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| Updated: 23-Oct-2000 | Ministerial Communiqus |
Nuclear |
Final CommuniquéChairman: Mr. M. Brosio.
Anti-ballistic missile defence - Studies concerning tactical use of nuclear weapons.
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The NATO Nuclear Planning Group, composed of the Ministers of
Defence of seven NATO countries, adjourned today after a
two-day conference in The Hague. Attending the meeting were Mr.
Leo Cadieux, Canada, Mr. Gerhard Schroeder, Germany, Mr.
Panayotis Pipinelis, Greece, Mr. Roberto Tremelloni, Italy, Mr.
Willem den Toom, Netherlands, Mr. Denis Healey, United Kingdom,
and Mr. Clark Clifford, United States. NATO Secretary General,
Mr. Manlio Brosio, was Chairman.
Continuing their discussion of ballistic missile defence, the Ministers felt that present circumstances did not justify the deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system in Europe, but agreed that it was necessary to keep developments in this field under constant review. They agreed to recommend this conclusion to the Nuclear Defence Affairs Committee. They reaffirmed their hope that progress could be made in discussions with the Soviet Union towards a limitation of the strategic nuclear arms race, and welcomed the intention of the United States Government to consult fully with its allies on new developments in this direction. The Ministers reviewed a number of studies in the field of nuclear planning conducted since their last meeting, with special reference to the use of various types of tactical nuclear weapons in the defence of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and welcomed the progress that has been made. They gave directions for the elaboration of further guidelines for the NATO military authorities in respect of the tactical use of nuclear weapons. They also agreed to make recommendations to the Nuclear Defence Affairs Committee for increasing national participation in military nuclear planning. The Ministers agreed to hold the Group's next meeting in October 1968 in Bonn.
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