THE SLOVAK Intelligence Service (SIS) must be completely cleared of political influences said Bruce Jackson, chairman of the US Committee on NATO, to the private news agency SITA during his recent visit to Slovakia.
Jackson thinks that Slovakia did a good job in the defence sector, and he praised the reforms in the area as some of the most successful out of the seven states joining NATO.
He added, however, that it was a shame that a similar transition had not been carried out in the SIS. Jackson said that only professionals without interests in parliamentary and coalition politics should work in the service.
Jackson also talked about corruption in high political places, which he believes not to exist in Slovakia. He stressed, however, that Slovak senior governmental representatives should fight corruption more resolutely.
Concerning the possible early elections in Slovakia, Jackson said that NATO would not like to see a new government every sixth months, as a government should have time to elaborate and carry out a reform agenda.
In this respect, NATO is not afraid of a return of ex-PM Vladimír Mečiar to power. According to Jackson, Mečiar has been relegated to the past.
Compiled by Martina Pisárová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
