General Mašović: Reserve component outside of BiH Armed Forces is paramilitary activity

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - In accordance with Article 3 of the Law on Defense, only the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina have the right to a reserve, stated the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, General Senad Mašović, in Pressing. He said that there are 5,000 members, but that BiH does not have a reserve component or the money to establish it.

Mašović emphasized that the BiH Armed Forces have the capacity and capabilities to fulfill all their legal obligations.

"Of course, this includes protecting the integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At this moment, BiH is not threatened by any traditional, conventional threat. We live in a period when security challenges today are incomparably different than they were 20, 30, or 50 years ago. Today, we face cyber problems, hybrid operations, energy dependence, global climate change..."

Isn't the announcement of the formation of a reserve police force in Republika Srpska and the general announcement of militarization in the territory of that entity a security challenge?

"I think that the militarization of the police is not good in any case. It is important to understand that, in accordance with Article 3 of the Law on Defense, only the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina have the right to a reserve, and that is what we expect the BiH Armed Forces to be provided with an adequate financial framework for the full establishment of an active reserve and the implementation of what the Law on Defense clearly prescribes and defines. According to the decision of the Presidency of BiH from 2006, the Armed Forces of BiH have a strength of 10,000 professional personnel, 1,000 civilian employees, and 5,000 active reserve members for whom we have not yet received adequate financial support."

Does that mean that if a reserve component of the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs were formed, it would be a paramilitary force?

"Article 3 of the Law on Defense clearly states that any formation of reserves outside of the already defined state Law on Defense constitutes paramilitary organization, which is clearly criminally punishable and should be criminally prosecuted."

Dodik recently said in Pressing that Republika Srpska has the capability to close the borders of RS within 24 hours? If the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs were deployed along the entity line in that case, how would the BiH Armed Forces or EUFOR react?

"I think no one should and can dare to take such a step because they simply do not have the mechanisms or tools to implement it in practice. It is difficult to implement given the presence of the international community. I don't know of any possibility in the world to protect internal borders. I am absolutely convinced that there will be no boldness or courage for anyone to decide on such a move that involves violating the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Speaking about border protection in the context of the migrant wave, i.e., the deployment of the BiH Armed Forces, Mašović emphasized that this is the primary responsibility of the BiH Border Police.

"If the Border Service cannot fulfill it and if the Presidency of BiH, by consensus, makes and defines the obligation for the Armed Forces to step in to help the Border Police in the segment of guarding against illegal migration, the BiH Armed Forces will be ready to perform that part of the job as well. This means that all three members of the Presidency must vote for such a decision."

During the conversation, Mašović stated that there is a presence of the international community in BiH through EUFOR and NATO.

"We have forces from the international community that are very ready to promptly react to any attempt to endanger security in BiH and to take measures together with the institutions of BiH against those who endanger security. Those who may have hidden intentions know and are aware of this."

General Mašović emphasized that members of the BiH Armed Forces deserve a much higher status than they currently have, as well as higher salaries.

Are you in favor of joining NATO?

I am, and I will explain why. First, as the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is my obligation to respect the legal solutions and laws in force in the state of BiH. The rule of law should be a fundamental and elementary right in every country. And that is what obliges me, as well as every member of the BiH Armed Forces, in accordance with Article 84 of the Law on Defense, to take all actions, measures, and procedures to accelerate Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession and achieve full membership in NATO. Second, security is a fundamental existential, individual, national, and state issue today. And if we talk about security, without any doubt, we can often equate NATO with security. For what reason? Well, this year NATO celebrates 70 years of existence. NATO member countries in Europe and North America enjoy peace, prosperity, and progress in all spheres of human life. That is something we should all strive for. If we want a better future for ourselves, I am convinced that there is no better future than creating a better security environment...

Mašović emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina, on December 5, 2011, based on NATO's decision, moved from a conditional MAP to a full MAP consumer, and BiH has a MAP today. What is expected from BiH now is to submit the Annual National Program, said Mašović.

How do you think BiH already has a MAP?

No one will approve or sign a MAP for us anymore; BiH has a MAP. What is the subject of political turbulence is the submission of the Annual National Program as a technical tool in BiH's further approach to NATO.

Politicians have been talking about the conditions for MAP for months, and you say that BiH is in MAP?

Countries that are in MAP submit their Annual National Programs, so-called ANP. How quickly a country implements the MAP depends on that country. What I want to emphasize is that Bosnia and Herzegovina began its NATO path in 2001 with conclusions of the Presidency of BiH.