Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BELGRADE1345
2008-12-30 15:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
SERBIA: PRESIDENT FIRES ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF PONOS
how-toVZCZCXRO7166 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBW #1345 3651523 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301523Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0824 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNS/NSC WASHDC RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001345
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MARR PREL SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA: PRESIDENT FIRES ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF PONOS
REF: BELGRADE 1332
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001345
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MARR PREL SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA: PRESIDENT FIRES ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF PONOS
REF: BELGRADE 1332
1. (U) Following several hours of debate in the National Security
Council on December 29, President Tadic announced on December 30
that he had relieved Army Chief of Staff (CHOD) Zdravko Ponos of his
official duties. While the short announcement on the presidency web
site did not provide any details, the media reported that many in
the government had sided with Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac
during Cabinet and Security Council discussions of the open conflict
between the two (reftel).
2. (U) Deputy Chief of Staff Miloje Miletic has been named to
replace Ponos temporarily until President Tadic appoints a new
CHOD.
3. (SBU) Comment: While we do not yet know all the reasons for the
conflict between Sutanovac and Ponos, or why Tadic allowed it to
fester until it became public, it appears at this point to be
another example of political rivalries being played out at the
expense of national interests. Although the loss of an experienced
and energetic interlocutor such as Ponos will undoubtedly result in
delays until his successor is appointed and gets up to speed, we do
not believe that his firing signals a fundamental policy shift on
the part of the Serbian government; we expect bilateral mil-to-mil
cooperation and Serbia's cooperation with NATO to continue. End
comment.
BRUSH
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MARR PREL SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA: PRESIDENT FIRES ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF PONOS
REF: BELGRADE 1332
1. (U) Following several hours of debate in the National Security
Council on December 29, President Tadic announced on December 30
that he had relieved Army Chief of Staff (CHOD) Zdravko Ponos of his
official duties. While the short announcement on the presidency web
site did not provide any details, the media reported that many in
the government had sided with Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac
during Cabinet and Security Council discussions of the open conflict
between the two (reftel).
2. (U) Deputy Chief of Staff Miloje Miletic has been named to
replace Ponos temporarily until President Tadic appoints a new
CHOD.
3. (SBU) Comment: While we do not yet know all the reasons for the
conflict between Sutanovac and Ponos, or why Tadic allowed it to
fester until it became public, it appears at this point to be
another example of political rivalries being played out at the
expense of national interests. Although the loss of an experienced
and energetic interlocutor such as Ponos will undoubtedly result in
delays until his successor is appointed and gets up to speed, we do
not believe that his firing signals a fundamental policy shift on
the part of the Serbian government; we expect bilateral mil-to-mil
cooperation and Serbia's cooperation with NATO to continue. End
comment.
BRUSH