Doug Bereuter: “in Brussels today, the North Atlantic Council of the NATO Alliance continues to deliberate on a matter that has…”

“in Brussels today, the North Atlantic Council of the NATO Alliance continues to deliberate on a matter that has potentially grave consequences for the alliance. France, Germany, and Belgium have blocked the consultation and planning for the defense of Turkey, which that country has requested by the unprecedented invocation of article IV of the NATO Treaty. At best, it would inexcusably delay planning for the defense of an ally, possibly leading to an avoidable loss of life should Turkey come under attack. At worst, it means the very end of the alliance, as its core mutual defense guarantee would be exposed as nothing more than empty words from the French, German, and Belgian governments. No longer is this a question of whether authorizing NATO planning somehow signals a decision to use military force against Iraq. This was the argument used by the three allies on Monday when they blocked a response to Turkey's article IV request. Should France, Germany, and Belgium continue to object to prudent contingency planning to deter or to defend against a possible threat to Turkey, the core collective-defense commitment of the alliance will be called into doubt. This Member hopes that President Chirac, Chancellor Schroder, and Prime Minister Verhofstadt recognize that this is no longer an Iraq question. This is no longer a U.N. question. This is now a question about whether the 19 NATO allies will fulfill their solemn treaty commitments.”