Press Release (2005)065 24 May 2005

Statement by the Spokesman on NATO support to the African Union for Darfur News 18 May 2005 - NATO NATO to explore Darfur options Today, the North Atlantic Council agreed on initial military options for possible NATO support to the African Union as it expands its mission in Darfur. These options include support to the African Union in the areas of: strategic airlift; training, for example in command and control and operational planning; and improvement of ability of the AU’s mission in Darfur to use intelligence. The Secretary General will participate, on 26 May, in a meeting in Addis Ababa chaired by UN Secretary General Annan and AU Commission President Konare. Following that meeting, and based on further clarification and confirmation of the AU’s requirements, the NAC will consider, as quickly as possible, more detailed options for support. The North Atlantic Council repeated today its determination to work in full transparency with the European Union, the United Nations and all relevant donors, in a spirit of complementarity.

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