| Features |
|
| Member Options |
|
|
| Downloads |
|
| |
|
| Tanner reports on NATO meeting in Oslo |
|
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 8:53 pm
|
Piracy. Cyber security. Energy security. Missile defense. Rela-tions with Russia. Afghanistan.
Each of issues was on the agenda, many were vigorously debated by parliamentarians at a recent North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) in Oslo, Norway, Congressman John Tanner reported in a speech to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Tanner led a House delegation of 10 to NATO PA meetings recently in Oslo and Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden. He characterized it as “a highly successful trip” in which a wide range of political, economic and security issues were addressed, as well as issues involving U.S.-Finland and U.S.-Sweden bilateral relations.
NATO Parliamentary Assem-bly consists of parliamentarians — civilian officials as opposed to traditional NATO military officials — from all 28 NATO member states. Established in the Cold War days of the mid-1950s, NATO recently observed its 60th anniversary.
“The NATO PA provides a unique forum for elected officials to analyze and debate issues that NATO leadership discusses in Brussels,” Tanner said.
In addition to representatives from the 28 member states, parliamentarians from Russia, Georgia, Afghanistan and other countries also participated in the sessions as associate states or observers.
Threat of force
Tanner said relations with Russia and the new strategy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan were two issues that dominated the Oslo-Helsinki-Stockholm sessions.
“Many members of the Al-liance questioned whether Russia has begun to implement an increasingly assertive security policy, including efforts to intimidate neighboring states, through the threat of force,” he said. “There was also concern expressed that Russia would continue to use its energy supplies as a political lever to influence European policy. It was clear from our meetings that not only the United States and NATO, but the European Union as well, are concerned about Moscow’s posture on a variety of issues. ... Most felt the dialogue between NATO, NATO PA and Russia was important and should continue.
“Many delegates welcomed the U.S. commitment to a new, constructive relationship with Moscow and expressed hope that through those promising relations, Russia’s attitude toward NATO could become more positive.”
Afghanistan
“There was continued support for the (Afghanistan) mission among the allies and a willingness to provide the additional civilian and financial support necessary for the reconstruction effort there,” Tanner said. “However, we did detect an undercurrent of concern among some allies that through the commitment of 21,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan and the replacement of U.S. Commander, General McKiernan, the process of the ‘Americanization’ of the war was under way and that NATO’s role continues to be critical, one that needs to be carried out in an effective and efficient manner.”
Five committees
Intense meetings of the five NATO PA committees took place over a two-day period. In each, parliamentarians presented reports on issues before the Alliance. Members of the U.S. delegation attended.
• The Political Committee heard two presentations, one on the future relevancy of NATO and one on Iran that “generated some interesting questions and debates.”
Other reports debated included “Resetting Relations with Russia,” featuring comments from the Russian delegates, and “NATO’s Relationship With Georgia,” which included a discussion on the recent Russia-Georgia conflict.
“There were still differences of opinion on who actually was responsible for starting the war in Georgia and how to deal with Georgia’s aspirations for eventual membership in NATO,” Tanner said.
• The committee on Civil Dimension of Security is chaired by congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri. The committee heard three presentations — civil-military relations in Afghanistan, discussion of how NATO could best communicate the importance of the Alliance and its missions to the general populations of the alliance members and a food-security nexus.
“The committee debated a report on the growing threat of piracy to regional and global security,” Tanner said. “Our colleague, (congressman) David Scott, who had recently visited Somalia, offered several comments on the unstable political and economic situation in Somalia and the growing use of Somalia as a base for pirate activity.”
• The Economic and Security Committee debated three reports — food prices and their implications for security, energy production in Central Asia and the global financial crisis and its impact on member states.
• The Science and Technology Committee heard three reports — climate change and its relationship to national security, efforts used to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction and a look at the resurgence of nuclear power as a source of clean energy.
Memorial Day
The dates of the NATO PA plenary session coincided with America’s Memorial Day. For members of the U.S. delegation, the highlight of their trip to Oslo was the opportunity to honor the men and women of “our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country.”
“As it happened, a U.S. Navy warship was able to make a port call in Oslo that served as the venue for a Memorial Day observance,” Tanner said. “The members of our delegation were also able to visit with sailors and Marines whose stateside homes included many of the states represented by members of our delegation.”
Successful trip
In summary, Tanner told the House, the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Oslo was a success. “As president of the Assembly, I took pride in the deliberations and participation of the delegates from all 28 member nations and our associate and observer members.”
Visits submarine
After the NATO PA session, the U.S. delegation went to Bergen, Norway, where it toured a U.S. submarine.
Published in The Messenger 6.17.09 |
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
|
|
