NATO member nations were assessing plans Tuesday to send helicopters and troops from the alliance's peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan along with airlifts of aid from Europe in response to a Pakistani request to help earthquake victims. The alliance's 26 ambassadors were expected to approve plans drafted by NATO commanders when they gather later Tuesday, officials said. Germany has already sent in troops detached from the alliance force in Afghanistan and was sending helicopters from a base near the Afghan border. NATO activated its emergency response center over the weekend to coordinate possible requests for aid from Pakistan and India. NATO also helped coordinate European aid to the U.S. Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Alliance officials said the appeal from Pakistan included requests for rescue and cargo helicopters, earth-moving equipment, tents, blankets, emergency rations and medical equipment. Military experts from allied nations worked through the night to assess plans prepared by SHAPE _ the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe _ in southern Belgium, The Associated Press reported.
