Serbia is arming for peace: 2.2 billion reasons not to be worried

Written by: A. Čorbo-Zećo

If anyone thought that the military parade in Belgrade could resemble a threat to neighbours or at least a reminder to everyone that Serbia 'has an army and should be careful', Milan Mojsilović is here to reassure us. Because, as he claims, the army has nothing to do with politics. And when you display missiles, tanks, planes, helicopters in the centre of the capital and wrap it all in the national flag, that is, you guessed it, just 'joy and celebration'.

Equally, Aleksandar Vučić assures us that Serbia wants peace, and is arming itself, in order to preserve peace, that is, to be able to defend itself. He cannot say precisely who attacked them or when!

Enemies should, of course, be a little 'nervous' – but hey, that is not a threat, it is just education! Because how else would they understand that Serbia is modern, contemporary, well-armed and equipped? It is not a show of muscle, it is, excuse me, a cultural and artistic programme with tracks and jet engines.

And even the citizens of Serbia themselves, those who perhaps do not 'like the army' (such people, says Mojsilović, certainly exist), can sleep peacefully. Because nothing lulls you to sleep like the roar of MiGs over the roof and a parade of tanks through the city.

Someone might say that all this is political theatre. But, please, is there a politician in Serbia who would use the army for daily political games? Not at all. It is like when a child brings candies to class and says 'here, let's all enjoy', only here the candies are replaced by howitzers.

And while 2.2 billion dollars are spent annually on parades, citizens can be serene – they may not have enough for hospitals and schools, but they have the guarantee that when they fall asleep, someone somewhere will be guarding the border – or at least their pride.

For the uninformed, let us remind that today high-ranking officers of the former JNA claim before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina that they actually protected Alija Izetbegović when they captured him on May 2 at the Sarajevo Airport.

And, as Mojsilović says: 'As long as there is an army like this, Serbia is safe.' And we believe him. It must be so, while we continuously send members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for education and training to Belgrade. Consequently, Bosnia and Herzegovina is also peaceful.

Because if something is not a threat, it is when someone tells you that you are not in danger – while parading a tank in front of your nose.