NATO Crisis Deepens As Meeting Is Abandoned (20 Minutes)

Ananova ^ | 2-12-2003

[blam]

Nato crisis deepens as meeting is abandoned

Nato remains in crisis after a meeting of ambassadors aimed at sorting out differences over Iraq was abandoned after 20 minutes.

A second day of consultations at alliance HQ in Brussels failed to end one of the worst crises in Nato's 53 year history.

France, Germany and Belgium refused to lift their veto of US backed plans to bolster Turkish defences against a possible Iraqi missile attack.

After two postponements during the day, ambassadors from the 19 Nato countries met for only 20 minutes before ending the session.

Talks were to resume Wednesday, said a diplomat.

"Right now we do not have a conclusion," said Nato spokesman Yves Brodeur. The division in the alliance could undermine the America's attempts to muster support in the UN Security Council for military action against Iraq.

France, Russia and Germany sought more time for increased UN inspections in a proposal opposed by Washington.

Nato's infighting also casts doubt on the future of an alliance, which has spent the past years seeking to reinvent itself as a force to confront terrorism and rogue states.

Story filed: 17:59 Tuesday 11th February 2003

[Elenya]

It looks like so far the only ones interested are Belgium and Germany...

[calljack]

NATO - UN - OPEC
Bush scores the trifecta!!

[Myrddin]

IT'S TIME TO MOVE ALL OF OUR TROOPS,EQUIPMENT SUPPORT PERSONAL OUT OF FRANCE,GERMANY AND BELGIUM NOW!!!!

The Belgium element might be difficult. It would be very expensive to try to recreate the nuke bunker that currently exists at the SHAPE facility. The above ground office buildings wouldn't be much of a problem. The NATO civilians would be fit to be tied. Those guys draw a fat, tax free income and spend most of their evenings on silly social events.

It was hard enough to get things done in NATO when it was only 12 nations. Lots of bickering. I worked as a contractor in the SHAPE facility over a cumulative period of 20 weeks. I can't ever recall seeing any French military The staff in the nuke bunker was mostly American, English, German, Italian and a couple of Scots. The civilians were Dutch, Turkish and Belgian.

[Dog Gone]

Maybe NATO is an antiquated institution anyway?

It's hard to imagine a military use for NATO today. It was built for something which doesn't exist anymore, and I can't think of a mission that it might have.

Nor can we use Serbia as an example. That might have been a mission for an EU force, if that, but we had no strategic interest there at all.

[Former Proud Canadian]

All nato troops have been out of France for a long time.

[colorado tanker]

Historically, "sanction busting" has been VERY lucrative. On the order of 1,000% profits are typical when outlaw regimes with lots of cash are eager enough to buy forbidden arms... or WMD machinery and chemicals.

It would buy a lotta foie gras and weiner schnitzel.

[speekinout]

It looks like so far the only ones interested are Belgium and Germany...

Now that's a scary alliance, isn't it? NOT!
I don't think they'll be able to hold out long. Both Germany and France have active Al Qaeda cells, and either one could be vulnerable to attacks.

[Republic of Texas]

If Bush did that, he would be seen as the Greatest President in History. Most people are afraid of greatness, we'll see about Bush.

[Myrddin]

On one of my NATO software deliveries, I had the opportunity to go to Izmir, Turkey. The company put me up in the Hilton. Before embarking on the trip, I learned as much Turkish as I could cram in 3 weeks. It was 40 minutes before the hotel staff stretched beyond my vocabulary and I had to admit that English was a better choice. Fun while it lasted.

The week I arrived, the local paper carried a story about 5 members of Parliament who had verbally offended the rest of the members of Parliament. At the end of the week, the local paper showed that the "offensive" language had been legislated into a "capital" offense. The 5 members had assumed room temperature before I set foot on the aircraft to leave. Turkish law is VERY different from what we enjoy in the U.S.

Aside from the harsh example of the legal system, I was suprised to be awakened at 5:30 AM. The hillside was covered with minarets. Each one had a PA system attached. The local imams would start calling people to prayer early in the morning. Turkey has an odd secular government. They tolerate the coexistence of Muslims, Jews and Christians. It was a real bit of culture shock, but an enjoyable trip.

The U.S. Navy aviator that was my escort to the base was required to keep his uniform in a backpack and travel in civvies. A NATO bus picked us up from the hotel. The bus had two armed guards with 9mm submachine guns.

[Husker24]

BINGO! thats what this is really about, they want to piss of Turkey to the point where it doesnt want to join the EU, because despite all of their PC garbage, they dont want that "darker" country in their club. The EU is the embodiment of elite liberalism.

[johnb838]

When allies refuse to come to each other's aid, an alliance is dead regardless of what the paperwork says.

[tomahawk]

France, Germany and Belgium are allies. Of Saddam Hussein. They are not allies of the United States. I do not want to remain in a phony alliance with them. They are with the enemy.

[P.O.E.]

The EU bureaucrats have spent years trying to pull together thousands of policies and regulations - It's all a waste!

If France & Germany's agreements aren't worth the paper they're written on, to h### with them.

The rule of law does not countenance those who renege on their agreements.

[colorado tanker]

NATO ran a whole lot better back in the De Gaulle era when France was out of NATO. Schroeder is a weak fool reacting to domestic politics. His government is deeply unpopular; Germany should revert to its traditional policies in a new government.

[tomahawk]

That is my hope. But the Grunen and SPD will cling to power at all costs, so we're stuck with a Germany in Saddam's corner for now.

[uncbob]

As far as NATO's concerned, from what I understand, that's exactly what the French are after so they can build a separate European military force. Very interesting times indeed. And I thought I'd seen it all... (just kidding...)

They gonna get their people to give up all the socialistic goodies to pay for it

[RobbyS]

As far as NATO's concerned, from what I understand, that's exactly what the French are after so they can build a separate European military force. I think you are on to something. However, they are going to find that armies cost money.