*EPF104 06/28/2004
NATO Leaders Announce Agreements on Iraq, Other Issues, Missions
(New Istanbul Cooperation Initiative to reach out to Middle East) (760)

Istanbul, Turkey --- June 28, on the first day of the NATO Summit, leaders of the alliance released a series of fact sheets announcing agreements reached on Iraq, current missions, new initiatives and policies, relations with Russia and other partners, and the Olympic Games in Greece. The decisions reflect NATO's intention to shape international security and build stability through strong relationships and direct confrontation of new threats.

IRAQ

Speculation on how NATO would respond to the pre-summit push of the Bush administration for a larger, defined role for the alliance in Iraq was answered June 28, when NATO said it would provide training for Iraq's security forces --- an affirmative response to a direct request from the Iraq interim government. Other allied nations are also encouraged to contribute to this effort.

In addition, the North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body, is to begin urgent discussions on further proposals to support the new Iraqi government's security institutions, in keeping with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546, which urges organizations to give assistance to the multinational force in Iraq.

AFGHANISTAN

NATO announced it would turn over command of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) to Eurocorps, under French leadership but operating within the NATO chain of command, in August.

NATO intends to work toward placing both ISAF and the larger U.S. Operation Enduring Freedom under a single NATO chain of command to maximize efficiency. In the meantime, the United States agreed to provide emergency support to ISAF if needed.

Having received additional contributions it had sought for Afghanistan, the alliance also authorized expansion of its work there through continuing to establish Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs). Stage I of the plan would add four PRTs in the north where one already exists in Konduz; Stage II would create a forward support base in the west, and unspecified others as well. The objective is to provide the stability needed for Afghan national elections this autumn.

THE BALKANS

The NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina will end successfully within six months. "Ten years ago," the announcement noted, "Bosnia required over 60,000 peacekeepers to support a fragile peace. Today, it is offering to contribute forces to the multinational force charged with providing the same support to the Iraqi interim government."

The European Union will establish a new mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina to help overcome remaining obstacles to stability, such as problems with organized crime. In addition, a small NATO headquarters will remain to support continued military reform efforts, combat terrorism, and pursue war criminals.

ISTANBUL COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE

Seeking to form better relationships with interested countries of the Middle East, NATO launched the Istanbul Cooperative Initiative, which offers engagement in practical, cooperative security activities such as counterterrorism operations, border security, disaster preparedness and civil-military relations.

The alliance leaders also agreed to enhance NATO's existing Mediterranean Dialogue, established 10 years ago to promote cooperation with states in the Mediterranean and North Africa.

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Endorsement of a zero-tolerance policy for NATO forces regarding all aspects of trafficking in humans, or modern-day slavery, was announced at the summit.

"This decision is of crucial importance, in light of the nearly 200,000 victims of trafficking each year who are transported through the Balkans, an area where NATO forces have a significant presence and security responsibilities," the announcement noted.

Anti-trafficking training courses for troops will be designed and implemented, provisions for forces to support local efforts to combat trafficking will be developed, and an internal, confidential mechanism to report violations will be established.

PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE

NATO will refocus the successful Partnership for Peace (PfP) program, from preparing nations for membership in the alliance, to its original goals of encouraging democratic control of military forces, transparency in defense planning, and building capabilities and readiness to contribute to NATO operations. Along with strengthening ties with current partners, the PfP program will operate in conjunction with the new Istanbul Cooperative Initiative.

RUSSIA

Following a meeting of the foreign ministers of the NATO-Russia Council in a session parallel to the summit, Russia announced it will join Operation Active Endeavour, NATO's anti-terrorism naval operations in the Mediterranean.

OLYMPIC SECURITY

NATO agreed, in response to a request from Greece, to supply air surveillance, naval forces, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response units to assist with security for the 2004 summer Olympic Games and the subsequent Paralympics in Athens.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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