NATO Crisis Deepens As Meeting Is Abandoned (20 Minutes)

Ananova ^ | 2-12-2003

[blam]

Nato crisis deepens as meeting is abandoned

Nato remains in crisis after a meeting of ambassadors aimed at sorting out differences over Iraq was abandoned after 20 minutes.

A second day of consultations at alliance HQ in Brussels failed to end one of the worst crises in Nato's 53 year history.

France, Germany and Belgium refused to lift their veto of US backed plans to bolster Turkish defences against a possible Iraqi missile attack.

After two postponements during the day, ambassadors from the 19 Nato countries met for only 20 minutes before ending the session.

Talks were to resume Wednesday, said a diplomat.

"Right now we do not have a conclusion," said Nato spokesman Yves Brodeur. The division in the alliance could undermine the America's attempts to muster support in the UN Security Council for military action against Iraq.

France, Russia and Germany sought more time for increased UN inspections in a proposal opposed by Washington.

Nato's infighting also casts doubt on the future of an alliance, which has spent the past years seeking to reinvent itself as a force to confront terrorism and rogue states.

Story filed: 17:59 Tuesday 11th February 2003

[paguch]

Some people may have been selling WMD to Iraq. This is a violation of UN, Nato and other agreements. An Ally to which side?

[MonroeDNA]

Let's expel France, Gremany, and Belgium from NATO, get out of the UN, and pull our troops from decaying Old Europe.

[blam]

"Let's expel France, Gremany, and Belgium from NATO, get out of the UN, and pull our troops from decaying Old Europe."

You got my vote.

[jocko12]

IT'S TIME TO MOVE ALL OF OUR TROOPS,EQUIPMENT SUPPORT PERSONAL OUT OF FRANCE,GERMANY AND BELGIUM NOW!!!!

[colorado tanker]

Some people may have been selling WMD to Iraq.

My thought too. Why else would France and Germany be willing to damage NATO and the UN to try to keep us out of Iraq. This feels like it involves more than money.

[DannyTN]

Let's expel France, Gremany, and Belgium from NATO, get out of the UN, and pull our troops from decaying Old Europe. Exactly. Time for NUNATO.

[dfwgator]

I propose a new alliance with Poland, and the other former Eastern bloc countries, the US, and Britain. I know, we can call it the "Warsaw Pact."

[dcwusmc]

"Let's expel France, Gremany, and Belgium from NATO, get out of the UN, and pull our troops from decaying Old Europe."

You got mine, as well.

Leave NATO to the EuroWeenies...

[marron]

We should hold a victory pizza party to celebrate the NATO victory over the Soviet Union, and pass out little awards and prizes to everyone.

And then announce the establishment of a new All-for-one-one-for-all Treaty organization, to consist of everyone who has signed on for the upcoming festivities in Baghdad.

Headquarters in Warsaw. Or Istanbul. Or Baghdad.

From day one its a lot larger than NATO ever was during the Cold War.

[Libertina]

Signed a treaty. Broke the treaty. They're OUT! End of NATO. Form an updated alliance & let F, B, & G stew in their own juices, the weasels.

[Elenya]

Let's expel France, Gremany, and Belgium from NATO, get out of the UN, and pull our troops from decaying Old Europe.

As far as NATO's concerned, from what I understand, that's exactly what the French are after so they can build a separate European military force. Very interesting times indeed. And I thought I'd seen it all... (just kidding...)

[SwinneySwitch]

Verrry interrresting.

[Wolfstar]

Mine, too. And if the Europeans are smart, they'll junk the EU and revert to a free trade agreement.

[blam]

" that's exactly what the French are after so they can build a separate European military force."

Would you want to be in a military alliance that France heads?

[spokeshave]

USA joins Warsaw pack....I love it....the dems wuld be appoleptic (sp)

[Travis McGee]

Historically, "sanction busting" has been VERY lucrative. On the order of 1,000% profits are typical when outlaw regimes with lots of cash are eager enough to buy forbidden arms... or WMD machinery and chemicals.