Newsgroup: it.politica.internazionale
Titolo: Rasmussen: "We will not intervene in Syria"

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26862
We will not intervene in Syria - NATO chief
08/10/2011
By Nadia Al-Turki
Brussels, Asharq Al-Awsat – In an exclusive interview with Asharq 
Al-Awsat from Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen 
spoke about NATO’s ongoing role in Libya, as well as the developing 
situation in Syria, whilst renewing calls for Saudi Arabia and other 
Arab Gulf states to partner with NATO. Rasmussen is a former Prime 
Minister of Denmark, who was appointed NATO chief in August 2009, and he 
has overseen NATO involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, and most recently Libya.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh 
Rasmussen expressed his optimism with regards to the “Arab Spring”, 
adding that the popular uprisings and revolutions that have taken place 
across the region represent a “good opportunity” for NATO “to strengthen 
and renew our relations with the region.” He also once again reiterated 
that NATO has no intention of intervening in Syria.
The following is the full text of the interview:
[Asharq Al-Awsat] No specific date for the withdrawal of NATO forces 
from Libya was put in place, following NATO’s meeting of defense 
ministers earlier this week. What are the conditions that must be met 
for NATO to end its operations in Libya?
[Rasmussen] Our presence in Libya will be determined by what is required 
by necessity, and I believe that it is premature to talk about the end 
of the [NATO] mission. We previously said that we had extended our 
operations in Libya by 90 days; however at the same time we believe that 
it is necessary to continuously review our operations. Withdrawal will 
occur as soon as circumstances allow.
Our operations were primarily focused on the protection of civilians 
from attack, and we will continue operating in this regard until 
security is achieved [in Libya]. We will continue to carry out our 
mission until the threats to the safety and security of [Libyan] 
civilians are dealt with.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Can you tell us a little about NATO’s relations with 
the Libyan National Transitional Council [NTC] that is currently ruling 
the country? Have they asked anything from NATO during this transitional 
period?
[Rasmussen] I met with [de facto Libyan Prime Minister] Dr. Mahmoud 
Jibril, and NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdul-Jalil on a number of occasions in 
a professional context in Istanbul, and later in a more personal context 
in Libya. I want to confirm that our mission is to protect [Libyan] 
citizens against attack via aerial and maritime operations within the 
framework of international action. We are in constant contact with the 
NTC, and they have visited us here at NATO headquarters.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What are the reasons behind this communication? What 
are the most important issues that you discuss with the NTC?
[Rasmussen] The most important reason for these talks is to monitor the 
political developments in Libya, and allow me to reiterate: our mission 
is to protect [Libyan] citizens from attack, it not part of our role to 
intervene in what is happening in the country, but we are interested in 
following the political developments.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] Divisions and disputes have begun to appear within the 
ranks of the Libyan rebels – particularly with regards to the formation 
of a new government – do you believe that a civil war might break out in 
Libya?
[Rasmussen] I do not expect a civil war to break out in Libya, and I 
believe that the NTC will play a major role in protecting Libyan unity, 
and working with determination to achieve democracy, and this is very 
important.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] You have previously stressed that NATO will not 
intervene in Syria. With the al-Assad regime continuing and indeed 
intensifying its brutal crackdown against the Syrian protesters, is it 
possible that you will change your position?
[Rasmussen] No, NATO will not intervene in Syria, but we strongly 
condemn the al-Assad regime’s practices against the Syrian protesters, 
and I call on this regime to stop such actions and meet the legitimate 
demands of the Syrian people, and implement democracy.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] What is your opinion of the future of the Arab world 
following the Arab Spring?
[Rasmussen] I am very optimistic; I believe that freedom is the most 
important force in the world, because it paves the way for creative 
thinking and putting forward a practical framework for economic 
developments, as well as the creation of a stable society. As for 
political freedom, this is the most important means to ensure security, 
whilst political stability guarantees general peace and stability.
I think that with the Arab awakening, we will see the region flourishing 
in the coming years. Although the people will face many challenges, I 
believe that their strong desire for freedom and democracy will allow 
them to overcome all difficulties in this regard.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] We heard that the United Arab Emirates [UAE] is set to 
be the first Arab country to send an ambassador to NATO. Would you like 
to see more Arab or Gulf countries following the UAE in this regard, or 
joining NATO organizations and initiatives?
[Rasmussen] Yes, I believe that the “Arab Spring” is a good opportunity 
[for NATO] to strengthen and renew our relations with the [Middle East] 
region and I believe that Arab states have positively contributed to the 
NATO “Unified Protector” operation in Libya. A part of our new policy is 
to let our partners join us by establishing ambassadors to NATO. Some of 
them have responded to this and made formal requests, and we appreciate 
this.
The UAE was one of those who responded to this initiative. We also have 
two organizations. There is the “Mediterranean Dialogue” which is made 
up of 7 countries from the Middle East and North Africa. Whilst the 
second organization [Istanbul Cooperative Initiative] was established in 
Istanbul in 2004 and is made up of 4 Gulf states, namely Kuwait, Qatar, 
the UAE, and Bahrain. I believe that a democratic Libya can easily join 
the Mediterranean Dialogue, and thereby become one of our partners. This 
is an example of how relations can develop.
We also call on all other Gulf States, and renew our calls for Saudi 
Arabia, to join our partners.
[Asharq Al-Awsat] There have been calls from Europe to halt all forms of 
dialogue with Iran under the pretext that Tehran is not fulfilling some 
of its international obligations. What is NATO’s position towards Iran?
[Rasmussen] We, in NATO, have nothing to do with Iranian affairs. 
However some NATO members are dealing with Iranian affairs in a 
unilateral manner. We support diplomatic efforts to reach a solution 
regarding the problems with Iran, and we call on Tehran to comply with 
its international obligations.
-- 
Namib
"Per realitatem et perfectionem idem intelligo" (Baruch Spinoza)

 Al-Awsat from Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
chi, il bel tomo che Berlusconi voleva far spupazzare alla moglie per
avere la scusa di non darle niente col divorzio? AHR AHR AHR