-Caveat Lector- >>>If you can't "f" it up REE-uHHL good, don't "f" with it at all!<<<
Sunday, 9 February, 2003, 22:26 GMT Belgium to block US Nato request http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2743185.stm Michel says Belgium's position is settled Belgium says it will block an American request for Nato to start preparing a deployment of forces designed to protect Turkey in the event of a US-led war with Iraq. Members states have until Monday to state formal objections to the US appeal. France has also indicated it will oppose the request and wield its veto, despite pressure from the US The rift between Washington and what US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld termed "old Europe" threatens to do lasting damage to NATO solidarity, according to the BBC's Stephen Sackur in Brussels. 'Inexcusable' "We are going to block it between now and Monday - it is settled," Belgium's Foreign Minister Louis Michel said. Rumsfeld's "old Europe" remarks have offended many US allies "When one has to take a slap in the face such as the insulting remarks... by Mr Rumsfeld, who comes to teach a thing or two to 'old Europe', the Europe of democratic values, humanist Europe, the Europe of the Age of Enlightenment, personally I find that this hurts." Officials in Paris have repeatedly warned that a Nato deployment at this time would send the wrong signal - namely that war was inevitable. But Turkey is nervous about possible Iraqi counterattacks on its southern flank. Nato's article IV says: "Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence of security of any of the parties is threatened." : Who backs war? Where key nations stand on Iraq The stage is set for a furious behind-the- scenes row at Nato headquarters, our correspondent says. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said he found the moves to block his government's request "inexcusable". "I hope they will think differently by the time that they have to make a judgment tomorrow." Full coverage Key stories Powell: Key points Iraqi rebuttal World reaction UK's 'copied' dossier Analysis Iraq's 'last chance' US 'winning over' allies The US v Iraq BBC WORLD SERVICE News in Arabic AUDIO VIDEO TV and Radio reports TALKING POINT Is there enough evidence to go to war? See also: 09 Feb 03 | Europe Putin rallies Europeans on Iraq 08 Feb 03 | Europe Germany challenges US on Iraq 09 Feb 03 | Europe Iraq disarmament plan gains support 09 Feb 03 | Business Rich world prepares economy for war Internet links: The White House Iraqi Presidency Belgian Government Nato The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Europe stories now: Split looms for Nato over Iraq Montenegro poll fails Displaced Chechens wary of referendum Putin rallies Europeans on Iraq Musical is reborn in siege theatre Answers sought after Eurostar nightmare Fresh move to delay Moussaoui trial Kasparov draws against computer Links to more Europe stories are at the foot of the page. E-mail this story to a friend Forwarded for your information. 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