NATO Mission Begins in Turkey with AWACS Planes

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, February 27, 2003

NATO Mission Begins in Turkey with AWACS Planes

NATO's AWACS early warning planes flew into Turkey Wednesday for deployment of equipment to defend the country in case of a US-led war against Iraq.

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NATO's AWACS early warning planes flew into Turkey Wednesday for deployment of equipment to defend the country in case of a US-led war against Iraq.

"These aircraft, two of them, are the first and the mission starts now," a NATO official said in Brussels.

The deployment followed a breakthrough last week after a month-long deadlock in NATO ranks over a US request to prepare alliance member Turkey for any attack by Iraq. The deadlock unveiled one of the biggest rifts in NATO's 54-year-history.

The AWACS planes, due to patrol Turkey's border with Iraq, and two cargo planes arrived at the Konya air base in central Turkey from Geilenkirchen, Germany.

Turkey, widely seen playing a front-line role in any US-led war on Iraq, is preparing for a parliamentary vote this week to open its air bases and other military facilities to US troops.

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