By Countercurrents.org
28 November 2012
@ Countercurrents.org
A joint Turkey-NATO team starts work to assess where to station Patriots, how many would be needed and the number of foreign troops that would be sent to operate those, said a statement. The army says those would be used only for defense [1]
Foreign soldiers assigned to operate the system in Turkey would be placed under the framework of a memorandum of understanding in accordance with Turkey’s status of forces agreement (SOFA) with NATO, the General Staff said.
The site survey is for the deployment of Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems, the Turkish Armed Forces said while reiterating that the system is for defensive purposes.
NATO had previously been carrying out work for command and control, rules of engagement and integration of Patriot systems with Turkey’s air defense system, the statement also said.
“We are a NATO member and we believe that there is need for deployment of these [Patriot missiles]. As you know, there is a possibility of ballistic missiles [being used] by Syria,” Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesperson Bülent Arınç told reporters following a six-hour long Cabinet meeting.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned last week that such a deployment could spark a “very serious armed conflict” involving NATO.
NATO chief Anders Rasmussen told Lavrov that any deployment “would in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operations,” according to a spokesman for the alliance.
Iran also said the deployment would add to the region’s problems.
NATO’s chief says the command of Patriots will be under the control of the alliance and hints that the decision will be taken within ‘days.’ Meanwhile, opposition parties slam the deployment decision. [2]
NATO General-Secretary Anders Rasmussen believes that NATO allies will respond positively to Turkey’s demand for Patriot missiles within “days” and that command of the system will be under NATO control. He also said the alliance would not avoid using further measures for Turkey’s defense.
Rasmussen made the comment in an interview with private Turkish broadcaster NTV.
“Russia has no right to intervene in this process. This is a NATO decision; third parties have nothing to say,” Rasmussen said about Russian objections to the deployment.
According Rasmussen, NATO finances would be used to fund the Patriot system and Turkey would also contribute as the host country.
The NATO chief was also questioned regarding the efficiency of Patriot missiles. “I suppose this deployment will dissuade potential aggression,” he said.
“Similar instruments were used in Turkey in 2003. NATO possesses sufficient instruments to provide for Turkey’s defense and will not avoid using them.” Rasmussen did not give a specific date for the deployment of the missiles, though he said it would take days, not weeks.
Source:
[1] Hürriyet Daily News, “Turkey, NATO in field near Syria for Patriots”, Nov. 27, 2012, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-nato-in-field-near-syria-for-patriots.aspx?PageID=238&NID=35524&NewsCatID=338
[2] Hürriyet Daily News, “NATO to control Patriots”, Nov. 28, 2012, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/nato-to-control-patriots.aspx?pageID=238&nID=35632&NewsCatID=338