Nato divided about Iraq war role

Nato delivered another setback to the US today as four allies held up plans for the alliance to send planes and missiles to defend Turkey if there is war with Iraq.

Officials said the American proposals to start preparing for a supporting role for Nato in case of war were not even discussed at a meeting of the alliance’s policy-making North Atlantic Council.

France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg say they do not oppose the US proposals as such. But they feel it is too early to start the military planning while there is still hope of avoiding a war through diplomacy and the UN weapons inspections

The American proposals include sending AWACS surveillance planes and Patriot missiles systems to Turkey, intensifying naval patrols in the Mediterranean, filling in for European-based US troops sent to the Gulf and an eventual role for Nato in humanitarian or peacekeeping operations in a post-war Iraq.

The decision was first blocked last week. Officials at Nato headquarters said it now could come after February 5, when US Secretary of State Colin Powell is scheduled divulge intelligence about Iraqi weapons programmes and alleged links to terrorist groups.

Although Nato Secretary General Lord Robertson insisted there was “no bust up” over the issue, diplomats said the debate was becoming tense.

US officials shad been hoping for movement after Monday’s report by the UN weapons inspectors, which was sharply critical of Iraq for failing to offer full co-operation.

However reaction to the report underscored differences among the allies, with Britain and the United States stressing Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s failure to comply, while Germany and France took up the call for the inspectors to be given more time.

“Nato is on the sidelines and that’s no surprise,” said Sir Timothy Garden, of London’s Royal Institute of International Affairs.

He said Nato’s military role was decreasing as the United States increasingly looked to build tailor-made coalitions for conflicts rather than rely on Nato, where all decisions need unanimous support among the 19 members.