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Decision
Sheet of the Defence Planning Committee
NATO Support to Turkey
within the Framework of Article 4
of the North Atlantic Treaty
At the Prague
Summit, the NATO Allies committed themselves to take effective
action to assist and support the efforts of the United Nations
to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq, without conditions
or restrictions, with UN Security Council Resolution 1441. This
remains our policy.
Following Turkey’s request for consultations within
the framework of Article 4 of the North
Atlantic Treaty, as expressed in its letter of 10 February
2003, and pursuant to Article 4 of the Treaty which states that
“the Parties will consult whenever, in the opinion
of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence
or security of any of the Parties is threatened”,
Allies have begun consultations.
As part of these consultations, the Chairman of the Military
Committee briefed the North Atlantic Council on 10 February
2003, assessing the potential threat against Turkey and informing
about planning requirements for the reinforcement of Turkey’s
defence, including relevant timelines.
In this context, the DPC:
- notes the Turkish request for consultations within the framework
of Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty;
- notes that all Allies have reaffirmed their determination
to fulfil all of their obligations deriving from the spirit
and the letter of the North Atlantic Treaty towards Turkey;
- recalls the provisions of Article 1 of the North Atlantic
Treaty, and in particular the undertaking of Allies to refrain
in their international relations from the threat or use of
force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the
United Nations;
- notes the actions taken by Allies to support Turkey;
- agrees that, as a consequence of the Turkish request, the
NATO Military Authorities should provide military advice to
the DPC on the feasibility, implications and timelines of
the following possible missions:
- preventive deployment to Turkey of NATO AWACs and supporting
logistics, under SACEUR command, for defensive purposes,
as required for surveillance, early warning and maintaining
the integrity of Turkish airspace;
- NATO support for possible deployment by Allies of theatre
missile defences to Turkey and their incorporation into
the NATO Integrated Extended Air Defence System;
- NATO support for possible deployment by Allies of chemical
and biological defence capabilities to Turkey;
- agrees that, as a further consequence of the Turkish request:
- SACEUR is authorised to liaise directly with national
military authorities with respect to these possible defensive
missions;
- the NMAs should review contingency plans related to
the reinforcement of Turkey in the context of the current
situation, update the plans as needed, and report to the
Council.
Our Heads of State and Government at Prague pledged our full
support for the implementation of UNSCR 1441, and this decision
to approve the planning of protection measures for Turkey is
fully consistent with the deliberations and efforts in the United
Nations.
We continue to support efforts in the United Nations to find
a peaceful solution to the crisis. This decision relates only
to the defence of Turkey, and is without prejudice to any other
military operations by NATO, and future decisions by NATO or
the UN Security Council.
The DPC will decide on the implementation of the defensive
measures as a matter of urgency; will continue to consult in
the context of the Turkish request under Article 4; and will
continue to follow closely discussion in the UN Security Council
and the implementation of UNSCR 1441.
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