BRUSSELS - NATO Council which includes permanent representatives of 19 allied countries will hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss Iraq issue on Thursday afternoon.
The process, started by the United States, which conveyed its expectations from organization in case of a possible military operation against Iraq on January 14 was still continuing. Detailed suggestions and measures concerning Turkey's special situation and defense took place in the package which was taken up in that process.
NATO Council had not given an official response and confirmation yet to demands of the United States until now due to blockage of Germany, France and Belgium. Luxembourg which was among the hesitant countries had changed its attitude previous week.
The signs which will come out after NATO Council that will convene under the light of statements of U.S. State Secretary Colin Powell in the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday are important for NATO and Turkey.
Turkish diplomatic sources said that Turkey would not have any other demands except the acceptation of package which was presented by the United States and would not request the fourth article of North Atlantic Treaty to go into effect in current step.
Ankara increased the pressure on NATO for its giving a certain decision and confirmation to the package of the United States with the messages conveyed to French, German and Belgium embassies. It was emphasized that NATO's giving a decision was important both for Turkey's developing its plans and for the credibility and consideration of the organization.
Turkey will ask NATO not to delay its decision in the meeting.
Diplomatic sources said that some question marks would appear about the Organization if a certain decision did not come out in the council. However, there are signs that sensitivities of the countries which have hesitations on timing are continuing and the possibility of giving a decision is not high. It is claimed that the countries which consider that it is early to confirm the U.S. package, do not want to give the impression that war is inevitable.
Necessary plans to reinforce Turkey in defense field are being prepared in military wing of NATO. Transfer of AWACS (airborne warning and control system) aircrafts, Patriot missiles and protection capabilities against weapons of mass destruction to Turkey also takes part in the agenda.
Foreign and Turkish sources in NATO are continuously repeating that there is no hesitation for the defense of Turkey which takes part in the defense field of Organization by the allies in case of a possible war in Iraq. However, if a certain decision is not taken in the council today, suspicions will increase in this issue.
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.''
The meeting of NATO Council will start at 03.00 p.m.