NATO launches new military base in western Turkey
PressTV.ir
Sat Dec 1, 2012
NATO has launched a new military base in Turkey’s western province of Izmir as the western alliance plans to deploy advanced Patriot missiles on Turkish border with Syria.
NATO’s Allied Land Command will “serve as a base for carrying out land operations when ordered by the alliance following the inspection, evaluation, preparation and standardization of NATO land forces,” Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported on Saturday.
“NATO has trusted Turkey at every step since its membership. Likewise, Turkey can always trust in NATO,” NATO supreme commander Adm. James Stavridis said during the opening ceremony of the military base on Friday.
Speaking about the deployment of Patriot missiles in southern Turkey, NATO Allied Land Commander Gen. Frederick Ben Hodges claimed that the move is not aimed at creating “a no-fly zone or to attack.”
“The evaluation team composed of officials from the US, Germany, the Netherlands and NATO were assigned in less than a week upon Turkey’s request. I expect the evaluation team to complete their work in a few days. If the deployment of the Patriots is accepted, it will be done to protect the Turkish people,” he said.
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