NATO offers joint security plan to more Middle East countries

Arab Times ^ | July 9, 2005 | Francis A. Clifford Cardozo

[Prodigal Son]

NATO offers joint security plan to more Middle East countries; Italian embassy in Kuwait hosts ICI meeting

KUWAIT CITY: NATO's Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), launched at the Alliance's Summit in the Turkish city in June 2004, aims to contribute to long-term global and regional security by offering countries of the broader Middle East region practical bilateral security cooperation with NATO, says Italian Ambassador to Kuwait Vincenzo Prati.This came Wednesday after a meeting of representatives/military attaches of the embassies of Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Canada, United Kingdom and the US.The Italian embassy in Kuwait has been chosen as the contact point in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative for the year 2005-06.

The other contact points in the GCC countries include the Turkish embassy in Bahrain, the French embassy in Qatar, the Netherlands embassy in Oman, the Denmark embassy in Saudi Arabia and the German embassy in UAE.Speaking after the meeting at the Italian embassy in Jabriya, Prati told the Arab Times that the Initiative focuses on practical cooperation in areas where NATO can add value, notably in the security field, starting with the individual members of the Gulf Cooperation Council - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates."Based on the principle of inclusiveness, the Initiative is, however, open to all interested countries of the broader Middle East region who subscribe to its aim and content, including the fight against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

"It is understood that the words 'country' and 'countries' in the document do not exclude participation, subject to the North Atlantic Council's approval, of the Palestinian Authority in cooperation under this initiative."Prati said each interested country will be considered by the North Atlantic Council on a case-by-case basis on its own merit. "Participation of countries in the region in the Initiative as well as the pace and extent of their cooperation with NATO will depend in large measure on their individual response and level of interest.""To date, four of the six countries - Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates - have joined the Initiative, while all six countries have shown a great interest in it.""In short, the objective of the meeting is to start a coordination of the NATO countries in Kuwait in view of the cooperation between Kuwait and NATO."

He said the ICI is based on a number of important principles including joint ownership and the mutual interests of NATO and the countries of the region, taking into account their diversity and specific needs. "The process is distinct yet takes into account and complements other international initiatives including by the G8 and international organizations such as the EU and the OSCE." Prati noted that the initiative offers a menu of bilateral activities that countries can choose from including tailored advice on defence reform, defence budgeting, defence planning and civil-military relations as well as military-to-military cooperation to contribute to interoperability through participation in selected military exercises and related education and training activities.

Apart from this, the initiative also offers cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including intelligence sharing and cooperation in the Alliance's work on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. "It also offers cooperation regarding border security in connection with terrorism, small arms and light weapons and the fight against illegal trafficking, civil emergency planning, including participating in training courses and exercises on disaster assistance."

He said the Initiative was preceded by a series of high level consultations conducted by the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Ambassador Minuto Rizzo, with six countries of the region in May, Sept and December 2004. "The countries included Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. During these consultations all of the countries expressed their interest in the Initiative." Commenting on NATO's assistance to Iraq, he observed that NATO is helping Iraq provide for its own security by training Iraqi personnel and supporting the development of the country's security institutions.

"In response to a request by Iraq, NATO has established a Training Mission in Iraq and will support the establishment of a training center for senior security and defence officials." He said all NATO member countries are contributing to the assistance, either in Iraq, outside of Iraq, through financial contributions of donations of equipment. "NATO is involved in training, equipping, and technical assistance - not combat. The aim of the Training Mission is to help Iraq build the capability of its government to address the security needs of the Iraqis."

He said the Partnership for Peace (PFP) is chiefly aimed at defence cooperation and is operational side of the Partnership framework, designed to reinforce stability and reduce the risk. "Since its creation in 1994 it has been joined by 30 countries, ten of which have since become members of the Alliance." "NATO and Ukraine actively cooperate in international peace-support operations and have developed practical cooperation in a wide range of other areas." He said a key aspect of the partnership is the support given by NATO and individual Allies for Ukraine's reform efforts on the road closer to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Prati said NATO and the European Union are working together to prevent and resolve crises and armed conflicts in Europe and beyond. "They share common strategic interests and cooperate in a spirit of complementarity and partnership. The decision to cooperate on security issues goes back to Jan 24, 2001 when the NATO Secretary General and the EU Presidency exchanged letters defining the scope of cooperation and the modalities of consultation between the two organizations." "NATO member states and Russia regularly consult on current security issues and are developing practical cooperation in a wide range of areas of common interest."

- By Francis A. Clifford Cardozo - Arab Times Staff

[republican2005]

laughable..

basicly they agree to let us help them if needed and they agree to obstruct us at every turn when we need them.

I love allies

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Having been attacked now, Tony Blair iught to be at least trying to invoke NATO Article 5 against al qaeda and the larger WOT.

[inquest]

Exactly. But, it's all in the service of "internationalism". We're all one big happy global community, don't you know.

[American in Israel]

This is the "if you can't beat them, join them" method of "world peace".