The French and Belgian foreign ministers talked on the telephone early Monday and said they would continue to block the automatic start of military planning."They had their talks and they will continue to block," said Belgian government spokesman Didier Seeuws of the phone conversation between his minister Louis Michel and his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin.
Faced with the latest delay, Turkey was widely expected to call for urgent consultations under NATO's mutual defense treaty. A meeting of NATO's policy making North Atlantic Council was possible later Monday, officials said.
Diplomats said they expected France and the other holdouts to drop their objections to the military planning faced with a direct request from the Turks under the treaty.
The dispute over the planning has dragged on for three weeks, causing increasing acrimony among the allies.
At a stormy weekend meeting in Munich, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld warned continued delays in responding to Turkey's request were "inexcusable" and risked undermining the credibility of the alliance.
Rumsfeld intensified his criticism in an interview Sunday with Italy's La Republica newspaper. "Shameful, for me it's truly shameful," Rumsfeld was quoted as saying. "Turkey is an ally. An ally that is risking everything ... How can you refuse it help?"
In France, officials countered that it was too early to start military preparations while diplomatic efforts continued to avoid war. However they stressed they would help the Turks if they judged it necessary.
"If Turkey was really under threat, France would be one of the first at its side," French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie told reporters in Munich. "Today we don't feel that threat is there."
Other NATO allies expressed confidence the doubters would rally if Turkey asked for help.
"I trust the alliance will stick together and we will help Turkey," Norwegian Defense Minister Kristin Krohn Devold said Sunday. "I have a strong belief in common sense."
As well as trans-Atlantic differences, the deadlock has highlighted deep divisions among European allies with the majority, led by Britain, Spain and Italy, backing the tough line against Iraq taken by the United States against France and Germany.
NATO's military commanders say the planning for the limited support for Turkey can be wrapped up within a few days once they get the go-ahead, but actual deployment of the NATO units will need further approval from the 19 allies.
All NATO decisions require unanimous support from the allies.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved
A meeting of NATO's policy making North Atlantic Council called for 10.30 a.m. (0930 GMT).
Gee France, when will that be .. after Iraq attacks them?