Military

SHAPE News Summary & Analysis

26 November 2003

ISAF

• According to CTK, Nov. 24, Czech Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Stefka said in an interview Monday that 30 Czech troops may be sent to Kabul to protect the airport. “The talks are under way. But naturally, there must be the whole process of approval, including by government and parliament,” he reportedly said. He also indicated that he had submitted the proposals to Defense Minister Kostelka. The dispatch further quoted Gen. Stefka saying that in connection with a shortage of personnel at Kabul airport, where about 200 people are needed, all NATO countries have been solicited.
  
  
• “Last week Austria’s National Security Council made a fundamental decision regarding the deployment of Austrian soldiers in Afghanistan: government and opposition agreed that the Balkans has priority for Austria and that no major troop contingent is to be sent to Afghanistan,” writes Vienna’s Die Presse. According to the newspaper, Defense Minister Platter, who had recently discussed the possibility of an Austrian contribution with NATO Secretary General Robertson, advised against the deployment of Austrian soldiers. It was reportedly learned, however, that the Austrian Security Council is considering whether Austria should participate in Kabul with a “staff element.” The newspaper adds it was also agreed that the Austrian presence in Bosnia would be reinforced and the presence in Kosovo would be maintained.

BALKANS

• Amid expectations that NATO will agree next week to substantial cuts in the number of troops deployed in the Balkans, Sueddeutsche Zeitung writes that at a meeting next week, NATO defense ministers will likely decide to cut by more than half the number of soldiers deployed in Kosovo. “By the end of 2004, probably just 6,300 will remain of the present 17,500 soldiers deployed within the framework of KFOR. SFOR will also be reduced. By the middle of next year, the mission of the approximately 12,000 soldiers will be reduced to 7,000,” writes the newspaper. Noting that diplomats justify this with “the allegedly improved situation,” the article stresses, however, that military planners admit that the massive deployment in Iraq and the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, under NATO command since August, are the “driving motives” to withdraw soldiers from the Balkans, “for at least some of the Alliance partners.” The newspaper quotes diplomats stressing that in case of crisis, “neither Bosnia nor Kosovo will be left alone” and, if necessary, troop levels will again be increased.

TERRORISM

• According to AP, officials said Tuesday that Greece will broaden intelligence sharing with NATO allies and seek help from Arab countries and others to bolster terrorist defenses for next year’s Olympic Games. The dispatch quotes NATO diplomats saying in Brussels that the Alliance will almost certainly provide Greece with additional AWACS surveillance planes so it can monitor its airspace on a 24-hour basis during the Olympics. NATO involvement in Olympic security was reportedly discussed during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.