Vucic's military exercise - demonstration of power or act of regional peacemaking?

By: Amina Corbo Zeco

The member of BiH presidency Milorad Dodik has stated that the military exercise of the Serbian Army was 'encouraging' as it showed that Serbia would be able to defend its statehood and sovereignty with success.

Following the exercise held at the Pester polygon, Dodik congratulated Serbian president Vucic for, as he said, 'the efforts he made towards modernization of the military'.

He also congratulated Vucic for the 'attempt to demonstrate that Serbia is advocating for establishing regional peace, but also that Serbia is ready to defend its territory with determination'.

A question comes to mind: who is attacking Serbia, i.e. against whom Serbia should protect itself. Traditionally, it was Belgrade where the attacks and aggressions came from.

Vucic did emphasize that this military exercise was not directed at anyone in particular, and that the Army of Serbia equally serves all the nations living in Serbia.  

I have no choice but to cite the former commander in chief of the United States Army Europe ground forces, Frederick 'Ben' Hodges III who made comments regarding the delivery of the Russian anti-aircraft system 'Pantsir S1' to Serbia, asking 'who Serbia believes it should protect itself from?'

- I'm wondering what these systems are for? Who Serbia believes it should protect itself from? The West is tirelessly trying to find ways to come closer to Serbia. And it doesn't present any danger to it, Hodges said for VOA.

There are far better ways for Serbia to invest in future, by building infrastructure, creating new jobs, which would help its youth believe in better future... 'Instead of buying expensive armed systems against non-existent threats from air', as Hodges said.

Vucic should leave his neighbors in peace, respect the sovereignty of BiH, and finally look at Milorad Dodik as his neighbor and not a member of his echelons of power.

We've been hearing Belgrade's calls for war for many years. At the same time, Vucic's hawkish regime throws a tantrum at every courageous Bosniak whisper. Naser Oric said on several occassions that threats to Bosniaks from Serbia have never stopped.  

Immediately after the war, a Serbian academic Matija Beckovic in his poem about 'chasing down each other' announced another war against Bosniaks. Naser Oric cited him and (again) warned about his threats. Vucic et al had a fit.

This new peace-calling is a mere balloon which, once it bursts, will reveal true intentions of Serbia which have never been peace-seeking and neighborly.

As long as Dodik sits in the first row of Vucic's military exercises – the message to BiH will be 'loud and clear'. The story about peace is an empty phrase, merely told for sake of sensitive foreign ears – even though they (foreigners) saw through it long time ago.