Is this a new worry for Europe?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:01

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8957513/Eurozone-crisis-poses-military-risk-warns-defence-chief-General-Sir-David-Richards.html



 

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:02

Eurozone crisis poses military risk, warns defence chief General Sir David Richards

Defence chiefs are drawing up plans to cope with the potential military fallout from the eurozone crisis, according to General Sir David Richards.

It is understood that Armed Forces planners are looking at the possibility that a new global financial crash could undermine the defence forces of key British allies.

The head of the Armed Forces warned that economic issues pose a “strategic risk” to Britain.

Senior British commanders and officials are concerned that US plans to cut defence spending will be followed by other allies in Europe and elsewhere.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:03

Reductions in allied military capabilities could put a greater burden on Britain’s stretched forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere, it is feared.

The military planning work has come to light after The Daily Telegraph disclosed last month that British embassies in the eurozone have been told to prepare emergency plans for the demise of the euro and the possible civil disorder that could follow.

Senior ministers are increasingly convinced that the break-up of the single currency is a real possibility. Economists suggest that the failure of the euro could cause EU economies, including Britain’s, to shrink by up to eight per cent.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:04

Gen Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said economic issues present the biggest threat to Britain and its interests in the world.

“I am clear that the single biggest strategic risk facing the UK today is economic rather than military,” he told the Royal United Services Institute

“Over time, a thriving economy must be the central ingredient in any UK Grand Strategy. This is why the eurozone crisis is of such huge importance not just to the City of London but rightly to the whole country and to military planners like me.”

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:05

The Armed Forces are facing painful cuts and the loss of tens of thousands of personnel, but Gen Richards said that such austerity was necessary.

“The country’s main effort must be the economy. No country can defend itself if bankrupt,” he said.

He used his speech to raise questions about the ability of European economies to sustain their armed forces. He asked: “What impact will fiscal restraint and slow recovery have on European defence capabilities?’’

Gen Richards also noted that America, which is facing deep defence cuts, has said it will switch the focus of its main military effort from the Atlantic to the Pacific and south-east Asia.

That means “less emphasis on Europe and her problems,” he said. Gen Richards also accepted that Britain’s defence cuts carry risks, but insisted those risks were acceptable.

“It will mean taking risk. But managing risk is ultimately what we do and none of us in the Armed Forces are discomforted by the challenge,” he said.

The Armed Forces will

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:06

The Armed Forces will need to “combine realism with imagination”, he said.

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 14:26

It could prove to be a worry but what I find even more worrying is why did it take you 6 posts just to explain what was already in the link you provided in post 1? And whilst I'm on the subject why when you decide to close a thread does it take you 2 or 3 posts to do so when surely one would be ample?



Is it any wonder you are the number one poster. We all like to contribute but this is a little bit extreme wouldn't you agree.



Any more of this and I will be reporting you to admin.

dizzycows


Joined: 12/05/2009
Posts: 2736

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 15:08

Happy Christmas .... and good will to all men.....

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 15:17

You too dizzy. )

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 15:45

Here is somethimg to crown it all. The presidency of EU will be taken up by Denmark for the first half of the year 2012 and by Cyprus for the second half. However Denmark says that they do not want to take on the presidencey for defence, hence Cyprus is expected to do the presidency of EU for defence for the whole of 2012. Very good timing.



Christofias and his lot who could not even handle properly a few containers of ammunition will now head the defence for EU for the whole year of 2012. What a pitiful position for EU. Can they sink any lower? Good riddance to Euro and even good riddance to EU, they are on a slipperry road downwards already.

ismet

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 16:05

@ all above: (...) He asked: “What impact will fiscal restraint and slow recovery have on European defence capabilities?’’

▶ Sir, defence chief General Sir David Richards, with all due respect: Which country is going to attack Europe (the EU)? Bhutan?



Gen Richards also noted that America, which is facing deep defence cuts, has said it will switch the focus of its main military effort from the Atlantic to the Pacific and south-east Asia.

▶ Bl**dy Yanks. So they are not afraid of any military attacks anymore by the EU! And the UK - I hasten to add...

I think it's time to warn the USA for the last time.

rocking


Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 421

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 16:35

Thank you Elko2 my sentiments exactly.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
15/12/2011 16:48

@ msg 10, Elko2: (...) the defence for EU (...)

▶ Ismet, who cares about the defence for or of the EU..?! "It's the economics, stupid!" (free after former USA President Bill Clinton).

And I don't think Cypriot Turkish people* are the chosen people to give an opinion about the defence/economics of the EU.



* "Hello, Ankara? This is the TRNC. Life goes on, but the money is gone. Yeah, indeed, again."