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PublicTechnology.net January 18, 2010 Cameron on energy: the UK is vulnerable Speaking at Chatham House on security and energy, David Cameron said that energy supply is critical for the functioning of society and the UK is in jeopardy. “After decades as an energy-secure nation, safely reliant on fossil fuel supplies from the North Sea, the United Kingdom has in the last decade added itself to the long list of import-dependent nations. .... By 2025, 47% to 50% of the UK’s energy supply will come from abroad. “These imports come from volatile regions like the Middle East, where political instability, terrorism and piracy pose real risks to supplies. As state control over commodities increases, so does resource nationalism. This was demonstrated by disputes between Russia and Ukraine with knock-on effects for the rest of Europe. .... To improve security and resilience of energy supply, Cameron said a Conservative government will ensure that energy security is high in FCO priorities. He advocated that diplomatic effort and representation should reflect UK strategic energy interests and security of supply. In particular, we need to catch up with other countries in securing long-term energy supply contracts. • Reflect energy security concerns in the tasking of the Armed Forces. The MoD should have regard to energy security in the tasking of our Armed Forces, for example the Royal Navy in the security of the sea lanes and the safety of maritime traffic. • Develop a role for NATO. NATO must develop, in doctrinal and practical ways, the concepts of solidarity and mutual assistance in the context of threats to energy security as part of the operational underpinning given to collective security in the twenty first century. • NATO navies should cooperate with other navies to help police supply lines. Cameron said: “The security of our energy supplies increasingly depends on supplies of fossil fuels located in some of the most unstable parts of the world. Nuclear proliferation is a growing menace, focused for the time being on the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran and the unpredictable actions of North Korea. =========================== Stop NATO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato Blog site: http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/ To subscribe, send an e-mail to: rwroz...@yahoo.com or stopnato-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Daily digest option available. ==============================
