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    Anyone who believes they can sail through NATO's layers of surveillance and interdiction needs to think again.

    VADM Veri holds Unified Protector Press Conference abooard ITS Etna

    Photo By Master Chief Petty Officer Giovanni Malafronte | Vice Adm. Veri, commander of the NATO Maritime Headquarters in Naples and responsible...... read more read more

    NAPLES, ITALY

    04.04.2011

    Courtesy Story

    Allied Joint Force Command Naples     

    NAPLES, Italy - "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome aboard Italian Ship Etna.

    I am Vice Admiral Rinaldo Veri, Commander of the NATO Maritime Headquarters in Naples.

    In a few moments I will pass you to Rear Admiral Mattesi who will tell you what it is like on operations off the coast of Libya.

    But first let me bring you up to date on Operation Unified Protector.

    Operation Unified Protector is NATO's part of the global effort to protect the people of Libya from violence committed by the military forces loyal to the Ghaddafi regime.

    This operation is being conducted on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.

    Operation Unified Protector is now commanded by Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard from Bagnoli, Naples.

    I have been entrusted with commanding the part of the operation which enforces the arms embargo in the maritime approaches to Libya. This embargo assists in reducing the flow of arms, related material and mercenaries. All indications tell me we are being successful in our mission.

    NATO's reaction to the plight of the people of Libya has been very rapid.

    The Embargo mission began as recently as the 23rd of March.

    I can tell you that the staff of my headquarters in Nisida and aboard my ships worked incessantly – and continues to work – to get this operation up and running.

    Under my command I currently have 16 ships, submarines and surveillance aircraft. Nine nations are contributing. This force is destined to grow.

    Anyone who believes they can sail through NATO's layers of surveillance and interdiction needs to think again.

    This mission is not only about enforcement. There are ships out there trying to carry out legitimate business with Libya. The country needs supplies. There are ships carrying out humanitarian roles, still evacuating people from the violence that has stricken this country.

    My headquarters and the crews of the NATO maritime group carry out an essential coordination role to allow these legitimate movements to take place. We tell these ships exactly what they must do and if they follow all our instructions they can proceed with minimum disturbance.

    My operations are limited to the International waters of Libya unless circumstances demand otherwise.. The situation in the ports is unstable and will remain so until military forces stop attacking the civilian population.

    The situation in International waters is under control There is a robust NATO naval presence which will deny re-supply of arms and mercenaries.

    I ask you all to spare a thought for the men and women of these NATO ships and the crews of our surveillance planes dedicating their days and nights to assisting the population of Libya. The life of a sailor is not an easy one. It is a life of discipline and hardships.

    I would now like to pass the word to the commander of the NATO surface group, my good friend Rear Admiral Mattesi who within a few hours will sail back to join his ships off Libya."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.04.2011
    Date Posted: 04.06.2011 04:16
    Story ID: 68328
    Location: NAPLES, IT

    Web Views: 26
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN