by Anna Hampton
Daily Lobo
NATO is transforming to combat the global violence of today, said Royal Navy Lt. Commander Tania Price.
Because the alliance was formed to combat the Cold War in Europe, it is not suited to fight problems across
the world.
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"NATO held an umbrella, and Europe was under the shadow," Price said. "They had to lift the umbrella to extend the shadow further."
Price is part of NATO's outreach program that informs people of the alliance's goals. She gave a presentation Monday in Mitchell Hall.
The alliance has to reconsider its strategies, she said.
"Time moves on. Time changes everything," she said. "You can't fight terrorism with tanks."
To be a better alliance, NATO has had to change its structure by adding more countries and providing aid, including crisis management and security, she said.
It helped rebuild Pakistan for three months after an earthquake in November, she said.
"We went there on a humanitarian venture," she said. "We were hoping to leave a message that NATO can be trusted."
The alliance only uses military tactics when asked, Price said.
Price said it is difficult to get consensus among the 26 member countries.
The alliance has to deal with the differences between member countries, including language, equipment, rules of engagement and cell phone variations, she said.
"It's like trying to get 26 teams to get together and work like a team," she said. "Some countries won't go into Afghanistan because they don't see it
as peacekeeping."
To help overcome the barriers, NATO formed a group of soldiers from several countries that trains together for six months and can be deployed with a five-day notice, Price said.
"The first thing they were involved in was Katrina," she said. "This gives NATO the opportunity to act swiftly."
Price said the Response Force is useful for disaster management, evacuation and anti-terrorist protection.
However, it is still difficult for the alliance to act quickly because a unanimous vote is required for every decision.
Price said undecided countries usually vote to pass a resolution so they are not blamed for a veto.
"If 25 nations agree but one doesn't, in theory, NATO cannot act," she said. "In reality, there are some countries that will sit on the fence and say, 'Hey, just go with the flow.'"
