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“This goes beyond the simple political declaration the United States has sought.”
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PRAGUE,
November 21 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - NATO leaders pledged in
a joint statement Thursday, November 21, to “take effective action”
to help the United Nations win Iraq’s complete and immediate
compliance with a Security Council disarmament resolution.
“NATO
Allies stand united in their commitment to take effective action to
assist and support the efforts of the U.N. to ensure full and immediate
compliance by Iraq, without conditions or restrictions, with UNSCR (U.N.
Security Council Resolution) 1441,” they said in the statement, Agence
France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The
alliance also called on Iraq “to comply fully and immediately with
this and all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions,” but did not
specifically endorse military action against Baghdad.
“We
recall that the Security Council in this resolution has warned Iraq that
it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violation
of its obligations,” the leaders’ statement said.
“We
deplore Iraq’s failure to comply fully with its obligations which were
imposed as a necessary step to restore international peace and security
and we recall that the Security Council has decided in its resolution to
afford Iraq a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament
obligations under relevant resolutions of the Council,” it added.
A
senior U.S. administration official quickly lauded the “very
helpful” statement, which he said “sends a powerful statement”
about the military alliance’s commitment to disarm Iraq.
“This
is surprisingly strong language and we are very pleased that NATO agreed
to the language that they did,” the official told reporters on
condition of anonymity.
“This
goes beyond the simple political declaration the United States has
sought.”
The
NATO alliance also agreed Thursday to provide support for a renewed
security force in Afghanistan, its first involvement in the operation in
the war-torn country.
Germany
and the Netherlands are due to take joint command of the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in and around Kabul in February, for
about six months. Turkey currently leads the force.
“NATO
has agreed to provide support in selected areas for the next ISAF lead
nations, showing our continued commitment,” said a statement issued by
the 19-member alliance at a summit in Prague.
“However,
the responsibility for providing security and law and order throughout
Afghanistan resides with the Afghans themselves.”
Diplomats
described the NATO decision on Afghanistan as a major step.
The
renewed ISAF mission will have a six-month mandate and cover the same
geographical area as the current operation, they said.
“NATO
is taking a big step by agreeing to provide formal military support,”
said one, while declining to predict what would happen after that.
“What
comes next remains to be seen,” he said.
ISAF
was established in Afghanistan in December last year following the
U.S.-led war on the Al-Qaeda network and the Taliban regime that
supported it.
It
currently has some 4,600 soldiers from a total of 21 nations.
