The New Dark Age

1 July 2011 — Stop NATO

• Libya: 13,324 NATO Sorties, 5,005 Strike Missions
• NATO Preparing Ground Operation In Libya: Russian Envoy
• NATO Chief: Main Objective Is To Topple Libyan Government
• Saudis Tell NATO Of ‘Untold, Dramatic Consequences’ Regarding Iran
• Singapore Troops Decorated For Serving NATO In Afghanistan
• NATO’s Caucasus, Central Asia Representative Headed To Azerbaijan

Libya: 13,324 NATO Sorties, 5,005 Strike Missions

Click to access 20110701oup-update%5B1%5D.pdf

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
July 1, 2011

NATO and Libya
Allied Joint Force Command NAPLES, SHAPE, NATO HQ

…

Air Operations

Since the beginning of the NATO operation (31 March 2011, 08.00GMT) a total of 13,324 sorties, including 5,005 strike sorties, have been conducted.

Sorties conducted 30 JUNE: 140

Strike sorties conducted 30 JUNE: 42

…

====

NATO Preparing Ground Operation In Libya: Russian Envoy

http://en.rian.ru/world/20110701/164951748.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti
July 1, 2011

NATO may be preparing ground operation in Libya – Russian envoy

Moscow: NATO is likely be preparing a ground operation in Libya, the Russian envoy to the alliance, Dmitry Rogozin, said on Friday.

‘I think that now we are witnessing the preparation stage of a ground operation which NATO, or at least some of its members… are ready to begin,’ Rogozin said.

He also said Russia and France should ‘clarify’ the issue of weapons supplies to Berber tribes in Libya, which France says were for ‘self-defense’ and in line with the UN resolution.

‘If direct weapons supplies to rebels indeed take place, they can only be referred to as a serious breach of the UN Security Council resolution,’ the Russian envoy said.

…

====

NATO Chief: Main Objective Is To Topple Libyan Government

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-07/01/c_13959287.htm

Xinhua News Agency
July 1, 2011

NATO chief stresses keeping military pressure on Gaddafi

VIENNA: More than three month after Western countries launched military operations in Libya, NATO Secretary General Rasmussen said here Thursday that the main objective of the campaign remains unchanged: force Gaddafi to leave power.

Rasmussen made the remarks at a press conference after talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger. ‘The message to Gaddafi’s regime is very clear. Your time is up, it’s time to leave. I do believe that continued, strong military pressure on Gaddafi’s regime is the best way to facilitate the political solution to the conflicts in Libya,’ Rasmussen said.

Admitting that military measures alone could not end the conflicts, Rasmussen stressed that military pressure will reinforce political pressure on Gaddafi, and the combination of both pressures will lead to the collapse of the regime.

He said NATO has all the resources as long as it needs to successfully achieve the goal.

Responding to questions about France’s airdropping weapons to Libya’s opposition forces, Rasmussen insisted that NATO operations is still within the mandate of the UN resolution to protect civilians.

…

Earlier on Thursday, Libya’s opposition leader Mahmoud Jebril also appeared at a press conference hosted by Austrian Foreign Ministry, calling for urgent financial and military aids from the outside world for anti-Gaddafi camp.

====

Saudis Tell NATO Of ‘Untold, Dramatic Consequences’ Regarding Iran

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=309009

Gulf Daily News
July 1, 2011

Saudi warns Nato

LONDON: Saudi Arabia has warned Nato that it would pursue policies that could lead to ‘untold and possibly dramatic consequences’ if Iran obtains nuclear weapons, a British newspaper reported.

The Guardian quoted Prince Turki Al Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to Washington and Britain, speaking to senior Nato officials earlier this month at an unpublicised meeting at a British air base.

====

Singapore Troops Decorated For Serving NATO In Afghanistan

http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110630-286928.html

AsiaOne
June 30, 2011

29 SAF personnel presented Overseas Service Medal

29 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel were presented the Overseas Service Medal (OSM) by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at a ceremony held this Thursday afternoon.

They were recognised for their contributions to the multinational stabilisation and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

Among the recipients were members of the National Command Element deployed in Kabul from Dec 2010 to May 2011 to provide in-theatre command and control and operational support for SAF personnel deployed in Afghanistan.

Other recipients included members of a 10-man team of military institutional trainers (MIT) who were deployed in an artillery school in Kabul during the same period to assist in the International Security Assistance Force’s (ISAF’s) effort to train the Afghan National Army.

Also receiving medals were members of a six-man Imagery Analysis Team deployed in Oruzgan province from Nov 2010 to Apr 2011 to augment the ISAF’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Ng emphasised Singapore’s commitment in contributing to international security operations to help bring stability to critical regions.

He said: ‘As a responsible member of the international community, Singapore holds fast to the commitments to do its part to maintain security and stability. While our contributions are typically not large in scale, they represent niche capabilities that are significant for the overall coalition effort.’

…

Also present at the ceremony were family members of the medal recipients as well as Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, Chief of Army Brigadier General Ravinder Singh and other senior officers from the SAF.

====

NATO’s Caucasus, Central Asia Representative Headed To Azerbaijan

http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1899150.html

Trend News Agency
July 1, 2011

New date of NATO Special Representative’s visit to Azerbaijan announced
E. Ostapenko

Baku: NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, is visiting Azerbaijan on 5-6 July, the NATO press-service told Trend.

He will meet with high-level representatives from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Emergencies and other high-level officials working on IPAP-related issues, Alliance’s press-service reported.

Azerbaijan has been cooperating with NATO within the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) since 2005.

Details of the programme of the visit are still being worked out.

It will be Appthurai’s first visit to Azerbaijan in the position of Special Representative. Former Spokesperson of the Alliance, he took the SR office in November 2010.

Appathurai’s first visit to Azerbaijan in his new position was previously delayed twice.

Unforeseen disturbances in Libya and NATO’s involvement in stabilization of the situation did not allow him to come to Baku in March. Then, his visit was postponed due to a sudden strike at Brussels airport on June, 9.

On 28 June Appathurai had discussions with the Armenian leadership in Yerevan. Last week he was on a visit to Tajikistan.

The Special Representative is intended to support working contacts with regional leaders to develop the objectives of NATO in the region by contributing to regional security and further promoting cooperative programs of NATO.