President Janez Drnovsek proposes in a public letter to Defence Minister Karel Erjavec that members of the Slovenian Armed Forces should take part in planning new peace operations, instead of participating in a military parade.
Drnovsek suggests in Saturday's letter that the Armed Forces should join NATO in planning a potentially greater involvement in peace operations in Sudan's Dafur. "We best help ourselves if we help others. And Slovenia's reputation in the world will increase."
"Although expensive, parades are quickly forgotten, whereas helping people in need is never forgotten. Indeed, it shall be repaid manifold, and so we will be again truly proud of the Slovenian Armed Forces," Drnovsek says.
Convinced that military parades are "inappropriate and unnecessary", Drnovsek expressed opposition earlier this week to a military parade with which the government would like to mark an anniversary of Slovenia's independence in June.
His move came as a surprise, prompting the government to put off a debate of the plans for celebrations of the 15th anniversary of independence. Some wondered whether Drnovsek is ashamed of Slovenian Armed Forces, of which he is the supreme commander.
"We are proud of soldiers who wear Slovenian uniform and risk their lives by serving peace", said Drnovsek in the letter to the defence minister, and added that for this reason "they deserve all respect...".
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|