BRUSSELS - NATO has been continuing its works to meet protection requirements of Turkey in a possible war in Iraq.
According to the decisions, which were taken during meeting of the NATO Defense Planning Committee (DPC) in which France did not attend, military officials were given permission and authority to take measures regarding protection of Turkey in a possible Iraq war.
After deployment of AWACS planes and Patriot missile-battery systems in Turkey, NATO soldiers determined what Turkey's additional needs would be in its defense as a package, conveyed the list to military officials of member countries and requested their contribution proposal during the studies, which were carried out under the structure of NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
Military representatives of member countries attended the Force Formation Conference at the SHAPE last week. They gave information about their countries' contribution to the list of requirements. SHAPE Spokesman's Office stated that all the requirements of Turkey were not met in the first step.
Sources said that there were deficiencies especially in requirements of protection against biological and chemical weapons.
NATO military officials said that the allies, which could not meet the requests in the list of requirements for defense of Turkey, were concerned that terrorist actions in which biological and chemical weapons were used, could be staged against them and that they could require those materials.
Currently, nearly 500 NATO soldiers have been deployed in Turkey for AWACS planes and Patriot missiles.
Sources said that if Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein considered an attack against Turkey, he should take into consideration that he would face with NATO flag.
(GC-UK) 11.03.2003