NATO vows ‘unity’ at Trump defence chief’s debut

AFP, BRUSSELS: NATO allies will show “transatlantic unity” in their first talks with new Pentagon boss James Mattis on Wednesday, the alliance’s chief said against a backdrop of concerns about US President Donald Trump’s commitment.
Defence Secretary Mattis has voiced support for NATO in contrast with the sceptical Trump, and has been tougher on Russia than his boss, whose views worry the alliance’s eastern European member states in particular.
Mattis’s visit has been overshadowed by the resignation of Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn over allegations he had discussed US sanctions with Russia’s ambassador before taking office.
“I am absolutely certain that the message from this meeting will be a message of transatlantic unity,” NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg told journalists as he arrived for the two-day meeting in Brussels.
Stoltenberg said they will also stress “the importance that we stand together and protect each other and a very strong commitment of the United States to NATO.”
His comments came after he was asked whether Flynn’s departure over his behind-the-scene contacts with Russia was a sign of chaos in the Trump administration. Mattis said on the flight to Brussels that Flynn’s departure would have “no impact” on the US message to NATO. The retired Marine general praised the alliance for its enduring help for the United States in Afghanistan. 
“This has been the most successful alliance in military history,” he said.
Also hanging over the meeting was a New York Times report that Moscow had deployed a new cruise missile, raising fears it would violate the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
Like the US State Department, the NATO chief said he would not comment on intelligence matters but warned that “any non-compliance of Russia with the INF treaty would be serious concern for the alliance.”Despite the message of unity, Mattis is still set to push the rest of the 28-nation group to meet their increased military spending pledges, despite many in Europe facing hard economic times.
In a sign that the Trump administration’s pressure on the issue is bearing fruit, Stoltenberg said on the eve of the meeting that boosting spending was a top priority.
“The most important thing is that we increase defence spending and that is exactly what we are doing,” Stoltenberg told reporters at alliance headquarters.

NATO vows unity at Trump defence chiefs debut

AFP, BRUSSELS: NATO allies will show transatlantic unity in their first talks with new Pentagon boss James Mattis on Wednesday, the alliances chief said against a backdrop of concerns about US President Donald Trumps commitment. Defence Secretary Mattis has voiced support for NATO in contrast with the sceptical Trump, and has been tougher on Russia than his boss, whose views worry the alliances eastern European member states in particular. Mattiss visit has been overshadowed by the resignation of Trumps national security adviser Michael Flynn over allegations he had discussed US sanctions with Russias ambassador before taking office. I am absolutely certain that the message from this meeting will be a message of transatlantic unity, NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg told journalists as he arrived for the two-day meeting in Brussels. Stoltenberg said they will also stress the importance that we stand together and protect each other and a very strong commitment of the United States to NATO. His comments came after he was asked whether Flynns departure over his behind-the-scene contacts with Russia was a sign of chaos in the Trump administration. Mattis said on the flight to Brussels that Flynns departure would have no impact on the US message to NATO. The retired Marine general praised the alliance for its enduring help for the United States in Afghanistan. This has been the most successful alliance in military history, he said. Also hanging over the meeting was a New York Times report that Moscow had deployed a new cruise missile, raising fears it would violate the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Like the US State Department, the NATO chief said he would not comment on intelligence matters but warned that any non-compliance of Russia with the INF treaty would be serious concern for the alliance.Despite the message of unity, Mattis is still set to push the rest of the 28-nation group to meet their increased military spending pledges, despite many in Europe facing hard economic times. In a sign that the Trump administrations pressure on the issue is bearing fruit, Stoltenberg said on the eve of the meeting that boosting spending was a top priority. The most important thing is that we increase defence spending and that is exactly what we are doing, Stoltenberg told reporters at alliance headquarters.