FACT SHEET<br /><br />11 SEPTEMBER -- ONE YEAR ON<br />NATO’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM<br /><br />NATO’S REACTION FAST, DETERMINED AND MEANINGFULImmediately following and ever since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, all 19 NATO Allies have shown a strong determination to play their part in the fight against terrorism. They have demonstrated solid political solidarity, made concrete military and other practical contributions, and engaged NATO’s 27 EAPC Partner countries and 7 Mediterranean Dialogue countries. The successful removal of Afghanistan‘s Taliban regime, the ongoing destruction of the Al-Qaida terrorist network, and the generally improved security situation in Afghanistan are due in no small measure to this support. Continued success in the fight against terrorism will be possible only through a sustained, cooperative effort, in which NATO will continue to play a crucial role as a platform for political support and effective military action. <br /><br />· Article 5: On 12 September 2001, less than 24 hours after the terrorist attacks, and for the first time in NATO’s history, the Allies invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty declaring the attack against the United States as an attack against all 19 allies. Accordingly, each Ally committed itself to assisting the United States by taking such actions as deemed necessary.<br /><br />· Initial support: On 4 October 2001, in response to requests by the United States, the Allies agreed to take eight measures to expand the options available in the campaign against terrorism. These initial measures included enhanced intelligence sharing, blanket overflight rights and access to ports and airfields, assistance to states threatened as a result of their support for coalition efforts, as well as the deployment of NATO naval forces to the eastern Mediterranean and Airborne Early Warning aircraft to patrol US airspace.<br /><br />· “Active Endeavour”: Under this continuing maritime operation, underway since 26 October 2001, elements of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces patrol the eastern Mediterranean and monitor merchant shipping. To date, more than 16,000 ships have been monitored, and those that raised suspicion have been signalled, shadowed and documented. Currently, NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) forms the core of the operation; it comprises vessels from 8 nations Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States and is under UK command. <br /><br />· “Eagle Assist”: From mid-October 2001 to mid-May 2002, NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft (AWACS) helped protect the US homeland. 830 crewmembers from 13 NATO countries flew nearly 4300 hours and over 360 operational sorties. The operation was terminated by the North Atlantic Council on the basis of material upgrades to the US air defence posture and enhanced cooperation between civil and military authorities, and following a US evaluation of homeland security requirements.<br /><br />· NATO’s Partners: On 12 September 2001, all 27 of NATO’s Partners in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council condemned the attacks of 11 September, offered their support to the United States and “pledged to undertake all efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism”. NATO continues to engage its EAPC Partners in its response to terrorism, and is working to enhance its dialogue with 7 southern Mediterranean nations.<br /><br />· NATO-Russia: 11 September and the common challenge of terrorism have led to a new quality in NATO-Russia cooperation. The NATO-Russia Council launched in May 2002 identifies terrorism as one of several areas for NATO-Russia consultation and practical cooperation, such as developing joint terrorist threat assessments and analysing proliferation risks and possible counter-measures.<br /><br />· Balkan Terrorism: NATO forces in the Balkans have acted against terrorist groups with links to the Al-Qaida network. They continue to contribute to the campaign against terrorism by focusing on the illegal movement of people, arms and drugs, and by working with the authorities throughout the region on border security issues.<br /><br />‘ENDURING FREEDOM’ AND ISAF CRITICALLY DEPENDENT ON NATO MEMBERS AND PARTNERSA considerable number of NATO forces are involved in two concurrent operations: “Enduring Freedom”, the ongoing US-led military operation in Afghanistan, and the International Security Assistance Force, a UN-mandated multinational force deployed in and around Kabul to help stabilise the country and create the conditions for self-sustaining peace. While neither are NATO operations per se, their success depends critically on the participating NATO forces, and their training and experience in working together effectively within NATO, as well as with Partner countries. <br /><br />· A Joint Effort: Some 70 countries support the global coalition against terrorism in one way or another, many of them by committing land, sea and/or air forces for military tasks, reconstruction work or humanitarian relief. European nations play a major part, and currently provide more than half of the forces on the ground in Afghanistan.<br /><br />· “Enduring Freedom”: 14 NATO Allies have forces directly involved in operation “Enduring Freedom”. For example, special forces teams from the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany and Canada have worked closely together with US teams. Planes and ships from Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK conduct surveillance, interdiction and interception operations.<br /><br />· ISAF: At the end of June 2002, the UK handed over to Turkey the command of the International Security Assistance Force. The bulk of this 4,500 strong force is made up of NATO Allies, which are contributing in different ways. For example, Belgium is providing airlift, the Czech Republic a field hospital, Portugal a medical team, and Poland engineering and logistical support.<br /><br />· NATO’s Partners: Both operations continue to benefit from the efforts made by NATO over the past decade to engage its Partner countries, and from the practical experience of Partner participation in Balkan peacekeeping. For example, NATO’s Partners in the Caucasus and Central Asia have provided crucial basing and overflight. Romania has made available infantry, military police, NBC and transportation assets. Russia and Slovakia have been lending essential engineering support. And Sweden has deployed an intelligence unit to ISAF headquarters.<br /><br />ADAPTING NATO TO THE CHALLENGE OF TERRORISM THE PRAGUE PACKAGEWhile NATO’s contribution to the fight against terrorism has already been significant, efforts are also underway to better equip the Alliance, and to allow it to play its full part in what will inevitably be a long-term effort. NATO’s Prague Summit on 21 November 2002 will usher in an Alliance with new members, enhanced relations with Partners, and improved capabilities. NATO Heads of State and Government will also adopt a comprehensive package of measures that will underline NATO’s preparedness and ability to take on the full spectrum of security challenges before it, including terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. <br /><br />· Military Concept: NATO’s new military concept for defence against terrorism is expected to underline the Alliance’s readiness: to act against terrorist attacks, or the threat of such attacks, directed from abroad against our populations, territory, infrastructure and forces; to provide assistance to national authorities in dealing with the consequences of terrorist attacks; to support operations by the EU or other international organisations or coalitions involving Allies; and to deploy forces as and where required to carry out such missions.<br /><br />· Capabilities Improvement: A capabilities action plan will set out specific counter-terrorism capabilities and include firm national commitments to acquire them. This effort will be part of NATO’s overall capabilities effort, and will also benefit EU efforts on its “Headline Goal”. <br /><br />· Defence Against Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Alliance’s capabilities effort includes a focus on defence against biological and chemical weapons. Specifically, NATO has five concrete initiatives underway: a deployable nuclear, chemical and biological (NBC) analytical laboratory; an NBC event response team; a virtual center of excellence for NBC weapons defence; a NATO biological and chemical defense stockpile; and a disease surveillance system. <br /><br />· Consequence Management: A Civil Emergency Planning action plan is expected to set out mechanisms and capabilities that may be used to manage the consequences of possible terrorist attacks, including those with weapons of mass destruction.<br /><br />· Partnership Action Plan: A Partnership Action Plan on terrorism is expected to provide a framework document for NATO-Partner cooperation on terrorism, defining partnership roles as well as instruments for fighting terrorism and managing its consequences.<br /><br />· Cyberdefence: Efforts are also underway within the Alliance to better protect against and otherwise prepare for a possible disruption of NATO and national critical infrastructure assets, including information and communications systems.