Defying all the rules of law and risking war

Submitted by Dan B. (United States), Sep 30, 2011 at 23:37

The question also relates to whether Turkey still belongs in Nato, an article you wrote a few years ago.

According to the NATO Charter (http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_17120.htm):

"The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments. . . founded on the principles of democracy"

The UN has found that Israel has a legal right, if not implied duty, to prevent a terror sponsoring state from clandestinely arming a terrorist organization, especially one that continually engages in terror and acts of aggression. Turkey simply says they disagree and is sending military ships to a neutral zone in order to provoke a response. Have they read, or do they care about Article 1?:

"The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international dispute in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations."

Not only are they violating clear international law by running a legal blockade with warships, but they are violating both the NATO and UN Charter by provoking a military reaction, a type of agression. It is also testing the U.S. Sixth Fleet, stationed in the Mediterranean with up to 40 ships, 175 aircraft and 21,000 people, to see what we will do. Someone should tell Mr. Obama that this is not a drill.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".