The Alternate Minister of National Defence Dimitris Vitsas during an interview given on Wednesday 26 October 2016, to journalists Vassilis Lyritzis and Dimitris Economou, on the SKAI TV talk show “PROTI GRAMMI”, stated the following:
On the issue of salary cuts and the MoD financial status:
At the MoD we have come up with offset benefits since the beginning of September, more specifically with codes. We are holding talks on the configuration of special wages. We are following a line, which is that at the moment of speaking those serving in the Armed Forces will not face any more cuts in their salaries, since already 30% and more, has already been cut off. So, this is no issue. The special wages regime include everyone, and it should be treated as a whole, in relation to the course of the economy.
There are other measures that could be taken in order to increase the income and reduce the expenditure. One measure is known, that is by utilizing the inactive assets of the Armed Forces. With two legal interventions that have already been voted by the Parliament we have activated the inactive assets of the Armed Forces. Last night the second one was voted for.
A competent body has been established for the utilization of these assets, and this body has already began having contacts with other bodies in Greece and abroad. It takes one-two more steps, which we co-decided the other day with the Minister, to accelerate this process and have significant results in 2017. Another revenue could be the exploitation of the scrap, as well as the utilization of unnecessary operational materiel.
The staff office has planned and is proceeding with closing down inactive military camps. This is taking place taking into account the requirements of all General Staffs. What is clear, is the mentality which dictates that a camp enhances the local economy. Of course the army will not leave from the borderline.
Also, we can save in resources by changing the tranfers regime ,and by creating better conditions of living for the officers and their families who every other year they pack their suitcases and hit the road.
On the scenario of reducing the military service:
We are not examining the scenario of reducing the military service, but even from a financial point of view it would not have a serious impact. Greece is facing many threats. That is, we cannot be saying that Greece’s FIR is violated and still be talking about reducing the military service. I support the secularism of the Armed Forces which means the mandatory drafting of our young men, thus connecting the Armed Forces with its citizens.
The 9month service and the 12month service, current today, provide our young men military training necessary for their civilian lives after they have been discharged. For example, in the Navy we grant them with the ECDL certificates. There is a law that provides for lawyers and doctors serving in the Army. We are making an effort with the Technical Chamber of Greece in other scientific fields as well. Also, at the Army History Dte German-speaking privates contribute to the processing of the Wehrmacht archives. It is a grand plan, and we are trying to figure out how exactly to implement it in cooperation with other ministries, as is the Ministry of Education, on issues concerning technical training, which can be offered to the draftees.
On the reshuffle scenario, the operation of SYRIZA and the status of the Greek economy:
It is a privilege of the Prime-Minister to perform the reshuffle, whenever and with whomever.
There is a team established by Synaspismos and SYRIZA, comprised by the Tsipras leadership, Mr. Flabouraris, Mr. Skourletis, Mr. Voutsis, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Baskozos, Mr. Poulakis , Mr. Dragasakis, which had to answer back in 2009 the question of what are we going to do. Back then, times were very difficult. We reconstructed the party along with thousands of comrades.
We have shaped a level of comradeship, through wording different opinions and views and we have reached a common ground. It is exactly what Panos Skourletis said, it is an everyday reality. Younger people come to be part of this now. Comradeship and collectiveness entail expressing different opinions. As a government we have a common objective, which is to complete what we have agreed.
On the other hand, our requirements and the obligations of the creditors go hand in hand. And this means that along with the completion of the 2nd evaluation goes the adjustment of the debt. This must concern all Greeks. The necessity of investments from abroad needs a stable environment. At the same time we need to have reforms , which promote modernization, security for those who are affected more. This did not start in January 2015. These reforms mean changes in our everyday life, and protection for financial and social reasons for those affected more.
The strenuous measures were a product of compromise. A compromise always entails give and take. In summer 2015, we reached a point when because of the strangling of the banking system we had to take a decision. During the 1st evaluation we successfully met the requirements and we were granted the money. As a Greek government we are very ok, so our creditors have to prove the same too.
The main issue is that the reforms bear long-lasting modernizing results. The mentality of having reforms via reducing the already low incomes will sound the alarm for the private factor and this will cause problems in taxation.
