NATO HQ, Brussels 17 Nov. 2005

Video interview with General Ray Henault, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee NATO HQ , 17 november 2005 Q: General Henault, the NATO Military Committee has just completed two days of formal meetings at the level of NATO Chiefs of Defence, as well as meeting with other Chiefs of Defence here in Brussels . What was the outcome of these meetings? GENERAL RAY HENAULT (Chairman, NATO Military Committee): Well, we had a very intensive, but also very productive couple of days here in Brussels with the Chiefs of Defence. The Chiefs of Defence of all countries, of course, have a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge and they do achieve a tremendous amount when they get together in a forum such as this one, with a very open dialogue between Chiefs. We discussed a broad range of issues during our time here, particularly operations in the many areas in which we operate, including the Balkans, the Mediterranean, Afghanistan, in support of things like hurricane relief in the U.S., now earthquake relief in Pakistan, and all of the other issues that we interoperate on, including transformational issues, exercises, force generation, common funding, the full scope of things that we do and work with here in NATO. Now the Chiefs of Defence were very open and shared a tremendous amount of information. We did that not only in the NATO forum, but also with our Chiefs of Defence from Russia , the Ukraine and the Mediterranean Dialogue countries. What we did do most specifically is to ensure that we were able to operate together, enhance the ability for our forces to work together, both in exercises and in operations where necessary, and we discussed the many issues that make our abilities to operate together that much more effective. The Chiefs of Defence are also very focused in every country on transformation, and they're also focused on the rapid deployability that we're trying to achieve here in NATO. With all that we also ensured that we set up and put in place the mechanisms by which we can enhance our ability to share information and also to cooperate very effectively in the fight against terrorism. So a full slate of activity and as I mentioned earlier, very productive. Q: Chairman, I'm sure you must have discussed NATO's operation in Afghanistan, ISAF. What were some of the views expressed by the Chiefs of Defence? HENAULT: Well, Afghanistan was a subject of considerable discussion for us. It is the number one operational priority for NATO. We discussed the fact that it has been a very good mission for us. We've had some significant successes. We've helped the government maintain its secure and stable environment to go through both parliamentary and presidential elections. We very much want to build on that success and also to increase the NATO footprint. As you may know, we have already established Provincial Reconstruction Teams in the northern part of Afghanistan , in the western part, and we're anticipating an expansion into the southern region as well, based on the approval of the North Atlantic Council. That expansion will, of course, mean more Provincial Reconstruction Teams. It also means an increased threat. And that means that as we do that we have to ensure that we put in place all of the command and control structures, the equipment, the mobility, the force protection and the rules of engagement, that will allow us to do our job properly. So we looked at all of those things, and again, we looked at how we can enhance our cooperation with our partners, many of whom are supporting us in this endeavour and we look forward to continuing to assist the government of Afghanistan, to extend its influence, and of course, reintegrate the country back into the international community. Q: General Henault, it would seem that 2005 was a particularly busy year for NATO. Could you tell us what you see on the horizon for 2006? HENAULT: Yes, well, thank you, 2006 is certainly shaping up as a very interesting and dynamic year for the Alliance. First of all, in Afghanistan we're going to be expanding our footprint in the country to assist the government of Afghanistan, as we have done in the northern part of the country and in the western part of the country in the most recent past. But we'll also be extending our footprint into the southern region, and in doing so providing more Provincial Reconstruction Teams, providing more forces to help maintain the secure and stable environment. Understanding all the while that this means an expanded mission for NATO. It requires better command and control structures, it requires different force protection measures, and also ensures that we take into full consideration the threats in the southern region. This will be important though, from my point of view, because it will help the government of Afghanistan once again to increase its influence throughout the country and help the country through everything that we're going to do to reintegrate back into the international community. We'll also be standing up the NATO Response Force, or achieving full operational capability in the fall of this year, and we'll be focused on that to ensure that we do everything that's necessary. We'll be very engaged in Kosovo, where status talks will be under way and we'll maintain our forces there to ensure that we maintain the full stability and the secure environment that's required to go through those status talks. And we will be in Kosovo for some time yet. We'll be expanding our operations in the Mediterranean and with Operation Active Endeavour integrating more of our forces into the operation there, with partner forces now coming onboard. And we'll be doing a number of things with transformation to ensure that we continue transforming and modernizing the forces of the Alliance for the environment, the world environment that we're in now. We'll also be going through a number of reform initiatives here inside the Headquarters on the Military Committee itself, and we'll be participating in Headquarters reform. In addition to all that, we'll be increasing or enhancing our relationships with the European Union, with other regional organizations, like the African Union, the United Nations, Mediterranean Dialogue and so on. And doing everything that we can to ensure that we can interoperate with all of the forces that cooperate with us in operations and in exercises across the spectrum, and therefore doing a number of things to, again, increase the ability of the Alliance to maintain world peace and security. So a full slate, and one which we're looking very much for.