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American Morning

America Under Attack: NATO Guarantees United States Unconditional Support of Overseas Attack

Aired September 12, 2001 - 10:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yesterday's events haven't just shocked people in the United States -- people all around the world. And when something like this happens to a member of NATO, the entire organization takes action.

Nato has just wrapped up a meeting in Brussels, and our Andrea Koppel's at the State Department, in Washington, D.C., with more on what NATO members had to say about yesterday's events -- Andrea.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, far away from the scenes of carnage in this country, in a very different setting, in Brussels, we are told by both diplomatic and State Department sources that the member states of NATO were right now sitting in a room, going over a draft document -- that this is the first time in NATO's history that they would do this -- that would give the United States an up- front guarantee that, if and when they're able to figure out who in fact was behind yesterday's attacks, that NATO, all 19 states, would guarantee the United States any kind of military support it needed, whether it be logistical, intelligence, the right to fly through their airspace -- all of this would be taken care of and would be in the waiting. It would be at the ready for the United States if it chose to ask NATO for its support -- that NATO would, in fact, then give the United States that support.

And this is being discussed right now at NATO headquarters, the first time it's being done, under something known as Chapter 5 of the NATO Charter. And it's something that Secretary Powell, in fact, alluded to this morning, when he said that he spoke with the head of NATO, Lord Robertson. He also spoke with the head of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, and with the head of E.U., Javier Solana.

So right now, Daryn, the United States, with the help of its European allies, member states of NATO, are laying the groundwork for a possible military retaliation if and when the United States is able to determine who is behind yesterday's attacks -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Andrea, this would be hugely significant. Basically, as I understand it, it would be NATO saying to the United States if and when you decide to retaliate, we're giving you a green light and the support to do whatever you feel is necessary.

KOPPEL: Absolutely. This would be the first time in NATO's more-than-50-year history that anything like this has taken place. Remember that during the crisis in Kosovo -- in the Balkan War most recently -- this took place off NATO soil. These were not member states of NATO. This is the first time in NATO's history that one of its 19 members has been attacked directly on its own soil. And for that reason, we're told, the United States is getting the backing of NATO.

And they're discussing this draft document right now that would lay the groundwork up front for the United States to use all of NATO's various military intelligence and whatnot -- all of its resources -- to attack, if that decision it made, those responsible.

But again, they need to make sure, first of all, that this was not something that was homegrown here in the United States, that, in fact, it was something that happened or was directed from overseas. And that's certainly what we've been hearing both President Bush and Secretary Powell allude to, that their intelligence is leading them to various places overseas.

KAGAN: And once again, this would still be at the discussion stage, Andrea?

KOPPEL: Well, right now, we're told there is a draft document that is on the table right now in Brussels that all 19 members are discussing. And it's our understanding, from both State Department and diplomatic sources, that this is something that could very well be approved in the very, very near future -- in a matter of hours.

KAGAN: We will have you track that, Andrea Koppel, at the State Department.

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