnel, as well as to the Classified Information Protection Act. “Therefore, it is exceptionally important that every serviceman must be aware that overt or covert support to such activities may have very serious societal and personal consequences,” added CHOD Lt Gen Zmeko.
Minister Gajdoš also emphasised that in performing their Service duties as per valid legislation, service personnel must conduct themselves so as not to undermine or threaten the public confidence in the Armed Forces, thereby casting no doubt on the tasks of the Armed Forces and their mission. “And we will not let our Armed Forces lose the public confidence they have enjoyed due to personal failures of individuals,” he said.
In line with the SNS Manifesto and specific strategic documents, the MOD is open to cooperation with the non-government sector and civic associations that have a professional relationship with the Armed Forces. But this must be done in close cooperation with the State so that there is no element of wilful action without getting the support of law enforcement agencies and the military that are responsible for executing such functions.
Last week Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš filed a motion with the Office of the Prosecutor General to initiate an inquiry into the legality of the ʽSlovak Recruitsʼ paramilitary organization. He did so because it provides training to citizens with an unclear mission, and may have misused the phased-out combat equipment, military clothing and insignia of the Armed Forces. The MOD has passed specific intelligence of concern to the Slovak Ministry of Interior on to Interior Minister Denisa Saková.
According to the Minister, it is alarming that this group presents itself publically through its military hierarchy, standard terminology, training with military elements whilst using military clothing and different weaponry. “I see it as a serious problem that the ʽSlovak Recruitsʼ has publicly voiced doubts on the tasks and functions of the State security entities in protecting State interests,” stressed the Minister. In his own words, through its activities the group is striving to replace the State functions in the field of defence and security, which it has not only presented in public on several occasions but also demonstrated in practice. “We are taking the situation seriously, we are active and we act. Our expert teams are already working on legislative amendments to relevant Acts that fall within the scope of the MOD,” emphasised Head of the MOD.
CHOD Lt Gen Daniel Zmeko gave his full support to the measures being taken by the MOD leadership. “It is absolutely naïve to believe that the tasks performed by the Armed Forces on the basis of legislation may be just taken over by any private entity without the support of the State. Such activities presuppose unity of effort in the defence of the Slovak Republic and at the same time may be easily misused against our national interest and security. Bearing in mind that the existing risk of service personnel getting actively involved in such activities may grow to become a threat very quickly, both to the Armed Forces and the Slovak Republic, we are currently taking a whole range of measures at the level of SVK Armed Forces Command and are cooperating on introducing legislative amendments.” Lt Gen Zmeko further noted that the measures will apply to personnel work, compliance with the Code of Ethics and Obligations of Service Personnel, as well as to the Classified Information Protection Act. “Therefore, it is exceptionally important that every serviceman must be aware that overt or covert support to such activities may have very serious societal and personal consequences,” added CHOD Lt Gen Zmeko.
Minister Gajdoš also emphasised that in performing their Service duties as per valid legislation, service personnel must conduct themselves so as not to undermine or threaten the public confidence in the Armed Forces, thereby casting no doubt on the tasks of the Armed Forces and their mission. “And we will not let our Armed Forces lose the public confidence they have enjoyed due to personal failures of individuals,” he said.
In line with the SNS Manifesto and specific strategic documents, the MOD is open to cooperation with the non-government sector and civic associations that have a professional relationship with the Armed Forces. But this must be done in close cooperation with the State so that there is no element of wilful action without getting the support of law enforcement agencies and the military that are responsible for executing such functions.
Last week Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš filed a motion with the Office of the Prosecutor General to initiate an inquiry into the legality of the ʽSlovak Recruitsʼ paramilitary organization. He did so because it provides training to citizens with an unclear mission, and may have misused the phased-out combat equipment, military clothing and insignia of the Armed Forces. The MOD has passed specific intelligence of concern to the Slovak Ministry of Interior on to Interior Minister Denisa Saková.
