Visit our website: HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------------------------- [Guess who almost certainly owns The Prague Post? Slovakia is one of Europe's most impoverished countries, with an official unemployment rate over 20%, so of course - as its neighbor Moldova is seriously cutting its military budget - NATO is pushing for the militarization of Slovakia. And the reptilian degenerate Vaclav Havel wants Slovakia in NATO...he just doesn't want it affiliated with the Czech Republic.] The Prague Post Wednesday, August 1, 2001 Slovakia gets help on NATO Czechs, Poles will join to create military force By Michael Mainville In a move likely to boost Slovakia's chances of joining NATO next fall, the Czech Republic and Poland are moving forward to create a combined military unit with Slovak troops. Defense ministers from Poland and the Czech Republic announced on July 23 that the unit would be up and running in time for the NATO summit in Prague, scheduled for November 2002. The concept of such a force was agreed on in May. The agreement was hailed as a major boon for Slovakia, which is one of nine former Eastern bloc countries vying for an invitation to join the 19-nation military alliance. "The Slovak Republic is convinced that [the creation of the new unit] will help us enter NATO. ... There is no doubt about it," said Pavol Vitko, a spokesman for the Slovak Defense Ministry. The rapid-reaction force will be based in Slovakia for deployment on NATO peacekeeping missions, officials said. Slovakia and Poland have each promised a mechanized battalion, but Czech officials have not said what kinds of troops and equipment they will provide. A final agreement on the unit's size and composition is set for Sept. 20. Government leaders, including President Vaclav Havel, have long supported NATO membership for Slovakia, which is the country's former federal partner. The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary joined NATO in 1999. Milan Repka, a spokesman for the Czech Defense Ministry, said the unit will assist Slovakia's bid for membership by allowing Slovak soldiers to train in NATO rules and procedures. "They will gain expertise that will be invaluable to joining NATO," he said. Slovakia's Vitko said the creation of the unit will also demonstrate that his country is prepared to commit military resources to NATO's peacekeeping efforts. "This will show that we will not only be a beneficiary of the defense [NATO provides], but are also willing to participate in the creation of a defense framework in Europe," he said. A NATO spokesman in Brussels confirmed that the creation of the joint force increased the likelihood of an invitation for Slovakia. "From NATO's point of view, what we are certainly looking for [in new members] is well-prepared soldiers who are well-versed in NATO procedures," said Robert Pszczel. Multinational units, like this one, are a key part of the military alliance's peacekeeping efforts, he added. -- Martina Sedlakova contributed to this report. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------------------------- This Discussion List is the follow-up for the old stopnato @listbot.com that has been shut down ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9spWA Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
