NATO declared yesterday that the US had proved conclusively that Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaida network was responsible for last month's attacks. On the basis of US evidence that the attacks originated outside the country, the alliance has invoked Article 5 of its founding treaty, which declares that an attack on one member-state is an attack on all 19.
The North Atlantic Council had a briefing from the US State Department co-ordinator for counter-terrorism, Mr Frank Taylor, but NATO's Secretary General, Lord Robertson, said the briefing was classified.
"The facts are clear and compelling. The information presented points conclusively to an Al-Qaida role in the 11 September attacks.
"We know the individuals who carried out these attacks were part of the worldwide terrorist network of Al-Qaida, headed by Osama bin Laden and his key lieutenants and protected by the Taliban," Lord Robertson said.
Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which established NATO more than half a century ago, obliges the 18 other allies to help the US but it leaves the form such help should take to each member-state.
The US has yet to make any specific request for help to its allies but Lord Robertson said that Washington could rely on the full support of all 18.
Germany's Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schr÷der, yesterday welcomed the evidence provided by the US, which was also delivered to NATO capitals but he said it was too early to say what help Germany would offer.
"There are no requests from the US administration to provide specific help. We will provide any help we can and that does not rule out military contributions," he said.
The European Commission has proposed the freezing of all assets held by 27 groups and individuals suspected of being Arab or Muslim fundamentalist terrorists. The measure, which will go to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for approval within the next week, would also forbid the provision of financial services to the groups and individuals named.
The list is identical to one included in a similar measure approved by President Bush last week. Apart from Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaida, it includes the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and groups as far apart as Algeria and Uzbekistan.
Russia's president, Mr Putin, was in Brussels yesterday for talks with senior EU officials. Mr Putin will visit NATO today and will hold a joint press conference with Belgium's prime minister, Mr Guy Verhofstadt, and the European Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi.
Mr Putin has shown strong support for the international campaign against terrorism and he said in Berlin last week that Russia was ready to begin talks to join NATO.
The EU is hoping to improve intelligence-sharing with Moscow and has offered to help Russia to secure its borders, in an effort to prevent the smuggling of drugs and weapons.
Mr Putin is expected to seek EU support for his war against Muslim rebels in Chechnya and Mr Schr÷der said last week that the conflict might have to be re-evaluated in the light of the US attacks.