Description
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Media brief of the operation by Commander Varden of the Royal Norwegian Navy, with Powerpoint presentation and question/answer session; he discusses the fictional manoeuvres as if they were part of an actual operation. Interview with Vice Admiral José a Martinez Sainz-Rozas, Commander Spanish Maritime Forces. Presentation and interview are both in English.
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SHOTSHEET (copied, without amendment, from accompanying Defence Media Operations Centre computer disc):
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START 00:30:00 Operational Media brief by Commander (RNoN) Varden*
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01:00:00 He describes the area of the exercise and where various units are currently operating including current enemy positions.
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02:10:00 He describes the events of the last 12 hours of the operation.
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03:08:00 He describes the mines found by our units these mines were believed to have been from WWII.
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04:00:00 He is asked for more detail about the mine sweeping operation and then describes how the mines are cleared by our units either by diver, R.O.V/counter mine or the old way using sweeping gear from the stern of a mine sweeper.
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05:30:00 He is asked how this will affect the local fisherman and the environment he answers "it's very much for their benefit as it prevents the fishing vessels from hauling up mines when out fishing."
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07:50:00 He is asked if he is aware of any mines being deliberately laid. He answers "we do not know the age of the mines they could be one week old or from WWII".
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08:35:00 He is asked when this phase of the operation will be complete. He answers "we are doing this in phases... and it depends how many mines are present... we only have 12 ships".
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09:14:00 He is asked if it takes weeks will it affect the Evacuation Operation He answers "There are many ways to conduct a NEO either with ships or helicopters... we got the order today to conduct a NEO from the NAC".
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10:27:00 Have the friendly forces come under any attacks "No... not yet reports are attacks mainly on UN and civilians but not on our forces yet".
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11:25:00 The Oakland navy is now boarding some vessels in their waters is that completely undermining that operation? "We are operating under a UN resolution we have the highest authority there is to be here. But they have their territorial rights to conduct their own operations. However we will continue to monitor how they conduct their part of the embargo."
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12:25:00 If they continue to harass foreign ships in their waters will you do anything? "That depends on the form of harassment. I'm not currently aware of them breaking any laws."
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12:46:00 Are they carrying out surveillance operations against you? "They are running normal exercises in their area... They are just discovering what is happening in their area... This is a normal part of maritime operations..."
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13:39:00 Is NATO carrying out surveillance operations against Oakland forces? "We are using our assets to monitor the whole of our operational areas and if the Oakland are operating within our area then we will be monitoring their activity."
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14:24:00 Are you concerned that as the political landscape changes this Military exercise will change? "I cannot comment on the strategic/political implications as this is not my level as long as they are operating as they are now there is no limitations... this is not for this briefing."
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15:22:00 "We are operating under a UN mandate and if attacked by an Oakland unit we will retaliate."
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15:56:00 "If they attack the whole situation will change - the UN will then have to impose new resolution."
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16:30:00 "We have no indication of a possible attack... We will defend ourselves."
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17:34:00 Can you tell us how the NEO planning stands at the moment? "We are looking at different options i.e. points of extraction... we have several plans to extract those people."
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19:10:00 Who are you speaking too about the NEO? "We have liaison officers on this ship from the UN they are the main source of our information."
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19:42:00 What information are you receiving from ashore? "They are very concerned this is why the NAC have issued orders to start evacuating the civilians."
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20:20:00 "We will received a list of entitled personnel to be evacuated."
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21:10:00 How will you decide who can be evacuated and check they are not terrorists? "A list of personnel is made by the UN."
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22:17:00 If civilians are injured who will decide if they are evacuated or not? "There will be a evacuation processing centre ashore and they will be checked there."
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24:13:00 I.V. ends.
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24:19:00 Interview with Vice Admiral José a Martinez sainz-rozas commander Spanish maritime forces*.
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24:44:00 When will the NEO take place? "Yesterday the NAC take the decision following the UN requirement to evacuate people from area... not totally clear when we will be able to carry out the operation. We are starting immediately with the planning and should now by tomorrow when we can carry out this operation."
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26:40:00 How desperate is the situation ashore? "My intention is to carry out this operation in a impartial way... need to identify how many people we need to evacuate... this is a very confusing situation with terrorists in the area."
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28:25:00 If the mine hunting is not complete how will this effect the evacuation? "We will clear a route for the landing craft and clear the main highways... we will finish the mine task before we start the NEO."
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31:00:00 What will happen to the NGOs? "The aim is to carry out this operation as safely as possible."
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31:52:00 "The evacuation of NGOs is not part of our plan at the moment."
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32:40:00 "We are trying not to escalate the crisis by following the restrictions placed on us by the UN... we are prioritising all the task."
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33:58:00 How will President Van Halen's opinion change when you move into his country? "He has a very big problem with everything he has had to deal with recently ... we are here trying to solve the security problem and help in the peace in a impartial way... papers have reported we are here to increase the instability that is not true."
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35:19:00 Do you have enough assets available to carry out this task? "We have enough strength to carry out this operation. This is the normal way NATO work and we will receive extra assets as required."
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37:13:00 Tape ends.
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Mini-DV
