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CNN Live At Daybreak

America's New War: NATO Says to Go Slower and Broader on Retaliation

Aired September 19, 2001 - 08:16   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We need to mention that yesterday, a senior German NATO official warned Tuesday against reacting too quickly to last week's attacks on the U.S. and said military action should not be carried out with being part of a broader, wider, coordinated response.

For more on that, we turn to Yves Brodeur, who joins us from NATO headquarters in Brussels. He is a spokesman for NATO.

Welcome, sir, good to have you with us.

YVES BRODEUR, NATO SPOKESMAN: Thank you.

ZAHN: Will there be across-the-board support for any military action that might take place?

BRODEUR: Well, actually I think what is important to underline is the fact that the allies -- the members of this alliance expressed last week very, very strong support to the United States of America, and that support is still there, it's still firm, and it's not wavering or changing. So allies remain actually committed to assist the United States of America once determination has been made that the attack came from abroad or were directed from abroad.

ZAHN: If you could, be more specific when you talk about the levels of support the United States might enjoy. I know Donald Rumsfeld earlier this morning said you have to look at each nation in a very independent way.

Who might be the most involved of the nations in NATO?

BRODEUR: Well, I can't really sort of predict which nation is going to provide what, but in the spirit of Article 5, if, again, the Article is -- or if the United States of America decides to take advantage of that Article, it says clearly that each nation is then free to offer the assistance that it deems appropriate given their circumstances. And we're not at a stage yet where countries have started to plan what type of assistance they could offer to the United States of America. I think this will need to be addressed further down the road. But again, we're not yet there.

ZAHN: Mr. Brodeur, could you see a situation where NATO troops -- ground troops might get involved in any action against terrorists? BRODEUR: Again, as I said, I cannot sort of, you know, predict or prejudge what the decisions of the Council will be if we are asked to provide support. At this point, no options are being ruled out. But any collective action will be coordinated with every member of the alliance through the North Atlantic Council.

ZAHN: Mr. Brodeur, thank you so much for your input this morning -- we appreciate it.

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