Military

SHAPE News Summary & Analysis

16 February 2004

GENERAL JONES-SLOVAKIA

• Bratislava’s Radio Twist, Feb. 13, reported that during a visit to Bratislava Friday, Gen. Jones praised Slovakia’s army reforms. “Gen. Jones said the transformation of the Slovak Army continues in line with the changes in the Alliance. He said that consequently, Slovakia would be prepared for NATO entry. Gen. Jones’ visit gave the impression of being one of the last praises for the Slovak army reforms before the country’s NATO entry this spring,” said the broadcast. Slovak Radio News, Feb. 13, stressed that Gen. Jones discussed Slovak-NATO relations and demands on special units with Slovak officials. It quoted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Cerovsky saying Slovakia is considering the option of taking part in “a lower level NATO command in Poland.”

ACT-ESTONIA

• According to AFP, Adm. Sir Ian Forbes, deputy Allied Commander Transformation, told a news conference in Tallinn Friday Estonia is fit to take part in NATO missions. “Estonia is on a very positive track in terms of orienting its forces (to be) consistent with NATO missions,” he reportedly said. In a related broadcast, Tallinn’s Estonian Television, Feb. 13, highlighted the current debate in Estonia on conscription and carried Adm. Forbes saying: “I think this is very much an Estonian issue. At the end of the day, from an Alliance point of view, we (would like) Estonia to provide in the future those necessary forces that are deployable, interoperable, mobile and whether that is or isn’t consistent with conscription in Estonia, is really Estonia’s decision.” Explaining ACT’s mission, the program continued: “ACT drafts NATO’s military doctrine in the changing environment: capabilities and training and logistics systems, which are all fashionable words for us as well…. Transformation is a reference to the fact that NATO is undergoing reforms…. There are no clear answers to a number of questions, but it is clear what constitutes a niche for Estonia. (Adm. Forbes) has highlighted our participation in missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

ISAF

• According to La Stampa, Feb. 14, Defense Minister Martino confirmed Friday that the approximately 400 Italian military currently present in Kabul in the framework of ISAF will be joined by other servicemen and civilians who are to lead one of the five PRTs announced by NATO. The size and the makeup of the Italian contingent will depend on the security situation in the zone of deployment, and on the tasks assigned to the team led by Italy, the article stressed. It noted, however, that the area of Ghazni in the south of Afghanistan has been mentioned. The government will put the decision before parliament, where Martino hopes to gather broad-based support, the article added. Sources at the Defense Ministry were quoted saying the initiative is still in the phase of being planned and the view of the chiefs of staff regarding the feasibility from the technical and military viewpoints is expected within the next few days.

IRAQ

• Amid continued interest in Germany over a possible NATO role in Iraq, Frankfurter Rundschau quotes Defense Minister Struck saying in an interview that the conditions necessary for a NATO involvement in Iraq would not be fulfilled for quite a long time. A decision on a NATO deployment could “maybe” happen next year, he reportedly said. According to the newspaper, he said the NATO summit in Istanbul in June was likely to agree that if the right political conditions were met, “the heads of state and government would be ready seriously to examine a UN demand on the basis of a request from a legitimate Iraqi transitional government.” However, he warned against expecting too much from any potential role in Iraq, saying: “NATO won’t replace large numbers of troops, such as those currently deployed by Poland. The idea, say that 20,000 Americans are replaced by NATO soldiers is completely illusionary.”