Military

SHAPE News Morning Update

10 December 2003

NATO

• Britain’s military chief signalled major changes in the armed forces in a restructuring program that will make them better able to meet the demands of the war on terrorism. Speaking before Thursday’s publication of the government’s defence white paper, Gen. Michael Walker said the changes were driven by the need for more “flexible and agile” forces to counter international terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. He also said the changes in the United Kingdom’s forces would enable the country to mount “limited national operations” on its own or take the lead in small to medium-scale operations at the head of an international coalition. The forces would retain the capacity to undertake large-scale operations, he added, but the “most demanding expeditionary operations” could only plausibly be mounted if the United States were involved. “Consequently, our armed forces will need to be interoperable with U.S. command and control structures,” he said. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon emphasized earlier the need for European nations to cooperate with the United States. (AP 092335 Dec 03)
  
  
• NATO began talks with its Mediterranean neighbours on Tuesday to expand defence cooperation with Israel and six Arab nations. Envoys from the seven members of NATO’s “Mediterranean Dialogue” program attended a meeting at alliance headquarters days after allied foreign ministers said the program should be upgraded. Diplomats said they hoped plans for closer cooperation with the group could be agreed by NATO’s June summit in Istanbul, which the Mediterranean nations may be invited to attend at some level. Thursday’s meeting of NATO foreign ministers said they wanted to “develop a more ambitious and expanded framework” to improve ties with the group, including by helping with defence reforms, improving compatibility of military equipment and more joint exercises. (AP 091651 Dec 03)
  
  
• NATO allies France, Norway and Britain said on Tuesday they would procure a remotely operated submarine rescue vehicle for about 167 million euros. “The three countries are committed to jointly acquiring a submersible rescue vehicle capable of operating to a depth of 600 metres to rescue crew from submarines in difficulty,” they said in a statement. The submersible vehicle and its components, which are due to be delivered in 2006, will be based in Scotland. (Reuters 091640 GMT Dec 03)
  
  
• NATO’s top military commander said Tuesday that reform of Slovakia’s armed forces is well on track, just months ahead of the country’s scheduled entry into the alliance. Gen. Harald Kujat, chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, spoke to reporters during a break in talks with government and defence officials in Bratislava. He said that Slovakia’s planned upgrade of fighter aircraft was an important part of NATO-oriented military reform. (AP 091234 Dec 03)

WAR ON TERRORISM

• European Union foreign ministers backed a global security strategy on Tuesday that pushes the EU to do more for world security by adding diplomatic and military clout to the bloc’s already considerable economic power. Despite the lingering differences over Iraq, the European paper stresses the need to work in close partnership with the United States in tackling terrorism, rogue states, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and other global threats. “If we build upon capabilities and increase coherence, we will be a more credible actor and a more influential partner,” says the 14-page document written by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. The report is to be endorsed by the EU leaders who open a two-day summit in Brussels on Friday. (AP 091531 Dec 03)
  
  
• A senior Kyrgyz diplomat on Tuesday called for the Russian and U.S.-led military bases in this Central Asian nation to coordinate their activities. “Given that they (the bases) are to address common tasks, they could coordinate their actions. It is very important,” Kyrgyz First Deputy Foreign Minister Talant Kushchubekov told reporters. He said Kyrgyzstan wanted to host a conference on the compatibility of the two bases, both located near Bishkek. (AP 091353 Dec 03)

IRAQ

• Still reeling from attacks on UN offices, Secretary-General Kofi said his international staff for Iraq will operate from Cyprus and move to Iraq only if a future UN role was worth the enormous security risks involved. He also announced the appointment of New Zealander Ross Mountain, a senior humanitarian affairs official, as director of the UN team, known as the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, until a replacement for Vieira de Mello is found. (Reuters 100320 GMT Dec 03)