Megi Llubani
Good news for military aviation
A good part of the last reports, especially the May report, focused on the salaries of those who serve in the Albanian Armed Forces, thus raising the low wages problematic. This month, a Council of Ministers Decision, number 613 dated 07.07.2015 “For some changes and additions to the decision number 839 date 11.12.2003 of the Council of Ministers for the Albanian Armed Forces active military salaries, the addition on the active flying military in different measures for different functions within the armed forces military aviation”.
This decision should be congratulated for two main reasons. Firstly, for the fact that the government recognizes the need to address the salary issue for this category of the public administration. And secondly, the considerable ammount of the wage addition keeping in mind the economic conditions in Albania.
The biggest salary bonus is obtained by the squadron and helicopter group pilots at the Air Base in Farke (40 000 ALL). The other part of the Military Aviation, such as flight engineers or airplane/helicopter technicians benefit a raise based on functions or the bases they serve. These additions vary from 10 000 to 28 000 ALL (excluding the basic salary).
Still remains to be seen how this decision will be implemented after the publication on the official bulletin. However, refering again to the thematic treated for months about the military salaries the following question comes to mind: Why not take a decision for the other components of the Albanian Armed Forces such as Land forces and Navy? Mrs. Kodheli frequently has highlighted the returning of the missing dignity for the Albanian military, and with this decision maybe it is time to address the dignity of the remaining part of the armed forces that serve for this country just like the Air Forces personnel.
At last a military strategy
Without entering the essence and content of the military strategy approved this month in the parliament (its precursor dates in 2007), what impressed was the “mini-scandal” related to the opening word of the Chief of Staff, Major General Jeronim Bazo, which resembles his predecessor speech published in 2013. The fact was presented by the Defence Advisor of the President of the Republic at the Panorama newspaper. However, this is not the most worrying part of this new military strategy.
One of the main principles of democratic systems is transparency and accountability. The two of them are obtained through composition of public policies opened to the influence of different groups of interest, from the preparation of the policy until its practical implementation. According to the speech of Mrs. Kodheli in Parliament on July 9th, were it’s approval was asked: “the process was comprehensive in the aspect of references and in the aspect of active participation of individuals from the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces as well…” later on at the end of her speech Mrs. Kodheli said: “the preparation of the Military Strategy was based on the best expertise, including the work group commanders, staff officers, military personnel participants in national and international operations, academic staff from educational institutions within the Armed Forces, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and groups of interest outside the Armed Forces structures”.
For the sake of transparency and answering to charges that come from the President institution we would like to ask for a full list of the individuals and groups of interests that have been an active part of the document preparation process. Also it would be valuable for the interesed public to have more information about the latter’s concrete contribution to the final product.
References:
Fletorja Zyrtare e Republikës së Shqipërisë numër 122. 16 korrik 2015. Online:
http:/www.qbz.gov.al/botime/fletore_zyrtare/2015/PDF-2015/122-2015.pdf
Ministria e Mbrojtjes. Faqja zyrtare. Online: www.mod.gov.al
Ministria e Mbrojtjes. 2015. Strategjia Ushtarake e Republikës së Shqipërisë. Online: http://www.parlament.al/previeëdoc.php?file_id=22511
Gazeta Panorama. 12 qershor 2015. Skandal! Strategjia Ushtarake 2015 plagjiature. Online: http://www.panorama.com.al/skandal-strategjia-ushtarake-2015-plagjiature/
Ministria e Mbrojtjes. 9 korrik 2015. Fjala e ministres së mbrojtjes në seancën parlamentare për miratimin e Strategjisë Ushtarake. Online: http://www.mod.gov.al/index.php/newsroom-2/fjalime-te-ministrit/1223-fjala-e-ministres-se-mbrojtjes-kodheli-ne-seancen-parlamentare-per-strategjine-ushtarake
