NATO chief Mr George Robertson said today he is confident alliance members will overcome differences about supporting US-led action against Iraq.
Washington asked NATO last week to study options about how it could help indirectly in a war against Iraq. But alliance members are split, notably between the United States and Britain on the one hand, and France and Germany on the other.
"There is a disagreement over timing at the moment, by a small number of nations, but no disagreement on substance at all," he said after NATO ambassadors failed Wednesday to agree on the timing of launching military preparations to support Washington.
But he said he was sure the differences could be overcome, notably to allow the NATO to provide support for NATO ally Turkey, which would be on the frontline of any war against Iraq.
"I have absolutely no doubt that the alliance will as it has promised stand by its ally Turkey which happens to be a neighbour of Iraq. There is no dispute about that at all," he said.
AFP
