Defiant Turks block access to NATO files

Date: 19/10/00

By Craig Winneker

EU REQUESTS for sensitive NATO documents are being blocked by Turkey as it battles for a decision-making role in the Union's new independent military force.

Turkey, which is a member of NATO and hopes to join the Union, had previously signalled its willingness to participate in talks on the issue. But Ankara adopted a harder line in the run-up to last week's meeting of NATO defence ministers in Birmingham, complaining that it had not been offered any concessions by EU officials.

The Union has promised to consult Ankara when crisis- management missions are being planned and give it a command role when they are being carried out. But it would have no say in deciding whether to launch missions.

Turkish diplomats warn the country will continue to use its influence in NATO to block closer cooperation with the EU until its concerns have been met. "We want progress in all areas of cooperation in a parallel fashion," said one.

Remarks last week by US Defence Secretary William Cohen appeared to support both sides in the dispute. Cohen said the US backed the Union's security initiative, but insisted that it must not create a rival planning capability.