“There is no causal link between the cases, but there might be a link to some elements of social pathology and disorders which exist within and outside the army,” he told the press in Varaždin, adding that he would say what he meant exactly “when some time has passed.”
“These things happen, but when something like this happens in the army, it attracts attention and the public raises an eyebrow.”
Milanović said deaths in the army were at the level of those in the general population and lower, adding that the recent deaths could not be linked to possible problems in the system.
Asked about soldiers caught using illegal drugs, he said that was a more complex case. “I won’t comment. Let’s wait for the investigation to be over.”
Asked if there was any information that could shed light on the matter, he said, “There is, but I can’t talk about it. Their commanders know what they are and I know. As does the Defence Ministry.”
He called the whole situation awkward but not shameful. “It’s a disgrace and a disaster when soldiers commit war crimes, but the Croatian army didn’t do that, only exceptionally and long ago.”
Milanović said all armies had problems with soldiers using illegal drugs. “It’s good that they have been caught,” he added, dismissing claims that the security system was in danger.
Asked if that was not normal behaviour, he said it was not and that it would be punished.
COVID vaccination
Speaking of vaccination against COVID, he said Croatia was neither the worst nor the best. “Once again, I call on everyone, get vaccinated,” he said, adding that he doubted threats would work.
Milanović said he was for everything getting back to normal after the tourist season. “This hysteria that is going on, which is spilling over into Croatia from Western countries, is a major stumbling of human intelligence and reason.”
Asked about a constitutional suit filed by the Voice of Entrepreneurs association, which claims that certain businesses were discriminated against during the pandemic, Milanović said it would have been better if the parliamentary majority had been deciding on restrictions because the problems would not have been so extensive.
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