A former NATO commander has warned that the potential unification of Ireland would be a major blow to the West’s security as it could allow Russia and China to expand their reach in the North Atlantic.
Retired British Rear Admiral Chris Parry warned that if the UK were to lose its foothold in Northern Ireland, it would present a major opportunity for Moscow and Beijing.
Speaking at a briefing for members of Parliament and the House of Lords on Wednesday, he said that the bloc must hold exercises in Irish-controlled waters, “whether Dublin agreed or not”.
RT reports: He noted that the waters between Northern Ireland and Scotland are essential for Britain’s nuclear-armed submarines, describing it as “critical to our strategic deterrent.”
“With a united Ireland, there is no guarantee we could deploy our ballistic missiles,” Parry said.
He also suggested that Irish unification would enable NATO adversaries to threaten critical undersea cables.
The UK needs to calibrate the threat to itself of a supine Republic of Ireland. My view is that the best way to help Ireland now is to increase NATO and Allied activity in Ireland’s economic zone waters,” he said.
Parry even suggested that NATO should hold exercises in Irish-controlled waters “whether Dublin agreed or not,” saying the bloc must be prepared to “fish in Irish waters for our potential opponents.” He added that the republic should move toward closer military cooperation with NATO and renounce neutrality.
“If anyone attacks Britain, they will attack Ireland… Neutrality cannot be seen as conscientious objection any more. If you are part of the free world, you have to be prepared to defend it. The Republic needs to reduce its vulnerabilities,” he stated.
Moscow has dismissed claims that it plans to attack NATO as “nonsense.”
Ireland has been militarily neutral since gaining independence in 1921, and is not a NATO member but cooperates with the bloc.
The idea of Irish reunification – merging the Republic of Ireland with Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK – is permitted under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. The accord ended a three-decade standoff between Irish nationalists and pro-British unionists by establishing a power-sharing government in Belfast and confirming that Northern Ireland’s status can only be changed if a majority there votes for it.