THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
106/2008
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
MEETS WITH GENERAL CRADDOCK –
NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER EUROPE
The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today met with NATO’s
Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Bantz (‘John’) Craddock.
As Supreme Allied Commander, General Craddock is responsible for the
development of NATO strategic and operational planning and the
determination of force requirements for the deployment and exercise of NATO
forces.
Today’s meeting offered an opportunity to discuss the current security
situation and outlook in Afghanistan and to speak frankly about the need to
improve progress.
Australia currently provides the largest non-NATO country commitment in
Afghanistan and is among the 10 largest military contributors to ISAF.
“NATO is the world leader in sustaining global defence operations. Australia’s
strong practical relationship with NATO reflects our overlapping security
interests in the current global security environment, and new areas of
cooperation have arisen as a result of NATO’s expanding operational
agenda,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Earlier this year, the Minister accompanied the Prime Minister to the NATO
Summit in Bucharest, where they provided Australian input to NATO’s
development of a coherent and long-term strategy for the future peace and
stability of Afghanistan. A new integrated civilian and military strategy for
dealing with the challenge in Afghanistan was agreed for the first time, with
the NATO partners.
“The strategy seeks to strengthen Afghanistan’s institutions, particularly
accelerating the growth of the Afghan National Security Forces, improving
living conditions, and developing critical security infrastructure for Oruzgan
Province,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Mr Fitzgibbon and General Craddock agreed that the international effort to
restore stability represents a mission of great importance – not only for the
Afghan people but also for its contribution to global security.
Australia has made positive progress in disrupting insurgent operations in
Oruzgan Province. Successes this month include the capture on 4 August
2008 of the Taliban extremist ‘Shadow Governor’ for Oruzgan Province, who
was responsible for coordinating a campaign of intimidation and violence
against the province’s population; and a successful operation on 12 August
2008 against a senior provincial Taliban extremist commander, who had
recently equipped several suicide bombers who had struck civilian and
security facilities, resulting in the murder of innocent Afghan citizens.
Our cooperation with NATO has been marked by a number of recent
initiatives, including increased involvement in and access to planning, training
and other activities previously only available to NATO members and partner
countries.
In June this year, NATO participated in Exercise Pitch Black – a biennial
exercise that provides the highest level of Air Force collective training in
Offensive and Defensive Counter Air operations – for the first time.
“While Australia enjoys longstanding close Defence relations with a number of
NATO Member countries, this was the first time we have exercised with NATO
assets in Australia,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Earlier this month, the NATO Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
praised Australia’s contribution to the war in Afghanistan during a visit to
diggers in a remote outpost in the Baluchi region of Oruzgan Province.
Media contacts:
Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
