sAt la n t i c Re v i ew

Tr an
Volume 1, Number 1  September/October 2010 

EYE ON AFGHANISTAN

ANGELA MERKEL STEPPING UP EUROPEAN COOPERATION

EXPOSE: NATO SUMMIT MEETINGS
FROM HISTORY: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND CANADIAN ROLE

Bimonthly Magazine published by the North Atlantic Integrations Promotion Organization (NAPO) from Zagreb, Croatia
Page 2
PAGE INDEX
2 Editorial Intro
EYE ON AFGHANISTAN
3 The Civil Aspects of Croatia’s
Engagement In Afghanistan
4 Allied Report: Afghan Elections Show
Courage And Vision
5 Zapatero: "We Must Stay In Afghanistan
As Long As There Is A Risk To Security"…
7 Remarks By The US President Barack
Obama At The Pentagon Memorial 2010
For our nation, this is a day of remembrance, a
day of reflection, and, with God’s grace, a day
of unity and renewal, said US President
Barack H. Obama in his speech at the Penta-
gon Memorial on 11 September 2010.
8 Angela Merkel Stepping Up European
Cooperation
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called
for the better integration of the Baltic states in
the European energy market. During her visit
to Riga at the beginning of September 2010 she
also praised the "extremely rigorous and clear
line" that Latvia has taken to deal with the
economic crisis.
9 NATO Secretary General Previews
Preparations For November Lisbon
Summit
10 Expose: NATO Summit Meetings
12 From History: The Battle Of Britain And
Canadian Role
The summer of 1940 was a dark time for the
Allied Forces during the Second World War.
Most of continental Europe had fallen to the
Nazis and Hitler was preparing to launch a
full-scale invasion of Great Britain. But first,
he needed to dominate the airspace over the
English Channel. To do so, his Luftwaffe (air
force) needed to destroy the Royal Air Force…
16 The UK And US: "No Commercial
Relationship More Important To Britain"
17 About NAPO
TransAtlantic Review
EDITORIAL INTRO 
As William Hague said in a speech to the Brit-
ish American International Advisory Board at
the New York Stock Exchange: "we are part of
each other’s success", the sentence that best
describes the relationship between people on
both sides of the Atlantic and allies from
Europe, U.S. and Canada.
The two of our continents are connected more than
any other in today's world, and as we reach new age
of the global village, we need to remember, in that
same village, who is our partner, a friend and a good
neighbor. There is a reason for that, as US Ambas-
sador to Croatia James Foley said for one of our
(NAPO) publications few months ago, "Whenever
Western democracies acted together, there was no
unsolvable problem". Today we have problems that
look like insurmountable, they are more than diffi-
cult, and now, perhaps more than ever before, we
must act together!
Allow me to jump on the beginning of this entry or
intro. The way how we are connected is hard to be
described. It is almost impossible to count number of
people who are connecting the two continents, or
more then two Europe and North American nations.
Since I'm from Croatia, let me start with famous
Nikola Tesla, an ethnic Serb born in Croatia, with his
great inventions made in US. Or for people interested
in history and armed conflicts, the less well-known
name of Croat Vjekoslav Lujo Čukela could be interest-
ing. He was the United States Marine numbered
among only the nineteen two-time recipients of the US
Medal of Honor. Čukela was awarded the Medal by
both the US Army and the US Navy for the same ac-
tion during the Battle of Soissons in World War I. He
was also awarded with highest honors from France
(Legion d’Honneur, the Médaille militaire) and Italy
(Croce al Merito di Guerra). A brave men like Vje-
koslav Lujo Čukela connected more than two allied
nations, and he has made a cornerstone of our curent
cooperation. Taking the step of many famous or les
famous investors, academics, inventors and scientists
like Tesla or soldiers like Čukela, today we are starting
a project in which we hope that will help in our bond-
ing and cooperation.
So with great pleasure, I'm presenting you the first
issue of the TransAtlantic Review, magazine cover-
ing news and stories that connect allies and partner
countries on both sides of the Atlantic. ■
Denis Avdagić - denis.avdagic@opsa.hr
Volume 1, Number 1 Page 3

THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF CROATIA’S ENGAGEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN 

Deputy civil affairs team chief of the Provin- The presentation also
cial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Feyzabad listed the planned
Ivan Velimir Starčević delivered on 8 Septem- projects, such as
ber 2010 a presentation at the Croatian Minis- building a protective
try of Foreign Affairs and European Integra- wall around the Feyz-
tion on "The Civil Aspects of Croatia’s Engage- abad elementary
ment in Afghanistan". school and launching
sewing courses to be
attended by single
The presentation laid out Croatia’s contribution to mothers and female
the civil reconstruction of Afghanistan through con- inmates from the lo-
crete projects that are part of the Afghanistan Na- cal prison. Both pro-
tional Development Strategy. The Ministry of For- jects have received
eign Affairs and European Integration has been support from the rele-
taking part in these projects since 2005, i.e. since vant governmental
joining the German PRT in Badakshan, the most bodies of Badakshan.
northern and least accessible of Afghanistan’s 34
provinces.
In regard to civil pro-
jects, Starčević
As the most important project he singled out the pointed out the im-
construction of the Layoba health center, which portance of mutual
covers the area populated by some 10,000 people. trust between the
The center was completed in 2009, and sees two assistance providers
doctors and two medical technicians who, in accor- and the local commu-
dance with the standards of the Afghan Ministry of nity, which bears a
Health, treat 60-100 patients daily. direct influence on
the project’s profit-
ability. Ivan Velimir Starčević
He also mentioned the recently-opened drinking
water pump in a village near Mazar-e-Sharif. The Photo: Hrvatski vojnik
pump significantly improved the drinking water The gathered parties
distribution for the 500 families numbering 4,000 were also presented with the theoretical project
people, who previously have had no access to it. The framework and a short overview of the current secu-
project was carried out in cooperation with the rity situation in Afghanistan, nine years after the
Croatian Ministry of Defence. onset of ISAF. ■

- IMPRESSUM -
TransAtlantic Review - Bimonthly Magazine - vol. 1, № 1 - covering news and stories that connect allies and partner
countries on both sides of the Atlantic
Published by North Atlantic Integrations Promotion Organization (NAPO) - www.opsa.hr - opsa@opsa.hr
Address: Organizacija za promicanje sjeverno-atlantskih integracija (OPSA), Poljana Zvonimira Dražića 9, HR-10000 Zagreb
Web: http://www.publications.opsa.hr E-mail: tar@opsa.hr Fax: +385(0)1/556 736
Representing Publisher: Denis Avdagić, Director of North Atlantic Integrations Promotion Organization (NAPO)
Editor: Denis Avdagić
Editorial Board: Denis Avdagić, Petar Jukić, Robert Mikac, Vedran Obućina, Vedran Tare, Ana Marija Vojković
Questions, proposals, press releases and/or articles are welcomed by e-mail to tar@opsa.hr
Cover Page (front): Photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga, Official US Marine Corps photographer (photo: Cpl. Anthony Patris, a vehicle
commander from Jump Platoon, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd US Marine Regiment, listens in as his interpreter, Nasrullah
Sadat, speaks with Afghan boys after an improvised explosive device detonated in Pinjadoo, Afghanistan, Sept. 6, 2010. No Marines or Afg-
hans were injured by the explosion.)
Cover Page (back): Made by E. Spreckmeester for European Recovery Programme "Marshall Plan" - contest (The flags of Euro-
pean nations form the blades of a windmill while the American flag forms the tail.)
Copyright © 2010 OPSA-NAPO TransAtlantic Review
- TransAtlantic Review is prepared for digital printing and Adobe® PDF digital viewing -
Page 4
ALLIED REPORT: AFGHAN ELECTIONS SHOW COURAGE AND VISION
This Afghan led election is a milestone on the
way to a peaceful Afghanistan free of Taliban
safe havens, said ISAF Spokesman, Brigadier
General Josef Blotz on 19 September 2010, in
an interview to Reuters the day after the Af-
ghan Parliamentary elections.
Of note, the Afghan National Security Forces did an
excellent job ensuring security during the elections.
The number of 294 insurgent attacks and only 34
effective attacks provides clear evidence of this fact.
In comparison to the presidential election in 2009,
the number of security related incidences decreased
by 40 percent. Furthermore, the ISAF Spokesper- The crew of an Afghan Air Force helicopter brin-
son stated that there are significant developments ging ballot boxes for elections
and improvements to acknowledge. Particularly,
there were approximately 400 female candidates
which equated to 16 percent of Parliamentary can-
didates. Additionally, the high women voter turn-
out underlines improved conditions for a better fu-
ture for Afghanistan.
The Commander of international forces in Afghani-
stan Gen. David Petraeus praised those who par-
ticipated in, organized and secured the nation's par-
liamentary elections.
"The people of Afghanistan sent a powerful mes-
sage today," said Gen. Petraeus. "The voice of Af-
ghanistan's future does not belong to the violent
extremists and terror networks. It belongs to the
people."
Gen. Petraeus also stated, "I commend, in particu-
lar, the Afghan National Security Forces, who per-
formed so bravely in safeguarding a weapon with
greater potential than any other - the people's right
to vote and to have a say in the future of their coun-
try. It was an honor on this day, especially, for
NATO ISAF forces to support our Afghan partners."
NATO Secretary General said: On behalf of the
NATO Alliance, I congratulate the Afghan people
today on the Parliamentary Elections, despite the
violence carried out by those attempting to deny the
people's most basic democratic right.
Afghan voters and parliamentary candidates have
once again shown their determination to resist in-
timidation as they choose their own leaders and
path for their country.
I also pay tribute to the Afghan National Security
Forces who have demonstrated their growing
strength and capability to plan and lead the secu-
TransAtlantic Review
 
Photo by SSgt Romain Beaulinette, ISAF
rity effort today, with the NATO-led International
Security Assistance Force in a supporting role.
US President Barak Obama issued statement about
Afghan elections on 20. September 2010:
This is an important step forward in ensuring a
credible process for the Afghan people which results
in a government that reflects their will.
I congratulate the Afghan people on the patience
and resilience they have shown throughout this long
election process. Given Afghanistan’s recent history,
it is extraordinary that they were able to overcome
threats and violence to express their democratic
right to choose their leader. Insecurity in the coun-
try prevented some Afghans from voting, but it is a
testimony to the bravery of the Afghan people that
so many of them did come out to vote in the first
round under tremendously difficult circumstances.
I congratulate President Karzai and Dr. Abdullah,
who both earned the support of voters from across
the country. I also commend all of the other Presi-
dential candidates who made this such a vibrant
campaign.
It is now vital that all elements of Afghan society
continue to come together to advance democracy,
stated among other Barak Obama.
This year elections were the first parliamentary
elections planned, organized and managed by Af-
ghans since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Security
was led by Afghan National Security Forces with
support from ISAF. ■
Volume 1, Number 1 Page 5

ZAPATERO: "WE MUST STAY IN AFGHANISTAN  
AS LONG AS THERE IS A RISK TO SECURITY"... 
The President of the Spanish
Government José Luis
Rodríguez Zapatero spoke be-
fore the Plenary Session of the
Lower House of Parliament
(Congreso de los Diputados) on
15 September 2010 to report on
the Spanish mission in Afghani-
stan. Zapatero began his speech
by remembering the two
Guardia Civil officers and their
interpreter who were killed in
Afghanistan on August 25.

The President of the Government

announced that four people have
already been arrested for their al-
leged involvement in this attack and
said that they will not stop until all
those persons responsible are in the
hands of the justice system and pay
for those terrible murders. His tribute went on to
include all 93 Spaniards who have lost their lives
during this mission.
Zapatero reiterated Spain's commitment to the ef-
forts being made by the international community to
stabilize Afghanistan and assured that "we are in
Afghanistan for reasons of international security
and the security of Spain".
We must stay in Afghanistan, he said, "assuming
our current responsibilities, as long as is necessary,
while the security of the country and the region,
global security and the security of the Spanish peo-
ple are at risk, but always within the framework of
legitimacy and with the consensus of the interna-
tional community".
Every effort must be made for this mission to reach
a conclusion as soon as possible, he maintained. He
added that "Spain is making a very important hu-
man and financial effort" and expressed his convic-
tion that, "despite the difficulties, these sacrifices
will contribute towards making the world a safer
place".
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero reminded the House
that the presence of the international community in
Afghanistan is taking place at the request and un-
der the auspices of the United Nations, forms part
of an initiative by the Atlantic Alliance and has the
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
Photo: Government of Spain
support of the European Union. Therefore, he
added, the actions undertaken by Spain, and by the
other 46 countries that are present in Afghanistan,
is supported by "widespread international consen-
sus".
More than 80,000 soldiers from 47 countries are on
the ground in Afghanistan in an endeavour to avoid
extremist terrorism from gaining a foothold in a
State of great geostrategic importance, whose stabil-
ity is closely linked to that of Pakistan and, to a
lesser extent, that of Iran, India and the Central
Asian Republics. For that reason, what happens in
Afghanistan concerns us all, "our security today has
no borders".
The President of the Government recalled that,
since 2002, the Socialist Group, which was then in
opposition, has supported this mission because it
represented "legal, consensual and fair" interven-
tion.
The objective for the 1,500 Spanish military person-
nel stationed in the Afghanistan is, explained the
Prime minister, to collaborate with the Afghan au-
thorities on maintaining security and rebuilding the
country, as well as to help train the country's secu-
rity forces.
Page 6 TransAtlantic Review

ZAPATERO: "WE MUST STAY IN AFGHANISTAN  
AS LONG AS THERE IS A RISK TO SECURITY"... 

Two members of a Spanish Army in ISAF watch as the aircraft lands at Qual-eh-ye Now airport
Photo: TSgt Laura K. Smith, US Air Force

Spanish troops, Zapatero said, are pro-
viding protection to the civilian population, helping
avoid new victims, and intensifying the training
activities being undertaken with the Afghan Army
and Police in order to enable them to deal with the
insurgency.
Spanish Prime minister added that the Spanish
troops are equipped and trained to deal with the
risks arising from the conflict and violence that is
present in a "dangerous war zone".
As regards civilian matters, Spain has contributed
some 220 million Euros to Afghanistan between
2006 and 2012. The President of the Government
described this effort as significant and can be added
to the more than 1,900 million Euros contributed
globally by Spain to the International Security As-
sistance Force (ISAF) over the course of the last
nine years.
The Spanish Agency for International Development
Cooperation (AECID in Spanish) has also contrib-
uted some 50 million Euros via a Reconstruction
and Political Stability Programme for the 2006-2010
period. That programme covers various lines of ac-
tion, such as those related to agricultural develop-
ment, the improvement of infrastructures, educa-
tion, healthcare, institutional consolidation, access
to drinking water and gender equality.
As can be seen, explained the President of the Gov-
ernment, the intervention in Afghanistan tran-
scends a strictly military dimension and is aimed at
the progressive assumption by the Afghan people of
the responsibility for security and the economic and
social development of their own nation. The ques-
tion of "how and when to make that transition" is
precisely what will be assessed at the NATO sum-
mit to be held in Lisbon in November. ■
Volume 1, Number 1 Page 7

REMARKS BY THE US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
AT THE PENTAGON MEMORIAL ON 11 SEPTEMBER 2010
For our nation, this is a day of remembrance,
a day of reflection, and, with God’s grace, a
day of unity and renewal, said US President
Barack H. Obama in his speech at the Penta-
gon Memorial on 11 September 2010.
"We gather to remember, at this sacred hour, on
hallowed ground, at places where we feel such grief
and where our healing goes on. We gather here, at
the Pentagon, where the names of the lost are for-
ever etched in stone. We gather in a gentle Pennsyl-
vania field, where a plane went down and a "tower
of voices" will rise and echo through the ages. And
we gather where the Twin Towers fell, a site where
the work goes on so that next year, on the 10th an-
niversary, the waters will flow in steady tribute to
the nearly 3,000 innocent lives", said Obama.
  
  
to say that we define the character of our country,
and we will not let the acts of some small band of
murderers who slaughter the innocent and cower in
caves distort who we are.
They doubted our will, but as Americans we perse-
vere. Today, in Afghanistan and beyond, we have
gone on the offensive and struck major blows
against al Qaeda and its allies. We will do what is
necessary to protect our country, and we honor all
those who serve to keep us safe.
They may seek to strike fear in us, but they are no
match for our resilience. We do not succumb to fear,
nor will we squander the optimism that has always
defined us as a people. On a day when others sought
to destroy, we have chosen to build, with a National
Day of Service and Remembrance that summons the
inherent goodness of the American people."

Obama described victims of 11 September 2001: Obama also said that those who attacked U.S.
"They were fathers and mothers, raising their fami- sought to demoralize, to divide and to deprive the
lies; brothers and sisters, pursuing their dreams; very unity, the very ideals, that make America
sons and daughters, their whole lives before them. America, those qualities that have made U.S. a
They were civilians and service members. Some "beacon of freedom" and hope to billions around the
never saw the danger coming; others saw the peril world. Obama added: "today we declare once more
and rushed to save others, up those stair- we will never hand them that victory.
wells, into the flames, into the cockpit. They
were white and black and brown, men and
women and some children made up of all
races, many faiths. They were Americans
and people from far corners of the world. And
they were snatched from us senselessly and
much too soon, but they lived well, and they
live on in you".

Barack Obama stated: "Our remembrance

today also requires a certain reflection. As a
nation, and as individuals, we must ask our-
selves how best to honor them, those who
died, those who sacrificed. How do we pre-
serve their legacy, not just on this day, but
every day? We need not look far for our an-
swer. The perpetrators of this evil act didn’t From left: US Admiral Michael Mullen, President Obama
simply attack America; they attacked the and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates
very idea of America itself, all that we stand
for and represent in the world. And so the Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
highest honor we can pay those we lost, in-
deed our greatest weapon in this ongoing war, is to As Americans, we will keep alive the virtues and
do what our adversaries fear the most, to stay true values that make us who we are and who we must
to who we are, as Americans; to renew our sense of always be." ■
common purpose;
Page 8 TransAtlantic Review

ANGELA MERKEL STEPPING UP EUROPEAN COOPERATION 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has

called for the better integration of the Bal-
tic states in the European energy market.
During her visit to Riga at the beginning
of September 2010 she also praised the
"extremely rigorous and clear line" that
Latvia has taken to deal with the economic
crisis.

"Latvia has had to comply with a great many

conditions set by the IMF. I think the country
has managed this admirably," said Angela
Merkel after a meeting with the Latvian Presi-
dent Valdis Zatlers. Latvia was the second stop
on the Chancellor’s visit to the Baltic states,
after Lithuania.
In the field of energy supply, the Baltic states
would like to reduce their dependence on Rus-
sia. After a meeting with Prime Minister Valdis
Dombrovskis, Angela Merkel said that Latvia
and the other Baltic states are still not properly
integrated into the European energy market.
Merkel underscored the importance of creating an
internal energy market and, in this connection, the
Energy Council of EU heads of state and govern-
ment that is scheduled for February 2011. At this
meeting it must become clear what form greater
integration and networking of European electricity
grids and gas pipelines can take in future, she de-
clared.
Location of Latvia - dark green on map of Europe
European continent, EU is light green
In Riga, the Chancellor praised the excellent rela-
tions that exist between Latvia and Germany. The
two countries work closely together within the EU
and collaborated on preparing the NATO summit in
Portugal and on the new NATO strategy. They are
also allies when the EU is deliberating on sound
financial policy for the future and on ensuring com-
pliance with the provisions of the Stability and
Growth Pact.
There is still scope to step up eco-
nomic contacts, said Angela Merkel.
The Latvian Prime Minister gave her
a list of proposals for cooperative pro-
jects in this regard. The Chancellor’s
itinerary then also included meetings
with representatives of Latvian and
German businesses.

The Chancellor believes that the time

has come for relations between Latvia
and Russia to be strengthened. Ger-
many, she said, welcomes the border
agreement between Latvia and Rus-
sia.
President Valdis Zatlers thanked the
Chancellor for Germany’s support in
the negotiations leading to this border
agreement. ■
Angela Merkel greets Latvian schoolgirls
Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Bergmann
Volume 1, Number 1 Page 9

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL PREVIEWS PREPARATIONS                      
FOR NOVEMBER LISBON SUMMIT 
On 15 September 2010, NATO Secretary
General Anders Fogh Rasmussen outlined
NATO's priorities ahead of the November
summit of Heads of State and Government
in Lisbon. Addressing the media at NATO
Headquarters, Mr Fogh Rasmussen stated
that securing an agreement at Lisbon on a
new Strategic Concept for NATO is a key
priority.

Allies will have the chance to discuss the draft

concept at a joint meeting of NATO Foreign and
Defence Ministers on 14 October this year. Dis-
cussions will revolve around responds on a mod-
ern threats to NATO populations, including iden-
tifying the most effective measures for cyber and
missile defence; not less important is a question
how NATO can learn from operational experi-
ences such as Afghanistan; and the future
breadth of NATO’s partnership programmes. The
Secretary General also expects that the strategic
concept will mandate a process of continual re-
form to ensure that NATO taxpayers get the best
value for money through, for example, commonly
funded programmes and joint procurement.
The second main item on the Summit’s agenda is
Afghanistan. The Secretary General challenged
recent skeptical views on progress in Afghani-
stan, explaining that the Taliban are under pres-
sure all across the country, and that although the
NATO strategy is neither quick nor easy, it is
making steady progress to enable the Afghans to
take care of their own security. He highlighted
that the Afghan Government and NATO now Anders Fogh Rasmussen addressing the media
have clear political and security criteria to allow
Photo: NATO
the start of transition to Afghan lead in the first
half of 2011:
countries of the region, understand that NATO’s
"At the Kabul Conference in late July, the whole support for Afghanistan is for the long run," he said.
International Community agreed that transition to
Afghan lead will begin next year, with an aim to According to the Secretary General, the third key
complete it throughout the country by 2014," said priority will be to "put new energy into our practical
Rasmussen. cooperation with Russia." There are areas of com-
mon interest where NATO and Russia can work to-
The Secretary General expects the Lisbon summit gether: Afghanistan and the fight against drugs,
to endorse the way forward and launch the process counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, proliferation and
of transition. Furthermore, the summit is expected missile defence protection for our troops. Fogh Ras-
to agree a long-term partnership between NATO mussen went on to explain his hope that NATO can
and Afghanistan that will endure beyond the com- cooperate with Russia on missile defence for Europe.
pletion of NATO's combat mission. He will deliver a speech on NATO-Russia relations
in Rome on Friday, 17 September 2010. ■
"It is very important that Afghans, but also all the
Page 10
EXPOSE: NATO SUMMIT MEETINGS 
NATO summit meetings provide periodic op-
portunities for Heads of State and Govern-
ment of member countries to evaluate and
provide strategic direction for Alliance activi-
ties.
NATO summits are not regular meetings, but
rather important junctures in the Alliance’s deci-
sion-making process. Summits have been used to
introduce new policy, invite new members into the
Alliance, launch major new initiatives and build
partnerships with non-NATO countries. From the
founding of NATO in 1949 until today there have
been twenty-three NATO summits. The last sum-
mit meeting to date was held in Strasbourg and
Kehl, France and Germany, in April 2009. Next one
will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, this year in No-
vember.
NATO summit meetings are effectively meetings of
the North Atlantic Council (NAC) - the Alliance’s
principal political decision-making body - at its
highest level, that of Heads of State and Govern-
ment. Due to the political significance of summit
meetings, agenda items typically address issues of
overarching political or strategic importance. Items
can relate to the internal functioning of the Alliance
as well as NATO’s relations with external partners.
Summits as milestones of Aliance
Many of NATO’s summit meetings can be consid-
ered as milestones in the evolution of the Alliance.
For instance, the first post-Cold War summit was
held in London, 1990, and outlined proposals for
developing relations with Central and Eastern
European countries. A year later, in Rome, NATO
Heads of State and Government published a new
Strategic Concept that reflected the new security
environment. This document was issued as a public
document for the first time ever. At the same sum-
mit, NATO established the North Atlantic Coopera-
tion Council – a forum that officially brought to-
gether NATO and partner countries from Europe,
Central Asia, and the Caucasus.
The 1997 Madrid and Paris Summits invited the
first countries of the former Warsaw Pact – Czech
Republic, Hungary and Poland – to join NATO, and
established partnerships between NATO and Rus-
sia and Ukraine, while the 2002 Prague Summit
saw major commitments to improving NATO’s ca-
pabilities and transformed the military command
structure.
TransAtlantic Review
These are just a few of the many decisions that have
been taken over the decades (a full summary of all
NATO summit meetings can be found under
“Previous summit meetings”).
Typically, the decisions taken at a summit meeting
are issued in declarations and communiqués. These
are public documents that explain the Alliance's de-
cisions and reaffirm Allies’ support for aspects of
NATO policies.
The decisions are then translated into action by the
relevant actors, according to the area of competency
and responsibility: the NAC’s subordinate commit-
tees and NATO’s command structure, which cover
the whole range of NATO functions and activities.
Summits are convened upon approval by the NAC at
the level of Permanent Representatives (or Ambas-
sadors) or foreign and defense ministers. They are
usually called on an ad hoc basis, as required by the
evolving political and security situation.
From the founding of NATO until the end of the
Cold War – over forty years – there were ten sum-
mit meetings. From 1990, their frequency increased
considerably in order to address the changes
brought on by the new security challenges. In total,
twenty-three summit meetings have taken place
between 1949 and 2009.
NATO summit meetings are held in one of the mem-
ber countries, including Belgium, at NATO HQ.
Members will volunteer to host a summit meeting
and, after evaluating all offers, the NAC makes the
final decision concerning the location. In recent
years, summit locations have held some thematic
significance. For example, the Washington Summit
of 1999 commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of
the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in that city.
Volume 1, Number 1
EXPOSE: NATO SUMMIT MEETINGS
Istanbul – which hosted a summit meet-
ing in 2004 – connects Europe and Asia
and is where the Alliance launched the
Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.
Previous summit meetings
The first time that Heads of State and
Government from NATO countries met
was at the actual signing ceremony of the
North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949,
but this was not a summit meeting. The
first summit meeting was held six years
later, in Paris in 1957, and subsequent
summits occurred at key junctures in the
history of the Alliance.
Paris, 16-19 December 1957
Brussels, 26 June 1974
Brussels, 29-30 May 1975
London, 10-11 May 1977
Washington D.C., 30-31 May 1978
Bonn, 10 June 1982
Brussels, 21 November 1985
Brussels, 2-3 March 1988
Brussels, 29-30 May 1989
Brussels, 4 December 1989
London, 5-6 July 1990
Rome, 7-8 November 1991
Brussels, 10-11 January 1994
Paris, 27 May 1997
Madrid, 8-9 July 1997
Washington D.C., 23-24 April 1999
Rome, 28 May 2002
Prague, 21-22 November 2002
Istanbul, 28-29 June 2004
Brussels, 22 February 2005
Riga, 28-29 November 2006
Bucharest, 2-4 April 2008
Strasbourg/ Kehl, 3-4 April 2009
Organizing and holding these events
As with meetings at the levels of Permanent Repre-
sentatives and ministers, the work of the NAC is
prepared by subordinate committees with responsi-
Page 11
 
bility for specific areas of policy.
Much of this work involves the
Deputies Committee, consisting of
Deputy Permanent Representa-
tives, sometimes "reinforced" by
national experts. In such cases it
is known as the SPC(R). This
committee has particular respon-
sibility for issuing declarations
and communiqués, including
those published after a summit.
Other aspects of political work
may be handled by the Political
and Partnerships Committee. De-
pending on the topic under dis-
cussion, the respective senior
committee with responsibility for
the subject assumes the leading role in preparing
Council meetings and following up Council deci-
sions.
Support to the Council is provided
by the Secretary of the Council,
who is also Director of the minis-
terial and summit meeting Task
Forces. The Secretary of the
Council ensures that NAC man-
dates are executed and its deci-
sions recorded and circulated. A
small Council Secretariat ensures
the bureaucratic and logistical
aspects of the Council’s work,
while the relevant divisions of the
International Staff support the
work of committees reporting to the NAC.
Participation
NATO summit meetings normally involve member
countries only. However, on occasion, and provided
Allies agree, meetings can be convened in other for-
mats although there is no formal obligation to hold
such assemblies.
They include, for instance, meetings of defence or
foreign ministers, Heads of State and Government
of countries belonging to the Euro-Atlantic Partner-
ship Council, the NATO-Russia Council, the NATO-
Ukraine Commission or the NATO-Georgia Com-
mission. They can also include leaders from ISAF
troop-contributing countries, as was the case at the
Bucharest Summit. External stakeholders can also
be involved. For instance President Karzai, UN Sec-
retary-General Ban Ki-moon, EU Commission Presi-
dent Barroso... ■
Page 12 TransAtlantic Review

FROM HISTORY: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND CANADIAN ROLE 

The summer of 1940 was a dark time for the

Allied Forces during the Second World War.
Most of continental Europe had fallen to the
Nazis and Adolf Hitler was preparing to
launch a full-scale invasion of Great Britain.
But first, he needed to dominate the airspace
over the English Channel. To do so, his Luft-
waffe (air force) needed to destroy the Royal
Air Force...

Prelude to the Battle of Britain

With shocking rapidity, Hitler’s military machine
had overrun France. The Battle of France began on
10 May 1940 with the invasion of the Netherlands
and Belgium; Poland, Denmark and Norway had
already fallen.
Within three days, the German forces crossed into
France and by the end of May French and British
forces had been pushed back to the English Chan-
nel. It was then that the "Miracle of Dunkirk" oc-
curred; between 27 May and 4 June, more than
300,000 men escaped from France, taken off the
beaches of Dunkirk by naval ships and civilian
boats of all shapes and sizes that ferried back and
forth between England and France.
The amount of materiel that the army had been
forced to abandon at Dunkirk meant that they now
faced a substantial shortage in fighting equipment.
"The RAF were successful in keeping the majority Famous photo of British Prime Minister Winston
of German bombers and fighting away, shooting Churchill, taken in Ottawa in 1941.
down 150 aircraft," states the RAF Battle of Britain
website. "However, they lost 100 precious fighters Photo: Yousuf Karsh
and 80 irreplaceable pilots." These losses added to
the perilous situation in which the Allies now found belatedly," says Canadian historian Hugh Halliday.
themselves. "Following the Dunkirk evacuation and the capitu-
On 14 June, Paris fell and eight days later France lation of France in 1940, Hitler expected Britain to
signed an armistice with Germany. face facts and sue for peace. However, when days
passed and no indication came from Britain that
A few days later, Winston Churchill, the newly- they were willing to sue for peace or even negotiate,
elected Prime Minister of Great Britain, spoke in Hitler decided to launch Operation Sea Lion. Only
the British House of Commons about the dire situa- on July 16, 1940, did he issue Directive No. 16,
tion facing the Allies: "The Battle of France is over. which itself was couched in hesitant terms."
The Battle of Britain is about to begin… Hitler
knows that he will have to break us in this island or "Since Britain still shows no sign of willingness to
lose the war. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our come to an agreement in spite of her hopeless mili-
duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British tary situation, I have decided to prepare and, if nec-
Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand essary carry out, a landing operation against Eng-
years, men will still say, this was their finest hour." land," Hitler said. "The purpose of this operation
will be to eliminate the English homeland as a base
for continuation of the war against Germany and, if
Directive 16 necessary, to occupy it completely."
"Operation Sea Lion (Seelöwe), the plan for the in-
vasion of Great Britain, was conceived hastily and
Volume 1, Number 1
FROM HISTORY: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND CANADIAN ROLE
The directive also said that "the British Air Force
must be eliminated to such an extent that it will be
incapable of putting up any sustained opposition to
the invading troops".
"For the Germans to invade, the (German) navy
must dominate the Channel. But before it could do
that the Luftwaffe must dominate the air over the
channel. ... it must gain control of the airspace over
northwest France and the Low Countries, the
Channel, and southeastern England," explains Ca-
nadian historian Jim Stokes-
bury.
"The problems faced by both
sides were enormous, and they
had never been faced before.
Never in history had one nation
tried to defeat another from the
air. The whole Battle of Britain
was so new, and in the end such
a near-run thing, that it is
probably the most tantalizing of
all the single episodes of World
War II.
Neither the British nor the Ger-
mans knew what was going to
happen. No one even knew what German Heinkel He 111 bombers during
it would take to achieve the kind the Battle of Britain
of conditions desired," Stokes-
bury continues.
The Battle of Britain begins
- Phase I – The Channel Battles (Kanalkampf)
Phase I of the battle began on 10 July and lasted
for a month. During this time, the Luftwaffe at-
tacked convoys in the English Channel and Chan-
nel ports. They also began attacking radar stations
on the south coast of England.
- Phase II – Eagle Attack (Adlerangriff)
Phase II, the main assault, was marked by further
attacks on radar positions and massive attacks
against airfields to destroy Great Britain’s fighter
capability in the air and on the ground. In particu-
lar, the airfields of 11 Group, located in the south-
east of England, came under fire. The only Royal
Canadian Air Force squadron in the Battle – No. 1
(Canadian) Squadron, later renamed 401 Squadron
– was part of 11 Group.
The launch of the main assault took place on 13
August, called Eagle Day (Adlertag) by German
High Command.
Page 13
 
The previous day the Luftwaffe heavily damaged
but did not destroy the southern chain of radar sta-
tions. On Adlertag, "the Luftwaffe came out in force,
hitting radar stations, airfields, and aircraft facto-
ries," says Stokesbury. "They flew almost fifteen
hundred sorties, and the British responded with
about seven hundred."
On 20 August, as Adlerangriff was in full flight,
Churchill delivered his speech praising the airmen
fighting the Battle in words that have echoed
through the decades:
"The gratitude of every
home in our island, in
our Empire and indeed
throughout the world,
except in the abodes of
the guilty, goes out to the
British airmen who, un-
daunted by odds, unwea-
ried in their constant
challenge and mortal
danger, are turning the
tide of the world by their
prowess and their devo-
tion.
Never in the field of hu-
man conflict was so
much owed by so many
to so few.
All hearts go out to the fighter pilots, whose bril-
liant actions we see with our own eyes day after
day…"
The attacks continued throughout the month and
into September; "the situation in 11 Group became
desperate," says the RAF website.
However, the Germans "decided that their attacks
on the radar stations were not paying off – just as
they were beginning to – and they discontinued
them, another in their chain of fatal mistakes,"
notes Stokesbury.
- Phase III – The Blitz
On 1 August, 1940 Hitler issued Directive No. 17,
which said that "the war against England is to be
destructive attacks against industry and air force
targets…" However, he said, "I reserve to myself the
right to decide on terror attacks as measures of re-
prisal" – i.e., attacks against civilians.
Later in the month, when it appeared that the Luft-
waffe was winning, the Battle of Britain took an-
other unexpected turn.
Page 14 TransAtlantic Review

FROM HISTORY: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND CANADIAN ROLE 
There had already been some bombing September raids were of much lesser scale, espe-
of military locations on the outskirts of London and cially as the weather began to worsen.
the docks. However, on the night of 24/25 August a On 12 October, Hitler "formally advised his service
Luftwaffe aircraft mistakenly dropped its bombs on chiefs that Operation Sea Lion had been put off to
the city of London. In retaliation, more than 80 the spring of 1941. In fact, he had already turned
British bombers raided Berlin. As the bombing of his thoughts and energies eastwards – towards Rus-
Berlin continued, a furious Hitler rescinded Direc- sia – and would never return to Sea Lion," says Hal-
tive 17, ordering "disruptive attacks on the popula- liday.
tion and air defences of major
British cities, including Lon- By the end of October
don, by day and night". the Battle of Britain
was over; as some his-
The Blitz, which lasted for 57 torians say, it simply
nights, began on 7 Sept., and "petered out".
the Battle of Britain began to
swing in favor of the British. The Blitz continued in
"In a contradictory way, it an effort to destroy
was just what the British Britain’s will to fight.
needed. London was like a For 57 consecutive
vast sponge, and it absorbed nights, bombs rained
damage as a sponge does wa- down on London and
ter," says Stokesbury. the British suffered
nine months of aerial
The shift in targets gave 11 bombardment of their
Group in southeast England a cities.
chance to repair their airfields
and radar sites. As well, the Nine Hawker Hurricanes from 85 Squadron, "It would be misleading
German raids heading for RAF, in October 1940. to say that RAF
London were now within Fighter Command
striking range of 12 Group, located in the Midlands "defeated" the Luft-
and East Anglia. waffe in the Battle of Britain. As of late October
1940 both sides actually had more aircraft and pi-
Sunday, 15 September was the high point of the lots than they had possessed in early August. Yet it
battle according to most – and is now celebrated as was an RAF victory in that the enemy was denied
Battle of Britain Day. The Germans launched a his objective – obliteration of British air defences,
massive attack on London by 123 bombers escorted rendering impossible any air attacks on invasion
by more than 650 fighters. The Luftwaffe suffered forces," says Halliday.
huge losses but were back again the next day. The
fighting was fierce, but ultimately the Allied air- "Yet, like the Battle of Waterloo, the Battle of Brit-
men were victorious. ain was a "near-run thing". … By early September
(the Luftwaffe) had come dangerously close to
Twelve days later, the Luftwaffe made one last ma- (gaining air superiority over the intended invasion
jor effort to bomb London by day. Henceforth bomb- areas). That the enemy failed was due in large
ing raids would be by night, and "any serious aerial measure to their overestimation of the damage they
fighting to be done during daylight hours would were causing and frequent changes in plans," he
have to take place over occupied Europe," says the concludes.
Official History of the RCAF.
The Luftwaffe had clearly failed to destroy the
Royal Air Force; two days later, Hitler announced Canadian Contribution
the postponement of Operation Sea Lion and par- The airmen who Churchill dubbed "the few" com-
tially dispersed the invasion fleet. prised 2,353 pilots and air crew from Great Britain
- Phase IV – The end of the Battle and 574 from overseas. All flew at least one author-
ized operational sortie with an eligible unit of the
The Battle of Britain continued with Luftwaffe Royal Air Force or Fleet Air Arm from 10 July to 31
heavy bomber raids against cities and nuisance October and were awarded the Battle of Britain
raids against towns and military targets, but the clasp to the 1939-45 Star.
Germans had lost the initiative. After mid-
Volume 1, Number 1
FROM HISTORY: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND CANADIAN ROLE
More than 100 Canadians are deemed to have par-
ticipated in the Battle of Britain, and 23 lost their
lives. A Royal Canadian Air Force squadron fought
during the Battle; No. 1 (Canadian) Squadron,
whose pilots were from both a regular force unit
and an auxiliary unit, became opera-
tional on 17 August 1940. It was known
as "Canadian" to distinguish itself from
the RAF’s No. 1 Squadron but in Feb-
ruary 1941 it was designated 401
Squadron.
Three members of No. 1 (Canadian)
Squadron received the Distinguished
Flying Cross for their efforts during the
Battle of Britain: the commanding offi-
cer, Squadron Leader Ernest McNab
(left, on photo); his second-in-command,
Flight Lieutenant Gordon Roy
McGregor; and Flight Officer "Dal"
Russel.
Canadians also fought in the RAF’s 242 Ernest McNab
"All-Canadian" Squadron, which was
heavily, although not exclusively, Canadian. It was
led by RAF Squadron Leader Douglas Bader during
the Battle of Britain. (S/L Bader has gone down in
Air Force history for losing both legs in a flying ac-
cident in 1931; he successfully re-enrolled in the
RAF at the outbreak of hostilities and serving until
1946 – including being shot down, taken as a pris-
oner of war and even escaping from captivity once.)
Many more flew with other RAF squadrons – as
well as Bomber and Coastal Commands providing
support to operations to prevent the German inva-
sion. An untold number served as ground crew,
keeping the fighters flying.
"Ground crews who serviced No. 1 (Canadian)
Squadron’s Hurricanes, sometimes under fire and
routinely under pressure, received belated recogni-
tion in June 1942," says Halliday, "when Flight
Sergeant John R. Burdes was awarded a British
Empire Medal and Flight Sergeant Cecil M. Gale
was mentioned in dispatches."
The citation to Gale’s award read, in part: "Working
under trying conditions, he has maintained the
squadron aircraft in a capable manner. Owing to
the intense operational activity during the latter
part of August and September, the flight mainte-
nance crew was called upon to work to the limit.
Flt. Sgt. Gale carried out his duties, often working
from very early morning until late into the night,
with a result that sufficient aircraft for flight use
were available at all times."
Page 15
 
Replacing experienced pilots throughout the Battle
had been a significant challenge, especially in the
early days of the Battle. Later in the Battle replace-
ments became less of an issue, but the pilots became
exhausted and replacements were less experienced.
The last 10 days of August, according
to the Official History of the RCAF,
"had cost Fighter Command 231 pilots
or almost one-quarter of (Fighter Com-
mand’s) initial strength, and 60 per
cent of those casualties were experi-
enced flyers who could only be re-
placed by inexperienced graduates of
Operational Training Units and as
time wore on less and less experienced
pilots were taking to the air. …as pi-
lots gained practical experience they
were likely to be killed, wounded, or
mentally exhausted by the strain, or
else promoted into other squadrons."
The Battle of Britain would not have
been won without the contribution of
another Canadian: Max Aitkin Lord Beaverbrook.
Churchill appointed Lord Beaverbrook, a newspaper
tycoon, Minister of Aircraft Production in May 1940.
In a series of moves and innovations that upset the
senior leadership at the Air Ministry, Beaverbrook
dramatically increased the production of fighters for
the war effort. "He rode roughshod over all the
happy dilatory routines of peace," says Stokesbury.
"Factory managers and senior air force officers alike
came to hate him, but without him, or someone
equally acerbic, it is hard to see how the British
would have lasted through the summer. He provided
a steadily increasing flow of aircraft, so that in spite
of loses of well over 100 per cent of strength, the
RAF still ended the battle stronger than it went into
it."
In the month before Beaverbrook’s appointment,
256 fighters were produced. In the critical month of
September, as RAF losses reached their height, Bea-
verbrook’s system produced 465 fighters.
And now, with the Nazi’s plan to invade Britain in
tatters, another key Canadian contribution to the
war in the air would begin to show its effect.
"As the Battle of Britain ended, the first young pi-
lots, observers and gunners were emerging from the
schools of the (British Commonwealth) Air Training
Plan in Canada," says Canadian journalist Leslie
Roberts. "Soon their tide would be in full flood." ■
Source: Canadian Department of National Defence
Page 16 TransAtlantic Review

THE UK AND US: "NO COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP                        
MORE IMPORTANT TO BRITAIN" 
The Foreign Secretary of UK Wil-
liam Hague gave a speech to the
British American International
Advisory Board at the New York
Stock Exchange on 22 September
2010.

In the speech the Foreign Secretary

explained the importance of the com-
mercial relationship between Britain
and the US.
"Our commercial relationship supports
jobs, helps create growth and adds
value to both our economies – as well
as helping the global economy battle
its way out of recession".
He described an "extraordinary level of
personal connection" that makes the
relationship between the UK and US
irreplaceable – "quite apart from our
like-mindedness in international af-
fairs, our shared military sacrifices
and our essential defence and intelli-
gence cooperation. We are part of each
other’s success. We have immense re-
serves of goodwill towards each other
and a unique sense of shared interests
and values."
The Foreign Secretary confirmed that
the "British Government is determined
to do all it can to help trade thrive be-
tween Britain and America".

William Hague also said: "A million

people on each side of the Atlantic go
to work each day for British companies
in the US, or for American companies in the UK.
American investment into the UK is seven times
larger than its investment into China, and it is
around a thousand times larger than the scale of
Chinese investment in Britain.
In 2005 the UK earned £50 billion from its invest-
ments in the US, fifty times what we earned from
our Chinese investment activity.
We are each other’s single largest foreign investors,
biggest partners in trade in services, and most im-
portant partners in science and innovation.
I would also add that our investment in each other’s
William Hague
economies is underpinned by a sense of solidarity
and affinity that the statistics, as impressive as they
are, simply cannot do justice to.
Every single state in America has workers in jobs
that are created and sustained by British compa-
nies. And scores of American firms are household
names in Britain not only because their products
are in virtually every home but because they employ
a million of our people.
Our commercial relationship supports jobs, helps
create growth and adds value to both our economies
– as well as helping the global economy battle its
way out of recession..."   ■
 About NAPO 
North  Atlantic  Integrations  Pro
motion 
Organization  (NAPO)  is  found
ed  in 
2006.  It  is  Croatian  based  NGO, 
work‐
ing in region and further. Orga
nization 
is committed to participate and h
promotion  and  spreading  of  elp in 
information’s  about 
Euro‐Atlantic  integrations, secu
rity and other connected subje
public.   cts to the wider 

 
In  start  NAPO’s  activities  we
re  primarily  directed 
true  the  Internet  with  our  pa
ges  on  web  address 
www.opsa.hr,  as  well  as  our  blo
g  (with  daily  news) 
which  is  initiated  on  one  of 
most  visited  Internet 
portal  www.blog.hr,  and  which
our  Internet  pages.  Later  in  20   is  incorporated  in 
07  NAPO  has  started  its  publi
and today  with  this publication w shing  activities, 
e also issue NATO Interviews an
tic  Weekly  magazines.  Besides  d Euroatlan‐
that,  NAPO  is  involved  in  projec
tions,  campaigns  and  event  ts  like  educa‐
organizing  in  fields  of 
Transatlantic  cooperation,  EU
  and  NATO  integration, 
security issues and similar… Wi
th StratOPSA project we 
are  involved  in  strategic  rethin
king  of  today's  world, 
and  by  use  of  socialmedia  like
  Twitter,  Facebook  and 
Scribd we recognize  world we liv
e in and embrace eve‐
rything offered to us... 

- DISCLAIMER -
The North Atlantic Integrations Promotion Organization (NAPO), its members, TransAtlantic Review (TAR) Editorial Board
and any entity that has contributed in any way to the preparation, composition or promulgation of this magazine and of any
related information or documentation, hereby disclaim any overall liability arising from any inappropriate, improper or
fraudulent use of the data provided to readers. Furthermore, neither the Organization, nor its members or TAR Editorial
Board shall be held liable for any financial or other consequences whatsoever arising from such inappropriate, improper or
fraudulent use.
Moreover, the Organization reserves the right to initiate any legal action it shall deem necessary. The Organization under-
takes solely to provide to readers-users of TAR data that information which the Organization deems, on the basis of its own
criteria and in its discretion, to be appropriate for disclosure.
The consultation or use of all NAPO or TAR data shall automatically imply full acceptance of the above disclaimer.
- NOTICE -
NAPO and TAR Editorial Board has prepared this magazine in good will and offered it to the interested entities/readers.
NAPO and TAR Editorial Board used only official and checked sources of information's for this magazine.
All contributing materials to this magazine shall be checked and reviewed before publishing.
- ADVERTISING -
Thank you for your interest in advertising and/or marketing with the TransAtlantic Review magazine. Please direct all ad-
vertising and marketing inquiries by e-mail to: tar@opsa.hr.