WASHINGTON
US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland has said that they did not receive an official request from NATO on deploying Patriot system in Turkey's Syria border.
On a question about deploying Patriot system in Turkey, Nuland said that "Since the Article 4 consultation that we had in NATO with Turkey at Turkey's request following the beginning of these cross-border incidents, we have been working within NATO and with Turkey to look at what other defensive support Turkey might require" in the daily press conference.
She said they did not receive an official request from NATO but reminded that they have reinforced Turkey with Patriots in the past. Nuland added that they would await a formal request and then NATO would deliberate. She stated "But we are obviously looking at the full range of things to ensure that Turkey remains safe and secure."
Nuland, on a question if that have to be through NATO, answered "No" and added that traditionally as a longtime NATO ally, Turkey seeks NATO support when it feels its security might be in peril.
Another question asking "With the possible deployment of these Patriot missiles, do you think that we are getting closer to sort of enforcing a no-fly zone or a safe haven?" Nuland said that she would not get into hypothetical situations and added that Patriot is a defensive system and responsible for knocking down incoming missiles. She added "It is not a missile. It is an interceptor for missiles, so its purpose would be to defend the territory of Turkey. So I think you have got apples and oranges going here".
Nuland said that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu did not talk on that specific issue recently but they are expected to talk soon not necessarily on this issue but on the full package of Syria issues.
