No. 30. (26/11/2004)

NATO POLITICIANS REVIEWED THE STATE OF THE ALLIANCE AT 50^th ANNUAL SESSION IN VENICE
(12-17 November 2004)

300 legislators from North America and Europe participated in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's (NATO PA) 50th Annual Session in Venice from November 12 to 16 2004 at the Palazzo del Casino and Palazzo del Cinema, Lido di Venezia. The 5 day session focused on a wide range of issues, currently affecting the Transatlantic Alliance - including 'post-conflict' reconstruction and development in Afghanistan and Iraq -, the war against terrorism, NATO's capabilities, commitments and new partnerships - including the "Istanbul Cooperation Initiative", Alliance operations and missions, the threat from weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the security relationship between NATO and the European Union.

THE 50 TH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OPENED IN VENICE WITH A MEETING ON THE SITUATION IN THE CAUCASUS. (12November)

The meeting, which began on schedule at the Palazzo del Casino at the Lido with a meeting of the key NATO Russia Parliamentary Committee a body created to foster greater understanding between Russian and NATO law makers.We began with a stimulating discussion on the problems of the Caucasus and the need to focus and sustain international attention on this important area - said NATO-PA Secretary General, Mr. Simon Lunn. It set the tone for what we expect to be a challenging and interesting session.

General James Jones, NATO's most senior military figure in Europe, told parliamentarians that the political and military alliance which won the Cold War was still relevant and remained one of the main pillars of the transatlantic bridge. (16 November)

NATO is transforming; NATO is still viewed to be relevant and can make an important difference. NATO will be what we want it to be and I am persuaded that just as it was in the 20^th Century it is one of the best hopes for future security and stability, General Jones, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) declared. General Jones was addressing the closing session of the annual meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA). Gen. Jones urged members of the NATO PA, to help make public opinion aware of the important role NATO can play in crisis areas of the world. Most people understood NATO's purpose during the Cold War. Probably only a very few could tell you its purpose today. All of us must do better at getting the word out if we are to succeed in transforming the Alliance - he said.

Gen Jones pin-pointed Africa as a possible security challenge in the coming years unless more was done to reduce poverty and establish the rule of law on the world's poorest continent. The rule of law and an independent judiciary are only just beginning to take root. The continuing challenges facing West African governments are vividly illustrated by the continuing violence on our television screens. The violence in Ivory Coast is just the latest example - he said.

During the Venice session, the NATO PA's five committees Science and Technology, Defence and Security, Civil Dimension of Security, Political, and Economics and Security adopted a series of reports on topical issues following presentations from international specialists and Italian government ministers. These included post conflict reconstruction and development in Afghanistan and Iraq, the war against terrorism, NATO's capabilities, commitments and new partnerships, the perceived threat from weapons of mass destruction and the evolving security relationship between the European Union and NATO.

NATO PA elects Lellouche as President (16 November)

Mr. Pierre Lellouche, a leading member of the French UMP (Union Mouvement Populaire) political party, was today unanimously elected President- with a two year mandate - of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) at the conclusion of its 5 day Annual Session held in Venice. Mr. Lellouche, 53, takes over as president from Hon Doug Bereuter (USA) who left the US Congress last summer after 26 years of continuous service in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Lellouche is head of the 18 strong French Delegation to the NATO PA and, since 2002, a Vice President of the organization. He is a well known political commentator and a specialist in security and international affairs. From 1989 to 1995 he was diplomatic adviser to French President Jacques Chirac.

The following members of the Assembly were elected as Vice-Presidents:Mr. Jozef BANAS (Slovakia, Slovak Democratic and Christian Union) Mr. Vahit ERDEM (Turkey, Justice and Development Party) Sen. Giovanni Lorenzo FORCIERI (Italy - The Olive Tree / Democrats of the Left) Mr. Bert KOENDERS (The Netherlands, Social Democrat) Hon. Pierre Claude NOLIN (Canada - Conservative Party)

(NATO PA)