Military

SHAPE News Summary & Analysis

13 February 2003

GEN. JONES

Coverage of Gen. Jones’ visit to AFNORTH focuses on the current debate within NATO regarding Iraq as well as on NATO’s restructuring.
Against the background of discussions underway at NATO over Turkey’s defense against an Iraqi missile attack, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung observes that NATO officials are repeatedly pointing out that the current debate within NATO is about planning, not about an actual decision for an operation. “During a visit to AFNORTH, Gen. Jones emphasized that there has neither been planning nor preparations for a NATO operation in Turkey,” stresses the newspaper.
Under the title, “the general keeps silent,” Dutch daily De Telegraaf writes: “ The louder the American administration’s complaints over the refusal of some European countries to start preparations for a war against Iraq, the quieter the U.S. military is about the Netherlands’ willingness to send Patriot units to Turkey. No word came from Gen. Jones, who visited headquarters AFNORTH Wednesday regarding the overenthusiastic attitude of the Dutch government in comparison with the stance adopted (by other countries). Three Dutch air force squadrons, manned by about 400 troops and equipped with 120 missiles are ready for a deployment to Turkey. The top U.S. military officer displayed outmost caution to avoid fueling the debate within NATO. Therefore, he abstained from any commentary on the Dutch cabinet’s decision to send missiles to protect against Scuds. ‘The dispatch of Patriot units concerns a political discussion between the governments of two countries about which I have no opinion,’ said the four-star general…. Regarding the current debate within NATO, Gen. Jones did not believe that the current controversy between his home country and European NATO partners would result in long-lasting damage. ‘There have been differences of opinion before and we’ve always gotten over this. The ball is in the camp of the politicians,’ he said.” The article is illustrated with a photograph of Gen. Jones leaving AFNORTH.
Dutch LT1 radio-television, stressed meanwhile that the reorganization of NATO will have no direct consequences for headquarters AFNORTH. “This was said by Gen. James Jones during his visit to the base. He is the highest ranking NATO military leader in Europe. The reorganization, which has been underway since November, will put less emphasis on massive troop deployment and more on precise tasks. According to Gen. Jones, this will not lead to great reductions. In any case, AFNORTH will remain in the Netherlands,” said the report. Related information appear in local dailies Limburgs Dagblad, De Limburger, and Reformatorische Dagblad.

NATO

• According to Reuters, German Defense Minister Struck said Thursday NATO would break a deadlock over plans to protect Turkey in case of war with Iraq by Saturday at the latest, after arms inspectors report back to the UN. “We will reach a decision in the NATO Council at the latest on Saturday after the sitting of the Security Council which absolutely corresponds to the interests of Turkey,” Struck reportedly told the German parliament in a debate on Iraq. The dispatch notes that earlier, Chancellor Schroeder said it was not appropriate for NATO to decide on military planning to protect Turkey ahead of Friday’s Security Council meeting but stressed Turkey could rely on Germany’s military support in the event of an attack. A related AP dispatch says NATO officials reacted with caution to Struck’s comments. They said no meeting had yet been scheduled for Saturday and repeated the view that planning to help Turkey should start as soon as possible. A NAC meeting was scheduled for later Thursday, notes the dispatch.

UNITED STATES-DEFENSE

• Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Tuesday that he will hold a hearing in two weeks to discuss the U.S. troops presence in Europe, writes the Stars and Stripes. “In light of the increased demands on funds on the defense budget and the lack of dollars for modernization, the need for greater efficiency and the changing threat of the world, we think it’s appropriate to hold hearings on the issue of troops realignment in Europe,” Hunter reportedly told a news conference. The hearing, which has yet to be scheduled, will include defense leaders testifying about troops numbers and developing a more “expeditionary force,” one that is lighter and more agile, with troops leaving from stateside duty stations for deployment mission. According to the newspaper, Hunter noted that Gen. Jones has experience in leading an expeditionary force of Marines but added that he did not know if he would attend the hearings.

OTHER NEWS

• AP reports rebels in northern Ivory Coast warned they will march on Abidjan on Monday, Feb. 17, unless President Gbagbo appoints the insurgents’ nominees to a unity government. “If French troops are in the way when the fighting begins, we will open fire,” a rebel leader reportedly indicated. According to the dispatch, a French army spokesman said the French troops would remain and would continue to defend foreign nationals.