Military

SHAPE News Morning Update

24 September 2003

ESDP

• The defense ministers of Sweden and Greece called for stronger European defense cooperation Tuesday, but disagreed how quickly joint efforts should move forward. "Greece will side with the powers and forces which will move forward with reinforcing European defense because we believe that European defense is a necessary compliment for Europe's political integration," Greek Defense Minister Yannos Papantoniou said at a news conference in the capital, Stockholm. Swedish Defense Minister Leni Bjoerklund said all countries in the 15-member European Union should be aboard, not just those who want it to advance quickly as the bloc develops a military wing independent of NATO. "It's not so good, we think, if ... some of the countries would move more rapidly in one direction because we think it's essential to keep it together," she said. In May, EU defense ministers declared that their rapid-reaction force _ a pool of 60,000 troops available at short notice for peacekeeping, humanitarian operations and regional crises _ was ready. Parts of it were sent to northeastern Congo for a peacekeeping operation in June. European leaders insist the force is not intended to weaken NATO, but instead strengthen the alliance by increasing Europe's military capacity. (AP 231603 Sep 03)

IRAQ

• U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday rejected any speedy transfer of power to Iraqis as world leaders criticized him for bypassing the United Nations to launch the war that ousted Saddam Hussein. In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly devoid of humility or hubris, Bush urged other nations to share the burdens of the postwar occupation and reconstruction of Iraq, a year after he told the 191-member body it risked irrelevance if it did not enforce Security Council resolutions on Saddam. He faced stiff criticism from French President Jacques Chirac, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, who faulted the United States for taking the law into its own hands by launching a unilateral, preemptive invasion. Bush declared, "Now the nation of Iraq needs and deserves our aid -- and all nations of good will should step forward and provide that support." Iraqi self-government should be "reached by orderly and democratic means," he added. "This process must unfold according to the needs of Iraqis -- neither hurried nor delayed by the wishes of other parties." The United Nations could help draft a constitution and supervise elections, Bush said. The United States is working on a new U.N. resolution aimed at enlisting wider support for reconstruction and easing the strain on U.S.-led occupation forces under daily attack. Annan said sidestepping the United Nations in waging war called into question the entire structure of collective action forged when the United Nations was created on the ashes of World War Two in 1945. But he cautioned against denouncing unilateralism without trying to understand what motivates countries to feel "uniquely vulnerable." And he announced plans for a high-level panel to rethink U.N. security structures. Bush also called on the United Nations to act on such global challenges as the spread of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, rebuilding Afghanistan, AIDS, hunger and slavery. (Reuters 232235 GMT Sep 03)

AFGHANISTAN

New Zealand soldiers grimaced wildly as they performed an ancient Maori warrior dance on a dusty compound in central Afghanistan part of a ceremony marking their takeover of a humanitarian reconstruction team from the U.S. military. Late last year, the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan established four teams of 60-100 soldiers, and sent them to patrol and help rebuild in four provinces, including Bamiyan. They dug wells, rebuilt schools and bridges and repaired roads _ and their presence helped restore some stability to the violent regions. By the end of the year, authorities hope to have another four Provincial Reconstruction Teams working in various parts of the country. At Tuesday's ceremony, U.S. and New Zealand troops gathered outside the unit's tiny compound, protected by bunkers and razor wire. Soldiers bowed their heads as a military chaplain and an Islamic mullah offered separate prayers for peace, prosperity and the mission's success. The New Zealand soldiers performed the "haka," a war dance that originated with New Zealand's indigenous Maori. New Zealand commander Col. Neville Reilly said: "We hope that we will continue the good work that has been done." (AP 240005 Sep 03)