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KFOR
update
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Helping the civilian population in Kosovo prepare for Winter remains
a priority for KFOR as they continue to provide support, in co-ordination
with international organisations, non-governmental organisations
and the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK),
with the movement of suitable material. For example, the Force Support
Brigade has been participating in exercise "Shelter Express"
by providing transportation and logistical support, including the
delivery of some 400 shelter kits to regional UN High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) warehouses.
Additionally, the regional Multi National Brigades (MNBs) continue
with deliveries of humanitarian aid and winterisation support to
villages within their areas of responsibility. For instance, MNB
(East) delivered stoves to schools in Silovo and Gornja Makres,
and extra stovepipes to the school in Pones. MNB (West) distributed
shoes and clothes to 48 Serb families of Gorazdevac, and MNB (South)
distributed clothes, toys and baby food in Goruzup.
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NATO-Russia
meeting
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The Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) meets in
plenary session twice a year (in the Spring and Autumn) and is tasked
with identifying collaborative opportunities for research, development
and production of military equipment and weapons systems.
The Autumn meeting took place this week on 3 and 4 November. The
first session focused on matters of Allied interest only and received
input from CNAD subgroups such as the Main Armaments Groups, the
NATO Industrial Advisory Group and ad hoc working groups. The second
session, held on 4 November, was open to Allied and Partner countries
with the aim of developing NATO-Partner dialogue on the cooperative
development and implementation of interoperable armaments and the
pursuit of harmonised acquisition policies and practices.
Governmental defence procurement officials, as well as Delegation
Representatives of the National Armaments Directors (NADReps), NATO's
International Staff (IS) and International Military Staff (IMS)
attended the meeting.
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The
Economic Colloquium
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The annual meeting of the Economic Colloquium took place at NATO
HQ from 3 to 5 November. This year, it focused on the relationship
between transition from a state-run economy to a market economy,
security and social stability in Partner countries. The Economic
Colloquium was first initiated in 1971 and has been held on a regular
basis ever since.
A total of 5 panels had been organised this year focusing on South-eastern
Europe, Russia, Ukraine and the Caucasus, and a concluding panel
assessed the issues raised during the whole colloquium. Participants
from 31 NATO and Partner countries attended, bringing together academics,
representatives from governments, non-governmental organisations,
the European Union, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the business
sector. The conference proceedings will be published shortly. Papers
from previous conferences are available on the NATO web site.
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NATO announces the appointment of General Joseph W. Ralston,
U.S. Air Force, to succeed General Wesley K. Clark as Supreme Allied Commander,
Europe (SACEUR). |
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The Council of Europe holds an emergency debate to discuss
the Russian offensive in Chechnya. |
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Lord
Robertson visits Allied Capitals
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| This week, NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, continued his
tour of NATO member countries by meeting Heads of State and Government
and high-level government officials from France, Portugal, Germany,
Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland.
He went to Paris on 4 November where he also made a speech at the
Institut français des Relations Internationales. He then
went on to Portugal on 5 November, Germany on 9 and 10 and, from
10 to 12, he visited Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. This
tour will contribute to the preparations for the Defence and Foreign
Ministerial meetings scheduled early December 1999.
Additional information:
- NATO Speeches:
"Security and Interdependence"
- Speech by Lord Robertson, NATO Secretary General to the French
Institute For International Relations (IFRI)
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Coping
with Flash Floods
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One by-product of urbanisation is an increase in vulnerability to
flash flooding. Since 1992, numerous people have been killed in serious
flash floods in Europe and the United States. At a NATO Advanced Study
Institute held in Italy from 8 to 17 November, hydrologists, meteorologists,
engineers, geographers, social scientists, emergency managers and
other experts from NATO and Partner countries came together to address
the challenging issues involved in reducing flash flood vulnerability,
and ways to learn from and apply current scientific and technological
advancements. |
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Unveiling
of Commemorative Stone
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"NATO 1949-1999: In commemoration of all those who served
in the cause of peace and freedom", reads the inscription on
NATO's Commemorative Stone unveiled during a ceremony at NATO HQ
on 9 November, on the occasion of NATO's 50th Anniversary. The ceremony
was attended by the Secretary General, Lord Robertson, the Chairman
of the Military Committee, Admiral Venturoni, and other high-level
military and civilian officials. The event, sponsored by the Military
Committee, NATO's highest military authority, paid tribute to all
military and civilian personnel who serve or have served the NATO
Alliance.
Additional information:
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Military
Committee discusses current issues
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Chiefs of Staff from NATO member countries gathered in Brussels
for a 2-day meeting of the Military Committee, NATO's highest military
authority, from 9 to 10 November. On 9 November, they discussed
operations in the Balkans, namely the reduction of peacekeeping
troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) and the situation in Kosovo.
They also covered follow-on action stemming from the Washington
Summit in areas such as the Defence Capabilities Initiative and
the Alliance's revised Strategic Concept.
NATO Chiefs of Staff then met with their counter-parts from Ukraine
in the afternoon of 9 November, and with other partner countries
at the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Military Committee on 10 November.
Additional information:
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