NATO HQ Brussels 2 Sept. 2003

Video Interview with Steve Orosz Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Civil Emergency Planning and Exercises Q: Mr. Orosz, hello. Steve Orosz (Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Civil Emergency Planning and Exercises): Hello. Q: Could you explain in general terms the role of NATO in the protection of the populations against the use by terrorists of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents? Steve Orosz: NATO has a very comprehensive package of measures that it has put into place to deal with this. On the political side, to prevent proliferation or the use of such weapons. On the military side, to deter or defend against their use. And on the civil side, to deal with the consequences that might arise from their use. In this regard, we have put together a very broad-based package of measures to be implemented over the next few years called the Civil Emergency Action Plan, which at Prague, our heads of state and government said they are fully committed in co-operation with our partners to implement. Q: You mentioned the Civil Emergency Planning Action Plan, could you give some examples of the actions NATO and EAPC countries have taken to improve preparedness to deal with these kinds of situations? Steve Orosz: Well, first and foremost, we have compiled and are continuously updating an inventory of national capabilities, assets that we might be able to draw upon in the event of an actual attack. These involve everything from medical assistance to radiological detection, to identification laboratories, to aeromedical evacuation. It's a package that is tied to specific action authorities, whether they be individual nations or the international staff. We're working on developing minimum standards for training, for exercises, for planning, for equipment. We are working on trying to develop stockpiles, possibly at a regional level, of some of the more critical items that might be needed. We're working at improving border crossing procedures so that assistance in an emergency can arrive and assist a nation as quickly as possible. And of course we are exercising to make sure that the ability of nations to operate with each other in response to a common problem is as effective as it possibly can be. Q: And what do you see as the major impediments in reaching the goals identified in this action plan? Steve Orosz: Probably the major impediment is one of resources. For many years, this is an area that has not received a great deal of attention in capitals. Most countries have put most of their civil protection effort into dealing with floods, natural disasters. And while some of that capability can be utilised in the event of a weapon of mass destruction event, the reality is there's an awful lot of specific things that need to be done, and a lot more in general has to be done to make up for a number of years where this was not one of the priorities. Q: The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre has a role to play in this. Can you explain in general terms what the centre is and what its role is regarding chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents? Steve Orosz: The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre was established in NATO in 1998 to serve as the focal point for information sharing and co-ordination of response by Euro-Atlantic Partnership nations to any major disaster which should occur in the Euro-Atlantic region. In 2001, this function was expanded to cover response in event of a major chemical, biological, radiological incident. In other words, we will use the same procedures. That is, we will go automatically to the countries that are prepared to offer assistance, and we can do so automatically. Q: In October 2003, a major consequence management exercise will be held in Romania. Can you tell us what its main objectives are? Steve Orosz: The primary objective is, of course, to improve the ability of the countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership area to be able to respond effectively and in a co-ordinated fashion to a major weapon of mass destruction event; in this case, a radiological one. Specifically, we're looking at improving the interoperability of the different teams that will respond in dealing with the medical and first aid issues, in dealing with decontamination and clean-up. And perhaps one of the most important but often overlooked areas: dealing with public information. How do you get the information out to your public at a time of great stress to them? It's a very important function, one which is often overlooked. Q: And what do you see as the way ahead for NATO and partner countries in the protection of populations against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents? Steve Orosz: I think we will continue along the path on which we have already embarked. I think the endorsement by heads of state and government of the action plan, I think, validates that this is the way in which our countries would like us to continue. It's important that we deliver on the required time frames, the various action items that we have agreed to do. And to do this, of course, I think we have to recognise it's going to require much more collaboration than has been the case up till now. We will have to increase the co-operation within NATO, between NATO and other organisations, and of course among nations themselves. Q: Thank you very much Mr. Orosz. Steve Orosz: You're most welcome.