Belgium using veto against NATO moves to protect Turkey

by www.dw-world.de

Sun, Feb 9, 2003 1:19PM

Belgium says it will block any NATO preparatory action to protect Turkey in case of war on Iraq. Foreign Minister Louis Michel said on television the Belgian ambassador to the alliance has been instructed accordingly.

By Monday at the latest the NATO secretary-general, George Roberston, would be informed that Belgium would use its right of veto. Michel added that the letter would probably be drafted together with France and Germany. These three countries have for weeks been blocking NATO attempts to prepare protection for Turkey at America's behest, including by stationing 'Patriot' defensive missiles and 'Awacs' intelligence gathering planes. But at the security conference in Munich, German defence minister Peter Struck said Turkey would be given the Patriots. Systems and soldiers would come from The Netherlands, the actual missiles from Germany. The batteries and missiles would be shipped out at the end of the week.

http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,1429_W_775097,00.html

Add Your Comments

Support Independent Media

We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!