SERBIA-MONTENEGRO DEFENCE MINISTRY TO INVESTIGATE TERRORIST BASE CLAIMS
RTS Belgrade - February 7, 2004

Belgrade Television has learned that the Defence Ministry is currently investigating claims made by Momir Stojanovic, director of the Military Security Agency (VBA), about the security situation in our country. The ministry's report will be made available to the public, our television has learned:

(Reporter Igor Sanjevic) Belgrade Television has learned that the Supreme Defence Council will most probably also discuss the statements and responsibility of VBA Director Colonel Stojanovic. The council will meet on 17 or 18 February, following a blockade of several months. The statement by the VBA director that he has agents in the highest ranks of Kfor (Kosovo Force) and the Kosovo Protection Corps (KZK), and his claim that Islamic terrorists have bases in nearly all countries of western Balkans, have provoked stormy reactions at home and abroad.

We have learned, unofficially, that although Kfor and KZK immediately denied these claims they both carried out internal investigations. The results have not been made public yet.

Seasoned VBA agents have confirmed for our station that statements of their director have not compromised their field operations too much.

On the other hand, majority of analysts concur with Col Stojanovic about the activity of Islamic extremists on the territory of western Balkans. However, as they say, the statement by the VBA director was truly tactless and the defence minister and the Supreme Defence Council must react immediately. (passage omitted)

Almost all politicians in Montenegro have called for the resignation and responsibility of Col. Stojanovic. Deputy Defence Minister Vukasin Maras also denied the VBA director, saying that no radical terrorist organization was active on the territory of the state union.

It is noteworthy that according to the law, Maras is receiving daily reports about the work of the VBA. (passage omitted)

To recap, the VBA officially came into existence at the end of last year when the counter-intelligence service of the General Staff was disbanded. The VBA was rejuvenated with younger, better qualified people. Sixty-one officer was retired and 30 new were hired.

Source: RTS TV, Belgrade, in Serbian 1830 gmt 7 Feb 04

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