NATO Condemns Syria for Downing Turkish Plane
Published at
NATO(BRUSSELS) — NATO condemned Syria on Tuesday for downing a Turkish fighter jet last Friday.
After holding an emergency session on the incident in Brussels, the North Atlantic Council issued a statement saying, “We consider this act to be unacceptable and condemn it in the strongest terms. It is another example of the Syrian authorities’ disregard for international norms, peace and security, and human life.”
Turkey claims Syria shot down the F-4 plane over international waters without provocation, and called on NATO last week to hold the emergency meeting under Article 4 of its founding charter, which entitles allies to request a consultation if they feel their territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened.
Two pilots were lost in the crash.
“Our thoughts at this difficult time are with the missing Turkish aircrew, their families and their loved ones,” the North Atlantic Council said in its statement. “We continue to follow the situation closely and with great concern, and will remain seized of developments on the South-Eastern border of NATO.”
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio