NATO HQ 24 July 2006

Video background briefing by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Multimedia Video interview Audio file .MP3/3587Kb Hello and welcome to the latest in a series of monthly briefings on what's happening in NATO. Let me start with Afghanistan, the country from which I've just returned and let me give you my impressions and the lessons I drew from that visit. Success is possible, development is under way. NATO has done and is doing a lot. Democracy is being built. Security is better in much of the country. At the same time one should say that success, of course, is not inevitable. We see elements of a resurgent Taliban in the south. We see that governance could be stronger. We do not yet see sufficient development and we see a very big and large poppy crop, narcotics crop. Now, I hope you'll agree with me that security and development are two sides of the same coin. In other words, if you talk about development it's not only up to NATO to realize what's necessary in Afghanistan , but the international community as a whole needs to do more. And that means that the European Union, the United Nations, the Group of Eight of richest industrial nations should do more and should more strongly engage in Afghanistan. NATO is doing its part. The expansion of NATO ISAF at what we call our third stage, which is expanding the NATO ISAF presence in the south of the country, is hopefully going to happen at the end of July, and we'll double the number of forces the coalition had in the south. And I'm very confident that we have the forces, we have the capabilities, and we have the mandate to make a difference. But let me repeat once again, this must be an international team effort. If I move, sticking with the operations theme, if I may move to Kosovo. You know, perhaps, that the status talks, the talks on the future status of that province, are very important and are, in fact, going on at this moment. NATO is engaged in the future of Kosovo, through the so-called Contact Group and NATO has KFOR, about 70,000 strong, in Kosovo, and we have reinforced KFOR with a battalion, to ensure that we have the capability to keep the peace during this volatile and sensitive time. If I may touch upon a third item--also very important--in telling you that preparations have now begun for the Riga Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government at the end of November. I was in Riga two weeks ago. I saw the summit facilities and let me commend the Latvian authorities on everything which has already been done and is going on in construction work and other preparatory work to make this summit into a success. The agenda, talking about the content of the Summit , is now coming into focus as well. I see three main topics, baskets, for the NATO Summit. The first one would be broadening NATO's political engagement. That is, giving a signal, I'm sure a positive one, on NATO enlargement. There will be no invitations for membership at the Riga Summit, but I'm sure that positive signals will be given to those nations who are aspiring for NATO membership. Another element which I should mention, is modernizing NATO's military capabilities. That is, reaching what we call full operational capability for the NATO Response Force. That is the Rapid Reaction Force of our NATO. NATO's Heads of State and Government will discuss improvements of NATO's strategic lift in Riga . And also taking forward NATO's operations, of course. I mentioned already NATO ISAF in Afghanistan , I mentioned Kosovo, but I could also, and I should also, mention the NATO training mission in Iraq , NATO's naval operation in the Mediterranean, Operation Active Endeavour and NATO's supports to the African Union in Darfur . At the time as we are recording this I should mention, I think, one subject which is the Middle East . Which poses a number, of course, of very serious political questions. Let me say, but I stress again at the time that we are recording this, I think we should not enter into speculation about a NATO role or the role of a NATO force in that region. There's a flurry of political activity going on. I'm quite sure, and I know and you know, that many NATO allies, NATO allies, not NATO as such, are active in trying to find a solution for a number of existential questions which are being put to us in that region. So at the moment, as we speak and as we record this, no speculation on a NATO role. Normally August can be a quiet month at NATO. With all the NATO's operations and missions ongoing I think it might not be as quiet as we expect it to be. I'll certainly be there as NATO's Secretary General to lead the process, whatever and whenever necessary. And I wish those of you who will enjoy a brief vacation a very happy holiday. I'll be back with you in September.