Deputy Minister of Defense in the Council of Ministers, Aleksandar Goganović, stated that signing a contract to enlist a cadet from the Bosniak community who refused to shake hands with Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, simply because she is a woman, would send a very negative message to all international partners.
In an interview with Srna, Goganović emphasized that a discussion on this matter should first be held within the Expert Collegium of the Ministry of Defense, where official opinions from religious institutions on this issue should be considered before any contract is signed.
When asked by Srna to comment on the incident, where a Bosniak officer from Bosnia and Herzegovina refused to shake hands with Austria’s Defense Minister during a ceremony welcoming new officers at the Theresian Military Academy, Goganović expressed hope that Minister Zukan Helez is aware of the seriousness of the cadet’s actions. If left unpunished, Goganović warned, this could set an example for other young personnel in the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces to behave similarly, a practice clearly not in line with NATO standards, which Helez publicly supports.
Goganović further expressed his belief that the cadet’s action would not have received backing from the military Muftiate within the Ministry of Defense, pointing out that for many years, the ministry was led by a woman, Marina Pendeš. If this had presented an issue from a religious standpoint, it would surely have been discussed in the past.
- “Additionally, I’d like to remind everyone that the NATO Headquarters Commander in Sarajevo in the previous term was also a woman, Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, who significantly contributed to advancing NATO standards, particularly in the area of gender equality,” Goganović highlighted.
He raised the valid concern that, if Minister Helez proceeds with signing the contract for the cadet’s professional military service, the cadet’s ability to perform regular duties may come into question, especially if he is ever required to report to a female commander during his career.
- “As Deputy Minister of Defense, one of the actions I can take in the coming period is to invite the military attaché of the Republic of Austria in Bosnia and Herzegovina for a meeting to express our gratitude for the support they provide to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to offer an official apology for this incident. I sincerely hope that my colleague Helez will also do the same on behalf of the Ministry of Defense as a whole,” Goganović stated.
He explained that cadets studying at military academies in other countries, including the Theresian Military Academy in Austria, sign contracts outlining their rights and obligations, committing to adhere to the rules and procedures of the host country and the institution offering their education.
Goganović stressed that respecting religious rights and freedoms is not in question, and that those within the Ministry of Defense understand this well, having established religious services for all three of Bosnia’s most represented faiths. However, exercising these rights must not and should not conflict with the code of conduct of the host country.
- “The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be multi-ethnic, respecting human rights and religious freedoms, with the goal of fostering tolerance and mutual respect,” Goganović concluded.
Source: RTRS
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