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NATO Rift
Aired February 11, 2003 - 13:08 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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The military buildup continues here in Kuwait, but the news of the hour, though, is playing out in Europe, at the headquarters of NATO. For the second time in two days, the alliance has failed to heal a major rift over preparations of war with Iraq.
CNN's Matthew Chance standing by in Brussels to bring us up to date -- Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Martin.
And though we've just had a briefing from the chief press office, the chief spokesman of the NATO alliance. he's been attempting to downplay the significance of the fact that the face-to-face, across the table, North Atlantic Council meeting that began just a few hours ago here it lasted for just 20 minutes. NATO officials saying there simply was not enough common ground at this stage for them to reach a consensus on this key issue, trying to find how they could help Turkey. France, Belgium, Germany have been opposed to helping Turkey at this stage. Turkey, which has borders with Iraq, has been calling for NATO military assistance to bolster its defenses ahead of any possible war with Iraq.
France, though, backed by Germany and Belgium, is saying the timing is not right. It could send the message that the decision to go to war has been already taken.
Also, France saying that it wants to give the U.N. more time to find a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq. Of course, all of these matters deeply frustrating to, not just the United States, but also to the 16 members of the NATO alliance who are in favor of doing this.
Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary, saying that -- remembering -- reminding the NATO allies that they do have responsibilities.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECY.: This is a serious issue. Inaction in the face of a threat to an ally risks eroding the solemn commitments which underlie the north atlantic treaty and would undermine the trans-Atlantic defense relationship which served every ally so well during the Cold War and the turbulent decade which followed. That treaty remains a fundamental basis for our defense against the new threats which confront us today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: Well, the U.S. saying they will press ahead with giving Turkey whatever military support it requires, even if NATO doesn't come through this. NATO very concerned, though, if that happens if America goes ahead and helps Turkey outside the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it could undermine the alliance -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Matthew Chance, live from Brussels, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 11, 2003 - 13:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The military buildup continues here in Kuwait, but the news of the hour, though, is playing out in Europe, at the headquarters of NATO. For the second time in two days, the alliance has failed to heal a major rift over preparations of war with Iraq.
CNN's Matthew Chance standing by in Brussels to bring us up to date -- Matthew.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thank you, Martin.
And though we've just had a briefing from the chief press office, the chief spokesman of the NATO alliance. he's been attempting to downplay the significance of the fact that the face-to-face, across the table, North Atlantic Council meeting that began just a few hours ago here it lasted for just 20 minutes. NATO officials saying there simply was not enough common ground at this stage for them to reach a consensus on this key issue, trying to find how they could help Turkey. France, Belgium, Germany have been opposed to helping Turkey at this stage. Turkey, which has borders with Iraq, has been calling for NATO military assistance to bolster its defenses ahead of any possible war with Iraq.
France, though, backed by Germany and Belgium, is saying the timing is not right. It could send the message that the decision to go to war has been already taken.
Also, France saying that it wants to give the U.N. more time to find a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq. Of course, all of these matters deeply frustrating to, not just the United States, but also to the 16 members of the NATO alliance who are in favor of doing this.
Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary, saying that -- remembering -- reminding the NATO allies that they do have responsibilities.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECY.: This is a serious issue. Inaction in the face of a threat to an ally risks eroding the solemn commitments which underlie the north atlantic treaty and would undermine the trans-Atlantic defense relationship which served every ally so well during the Cold War and the turbulent decade which followed. That treaty remains a fundamental basis for our defense against the new threats which confront us today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: Well, the U.S. saying they will press ahead with giving Turkey whatever military support it requires, even if NATO doesn't come through this. NATO very concerned, though, if that happens if America goes ahead and helps Turkey outside the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it could undermine the alliance -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Matthew Chance, live from Brussels, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
