Rasmussen: "NATO has plans to defend Turkey"

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said yesterday that the alliance has plans to defend Turkey in a possible Syria crisis, while analysts have stated such a defense plan should not be perceived as military support under Article 5 of NATO treaty. "We have all necessary plans in place to protect and defend Turkey if necessary," Rasmussen told reporters prior to a meeting of defense ministers from NATO states in Brussels. Rasmussen commended the government for its restraint, saying he hopes the parties would avoid an escalation of the crisis. "Obviously Turkey has a right to defend itself within international law. I would add to that that obviously Turkey can rely on NATO solidarity," he said. According to information obtained from NATO recourses by the Hurriyet daily, the “defense plan” which is still in preparation phase could include following issues: protecting Turkish borders by AWACS early warning aircrafts; deploying air defense missiles (Patriots), which NATO does not have but could be obtained from allied countries, in certain positions in Turkey; strengthening infrastructures of facilities in bases and airports, as well as defense capabilities against chemical and biological weapons; reinforcing defense capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces.