Assessment of 300 day work of the Ministry of Defence

: Published: Wednesday, 16 July 2014 16:27

At the Ministry of Defence took place the assessment of 300 days of work since the creation of the new government.
In this important event attended the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Niko Peleshi, the Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, members of Parliament, generals, directors, senior militaries and civilians of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff, as well as representatives from the Armed Forces structures.

The event was organized as a conversation. Initially, from the main panel, Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Dritan Hila presented a brief overview of the work done by the Ministry of Defence during these 300 days in the fight against corruption in the Armed Forces; the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation in the General Staff, Colonel Manushaqe Shehu made a presentation on the work and commitment of the Armed Forces in operations to help the community, in the litter collection action in the main national roads and tourist areas across the country; the Director of Legal Department, Ms. Yllka Lamçe briefed on the legal reform and restructuring of the Armed Forces during these 300 days; while the Director of Operations and Training in the General Staff, Colonel Idriz Haxhia briefed on the operational dynamics of the Armed Forces. The above presentations, along with film sequences, illustrated the activities of our Armed Forces.

Defence Minister Kodheli, made a summary of all the work of the Ministry she leads, while expressed her determination to fight every day corruption within this structure and build an Armed Force in full compliance with the NATO requirements. “I feel privileged and proud to work with you, knowing the limitations and difficulties you face every day. Everyone should feel proud and serve Homeland; our mission is one and only, the defence of the future. More work awaits us. And remember, with your professionalism and dedication, better days awaits us”, she underlined.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Niko Peleshi commended the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff, the military and civilian employees of military structures for the achievements of these 300 days, and for their contribution to restore the dignity of the Armed Forces, as well as the trust of our international partners.

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Full speech of Defence Minister Kodheli

Honourable Deputy Prime Minister,
Honourable MPs, generals, friends from Kosovo, military, ladies and gentlemen!

We have passed 300 days together in the effort to radically transform a reality, which was becoming more and more problematic every day. I begin my speech with the transformation of the problematic reality, because it was the first challenge of our common endeavour, since we started work in mid September 2013. I entered the Ministry of Defence on a gray day, surprisingly with a sudden September rain and with tense atmosphere. Symbolisms were numerous and prominent. But, what I saw in the eyes of some of the militaries, who welcomed me on September 16, allowed me to understand a single and clear thing.

The career, professionalism, ability were worth nothing, but only the Minister’s look and relationship with the ruling party was. A personnel management beyond any imagination and foresight, a financial situation hit hard by debts accumulated over the years, a legal framework which belonged to the period 2003-2005; this was the core of the reality in which you, honourable militaries, tried to survive the system.

But I found the answers to my dilemmas among you. Since the early hours, I met the men and women in uniform who continued to fight for their dignity. Among you, honourable friends in uniform, I found solutions to improve the situation. The Armed Forces are essentially based on a rule, tradition and honour. These elements, combined with the preservation of democratic and civilian control over the Armed Forces, were seriously violated.

And I stress again, the solutions were found among the militaries, for the militaries. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. You were the light. The Government’s program for 300 days in Defence includes ambitious objectives, which require the continuation of reform and the further transformation of our Armed Forces, the creation of the necessary military capabilities to face the challenges of Security and Defence, as well as setting them at the deserved level.

At the core of reform is the elevation of the image and integrity of the military, through the development of appropriate policies in the area of personnel, legislation, promotion, increase of transparency, accountability, and elimination of corruption in the Armed Forces.

The new Armed Forces structure:
One of the first strategic documents, drafted at the beginning of our first 300 day period, was the new Armed Forces structure, in response to the realities in which we find ourselves and in view of the available resources. We did not think for the structure we would again encounter a meaningless, unfounded and prolonged resistance, but the important thing is the fact that we have the structure and we have initiated its implementation. The structure continues to set the focus on a numerically small force, but better equipped and trained, according to NATO standards.

Legal framework:
In parallel with the new structure drafting, we began to work for the improvement of the existing legal framework governing the conduct of our Armed Forces, both in relation to their obligations towards the Alliance, but also in view of the new realities. The new law on the Authorities and Powers in the Armed Forces has clearly defined the commanding chain and constitutional responsibilities of each commanding authority. NATO membership and inclusion in the Alliance’s operational structure made necessary the adoption of the best practices of our partner countries. I am convinced that, based on the proposals of the Armed Forces structures, we made possible a clearer definition of our daily work. This is substantially the spirit of the law on Military Career in the Armed Forces. I will not focus on the details, but I simply want to say that we are determined to conclude what we have initiated. There is no personal interest over the common good, no compromise with the implementation and observance of the Constitution and laws.
Obviously, I should mention the new law for the Intelligence and Defence Security Agency. Did anybody think that in the 21st century, in a NATO member country, in a candidate country for the European Union, the military intelligence service was used against the opposition, similar to junta scenarios in the republics of bananas? The trick was the aim of the service activity. According to the new law, there will not be tools in service of the ruling parties. The law and only the law will prevail in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania.

Personnel reform:
In these first 300 days, the military colleagues required a completely fundamental thing: setting up the systems. A transparent, simple, clear and understandable system for all the interested; for the progress in career, training, courses and participation in operations; everywhere. And we are succeeding. In cooperation with the General Staff, we have introduced a new spirit, which is giving its effects. NATO standards and best practices are essentially what we are implementing. There is no turning back. We have launched a very interesting pilot project with the United States, which will serve as the cornerstone for the consolidation of this system in the future.

Motorized Infantry Battalion:
Modernization of the Armed Forces with armament, technique, equipment and systems is to be developed in accordance with the long-term plan, targeting the completion of operational capacities for participation in missions at home and abroad. For years, we have promised to the Alliance a unit would be ready, as our main obligation in the context of the capacity required by NATO. I do not want to talk about the how and why. The militaries know better than I the real reasons of the delay. In the first 300 days, we set the priorities, the benchmarks, and I proudly say that this battalion will have weapons and equipment of NATO standards, this year. For the first time, an Albanian military unit will not use the “Kalashnikov” as part of personal weapons, but the M4 carbine, which uses the NATO 5.56mm calibre munitions.

Participation in Operations:
I express my deep gratitude to all those who serve, along with our allies, in our missions abroad preserving peace and security. They will remain the vital part of society and of our Armed Forces. We remain fully committed to contribute even after the ISAF mission. We will be present in all the fronts of the Alliance. We are considering the opportunity to engage in EU operations. A candidate country takes its responsibility. And we are ready.

Commitments to help the community:
Albania, as a country that processed its wastes and of some European countries, was turned into a concentration of wastes, at every border crossing. You, honourable militaries cleared all the border crossings in Albania from the piles of wastes and more over, from the incompetence and indifference. You, colleagues in uniform, cleared the beaches making them ready for the new tourist season. You, militaries of the Armed Forces, are improving the safety conditions in beaches and recreational areas along the coastline with your presence throughout the touristic season.

In 300 days, we radically improved the financial management and control, so that every penny destined to the Armed Forces would necessarily go where it was designed. In view of good management of money, it was created a functional audit, which is supporting the achievement of our objectives for effective and efficient use of all economic resources.

Infrastructure:
Since the beginning, we stopped the entire abusive activity with the properties of the Armed Forces. We have initiated a rigorous process of verification and completion of documentation for each property.

Corruption:
The number of files submitted to the prosecution will continue to grow, I assure you about this. Every penny spent by the Defence budget will pass the lens of justice. And I want to make one thing clear here. We will strongly fight corruption. And I’m not only looking back. I see, I follow attentively every financial activity that could have corruptive implications. No one is untouchable.

Honourable guests,

In these 300 days, several events, which have formatted our careers, have occurred. We have had disturbing moments, but at the same time absurd moments with unfounded accusations, as those for drug trafficking. But we will not allow anyone to point at us, neither the thieves, nor the abusers.
I am convinced for one thing: I feel privileged and proud to work with you, knowing the limitations and difficulties you face every day. Everyone should feel proud and serve Homeland; our mission is one and only, the defence of the future. More work awaits us. And remember, with your professionalism and dedication, better days awaits us.

Thank you!