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U.S. attacks NATO war plan veto
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Washington has criticised three European nations after they vetoed NATO contingency planning for protecting Turkey in the event of war in Iraq. But Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the hold-up would not delay U.S. preparations for war -- saying protection would be offered to Turkey regardless of any decision by NATO. Discontent has been simmering for weeks inside NATO on when the alliance should begin making plans to protect Turkey and when it should deploy military hardware. France, Germany and Belgium argued that sending defensive military equipment to Turkey would undermine diplomatic efforts to prevent a conflict. The U.S. wanted NATO to begin planning as soon as possible. Rumsfeld said on Monday: "The planning is going to go forward outside of NATO if necessary." He added he was still confident that NATO would step into protect its only Muslim members state. "It's an important ally in NATO. I'm sure NATO will find a way to do it eventually." The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Nicholas Burns, earlier said: "This is a most unfortunate decision by three allies to prevent NATO from assisting the legitimate defense needs of Turkey. Because of their actions, NATO is now facing a crisis of credibility." NATO went into emergency session after the veto that came one hour before the 0900 GMT deadline to register opposition to drawing up plans for defending Turkey. A second session was scheduled for later on Monday. Turkey -- NATO's only Muslim member and a probable launch pad for any U.S.-led attack because of its shared border with Iraq -- has now formally asked the alliance for help and invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty. It is believed to be the first time an alliance member has used Article 4, which allows a member nation to call for emergency consultations if it feels its "territorial integrity, political independence or security" is threatened. CNN's European political editor Robin Oakley said the Turkish request could sway the vetoing nations into allowing the contingency planning to begin. NATO Secretary-General George Robertson said: "This is undoubtedly a difficult situation. There is a very heated argument inside NATO but I am confident we will arrive at consensus. "The question is not if but when we begin the planning to protect Turkey." Robertson had set Monday as a deadline for NATO's 19 allies to formally hand military planners a list of defensive tasks. In doing so, any opposition to the military planning, which includes how to defend Turkey and when to authorize the transport of the necessary equipment, also had to be registered by Monday. France implemented their veto about one hour before the 0900 GMT deadline. Belgium backed the French move and they were subsequently joined by Germany. Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis said: "I think those countries will come to the line defended by Turkey, the United States and to some extent Britain. "What is happening here is not Turkey declaring war on Iraq or bringing NATO into the war, it is about ... contingency planning." Should Turkey receive defensive help it is likely to get AWACS planes, Patriot anti-missile batteries and units specializing in tackling germ warfare of poison gas attacks. France and Germany have been vocal critics of the Bush administration's approach to Iraq, with Germany saying it will not participate in any military operation against Baghdad. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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