Turkey To Request Support Of N.A.T.O.

ANKARA - Turkey will request support of the NATO with the aim of reaching a compromise on preparation of the NATO defense plans against a possible attack of Iraq in case of a military operation of the United States against Iraq.
Diplomatic sources told the A.A correspondent on Thursday that Turkey would wait for decision on proposal of the United States before launching an initiative to request the NATO's support.
Sources noted that Turkey had still been holding consultations about the initiative.
Recalling that the plan, which was proposed by the United States to the NATO, would be taken up in Brussels on February 4, sources said the plan included Turkey's expectations, and if the plan of the United States was rejected, Turkey could apply to the NATO alone on February 5.
NATO: ALLIES DO NOT HAVE ANY HESITATION ABOUT DEFENDING TURKEY IN A POSSIBLE WAR
Turkish and foreign sources in NATO said on Thursday the allied countries did not have any hesitation about defending Turkey in case of a possible war in Iraq.
Responding questions of the A.A correspondent, NATO diplomats said that the process, which was started by the United States on January 14 about the Iraq issue, had been continuing. They said that necessary plans were prepared to contribute to defense of Turkey.
Under the contribution, transfer of AWACS planes, Patriot missiles and protection capabilities against weapons of mass destruction to Turkey was brought onto agenda.
Some countries, especially France and Germany, have concerns about timing instead of content of the process.
''These allied countries are in favor of giving time to the United Nations process and waiting for statements to be released by the United States at the United Nations Security Council on February 5,'' sources said.
The Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty envisages collective defense and solidarity in case of an attack on any of allies.
The Article 4 of the Treaty, which has a preparatory characteristics for the Article 5 says, ''the Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.''
Turkish diplomatic sources said that it was Turkey's right to launch such an initiative to request support of NATO.
Noting that Turkey had not applied to NATO yet, the same sources said that Turkey would wait finalization of the process, which was started by the United States.
The package, which was taken up under the process, includes detailed proposals and measures about special position and defense of Turkey.
Turkish sources said that everything would become more clear next week.
Sources said, ''Ankara will assume an attitude in line with developments. It will assess alternatives within the structure of NATO. All NATO allies including France and Germany, assured that they would fulfill their commitments to contribute to Turkey's defense in case of a possible war. The allied countries did not have any hesitation about defending Turkey in case of a possible war in Iraq.''