Posted on 11/17/2004 8:00:05 AM PST by SmithL
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has invited Israel to take part in a series of multinational military exercises and anti-terror maneuvers, in what marks the first time the Israel Defense Forces has received such an invitation.
OC Operations Maj.-Gen. Yisrael Ziv has been chosen to represent Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, who will not participate in the two-day NATO meeting in Brussels which began Tuesday, where military heads of 26 countries – including multiple Arab nations – met with their Russian counterpart Col.-Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, the IDF said.
As part of NATO's efforts to rejuvenate the decade-old Mediterranean Dialogue program, members from Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania and Jordan will attend the meeting for the first time, the Associated Press reported.
According to the AP report, NATO is hoping to receive assistance with its counter-terror patrols monitoring shipping in the Mediterranean Sea that began operating after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Baluyevsky told reporters he had also discussed plans to supply Iraq's new armed forces with former Soviet weapons and discussed the issue on Tuesday with NATO's supreme commander in Europe, US Gen. James L. Jones.
During the two-day meeting, the NATO military chiefs are scheduled to choose between generals from Canada and Denmark – Gen. Ray Henault of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Gen. Hans Jesper Helsoe of the Danish army – who are competing for the position of chairman of NATO's military committee.
The results are due to be announced Wednesday by German Gen. Harald Kujat who is stepping down from the post he has held since 2002.
Mofaz wraps up official visit to Poland
During his official visit to Poland, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Wednesday invited Poland's Minister of Interior Ryszard Klisz to send a delegation to Israel to study upfront the steps and technologies used by the IDF to secure Israel's borders, including the security fence separating the West Bank from Israel.
Mofaz's offer came during a meeting with Klisz who stressed the importance of securing his country's eastern border and setting up border control checkpoints and 30 control centers, which he described as necessary steps Poland must take in light of its recent acceptance as a member of the European Union.
Earlier Wednesday, Mofaz signed a memorandum with Jerzy Hausner the Polish Minister of Finance to enhance industrial ties between the two countries. Speaking to reporters Hausner described the memorandum as important, saying it will both lead to the modernization of Poland and allow his country's economy to move forward.
"We require serious partners, not only partners who will sell us advanced weaponery but also partners who will assist us in research and development. We found those partners in Israel," he said.
Mofaz declared that the memorandum signed Wednesday morning is beneficial to both countries. "The reality requires that Israel invests in developing technologies in order to secure its future. Without a doubt signing the contract of industrial cooperation between the two countries will lead to wider cooperation in other defense industry spheres," he said.
At an official ceremony in Warsaw on Tuesday, Mofaz handed over to his Polish counterpart the first of 2765 Israeli-made Spike LR antitank rockets Poland has purchased for its army over a 10-year period.
In a $255 million agreement between the two countries, Poland will receive the rockets – manufactured by government-owned Rafael in conjunction with the Mesko company of the Bumar concern – in addition to 264 launchers. According to Defense Ministry data, the Spike rockets can be carried by soldiers or positioned on military vehicles. Poland also plans to fit the rockets on armored personnel carriers purchased from Finland.
"The rockets will enhance your capability to deal with the threats, take the rockets and train your forces to operate them and be ready and prepared to use them, but we pray that you will never need to," Mofaz said at the ceremony.
"Today is a special day for Poland, and sends out a special message to the people of Poland that today our army has a far higher capability," said Polish Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski in response.
Prior to the ceremony, Mofaz signed an agreement with Szmajdzinski promoting bilateral ties and defense and military cooperation between the two countries. The two discussed the situation in the Middle East, and global terror.
Did anyone ask Pat Buchanan for permission on this?
The Danes still have an Army?
Poland continues to demonstrate that she is a frontline partner in the alliance for peace and freedom. This is good news
Oh, what I wouldn't love for Israel to join NATO. LOL, can you imagine Egypt, Syria and Jordan launching an attack on Israel...with the Turks among others obligated to come to Israel's aid?
To be honest, I dont think there is any arab coalition today that can beat the IDF. (Nor some western Europian countries AHAM AHAM).
It will be more interesting to see the IDF coaporates with the French army for example, despite the great political disagreements.
Anyway, such joint trainings would be very useful, however I wouldnt like the IDF to share many of its training methods with the French or Germans.
members from Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania and Jordan will attend the meeting for the first time, the Associated Press reported
Don't go, it's got to be a trick!!!!!
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