NATO has opened the way for a possible collective military response to yesterday’s attacks on the United States by invoking its mutual defence clause for the first time in its history.
"The (NATO) Council agreed if it is determined that this was an attack directed from abroad against the United States, it shall be regarded as an action covered by Article V of the Washington Treaty, which states that an attack against one ally is an attack against them all," Secretary-General George Robertson said.
The article commits each of the 19 member nations to take such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area.
Asked whether this meant NATO would take joint action, Robertson said: "The country attacked has to make the decisions, it has to be the one that asks for help ... The US is still assessing the evidence available. They are the ones to make that judgment."
In Washington, Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell said the statement would tee up a possible collective response once the United States identified the perpetrators and their sponsors.