In a decision that could shake the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, France and Belgium vetoed efforts on Monday to prepare to give Turkey military support in the event that the alliance member came under attack during a U.S.-led war against Iraq, sources said. The move came with explicit support of the German government.

In response to the veto, Turkey plans to demand that the alliance reconsider the issue on Monday, the Turkish television station NTV reported. The Turkish government plans to cite an article in the North Atlantic Treaty that established the alliance in 1949. "The parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened," the article says.

The veto by France and Belgium did not come as a surprise. On Thursday, the alliance put off a decision on the issue because of the disagreement. At the time, NATO Secretary General George Robertson said: "Where there has been a disagreement is over when to formally task this military planning. Not whether to plan but when to plan."

Belgium and France raise objections

The decision to delay a decision was followed by statements Sunday from Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel that his country would block the matter and from France that it might do likewise.

The issue has been simmering within the alliance since mid-January when the United States asked its other 18 NATO allies for assistance. The United States wants Turkey, a neighbor of Iraq, to receive three forms of help: Airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft to provide surveillance, Patriot missiles to provide air defense, and special forces to combat biological and chemical weapons.

The request is particularly sensitive for German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder because he has said Germany would not fight any war against Iraq and would vote against any resolution that is presented in the U.N. Security Council to authorize such a war. The issue becomes complicated for Germany because its servicemembers serve in the surveillance planes. If the alliance provided the planes to Turkey, Schröder would have to decide whether they should remain on board. If they were pulled out, the alliance would have a difficult time carrying out the mission.

Concerns of the U.S.

The issue is also sensitive to the United States. At a security conference held in Munich over the weekend, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said the dispute could endanger the alliance. "I can’t imagine doing that (veteoing the plan). It is beyond my comprehension. ... Turkey is an ally. The North Atlantic Treaty provides for this. Turkey is a member of the alliance. To prevent defensive capabilities – just the planning, not even deployment – I think that is inexcusable," Rumsfeld said Saturday.