Head of BBN hopes for more NATO forces in Poland - News - National Security Bureau

08.08.2014

Head of BBN hopes for more NATO forces in Poland

Head of Poland's National Security Office (BBN) Stanislaw Koziej said on Friday he hoped that NATO would decide to strengthen its eastern flank at the NATO summit in September. Poland invites allied forces to construct bases and airfields here, he added.

"Elements of increased presence would be bases with equipment and fuel, or in other words logistic and equipment for those allied forces which will be present on the Polish territory," Stanislaw Koziej told Polish Radio Three.

The best solution would be to keep equipment permanently and rotate only troops, according to Koziej. "It is easier to transport soldiers than heavy equipment," said the Polish national security head, adding that Poland was willing to be a host country in NATO's efforts to strengthen its eastern members.

Asked about potential assistance that NATO could offer Ukraine, Koziej explained that the alliance could provide training and advisory aid, but excluded any weapon deliveries.

"I believe that the Ukrainian authorities assess the situation in a rational way and realise what NATO can do for them," Koziej said. "NATO does not have such competences or possibilities to organise arms shipments to other countries," he added.

Koziej explained that any intervention in a non-NATO country would require the consent of all NATO members.

Russia's military aggression against Poland is still "a highly unlikely scenario," according to Koziej. "Aggression against NATO is still something completely different from aggression against Ukraine," he stressed.

 

Source: PAP