Nato puts on show of unity after Iraq divisions

All 26 Nato nations decided they will work together to help train Iraq’s military today – a decision designed to symbolise the end to the bitter divisions wrought by the Iraq war.

President George Bush welcomed the commitment at the alliance meeting in Brussels.

“Twenty-six nations sitting around that table said it’s important for Nato to be involved - that’s a strong statement,” he said. “Nato is involved in Iraq and Nato’s doing a vital mission which is to help an officer corps emerge.”

Nato has been struggling for months to get allies to commit troops and money needed for the mission to train Iraqi troops. At today’s summit, officials said they now had the 160 instructors and 200 guards and support staff needed for the current phase of the mission in Baghdad.

“We are united in our commitment,” the 26 leaders said in a joint statement.

However, in a sign of lingering differences, France, Germany and other opponents to the Iraq war will not send instructors to Iraq. Instead, they are limiting their contribution to funding for the operation or training outside the country.

The mission inside Iraq currently comprises about 110 instructors training senior Iraqi officers in Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone. Over half the Nato instructors are American.

President Jacques Chirac, a fierce opponent of the war, confirmed France will participate in the Nato mission. But officials said that would be limited to one officer working at Nato headquarters in Belgium.

France has separately offered to train 1,500 Iraqi military police in Qatar and to play a lead role in EU efforts to train Iraqi judicial officials.

“In Iraq, France wants to contribute to stability,” Chirac told the meeting.

The announcement on Iraq was a highlight of a summit carefully choreographed to show the alliance has overcome bitterness over the Iraq war.

Bush sought to quell any concerns about America’s commitment to an alliance that has struggled to establish a wider global role since the end of the Cold War.

“The alliance of Europe and North America is the main pillar of our security in a new century,” Bush said. “Our strong friendship is essential to peace and prosperity across the globe and no temporary debate, no passing disagreement of governments, no power on earth will ever divide us.”