[Disarmo] Stoltenberg: We are doubling the NATO troops in Europe - stopnato Digest Number 5280

[Jure Ellero LT <glry at ngi.it>]

Nomen omen: Stolten berg

E la Polonia insiste: NATO Can Defeat Russia

Dal Baltico al Caucaso : NATO Insults Georgian Sovereignty

Mentre Renzi loda Poroshenko.


Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed security challenges with 
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Philip Breedlove,
The Secretary General warned that Russia’s aggressive actions against 
Ukraine have undermined the post-Cold War security order in Europe...

In response to challenges both to the east and the south, NATO is 
implementing the strongest reinforcement of its collective defence since 
the end of the Cold War, Mr. Stoltenberg said. “We are doubling the size 
of the NATO Response Force from 13,000 to 30,000 troops” and “setting up 
a new 5,000-strong quick reaction Spearhead Force, with some units ready 
to move within as little as 48 hours.” He added that NATO is 
establishing six command and control centres in the Baltic States and 
three other eastern Allies, in order to coordinate training and 
exercises, and facilitate rapid reinforcements.


jure


--------  Messaggio
Oggetto: [stopnato] Digest Number 5280
Data: 12 Mar 2015 08:19:49 -0000
Mittente: stopnato at yahoogroups.com


There are 6 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1a. NATO Land Forces Prepare For New Article 5 Collective War
    From: Rick Rozoff

2. Polish PM On Ukraine War: For First Time Blood Being Shed For EU
    From: Rick Rozoff

3. Former Co-Triumvir: U.S. Blatantly Insults Georgian Sovereignty Over
    From: Rick Rozoff

4. JenPsak: U.S. To Report On Sending Lethal Weapons To Ukraine
    From: Rick Rozoff

5. East And South: NATO Chief, Commanders Expand Rapid Strike Forces
    From: Rick Rozoff

6. Invoking Article 5, Polish Defense Chief Says NATO Can Defeat Russia
    From: Rick Rozoff


Messages
________________________________________________________________________
1a. NATO Land Forces Prepare For New Article 5 Collective War
    Posted by: "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff at yahoo.com rwrozoff
    Date: Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:45 am ((PDT))



http://www.stripes.com/news/nato-country-leaders-meet-to-hone-response-to-future-threats-1.333656




Stars and Stripes
March 10, 2015




NATO country leaders meet to hone response to future threats
ByJennifer H. Svan




RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany: High-level NATO leaders met this week at 
Ramstein to consider the future of the alliance’s ground forces in the 
wake of the conflict in Ukraine and events in the Middle East and 
Afghanistan.


The North Atlantic Treaty Organization-LANDCOM Corps Commanders’ 
Conference drew more than 140 participants from nearly every country in 
the 28-member alliance, including NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 
Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove.


He and Army Lt. Gen. John Nicholson Jr., the commander of NATO Allied 
Land Command, spoke of the broader security environment facing NATO 
post-Afghanistan and the challenges ground forces, in particular, must 
address to hone and ready a land component that could respond to an 
international crisis at a moment’s notice.


“We are adapting to some of the most significant changes to the security 
environment here in Europe since the Cold War,” Breedlove said, “and I 
am pleased to say that NATO is adapting as rapidly as its 21st Century 
challenges are also evolving.”


Breedlove said NATO’s land forces headquarters — established in 2012 at 
Izmir, Turkey, to ensure the interoperability of NATO ground forces — 
“is focused on matching our readiness to the environment” and working 
with nations on contingency planning “in support of NATO’s readiness 
action force,” as outlined at the pivotal NATO Wales Summit last fall. 
Interoperability has been a constant, if elusive, goal for the alliance 
since the early 1950s.


...


At the Wales summit in September, allied leaders approved a response 
plan that addresses challenges posed by Russia and threats emanating 
from the Middle East and North Africa.


Neither Nicholson nor Breedlove mentioned Ukraine or Russia on Tuesday. 
But in speaking about collective defense, Nicholson mentioned the threat 
of so-called hybrid warfare, which NATO officials have accused Russia of 
employing in Ukraine, unnerving NATO’s eastern members.


NATO’s land forces would be one element of any collective defense 
measure, including if Article 5 were invoked. Article 5 is the 
cornerstone of the military alliance, which commits each member to 
consider an armed attack against one member state to be an armed attack 
against them all.


Nicholson said his command is focused “on our own ability to respond to 
the political guidance that we receive.”


“If there was an Article 5 declaration with an attributable threat … and 
then we were deployed to deal with that, then we’re looking at 
militarily, what do we need to be able to do? For us, this is a very 
important topic because we spent the last decade in Afghanistan, where 
we’re fighting counterinsurgency, but as we look to the future, we’re 
looking at the hybrid threat.”


Hybrid warfare is seen as conventional warfare that employs unidentified 
regular forces and insurgents, cyberwarfare and disinformation.


...


In melding the alliance’s diverse land forces on the scale of a 
potential Article 5 response, NATO faces a host of challenges, including 
“logistics, communications, integration with the air, with the maritime, 
with the special operations,” Nicholson said. “The nature of the 
military challenge is different. That’s what we’re focused on.”


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Messages in this topic (2)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Polish PM On Ukraine War: For First Time Blood Being Shed For EU
    Posted by: "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff at yahoo.com rwrozoff
    Date: Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:45 am ((PDT))

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/254419.html




Interfax-Ukraine
March 11, 2015






Kopacz: Europe faces greatest security crisis since Cold War




====


Eastern Partnership: The West’s Final Assault On the Former Soviet Union


https://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/eastern-partnership-the-wests-final-assault-on-the-former-soviet-union/


====






The Prime Minister of Poland Ewa Kopacz has said that the Ukrainian 
conflict has triggered an unprecedented security crisis in Europe.

''We have the greatest security crisis in Europe since the Cold War,'' 
she said in an interview with Polish media, adding that it would be 
irresponsible to disregard this threat.

According to Kopacz, for the first time "blood is actually being shed 
for the European Union, or for an attempt at integration into the 
European Union.''

''We need to protect our own interests, but at the same time fight for 
something that Ukraine is fighting for today," she said, adding that 
Europe should condemn those who don't respect Ukraine's desire for 
European integration.

On March 11, Warsaw will host the annual conference of Poland's military 
leadership. The main topics will include the conflict in Ukraine and 
preparations for the 2016 NATO summit in Warsaw.

Last night, Polish National Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said that 
the conference will undoubtedly will be guided by the events in eastern 
Ukraine.




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Messages in this topic (1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Former Co-Triumvir: U.S. Blatantly Insults Georgian Sovereignty Over
    Posted by: "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff at yahoo.com rwrozoff
    Date: Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:58 am ((PDT))

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=28116




Civil Georgia
March 10, 2015




Burjanadze Slams U.S. for ‘Insulting Georgia’s Sovereignty’




Tbilisi: Nino Burjanadze, ex-parliament speaker and leader of Democratic 
Movement–United Georgia opposition party, accused the United States of 
“blatant insult of Georgia’s sovereignty” and criticized the Georgian 
authorities for not reacting on appearance of ex-president Mikheil 
Saakashvili, wanted by Tbilisi, at a hearing in the U.S. Senate’s 
foreign relations committee.

“This is an insult of our state; this is a continuation of the insulting 
policy, which was also demonstrated by inviting wanted ex-president as a 
main guest at [the European Parliament] during ratification of [the 
Association] Agreement,” she said on March 10.


In his capacity as Ukrainian president’s adviser and chairman of 
Ukraine’s International Advisory Council on Reforms, Saakashvili 
testified before Senate foreign relations committee’s subcommittee on 
Europe and regional security cooperation on March 4, when it held a 
hearing on “Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.”


“What do declarations by the western states, including by the United 
States, mean about respecting Georgia’s sovereignty? Respecting 
Georgia’s sovereignty first and foremost mean that one has to respect 
the authorities of this country and its decisions and one should not be 
receiving wanted person,” Burjanadze said.


“I wonder what the United States’ reaction would be if [Ukraine’s 
ex-president Viktor] Yanukovych was invited in Georgia’s parliamentary 
committee for foreign affairs. I don’t really respect Yanukovych, but 
Saakashvili is no better than Yanukovych – the only difference is that 
Saakashvili is swearing at Russia. So should you be exonerated from 
everything if you swear at Russia, as if respecting western values? Can 
one make declarations about respecting sovereignty on the one hand and 
on the other inviting wanted person in legislative body’s foreign 
relations committee?” she said.


The party led by Burjanadze, who says that contrary to her opponents’ 
claims she is not a pro-Russian politician, but “pro-Georgian”, garnered 
slightly over 10% of votes in last year’s local elections.


“I want to tell U.S. ambassador [to Georgia Richard Norland] that such 
action will not be perceived as a friendly gesture towards the Georgian 
people and the Georgian state. I want to assure you that if this 
situation does not change, stance of the Georgian people towards the 
United States will change further towards negative direction,” she said.


She said that she was not surprised that the Georgian authorities 
“failed to voice their protest” over the issue.


“Of course they would not dare, because, unfortunately, they look at the 
United States not as equal partner, but as a master to whom they should 
serve obediently. It’s not in Georgia’s interests,” Burjanadze said.
====================================================================
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Messages in this topic (1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. JenPsak: U.S. To Report On Sending Lethal Weapons To Ukraine
    Posted by: "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff at yahoo.com rwrozoff
    Date: Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:22 pm ((PDT))

http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/psaki_says_when_us_government_reports_on_providing_weapons_to_ukraine_329668




Ukrinform
March 11, 2015




Psaki says when U.S. government reports on providing weapons to Ukraine






KYIV: The United States plans to submit a report to Congress on possible 
providing defense lethal assistance to Ukraine, envisaged by the 
requirements of Ukraine Freedom Support Act "as soon as possible".

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said this during a daily 
press briefing on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"The reports are currently undergoing an interagency review. We're 
committed to delivering these reports to Congress as soon as possible," 
she said.

According Psaki, the delay in submitting the report is due to the 
"extremely volatile" situation in Ukraine, which is discussed on a daily 
basis. "We want to ensure that Congress has the most complete and 
up-to-date information," she assured.

The Speaker added that the U.S. President delegated to the State 
Department certain reporting requirements in the Ukraine Freedom Support 
Act, but there are several agencies who weigh in on the content.

As reported, one of the sections of Ukraine Freedom Support Act, adopted 
in mid-December, provides reporting by the President of the United 
States on possible deliveries of defensive weapons to Ukraine, 
conducting exercises and training of military personnel. The deadline 
set by this law passed on February 15.


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Messages in this topic (1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. East And South: NATO Chief, Commanders Expand Rapid Strike Forces
    Posted by: "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff at yahoo.com rwrozoff
    Date: Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:22 pm ((PDT))

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_118041.htm




North Atlantic Treaty Organization
March 11, 2015




Secretary General discusses security challenges with top NATO military 
commanders



Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed security challenges with 
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Philip Breedlove, and 
participated in a conference of senior military commanders during a 
visit to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe on Wednesday (11 
March 2015). The Secretary General thanked the commanders for the 
remarkable work of Allied forces in the face of a highly complex and 
uncertain security environment...


The Secretary General warned that Russia’s aggressive actions against 
Ukraine have undermined the post-Cold War security order in Europe...


In response to challenges both to the east and the south, NATO is 
implementing the strongest reinforcement of its collective defence since 
the end of the Cold War, Mr. Stoltenberg said. “We are doubling the size 
of the NATO Response Force from 13,000 to 30,000 troops” and “setting up 
a new 5,000-strong quick reaction Spearhead Force, with some units ready 
to move within as little as 48 hours.” He added that NATO is 
establishing six command and control centres in the Baltic States and 
three other eastern Allies, in order to coordinate training and 
exercises, and facilitate rapid reinforcements.


The Secretary General said the Alliance would “keep up the momentum”, 
noting a current exercise of NATO ships in the Black Sea, a major U.S. 
deployment to the Baltic region for training, and an upcoming exercise 
in the autumn – expected to be the Alliance’s largest in many years – 
with over 25,000 troops participating. “These measures are defensive, 
proportionate, and in line with our international commitments,” Mr. 
Stoltenberg said, adding: “these Headquarters and our Supreme Commander 
Europe, General Breedlove, play a key role in these efforts.”
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Messages in this topic (1)
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Invoking Article 5, Polish Defense Chief Says NATO Can Defeat Russia
    Posted by: "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff at yahoo.com rwrozoff
    Date: Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:22 pm ((PDT))

http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/199744,MoD-Siemoniak-Poland-‘cannot-ignore-threats’;




Polish Radio
March 11, 2015




MoD Siemoniak: Poland ‘cannot ignore threats’




Poland’s Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak has said that despite the 
unstable situation in eastern Ukraine, Poles should feel safe.


“However, we cannot ignore any threats and we have to remember that 
after years of peace, suddenly one country decides to the change the 
borders of another,” Siemoniak told the public broadcaster TVP on Monday 
evening.


“[Poland is] a member of EU and NATO and as such we are safe,” Siemoniak 
maintained, adding that “let us not forget that NATO is much stronger 
than Russia in military terms”.


Siemoniak underlined that Poland’s security is maintained by Article 5 
of the Washington Treaty – the founding charter of the military alliance 
– which calls for mutual defence in case of an attack on one of its 
members.


“US forces have been stationed in Latvia precisely for this reason, to 
underline their presence,” Siemoniak said.


The comment comes as the United States on Monday sent heavy armour to 
Latvia and also announced that it will send some 3,000 troops to the 
Baltic states for joint exercises over the coming months.


"The deliveries are intended to “demonstrate resolve to President 
(Vladimir) Putin and Russia that collectively we can come together,” US 
Major General John O’Connor told the AFP news agency in the Latvian 
capital, Riga.


O’Connor added that the equipment would remain there “for as long as 
required to deter Russian aggression”.


Meanwhile, Minister Siemoniak said that a Polish training mission for 
Ukrainan army officers and NCOs will be finalised later this month.


“We would like to undertake this mission in Poland, although there an 
idea to conduct these exercises in Ukraine has also surfaced,” he said. 
“Our decision will made regardless of what the Russians think, what’s 
more important is that this cooperation is effective”.




====================================================================



http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/199878,Kopacz-Europe-faces-greatest-security-crisis-since-Cold-War




Polish Radio
March 11, 2015




Kopacz: Europe faces greatest security crisis since Cold War




Prime Minister of Poland Ewa Kopacz has stated that the Ukrainian crisis 
has triggered an unprecedented security threat to contemporary Europe.


''We have the greatest security crisis in Europe since the Cold War,'' 
she affirmed in an interview with public broadcaster TVP. ''To disregard 
this would be irresponsible,'' she added.


''Yet sending signals that spark anxiety among our citizens would also 
be too much.


''So we need to have a balanced position,'' she said. Kopacz claimed 
that Poland's membership of NATO is the country's guarantee of security.


To date, Poland has been one of the most vigorous defenders of the new 
Kiev government. ''We need to protect our own interests, but at the same 
time to fight for something that Ukraine is fighting for today.


''For the first time, blood is actually being shed for the European 
Union, or for an attempt at integration into the European Union.''
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