Military

SHAPE News Summary & Analysis

18 February 2003

SACEUR

Corriere della Sera devotes a full page to a question-and-answer interview with Gen. Jones in which he discussed Iraq, transatlantic relations, ESDP, and Italy’s role within NATO.
The interview, titled, “I have seen the effects of gas on Kurds—Saddam is as evil as Osama,” focuses on Gen. Jones’ disclosure that in northern Iraq, in 1991, he saw the effects of chemical weapons on Kurds. “I spoke with the families of the victims. There are no doubts that Saddam Hussein used mercilessly chemical weapons against his own people. For this reason, it is clear in my mind what he is able to do,” Gen. Jones is quoted saying and adding that “with such a person, UN inspectors have a very difficult task.” Asked if he believed there will be a war against Iraq, Gen. Jones replied: “This is a political question. Politicians must make a decision. I have the duty to have soldiers ready for any circumstance, either for a peacekeeping mission or to wage war.” He stressed that “if there is a war and should the Atlantic Alliance be asked to intervene, I can only say that we have the capacity to act with the necessary preparation.” Queried on reports that the United States plans to reduce its troop presence in Germany, Gen. Jones indicated: “NATO is in a moment of big transformation. We really are at a crossroad. Once we needed large headquarters, now things have changed. It is necessary to make units slimmer and as efficient as possible. There is no intention to close bases, but we are considering the possibility to make some changes, to move contingents. We are at the beginning of a complicated process aimed at achieving better results with a different organization of our forces.” Regarding transatlantic relations, SACEUR highlighted the historical ties and common interests between both sides of the Atlantic. Discussing plans to establish a NATO rapid reaction force, he noted: “In Prague, the project for a Rapid Response Force has been launched, to intervene in various theaters, even far, around the world. We are working on how to put in practice this rapid reaction force and I believe that also in this operation Italy will be able to provide a big contribution. I even see it as one of the leading forces of this developing military component.” Further discussing Italy’s role within NATO, Gen. Jones continued: “Italy has always been very generous in its contributions to NATO. On the other hand, the Alliance relies on your country to the point that it has established important military schools there, particularly the Defense College. We are deeply grateful to the Italian government. All that happens in the Balkans and the Mediterranean sees Italy in the front line.” Gen. Jones also stressed his view that ESDP and NATO were not on a “collision course” and would surely succeed in working together. The interview is illustrated with a photograph of Gen. Jones at his desk.
In introductory remarks, the newspaper quoted Gen. Jones saying that “we are able to present quickly and with great professionalism the operation plans for the defense of Turkey to the Atlantic Council.” Gen. Jones really wishes to forget the dispute which paralyzed NATO for three weeks, adds the newspaper, further quoting him saying: “I hope it was only a family quarrel. From a military perspective, there were no repercussions. We continue to do the usual things. Of course, we carefully observe what happens on the political side. That gives us indications on how to act. We witness with a certain disappointment the disagreements, but it is part of the game. Allies have sometimes different interests, but the important thing is that all together, we defend our freedom.” The interview was announced on the newspaper’s front-page, under the title, “Italy is decisive for NATO.”

Media continue to focus on NATO’s agreement, reached in the framework of the DPC, regarding Turkey’s defense.
It remains unclear what the decision of the NATO Defense Planning Committee means for Germany, writes Der Tagesspiegel, adding: “In the middle of this week, the DPC wants to decide on the stationing of the promised aircraft and tanks. Then, the formal request will be submitted to member nations. The request will probably contain the rapid deployment of four AWACS from Geilenkirchen to Conya, Turkey. They have a base there and are already exercising there regularly. Their mission is the protection of the air space over Turkey and radar reconnaissance that extends far into Iraq. The reconnaissance mission leads them to the border area between defense and attack. However, the situation pictures of the United States are made up of four to five sources. One could be the AWACS. About one-third of the AWACS’ crews are Germans. German Maj. Gen. Johann Dora is the commander of the AWACS fleet. The Netherlands has already sent three of their four Patriot air defense batteries with eight rocket launchers each to Turkey. Germany had offered to provide the Dutch additional batteries, which they would man with their own personnel. At present, it seems unlikely that this will be necessary. Other NATO nations, apart from Germany, possess armored NBC reconnaissance vehicles which are used for protection against NBC weapons. Six of the German Fuchs armored NBC reconnaissance vehicles are currently stationed in Kuwait.”
With NATO’s hard-fought consensus to come to the aid of Turkey in order to counter a possible Iraqi counterattack, the 17 AWACS radar surveillance planes in Germany naturally stand ready as really NATO’s only joint national materiel and force capability, said Denmark’s Viby Jyllands-Posten, Feb. 17
France’s Liberation argues meanwhile that before going ahead with the deployment of AWACS and Patriots, a new decision by the NAC will be required. The agreement was reached within the Defense Planning Committee, in which France does not sit, stresses the daily.

IRAQ

• According to AP, Turkey has asked Washington for a new multibillion dollar aid package that would compensate for any Iraq war losses. The dispatch recalls that Parliament had been expected to vote Tuesday on allowing U.S. combat troops in Turkey, but Prime Minister Gul said the vote had been postponed because conditions for the deployment still had to be worked out. It quotes a U.S. spokesman saying, on condition of anonymity, that Turkish officials Monday gave U.S. Ambassador Robert Pearson a new proposal for an economic aid package. If Washington accepts the proposal, which calls for some $30 billion in grants, loans and debt forgiveness, Parliament would be expected to vote later this week on allowing in U.S. troops, diplomats reportedly said.
  
  
• East European politicians accused President Chirac Tuesday of bully-boy tactics and rejected his demand to mute their strong backing for U.S. policy on Iraq, reports Reuters. The dispatch notes that on the sidelines of an extraordinary EU summit Monday, Chirac lambasted east European states on track to join the EU, saying they had been ill-behaved in backing Washington’s determination to disarm Iraq, by force if necessary, and had missed “a great opportunity to shut up.” The dispatch expects that France’s outburst will underline suspicions among the eight states due to join the EU next year that Paris expects them to show humble gratitude for being granted membership and wants them to accept French primacy in the organization. Tensions between “old” and “new” Europe exploded into the open Monday when Chirac launched an extraordinary attack on eastern bloc nations that have backed the United States over Iraq, says a related article in The Independent. The Daily Telegraph notes that “in a stunning outburst, Chirac made a veiled threat to block the accession of countries lining up to join the EU as a punishment for breaking ranks with France and Germany over the Iraqi crisis.” The newspaper stresses that the comments caused consternation in Brussels where the candidate states were already fuming at having been “disinvited” from Monday’s dinner debate on Iraq.