Netherlands to send Patriot missiles to Turkey

Dutch Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Yvonne van Hees said Turkey had made a direct request for the military aid, bypassing NATO, adding that NATO approval was not necessary. "This is a bilateral arrangement. NATO approval is not needed," she said. Van Hees said she could not immediately confirm a report by Turkey’s Anatolian news agency that some 370 Dutch troops would be sent to Turkey to man the three missile systems. Turkey this week gave permission for U.S. personnel to upgrade its bases ahead of a February 18 parliament vote likely to allow Washington to send thousands of troops to Turkey’s southern border for a "northern front" against Iraq.