LONDON Ñ NATO has agreed to launch a campaign to protect against a
weapons of mass destruction attack by groups deemed as terrorists as well as
their state sponsors, including Iran, Iraq, Libya and Syria.
NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels agreed on a strategy that
defined several Middle East countries as WMD threats. These include Iran,
Iraq, Libya and Syria. Other states listed by the ministers were Cuba and
North Korea.
Currently, NATO has limited defenses against WMD and virtually none
against nuclear or biological weapons. The ministers were warned that
alliance members face an imminent attack by Al Qaida and its allies meant to
overshadow that of the Sept. 11 strikes on New York and Washington.
"The alliance in the past has frankly focused more on the chemical
problem and less on radiological, nuclear and biological capabilities," a
senior U.S. official who attended the Brussels summit said. "There was broad
agreement that the WMD threat is a threat to the alliance and especially to
civilian populations. Both Syria and Libya were also discussed."
"We need to assess what the threats are for the safety and security of
the people who live in the countries that are members of the alliance and
act appropriately in the circumstances," NATO secretary-general George
Robertson said.
The ministers agreed that the WMD threat from the Middle East as well as
the chance for further proliferation has increased. They said the alliance
would begin to draft proposals to increase capabilities in the areas of WMD
protection, military rapid-response, interoperable communications and
precision strikes.
[On Thursday, the New Dehli-based Hindustan Times reported that Indian
authorities are investigating allegations that Iraq has bought a large
amount of weapons-grade titanium and aluminum for its chemical weapons and
missile program from Indian companies. The focus of the investigation is NEC
Engineers from New Dehli.]
NATO ministers said the proposals includes a timetable for development
as well as commitments to complete the new capabilities. They said a draft
program is meant to be presented for approval at NATO's summit in November
in Prague.
"The idea was that this was a tasking to military authorities to develop
a package with specific, concrete goals and timelines for achieving those
goals that can be endorsed by heads of state in Prague," a senior U.S.
official at the Brussels meeting said.
