20 March 2003
NATO Strengthens Rules of Engagement for Forces in Turkey
(Statement by Secretary General Robertson) (490)
In response to the "evolving situation" in Iraq, the NATO Defense
Planning Committee has approved changes to strengthen the rules of
engagement for NATO forces in Turkey, NATO Secretary General Lord
Robertson announced March 20.
"NATO's deployments are of course purely defensive measures, which
remain strictly separated from other military operations in the
region," Robertson said. "If there is any attack on Turkey, NATO will
fulfill its obligations under the Washington Treaty."
He also pointed out that "NATO has already, by deploying equipment
such as AWACs and air defense missiles, acted to help defend Turkey
from any threat from Iraq and deter any aggression."
Robertson noted that "the coalition engaged in operations against
Saddam Hussein's regime includes many NATO Allies and Partners. We
have already started to discuss humanitarian and post-conflict issues,
to which all Allies attach the greatest importance."
Following is the text of Robertson's statement:
(begin text)
NATO
Brussels
March 20, 2003
STATEMENT BY NATO SECRETARY GENERAL, LORD ROBERTSON
Following the start last night of combat operations involving some
allies, NATO's Permanent Representatives met this morning in both
North Atlantic Council and Defence Planning Committee format. This
afternoon there will be a meeting between NATO and partner countries
in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.
In the North Atlantic Council Allies received briefings from both the
US and UK representatives, and agreed to maintain regular and detailed
briefing and consultations. Permanent Representatives also assessed
the situation with regard to Turkey, and expressed their determination
to continue to fulfill their treaty obligations to a member nation
under threat. In the Defence Planning Committee the Allies reviewed
the state of Operation Display Deterrence - NATO's defensive measures
in support of Turkey. NATO has already, by deploying equipment such as
AWACs and air defence missiles, acted to help defend Turkey from any
threat from Iraq and deter any aggression.
Last night, in response to the evolving situation, the NATO Defence
Planning Committee approved changes to strengthen the rules of
engagement for NATO forces in Turkey. These rules will ensure our
forces can effectively carry out their mission, whatever the
circumstances. NATO's deployments are of course purely defensive
measures, which remain strictly separated from other military
operations in the region. If there is any attack on Turkey, NATO will
fulfill its obligations under the Washington Treaty.
In the challenging days and weeks ahead, NATO will continue to meet
and act as the essential forum for transatlantic security
consultation. The coalition engaged in operations against Saddam
Hussein's regime includes many NATO Allies and Partners. We have
already started to discuss humanitarian and post-conflict issues, to
which all Allies attach the greatest importance.
My own thoughts are with the coalition troops and the Iraqi people in
these difficult times, and I look forward to an early end to the
conflict.
(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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