The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been a force for good for more than 60 years.
Originating in the aftermath of World War II, NATO is one of several multi-national collaborative organizations that have successfully maintained peace and stability in Western Europe ever since those dark days of widespread conflict and human suffering.
In the 1990s, NATO successfully halted two genocides in the Balkans. Currently, NATO and many partners in the international community are helping the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve peace, stability and the opportunity for a brighter and more prosperous future
With the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, the contributions of NATO began to extend beyond the borders of Western Europe. In the 1990s, NATO successfully halted two genocides in the Balkans. Currently, NATO and many partners in the international community are helping the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to achieve peace, stability and the opportunity for a brighter and more prosperous future.
Though NATO's efforts in Afghanistan tend to be higher profile and garner greater attention, less well known are the significant contributions NATO is making for the people of Iraq through an organization called NATO Training Mission-Iraq, or NTM-I.
At the request of the government of Iraq, NTM-I has been involved since 2004 in helping Iraq develop security forces that are professional, operate in accordance with international standards and the rule of law and have respect for human rights. NTM-I's role in Iraq is not a combat role. NTM-I's sole purpose is to help equip, train and mentor Iraq's fledgling military and police forces.
NTM-I is a small organization, but its work is significant. NTM-I consists of around 270 personnel from 13 NATO countries. NTM-I personnel are not involved in tactical operations. NTM-I's efforts focus on helping Iraq professionalize its military and police training academies and its military and police professional education systems.
With the ongoing drawdown of US and Coalition military forces in Iraq, NATO's efforts take on even greater significance. Iraq's security forces are already responsible for security in Iraq's cities. As agreed to by Iraq and the United States, all US forces will withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011. At this point, Iraq's security forces will be solely responsible for the safety and security of the nation and all of Iraq's citizens.
Though Iraq's military and police forces are performing increasingly well, it can be seen from history and recent experience in places like the Balkans that the development of fully developed and professional security institutions takes time. The government of Iraq has recognized this fact and has therefore asked that NATO continue the NTM-I mission through a formal document known as the Iraq-NATO Long Term Agreement.
Recently ratified by the NATO Council, the Long Term Agreement provides for the continuation of the NTM-I mission and lays the groundwork for future mutually beneficial professional development and exchange opportunities. It is important to clarify that the LTA is not a precursor to NATO membership nor does it commit NATO to any security responsibilities in Iraq. The LTA merely provides for continued NATO assistance in the training, development and readiness of Iraq's security forces.
Stability in Iraq is in the best interests of the international community. It is also morally right that we help the people of Iraq in this small but meaningful way. NTM-I will continue to work at the direction of the NATO Council and in partnership with the government of Iraq to enhance the stability of Iraq and the safety of Iraq's citizens.
* Published in Turkey's TODAY'S ZAMAN on Sept. 20. US Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick and Italian Maj. Gen. Giuseppe Spinelli are the commander and deputy commander, respectively, of NATO Training Mission-Iraq.
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