|
| Updated: 27-Jun-2006 | NATO Speeches |
Résidence 27 June 2006 |
Press Briefing by NATO Spokesman James Appathurai
JAMES APPATHURAI (NATO Spokesman): Colleagues and friends, thank you for coming. It's bit of a usual day to do this. We did it on Tuesday last week because of LIVEX. And we're doing this week because I'm going on leave tomorrow. And that... and that's why it's today. I'll be quick and then have to take your questions. First, just to conclude the LIVEX discussion, first, let me thank those of you who came. Second, the lessons learned are still being analyzed. In fact, the exercise is still going on. But I can tell you one lesson learned, I have heard that the media arrangements were a little bit chaotic in a very of ways. And I have taken that onboard. And the next time, we in this headquarters we'll take a bit more of an active role to make sure that everything works out. So let me apologize for any inconvenience that you might have experienced during this trip. There was a lot of moving parts I can tell you. Even we, even the Secretary General had some problems: for example, the problems getting out to the Mount Whitney . So it wasn't just you. But I do apologize for any problems that might have happened. Let me discuss just a few quick things and then we'll have to take your questions. One is in terms of the upcoming calendar. The Secretary General will be going on the 6th and 7th of next week to Albania , Croatia and Greece . Albania and Croatia obviously in the context of the membership action plan discussions. He will not be going to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia now because of course the elections would not have yet taken place. And he will go as soon as possible after the election. But he doesn't want to be in any way part of the electoral discussion. The visit to Greece is simply one of the regular rounds of visits that the Secretary General is trying to make to all 26 capitals in the run-up to Riga to prepare the meeting. CAPEX is a next issue I want to mention which is... I'll just read it for you. From the 20th to the 22th of June so it is a bit "dépassé". But I think relevant NATO and Russia experts together observed a US nuclear weapon accident response capability demonstration exercise which we call CAPEX 06. It was held near Cheyenne in Wyoming . You all know Cheyenne Mountain , I'm sure, as part of the NATO-Russia Council work program. The US invited nuclear experts from the NRC to attend the exercise. This is the third in the series of field demonstrations organised by NRC nuclear powers. It simulated a scenario in which a nuclear weapon convoy was involved in a road accident focussed on safeguarding weapon components, mitigating any consequences involved civilians and service men of DOD and the Department of Energy as well as local emergency services. There are around 40 civilian and military experts from NATO-Russia and NATION HQs. It is the first time that the Alliance and Russian Federation representatives together have observed a US exercise of this kind. Just to draw your attention to a conference which is taking place today in Jordan , the Deputy Secretary General is attending a conference on the Mediterranean Dialogue. In fact, it's on NATO's aims and actions in the Middle East . If you have colleagues that are down there they may wish to attend. That's all I really want to say because there's not too much happening today at NATO. But I do want to give you an opportunity to ask questions, because there may be questions of interest. MODERATOR: Mark? Q: Mark John, for Reuters. To what extent is the advance in FYROM a setback for its ambitions within the MAP? The second question, on Ukraine, the friends in the coalition to hold a referendum on NATO membership. Would you welcome such a move with would lay some canvas for a popular support for membership? APPATHURAI: Yes, on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia , certainly, NATO is looking very carefully, watching... let me rephrase it: NATO is watching closely events in FYROM. The ongoing violence that has taken place over the past days and weeks in violence is tarnishing FYROM’s image. It is tarnishing FYROM's image internationally. It is not good for regional security and it is not helping FYROM's attempts to move closer to NATO. All these reasons... all parties in FYROM should take active steps to bring this violence to an end and allow the electoral process to go forward in the way in which the Secretary General made it clear that NATO expects to go forward and that it is 110% free and fair is the expression to use. Clearly that is not the level that is being at now. And parties in FYROM should take concrete active steps now to ensure that the violence is brought to an end and the electoral process can go forward as it should. On the second issue, Ukraine , if the press reports that I've read and I think they're probably accurate are indeed correct and the Coalition has agreed to hold a referendum on NATO membership that is of course, 100%, a decision for the Ukrainians. What NATO will always continue to do is support the Ukrainian reform process. If Ukraine chooses to continue its path and move closer to NATO, NATO will support that process too as we're doing now in the intensified dialogue that we have with Ukraine . So the direction that Ukraine chooses to steer is Ukraine 's. If that includes a referendum that is of course entirely within Ukraine 's remit. And NATO supports the decisions taken by the Ukrainian people whatever it is. Q: James, (INAUDIBLE) of Ukraine . James I just want to clarify one technical issue. They have these American exercise of nuclear safety will be held, exactly, what is the place? In the United States . And the second question in the mandate (?) it was announced that Secretary General is going to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence and the Prime Minister of Cape Verde. Q: So I'm just curious if there are some kinds of country decisions and, you know, four months for a future cooperation? Thank you. APPATHURAI: Good question, the exercise has already been held and it was held in Wyoming in United States near Cheyenne Mountain . But anyway it was in Wyoming . In terms of Cape Verde , the Secretary General had long discussions with the political leadership of Cape Verde . They discussed two main issues. One was the ongoing relations and the future of relations between NATO and Cape Verde . There was discussion of a structural formal between Cape Verde and NATO on either side. There was a discussion of how on an informal basis relations and ties in terms of political discussions or exchange of personnel could continue. And I think there was certainly a desire on both sides to see this relationship in that context go forward. The second issue they discussed was of course regional security issues. Cape Verde has obviously has insight not only to what's going in its own country, insight of its own country but obviously in the broader region. And there are clearly issues of regional security including terrorism which are of interest both to NATO and to Cape Verde . So that was a second issue that was discussed. Q: James, on Fyrom as well, you said what's happening is not helping FYROM's attempt to move closer to NATO. Why is the Secretary General going to go to FYROM and then cancel his visit because of the violence? And secondly, are there any provisions for maybe suspending some of the action plan you may have at the moment in FYROM or any form of cooperation with FYROM to press your point that what's happening is not good. APPATHURAI: The Secretary General had always planned for his visit to FYROM to come after the elections. So there has been no change to his schedule. In terms of suspending any kind of partnership arrangement. That is not on the table at present. What NATO is expressing is its discomfort with the current violence in the country and also pointing out that one of the standards of NATO membership is being able to carry out elections that are free and fair and free of violence. That is clearly a NATO standard. And in that context this level of... low level of ongoing violence and indeed the problems that occurred in the last election as well are not helpful for FYROM’s bid to join NATO. I think we'll have Nick and then go back tomorrow. Q: Now, that Montenegro 's independence is formalized also internationally have there been any discussions yet on inviting it to PfP? APPATHURAI: Good question. I don't know if you've heard it, there is a Montenegro in PfP. I have to say I have not seen any formal discussion yet begun on that issue. If only because the sequence of events has been very quick ... OSCE. If I understand correctly, the UN General Assembly has not yet formalized the Security Council decision to admit Montenegro . So that step has not yet been taken and that would be a necessary prerequisite of course. I think that is going to take place Friday. And after that, only useful NATO discussion begins on PfP. I can say... And I say this on background. I expect no particular challenges to that PfP membership for Montenegro . It should happen. MODERATOR: Eh? APPATHURAI: Paul? Q: I've up to two questions. First, Afghanistan, is NATO involved in any way in the planning or the execution of Operation Mountain Thrust considering that it's troops that are about to come under NATO command. Is there NATO, SHAPE or anybody else, ISAF, involved at the moment? And secondly, again about Cape Verde , you said there was no discussion with the Cape Verdean government about any kind of formal structural ties. The prime minister and defence minister, in public statements, last week, said there was certainly interest in such an arrangement. So I'm wondering isn't NATO missing a wonderful opportunity by turning that up. I mean it's strategically located. It's stable, it's democratic. It's right next to that West African region where you have energy problems and stuffs like this. Why aren't you looking for a more substantial relationship with Cape Verde ? APPATHURAI: To answer the first question, no, NATO is not, nor SHAPE, involved in the planning or execution of Mountain Thrust. What I can tell you is of course NATO, ISAF and operation Enduring Freedom have been, of course, constant contact about the operation. NATO has conducted a flanking operation... NATO-ISAF has conducted a flanking operation not part of the operation itself. We're taking into account Operation Mountain Thrust. And of course, the Alliance is prepared to offer in extremis support for Operation Enduring Freedom Personnel for example who might be requiring medical assistance where NATO-ISAF could provide. So the operations are deconflicted. There is the potential for in extremis support if necessary and a previously planned flanking exercise by the Alliance has gone forward in that context. Oh!.... Carmen corrects me. Secretary-General was in... That's true. I take back what I said. Secretary General was already in FYROM on the 12th of June. Thank God, she's there. Thank God, you're there. Yes, that's right. I was away. And Carmen went with him. So there you go. So he was already there but planned to go earlier so as to avoid the electoral process. That is correct. Thank you. Good thing I checked my phone when I do these things. I think you hit the nail on the head with your discussion of a more substantial relationship. That, I think, is something that both NATO and Cape Verde are interested in pursuing: more substantial relationship. There is a difference between a more substantial relationship and a structural relationship who that has a label and a formal agreement attached to it. That, I think, is seen by neither side as a necessary. And as I say did not come up as a formal request from the authorities of Cape Verde . I think both sides agree that the best way to go forward to develop a more substantial relationship is in a more flexible way and that is true, as I say, more political dialogue, more exchanges, potentially military exchanges as well, potentially training for officers from Cape Verde and NATO institutions. These are the kinds of things that will be offered, I think, in a flexible way. And to be honest, I think that's the best way to get to a more substantial relationship rather than getting tied up in discussions that involve theology. Q: Can you give us some details of this flanking exercise in Afghanistan ? APPATHURAI: I could but not now because I don't know the details very well. So I'll get back to you as soon as I get back to headquarters. I want to be sure I know what I'm talking. So I'll get back to you on it. Q: James, in recent articles, Secretary General mentioned that during the Riga Summit the countries who have aspiration to join NATO will get some kind of positive signal. What signal are you expected to be? APPATHURAI: It is unfortunately impossible for me to say what kind of signal they might get. The Secretary General has used the word "positive", "a positive signal". Now, go on background. One example you might wish to look at... And I don't know that they'll do it again. But if you look back to the summit in Madrid what they did was what we call take the zero option off the table. In order, it is to say at the next summit at least one country will be admitted. In that way, it was clear that the door was going to open and one country was going to walk through it, at least one, that may be one of the signals that would be considered for this summit to say, in 2008, you could consider, NATO head of State governments may wish to say in 2006 that in 2008 one or more nations will be admitted. I just give you as a flavour of the kind of signal that I wish to give. That doesn't mean they will give it. But it's an example. Q: Lorne Cook, AFP, just on Afghanistan again, anything firmer on phase 3, transfer of authority in this Mountain Thrust playing its role in keeping that up in there? APPATHURAI: Stage three as you call it... phase 3 is another similar but slightly different thing. Stage three is on schedule . And that for around the end of July. That has not changed one way or the other. The Supreme Allied Commander will inform the Council that he has what he needs in the south in terms of infrastructure and forces to go forward. So that has not changed because of Mountain Thrust. I do not expect it to change. Does Mountain Thrust contribute to it? I'd rather put this: Does Mountain Thrust contribute to security in the South? I think that's exactly the point. Mountain Thrust is designed to address directly some of the security challenges that ISAF Forces will have to face as they move South or as they move and operate in the South. So it can only help. Q: (INAUDIBLE) from (INAUDIBLE) TV. About the possible North Korea 's launching of the missile testing, does NATO following the situation very closely? And is there any possibility that you will exchange information with South Korea or Japan about this issue? APPATHURAI: I can tell you that NATO governments are certainly very focussed on this issue. That is no surprise to you at all. There has certainly been information discussion on an ongoing basis of the North Korean situation and a close eye being kept on developments there. I'm not aware that any information is being shared by NATO with either South Korea or Japan . As you know, NATO doesn't play, as the Secretary General says, first violin on this front. But it is an issue relevant to NATO. It is an issue being watched by NATO.
Q: Two, two questions of possibly a fact. You mentioned phase 3 as being something else from stage 3. I don't know what phase 3.... what it means. That's question one. Question two, am I correct in assuming that the commander, the American commander of Enduring Freedom is "double-hatted"... is one who is "double-hatted" and no....? APPATHURAI: No. Q: Right. APPATHURAI: In terms of "double-hatting", at present we don't have a "double-hatted" commander. "Double-hatting" will come into play at Stage 3. At that point, you will have a deputy commander under ISAF who will be responsible for security operations before ISAF who will also be responsible for combat operations for Operations Enduring Freedom. Q: He's a deputy commander. APPATHURAI: He's a deputy commander to ISAF and not... Q: ... not deputy commander in ... APPATHURAI: ... in OEF, yes. Q: Thanks. APPATHURAI: So that's the two lines that go up in that direction. Now Stage 3- Phase 3 it's an often remark, it's an internal discussion. Q: Has that "double-hatted" commander been named yet? I know there was some discussion of the highest ranking American officer in ORC (?) being the double hatted commander but I don't know that's been... APPATHURAI: I'm not aware that's been formalized. So I think not. Q: (INAUDIBLE) APPATHURAI: Whose is briefing that? We will see. Carmen, Carmen. Next week, if there's a briefing it will be Carmen of course. She won't have to send anymore. I'll send some from Southern France . Q: (INAUDIBLE) In Afghanistan, over the past few days, there has been a very heated political debate and some important parties have actually encouraged the government to stop to.... to hold the position there. Now, I'd like to know if the Secretary General has expressed any concern... concerns at all on the respect of the situation in Italy , political situation in Italy as far the Italian government in Afghanistan as it goes? APPATHURAI: Of course, we're following always the political debate in every country. And I say this morning an encouraging poll in the Republica with 61% of the Italian population supporting a continued Italian engagement in Afghanistan . The Secretary General when he spoke to Mister Prodi and indeed the Foreign and Defence ministers heard from them a continued commitment to maintain forces in Afghanistan . I know there is a debate for example coming up on the financing of the mission which will be not a particularly easy debate. But what we have heard from the Italian government, from the new Italian is a firm and continued commitment to this mission. That is very encouraging. Italy is an essential contributor to it. It is a mission that I think is fully in line with both our security interests and that is preventing terrorists into the country, our values which is helping the Afghan people build a new society. It is a UN mission being carried by NATO and therefore, I think, fully in line with the long tradition of Italy in the United Nations. So for all these reasons, Italy , the Prime Minister Prodi's commitment to this mission, I think, is no surprise. But it's also very welcomed. |
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||
