NATO

[Dyne Darkforce]

They invoked the 5th article. This means they are along side U.S for the retaliation.

[Khasha DarNei]

Wednesday September 12 3:48 PM ET
NATO Allies Back United States
By PAUL GEITNER, Associated Press Writer

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - NATO (news - web sites) declared Wednesday that the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington can be considered an attack on the whole alliance - provided it turns out they were directed from abroad.

The decision grants the United States backing from its 18 NATO partners for military action if Tuesday's attacks were committed by foreigners, NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson said.

It was the first time this solidarity principle has been invoked in the history of the alliance founded in 1949.

``The parties will take such action as it deems necessary, including armed force,'' Robertson told a news conference. ``An attack on one is an attack on all.''

This principle dates to the alliance's founding, but has never been invoked. Originally intended to be applied in case of a Cold War attack, Robertson said the principle ``is no less valid'' today.

The decision obliges America's allies to provide support for any military operation, from opening up air space and providing intelligence and logistical support to contributing troops and equipment.

In a statement, the NATO allies said ``in the event of attacks ... each ally will assist (the United States) by taking such action as it deems necessary. Accordingly, the United States' NATO allies stand ready to provide the assistance that may be required as a consequence of these acts of barbarism.''

The declaration would allow the United States to invoke Article 5 of the NATO charter, which declares an ``armed attack'' on any member to be an attack on all.

Before the decision, a senior U.S. official in Washington told The Associated Press that adoption of a declaration would be a strong show of support. But the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it would not necessarily mean the allies would provide military units to counter terrorism.

NATO officials said there was no discussion of military intervention.

``At the moment this is an act of solidarity,'' Robertson said. ``It's a reaffirmation of a solemn treaty commitment which these countries have entered into''

A special European Union (news - web sites) foreign ministers meeting here ended separately with a strong show of support for the United States in the wake of the attacks. In a statement, the ministers said they would ``spare no efforts to help identify, bring to justice and punish those responsible.''

The foreign ministers also declared a day of mourning in all 15 EU nations for Friday and asked ``all Europeans to observe three minutes of silence'' on Friday at 6 a.m. EDT.

``We were all victims of this attack,'' Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, who chaired the EU meeting, told reporters.

In an exceptional move, NATO secretary-general Robertson attended the EU meeting.

``We have to make clear to the world that (the EU and NATO) stand together,'' he said. ``We are two organizations that speak with one voice, one strong voice.''

Search and rescue teams were mobilized around Europe, and EU officials said they were ready to help U.S. authorities with recovery efforts if needed.

[ReaperFett]

anyone know the full NATO member list?

[Khasha DarNei]

http://www.nato.int/


Member countries


The 19 member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance:
Belgium Canada Czech Republic Denmark
France Germany Greece Hungary
Iceland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands
Norway Poland Portugal Spain
Turkey United Kingdom United States



Here are NATO's webpages...


http://www.nato.int/welcome/home.htm

The second link includes the list of nations, policies, etc

[Master Yoghurt]

Now, using the fifth act means NATO is concidering the terrorist attack as an act of war, thus an attack at NATO. That means we (NATO countries) will give full military support counteracting the attack.

Of course, it still has to be confirmed who is beyond all this. It is still to early jumping to conclusions, although there are many indications pointing in one direction.

Furthermore, if it really can be proved it is Bin Laden, Afghanistan will most likely cooperate, and there will be no war.

[ReaperFett]

cheers

[Rock]

This is good

[Zasz]

We must first, be sure of the terroists.

[Jeseth Cloak]

Bin Laden is the number one most wanted criminal in the world. The reason that NATO hasn't gone in and taken him as of yet is because they cannot confirm without a doubt that the Taliban government is harboring him, and they won't allow the US to go in and look. It's only a matter of time before he's nailed, whether or not he was behind this attack or not.