Debate over defending Turkey takes center stage at NATO

An intense debate has lit up the floor at North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. It began when the U.S. asked NATO to start planning protection for Turkey, in case a war breaks out in neighboring Iraq. But NATO members France, Germany, and Belgium blocked the American request because they felt that sending Turkey defense hardware - such as anti-missile batteries and units that can detect chemical and biological weapons - could hurt peace efforts in Iraq.

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson called the disagreement a "serious problem." The U.S. says that even the lack of NATO support will not change Washington's tough stance regarding Iraq. So Turkey has asked for an emergency meeting at NATO to help ensure its safety in the event of war.

RESOURCES • CNN.com: Bush disappointed by NATO stalemate  • HowStuffWorks.com: How NATO works  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: World Atlas  • Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Holt Researcher

France, Germany, and Belgium went against 16 other NATO allies to block plans to defend Turkey. Washington was quick to criticize their decision. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said, "It's 16 to three. I think it's a mistake, and what we have to do for the United States is to make sure that planning does go forward."

NATO experts say that France has no right to object. "France hasn't been a member of NATO's military command for the last 37 years, so their agreement on military planning isn't even required," said Bruce Jackson, president of the U.S. committee on NATO. He added that the country was using its seat in the organization irresponsibly.

The United States pays the biggest defense bills in the organization, spending more than all other member countries combined. This year, the U.S. spent $380 billion on NATO bills. Other countries' contributions totaled $160 billion. And CNN's Kitty Pilgrim reports that it is U.S. technology that makes NATO effective as a 21st century defense organization.

AWACS surveillance aircraft would be used to patrol Turkey's skies.

NATO exists as an alliance of countries that aims to protect its members' freedom. Secretary of State Colin Powell said that he hoped NATO would realize it has "an obligation to assist a NATO member who asks for help."

Two North American countries and 10 European nations originally composed the organization. 19 countries now form NATO, and seven others will gain official membership in 2004.