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NATO-Turkey ApprovalWed, February 19, 2003Source: Ananova NewsNato has approved the deployment of AWACs aircraft, Patriot missile systems and chemical-biological response units to protect Turkey in the event of war with IraqNato has approved the deployment of AWACs aircraft, Patriot missile systems and chemical-biological response units to protect Turkey in the event of war with Iraq. The decision was made by the same Defence Planning Committee that met last Sunday to approve the start of military planning. The committee excludes France. It was not immediately clear how soon the AWACS radar planes, based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, would depart. The US had requested Nato begin contingency planning to protect Turkey - the only Nato ally bordering Iraq - in case of war. But France, joined by Germany and Belgium, had blocked any action, arguing that such a move was premature and would undermine UN efforts to avoid a war. Last Sunday, Nato convened the little-used defence committee to break the stalemate. Paris left Nato's military command structure in the late 1960s and takes part only in political consultations. Germany and Belgium then dropped their veto in exchange for a statement underlining that the allies continued "to support efforts in the United Nations to find a peaceful solution to the crisis". The three original hold-outs later issued a joint statement stressing their determination to honour their obligations to Nato, but also their desire to disarm Iraq without force. Nato officials have said that while they would have preferred to have the decision made by all 19 allies, it was important to end the delay that threatened to undermine Nato's credibility and solidarity. |
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