Manama: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) has assured Algeria that Israel would not be allowed to use its participation in Active Endeavour to threaten regional interests, an Algerian newspaper reported on Monday.
Nato's assurances were given after Algiers said that it would halt its cooperation with the alliance if an Algerian commercial ship is searched by the naval force operating in the region, Elkhabar daily said.
The Algerian warning was issued following reports that Israel will dispatch a warship to join the NATO naval force in the region that uses ships, submarines and aircraft to improve the security of the shipping industry and to prevent the passage of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction.
"The Algerian navy has been told to limit its military coordination and security cooperation with NATO ships operating in the Mediterranean, following the announcement that an Israeli ship will join the naval force," Elkhabar said without specifying who gave the instructions.
"The Algerian navy has decided to keep its cooperation with the naval force at a minimum level. Cooperation will be terminated if an Algerian ship is searched or threatened," the paper said.
Algeria has requested from NATO all relevant information about the naval patrols monitoring arms smuggling and engaged in fighting terrorism "in order to avoid any direct contact between Algerian navy units and the Israeli unit that joined Active Endeavour," Elkhabar said.
According to the paper, Algerian authorities are concerned that Israel would be closely monitoring the Arab shores and that its ships could spy on all telephone conversations in the region.
The need for a solution to avoid Israeli ships approaching the shores of Arab countries, particularly those with which Tel Aviv has no diplomatic relations prompted NATO to act promptly.
"NATO officials have assured Algeria that it would not tolerate an Israeli abuse of their engagement in Active Endeavour to carry out any antagonistic attacks on the countries in the region. NATO also suggested giving assurances on the role and mission of the Israeli ship. Giampaolo Di Paola, NATO's military commander, visited Israel to convey Arab concerns," Elkhaber said.
On Friday, NATO spokesman James Appathurai said in Brussels that "NATO separates such activities from political events in the Middle East."
NATO began Active Endeavour in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks in the United States. The operation initially involved NATO member countries only, but relied heavily on the logistic support of Mediterranean NATO Allies. However, partner countries have been offering support since 2004. Russia deployed vessels twice, once both in 2006 and 2007, and Ukraine a total of four times, twice in 2007 and in 2008. In July, Israeli daily Haaretz reported that Israel issued a request to allow it to join NATO's Active Endeavor naval force.
