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Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001 11:53 p.m. EDT
NATO Warned of Weapons of Mass Destruction
London's Daily Telegraph reports today that U.S. officials are warning Britain and other NATO allies that the "war" against terrorism could mean conflict with nations possessing weapons of mass destruction.
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz has told NATO delegates in Brussels there is a connection between states that shelter terrorists and those trying to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
Britain's Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "The point has been made that there are some links between countries that harbor terrorists and those that allow the development of weapons of mass destruction."
Although no states were named, the comments appear to point directly to Iraq.
Wolfowitz has reportedly been arguing strongly within the U.S. administration that the war on terrorism should be extended to Saddam Hussein's regime.
Following their discussions, a somber NATO secretary-general, Lord Robertson, said the alliance would need to adjust its military thinking to cope with the new threat.
He told the Telegraph: "The campaign against terrorists will be long, arduous and will require radical new thinking. Adaptability, non-conventional thinking, patience and determination are key elements for this campaign."
Speculation that the U.S.-led coalition was moving closer to military strikes has been fueled by the announcement from Downing Street that Tony Blair has summoned a Cabinet meeting in the next 24 hours.
The prime minister's official spokesman sought to play down the news, insisting that nothing should be read into the timing of the meeting, which was "purely logistical."
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