Serbia-US military cooperation

Serbia-US military cooperation

The Riga Summit was an opportunity to reaffirm America's critical relationship with Europe.  Our shared agenda is now a global, 21st century agenda that speaks to our partnership in the Middle East, in South and East Asia, in Africa and in Latin America.  This represents a significant evolution in our agenda with our European partners for the five decades of the Cold War, which focused on Europe.

As we acknowledge the changing global role of NATO, we also recognize that the fundamental mission of NATO remains the same – the security and defense of its members.  In the 21st century, however, this Article 5 defense is a responsibility that needs to be carried out in previously unexpected places.  NATO remains a transatlantic organization, but its missions may take place wherever they are needed.  As President Bush said to NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer, “The real challenge for the future is to help people of moderation and young democracies succeed in the face of threats and attacks by radicals and extremists.”

Today’s NATO is delivering 21st century security and taking effective multilateral action on a global scale.  In the past year, NATO has conducted operations on four continents, in places far outside the traditional Euro-Atlantic area: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Darfur, as well as conducting operations closer to home in the Balkans and Mediterranean.

The Alliance that helped bring down the Berlin wall, reunite a divided Europe, and bring peace to the war-torn Balkans, is today on the frontlines of a struggle every bit as important:  defeating a resurgent Taliban and supporting the development of a free, democratic, and economically viable Afghanistan.

The operation in Afghanistan is NATO’s most important mission, and one unlike any other undertaken in the history of NATO.  There are 37 countries involved: 26 NATO allies and 11 partners, including Australia, South Korea, and Japan.  NATO’s top priority is to help stabilize Afghanistan, protect the country's borders, and defend the country from the threat of the Taliban and Al Qaida offensive over the last year.

NATO’s ongoing transformation seeks to demonstrate an Alliance that is stronger operationally, stronger politically, and with stronger global partnerships.  Allies are moving towards investing more in 21st century military capabilities – a fully manned and equipped NATO Response Force, strategic airlift, and more commonly funded assets.

We seek a more global and flexible approach to NATO’s partnerships, recognizing the real contribution of democratic, able and willing partners, like Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, as well as the role of key regional partners and others who make non-military contributions to solving global problems.  There are 11 non-NATO nations fighting with NATO and the Afghan military in Afghanistan.  Most of these nations do not seek membership in the Alliance, nor do we seek it for them.  But we do seek to enhance their ability to operate, train, and communicate more effectively with NATO forces.

We want to reaffirm that the door to NATO membership remains open.  NATO’s role as a mentor and magnet for change and positive democratic reform throughout the Euro-Atlantic area has helped establish freedom, democracy, prosperity and security for 100 million people in Central and Eastern Europe.  It is essential to continue to use the prospect of NATO membership to keep building a Europe, whole, free and at peace.  We will continue to work with those countries who aspire to meet NATO membership to help them meet NATO standards.

NATO today is a vibrant, growing Alliance that is transforming itself and meeting challenges of the 21st century.  We want Serbia to be part of this.  We welcome Serbia's invitation into the Partnership for Peace Program.  We believe Serbia can make a valuable contribution to stability in the Balkans.  We know that the Serbian Defense Establishment is making efforts to expand this relationship, despite the political uncertainties facing the country.  Serbia can count on the support of the United States of America as long as it continues to fight for common values and a common vision toward full integration in the Euro-Atlantic Community.

Our Growing Security Relationship and the Road Ahead

The United States and Serbia share an excellent bilateral security relationship – one that we hope will continue to improve.  In 2006, we signed three bilateral agreements that helped to set the stage for closer cooperation.  In 2007, we hope that the people of Serbia will choose a democratic government that will continue to advance Serbia's goal of Euro-Atlantic integration.  The current government has asked for and received an invitation for membership in NATO's Partnership for Peace. 

We now look to Serbia's leadership to complete the membership process and to fill this partnership with actions consistent with the Alliance's goals for this region and around the globe.  In such a case, the U.S. is also prepared to consider supporting Serbia for NATO membership once full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has been achieved.   Meanwhile, Serbia will already benefit from the establishment of a NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade and from implementation of a Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC) agreement that will facilitate transit of NATO forces through Serbia in support of regional and global security.

Military Agreements

Serbia and the U.S. signed three significant bilateral military agreements in 2006: the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and an agreement on non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).  These agreements help our militaries to train and work more closely together as we face common challenges.

Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement

On 8 November 2006, U.S. European Command Deputy Commander General William Ward and Serbian Minister of Defense Stankovic signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).  The ACSA will allow Serbia and the U.S. to exchange supplies and services between military forces, enhancing the ability to support exercises, peacekeeping operations, and humanitarian support missions.  The ACSA will also make it easier in the future for the U.S. to deliver humanitarian aid in instances of catastrophic flooding or other natural disasters or emergencies.

In August last year, the United States European Command delivered over one million dollars in equipment and supplies for recent and future Serbian flood victims.  Speaking at the signing ceremony at Topcider, General Ward said, "The U.S. European Command is very excited over the degree of progress that we see occurring with the reform of the Serbian defense forces, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation and partnership as those reform efforts proceed.  I look forward to the continuing role that Serbia will play in helping to bring stability and security to this region, and further to the role that Serbia will play as a partner in the greater community of nations bringing stability and peace throughout the world."  General Ward's visit and the signing of the ACSA highlight the growing relationship between the military forces of the U.S. and Serbia.

Status of Forces Agreement

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President Boris Tadic signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on September 7, 2006.  The SOFA is a formal administrative agreement between the U.S. and Serbia that defines the legal status of U.S. military personnel and property temporarily in Serbia.  It sets forth rights and responsibilities on such matters as criminal and civil jurisdiction and tax and customs issues, and allows for the planning and conduct of bilateral military activities, including joint exercises, ship visits, and personnel exchanges.  The SOFA is not a basing agreement.  The U.S. has no intentions to base troops in Serbia.

The SOFA also opens the door to a new partnership, the State Partnership Program (SPP), between the Serbian military and the Ohio State National Guard. During President Tadic's trip to the United States in September, he met with Ohio Governor Bob Taft and U.S. Senator George Voinovich to announce this new partnership. Sen. Voinovic said, “I believe that this partnership begins a new chapter in the relationship between the United States of America and Serbia.”  In the words of General Steven Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, "Serbia is key to the future of democratic freedoms and principles in the Balkan region."

SOFA Benefits

The SOFA signals to the international community, and to the business community, that Serbia is serious about Euro-Atlantic integration and is looking to establish greater political stability.  It is the key to increasing joint military activities with the U.S., including:

State Partnership Program (SPP); joint military exercises; military unit exchanges; and hosting of military training and education teams.

A map of European State Partnerships offers a clearer picture of the State Partnership Program.  The SPP is a cooperation program between the U.S. armed forces and countries around the world.

Benefits:

• Supports modernization and professionalization of Serbia's armed forces
• Provide immediate opportunity to increase Serbia's ties with Ohio, including economic, cultural, and commercial ties
• Allows for Sister City Partnerships
• Promotes access to state NGOs, charities, and commercial and business organizations
• Fosters information exchange on a wide variety of issues from public heath to wildlife management
• Promotes training for and conduct of Emergency Response Activities

Other SPPs:

The U.S. has active SPPs with 23 countries in Europe and Africa, including:

• Hungary-Ohio (1993)
• Bulgaria-Tennessee (1993)
• Romania-Alabama (1994)
• Macedonia-Vermont (1995)
• Albania-New York/New Jersey (2002)
• BiH-Maryland (2003)

Examples of joint programs under these SPPs:

• Morocco/Utah 2004: National Guard KC-135 Tanker/Transport aircraft flew disaster relief missions in response to a devastating earthquake in Morocco
• Ukraine/California 2004: National Guard assisted Ukraine in transfer of border control from Military Border Guards to civilian law enforcement.
• Moldova/North Carolina: Over 10,000 Moldovan children were vaccinated for Hepatitis in the last three years.

Lieutenant General Steven Blum, Chief of the United States National Guard Bureau, was recently in Belgrade for a two-day visit. He met with military leaders to facilitate the first State Partnership Program event between Serbia and Ohio.  He also visited the Military Academy, Military Medical Academy, and observed troops in the newly formed Special Brigade in Pancevo.  His visit underscores the importance of the newly established State Partnership Program between the state of Ohio and Serbia.

Agreement on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

On 5 April 2006, Minister of Defense Stankovic and I signed a bilateral agreement to cooperate to stop the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).  This agreement seals our common commitment to fighting the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction.  We aim to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technology through a program of cooperative training and assistance that will improve the abilities of border officials to identify and intercept those technologies.

In doing so, this agreement will promote stronger relationships between our military and  border control agencies and will encourage regular meetings between senior and mid-level military officials, visits and exchanges, and other bilateral contacts.

Finally, we are also ready to sign a broader Security Cooperation Agreement, which will make available potentially millions of dollars annually for military education, training, and financing to help further Serbia's Defense Reform efforts.  We hope to complete this agreement in 2007.

Friendship Ceremony at the Air Base Batajnica

The last week of June of 2006 marked an important day in the growing security relationship of Serbia and the United States. On that day at the Air Base in Batajnica members of our two armed forces were working together in peace -- in appropriate reflection of our long history of friendship.  We were close allies in two world wars. Serbs and Americans fought Nazism in Europe and many American servicemen owe their lives to their rescuers from Serbia.

Since October of 2000, when Serbia rid itself of the poisonous influence of Slobodan Milosevic, many Serbs and Americans have again been working together to defeat the still active forces of ethnic hatred, xenophobia, and corruption.  For over six years we have worked together to restore democracy, justice and prosperity to the Serbian people.

Today our two militaries are again beginning to cooperate in a new kind of fight: in the global war on terrorism and in combating the increasing number of threats which recognize no geographic boundaries like narcotics smuggling or human trafficking.

We were pleased that Minister Stankovic invited American military aircraft and our personnel to signal this growing cooperation and to highlight the budding relationship between the Serbian Air Force and the United States Air Force. Over the past year, the U.S. Air Force and leaders of the Serbian Air and Air Defense forces have held discussions both here and in Ramstein Air Base in Germany on how we can make this relationship ever more productive.  In December 2006, Serbian Air Force officers visited Aviano Air Base in Italy and the Air Force component of the Ohio National Guard in Ohio.

This year U.S. Air Forces Europe will be sponsoring training for the Serbian Air and Air Defense forces here and in the United States, dealing with safety, logistics and maintenance, pilot training, and search and rescue.  Attendance at the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the United States Military Academy at West Point is now open for applicants from Serbia. We are hopeful that the first-ever Serbian cadet will be attending one of these academies in the summer of 2007.  

A new security relationship between Serbia and the United States is taking shape.  The United States is willing to move forward as fast as Serbia is able to remove any remaining obstacles to our security relationship. We have established a firm foundation and the future holds much promise.