Meeting Today’s Security Challenges: Introductory remarks by US Ambassador and NATO Deputy Sec-Gen Alexander Vershbow at the Munich Security Conference Kick-Off in Berlin NATO, Jan 21 2013

And I want to use this opportunity to thank the German Government for the determination it has shown on this issue. It is increasingly clear that President Assad’s days are numbered. Within our trans-Atlantic community, I think we must begin to consider how we might help a post-Assad Syria make the transition to a normal, stable, peaceful society, and avoid the worst case scenarios of sectarian conflict, civil war or partition. NATO has considerable experience, including with disarming militias, securing military sites, and assisting security sector reform. We have also helped other international organizations and NGOs in the provision of humanitarian relief and disaster assistance. We must be ready to make that expertise available if it is requested by the Syrians, in concert with the UN and regional organizations like the Arab League and the GCC. NATO had the foresight, beginning in the mid-90s, to establish partnerships with several of the nations of North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf region through our Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative. These partnerships provided the basis for 4 of our Middle Eastern partners to contribute military forces to our Libya operations. They could serve as the framework for NATO to help countries seeking to reshape their societies following the Arab Awakening.