Weekly press briefing

by the acting NATO Deputy Spokesman, Robert Pszczel

...unlike the case of Fidel Castro it's not a state secret. He [NATO Spokesman, James Appathurai] is... I mean, he's just indisposed for today. He'll be back, so. That's why I have the pleasure of meeting you instead today.

Let me stick to the usual procedure, which is I'll go through the agenda of today and then say a few words about what is expecting us in the nearest future. And then of course, as always, you'll have a chance to go into questions.

Well, you've obviously noticed that we maintain a high pace of events in NATO Headquarters, following of course, the Foreign Ministers' meeting. There was, of course, the meeting of North Atlantic Council and the Secretary General with the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the president of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Secretary General made a trip to Berlin and today's North Atlantic Council was quite busy as well.

Basically it was divided into two parts. The first part was devoted to the assessment of the Individual Partnership Action Plan of Moldova, and we had two very important visitors, Minister of Foreign Minister Stratan and Minister of Defence Mr. Plesca. Both of them met the Secretary General just before this meeting with the members of the North Atlantic Council.

This meeting, incidentally, took place more or less exactly one year after the same visitors came to talk about the plans for the IPAP, so this time it was about the review of the implementation. It is worth, perhaps, reminding that this Individual Partnership Action Plan was cited to be launched when President Voronin of Modolva came to meet with the council in June 2005.

So as always with this type of project it's taken quite a bit of preparation and already in autumn last year there was the first internal review by the NATO experts, and on the 29th of December of last year the government of Modolva has approved the national plan for the IPAP implementation.

The meeting today, as I said, went into considerable degree of detail concerning precisely the implementation of this document, and of course, overall cooperation with NATO in very broad terms. To say that the allies have not spared praise to Modolva because indeed the seriousness with which the government has approached this issue is quite commendable. There is already a lot of things that have been done. There have been various events, you could say, associated and illustrating the interest of this country. One of them was the exercise... PfP exercise hosted by Moldova in autumn last year, the so-called cooperative Lancer/Longbow. There is, at the moment preparation of the national security concept, which allies may, of course, be available for assistance.

The second message which emerged clearly from this meeting was a message of encouragement for Moldova to continue her efforts. Allies will stand ready to assist. Some of it is being already done, bilateral, in another formats, but there is more, I'm sure, to come, and the government of Moldova, this was mentioned as well today, has developed a specific, if you like, list of things or areas in which we appreciate allied assistance and that we are sure will be forth coming.

The meeting also provided good opportunity to discuss the issues of regional security and I think altogether both sides came out very satisfied with the proceedings of today.

Then the allies continue the North Atlantic Council meeting, following the not-so-surprising agenda. First, Afghanistan. Here there was a great deal of satisfaction, if I might put it this way, with the proceedings and of last week's Foreign Ministers' meeting. Particularly the fact that it has proved and showed a huge amount of unanimity on what is described as the comprehensive approach, and that is the approach... this was again in evidence last Friday, of course, which involves not just the military aspects, but also the civilian, political, economic aspects in which all members and major players in the international community have to play a part. And that goes, of course, for the international organizations, for the countries contributing. And of course, for the government of Afghanistan.

In this context, I think the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan was also very telling, and again, a support to pursue, indeed, the project which I call the development and stability of Afghanistan.

An important event took place also this week which was mentioned today, that was the meeting of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board of the G8 grouping with Germany is currently the chairman and that's why it took place in Berlin. NATO was represented there, and I think this is a very good example of how this international unanimity is being put into concrete action. Of course we prefer to leave it to our German colleagues to provide a detailed briefing on this meeting itself, but again, there was a lot of satisfaction with this and it is quite possible, in fact, that the political director, the German political director, Mrs.  Hafa(?) will come and meet with the members of the North Atlantic Council, precisely to talk about the G8 work in this context.

The reconstruction issue, which I have mentioned, because again, there's nothing like concrete details of what is happening on the ground that speaks to the imagination. A few statistics, apart from various strategic infrastructure projects which are being taken, for example, the Kajaki dam, big program related to the five-year plan for education in Afghanistan which, of course, allies and  ISAF in its security-assistant role will take part, I'll just give you a few examples of the things that have been happening literally in the last day, week, in different parts of Afghanistan.

For example, in the capital itself, 29 projects are being delivered, for example, Turkish battle group have just donated very worthy, valuable shipment of medicine to the district hospital. So far the total figure of the nation is over one a half million dollars.

In the north a 152 ongoing PRT projects, and these include... included, for example, last week, the ceremony which the German obviously has donated police equipment to the Kondoz and Takhar police and also distribution of humanitarian aid in the local refugee returnee settlements.

In the west 402 ongoing PRT projects. One interesting event, the funding of the new vaccine cold storage facility, which will play its part in a vaccination program.

In the south, 215 ongoing PRT projects, which include things like, for example, de-silting of the canals and again, educational projects. And in their region east, 374 ongoing projects, included announcement of a plan to spend $24 million worth U.S. on reconstruction projects in Wardak province, which include, for instance, storage for agriculture projects, hospital maternity centre. And also there is ongoing assistance in the area, it's not a nice word, winterization, but actually what's behind it is extremely important for the people there, which is humanitarian relief, of course, associated with the difficult weather conditions.

So this is just to give you, if you like, a flavour of the things happening.

The next issue on the NAC agenda was the situation in the Balkans, and particularly specifically the situation in Kosovo. You have heard the NATO representative speaking very firmly about full readiness of KFOR to face all eventualities, as they say. That simply means that we are ready. We don't particularly expect any major problems, but nevertheless, we... all those or any of those who would even entertain such thoughts should be fully aware that we are fully prepared and KFOR is at the right capability and capacity levels.

Of course for continued support to the proceedings, the work being undertaken led by President Ahtisaari and again last week's meeting showed clearly that there is full support for the way in which the discussions are being undertaken.

And of course, we're waiting the results of President Ahtisaari's visit to Belgrade and Pristina next Friday.

Next issue, the next issue on the agenda related to other operation engagements in Darfur, well, here we are following the events and the discussions, including the recent African Union Summit, and currently, when it comes to, in particular, the discussions on the activities related to Somalia, that's something which we would need to have more clarity from the organizations involved.

That was as far as the proceedings of the North Atlantic Council. Today there is another meeting which has started about 20 or 15 minutes ago, that is the regular meeting of the NATO-Russia Council level of ambassadors, and on the agenda today is an exchange of views, or more precisely, I think a briefing by NATO, the NRC chairman, the Secretary General on the outcome of the Foreign Ministers' meeting on Friday, because as you know that was primarily a NATO-only meeting.

And then the ambassadors are expected to discuss the preparations for the upcoming meeting of the NRC Defence ministers in Seville next... next week. As I say, I can't prejudge the results of this discussion, but what the thinking involves at this stage is that definitely there would be a wish, an interest, on the part of NATO, I believe also in Russia, to discuss security situation in Afghanistan and Kosovo, other operations, including the Operation Active Endeavour, in which, as you know, Russia has been a participant, and we hope will be a participant in the future as well. The prospects for instance, ratification of the PfP so far and of course, at least some exchange of views on the upcoming anniversary or anniversaries, five years of the NATO-Russia Council and  tenth anniversary of the founding act. And that...  these discussions, of course, I expected next Friday, on the 9th of February.

Other issues which might be raised today include combating terrorists or indeed any other business which usually evolves, a close look at the work being undertaken in different working groups that exist under the NATO-Russia Council.

The proceedings of the day were also, as far as the Secretary General, include his meeting with the Israel Defence Minister Mr. Amir Peretz, who will be here later here in the afternoon. This is very much in the series of the meetings where representatives of the Mediterranean Dialogue countries. As you know, on every visit the Secretary General and other NATO officials make there are usually meetings with representatives of the Defence Ministers and there will, of course, be a working lunch, bringing together the Defence Ministers of all the representatives in Seville as well. So a very timely meeting, if I may say so.

Now turning directly to Seville. We will, of course, as usual have a detailed paper with all the media program details. At this stage there's still some preliminary information, but nevertheless I would like to provide it to you because I think you might find it useful.

So first of all, there is an event which has become a tradition to organize a public diplomacy event on the margins of ministerial meetings, and the meeting in Seville is no exception. Its initiative on peace building in governments in Afghanistan, which is organized by the Fundación Tres Culturas and will take place both in Madrid and subsequent in Seville, and in Seville on the 8th of February the Secretary General will participate in a keynote speech to the so called the Successive Generation  of the young people, and also he will be there having meetings with... at this events, together with the Spanish Minister of Defence.

That's, I say, before the ministerial meeting starts, but it's fully open to the media so you're very welcome. Those of you who are heading to Seville.

Then the informal defence ministerial meeting itself will include meetings of the NATO Defence Ministers on their own. Then they're meeting with the Afghan Defence Minister, Mr. Wardak and that will be followed on the 9th of February by meeting with the NATO-Russia Council so with the Russian Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov and the working lunch with the Mediterranean Dialogue Defence Ministers.

All the specific details, and of course, much more on substance, we'll be happy to provide to you during a special briefing that  will be done by Mr. John Colston, the Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning and that will take place here next Tuesday to which you're very welcome.

And maybe to finish off the round-off, the important element of the schedule from our point of view for next week, straight after Seville the Secretary General, I'm sure quite a few ministers will travel to the 43rd Munich conference, the Wehrkunde. By the way, although we don't have exact details, but I think, for your information, those of you who are planning to go, both to Seville and Wehrkunde, the last press conference by the Secretary General will take place just before one o'clock on the 9th. So, hopefully that should give you... I mean, I'm not saying don't stay later, but if it helps anybody to plan their movements between Seville and Munich, there you are.

Q: Will that be the last press conference of the Secretary General?

Pszczel: Yes, indeed. So we will be, of course, fully available for briefings ourselves, but as far as the Secretary General that will be the main final press conference. I just offer this, as I said, for your planning purposes.

I think I will stop there, and I'm happy to take your questions.

Q: Yesterday the Spanish Prime Minister said that Spain is not going to mind the headquarters of ISAF in Kabul, suspected as NATO had requested. Something at about a 150 officers or something like that. Do you feel, or does NATO feel this is a slap in the face of the Alliance, as some papers are already saying? And how big is the problem for NATO, this lack of this 150 or so high-ranking officers in Kabul?

And a couple of questions more: What lessons does NATO think about the availability(?) or lack of Zapatero, given the fact that you cannot know what is going... what is he going to say when you are asking something from him?

And finally, given the fact that NATO is studying the realignment or placing the different headquarters in the whole Alliance, and there are four of them in Spain, and one of them should be providing these people in Kabul, is adding(?) risk of Spain losing any of these four headquarters given the fact that in Spain, apparently, the Spanish government is not up to the task.

Thank you.

Pszczel: I think you've tried your best in terms of the provocative nature of the questions you posed. Well, I mean, my Spanish is not that excellent, but I have colleagues whose Spanish is excellent and they showed me the article. I mean, while it's clear that the strong language you've heard, that's a commentary from the newspaper, so of course, I won't comment on that.

The truth of the matter is that Spain is a significant contributor to ISAF and whether the last meeting and all the other meetings we're having here, and different configurations, you know, there is absolutely no indication to suggest that Spain will not be playing its role.

The question of the national contributions, the increase, reconfiguration, that's always something which is the subject of normal, appropriate discussions between a given country and the NATO military authorities. And dare I say, well, bearing in mind that we are, next week, with great pleasure, heading in the direction of Seville, where the Defence Ministers will all meet, I think there'll be ample opportunity to discuss every single aspect of the overall.

What really matters for us is, of course, the overall capability of ISAF to face the challenges and to perform the tasks that it is facing in Afghanistan. Very real ones. And as it happens, apart from obviously the contribution to the discussion and the information that each and every Defence Minister will hopefully bring to the table, the NATO military authorities up in preparing, if you like, just again, normal, and I think, quite appropriate procedure, a review of the current needs of ISAF.

So  we can expect more also in terms of what is required. It is not a secret. On the contrary the point has been made many times that we, of course, the Secretary General, NATO as a whole, will of course like to see even greater, even greater inputs and commitment. But what really matters if the overall capability, which is there, and Spain is playing its part, so you know, there is really nothing for me to comment as far as some discussions in the Spanish press.

As far as the specific question to mention the military headquarters and so on, this is, again, in terms of the process, something which is about to be discussed. So there are absolutely no decision that have been taken and therefore we need to wait how this process unfolds again, the normal procedures, the discussions expected in the military bodies of NATO and, if need be, of course, discussions in other places. But at the moment, absolutely, there are no decisions. So I don't want to speculate on any future.

Q: It's not... it's not a big problem, Spain saying no? As far as you can know?

Pszczel: Well, again, what you have referred to was something that Prime Minister said concerning the current plans, but as far as to say the Spanish contribution, it is well-known and it's there, so you know, I... again, I don't want to comment on the comments, as they say.

Q: First of all, on Mr. Scheffer's visit to Belgrade, we've heard that Mr. Scheffer is going to Belgrade. Is it true and if he's going, when is he going?

And second question on Macedonia. Mr. Scheffer met Macedonian president on Monday. To what extent do you think that the boycott of the Macedonian... of the Albanian party can be a threat to regional stability. In two weeks they will decide whether the local mayors will boycott the central power as well, so...

And thirdly, the president with Mr. Solana said that he will not give his opinion on Mr. Ahtisaari's proposal until he has seen the whole package. Do you think... well, I don't ask you to disclose the details of the proposal, but is the border inside the proposal of Mr. Ahtisaari, will it be a technical question, the border between Macedonia and Kosovo?

Pszczel: Well,  the last question, well, you won't be surprised that I'm not going to go and discuss the contents of what Mr. Ahtisaari has proposed. That's really for him, and there is, again, as mentioned a  schedule of events and presentations to the bodies which deal with this.

As far as the possible visit of the Secretary General to Belgrade, well, at the moment there is no... don't forget there was very recently a visit. In fact, you know, almost the next day, or straight after the entry of Serbia into Partnership for Peace, a visit of the Deputy Secretary General to Belgrade where he opened the liaison office. That was a pretty major and very important event.

So well, nothing excluded in the future, but I don't have any information that this visit is planned, and I can't therefore give you a date. But you know, there's nothing which says that SecGen will not visit Belgrade at some point, but nothing to tell you... I can't really tell you anything specific at this stage.

The question of this parliamentary boycott. Well, there's lots of things happening in domestic politics of many countries which can be pretty dramatic and boycotts and political statements are one of them.

Of course, NATO is very much interested in stability, NATO is interested in the stability also of the political process in Skopje and in the whole country. The question of the regional implication, that's something that, you know, again, I do not particularly like to speculate. It's, I think I'll leave it to the experts in the region. I can only repeat as far as we are concerned in relation to the role that of course KFOR is playing in Kosovo, we are ready for all contingencies, but I think it's perhaps the best advice, the best message that the allies, and this again came out very clearly in the last meeting in Friday, would like to send to the region is that everybody should really stay calm and work for the future of the countries and the region. And that's by far the best way to proceed.

Q:  Je voudrais revenir à l'Afghanistan. Depuis le mois de septembre, il y a plusieurs pays dont la Pologne qui ont annoncé... qui envoyaient des troupes en renfort. Les Américains viennent d'annoncer le maintien de 3,000 hommes, et l'envoi de troupes supplémentaire...

Q: Je répète. Alors, je parlais de l'Afghanistan. Et je voulais demander à Robert quels étaient les chiffres exacts que nous sommes autorisés à citer en ce qui concerne les effectifs des troupes. Plusieurs pays ont annoncé des renforts depuis le mois de septembre, mais les chefs militaires prétendent toujours qu'il manque 10%. Donc, plus on envoie de troupes, plus il y a 10%. Il y a un problème dans les déclarations de l'OTAN côté militaire et civil.

Deuxièmement, est-ce qu'on peut dire maintenant que les forces de l'ISAF sont portées à 36 ou 37 mille hommes avec l'arrivée prochaine des Polonais et le maintien des Américain. 

Pszczel: Bon, statistiques, toujours un sujet très, très intéressant. Mais si nous parlons en statistiques, 10% ce n'est pas toujours nécessairement la référence au chiffre exact.  Nous parlons des capacités des forces internationales, des forces de l'OTAN. Et ça, c'est la facon dont les différents porte-parole militaires  discutons de ces capacites. 

J'ai aussi indiqué qu'il y a jusqu'à maintenant une certaine evaluation de la capacité de ISAF. Ça, c'est naturellement associé avec la situation de sécurité juste maintenant en  Afghanistan. C'est aussi associé avec le besoin de forces, une vue de certains cycles climatiques et pour cette raison, de temps en temps, militaire.  Ça c'est normal.

Donc, si c'est 10% ou si c'est 20%, ça ce n'est pas 100%, ça c'est clair.  Mais l'importance de la réunion à Séville, c'est exactement que ça donne une opportunité pour les ministres de Défense de conduire un débat de base d'information,  aussi de base d'analyse faite par les autorités militaires. 

En effet, comme je dis, attendez un petit peu parce que je pense que les chiffres, ce sont les chiffres, mais analyse c'est associé avec (inaudible)...  En ce qui concerne les différentes annonces par les pays, encore, vous avez entendu l'annonce d'un ou deux pays, peut-être dans un prochain temps il y en aura d’autres. . Encore je voudrais souligné les choses qui sont absolument fondamentales pour l'OTAN c'est la capacité de performance, de faire des choses qu’on demande à l'OTAN. Pour le moment, c'est tout.

Q: A few weeks ago we heard that the mandate of the Secretary General was extended for another two years, and in the last few days there have been developments also at the level of Deputy Secretary General. I'd like to ask you if you can confirm that the current deputy, Italian Minuto Rizzo  will be substituted and has been in his place an Italian... another Italian has been nominated, if you would comment on this and confirm this, please.

Pszczel: Well, I see it's a day where everybody tries to put me in an awkward position. Well, the issues related to this type of important nominations, of course, from our point of view, our strong preference is, of course, announce it at a time where such changes take place, but you asked the question, so let me... what I can tell you in response to your question, simply that yes, I can confirm that the Secretary General, as is his prerogative, has proposed to Mr. Claudio Bisogniero, excuse me for the perhaps not perfect pronunciation, who's currently director general in the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Italy, to ultimately succeed Ambassador Minuto Rizzo as the Deputy Secretary General.

So this I can confirm, that as far as the precise issue, particularly in terms of, you know, the post, that's something which, you know, we'll have a proper announcement to make at the time that this takes place. And to my best knowledge that is not going to take place in the coming weeks. We're talking about certain months, I think. We're talking more about the second half of the...

Pszczel: Taking up the post and therefore the change in this position, yes. Okay?

Q: Just to follow-up on Mr. Aziz's visit yesterday, what role did he ask NATO to play in repatriating the refugees from Pakistan back to Afghanistan? And in particular, does he want NATO to put pressure on the Karzai government to do that? And what did the NAC offer him in return?

Pszczel: Well, actually I'm glad you posed this question.. Because there was a little bit, I think, what we read in one or two accounts, a certain lack of  precision.

The issue of the refugees did come up. And I think there's some good reasons for it, because of course, it's a big humanitarian issue. Also undoubtedly because , in particular, the location of many of those camps near the border, this  has some security implications.

So again, like the whole meeting and the discussion that took place between Prime Minister and the North Atlantic Council, this was really a discussion between partners, which share, you know, in many cases, the concerns about various aspects of the situation in and out related to Afghanistan.

So in that sense, yes, there was an agreement that there are problems, and of course, looking at this very simply an ideal situation is that the refugees who come from Afghanistan ultimately should be able to return to the place where they belong. But this discussion did not lead to the conclusion, as was reported, in some quarters, as somehow, you know, NATO has decided that, it's not something that we are, if you like, authorized to take a decision. This is something which needs a proper amount of work and planning, the UNHCR, and of course the government of Afghanistan.

So this is, I think, it was highly proper that this subject did come up and there is, if you like joint understanding for the seriousness of the problem or the issue, very much humanitarian issue, but that  does not mean that a decision somehow as taken yesterday, what's going to happen tomorrow.

Q: With a follow-up question concerning Afghanistan. When are the new requirements prepared by SACEUR going to be presented to this house? By Seville or later?

Pszczel: Indeed, by Seville, which means, to put it very simply, the ministers, when they will meet in Seville in order to discuss ISAF (inaudible)... Afghanistan, will have either some preliminary or more in-depth views and allowances prepared, and of course, as you know, very well, the meetings of the Defence Ministers, they always include briefings by NATO authorities. So you know, that will be a full opportunity for, as I said, for the Ministers to discuss this on the basis of the also informed analysis by the recommendations for the NATO military authorities.

Q:  About Israeli Minister of Defence. If... why he comes today if he can meet you next week? Is there something to prepare today or...?

Pszczel: I don't know, I hope the Minister will be present in Seville of course next week in this informal lunch, but my understanding he's happening to be making a trip to Brussels, so he's very welcome, like all the other Ministers who have been here from Med Dialogue country and other partner countries.

So it's a good opportunity to discuss things, and actually to discuss things before that lunch is not a bad thing. We would rather have more consultations than less.

So there is nothing that you should expect in terms of some grand initiatives or signing of some agreements, but definitely the Secretary General values the opportunity to discuss with the Minister the issues which are in the purview of Minister Peretz.

Q: Est-ce qu'on a la garantie ou la certitude que les sept ministres de la Défense seront présents au repas le 9 février?

Pszczel:  Non, il n'y a pas de garantie. Ce n’est pas entre nos mains. C'est toujours la décision des pays concernés. Nous nous attendons à une bonne participation. Mais par exemple, à la dernière réunion, dans cette configuration à (inaudible), je crois qu'il n'y avait pas tous les ministres présents.  Mais normalement, il y a une bonne participation.

Q:  À propos de rencontre... Général, le Secrétaire Général et ministre des Affaires étrangères de Moldavie... Ils ont discuté questions... sécurité régionale... peut-être il s'agit de conférer à Transdniestri quel est le rôle par exemple de l'OTAN dans cette question?  Merci.

Pszczel: La réponse à votre question est simple, c'est oui.  Pour des raisons que je crois être très claires, la situation dans cette région est le sujet de préoccupations de notre part. C’est une  chose. C’est somme toute assez fréquent, après ce type de conflits.. L'OTAN naturellement n’est pas une d'organisation qui joue un rôle principal ici, pas de rôle formel dans le processus qui concerne ces sujets du point de vue international . Ça, c'est naturellement plus osé.

Mais naturellement, c'est quelque chose d’ important pour les pays partenaires et pour la Moldavie. De plus, il y a dans la position de l’OTAN l’engagement pris à Istanboul, et qui est bien connu. Cet engagement demeure inchangé. Il s’agit là directement de régions dont vous avez parlées.  Mais c'était une discussion. C'est un échange de vues, comme j'ai dit, entre partenaires qui sont préoccupés de la stabilité, du niveau de sécurité dans la région et ceci de manière globale.

Bon... C'est tout. Merci beaucoup.