Turkey requests Patriot missiles from NATO

Turkey has requested NATO to support the augmentation of its national air defense, a statement by the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "In view of the threats and risks posed by the continuing crisis in Syria to our national security and following Council consultations held on June 26 and October 3, 2012 upon our request within the framework of Article 4 of the Washington Treaty, a decision has been taken to formally request NATO to support the augmentation of our national air defence by Allied air defence elements," it said. "Our request has been formally raised through a letter, which we have today issued at NATO," the statement said. It added the NATO Council would shortly convene to address the request. "NATO WILL DISCUSS TURKEY'S REQUEST WITHOUT DELAY" NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that he had received a letter from Turkish government requesting the deployment of Patriot missiles. Releasing a written statement on Wednesday, Rasmussen said, "such a deployment would augment Turkey's air defense capabilities to defend the population and territory of Turkey." "It would contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along NATO's south-eastern border. And it would be a concrete demonstration of Alliance solidarity and resolve," he noted, adding, "the deployment will be defensive only, and that it will in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation." Rasmussen said, "NATO will discuss Turkey's request without delay. If approved, the deployment would be undertaken in accordance with NATO's standing air defense plan. It is up to the individual NATO countries that have available Patriots - Germany, the Netherlands and the United States - to decide if they can provide them for deployment in Turkey and for how long. Next week a joint team will visit Turkey to conduct a site-survey for the possible deployment of Patriots." "The security of the Alliance is indivisible. NATO is fully committed to deterring against any threats and defending Turkey's territorial integrity," he added.