Military

NATO-RUSSIA

¨         In the wake of NATO Secretary General Robertson's visit to Russia, Moscow's Strana-ru National Information Service, a pro-government website, noted the new quality of the relations between Moscow and the Alliance.  The report stressed that although the purpose of Lord Robertson's visit was to take part in a conference on the role of the military in combating terrorism, the visit led to other practical results. Among other things, the report stressed that progress was made regarding boosting Russia's level of representation at NATO headquarters, as was announced by President Putin.  It also noted that Lord Robertson announced that in the future it is possible that Russia and NATO may exchange what were secret materials and technologies.  The report considered that this illustrated Moscow's and NATO's growing trust in one another. 

IRAQ

¨         German media focus on the current domestic debate on Germany's possible role in a military strike against Iraq. They generally highlight that the governing coalition is facing a potential rift regarding the possible use of NATO AWACS which could be requested by the United States in case of an Iraqi conflict.  German and international media observe that German soldiers represent about one-third of the AWACS' manpower.  "If the UN issues a mandate for a military attack against Iraq, German soldiers on board the NATO  AWACS will participate in it at least in the Turkish airspace.  This began to show in Berlin Monday," writes Die Welt.  Already during the Gulf War in 1991, the newspaper recalls, German soldiers were on board of AWACS when the Eastern Turkish air space was monitored.  But, the article adds, the question of what would happen in case of a U.S. attack without a UN mandate remained unanswered Monday. Noting that the AWACS aircraft are among the few military means which NATO owns as an organization, the newspaper adds:   "This means:  All 19 member states decide on the use of the aircraft...  It is regarded probable that, in case of a strike against Iraq, Turkey will officially demand such aid from NATO.  It is true that from the legal viewpoint, Berlin would be entitled to withdraw its soldiers from the aircraft.  However, from the political viewpoint, this would amount to an 'affront,' it was said in NATO circles. Germany contributes about one third of the AWACS personnel."  In a similar vein,  the Financial Times observes that German servicemen are by far the single biggest national group in the 11-nation AWACS squadron,  accounting for one third of the total manpower.  "Under dogged questioning, government officials Monday made clear that the participation of these essential German troops would be virtually impossible in an Iraq conflict given the government's current position," the newspaper claims.  It remarks that could prompt a renewed flare-up of tension with Washington.  Also in Die Welt, a commentary charges that the Greens are returning to "pacifist, anti-western" traditions.  "The Greens are trying to avoid the last German commitment to the allies that remains," says the commentary, stressing:  "According to . the new chairwoman of the Greens, the German crews of the AWACS . will have to be withdrawn if Washington decides to wage war against Iraq without a UN mandate..  The Greens are once again becoming aware of their pacifist and anti-western traditions and hope to win over some of the SPD's followers in this field. In this atmosphere, Chancellor Schroeder will find it difficult to maintain at last minimum solidarity with the NATO partners."

¨         The BBC World Service reported that the United States has handed copies of Iraq's weapons dossier to the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, sparking complaints from some of the 10 Council members who have been excluded.  The program noted that despite an initial agreement that Iraq's 12,000-page weapons dossier would remain in possession of the UN, the United States on Sunday reached an agreement with the head of the Security Council to copy and distribute the document itself.  The broadcast added that in an interview, Syria's ambassador to the UN expressed fear that the five big powers might claim Iraq was in material breach of UN Resolution 1441-triggering "serious consequences"-before non-permanent members of the Security Council had even seen the dossier.  A related CNN broadcast claimed that according to a table of contents it had obtained Monday,  Iraq's declaration of its weapons programs could identify countries or firms that supplied its nuclear, chemical and biological weapons program.  According to the program, the contents page include references to procurement of petrochemicals for Iraq's nuclear weapons program and to "foreign technical assistance" and "relations with companies, representatives and individuals" under its chemical weapons declaration.  Diplomatic sources were quoted saying Security Council members, including the United States, were concerned some of the information might serve as a "training manual" for stockpiling and hiding weapons, and they did not want it to fall into the wrong hands."  U.S. officials reportedly said it could take days to fully analyze the declaration.  The program observed that though Iraq said the declaration proves the nation has no prohibited weapons, U.S. Department of Defense officials Monday repeated assertions that Saddam Hussein does have them and has hidden the evidence.  "U.S. officials are eager to compare the declaration to their own intelligence reports.  If Baghdad's declaration is found to include false information or omit pertinent information, it could constitute a "material breach" of the UN resolution sending inspectors back to Iraq, stressed the program.  The Financial Times quotes Prime Minister Blair saying in an interview that he does not regard a second UN Security Council resolution as a necessary precondition for a military attack on Iraq, if Saddam Hussein breaches his obligation to surrender weapons of mass destruction.  He reportedly stressed that the "implication" of the UN resolution on Iraq agreed last month was that "if there is a breach and Saddam doesn't comply, then we are prepared to take action." 

MISSILE DEFENSE

¨         According to The Daily Telegraph, under proposals floated by the British Defense Ministry Monday, a new "interceptor site" designed to shoot down ballistic missiles could be established in Britain. The idea for new sites in north-west Europe was reportedly put forward in a discussion paper on American-led plans for a missile defense system.  Launching the document, Defense Secretary Hoon said that although the government had not received any formal request from Washignton, it was necessary to consider all options for countering the increasing threat from rogue states, adds the newspaper.