Military

SHAPE News Summary & Analysis

16 January 2003

NATO

• According to AFP, NATO Secretary General Robertson said in Athens Thursday that NATO has not yet decided whether to grant a U.S. request for support to U.S. forces in a war against Iraq. "Some proposals have been made by the Americans and others, and they will be given normal consideration … but no decisions have yet been taken," Lord Robertson reportedly said after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.
  
  
• Belgium has reacted cautiously to the U.S. request to NATO for indirect support in the event of a war against Iraq. Belgium continues to advocate a peaceful solution, reported Brussels's VRT radio in Dutch. Foreign Minister Michel's reaction is one of wait-and-see. He first wants to study the American request, added the broadcast, which carried Michel saying: "I want to stress that if we were to reply to such a request immediately, we would really give the impression that the military option is the only one, and I don't want to do that." The network concluded that "in other words, Belgium first wants to exhaust all diplomatic options via the UN to disarm Iraq." Based on Michel's remarks, AP writes that the Belgian government raised reservations Thursday about the U.S. request for limited help from NATO should war break out with Iraq.

  Washington's request to its NATO allies for indirect military assistance in case of a war with Iraq is the subject of intense media scrutiny.
  Some of the measures sought would help defend Turkey, a potential launching pad for U.S. air and land attacks against Iraq. Other measures would free up U.S. forces in Europe, the Mediterranean and other regions so that the Pentagon can concentrate on building up its combat power in the Gulf, says the New York Times. The article, reprinted in the International Herald Tribune, claims that the measures were discussed in general terms when Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz visited NATO headquarters in December and were fleshed out in recent weeks by Gen. Ralston and Gen. Tommy Franks, head of the U.S. Central Command. The newspaper remarks that while the support being sought by the United States is essentially defensive and Washington is not asking NATO to join directly in an attack on Iraq, the request is still politically sensitive. Many of Washington's allies want to give UN weapons inspectors more time before confronting the decision of whether to go to war, notes the newspaper.
  The United States put its reluctant allies on the spot Wednesday, formally asking NATO members for military assistance in a possible war against Iraq, writes The Times. The article observes that the timing of the proposals was sensitive, with political leaders and public opinion in many European countries opposed to a war with Iraq, at least in the absence of specific UN authorization.
  Under the title, "U.S. asks NATO for indirect support over war," The Independent highlights that the request does not refer to direct engagement inside Iraq.
  Brussels' Le Soir claims meanwhile that the request has strengthened the conviction of those who are persuaded that Washington has already decided to intervene militarily against Baghdad. The proposals represent a further step toward military intervention by President Bush, says a related AP dispatch.

  Looking at Washington's demands, an editorial in Belgium's De Standaard, reprinted in La Libre Belgique, warns the allies against giving the impression that Saddam Hussein can drive a wedge within NATO.
  The U.S. requests are merely symbolic, stresses the daily, adding: Plans for possible crises are part of the normal work of military staffs. The requested defensive measures are in a great measure part of the planning work which the NATO military carry out in crisis situations. But by putting proposals on the table within the NATO framework, Washington is asking for a form of political support for its action against Iraq. Pondering on NATO's possible response, the newspaper warns that if the allies gave the impression that Saddam can drive a wedge between them, "it would undermine deterrence and reduce prospects for a peaceful solution in the limited 'window of opportunity' of the coming months."
  

IRAQ

• AFP quotes EU foreign policy chief Solana saying Thursday that Chief UN weapons inspectors Hans Blix is concerned about a lack of cooperation given by Iraqi authorities. "Mr. Blix has conveyed his concerns to me that the cooperation of Saddam Hussein is not sufficient," Solana reportedly said after meeting Blix in Brussels. Blix believes that "it's not enough that the regime of Saddam Hussein opens doors. The position has to be much more pro-active to convince the inspectors and through the inspectors to convince the Security Council and through the Security Council the whole world that Saddam Hussein has disarmed the weapons of mass destruction," Solana reportedly added. According to the dispatch, Solana indicated that he shared Blix' views completely.