Translated material
Scout error
In uniform
Scout error
February 13, 2006 Alexander Golts
Still, our defense minister Sergei Ivanov is an amazingly open and sincere person. It is not even clear how he worked in intelligence. They told him to strengthen relations with the North Atlantic Alliance, and he strengthens with all his might. Three times a year, smiling with the last forces, he consults with the NATO ministers, signs plans for cooperation, for the exercises, during which the operational compatibility of the troops of Russia and NATO is being worked out. But at the same time, from everything that is related to this military-political union, he simply turns from his soul.
At the informal meeting of the defense ministers of NATO countries, which took place in the resort town of Taormmin in Sicily, Ivanov had to be especially tight. It seems that this time Sergey Borisovich received instructions to be especially kind with his Western colleagues. All due to the fact that in recent months, Russian foreign policy is somehow especially successful. An attempt to put Ukraine in place, raising gas prices, turned into interruptions with energy supplies to Western Europe. And instead of recognizing Russia to the “energy superpower”, the EU countries thought about how to get rid of fuel dependence. The proposal of the Polish Foreign Minister about the creation of a certain, “like NATO”, the Energy Protection Union, published at Faynenshl Times, no longer looks too extravagant. Well, the invitation of Hamas leaders to Moscow, which sounded from Vladimir Putin, showed the West the degree of responsibility of the Russian leadership.
In this situation, Minister Ivanov was obviously ordered to demonstrate the reliability of Moscow as a partner. And, having tried to forget how a few months ago he stated that he did not see the regions where Russia could cooperate with NATO, Ivanov tried to draw rainbow prospects for interaction with the North Atlantic Alliance for two days. I recalled both the fight against terrorism and the exchange of information related to this struggle. He also reminded the NATO ministers of the defense of the preparation of a joint document, legally securing the possibility of using the armed forces in the fight against terrorism. And about another signed agreement that permits the transit of NATO forces through Russia. Ivanov was talking about cooperation with NATO in the development of naval weapons. Finally, this is the main thing, just at the current meeting with a considerable pomp, a quick connection of Russian warships was presented to the NATO operation “Active Endevour” (“Active effort”). Within the framework of this operation, the ships of NATO countries have been patrolling the Mediterranean Sea for several years in order to prevent the transfer of terrorists, weapons and drugs to Europe.
In confirmation of the seriousness of Russian intentions, a detachment of ships of the Black Sea Fleet, headed by the flagship missile cruiser Moscow, arrived in the Port of Messina. Of course, hunting for a missile cruiser for weapons and drug dealers is like shooting a gun at sparrows. But the destroyer or guard - are not too suitable for the construction of a pompous meeting by the General Secretary of NATO. Jaap de Joop Scheffer diligently showed delight, watched how tower weapons spin, talked with marine infantrymen who would land on detained vessels, listened to the Sevastopol Waltz performed by the naval song and dancing ensemble.
In general, everything looked more than decent. However, at the very end, Sergei Borisovich could not stand it. To the question of the correspondent of the Russian BBC service, as the minister assesses the level of operational compatibility of the Armed Forces of Russia and NATO, Ivanov suddenly replied: “In my opinion, the ability to work compatibility progresses quickly enough. But we must be realistic and not set impossible tasks. Nobody is striving for complete operational compatibility. Everyone is striving for operational compatibility, which would solve the problems that we have agreed on at the political level. "
Thus, Ivanov admitted: Moscow is not at all striving to have the ability to act together with NATO armies. To do this, prepare all the armed forces in advance. Indeed, in the event of a critical situation, there will be no time to prepare. But, if the preparation is carried out only for the participation of individual units in specific operations, then this will not bring any benefit. To participate in Russian troops in NATO operations in Bosnia and Kosovo, a separate command system was created every time, directive documents were issued that unified combat charters and instructions.
However, all these useful developments and the experience of interaction disappeared without a trace, as soon as the peacekeeping operation ended. The Russian military leadership decisively does not see the benefits of their use in our armed forces. It is no coincidence that most of our officers who participated in the planning of joint operations in Bosnia and Kosovo did not do their careers and were forced to leave the army.
The problem is that the Kremlin deliberately does not want to tighten the Russian army to civilized standards. And Sergey Ivanov very frankly indicates that it does not suit him in Western military experience. On the eve of the meeting in Taormin, he gave an interview with the Italian “Istana”, where, speaking of the risks that Ukraine is exposed due to intention to integrate into NATO, emphasized: “An attempt to sharp and hardly reasonable reorientation on Western values can become a serious destabilizing factor.” That is, they interfere not with the differences in the radio frequencies on which radio stations work in the standards of weapons and in the procedures for returning orders. The whole problem is unwilling to assimilate the notorious Western values. Those who do not allow turning soldier-river into a slave. Those who establish firm norms of the state responsibility to their citizens dressed in military uniforms. Those that make the army service a profession, not tax. But Sergei Ivanov does not like it. Therefore, the cooperation of Russia with NATO will continue to be limited to the performance of the Sevastopol Waltz.
Taormmina - Moscow Alexander Golts
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