Moscow Slams Norway Plans To Double US Troop Presence
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published June 14, 2018 | 11:54 PM
Moscow on Thursday criticised Norway's plans to ask Washington to double the number of US troops stationed in the Scandinavian country and deploy them nearer the border with Russia.
Oslo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jun, 2018 ) :Moscow on Thursday criticised Norway's plans to ask Washington to double the number of US troops stationed in the Scandinavian country and deploy them nearer the border with Russia.
The plans "cause us serious concern," Russia's embassy in Norway wrote on its Facebook page.
Before joining NATO in 1949, Norway allayed Russian fears by pledging not to open its territory to foreign combat troops so long as it was not attacked or threatened with attack.
The stationing of US troops in Norway "contravenes the Norwegian decision from 1949... This makes Norway less predictable, can stoke tensions, incite an arms race and lead to a destabilisation of the situation in northern Europe," the embassy wrote.
Oslo's announcement came after nine nations along NATO's eastern flank last week called for the alliance to bolster its presence in their region.
Since last year, 330 US Marines have been deployed on rotation at Vaernes in the centre of Norway, despite loud protests from Russia.
Oslo now wants to boost the troop numbers to 700 and station them further north at Setermoen, 420 kilometres (260 miles) from Russia.
The US deployment agreement would also be extended from the current six-month renewable periods to five years.
"The defence of Norway depends on the support of our NATO allies, as is the case in most other NATO countries," said Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen in a statement.
"For this support to work in times of crises and war, we are totally dependent on joint training and exercises in times of peace," he added.
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia had Friday called for NATO to discuss an increased military presence in their region at next month's leaders' summit in Brussels.
The group said it was necessary to supplement NATO's current ground forces "with aerial and naval components." NATO beefed up defences in central and eastern Europe in response to growing fears about Russia, following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Norway has insisted that it is respecting its 1949 commitment, noting that the troop presence is not permanent but rotational.
But Moscow rejected that argument.
"Even if the actual people are rotated, the stationing is continuous," it said.
Russia also expressed "concern" that the "plans were agreed in Oslo without any real bilateral political dialogue." po/jeFacebook
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From World
-
Residents protest as Venice launches five-euro entry fee
3 minutes ago -
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on rise
24 minutes ago -
Pakistan envoy visits TomatoWorld in Netherlands
33 minutes ago -
Chinese defense minister to attend SCO meeting in Kazakhstan
33 minutes ago -
China, Pakistan should engage in greater counter-terrorism cooperation to combat hostile forces: Khu ..
33 minutes ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
34 minutes ago
-
Macron, in key speech, warns that Europe 'is mortal'
34 minutes ago -
China continues to battle flood in Pearl River basin
44 minutes ago -
Death toll from Tanzania's flash floods rises to 155: PM
54 minutes ago -
Iron ore futures close higher
1 hour ago -
Two runaway army horses in 'serious condition': UK minister
1 hour ago -
Myanmar's health ministry issues heat advisory amid soaring temperature
1 hour ago