US Asks NATO for Help in Possible War with Iraq

VOA News, 15 Jan 2003,

The United States has formally asked NATO for assistance in case of a war with Iraq. Washington asked its 18 NATO allies for access to airspace and military bases, and to take measures to protect NATO member Turkey, which borders Iraq -- in case of a possible counter-attack from Baghdad.

NATO officials say none of the requests entail direct participation in military operations against Iraq by NATO members.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the requests are part of an ongoing planning process. He says President Bush has not yet decided on whether to use force against Iraq. But Mr. Bush said again Tuesday that time is running out for Baghdad to disarm.

More U.S. forces are heading to the Gulf region, where a massive build-up of 120,000 troops is expected to be complete by mid-February.

The White House also announced Wednesday that British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet with Mr. Bush on January 31 - four days after the top U.N. inspectors are to give the Security Council a progress report on their efforts to find any banned Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. Blair defended his hardline stance against Iraq Wednesday, saying Baghdad's weapons threaten world security and could someday be used by terrorists.

In another development, The Washington Post newspaper says U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice held an unannounced meeting with chief arms inspector Hans Blix at the United Nations Tuesday. The Post says Ms. Rice pressed Mr. Blix to take Iraqi scientists out of the country for interviews to elicit information on any banned Iraqi weapons.

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The Modern Tribune