Allies Block NATO Aid to Turkey
"This is a most unfortunate decision," said U.S. ambassador to NATO Nicolas Burns. "Because of their actions, NATO is now facing a crisis of credibility."
From Associated Press
latimes.com
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- France, Germany and Belgium blocked NATO efforts today to begin planning for possible Iraqi attacks against Turkey, deepening divisions in the alliance over the U.S.-led push to oust Saddam Hussein.
Turkey immediately requested emergency consultations under NATO's mutual defense treaty-- or Article 4-- the first time a nation has done so in the alliance's 53-year history.
"I am not seeking today to minimize the seriousness of the situation. It is serious," said NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson during a break in the meeting of alliance ambassadors, where he called the atmosphere "very heated."
Diplomats said France, Germany and Belgium would do serious harm to the credibility of NATO if they would reject Turkey's direct request for help.
Article 4 declares NATO members will consult when "in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened."
Early today, France, Germany and Belgium blocked the automatic start of NATO procedures for the military planning to protect Turkey, arguing it would force the crisis into a "logic of war" when diplomatic alternatives still stood a chance of success.
"It would signify that we have already entered into the logic of war, that ... any chance, any initiative to still resolve the conflict in a peaceful way was gone," Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said.
The move was a blow to the United States, which has lobbied hard for more than three weeks for the alliance to begin military planning and won the support of 16 of the 19 NATO allies.
"This is a most unfortunate decision," said U.S. ambassador to NATO Nicolas Burns. "Because of their actions, NATO is now facing a crisis of credibility."
Still, Lord Robertson sought to play down the divisions. "What is important, is that we arrive at a consensus and I'm confident we will," he said.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis also sought to soothe tempers. "There was no veto on defending Turkey," Yakis told reporters in Ankara. "There is disagreement over the timing" but not on the principle of defending Turkey, he said. "These problems can be overcome."
He did not say whether Turkey would directly ask NATO to start contingency planning to defend Turkey against an attack.
Diplomats said they expected France and the other holdouts to drop their objections to the military planning when faced with a direct request from the Turks under the treaty.
"I trust the alliance will stick together and we will help Turkey," Norwegian Defense Minister Kristin Krohn Devold said Sunday. "I have a strong belief in commonsense."
Over the weekend, at an international defense conference in Munich, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld warned continued delays in responding to Turkey's request were "inexcusable" and risked undermining the credibility of the alliance.
He intensified his criticism in an interview published Sunday in Italy's La Republica newspaper. "Shameful, for me it's truly shameful," Rumsfeld was quoted as saying. "Turkey is an ally. An ally that is risking everything ... How can you refuse it help?"
In France, officials stood by their position but said they would help the Turks if they judged it necessary.
"If Turkey was really under threat, France would be one of the first at its side," French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie told reporters in Munich. "Today, we don't feel that threat is there."
As well as trans-Atlantic differences, the deadlock highlighted deep divisions among European allies. The majority, led by Britain, Spain and Italy, is backing the tough line against Iraq taken by the United States and has been opposed by France and Germany.
NATO's military commanders say the planning for the limited support for Turkey can be wrapped up within a few days once they get the go-ahead, but actual deployment of the NATO units will need further approval from the 19 allies.
All NATO decisions require unanimous support from the allies |
