wonderfly
02-10-2003, 04:00 PM
Once again, I'm bringing an article fresh off the press that I find interesting, (or in this case, troubling) to Toonzone, so people that are interested can see what new problems are going on in the world. And this one's a doozy: apparently the U.N. isn't the only world organization being split on the Iraq thing. :(
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb. 10 — An emergency NATO meeting called after France, Germany and Belgium blocked a U.S. request to start planning Turkey’s defense in the event of war in Iraq ended Monday with no breakthrough, diplomats said. The talks, expected to continue Tuesday, were convened after Turkey invoked NATO’s mutual defense treaty — the first time a nation has done so in the alliance’s 53-year history.
U.S. SECRETARY of State Colin Powell told reporters Monday in Washington that NATO should make sure that Turkey “is not put at any risk.”
“I hope that NATO will now realize that they have an obligation to assist a NATO member,” he added.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in separate remarks, said that “it’s unfortunate that they are in stark disagreement with the rest of their NATO allies.”
“There are 19 countries in NATO, so it’s 16-3,” he said. “I think it’s a mistake, and what we have to do for the United States is make sure that that planning does go forward, preferably within NATO but if not, bilaterally or multiple bilaterals.”
Asked if the move by the three countries would delay a possible attack, Rumsfeld said: “No, because the planning’s going to go forward outside of NATO if necessary.”
At NATO headquarters in Brussels, Secretary General Lord Robertson called the atmosphere “very heated.”
“I am not seeking today to minimize the seriousness of the situation. It is serious,” he said during a break in the meeting of alliance ambassadors.
NATO’s mutual defense treaty, known as 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.”
But early Monday, France, Germany and Belgium blocked the automatic start of NATO procedures for 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 ... any chance, any initiative to still resolve the conflict in a peaceful way was gone,” Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said.
U.S.: ‘CRISIS OF CREDIBILITY’
The move was a blow to the United States, which had won the support of 16 of the 19 NATO allies during more than three weeks of intensive lobbying. All NATO decisions require unanimous support from the allies.
“This is a most unfortunate decision,” said the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Nicolas Burns. “Because of their actions, NATO is now facing a crisis of credibility.”
Still, 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 calm 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.
JUST TIMING ISSUE?
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 common sense.”
Over the weekend, Rumsfeld warned that 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 Sunday in Italy’s La Repubblica 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?”
FRANCE VOWS TO BE THERE
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 military planning to help 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.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb. 10 — An emergency NATO meeting called after France, Germany and Belgium blocked a U.S. request to start planning Turkey’s defense in the event of war in Iraq ended Monday with no breakthrough, diplomats said. The talks, expected to continue Tuesday, were convened after Turkey invoked NATO’s mutual defense treaty — the first time a nation has done so in the alliance’s 53-year history.
U.S. SECRETARY of State Colin Powell told reporters Monday in Washington that NATO should make sure that Turkey “is not put at any risk.”
“I hope that NATO will now realize that they have an obligation to assist a NATO member,” he added.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in separate remarks, said that “it’s unfortunate that they are in stark disagreement with the rest of their NATO allies.”
“There are 19 countries in NATO, so it’s 16-3,” he said. “I think it’s a mistake, and what we have to do for the United States is make sure that that planning does go forward, preferably within NATO but if not, bilaterally or multiple bilaterals.”
Asked if the move by the three countries would delay a possible attack, Rumsfeld said: “No, because the planning’s going to go forward outside of NATO if necessary.”
At NATO headquarters in Brussels, Secretary General Lord Robertson called the atmosphere “very heated.”
“I am not seeking today to minimize the seriousness of the situation. It is serious,” he said during a break in the meeting of alliance ambassadors.
NATO’s mutual defense treaty, known as 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.”
But early Monday, France, Germany and Belgium blocked the automatic start of NATO procedures for 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 ... any chance, any initiative to still resolve the conflict in a peaceful way was gone,” Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said.
U.S.: ‘CRISIS OF CREDIBILITY’
The move was a blow to the United States, which had won the support of 16 of the 19 NATO allies during more than three weeks of intensive lobbying. All NATO decisions require unanimous support from the allies.
“This is a most unfortunate decision,” said the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Nicolas Burns. “Because of their actions, NATO is now facing a crisis of credibility.”
Still, 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 calm 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.
JUST TIMING ISSUE?
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 common sense.”
Over the weekend, Rumsfeld warned that 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 Sunday in Italy’s La Repubblica 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?”
FRANCE VOWS TO BE THERE
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 military planning to help 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.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.