Logo Polskiego Radia

NATO to develop Eastern European 'spearhead'

PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle 27.08.2014 09:03
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen has promised “a more visible NATO presence in the east” to counter threats from Russia.

Anders
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: photo - PAP/Newscom/IVAN VAKOLENKO

“We have something already called the NATO response force whose purpose is to be able to be deployed rapidly if needed. Now it's our intention to develop what I would call a spearhead within that response force at very, very, high readiness,” the NATO secretary general told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday ahead of the alliance's summit in Wales this September.

Poland and the Baltic states have been pressing for permanent NATO bases, with combat-ready troops, following the crisis in Ukraine, an idea opposed by Germany and some other European states, who believe such a move would be seen in Moscow as provocative.

But while Poland's foreign minister has called for “two heavy brigades” of NATO troops in Poland, Anders Fogh Rasmussen promised “reception facilities in host nations [involving] the pre-positioning of supplies, of equipment, preparation of infrastructure, bases, headquarters.

“The bottom line is you will in the future see a more visible NATO presence in the east," he said.

When pressed whether this deployment – thought by analysts to be at NATO's HQ in Szczecin, north west Poland – would be permanent, Rasmussen said, “the brief answer is yes. To prevent misunderstanding I use the phrase 'for as long as necessary'. Our eastern allies will be satisfied when they see what is actually in the readiness action plan."

"It can be on a rotation basis, with a very high frequency. The point is that any potential aggressor should know that if they were to even think of an attack against a NATO ally they will meet not only soldiers from that specific country but they will meet NATO troops. This is what is important," said Rasmussen.

The NATO summit in Cardiff will take place on 4 and 5 September with leaders from 60 countries attending. (pg)

source: RFE/RL

Print
Copyright © Polskie Radio S.A About Us Contact Us