Last week I drawed your attention to the elections of the European Parliament. This week I would like to foccuss on the elections in Iran. The two running candidates, current president Mahmoed Ahmadinedjad and his opponent Mir Hossein Moesabi have both called themselves out as winner of the elections claiming that they both scored 60% of the votes. Ahmadinedjad was backed by Iran's state runs news agency, while Moussavi said that he won and pointed out to voting irregularities. On Saturday morning the Election commission said that with 77% percent of the votes counted, Ahmadinedjad had won 65% of the votes. But the election commission is part of the Interior Ministry which is in the hands of Ahmadinedjad. Fraud is a majour concern to Moussavi. More updated news on the elections you can find through the following website: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/13/world/middleeast/13iran.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
The whole election process has been a very emotional and historical one with long waiting lines of people going out to vote and a big turn-up among youngsters and women. Moussavi can count on the support of the intellectuals, young people and members of the moderate establishment while Ahmadinedjad draws his support from the poor, rural Iranians and conservatives.
Ayatollay Khoemeini, who has final authority over affairs of state, could be the only one to mediate between the two candidates. But in this phase of uncertainty and fairness of the elections, he will also have to wait what the coming days bring. President Obama has praised Iran for the inner debate and sees this as a coming of change to Iran.
More news to follow!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
June 12th in Transatlantic History
This Friday again I will direct your attention to a historical event related to the transatlantic relations that happened on the same date. On June 12th 1999, in the aftermath of the bombing of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo War, the NATO-led Kosovo Force entered Kosovo with the UN-mandated responsibility of establishing a secure environment for the recently self-proclaimed, independent and partially recognized country.
KFOR entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999 under a United Nations mandate, two days after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. At the time of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo was facing a grave humanitarian crisis, with military and paramilitary forces from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in daily engagement. Ethnic tensions were at their highest and the death toll had reached a historic high. Nearly one million people had fled Kosovo as refugees.[1]
KFOR entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999 under a United Nations mandate, two days after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. At the time of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Kosovo was facing a grave humanitarian crisis, with military and paramilitary forces from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in daily engagement. Ethnic tensions were at their highest and the death toll had reached a historic high. Nearly one million people had fled Kosovo as refugees.[1]
Nato plans to decrease the number of troops in Kosovo
Nato defence ministers have agreed to reduce the numbers of peacekeeping troops in Kosovo. The alliance is to cut its operation from around 14,000 troops now to 10,000 over the coming months, officials said.
Numbers could fall to about 2,500 personnel over two years if the right security conditions are in place.The move follows a Nato review which concluded that the situation in Kosovo was sufficiently safe after it declared independence from Serbia last year.The force, known as Kfor, has been in Kosovo for 10 years.
It was deployed following a Nato air campaign against Serbia to stop a crackdown on separatist ethnic Albanians. Alliance Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the reduction would happen in a "phased manner, and each step will be decided by the North Atlantic Council (of Nato nations) based on military advice".
He said the alliance had yet to set a firm date for the cut, but added: "That date might well be January 1" 2010. Correspondents say that as tensions in Kosovo have eased, the alliance is under pressure to re-deploy troops to places like Afghanistan.
But Mr Scheffer stressed they are not abandoning Kosovo. "Kfor will remain in Kosovo, it will remain responsible for a safe and secure environment," he told reporters after chairing the meeting.
A vocal minority of ethnic Serbs - backed by Moscow and Belgrade - continues to oppose Kosovo's independence. But the fledgling state, made up mainly of ethnic Albanians, has strong backing from the US, and its independent status has been recognised by most EU countries.
BBC
Numbers could fall to about 2,500 personnel over two years if the right security conditions are in place.The move follows a Nato review which concluded that the situation in Kosovo was sufficiently safe after it declared independence from Serbia last year.The force, known as Kfor, has been in Kosovo for 10 years.
It was deployed following a Nato air campaign against Serbia to stop a crackdown on separatist ethnic Albanians. Alliance Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the reduction would happen in a "phased manner, and each step will be decided by the North Atlantic Council (of Nato nations) based on military advice".
He said the alliance had yet to set a firm date for the cut, but added: "That date might well be January 1" 2010. Correspondents say that as tensions in Kosovo have eased, the alliance is under pressure to re-deploy troops to places like Afghanistan.
But Mr Scheffer stressed they are not abandoning Kosovo. "Kfor will remain in Kosovo, it will remain responsible for a safe and secure environment," he told reporters after chairing the meeting.
A vocal minority of ethnic Serbs - backed by Moscow and Belgrade - continues to oppose Kosovo's independence. But the fledgling state, made up mainly of ethnic Albanians, has strong backing from the US, and its independent status has been recognised by most EU countries.
BBC
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Invitation - 14th Portuguese Atlantic Youth Seminar
Dear Esteemed Friends and Colleagues,
The Portuguese Atlantic Committee and the Portuguese Atlantic Youth Association have the immense pleasure of inviting your association to participate in this year's Portuguese Atlantic Youth Seminar (PAYS), which will be held for the fourteenth consecutive year.
This year the Seminar will be held at Alfeite Naval Academy, near Lisbon, from the 1st (arrival) to the 8th of August (departure), under the general theme “Drafting NATO’s New Strategic Concept”.
In order to apply, get in contact with your National Chapter or contact us at samuelppires@gmail.com and/or secretariadoajpa@gmail.com.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Best regards
Monday, June 8, 2009
Europeans voted their representative to EU Parliament
500 Millions European voted in the past four days for electing their representatives at the Europan Parliament. It has been the biggest trans-national election in history. The results of the seventh European Parliament elections can be seen here: http://www.elections2009-results.eu/en/new_parliament_en.html.The European People's Party (Christian Democrat) and European Democrats has won the majority of the Strasbourg seats, 263 out of 736. The Socialist Group is the second party with 161 votes, while Liberal, United Left and "Union for Europe" parties experienced a vote decrease (from 100 to 80, from 41 to 33 and from 44 to 35, respectively). On the contrary the Green Party saw an increase to its European MPs (from 35 to 44).
These elections will probably be remembered for the lowest ever turnaround (only 43% of European participated to the pools) since the first European Parliament elections in 1979 and for the domestic approach that have caratherized the electoral campaign in several countries. These elections, indeed, represented an important political test in many countries affected by the economic crisis and struggling with a recovering economy and stability.
A signal of an increasing disaffection for the European Union itself, European voters have chosen not to care, a result that is touchable among young people and first voters as well, deserting the polling stations. 'Can you hear me Europe', a public media campaign sponsored by the Europan Commission and MTV offered young people a platform to express themselves, to tell the European Union who they are, and to address Brussels with their concerns, dreams, complaints and ideals. The campaign reached its high point on 30 April, when young people gathered in Berlin, Milan, Prague and other cities to shout «Can you hear me Europe». The success of the campaign is debatable but it certainly showed that young people get disaffected from politics when they don't see their problems solved and their voices heard, as much as the senior voters do.
Hans-Gert Pöttering, president of the European Parliament, blames the media. “In political talk shows, the parliamentarians of the country are invited and almost never Eurodeputies, even though the subjects discussed — questions of economy, environment, terrorism — concern European legislation,” he told Le Monde.
The Parliament is the only directly elected European institution thus having real power. It can amend or reject proposals for new laws from the European Commission. Few Europeans realize it, but the bulk of our legislation on issues like the environment, consumer rights and transport is made in this way, rather than in national capitals.
BALTBAT evalutaion exercise began in Latvia
„Baltic Eagle 2009", international evaluation exercise of the Baltic Battalion, began in Adaži Military Area, Latvia, June 2.
Flags of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the Alliance were solemnly hoisted in the formation square of Adaži Military Area. Adm. Andreja Mazmalis, Advisor of the Latvian Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence of Latvia Maj. Gen. Juris Maklakovs, conductor of the exercise Commander MIB „Iron Wolf" Col. Vilmantas Tamošaitis, representatives of Latvian and Estonian Land Forces, and the Head of the Danish Advisory and Training Staff Col. Verner Iversen were present in the opening of the exercise.
The exercise designed to test the unit's readiness level will be attended by around a thousand soldiers. Nearly half of them come from the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Organisation and conduct of the exercise is a joint responsibility of the Motorised Infantry Brigade „Iron Wolf" of the Lithuanian Land Force and corresponding brigades of the Latvian and Estonian Land Forces. Schedule of the exercise is presented by Commanders Land Forces of all the three Baltic States.
Evaluation of the exercise will be conducted in compliance with NATO procedures.
Representatives of each of the Baltic countries supported by personnel from the Danish Advisory and Training Staff that has been playing a significant role in the military training of the Baltic Land Forces' brigades for several years will assess readiness of the unit for duty in NRF. Representatives of NATO headquarters will provide supervision of the evaluation process.
According to the exercise scenario, troops will be deployed in a region of military conflict to fulfill wide-scope operations: road march to the assembly region, offensive and defensive tasks. The exercise will be enacted in three stages: integration of capabilities, field exercise, and live firing.
The exercise has been planned by the commanders of the Baltic States Land Forces. It will involve approximately 1 100 soldiers, with the common objective to test the combat readiness of the Battalion for participation in the NRF. Over 500 Latvian NAF soldiers will participate in the exercise. The exercise will involve approximately 200 vehicles, including 40 armoured personnel carriers. The exercise will be supported by an Air Force helicopter with its special Bamby Bucket fire-fighting device, to carry out emergency medical evacuation or fire-fighting in the Ādaži firing range if necessary.
The exercise will take place in three stages: the coordination of forces, field training, and combat firing. New weapons and equipment corresponding to the modern combat warfare requirements will be used during the training at the Ādaži firing range, including third generation Spike guided anti-tank rockets, heavy 8x8 multifunctional transportation vehicles and SISU armoured personnel carriers, G36 assault rifles and other equipment.
The Baltic States soldiers will apply common combat procedures and common language during the exercise; however, there will be some differences. For example, Lithuanian soldiers will use armoured M 113 personnel carriers, while the Estonians will use SISU and the Latvians will use an armoured Humvee wheeled vehicle
The Baltic Battalion was created in 2007 with a joint agreement between the Baltic States. The armed forces of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania provided personnel for the infantry company of the Battalion, combat support elements and other combat capabilities. Each country is responsible for the provisions of its own contingent. The overall contribution of the Baltic States (approximately 800 soldiers) to the NATO forces is significant. At the beginning of 2010, the Battalion will commence its six month on-call period as a part of the 14th rotation of the NRF component for land.
The NRF is a high-readiness and technologically advanced combat force created by the Alliance with components of the land, air, naval, and special forces, which can be easily deployed when required. It can perform combat tasks in any part of the world and from a wide range of operations.
The exercise will take place in three stages: the coordination of forces, field training, and combat firing. New weapons and equipment corresponding to the modern combat warfare requirements will be used during the training at the Ādaži firing range, including third generation Spike guided anti-tank rockets, heavy 8x8 multifunctional transportation vehicles and SISU armoured personnel carriers, G36 assault rifles and other equipment.
The Baltic States soldiers will apply common combat procedures and common language during the exercise; however, there will be some differences. For example, Lithuanian soldiers will use armoured M 113 personnel carriers, while the Estonians will use SISU and the Latvians will use an armoured Humvee wheeled vehicle
The Baltic Battalion was created in 2007 with a joint agreement between the Baltic States. The armed forces of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania provided personnel for the infantry company of the Battalion, combat support elements and other combat capabilities. Each country is responsible for the provisions of its own contingent. The overall contribution of the Baltic States (approximately 800 soldiers) to the NATO forces is significant. At the beginning of 2010, the Battalion will commence its six month on-call period as a part of the 14th rotation of the NRF component for land.
The NRF is a high-readiness and technologically advanced combat force created by the Alliance with components of the land, air, naval, and special forces, which can be easily deployed when required. It can perform combat tasks in any part of the world and from a wide range of operations.
Latvian MOD
Kremlin Downplays Hopes For Arms Deal With Obama
08 June 2009
Reuters, The Moscow Times
Reuters, The Moscow Times
The Kremlin is playing down hopes of a breakthrough on reducing nuclear arsenals ahead of a visit to Moscow by the U.S. president, linking arms cuts with U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Central Europe.
The United States and Russia are negotiating a nuclear disarmament treaty to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START I, which is due to expire on Dec. 5.
The visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Moscow from July 6 to 8 is not likely to trigger a major announcement on ongoing arms control talks or on other issues, the Kremlin said in a statement posted Friday on its web site.
"We are pragmatic. We do not have high expectations of the outcome of the visit," the Kremlin statement said. "The process of improving relations will take time and honest effort on both sides," it said, acknowledging that the United States was trying to improve relations.
But Moscow will not reduce its own nuclear potential until there is clarity on Washington's plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe, General Nikolai Makarov, head of the military's General Staff, said in separate comments Friday. "So long as the situation in the world is not clear, including on the missile defense system, we will not touch our nuclear potential," Makarov said, in a reference to U.S. plans to install interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic.
"The question of strategic nuclear forces for us is sacred. We will provide as many resources as are needed to maintain stability in the world," he said. "We will leave our strategic missile forces practically unchanged."
A U.S. administration official declined to comment on Makarov's comments. On a conference call with reporters after Obama held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the official said he had just read the report and
The United States and Russia are negotiating a nuclear disarmament treaty to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START I, which is due to expire on Dec. 5.
The visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to Moscow from July 6 to 8 is not likely to trigger a major announcement on ongoing arms control talks or on other issues, the Kremlin said in a statement posted Friday on its web site.
"We are pragmatic. We do not have high expectations of the outcome of the visit," the Kremlin statement said. "The process of improving relations will take time and honest effort on both sides," it said, acknowledging that the United States was trying to improve relations.
But Moscow will not reduce its own nuclear potential until there is clarity on Washington's plans for a missile defense system in Central Europe, General Nikolai Makarov, head of the military's General Staff, said in separate comments Friday. "So long as the situation in the world is not clear, including on the missile defense system, we will not touch our nuclear potential," Makarov said, in a reference to U.S. plans to install interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic.
"The question of strategic nuclear forces for us is sacred. We will provide as many resources as are needed to maintain stability in the world," he said. "We will leave our strategic missile forces practically unchanged."
A U.S. administration official declined to comment on Makarov's comments. On a conference call with reporters after Obama held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the official said he had just read the report and
Baltic Operations 2009
Ship "A 53 Virsaitis" of the Latvian Navy Force, which takeks part in the exercise
Photo: From the archives of Latvian Navy Force
Maritime forces from 12 countries will participate in the largest multinational naval exercise this year in the Baltic Sea, June 8 through the 19th.
The Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise is an annual event hosted by the United States Navy aiming to improve interoperability and cooperation among regional allies.
During the exercise, Sailors will work side-by-side with other personnel from partner nations while they are in port and underway," said Rear Admiral John N. Christenson, commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, embarked aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) at a press conference on board the ship. "They will become familiar with the other militariess operations, procedures and practices."
Christenson is the officer in tactical command for the exercise and joined Swedish Rear Adm. Anders Grenstad at the press conference. Grenstad is the Royal Swedish Navy Chief of Staff and Commander, Maritime Component Command. He is the Swedish equivalent of the U.S. Navy's Chief of Naval Operations.
"BALTOPS provides the opportunity for personnel of all participating nations to engage in realistic and challenging maritime training to build experience, cooperation and teamwork," said Christenson.
Sweden is hosting the in port final planning phase and has organized various official and unofficial activities ranging from a harbor celebration to sporting events. The goal is to get Sailors from different nations together to form strong bonds before the exercise begins.
"The interaction of our forces recreationally is essential for interaction professionally, tearing down barriers between cultures," Grenstad said. "The personal relationships developed at these events allow our Sailors to really understand one another. This translates directly to our operational capability when we are underway together."
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States are participating in the exercise. The U.S. believes that this is an example of how teamwork among different nations helps to increase stability, diminish threats to peace and strengthens relationships between nations.
"The Baltic Sea provides a unique training opportunity due to heavy commercial shipping traffic and the inherently unpredictable nature of the sea itself," Grenstad said.
"It's vital for our Sailors to conduct realistic training in unfamiliar waters, and it provides an important opportunity for them to see the world. This greatly affects their quality of life," Christenson added.
This is the 37th iteration of BALTOPS and is intended to improve interoperability with partner nations by conducting peace support operations at sea, including gunnery exercises, replenishments-at-sea, undersea warfare, radar tracking, mine countermeasures, seamanship, search and rescue, maritime interdiction operations and scenarios dealing with potential real world crises and maritime security.
U.S. EUROPEAN COMMANDSunday, June 7, 2009
Election Day
For the fifth time since the erection of the European Parliament, citizens of the European Union have been able to vote for their national representatives in the European Parliament. The percentage of people that have shown up to vote for an election have been dropping for the third time in a row. There are many reasons for people not to turn up, but the ones that do, seem to use the election to send out a signal of their opinion on national politics. In this sense the elections for the European Parliament are being abused for the wrong reasons. But can this be avoided? Simply no! European politicians have always had a hard job coming accross to their fellow countrymen 'back home' and they have not been able to turn this around in the past five years either. Dutch, Irish, French, Germans, Polish and Bulgarians shouldn't become more European in their thinking and living, because they are Europeans! European politicians nevertheless should reach out to their roots better and more often. In this way they will be able to represent national sentiments better in Brussels. Let's make all members of the European Parliament obliged to 'national days' in which they return to their home-country each month so that they can really represent their country!
Friday, June 5, 2009
June 5th in History
This Friday again I will direct your attention to a historical event related to the transatlantic relations that happened on the same date. On June 5th 1947, the United States Secretary of State George Marshall calls for economic aid to war-thorn Europe during a speech at Harvard University. We can conclude that 62 years ago on that the idea for the Marshal Plan was born or at least announced to the public by its creator.
The Marshall Plan (from its enactment, officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was the primary plan of the United States for rebuilding and creating a stronger foundation for the countries of Western Europe, and repelling communism after World War II. The initiative was named for Secretary of State George Marshall and was largely the creation of State Department officials, especially William L. Clayton and George F. Kennan. George Marshall spoke of the administration's desire to help European recovery in his address at Harvard University on June 5th, 1947.
The reconstruction plan, developed at a meeting of the participating European states, was established on June 5, 1947. It offered the same aid to the USSR and its allies, but they did not accept it. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. During that period some 13 billion US$ in economic and technical assistance were given to help the recovery of the European countries that had joined in the Organization for European Economic Co-operation.
By the time the plan had come to completion, the economy of every participant state, with the exception of Germany, had grown well past pre-war levels. Over the next two decades, many regions of Western Europe would enjoy unprecedented growth and prosperity. The Marshall Plan has also long been seen as one of the first elements of European integration, as it erased tariff trade barriers and set up institutions to coordinate the economy on a continental level.
NATO-Russia Foreign Ministers Meeting
The 28 NATO Foreign Ministers and their Russian counterpart will meet on the Ionian Sea Island of Corfu on June 27 after the cancellation of their May summit due to Moscow’s discontent, the NATO spokesman James Appathurai announced.
“The next meeting of the NATO-Russia Council at foreign ministers’ level will be held on June 27 on Corfu, where the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) ministerial summit will take place under the Greek Chairmanship,” he said.
“The daily agenda has not been decided yet,” he added, clarifying that in attendance will be both the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The two sides had aimed to hold the meeting on May 20 in Brussels, but Moscow postponed it in protest to a military exercise conducted by the alliance in Georgia and after NATO expelled two Russian diplomats.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
NAC on North-Korea nuclear and ballistic missile tests
The North Atlantic Council as called North-Korea to comply with its international obligations, in a press release designed to urge Pyongyang to eliminate all nuclear weapons:
The North Atlantic Council strongly condemns the announced North Korean (DPRK) nuclear and ballistic missile tests on 25 May 2009.
These irresponsible actions by Pyongyang pose a serious challenge to peace, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and are being universally condemned by the international community. This provocative action of Pyongyang’s occurs during a period when the international community is seriously debating important new steps in global arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
Once again, the Alliance calls upon Pyongyang to fulfil its international obligations. The NAC urges North Korea to implement fully all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and to eliminate its nuclear weapons and related programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. We call upon Pyongyang to refrain from any other actions which could contribute to raising tensions and to restore dialogue within the Six-Party framework. The Alliance will continue to carefully monitor developments with deep concern.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Obama hopeful on Mid-East peace
In a BBC interview, US President Barack Obama was firm that his country could help to get serious Middle East peace negotiations back on track.
For the whole article and for the interview, please click on the link below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8078217.stm
For the whole article and for the interview, please click on the link below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8078217.stm
Monday, June 1, 2009
U.S. and Russian START negotiations resumed today in Geneva
Russian and US negotiators have met today in Geneva for a second round of talks on renewing the START 1 (Strategic Arm Reduction Treaty), which is set to expire on December 5, 2009. The three-day meeting would be held behind closed doors at an undisclosed location, a decision that confirm the discretion of the first round of talks held in Moscow two weeks ago. The team of U.S. negotiators at the talks will be led by Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller while the Russian delegation is headed by Anatoly Antonov, director of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Security and Disarmament. US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said that “on the details of the negotiation, I think we prefer to keep that in private right now. I think that’s just the best way to conduct these kinds of negotiations". First results from the talks are expected to be unveiled by Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev during their summit meeting in Moscow on July 6-8, a Russian diplomat said.
Signed in 1991, START 1 obliges Russia and the United States to reduce nuclear warheads to 6,000 and their delivery vehicles to 1,600 each. In 2002, a follow-up agreement on strategic offensive arms reduction was concluded in Moscow. The deal, known as the Moscow Treaty, envisioned cuts to 1.700-2.200 warheads by December 2012. "The final result of the talks should certainly be a step forward compared to the current regime of limitations," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Friday, May 29, 2009
May 29 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
It should be noted that May 29th is designated as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The history tells us that on May 29, 1948, the newly formed global organization United Nations, more specifically its Security Council established the first peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), based in the Middle East. In 2001, the General Assembly proclaimed 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
Last year on May 29 the UN marked the 60th anniversary of its Peacekeeping Forces being deployed. Now that we are into the NATO 60th anniversary it is important to do an assessment of the lessons for the global security that history bestowed us with. I am especially concerned with the lack of "real" cooperation between essential organization such NATO, the UN, and the EU. Although there is much talk and plenty of bureaucracies, duplications and inefficiencies are common and almost always the rule. Do we need a major war or a severe crisis, so we can be as productive and visionary as the generation of leaders which established this prominent organizations in the post WWII period? Can the global financial crisis at least provide the catalyst for better and more efficient division of the arduous labor needed to maintain (preserve) the global security? Let's live some and we will see as a famous Russian proverb states...
Last year on May 29 the UN marked the 60th anniversary of its Peacekeeping Forces being deployed. Now that we are into the NATO 60th anniversary it is important to do an assessment of the lessons for the global security that history bestowed us with. I am especially concerned with the lack of "real" cooperation between essential organization such NATO, the UN, and the EU. Although there is much talk and plenty of bureaucracies, duplications and inefficiencies are common and almost always the rule. Do we need a major war or a severe crisis, so we can be as productive and visionary as the generation of leaders which established this prominent organizations in the post WWII period? Can the global financial crisis at least provide the catalyst for better and more efficient division of the arduous labor needed to maintain (preserve) the global security? Let's live some and we will see as a famous Russian proverb states...
NATO, Russia want foreign ministers meeting
BRUSSELS (AP) — Political ties between NATO and Russia are gradually improving following the break caused by the Russo-Georgian war, but a ministerial meeting is needed to pave the way for military cooperation, officials said Wednesday.
NATO deputy spokeswoman Carmen Romero said that ambassadors from NATO's 28 nations and Russia's envoy to the alliance were determined to hold a meeting of foreign ministers "as soon as logistically possible."
The ambassadors met on Wednesday within the framework of the NATO-Russia Council, a panel set up to improve cooperation between the former Cold War foes.
Russia's NATO envoy Dmitry Rogozin described the meeting as constructive and forward-looking. "Discussions were focused on giving new stimulus and quality to our joint work," he said.
Moscow and NATO have sought in recent months to improve ties that were frozen after Russia's war with Georgia last August.
A meeting of foreign ministers had been scheduled in April, but tensions soared again over the expulsion of two Russian diplomats for alleged spying and the retaliatory move by Moscow which expelled two NATO officials. Moscow also strongly objected to a NATO military exercise in Georgia, and the planned ministerial talks were called off.
Rogozin said that although both sides were now determined to move forward on issues where they had shared interests — such as Afghanistan, anti-piracy efforts and disarmament — the meeting of foreign ministers was needed to endorse any formal military-to-military cooperation between Russia and NATO.
Russia has allowed NATO nations to use its road and rail networks to transport military supplies to Afghanistan, after the alliance's main supply chain through Pakistan came under repeated attack by pro-Taliban guerrillas.
Although the main transport line has not been cut, NATO commanders say they need alternate routes to ensure that logistical supplies will continue to flow through uninterrupted.
By SLOBODAN LEKIC
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Obama's first 100 days
The election of Barack Obama as America's 44 th President raised high hopes, not only in the United States itself, but in Europe too. Everyone believed that the transatlantic relations would get a great boost. What has the outcome been so far?
Obama made a major trip in March and April of this year to Europe. He took part in the G20 summit in London, attended the NATO summit in Strasbourg where he played a great role by supporting the revision of the strategy towards Afghanistan. He then flew to Prague for an informal EU-US summit. High on the agenda was resolving the problem on relocating the prisoners from Guantanomo Bay. After that in Turkey he was welcomed with open arms and reached out to the Turkish people. Europeans cannot have ignored Obama's assertive approach, although it could have been felt, as a bit too much. Does this matter? Certainly not!
But how have the Europeans been reacting to all this 'friendly' behaviour? Sadly enough they have all been busy with domestic issues that have been arising as serious problems in their own countries. Gordon Brown and his Labour party faces very bad polls and British politicians in general are having a hard time in being taken serious by the British people. In Germany the election competition is well underway and Merkel is up against the odds with an economy that is suffering badly and a serious oppenent named Steinmeier. Silvio Berlusconi aims at maintaining a dominant political position in Italy, which isn't easy if all attention is drawn to behaviour in the personal sphere.
Obama has shown us so far that inspirational leadership can really make a difference. But the transatlantic relations can only been promoted and intensified if both sides of the Atlantic take their responsibilities. Therefore, will the real European leader, 'please stand up'?!
Obama made a major trip in March and April of this year to Europe. He took part in the G20 summit in London, attended the NATO summit in Strasbourg where he played a great role by supporting the revision of the strategy towards Afghanistan. He then flew to Prague for an informal EU-US summit. High on the agenda was resolving the problem on relocating the prisoners from Guantanomo Bay. After that in Turkey he was welcomed with open arms and reached out to the Turkish people. Europeans cannot have ignored Obama's assertive approach, although it could have been felt, as a bit too much. Does this matter? Certainly not!
But how have the Europeans been reacting to all this 'friendly' behaviour? Sadly enough they have all been busy with domestic issues that have been arising as serious problems in their own countries. Gordon Brown and his Labour party faces very bad polls and British politicians in general are having a hard time in being taken serious by the British people. In Germany the election competition is well underway and Merkel is up against the odds with an economy that is suffering badly and a serious oppenent named Steinmeier. Silvio Berlusconi aims at maintaining a dominant political position in Italy, which isn't easy if all attention is drawn to behaviour in the personal sphere.
Obama has shown us so far that inspirational leadership can really make a difference. But the transatlantic relations can only been promoted and intensified if both sides of the Atlantic take their responsibilities. Therefore, will the real European leader, 'please stand up'?!
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