Updates on Libyan war/Stop NATO news: September 30, 2011

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Libya: Over 9,000 NATO Combat Flights, 24,346 Sorties

With Libya Still Smouldering, BRICS Opposes NATO States On Military Operations Against Syria

Rasmussen On Chicago Summit: Libya To Join Global NATO Network

NATO Missile System Interim Capability By May Summit: Chief

Exploiting R2P To Bomb Nations, Overthrow Regimes Unacceptable: Russian Foreign Ministry

Russian Envoy Accuses NATO Of Gross Violation Of UNSC Kosovo Resolution

NATO: Afghan Civilian Deaths Caused By Air Strikes Up 19 Percent

Afghan War: NATO 2011 Death Toll Continues To Rise

Pakistani Parties Show Rare Unity In Opposition To U.S. Threats

Video/Song: “Humanitarian NATO”

Obama, Uzbek President Discuss Afghan War Supply Routes

Clinton: Uzbekistan Key Supply Hub For Afghan War

Czech Republic: 225,000 Attend 18-Nation “NATO Days”

Estonia Pursues “Total Defense” Against Russia

Adjutant General Of Illinois Receives Polish Army Medal

Germany Hosts Warplanes For NATO Response Force 2012 Exercise

NATO, Oil/Gas: GUAM Ministerial Held During Eastern Partnership Summit

NATO Trains Azerbaijan’s Officer Corps

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Libya: Over 9,000 NATO Combat Flights, 24,346 Sorties
http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_09/20110930_110930-oup-update.pdf

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
September 30, 2011

NATO and Libya
Allied Joint Force Command NAPLES, SHAPE, NATO HQ

…

Over the past 24 hours, NATO has conducted the following activities associated with Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR:

Air Operations

Since the beginning of the NATO operation (31 March 2011, 06.00GMT) a total of 24,346 sorties, including 9,082 strike sorties, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 29 SEPTEMBER: 110

Strike sorties conducted 29 SEPTEMBER: 42

…

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With Libya Still Smouldering: BRICS Oppose NATO States On Military Operations Against Syria
http://rt.com/politics/russia-un-security-council-libya-resolutions-769/

RT
September 30, 2011

With Libya still smoldering, Russia rejects UN resolution on Syria
Robert Bridge

-European member states of the Security Council, with implicit support from the United States, were hoping to “fast-track” this latest resolution, which calls for the immediate imposition of a weapons embargo and other sanctions against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Russia, Brazil, China, India and South Africa, however, which together make up the so-called BRICS economic bloc, spoke out against the document, expressing concerns that the Western countries may use this resolution to carry out another military operation.

Russia, wary of more military intervention, has rejected the latest version of a UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad is cracking down on violent anti-government protests.

The four European member states of the UN Security Council, Britain, France, Germany and Portugal, were hoping to put the draft resolution to a vote on Friday, but Russia rejected the document.

During consultations held in the UN on Thursday, Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin said he was “disappointed” with the provisions of the draft resolution, in which he says the proposals made by Russia were not taken into account.

“I’m not optimistic,” Churkin said before the meeting. “And we are not the only ones in this position.”

China has also threatened to use its veto power, as a permanent member of the council, against any UN resolution against Syria that leaves room for “punitive measures.”

There is also disagreement over whether violence by protesters should be given the same importance as that by the government.

India’s UN envoy Hardeep Singh Puri said there must include a reference to violence by “extremist elements” in any resolution.

Initially, the European member states of the Security Council, with implicit support from the United States, were hoping to “fast-track” this latest resolution, which calls for the immediate imposition of a weapons embargo and other sanctions against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia, Brazil, China, India and South Africa, however, which together make up the so-called BRICS economic bloc, spoke out against the document, expressing concerns that the Western countries may use this resolution to carry out another military operation.

Indeed, with Libya still smoldering from its ongoing civil war, which saw forces loyal to ousted Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi battling anti-government forces, who received heavy aerial support courtesy of NATO fighter jets and cruise missiles, Russia and others states are taking extra precautions in handling the Syrian crisis.

Churkin said members of the UN Security Council had “a good discussion” and Russia is expecting a new edition of the resolution to be presented soon.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanded that Syria “take every possible step” to protect US diplomats after supporters of President Bashar al-Assad tried to attack US ambassador Robert Ford in Damascus.
Amid rising US-Syrian tensions, Damascus earlier accused the United States of inciting “armed militias” into violence against its army, which is trying to contain a six-month anti-government movement.

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Rasmussen On Chicago Summit: Libya To Join Global NATO Network
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/opinions_78600.htm

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
September 30, 2011

Towards NATO’s Chicago Summit
Speech by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the European Policy Centre, Brussels

-I would like the summit to reaffirm our commitment to the Euro-Atlantic integration of our partners here on this continent. But also to send a strong signal to countries across the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. That we continue to share an interest in the stability and security of their region. And I hope that by the time of our Chicago summit, a new, democratic Libya will be among our partners in the region.

…I was particularly happy to accept the European Policy Centre’s invitation to speak to you today. Because it gives me an early chance to set out my vision of the Alliance’s future. And to look ahead with you to the NATO Summit, in Chicago, next May.

As I said NATO is busier than ever…

Although the [Libyan] mission is not yet complete, it has already shown that NATO can make a difference…Operation Unified Protector has shown that…NATO is the indispensable alliance.

We must make sure that it remains the indispensable Alliance. Especially at a time when nothing can be taken for granted.

The backdrop to our NATO summit in Chicago is the global economic crisis. And there is no contradiction between being concerned about the economy and being concerned about security. Because economy and security are interlinked. Huge deficits and growing debt make nations vulnerable. Therefore, sound fiscal policies are also sound security policies. Both require that we get the most out of every euro, pound and dollar that we spend on defence and security.

Security is not an optional extra – even in times of austerity. It’s not a luxury – it’s a vital necessity. Because security problems don’t wait while we come to terms with our economic difficulties. And they certainly don’t solve themselves.

…And the argument for transatlantic commitment is more compelling than ever.

So in Chicago, I am confident that you will see a NATO Alliance demonstrating its strong solidarity even in difficult economic times…

We are an Alliance committed to transatlantic solidarity and cooperation…

In fact, the Libya operation shows the strength and the solidarity of our Alliance even in the middle of an economic crisis…

NATO acted within 6 days – faster than ever before. And we acted successfully. All Allies took part, directly or indirectly, through our common command structure and common funding.

In Libya, European Allies and Canada took the lead. In Afghanistan, the United States has been the leading nation from the start. And in Kosovo, Germany is currently playing the leading role.

These are all demanding operations. NATO’s operational flexibility allows each and every Ally to play to its particular strengths…

It is this operational flexibility that allows the Alliance to carry out several different operations at the same time. And to do so effectively.

…

In Libya, European Allies and Canada provided most of the assets. But the success of that operation depended on unique and essential capabilities which only the United States could offer. Capabilities such as drones, surveillance and intelligence assets.

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Missile defence is a case in point…

That brings me to the final element of my vision for NATO – an Alliance that is even better connected to its partner nations and the rest of the international community.

Libya has been another demonstration of the importance of NATO’s network of partnerships. At the start of the Libya crisis, many said we had an image problem in the Arab world. But our operation proves the contrary…

Our security is best assured through a wide network of partnerships with countries and organisations around the globe…

We aim to deepen political dialogue and practical cooperation with the United Nations. The European Union is another unique and essential partner for NATO. And we will continue to promote the Euro-Atlantic integration of countries in the Western Balkans and to our East.

…

Finally, building on the success of our Libya operation, the Alliance should also be much better connected with its southern neighbours – across the Mediterranean and into the Middle East and Gulf regions…

That is my vision for NATO. An Alliance that is committed, capable, and connected. And in Chicago next May, we can help transform that vision into reality.

[M]issile defence. Poland, Romania and Turkey have already agreed to host key elements of this system. And my goal for Chicago is that we declare an interim operational capability for NATO’s territorial missile defence…

Finally – partnerships. I would like the summit to reaffirm our commitment to the Euro-Atlantic integration of our partners here on this continent. But also to send a strong signal to countries across the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. That we continue to share an interest in the stability and security of their region. And I hope that by the time of our Chicago summit, a new, democratic Libya will be among our partners in the region.

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NATO Missile System Interim Capability By May Summit: Chief
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/30/c_131170077.htm

Xinhua News Agency
September 30, 2011

NATO missile defense to get interim capability by next May

BRUSSELS: NATO leaders will announce an interim operational capability for the military alliance’s missile defense system in Europe at the Chicago summit in May, 2012, the head of NATO said on Friday.

“Poland, Romania and Turkey have already agreed to host key elements of this system. And my goal for Chicago is that we declare an interim operational capability for NATO’s territorial missile defense. We will then be able to receive early warning of missile launches directed against us,” Anders Fogh Rasmussen said during a think tank breakfast meeting.

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NATO’s vision on missile defense cooperation has been rejected by Russia that warned NATO’s moves would undermine its nuclear deterrent, upset the balance of power and trigger a new arms race in Europe.

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Exploiting R2P To Bomb Nations, Overthrow Regimes Unacceptable: Russian Foreign Ministry
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=6&id=276995

Interfax
September 30, 2011

Interference in internal affairs must not be covered by concept of protecting civilians – Lukashevich

MOSCOW: Attempts to justify foreign interference in internal affairs by compliance with the concept of the responsibility to protect civilians are unacceptable, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich.

“We cannot side-step the polemics [at the 66th session of the UN general Assembly] on the concept of responsibility for the protection [of civilians], which some speakers cited while justifying the use of force in internal conflicts, including in Libya,” he said at a press briefing in Moscow on Friday.

“Russia is convinced that using this concept as a cover for interference in internal affairs and for regime change in the UN member-states is unacceptable,” he said.

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Russian Envoy Accuses NATO Of Gross Violation Of UNSC Kosovo Resolution
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=2&id=277104

Interfax
September 30, 2011

Rogozin accuses NATO of gross violation of UNSC resolution on Kosovo

MOSCOW: In another conflict in Kosovo, NATO has openly sided with Pristina and acted in breach of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution, said Russia’s Ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin.

“In this situation, NATO has unequivocally sided with Pristina,” he said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 television channel on Friday.

During the conflict, soldiers from the NATO Force for Kosovo used firearms against the Serbs, he said.

“Essentially, it was shooting against a peaceful civilian demonstration. This is absolutely against all of the norms written down in the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1244,” the ambassador said.

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NATO: Afghan Civilian Deaths Caused By Air Strikes Up 19 Percent
http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/09/29/civilian-deaths-caused-airstrikes-isaf

Pajhwok Afghan News
September 29, 2011

Civilian deaths caused by airstrikes up: ISAF

KABU: Civilian deaths caused by NATO-led airstrikes increased from 57 to 67, or by 18 percent, over the past eight months, compared to the same period in 2010, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force said on Thursday.

A day earlier, the United Nations said that Afghanistan had emerged as more insecure during the current year, with a sharp spike in security incidents and the number of civilian casualties, civilian displacement and complex suicide attacks.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his report to the Security Council that the number of security incidents during the first eight months of the year was nearly 40 percent higher than in the corresponding period of 2010.

Civilian casualties, at an all-time high for the first half of the year, rose by five percent in the June-August period compared with last year, with militants linked to three quarters of the deaths and injuries, the UN report said.

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Afghan War: NATO 2011 Death Toll Continues To Rise
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/30/c_131168434.htm

Xinhua News Agency
September 30, 2011

4 ISAF armymen killed in Afghanistan: news release

KABUL: Three NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service members were killed in an attack and another died in a non-battle related injury in Afghanistan, according to ISAF press releases issued on Thursday.

“Three International Security Assistance Force service members died following an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in southern Afghanistan yesterday,” an ISAF news release issued on Thursday said.

On Wednesday, another three ISAF soldiers were also killed in an IED attack in eastern Afghanistan, a former news release said.

In a separate Thursday statement, the ISAF said “an International Security Assistance Force service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in southern Afghanistan today”.

Both Thursday news releases read as usual, “It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”

Afghan Taliban has launched massive IED attacks against ISAF and Afghan national security force in recent years.

The fatalities of NATO-led forces this year, according to iCasualties, have been registered 463 till Thursday, out of which 397 killed in IED attacks, 342 of which from the United States and 34 from the United Kingdom.

Forty nine countries are contributing 130,000-strong forces in Afghanistan with over 90,000 of them American mainly stationed in the east and south, followed by 9,500 from UK mainly based in southern Afghanistan.

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Pakistani Parties Show Rare Unity In Opposition To U.S. Threats
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/indepth/2011-09/29/c_131168356.htm

Xinhua News Agency
September 29, 2011

Pakistani parties show rare unity to U.S. threats
By Tahir Khan

ISLAMABAD: Politically divided and insurgency-hit Pakistan is showing rare unity at a time when top U. S. military leaders are issuing threatening statements of unilateral military action in Pakistan’s tribal region against the armed militant groups…

Pakistani leaders have complained that senior U.S. officials have unleashed verbal attacks on its intelligence agencies that they supported Taliban-linked groups in recent attacks on the U.S. embassy and a military base in Afghanistan.

…

Pakistan angrily rejected U.S. claims as unfortunate and also dismissed the threats of unilateral action as contrary to the spirit of bilateral cooperation in the war on terror.

…The U.S. routinely uses unmanned aircraft to target the hideouts of suspected militants in the Waziristan region, bordering Afghanistan.

…Pakistani leaders said that the CIA had created the Haqqanis and had been once the U.S. “blue-eyed boys”.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said this week that several countries have contacts with the Haqqanis and rejected as unfair the U.S. policy of singling out Pakistan. As there is no let-up in the U.S. pressure on Pakistan and its leaders are issuing threats of strikes, Pakistanis have shown unity to meet any challenge. The prime minister has called an All-Parties Conference (APC) to get support from all political and religious parties at the critical juncture of Pakistan’s history.

Nearly 60 political leaders, including the main opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, will attend the conference. Top military leaders and the ISI chief will brief the leaders and will respond to their questions about what measures have been taken to defend the country.

Tribesmen in Waziristan and other regions have also declared support to the Pakistani government and elders have vowed armed resistance if the United States launched any attack, a tribal elder who attended a meeting in Miranshah, the center of North Waziristan, this week said. Two nationalist groups in southwestern Balochistan province have refused to attend the APC. They cited political differences over the government policies in Balochistan for decision to stay away from the APC but said they would strongly oppose any U.S. military intervention.

It is the third time in three years that the government has called an APC to adopt a united stand to what the majority believes is the aggressive U.S. posture towards its close ally, which has lost nearly 30,000 civilians and about 5,000 security personnel in bomb blasts, suicide attacks and military operations since late 2001.

…Thursday’s APC was convened as Pakistani political and military leaders have realized gravity of the situation.

Pakistanis are annoyed at the U.S. allegations against its military and security organizations, who had been the main target of the militant groups.

FOCUS ON FRIENDS AND REGIONAL COUNTRIES

Pakistan has approached its close friends and regional countries in the wake of continued U.S. threats and sent its intelligence chief to Saudi Arabia to win its support in the current circumstances. Pakistan is happy over the recent supportive statements from time-trusted friend China, and the Iranian Interior Minister Mohammad Najar threw support to Pakistan when he met President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar warned this week that the United States will lose its close ally if it continued allegations against her country and its security agencies.

Pakistani analysts, foreign experts, defense experts and the media are also advising the government to review its foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States and to promote ties with friendly and regional countries. They also ask the government to reject conditional U.S. aid and focus on trade, not aid. The united stand in Pakistan to U.S. threats would send a strong message to the American military that coercive tactics will not work as the whole Pakistani population is in rare unity.

There are no positive signals coming from Washington to ease tensions and the outgoing Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said in his latest statement on Wednesday that the Americans will now take a tougher line against Pakistan. Senior Republican U.S. senator, Senator Lindsey Graham, has warned that U.S. lawmakers might support military options beyond drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal regions.

He said options available include using U.S. bomber planes within Pakistan. These threatening American statements have forced the government to show unity and win the support of the opposition parties, and a tough and united response is likely at the end of the APC later Thursday.

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“Humanitarian NATO”
Bob A. Feldman

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Obama, Uzbek President Discuss Afghan War Supply Routes
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20119\30\story_30-9-2011_pg7_7

Reuters
September 29, 2011

Obama, Uzbek leader discuss Afghan supply routes

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama and Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov discussed the Central Asian country’s role as a supply route for US troops in Afghanistan, a US official said on Thursday, amid growing concern about the stability of Pakistan as a transit point.

The White House said Obama spoke to Karimov late Wednesday to congratulate the former Soviet republic on its 20th anniversary of independence and that they talked about shared interests in a ‘secure and prosperous’ Afghanistan.

Obama’s outreach to Karimov, who has faced US criticism in the past over his human rights record, came as the United States and Pakistan are locked in a diplomatic crisis over US accusations linking Pakistan’s chief intelligence agency to attacks on Americans in Afghanistan. The rising tensions between Washington and Islamabad, at times awkward partners in the fight against militancy, have raised questions about Pakistan’s role as a major US supply route for its forces fighting in Afghanistan. That has sent US officials scrambling to consider expanding alternatives to reduce reliance on Pakistan.

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Clinton: Uzbekistan Key Supply Hub For Afghan War
http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/uzbekistan/1938648.html

Trend News Agency
September 30, 2011

U.S: Uzbekistan greatly assists U.S. military cargo transportation to Afghanistan

Baku: Uzbekistan greatly assists the U.S. by transporting U.S. military cargo to Afghanistan via the so-called Northern Distribution Network, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday, Itar-TASS reported.

Supplies for the U.S. troops are transported through this network to Afghanistan by transit from the Baltic countries through Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Tashkent greatly assists the Northern Distribution Network, Clinton said.

…

“We appreciate our ties with Uzbekistan,” she said. “Certainly, we would like to intensify our relations in all spheres.”

Earlier on Thursday, Clinton held talks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Elyor Ganiev, who was on a visit to Washington.

Clinton said that the U.S. thinks that the continuation of a dialogue with Uzbek officials is significant.

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Czech Republic: 225,000 Attend 18-Nation “NATO Days”
http://praguemonitor.com/2011/09/26/record-225000-people-saw-nato-days-%C4%8Dr

Czech News Agency
September 26, 2011

Record 225,000 people saw NATO Days in ČR

-This year’s NATO Days were participated in by 18 countries. Israel, Norway, Sweden and Turkey took part for the first time.

Mosnov, North Moravia: A record number of 225,000 people attended the two-day NATO Days and Czech Military Air Force Days held at Leos Janacek airport in Mosnov, on Saturday and Sunday, event spokesman Jaromir Krisica told CTK Sunday.

He said 185,000 people came to the event last year.

NATO Days are the biggest aviation-military-security event in Central Europe, according to the organisers.

Visitors could see military aircraft, including an AWACS plane and the U.S. B-52 strategic bomber, as well as other military and rescue equipment.

The performances by two aerobatics groups, the four-member Baltic Bees and the eight-member Turkish Stars, were among the biggest attractions.

“The visitors could see at the airport 246 pieces of equipment, including almost 90 planes,” said Zbynek Pavlicek, head of the Jagello 2000 association, the event’s chief organiser.

The Saturday programme included the ceremonial admission of the Czech Republic to the AWACS early warning system.

This year’s NATO Days were participated in by 18 countries. Israel, Norway, Sweden and Turkey took part for the first time.

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Estonia Pursues “Total Defense” Against Russia
http://news.err.ee/politics/9467f47e-46c1-46fe-b4d6-a7afe1e00fbf

Estonian Public Broadcasting
September 29, 2011

Laar Ponders How to Make Most of Defense Capability
Kristopher Rikken

-With an increase in Russian forces along the western borders and a reported dropoff in military capability in Estonia’s southern neighbors, military topics have been more prominent recently. Head of Laar’s advisory board, retired Lt. Col. Leo Kunnas minced no words, saying that the priority for the next ten years is to increase combat capability in light of developments in Russia. He said the three gaps that must be closed are coastal defense, medium range air defense, and armored maneuvering capability.

Defence Minister Mart Laar has emphasized the need for Scandinavian-style total defense, in which all of society participates in countering security threats.

His remarks came at the opening of the ABCD defense policy conference in Tallinn on September 29.

The Nordic model is not incompatible with NATO, which, as Laar also said in an opinion piece in Postimees on September 27, will remain one of the two pillars of defense, the other being the reserves based on general compulsory military service.

At the conference, Laar said the Nordics “realized long ago” that military forces alone were not enough but that the entire civilian sector should participate in national defense.

…”Instead we need 21st century total defense – a truly broad-based approach to security, where government agencies, private sector and civic society engage in cooperation for national defense.”

Held since 2006, the Annual Baltic Conference on Defence is organized by the Defense Ministry and the Estonian think tank International Center for Defense Studies.

Total defense has been a hallmark of Estonian defense policy. A more specific ten-year strategy is currently being prepared at the Defense Ministry, and despite Laar’s focus on intangible and asymmetric threats at the conference, there is a good deal of thinking going on about concrete military scenarios. 

With an increase in Russian forces along the western borders and a reported dropoff in military capability in Estonia’s southern neighbors, military topics have been more prominent recently. Head of Laar’s advisory board, retired Lt. Col. Leo Kunnas minced no words, saying that the priority for the next ten years is to increase combat capability in light of developments in Russia. He said the three gaps that must be closed are coastal defense, medium range air defense, and armored maneuvering capability.

Defense spending has risen to a promised 2 percent in next year’s budget, but with the recession having slightly shrunk the economy, Laar has voiced concern about how to make that money go further.

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Adjutant General Of Illinois Receives Polish Army Medal
http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=9763

Illinois Government News Service
September 29, 2011

Illinois’ Top Military Officer Receives Prestigious Polish Army Medal
Illinois Adjutant General William Enyart Honored With Polish Army’s Highest Award to a Foreign Officer

-Aside from military-to-military and military-to-civilian exchanges and co-training, the Illinois National Guard also co-deploys troops with Polish forces, first to Iraq and now to Afghanistan.

WARSAW, Poland: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s top military officer, Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, the Adjutant General of Illinois, received the Polish Army Medal during an official visit to Poland last week. U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Thomas Lamont accompanied Enyart to the ceremony, which included a military parade, a performance by a Polish Army band, and a “dress and review” march in which 100 Polish soldiers saluted and honored the officer.

…

In receiving the Gold grade of the medal, Enyart joins a short list of American generals to receive the award including former Army Chief of Staff Gen. (ret.) George W. Casey, former Central Command Commander and current CIA Director Army Gen. (ret.) David Petraeus, African Command Commander Army Gen. Carter Ham, and Marine Gen. John R. Allen, the Commander of International Security Assistance Force- Afghanistan and United States Forces – Afghanistan.

The medal was signed by Polish Minister of National Defense Obrony Narodowej and was approved by the Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski.

…

Enyart commands the 13,000-member Illinois National Guard, which has maintained a State Partnership Program with Poland since 1993. Aside from military-to-military and military-to-civilian exchanges and co-training, the Illinois National Guard also co-deploys troops with Polish forces, first to Iraq and now to Afghanistan. The Illinois National Guard’s Bilateral Embedded Support Team (BEST) has approximately 20 servicemembers serving with a Polish brigade in Afghanistan today. Poland has served as a staunch ally of the United States in Europe and throughout the world.

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Germany Hosts Warplanes For NATO Response Force 2012 Exercise
http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123273779

U.S. Air Forces in Europe
September 29, 2011

Exercise Brilliant Arrow hits bulls-eye on international relations
by Senior Airmen Ethan Morgan and Jerilyn Quintanilla
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England: Germany hosted Exercise Brilliant Arrow, an international multi-service exercise designed as a live flying and command post exercise, Sept. 12 – 23.

Exercise Brilliant Arrow 2011 provided force integration and mission readiness training in preparation for NATO Response Force 2012.

Military Services from Germany, Belgium, Turkey, Lithuania and the United States were among the participating countries. More than 30 aircraft and 1,200 people, operating from 15 different locations, made for a diverse and elaborate operation.

The exercise is specially designed to enhance the professional preparation of multinational air forces…

Editor’s note: Information courtesy of Lutwaffe press office was used in this article.

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NATO, Oil/Gas: GUAM Ministerial Held During Eastern Partnership Summit
http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1938689.html

Trend News Agency
September 30, 2011

GUAM countries’ foreign ministers define organizational priorities
S. Agayeva

-GUAM was established by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in 1997 during the EU presidential summit in Strasbourg.

Baku: The 15th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of GUAM was held in Warsaw during the “Eastern Partnership” summit.

The ministers discussed a further deepening of regional cooperation, even at the sectoral level, the GUAM Secretariat said in a statement on Friday.
The meeting’s participants stressed an increase in mutual trade and considered priority tasks for cooperation in GUAM, including prospects for deepening cooperation with the European Union.

Following the meeting, the “Warsaw Declaration of GUAM Council of Foreign Ministers on cooperation prospects and European integration” was signed and the “GUAM Action Plan to enhance sectoral cooperation” approved.
The next meeting’s venue and date for the Ministerial Council will be decided via diplomatic channels.

GUAM was established by Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine in 1997 during the EU presidential summit in Strasbourg. In 1999 Uzbekistan joined the organization for four years.

At the organization’s first summit in Kiev in 2006 it was decided that GUAM was to have the new name “Organization for Democracy and Economic Development – GUAM.”

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NATO Trains Azerbaijan’s Officer Corps
http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1938585.html

Trend News Agency
September 30, 2011

Azerbaijani officers to attend NATO events
K. Zarbaliyeva

Baku: Azerbaijani officers will take part in a NATO courses on peacekeeping operations in Germany on Oct. 3-7, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

Another group of Azerbaijani officers will attend courses on military exercises in Germany.

A courses on logistics troops will be held in Baku on Oct. 3-7. The courses will be led by mobile instructor teams of the NATO Combined Forces Command in Brunssum.

Azerbaijani Armed Forces’ officers will take part in the NATO standardization courses in Poland on Oct. 4-12 and the budget management training in Belgium on Oct. 5-7.

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