2009

29 Jan 2009

A decision by NATO Defence Ministers on Alliance Counter-Narcotics strategy was taken in Budapest in October 2008, according to which ISAF can act, in concert with the Afghans, against facilities and facilitators supporting the insurgency, in the context of counternarcotics. SACEUR has been tasked to implement this decision. Accordingly, SACEUR issued general guidance as a follow-up to the Budapest Ministerial decision. He has not, and never has, issued illegal orders.

29 Jan 2009

MONS, Belgium – General John Craddock, attending a NATO seminar in Reykjavik, Iceland examining future security issues, spoke of the need to think strategically when planning for security in the High North.

26 Jan 2009

General Karl-Heinz Lather (German), Chief of Staff, SHAPE, addressed 20 German media representatives at a two-hour background briefing on Allied Command Operations (ACO) on 21 Jan 09 at the SHAPE headquarters near Mons, Belgium.

13 Jan 2009

BAGHDAD - 241 Iraqi Army and 134 Iraqi Air Force cadets graduated from the Basic Officers Commissioning Course at Ar Rustamiyah Military Academy today.

7 Jan 2009

La Spezia - A maritime safety conference, held at the NATO Underwater Research Centre, included briefings on mine countermeasures, port protection and terrorism. Many of the briefings were written weeks or months in advance but the piracy and ship protection presentation by Dr. Ronald Kessel was particularly relevant, with one ship hijacked just last week and a foiled attempt on a cruise liner taking place only a day before the conference.