NATO Secretary General comments on Turkey and the Middle East
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Anders Fogh Rasmussen (NATO Secretary General): We have not yet received a formal request from Turkey but I am in contact with the Turkish government. The situation along the Syrian-Turkish border is of great concern. We have all plans in place to defend and protect Turkey if needed. These plans will be adjusted as necessary to ensure effective defence and protection of Turkey and if we receive a formal request from Turkey to ensure such effective defence and protection that request will be considered as a matter of urgency.
Q (Deutsche Presse-Agentur): Do you expect a request to arrive today? And is a no-fly zone over Syria an option?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen (NATO Secretary General): We are not speaking about a no fly zone. If we are to deploy Patriot missiles it would be purely a defensive measure to defend and protect Turkey. And deployment would take place on Turkish territory.
Q (inaudible): What about German newspaper claims that 170 German soldiers will be deployed with the missiles?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen (NATO Secretary General): It’s premature to make any assessment of that. As I told you, we have not yet received a formal request. I don’t know if and when we will receive such a formal request. But as I stressed if we receive that request it will be considered among allies as a matter of urgency.
Turkey can count on allied solidarity.
Q KUNA news agency: What about the situation in Gaza?
Anders Fogh Rasmussen (NATO Secretary General): Let me stress that NATO is not involved in the Middle East peace process and we don’t seek a role in it. But having said that, I am very much concerned about the escalation of violence in both Gaza and Israel. And I strongly regret the death and suffering of innocent civilians in both Israel and Gaza. Of course Israel has the right to self-defence and attacks against Israel must end, but the international community would also expect Israel to show restraint and I welcome regional and international efforts to find a settlement.