Lugar: If Nato Members Undertake Effective Role In Iraq And Middle East, It Will Be A Bold Step

ISTANBUL - U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar said on Saturday that if NATO member countries undertook an effective role in Iraq and Middle East issues, it would be a bold step.
Lugar delivered a speech at the second day session of the conference ''NATO At a New Crossroads'' jointly organized by Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) and U.S. think-tank organization German Marshall Fund.
Stating that they were proud of NATO's undertaking role in Afghanistan and its creating change there, Lugar said that NATO could do more in Afghanistan if its members made more contribution.
Lugar said that Turkey's membership to Euro-Atlantic Alliance showed that people from different cultures could share values of freedom and democracy, and stressed importance of Turkey's strategic role.
Expressing belief that NATO would be successful in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lugar said that there was need for assistance of international partners.
When asked whether or not NATO would interfere in Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lugar said that it was possible, but NATO member countries should evaluate the issue.
(EÖ-BRC) 26.06.2004