"viking-2001" Military Exercises In Estonia

International military exercises under the code name of "Viking-2001" were commenced on Tuesday in Tartu (Estonia). The general staff of Defense Forces of Estonian republic reported that 500 representatives from 16 countries, including, Sweden, Austria, USA, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, Azerbaijan, Russia would have to carry out a peace-keeping mission under conditions of a military conflict between two hostile states. The exercises in which the military participate by means of video conferences were designed on the basis of computer simulation. Their objective is to work out mechanisms of cooperation between civil and military units when conducting peace-keeping operations, organization of staff work according to NATO standards. At the same time use of military forces, equipment and ammunition is disallowed. Results of the exercise will be summarized on 14 December.