09 October 2001
Text: Robertson Reaffirms NATO's Full Support for U.S., UK Operations
(Oct. 8: Allies also deploying AWACS aircraft to help U.S.) (610)
The North Atlantic Council met October 8, reviewed the U.S. and UK
military operations as part of the global campaign against terrorism
and reaffirmed its full support for these targeted actions, according
to NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson.
Robertson also said the Allies agreed to deploy five NATO AWACS
aircraft, together with their crews, to the United States to assist
with counter-terrorism operations so as to allow US aircraft currently
engaged in these operations in the United States to be released for
operations against terrorism elsewhere.
France intends to provide increased support by French AWACS aircraft
in Bosnia-Herzegovina "as backfill in order to facilitate this NATO
deployment," he said.
Following is the text of Robertson's statement:
(begin text)
NATO
8 October 2001
STATEMENT BY NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, LORD ROBERTSON
Yesterday evening, the United States of America and the United Kingdom
began military operations as part of the global campaign against
terrorism.
As Secretary General of NATO, I received advance warning. Vice
President Dick Cheney telephoned me before the first attacks.
I have just come from a meeting of the North Atlantic Council which
met to review the situation and to reaffirm its full support for these
targeted actions. The Permanent Representatives of the United States
of America and the United Kingdom briefed the Council.
This operation is not directed against the people of Afghanistan. It
is designed to strike against al-Qaida terrorist training camps and
military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
NATO Ambassadors this morning expressed their full support for the
actions of the United States and the United Kingdom, which follow the
appalling attacks perpetrated against the United States on 11
September 2001. They reiterated their readiness to provide assistance
as required. Specifically, they remain fully committed to implement
the eight measures agreed on 4 October at the request of the United
States.
In this context and following a specific request from the United
States, the Allies today agreed that five NATO AWACS aircraft,
together with their crews, will deploy to the United States to assist
with counter-terrorism operations. This deployment, which was agreed
by acclamation this morning, will allow US aircraft currently engaged
in these operations in the United States to be released for operations
against terrorism elsewhere.
NATO Ambassadors welcomed France's intention to provide increased
support by French AWACS aircraft in Bosnia-Herzegovina as backfill in
order to facilitate this NATO deployment.
Yesterday's actions were carried out by two NATO Allies. Other NATO
Allies have pledged direct military support as this operation unfolds.
The Alliance itself will continue to provide military and other
support, to consult on the implications for its security, and to take
whatever defensive measures are necessary.
The campaign to eradicate terrorism has reached a new stage. It will
be pursued on many fronts with determination and with patience. The
Alliance stands ready to play its role. I will be consulting over the
next couple of days, first of all with Prime Minister Chretien in
Canada this evening and I will personally congratulate and commend the
offers of support that have been made by Canada at this time and
indeed the support that has already been given by this country. And on
Wednesday I will be in the White House to meet President Bush. I will
be there first and foremost to express sympathy to his nation on the
eve of the month's anniversary of these tragic atrocities but also to
pledge the whole-hearted support of the entire NATO Alliance for
America at this time of need.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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