- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Schengen Visas for Tanks? Let’s Call Them Tractors!

© AP Photo / Marek LisSoldiers watch a US Patriot missile being unloaded in a Polish Army military unit in Morag, northern Poland
Soldiers watch a US Patriot missile being unloaded in a Polish Army military unit in Morag, northern Poland - Sputnik International
Subscribe
US General and Commander of United States Army Europe Ben Hodges criticized bureaucratic obstacles that prevent free movement of troops and military equipment between EU countries. His words seem to have attracted followers as after his speech former Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski suggested renaming tanks as “tractors”.

Hodges expressed his disapproval during a recent debate in Washington organized by the American think tank CEPA (Center for European Policy Analysis), Polish national daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported.

The commander complained that it would take NATO two weeks to receive an official permit to deliver tanks and military equipment from Poland to Lithuania. According to the official, a rapid reaction force that is always in a state of high alert proves not to be rapid enough because of long-lasting bureaucratic procedures and obstacles.

U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at the M1A2 Abrams battle tank during a military exercise at the Gaiziunu Training Range in Pabrade some 60km.(38 miles) north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, April 9, 2015 - Sputnik International
US to Deploy Battle Tanks, Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Poland in 2016
Hodges also accused Russia of its alleged intention to divide NATO and the European Union, claiming that the best way to avoid further conflict with Russia is its "deterrence".

To give weight to his words, the general intimidated his listeners with an alleged threat from Russia, referring to the recent military exercises and activities of the latter. For instance, he mentioned that Russia made large military investments in Kaliningrad and is able to "close" the Baltic Sea, by concentrating there a huge number of soldiers and military equipment, including nuclear ones.

The commander also claimed that, because of its heavy military presence in Crimea, Russia can attack "94% of the surface of the Black Sea" and block access to the sea and the mouth of the Danube to NATO countries, harming their economies.

Regardless of how controversial the words of the US general might be, they, surprisingly, seem to have attracted followers.

Commenting on the problems with the transportation of troops, former Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski said:

"We need a Schengen area for American tanks. Maybe we should rename tanks as ‘tractors’? Here in Europe we already have experience with reclassifying vegetables as ‘fruits’ and vice versa," Sikorski stated.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала