Memorandum of
understanding between Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of
Denmark, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia, Minister
of Defence of the Republic of Finland, Ministry of Defence of the
Republic of Latvia, represented by the Minister of Defence of the
Republic of Latvia, Minister of Defence of the Republic of
Lithuania, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,
Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway, Minister of Defence
of the Kingdom of Sweden, Secretary of State for Defence of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning
Co–operation on the development of BALTBAT Into an Infantry
Battalion
The Ministers of Defence of
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands,
Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland:
pursuant to the Memorandum of
Understanding on the formation of the Baltic Peacekeeping
Battalion signed in Copenhagen on 11 September 1994, and the
Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of
Estonia, the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the
Government of the Republic of Lithuania concerning the Baltic
Battalion in Tallinn on 10 December 1997, and
considering that the support to
the Baltic Battalion is in the spirit of the Partnership for
Peace programme, and
taking note of the Agreement among
the states parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and the other
states participating in the Partnership for Peace regarding the
status of their forces and the Additional Protocol thereto done
in Brussels on 19 June 1995, and
acknowledging the prospects for
assistance from other states,
have concluded the following
Memorandum of Understanding.
Section 1.
Introduction
1.1. This memorandum of
Understanding between the Ministers of Defence of Denmark,
Finland, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, hereinafter referred to as
the supporting states, and the Ministers of Defence of Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania, hereinafter referred to as the Baltic
states, establishes the co–operative framework for the training
and development of the Baltic Battalion, hereinafter referred to
as BALTBAT, into an infantry battalion with the capacity to carry
out Peace Support Operations and operations contributing to
regional stability as mandated by international organisations and
conducted in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
1.2. Each supporting state will
provide assistance according to its national fields of expertise,
within the limits of its national legislation, and according to
its own resources and budgetary procedures.
Section 2.
Purpose
2.1. The multinational programme
of practical assistance outlined in this Memorandum of
Understanding is designed to develop BALTBAT into an infantry
battalion, thereby enhancing its self–defence capability and
rendering it capable of exercising the use of force when
required, and to permit the Baltic states themselves to sustain
it. This development will involve the acquisition by BALTBAT of
organic indirect fire support and a medium–range anti–tank
capability, and the ability to undertake Support Weapons
Operations.
2.2. The programme is intended to
support the development of BALTBAT into an infantry battalion
over a period of around two years (according to the Project Plan,
an outline of which is at Annex A).
2.3. It is the intention to focus
the assistance primarily on training of officers and
non–commissioned officers, Support Weapons training and,
initially, the continuation of Basic Military Training (the
latter will be conducted by the Baltic states themselves from the
end of 1998). Attention will also be paid to supporting the three
National Training Centres (at Paldiski, Adazi and Rukla) as may
be mutually decided by the participants, and to the
implementation of the BALTBAT Logistics Concept (including
assistance to the Baltic Support Group).
Section 3.
Organisation
3.1. To facilitate effective
co–ordination and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and
resources, the supporting states (and other donor countries) and
the Baltic states will continue to be represented in the Steering
Group and Military Group established under the terms of the
Memorandum of Understanding signed in Copenhagen on 11 September
1994. Both Groups will remain under Danish chairmanship. The
Steering Group will remain responsible for overall control and
direction of the multinational programme of assistance. The
Military Working Group will continue to be responsible for
developing detailed aspects of the programme and for reviewing
and implementing the Project Plan.
3.2. English will remain the
training and command language of the Battalion.
3.3. The supporting states will
continue to assist with the administrative and legislative work
for the development of the Battalion.
3.4. The Baltic states will be
responsible for the recruitment, retention, and payment
(including their salaries, allowances, and travelling costs) of
all BALTBAT personnel and for providing host nations support, in
accordance with the Project Plan and the terms of Annex B.
3.5. The supporting states will
endeavour to provide assistance to the Baltic states in such a
way as to maximise where appropriate the opportunities for
interoperability and compatibility.
Section 4.
Training
4.1. The supporting states will
continue to provide assistance with the organisation and training
of the Battalion; and with the planning of its logistics system
and training equipment. The emphasis will be on training the
anti–tank and mortar platoons and on commanders training (fire
support, support weapons etc.). Training support will also be
considered for those structures necessary to support the
Battalion, including the Baltic Support Group (BSG) and the
National Training Centres. Training will be provided in
accordance with the Project Plan.
Section 5.
Status of Personnel
5.1. In connection with the
support rendered pursuant to this MOU, the Agreement (and the
Additional Protocol to the Agreement) between the States Party to
the North Atlantic Treaty and other States participating in
Partnership for Peace regarding the status of their forces
(PfP–SOFA) will be applied between those states who are party to
the above mentioned Agreement. The relationship between the
States who are party to the PfP–SOFA and States who are not party
thereto will be regulated in accordance with the spirit of the
PfP–SOFA and the Additional Protocol thereto.
Section 6.
Security
6.1. Classified information will
be transferred only through Government–to–Government channels or
trough channels approved by the designated security authorities
of the participants concerned. Such information will bear the
level of classification and denote the country of origin.
6.2. Except as otherwise stated,
all classified information exchanged or generated in connection
with this Memorandum of Understanding will be used, transmitted,
stored, handled and safeguarded in accordance with the applicable
national security laws and regulations of the receiving
State.
6.3. Each participant will take
all lawful steps available to it to ensure that information
provided or generated pursuant to this Memorandum of
Understanding is protected from further disclosure, except as
provided below, unless the other participants concerned consent
to such disclosure.
6.4. Consistent with national laws
and regulations, participants will not release classified
information to any third party — either directly of under freedom
of information provisions — without prior consultation with the
originating party ant the other participants.
6.5. Consistent with national laws
and regulations, the participants will investigate all cases in
which it is known or suspected that classified information
provided or generated pursuant to this MOU has been lost or
disclosed to unauthorised persons. Each participant will also
promptly and fully inform other parties of the details of the
investigation and of the corrective action taken to preclude
recurrences.
6.6. For any facility where
classified information is to be used, the responsible party will
approve the appointment of a person or persons to exercise
effectively the responsibilities for safeguarding at such
facility the information pertaining to the MOU.
6.7. Each participant will ensure
that access to classified information is limited to those persons
who possess the requisite security clearances and have a specific
need for access to classified information in other to
participate. No individual will be granted access to classified
information solely by virtue of appointment, rank or security
clearance.
6.8. All visiting personnel will
comply with the security regulations of the host party. Any
information disclosed or made available to visitors will be
treated as if supplied to the party sponsoring the visiting
personnel, and will be subject to the provisions of this
Memorandum of Understanding.
6.9. All classified information
exchanged or generated under this Memorandum of Understanding
will continue to be protected in the event of withdrawal by any
party or upon termination of the Memorandum.
6.10. For the purpose of achieving
and maintaining comparable standards of protection of classified
information exchanged in accordance with this Memorandum of
Understanding, each participant will, upon request, provide
information on its national legislation in this regard and will,
for this purpose, facilitate consultation in these matters
between the relevant authorities of the Participants.
6.11. The competent authorities of
the Participants will co–operate in the implementation of these
provisions.
Section 7.
Withdrawal
7.1. Participants may withdraw
from this Memorandum of Understanding by giving three months
written notification to the other Participants.
Section 8.
Amendments
8.1. This Memorandum of
Understanding may be amended at any time, in writing, by the
mutual consent of the participants. Once it has come into effect,
this Memorandum of Understanding shall be open to accession by
third parties subject to the approval of the Participants and to
such conditions as they may decide.
Section 9.
National law and international obligations
9.1. This Memorandum of
Understanding is not intended to supersede national law or
international obligations by which the participants are bound. In
case of contradiction, national law and international obligations
will prevail.
Section 10.
Disputes
10.1. Any dispute concerning the
interpretation or application of this Memorandum of Understanding
will be resolved by consultation between the Participants without
recourse to any outside jurisdiction.
Section 11.
Effective Date
11.1. This Memorandum of
Understanding becomes effective on the date of the last signature
and will remain effective until completion of the Project Plan or
otherwise mutually agreed.
Annexes:
A. Outline of the Project Plan
B. Responsibilities of the Baltic
states
Memorandum of Understanding
concerning co–operation on the development of BALTBAT into an
infantry Battalion signed in one copy in the English language and
deposited in the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Denmark
which will provide certified copies to each Participant.
Hans Haekkerup Andrus Öövel
Minister of Defence Minister of
Defence
of the Kingdom of Denmark of the
Republic of Estonia
Anneli Taina Tālavs Jundzis
Minister of Defence Minister of
Defence
of the Republic of Finland of the
Republic of Latvia
Česlovas Stankevičius Frank De
Grave
Minister of Defence Minister of
Defence
of the Republic of Lithuania of
the Kingdom of Netherlands
Dag Jostein Fjaervoll Björn von
Sydov
Minister of Defence Minister of
Defence
of the Kingdom of Norway of the
Kingdom of Sweden
George Robertson
Secretary of State for Defence
of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland
Annex A
Outline of the Project Plan
Section 1.
Introduction
1.1. The aim of this Project Plan
is to co–ordinate assistance for the development of BALTBAT into
an Infantry Battalion; and to establish mechanisms by which the
Baltic states can themselves sustain the Battalion.
Section 2.
General Plan
2.1. The Plan has the following
elements:
* continuation of Basic Military
Training (BMT) and Commanders Training for new recruits (this
will be provided jointly by UK/NL until the Baltic states assume
full responsibility); and assistance with English Language
Training (ELT);
* logistics training and
assistance with implementation of the Logistics Concept;
* tactical training, leadership
and man–management training of officers and non–commissioned
officers, to provide competent leaders commensurate with the
increased complexity of the Battalion’s tasks;
* training of mortar and anti–tank
platoon commanders, followed by specialist and platoon drill
training;
* training at battalion level in a
Support Weapons environment (including field training exercises
(FTXs) and command post exercises (CPXs)).
2.1. At the end of these
activities BALTBAT should be trained, formed and organised as an
infantry Battalion, and be ready for an operational deployment as
such. As may be agreed by the Steering Group, evaluation of
BALTBAT’s capabilities and limitations will be conducted by a
multinational team consisting of representatives from the
supporting states (not MWG members). BALTBAT MWG will, however,
be responsible for co–ordinating this evaluation.
2.3. Training support will also be
considered for those structures necessary to support the
Battalion, including the Baltic Support Group (BSG) and the
National Training Centres (NTCs) at Paldiski, Adazi and Rukla.
This support will be approved and monitored by the MWG.
2.4. Project timescales are shown
at Appendix 1.
Section 3.
Organisation
3.1. BALTBAT will be organised as
follows:
* Battalion Staff
* Headquarters & Logistics
Company (HQ&Log Coy)
* Support Company (Supp Coy)
* 3 Rifle Companies (ESTCOY,
LATCOY & LITCOY).
3.2. As a guide, total numbers
will be a maximum of around 740. The precise organisation and
manning of BALTBAT will be determined in the MWG.
Annex B
Responsibilities of the Baltic
States
Section 1.
Introduction
1.1. This Annex records the
understandings, referred to in Section 3 of the Memorandum of
Understanding, reached between the supporting states and the
Baltic states concerning the responsibilities of the Baltic
states to provide host nation support to the training of the
Baltic Battalion (BALTBAT); and to supply personnel to undergo
training.
Section 2.
Definitions
2.1. In this Annex, the following
definitions apply:
a) "receiving State" means the
Baltic State on whose territory the training is conducted under
the conditions set out in this Annex;
b) "sending State" means the
supporting State whose personnel are deployed to the receiving
State for the purpose of providing training under the conditions
set out in this Annex;
c) "participants" means the Baltic
and supporting states;
d) "personnel of the sending
State" means members of the armed forces or civilian personnel of
the sending State;
e) BALTBAT Training Team (BTT)
means the unit responsible for co–ordinating and conducting the
training support provided by the sending States.
f) "Training" means basic and
specialist individual military training, military continuation,
UN training, English Language Training (ELT), Specialist
Training, Platoon Drill Training, and Support Weapons
Training;
g) "Project Plan" means the plan,
submitted by the Military Working Group to Supporting and Baltic
States for their approval, which outlines the project phases,
including the number of personnel expected to participate in
those phases, for the development of BALTBAT into an Infantry
Battalion.
Section 3.
General Responsibilities
Provision of Personnel for
Training
3.1. The Baltic states will make
available personnel to undergo training in accordance with the
Project Plan. OC/BTT will formulate joining criteria for
students, as appropriate, for the proposed training.
3.2. When deployed for training
outside their country, each national contingent will be under the
command of its own company commander, or the senior national
BALTBAT officer present, who will have disciplinary authority
over his own troops and who, in the case or minor offences, will
be able to award punishment without reference to his national
chain of command.
3.3. Absence from training for any
reason will be approved in advance by the company commander and
the chief English language instructor in the receiving State
during English Language Training and with the chief BTT
instructor during any military training. Such absences will only
be approved in exceptional circumstances, or as a result of
illness certified in writing by a qualified medical
practitioner.
3.4. In circumstances where either
a Baltic State wishes to withdraw one of its soldiers from the
programme, or where the instructor finds a soldier unsuitable for
the programme, withdrawal will require the joint authorisation of
the Ministry of Defence and/or CHOD, as appropriate, of the
Baltic State concerned and of the chief instructor of that phase
or the training.
3.5. In the event of an authorised
withdrawal as described in the above paragraph, the Baltic State
concerned will provide a replacement, and train him, at its own
expense, to an appropriate standard in English and in military
skills (in agreement with OC/BTT and in accordance with para
3.3.above) as quickly as possible.
Host Nation Support
3.6. For each training visit
receiving State accepts the general responsibility of providing
the services and facilities specified hereunder.
Accommodation
3.7. The projected accommodation
requirements are based on the estimated personnel numbers laid
down in the Project Plan. The accommodation is to meet the
following standards:
* BTT and ELT instructors.
Sufficient self–contained, two–or three–bedroom flats (one
bedroom per instructor). These are to be clean and hygienic, with
hot and cold running water, heating and electricity. The flats
should be located as closely as possible to each other, and
should have access to an international pay phone for the sole use
of the instructors.
Infrastructure
3.8. Infrastructure will be
provided to support the training at each national training centre
(NTC) during the relevant period. The requirement will be based
on the number of personnel expected to undergo as per the Project
Plan. All premises used for training (including workshops) are to
be adequately heated. The following services and facilities will
be required:
a) Classrooms: a sufficient
number, with desks and chairs, to meet the requirement at the
time. Each will be clean and in good condition, and have
electricity, running water, heating and lighting.
b) Offices: a sufficient number to
meet the requirement at the time. These will be in a suitable
condition, and have electricity, heating and lighting.. All BTT
offices will have access to international telephone lines and
there will be lines for one fax in each NTC, for official use
only. Costs incurred on the telephone lines will be met by the
host country. National lines will also be available in at least
half the other offices of the National Officers and NCOs.
c) Stores: each NTC should have
the following stores:
(I) one for the BALTBAT Training
Team;
(II) one for training
materials;
(III) one company store per
company;
(IV) a sufficient number for the
platoons in the Rifle Coy, and for the platoons in the HQ&Log
Coy and Support Coy based at the NTC;
(V) an armoury to meet current and
future weapon and ammunition requirements for the Rifle Company
and the platoons in the HQ&Log Coy and the Support Coy based
at the NTC; it should be equipped with a suitable security system
and guarded to appropriate standards;
(VI) one for clothing, equipment
and miscellaneous items. The Baltic states will appoint a
Quartermaster (QM) in each NTC who will be responsible for all
BALTBAT equipment located in that NTC. QMs will report direct to
CO/BALTBAT.
d) Miscellaneous: each NTC should
have access to a gymnasium equipped for collective and individual
fitness training; a lecture hall or cinema; and an assault
course, fully repaired and safe in every respect.
e) Training Support: each NTC
should provide a training co–ordination centre; and the necessary
support for range sentries, demonstration troops and enemy forces
for the students undergoing training.
f) Maps: each NTC will provide
sufficient maps to support the training that is taking place at
any given time;
g) Ranges: as required for the
conduct of training of infantry companies and support weapons. As
a minimum, each NTC should provide a range of up to 500 metres
with firing points for at least 30 soldiers and a field firing
range with at least the capacity to conduct platoon fire and
manoeuvre for 30 soldiers simultaneously. A range with sufficient
capacity to permit the firing of heavy machine guns should also
be provided. All ranges should be cleared of ordnance and debris
and have Range Safety Orders. Warning signs should be displayed
around the range and training areas during use
Logistics Support
3.9. Responsibility for Logistics
support lies with the Baltic States in accordance with the
Logistics Concept (approved by the BALTBAT Steering Group on 25
September 1997). Logistic support should be provided to support
the training taking place at the NTCs at any given time. The
level required will be commensurate with the number of personnel
as per the Project Plan. The following services and facilities
will be provided:
a) Feeding and Canteen: sufficient
feeding and canteen facilities to meet the requirements at any
given time; the food should be of a suitable standard and meet
appropriate nutritional requirements;
b) Transport: sufficient dedicated
transport for instructors (including ELT instructors) to meet the
requirements at any given time;
c) POL: sufficient petrol, diesel
oils, lubricants and anti–freeze for all vehicles;
d) Maintenance: one first– and
second–line workshop with servicing bay with power, lighting and
heating; sufficient garages to store the vehicles allocated to
the NTC; and sufficient capacity for the repair of vehicles,
arms, electronic equipment, etc.
e) Liaison Officers &
Interpreters: one liaison officer per NTC; and interpreters, as
necessary, to meet the requirements at any given time.
Customs Procedures
3.10. A general freedom of
movement for instructors and BALTBAT personnel and equipment is
required and the receiving States should ensure that this is
possible. Whenever stores, equipment, etc., are being moved to
one or more NTC, the receiving States should provide assistance
with customs clearances to facilitate the timely and safe
delivery of items to the NTCs.
Medical Facilities
3.11. The receiving State will
provide free of charge to the personnel of the sending State
access to such necessary medical facilities, as are available.
The Sending State may, if they wish, use their own
doctors/medical facilities. Consistent with the laws of the
receiving State, the BTT medical officer is permitted to import,
store, transport between receiving states, and use medical
supplies as needed for his duties.
Overflying and Airfield
Facilities
3.12. The receiving States will
afford overflying rights and airfield facilities for the military
aircraft of the sending State and their personnel operating in
support of visits covered by this Annex. Arrangements will be
made for military aircraft from sending States — while performing
activities related to BALTBAT — which land in airfields of the
receiving States to be excused from the payment of landing
fees.
3.13. Rescue helicopters and
airplanes from sending States should — in emergency situations,
and on a case by case basic — be guaranteed permission to cross
the territory of a receiving State and land (where agreed) in
order to evacuate personnel on duty in BALTBAT.
Provision of Equipment
3.14. When equipment is provided,
including any provided by other States, for the purpose of
assistance with the formation and development of the Baltic
Battalion, the Baltic State, to which the equipment has been
supplied, will ensure that such equipment in used in direct
support of the training and operation of the Battalion. Delivery
of equipment to the point of entry in the Baltic states should be
accomplished without incurring any landing or arrival fees. The
Baltic states should ensure that equipment is able to move freely
between NTCs.
