4 New Messages
Digest #4628
Messages
Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:26 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.irishtimes.com/
The Irish Times
February 11, 2013
Door is open for Ireland to join Nato, says military alliance's chief
Suzanne Lynch
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) would welcome any application by Ireland to join the organisation, its secretary general has said...
In an interview with The Irish Times ahead of the first visit to Ireland by a Nato secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Nato had an “open-door policy” towards membership of the organisation.
“Our door remains open for European countries, European democracies that fulfil the necessary criteria and can contribute to Euro-Atlantic security, but of course it’s for individual partners to decide how they want to develop their relationship and partnership with Nato.”
Bilateral programme
While Ireland is not a member of Nato, it has ties with the organisation through the Partnership for Peace Programme (PFP), a bilateral programme that allows for Irish forces to be used for peacekeeping and crisis management where there is a UN mandate and parliamentary approval.
Mr Rasmussen travels to Dublin tomorrow for an informal meeting of EU defence ministers at Dublin Castle.
He will also deliver a speech at the Institute of European Affairs tomorrow evening at which he is expected to call for further co-operation between Ireland and Nato, particularly in the area of military training and capability.
Highlighting the participation of Irish defence forces in UN-led operations over the last 50 years, including in Afghanistan, Mr Rasmussen is expected to outline how Ireland has benefited from its relationship with Nato, arguing that the PFP has allowed Ireland to contribute to international missions, something it would be unable to do on its own.
Mr Rasmussen said he would “absolutely” welcome any decision by Ireland to seek membership of the organisation, although he said “it is for Ireland to decide its relationship with Nato or any other organisation...We have a very well functioning partnership between Ireland and Nato, a partnership that fully respects Ireland’s policy of neutrality,” he said.
...
Crisis in Syria
Mr Rasmussen defended Nato’s approach to Syria. “Very often I am asked, ‘Why is it that you could collect a successful operation in Libya and why not in Syria?’ and the answer is, there is a clear difference.
“In Libya we had a United Nations mandate, we had support from countries in the region, but in Syria these conditions are not fulfilled. Even the opposition in Syria doesn’t request a foreign military intervention...”
Nato currently has 28 member states.
...
Nato remains the world’s largest military alliance and accounts for about half of all defence spending.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
The Irish Times
February 11, 2013
Door is open for Ireland to join Nato, says military alliance's chief
Suzanne Lynch
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) would welcome any application by Ireland to join the organisation, its secretary general has said...
In an interview with The Irish Times ahead of the first visit to Ireland by a Nato secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Nato had an “open-door policy” towards membership of the organisation.
“Our door remains open for European countries, European democracies that fulfil the necessary criteria and can contribute to Euro-Atlantic security, but of course it’s for individual partners to decide how they want to develop their relationship and partnership with Nato.”
Bilateral programme
While Ireland is not a member of Nato, it has ties with the organisation through the Partnership for Peace Programme (PFP), a bilateral programme that allows for Irish forces to be used for peacekeeping and crisis management where there is a UN mandate and parliamentary approval.
Mr Rasmussen travels to Dublin tomorrow for an informal meeting of EU defence ministers at Dublin Castle.
He will also deliver a speech at the Institute of European Affairs tomorrow evening at which he is expected to call for further co-operation between Ireland and Nato, particularly in the area of military training and capability.
Highlighting the participation of Irish defence forces in UN-led operations over the last 50 years, including in Afghanistan, Mr Rasmussen is expected to outline how Ireland has benefited from its relationship with Nato, arguing that the PFP has allowed Ireland to contribute to international missions, something it would be unable to do on its own.
Mr Rasmussen said he would “absolutely” welcome any decision by Ireland to seek membership of the organisation, although he said “it is for Ireland to decide its relationship with Nato or any other organisation...We have a very well functioning partnership between Ireland and Nato, a partnership that fully respects Ireland’s policy of neutrality,” he said.
...
Crisis in Syria
Mr Rasmussen defended Nato’s approach to Syria. “Very often I am asked, ‘Why is it that you could collect a successful operation in Libya and why not in Syria?’ and the answer is, there is a clear difference.
“In Libya we had a United Nations mandate, we had support from countries in the region, but in Syria these conditions are not fulfilled. Even the opposition in Syria doesn’t request a foreign military intervention...”
Nato currently has 28 member states.
...
Nato remains the world’s largest military alliance and accounts for about half of all defence spending.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:27 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.eucom.mil/article/2
United States European Command
February 8, 2013
Nine Countries Meet to Plan Exercise Phoenix Express 2013
Lt. Cmdr. Kim E. Dixon, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
====
Phoenix Express, in its eighth year, is one of four African regional Express series exercises designed to test skills learned from previous theater security cooperation training events in a regional maritime exercise. Nations scheduled to participate in the exercise are Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the U.S.
====
GARMISCH, Germany: Military representatives from eight north African and southern European countries came together with the U.S. Navy for the main planning conference in support of Exercise Phoenix Express 2013 in Garmisch, Germany, Feb. 5-8.
Phoenix Express, set to take place in the spring, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.
The planning phase began immediately following last year’s exercise in the participant’s home duty locations, but the conference was necessary for planning representatives to coordinate the exercise’s final details.
...
The participants discussed topics including the exercise’s schedule of events, communications plan, manning, the combined maritime operations center and also began scripting exercise scenarios.
...
One change for Phoenix Express 2013 is that all the leadership roles during the exercise execution will be held by representatives from north African countries, a change from previous years where those positions were held by the U.S. Navy.
“This year, our North African partners are taking greater leadership roles in the exercise, so it’s even more important for us to meet with them in these planning conferences, so they can take the lead in planning their area of responsibility”...
Phoenix Express, in its eighth year, is one of four African regional Express series exercises designed to test skills learned from previous theater security cooperation training events in a regional maritime exercise. Nations scheduled to participate in the exercise are Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the U.S.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
United States European Command
February 8, 2013
Nine Countries Meet to Plan Exercise Phoenix Express 2013
Lt. Cmdr. Kim E. Dixon, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
====
Phoenix Express, in its eighth year, is one of four African regional Express series exercises designed to test skills learned from previous theater security cooperation training events in a regional maritime exercise. Nations scheduled to participate in the exercise are Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the U.S.
====
GARMISCH, Germany: Military representatives from eight north African and southern European countries came together with the U.S. Navy for the main planning conference in support of Exercise Phoenix Express 2013 in Garmisch, Germany, Feb. 5-8.
Phoenix Express, set to take place in the spring, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations and increase maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean Sea.
The planning phase began immediately following last year’s exercise in the participant’s home duty locations, but the conference was necessary for planning representatives to coordinate the exercise’s final details.
...
The participants discussed topics including the exercise’s schedule of events, communications plan, manning, the combined maritime operations center and also began scripting exercise scenarios.
...
One change for Phoenix Express 2013 is that all the leadership roles during the exercise execution will be held by representatives from north African countries, a change from previous years where those positions were held by the U.S. Navy.
“This year, our North African partners are taking greater leadership roles in the exercise, so it’s even more important for us to meet with them in these planning conferences, so they can take the lead in planning their area of responsibility”...
Phoenix Express, in its eighth year, is one of four African regional Express series exercises designed to test skills learned from previous theater security cooperation training events in a regional maritime exercise. Nations scheduled to participate in the exercise are Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the U.S.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:32 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.aco.nato.int/nato-
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
February 11, 2013
NATO Group Conducts Exercise with Norwegian Navy Ahead of Defence Against Terrorism Mission
====
The 7-day exercise facilitated realistic training with regard to surface, air and electronic warfare environments and it will be of enormous benefit with regard to future operations during the deployment of the Standing NATO Maritime Group.
====
The Standing NATO Maritime Group 1(SNMG1) last week completed a Joint Maritime Exercise with the Royal Norwegian Navy in the Fjords around Bergen.
Exercise Dynamic Guard commenced with a Pre-sail Conference at Haakonsvern Naval Base for all participating units. SNMG1 together with the Norwegian participating units then departed to conduct the exercise in the area around Bjǿrnafjord and Hardangerfjord. The 7-day exercise facilitated realistic training with regard to surface, air and electronic warfare environments and it will be of enormous benefit with regard to future operations during the deployment of the Standing NATO Maritime Group.
The exercise provided some challenging training opportunities for the units taking part and allowed the embarked international staff to integrate and prepare for future operations in support of NATO's continuing commitment to Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR.
On completion of the exercise, RAdm von Maltzan Commander SNMG1 stated, "this has been an excellent opportunity to test ourselves in the kind of situations we are likely to encounter in the next few months. After all the logistical and operational preparations, my team have shown that they are ready for our operational deployment in the Mediterranean.”...
One of the first tasks for the new Commander of SNMG1, Rear Admiral Georg von Maltzan, will be to command the group in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the eastern Mediterranean, NATO’s maritime defence against terrorism mission. Embarked onboard the Flagship FGS HESSEN, he is supported by an International Staff from the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Canada, USA and Norway.
Background Information
The Standing NATO Maritime Group currently comprises:
- FGS Hessen – German Frigate (Flagship)
- FGS Spessart – German Supply Ship
The Anti-Air Warfare Frigate FGS Hessen, a German 124 class, is the flagship for the international Staff led by the German Commander SNMG 1, Rear Admiral Georg von Maltzan. The main emphasis for the international staff is to train and prepare the force for Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and for future tasking as the NATO Response Force.
Within the SNMG 1 Task Group there are many capabilities - necessary in order to be prepared for tasking as the NATO Response Force. FGS Hessen is equipped with two Sea Lynx MK 88A helicopters and a mobile protection element of 8 Marines. Together with the Auxiliary Support Ship FGS Spessart, the task Group has an increased endurance at sea – a big advantage when operating far away from base support.
SNMG 1 is a multinational integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force and operates under the Maritime Command in Northwood, UK. The force is permanently activated and held at high readiness. The mobility and the flexible nature of the force allows the NATO Alliance to respond to today's security challenges.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
February 11, 2013
NATO Group Conducts Exercise with Norwegian Navy Ahead of Defence Against Terrorism Mission
====
The 7-day exercise facilitated realistic training with regard to surface, air and electronic warfare environments and it will be of enormous benefit with regard to future operations during the deployment of the Standing NATO Maritime Group.
====
The Standing NATO Maritime Group 1(SNMG1) last week completed a Joint Maritime Exercise with the Royal Norwegian Navy in the Fjords around Bergen.
Exercise Dynamic Guard commenced with a Pre-sail Conference at Haakonsvern Naval Base for all participating units. SNMG1 together with the Norwegian participating units then departed to conduct the exercise in the area around Bjǿrnafjord and Hardangerfjord. The 7-day exercise facilitated realistic training with regard to surface, air and electronic warfare environments and it will be of enormous benefit with regard to future operations during the deployment of the Standing NATO Maritime Group.
The exercise provided some challenging training opportunities for the units taking part and allowed the embarked international staff to integrate and prepare for future operations in support of NATO's continuing commitment to Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR.
On completion of the exercise, RAdm von Maltzan Commander SNMG1 stated, "this has been an excellent opportunity to test ourselves in the kind of situations we are likely to encounter in the next few months. After all the logistical and operational preparations, my team have shown that they are ready for our operational deployment in the Mediterranean.”...
One of the first tasks for the new Commander of SNMG1, Rear Admiral Georg von Maltzan, will be to command the group in Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the eastern Mediterranean, NATO’s maritime defence against terrorism mission. Embarked onboard the Flagship FGS HESSEN, he is supported by an International Staff from the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Canada, USA and Norway.
Background Information
The Standing NATO Maritime Group currently comprises:
- FGS Hessen – German Frigate (Flagship)
- FGS Spessart – German Supply Ship
The Anti-Air Warfare Frigate FGS Hessen, a German 124 class, is the flagship for the international Staff led by the German Commander SNMG 1, Rear Admiral Georg von Maltzan. The main emphasis for the international staff is to train and prepare the force for Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and for future tasking as the NATO Response Force.
Within the SNMG 1 Task Group there are many capabilities - necessary in order to be prepared for tasking as the NATO Response Force. FGS Hessen is equipped with two Sea Lynx MK 88A helicopters and a mobile protection element of 8 Marines. Together with the Auxiliary Support Ship FGS Spessart, the task Group has an increased endurance at sea – a big advantage when operating far away from base support.
SNMG 1 is a multinational integrated maritime force that forms part of the NATO Response Force and operates under the Maritime Command in Northwood, UK. The force is permanently activated and held at high readiness. The mobility and the flexible nature of the force allows the NATO Alliance to respond to today's security challenges.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:33 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://prn.fm/tag/gary-null/#
Progressive Commentary Hour
February 11, 2013
Africa and the new colonialism of the continent
Gary Null
Guests:
Glen Ford
William Blum
Rick Rozoff
====
Audio at URL above
====
Progressive Commentary Hour
February 11, 2013
Africa and the new colonialism of the continent
Gary Null
Guests:
Glen Ford
William Blum
Rick Rozoff
====
Audio at URL above
====
